Part 27 (2/2)
Brutus pulled an oar sharply I saw a ladder dangling perilously from the bulwarks I saw Brutus seize it, and then our boat, arrested and stationary, began to tosshiainst each sudden roll
”Now, Madeet on deck Brutus will carry you up quite safely Hold the ladder, Henry, hold to it, or we ain”
His voice was still coldly precise, not raised even to a higher pitch
”You are chilled, my son?” he asked ”Never e how the years make the path see the shi+p seeh I kno that everyus in the face Even nohen I look back on it, the water is not what I see, nor Brutus grasping at the dangling rope, but ratherthe ladder, detached from the motion and exciteht happen see Madeed the ladder with ready adroitness, and I followed safely, but not before I had been hurled against the side with a force that nearly drove away my breath I reached the deck to find a lantern thrust into my face, and stared into it, for the moment quite blinded
”It is the son,” reht I remembered, and then my father followed me
”We are on board, Mr Aiken,” he called ”Never mind the boat Get your men on the braces, or we'll blow on shore”
”Yes, Captain Shelton,” said the voice again ”You are on board, to be sure, and very prettily done I have been waiting for you all evening
”Indeed,” said my father, in his old level tone, ”and who the devil are you?”
”Mr Sied to seize your shi+p before it left the river It is hard, after so much trouble, but you are my prisoner, Captain Shelton”
My eyes had becoht I looked about roup of men Mr Siloas standing beside a tallhiled lapel of his coat, his glance vague and thoughtful, as though he was exa at his leisure so as unpleasant as I had ever seen him, had half thrust Made, his eye onnervously
My father patted his coat gently and sighed
”I ly, indeed, quite delightfully unexpected I hope you have been quite comfortable”
Mr Sims permitted himself to smile
”I told them you were a man of sense,” he said ”Is it not odd that only you and I should have iame is over My compliments, Captain Shelton You deserve to have done better”
”Of course,” said ame is over”
”I knew you would be reasonable,” said Mr Si, do we not? I am sorry ere not on the same side, but I have been commissioned to take you, captain, for a little man whom you and I both knew back in Paris I have a dozen et us to the harbor You are a prisoner of France, as you have doubtless guessed We shall all be trans-shi+pped to Mr Jason Hill's schooner, which has been waiting for you; and now you htfully before him, my father rested his chin in the palm of his hand
”I remember you now,” he said ”And may I add it is a pleasure to havetaken on board a shi+p I own”
Mr Sims bowed ironically
”And now, Captain, the document, if you please, unless you care to be searched”
I thought my father had not heard, for he still looked quite blandly at the lantern