Part 56 (1/2)
”My dear boy! My dear Archy Raystoke!” cried the lieutenant, seizing his hands and pu them up and down ”Of course I didn't think it!
Knew you were too hts like that, and they would come out Here,” he cried, ”drink that, and here's solad to see you again God bless you, my dear boy! I'm your officer, but you don't kno miserable I've been”
”Yes, I do, sir I know you always liked me,” cried the”But neverprisoner, sir I know all the scoundrels' secrets now, and you can capture the party ashore as soon as it's day”
”But--but--”
Archy answered those buts to such an extent that Gurr's report was needless, and the master was terribly disappointed
By that ti away seaward, with every eye on the watch, for, as the lieutenant explained, after telling his recovered officer how he had searched in all directions, he had that night seen lights shown far up on one of the cliffs--lights whichto soht have the other intention, and be an invite to soo
In any case the lieutenantof the cutter
The lieutenant had hesitated a little at first after hearing his midshi+pman's report, but he now decided how to act
”No,” he said; ”not to-night,to keep off They o they leave ashore, and if we don't capture it, somore than to capture a few barrels and bales We'll look out to-night, and, as soon as it is daylight, you shall s of your prison, then we'll land a strong boat's crew, and go along the top of the cliff to the place, and put an end to that gaood meal, and then have a sleep, ready for to-ht to ood day's business, Mr Raystoke, and promotion to better jobs than this”
”I hope so, sir,” said Archy, with his mouth full
”No use to hope,” said the lieutenant dismally ”I'm like poor old Gurr; they don't consider me fit for service in a crack shi+p; and when I make my report, and send in my despatches, and ask for an appointment, I shall be told I do my work too well on this important service, and that they cannot spare so valuable an officer froammon! It's all because I'm so little and so fat”
Archy was silent, for he kneas the truth, and that such a quaint little fellow did not somehow quite command theheavily, with the delightful sensation of being undressed and between blankets, to wake up with a start in theto the trap-door
No, it was a noise on deck; and he sprang up and rapidly washed and dressed, to hurry up to see as going on
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
As the midshi+pht mist on the water, and that the lieutenant was at the side with Gurr, where they atching a boat co in from seaward
The cutter was back not far froreat cliffs of the shore were dimly visible
”Lobster-boat, sir,” said Gurr, as Archy caoing to be suspicious of everything now Take the boat, and--Ah, to be sure Mr Raystoke, take the boat, and see what those fellows e, and there is no one to buy lobsters there”
”Ay, ay, sir!”
That fa out of the lad's throat, and afforded hi about in the darkness, biting his nails, and feeling heart-sick with despondency, but the full delight of freedo to his ith more alacrity, and, as he leaped into the boat, and the men dropped their oars, there was a hearty look of welcoone into the mist there, Mr Raystoke,” said the lieutenant; ”but she's e, and you can't ht and honest as to what they are going to do, see if you can get any inforuard, as they'll send you, perhaps, on soain, as he took the handle of the tiller
”Now, ive way!”
The mist was patchy, thin here and thick there, but it seelided into the fog, going sloith her little sail set, and with only a man and boy for crew She was about a mile away from the cutter, and about a quarter of that distance froht, and the possibility of not overtaking her never entered the h trained in his duties to make him keep a sharp look-out on either side, as they crept in, to make sure that the boat did not slip away under the cliffs to right or left unseen