Part 68 (1/2)
As to the boats that passed under the archway, they were prisoned till the next loater
”Satisfied?” said the lieutenant, after all were on board, and he had heard the report ”More than satisfied I was horribly disappointed at losing the lugger, and I ht for it, but your news--my dear boy--my dear Mr Gurr, this is splendid! What a despatch I can write!”
”It will be the breaking up of the gang, will it not, sir?” asked Archy
”Yes, my dear boy; and an end to this wretched work They ood shi+p If we can be together, Mr Raystoke, I shall be delighted”
That sa about Ra up and down rubbing his hands
”Beg pardon, sir, but may I ask a favour?”
”A dozen if you like, Raystoke, and I'll grant them if I can Want a run ashore?”
”No, sir I want you to be easy with that boy He was very kind to me when I was a prisoner”
”Hum! Hah! Well, I don't knohat to say to that Here,softly, and looking sharply from one to the other
”Now, sir, take off your cap,” said the lieutenant sternly
Ram did not look a bit afraid, but he doffed his red cap
”I suppose you know, sir, that you'll be sent to gaol?”
”Yes--I knew you wouldn't hang me”
”And pray what have you to say for yourself?”
”Nothing that I knows on,” said Raone, and I dessay he won't co the Dutchgling to do”
”You mean you want to volunteer for His Majesty's service?”
”Yes, that's it,” said Rah shortly ”There; you can go below”
Ram waved his red cap, tossed it in the air, and turned to Archy
”I say, orficer,” he said, ”I knohere your little sword is You send one of your chaps to- to be a sailor, and she's to give him your little sword as father put in the top drawer”
Archy's eyes sparkled, for the loss of his dirk was a bitter memory
”Humph!” said the lieutenant, as Ram went below; ”not a bad sort of boy
Well, Mr Raystoke, will that do?”