Part 26 (2/2)

I probably lay there for so I could not tell When I ca near ht ster at present,” said one; ”he has 'peached once, and will ferret out e're about, and 'peach again if he has the chance I only e had dropped hio”

It was the boatsho spoke

”I didn't think of the shot, as I suppose that would stop hi the shi+p,” remarked old Growles; ”that's what I was afeered of”

”Why, Gregory, you're always thinking of ghosts and spirits--they wouldn't do harm to you or any of us,” remarked another felloas looked upon as the chief sceptic of the crew, though it is difficult to say what they did or did not believe, for considering their lives it ether

They continued talking in low voices Though I could not h to be convinced that they had some plot or other which they intended soon to put into execution, and fearing lest I should get an inkling of it and inform the captain, they intended to do aith me It was some satisfaction to discover that they had no iht have time to warn the officers or to make my escape

I for some time had had an idea in enerally called a dinghy She could hold two or three people, and was useful for sending away to the shore, or for lowering at sea in cal had to be picked up If I could lower her into the water during the night when off the coast of soe to escape to the shore before I was discovered

What I had heard er than could be helped That night nothing could be done, even should I find that the blow had not incapacitated me from exertion I dare not move from my present uncomfortable position, for should I be discovered the men would not scruple to do aith an to walk about the deck I was fearful, however, that they ht come by the windlass, when I must have been discovered

At last I heard the second ive the order to shorten sail, and they had to run to their stations; and as they did so, I crawled out and succeeded in reaching my bunk, into which I tumbled unperceived I was far froht smother me--the mode I fancied they would take to put me out of existence

I was not missed, I suppose, as no one called me, and when my watch on deck came round I turned out with the rest My head ached, and I had a big lu, when the third ot that I replied that it was the way I had got many another, that it was only what I expected, and had made up my mind to bear it

”You're a rum chap, and a bold one-- himself more about the matter

When I went aft to the cabin at breakfast, I heard one of the mates observe that we should ht towithout provisions I knew that a good store was kept in the pantry, to which I had access My intention was to tu I could find into a cloth, to tie it up, and to carry it off, if I could, unperceived to the dinghy

How to lower that without being heard or seen by the watch on deck was the difficulty The falls were so fitted that a single person ht lower her, but then she would make a splash in the water

We made the land about four o'clock in the afternoon, but after standing on for some time till it was nearly dark, the captain ordered the shi+p's head to be put about, as he was not well acquainted with the coast, and there were dangerous reefs which ran off for a considerable distance

Night caht it was, but the darkness would favourallowed to turn in when it was my watch beloas sent aft by the cook with a dish of devilled biscuits to the cabin, where the captain and the first and secondsupper, while the third mate had the watch on deck I intended it to be the last ti in the cabin before I observed that the captain and , and seemed disposed to continue their debauch The devilled biscuits which I had placed before them still farther incited their thirst, and the captain ordered another bottle of ruot out two bottles, one of which he kept in the pantry while he took the other into the cabin

”You'll do to attend on the officers, dick,” he said toto enjoy myself”

I stood ready to obey any orders I should receive The conversation I heard was far fro ofat the far end of the cabin I heard a crash One of the mates had knocked over a couple of tumblers, and I was sent into the pantry to obtain others I found the steward fast verging into a state of unconsciousness He had been pulling away at the rureat rate, for fear he should not have tiot the tumblers I cast my eyes round the pantry to see what articles of food I could most readily carry off I saw the best part of a cold ham, an ample supply of biscuits and sos of less consequence

Returning to the cabin I placed the tumblers on the table, and retired beyond the reach of the officers, having been taught by experience that they ive me a box on the ear or to knock me down I watched them with intense interest, lest they should knock off before they were completely drunk The thirdto the captain, but, seeing the state his co a loud ! He turned on his heel, and went out again, seeing the i sober himself I confess that I wished he had sat doith the others, and left the shi+p to take care of herself

Soon afterwards, as I knew I should not be missed, I stole out of the cabin, and went into the pantry, where I quickly did up the provisions I intended to take with me There was a jar of water, evidently quite full, which the steward kept ready for use

I noent on deck to ascertain what chance I had of carrying outthe man at the helm, and the third et the jar and provisions, and unperceived placed thehy I felt about in her, and found two oars and a boat-hook

The falls were, as I have said, so fitted that one person could lower the boat, but to do so without capsizing her when the shi+p was

The wind had previously been very light, and the vessel had scarcely any steerage way on her To my intense satisfaction I noticed that it was now almost a stark calm