Part 27 (1/2)
”And time it was done, Tom,” said Aleck, impatiently ”Look, you've tired everybody out!”
Tohed softly
”Yes,” he said, as he noted how to a un to saunter away ”I see They've been all on the fidget to go for the last half-hour”
”And no wonder; but they er, to launch her”
”She arn't ready to launch yet,till that pitch is well cooled Besides, in less than an hour the tide'll be up all round her, and we can shove her off oursens”
”Oh, yes, of course; and as we have to go in the dark I suppose it doesn'tof, Master Aleck But, I say, do you knohy they wanted to be off?”
”Hungry, I suppose”
”Nay! Not them They're suspicious”
”What of?”
”Why, didn't you see how they kep' one eye on the man-o'-war out yonder?”
”Yes, of course”
”Well, what does that mean? They've made up their minds as boats'll come in from the sloop arter dark just to see in a friendly way if they can't pick up a few likely lads to sarve the King”
”Froerly, as he recalled what had passed between hilers, or fisher's net--'cept us, Master Aleck They wouldn't take a young gent like you, and I should be no good to 'e of sadness in his voice, which gave place to a chuckle as he added, ”unless they kep' me aboard the man-o'-war to pokechoked These here two bits o' thin board I'll nail in close together, and then we'll let the water come up all round and harden the pitch Just you rake theo quite out I shan't be above half an hour now, and then I shall want a light for ain”
”Back again? I' away”
”Oh, yes, you are, Master Aleck; you're going up to the little shop yonder to get a noo crusty loaf and a quarter of a pound o' cheese”
”Oh, I can't eat now, Tom,” said the lad, irin ”Well, I can--like fun--and if you'll buy what I says I'll teach you how”
”Oh, of course, Tohtless of me! I've been so anxious; but, of course, you et so of beer, wouldn't you?”
”Well, Master Aleck, I wouldn't say no to a drop if it was here”
”I'll go at once, Tom, without you want ht, sir Nay, nay, don't ether; any little eht h us”