Part 36 (1/2)

”Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” said Murray.

”No, no; I have not given you permission. Ask Mr Anderson. He will give you leave at once.”

Murray saluted; the captain marched on; and directly after the two mids.h.i.+pmen were face to face.

”Then you have dared--” began Roberts.

”Yes, all right,” said Murray, laughing to himself, for he noticed that his companion spoke in a low tone of voice so that his words might not be heard by their chief. ”Yes, it's all right, only we're to ask Anderson.”

”Yes, I heard what the skipper said, but I tell you at once I'm not going to stoop to do anything of the kind. Do you think I'm going to degrade myself by begging for leave again?”

”No, old chap, of course not,” cried Murray, thrusting his arm beneath his companion's. ”I'll _do_ all that. But you must come now. Don't let's keep Tom May waiting any longer.”

”But I tell you that--”

”Hus.h.!.+ Hold your tongue. Here's Anderson coming.”

”Well, young gentlemen,” said that officer, coming up sharply, ”have you asked the captain?”

”Yes, sir, and he said that he would give us leave, but that he should prefer for us to ask your permission.”

”That's right, my lads; quite right,” said the first lieutenant, speaking quite blandly now. ”You'd better start at once, for I don't think this calm is going to last. Who is going to help you?”

”Tom May, sir.”

”Oh yes, I see. A very good trustworthy man. Mind, we shall expect some fish for dinner.”

”He's a humbug, that's what he is,” said Roberts angrily. ”Blowing hot and cold with the same breath. I've a good mind to--”

”Come and have the first try? And so you shall, old chap. Look alive!

We must get a good dish now, and for the lads too.”

”Oh, I don't want to have anything to do with it,” grumbled Roberts.

But his companion paid no heed to his words, for just then Tom May, who had been watching their proceedings as he waited until the permission had been obtained, stepped out to meet them, armed with the trident-like grains and fine line, looking like a modern Neptune civilised into wearing the easy-looking comfortable garb of a man-o'-war's man, and offered the light lissome staff to Murray.

”No, no,” cried the lad. ”Mr Roberts is going to have the first turn.”

”I told you I didn't--” began Roberts, with far less emphasis, but Murray interrupted him.

”Best from the fore chains, won't it, Tom?”

”Yes, sir. Hold on with the left fin and strike with the right.”

”Yes, of course. Now then, d.i.c.k, over with you; and don't go overboard, or I shall have to come after you.”

”Better let me make a slip-knot for you, sir,” said the man, ”so as you don't lose your line and the grains at the same time.”

The mids.h.i.+pman's lips parted for him to make another protest--a very faint one--but before he had spoken a word the sailor threw a running noose over his wrist, and, unable to resist the temptation of playing the part of harpooner of the good-sized fish that were playing in the clear water not far below the surface, he climbed over the bulwark and took his place in the chains outside the blocks which secured the shrouds, gathered the line in loops, and grasped the shaft of the long light implement, which somewhat resembled a delicately made eel spear, and stood ready to plunge it down into the first of the swiftly gliding fish which played about the side.

”I say, d.i.c.k,” cried Murray eagerly, ”don't be in too great a hurry.