Part 39 (1/2)

”Humph!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the captain, looking at him sternly. ”None the worse, eh?”

”No, sir, not a bit, and I don't think Roberts is; eh, Roberts?”

”Perhaps not, Mr Murray; but perhaps you will allow me to question Mr Roberts.”

”I beg your pardon, sir,” said Murray, colouring warmly.

”I do not grant it, sir,” said the captain stiffly; ”and perhaps you will be good enough to bear in mind what are our relative positions-- those of commander of this sloop of war and very junior officer. Now, Mr Roberts,” continued the captain sternly, as he half turned his back to Murray, ”what have you to say for yourself?”

”Only that I'm very sorry to have been the cause of the trouble, sir.”

”Humph! That's better,” said the captain, ”if your sorrow is real.”

”Oh yes, sir; it's quite real, sir,” said the youth hurriedly.

”Indeed! Well, I have my doubts, sir.”

”But it really was quite an accident, sir,” cried Roberts excitedly.

”Well, do you suppose, Mr Roberts, that I give you credit for purposely hitching yourself on to that fish and trying to get yourself drowned?”

”Oh no, sir; of course not.”

”Don't interrupt me, Mr Roberts,” said the captain sourly.

”Why, you asked me a question,” thought the lad, ”and I was only answering you;” and he turned very red in the face.

”I have been talking to Mr Anderson about this business, and he tells me that you both came worrying him for permission to use the grains and to waste your time trying to harpoon these fish that were playing about the bows, eh?”

”It was I, sir, who went to ask Mr Anderson for leave.”

”I was not addressing you, Mr Murray,” said the captain coldly; and then he continued: ”Mr Anderson tells me that he put before you the fact that you would both have been better employed in continuing your studies of navigation. Now, you neither of you had the candour to tell me this. Anything but work, gentlemen, and the display of a determination to master your profession and grow worthy of trust, with the possibility of some day becoming worthy of taking charge of a vessel. I consider that you both--I say both, Mr Murray--took advantage of my kindly disposition and obtained the permission that Mr Anderson would have very properly withheld. Now look at the consequences of your folly; one of you was nearly drowned; the other was almost the cause of my losing one of my most valuable seamen in his efforts to save your lives; and the discipline of my s.h.i.+p is completely upset--a boat has to be launched, the doctor called upon to resuscitate one of you; and now what have you to say for yourselves? Nothing, but give me the paltry excuse of this being an accident. I tell you, gentlemen, that it cannot be considered an accident or mischance, for I look upon it as being a wilful disregard of your duties, and--er--er-- that will do.”

The captain put his hands behind his back and stalked off, leaving the two lads looking at each other.

”That's nice,” said Murray, in a whisper.

”Lovely!” whispered back Roberts.

”And this isn't the worst of it,” said Murray softly; ”here comes Anderson.”

”Oh, I do feel so bad!” muttered Roberts. ”I'll tell him so.”

”Well, young gentlemen,” said the lieutenant, coming up, ”I hope the captain has taken you both well to task.”

”Yes, sir, he has,” said Murray, with a drily comical look upon his countenance. ”I'm sure if you had heard him you wouldn't think it necessary to say another word.”

The lieutenant gave the lad a severe look, frowning hard, and he was evidently about to say something sharp, but after being silent for a few moments his face relaxed and he smiled pleasantly.

”Well,” he said, turning again to Murray, ”I will take it for granted that you have both had a thoroughly good talking to, and I will say no more.”