"Why, she's a splendid boat," I said, "and quite strong, and so long as
we've got plenty of sea-room, we shan't hurt."
"You're talking like this to comfort me," he said.
"No; I'm telling you the truth as far as I understand it. Of course
I've never been out in a storm on the ocean before, but I've been in
some big ones off the coast round Ireland, where we were always in
danger of going on the rocks, which are awful there."
"But the sea comes thundering down on the ship so."
"What of that?" I replied. "The ship's hollow, and it sounds all the
more, but the water is soft, and we go through it or ride over it
somehow."
"Ah, you're too young to know what fear is," he said sadly.
"Oh no, I'm not," I cried, laughing. "I've been awfully frightened
several times to-night, but I'm more afraid of Jarette and his gang than
I am of the sea."
"You have no sister on board," he said. "No bitter regrets for letting
her come into such danger."
"No," I said, rather chokingly; "but I've got people at home, and it
would be very horrid to think I should never see them again."
"Let's go on," he said laconically, and I helped him along, choosing the
easiest moments till we were in shelter, and then without leaving hold
of me he whispered--
"Make the best of things to her."
There was a lamp burning in the cabin as we entered, and Miss Denning
sprang to our side.
"Oh, John," she cried piteously, "this will be death to you, drenched
with the cold sea! Pray, pray, stay in shelter now."
"Nonsense!" he cried; "it does me good, and it's grandly exciting to
fight the storm like this. How are you, little one? Ah, don't touch
me, I'm wet."
"Suffering terribly, John dear. You must stay with me now."
"Tied to your apron, you foolish girl," he said merrily. "Nonsense!
I'm wanted to help. There, I bring you good news. We've got all the
pirates safely in prison, and as soon as the storm's over all will be
right again."
Miss Denning gave me a piteous, inquiring look.
"Yes, that's quite right, Miss Denning," I said cheerfully.
"But this terrible storm; shall we be wrecked?"
"Ships don't get wrecked out in the open sea," I replied coolly, "only
have their sails blown away, and sometimes lose a spar, or get a boat
torn off the davits."
"Then you think we are safe?"
"Oh yes, I hope so," I replied.
"Safe? Of course, darling little cowardly sis," said Mr Denning,
kissing her pale cheek very lovingly, and I felt that I had never liked
him so well before, never having seen his true nature and affection for
his sister.
"Now then, Mr Dale and I have to go back on duty to shoot mutineers and
pirates, and you are to lie down and trust in our all taking care of
you. Try and sleep for a few hours."
"Sleep!" she said reproachfully, "with you exposed to all that danger."
"Yes! Why not? To grow strong, and ready to help me if I want it."
"But, must you go, John?"
"Yes, dear," he said gravely, "I must; but, please God, the worst danger
is over, and you will not hinder me from doing my duty like a man, even
if I am a weak one."
She held his hand to her cheek, and smiling at me, spoke quite
cheerfully.
"Come back in about an hour," she said, "and I will have coffee made
with the spirit-lamp, and try and find some biscuits."
"That we will," cried Mr Denning. "Make plenty, Lena, Mr Brymer and--
and the sailors will be glad of some."
She nodded, trying to look cheerful, and we left her, but had not
reached the broken companion-way before a door on our right opened, a
light was thrown across us, and I felt Mr Denning's arm twitch. For it
was Mr Frewen coming out of the cabin in which Walters had been placed,
the one in which Mr Preddle had been kept a prisoner, and as soon as he
was outside he carefully locked it.
"Not much need for it," he said to us quietly, "for the little wretch is
very weak still. Nice sort of characters you choose for your
companions, Dale," he continued. "How do we know that you have not been
contaminated, and are going to rise against us?"
"There's no fear till the storm's over, Mr Frewen," I said, laughing,
and then, with the two gentlemen keeping perfectly silent, we went
forward again, and had nearly reached the forecastle-hatch, when,
sounding very feeble and strange, there was the report of a pistol, and
we hurried forward to hear shouts of rage coming from below the hatch,
and the blows of an axe being used with such effect, that before long
whoever wielded it must make a way through.
Mr Brymer glanced round at us as we came up, and I saw the barrel of
his revolver glistening in the pale light.