"That won't do for me. Timber-toes goes with the Ryle Navy and
pensions. They won't do in the marchant sarvice. All right, doctor;
I'm game to do just as you tell me, only let me get about a bit.
Couldn't you put my leg in a sling?"
"Your leg isn't your arm, Neb," I cried, laughing.
"Well, sir, who said it were? I knows the diffrens 'tween a fore and a
hind flipper."
"There, that will do, my man," said the doctor. "Your wound is not a
bad one, but in this hot climate it would soon be if neglected."
The doctor walked away, and the sailor chuckled.
"It's all right, Mr Dale, I won't do what the doctor don't want. Ketch
me getting rid of a leg like a lobster does his claw. But I say, sir; I
did think, you know, just then, as I might have a hankychy round my neck
and hang my leg in it."
I was called aft soon after, and I saw Dumlow go forward, disappearing
amongst the steam, while I went to Mr Frewen and helped him while he
dressed Walters' wound, and was with him afterwards when he went to the
captain and Mr Denning, both of whom were certainly easier now.
We had a light in the saloon too, for I had managed to trim the lamp,
and Mr Brymer had been busy hunting out ammunition for the guns. This
he had found in the forecastle lying in one of the upper bunks, and with
it a couple of revolvers, so that once more we were fairly armed. Then
it was decided that the boat should be hooked on to the falls, and an
attempt made to raise her, but Bob Hampton shook his head.
"Don't think we can manage her, sir, to-night. To-morrow perhaps I
might rig up tackle, and we could get her on deck. She's too big for
them davits. But why not let her hang on behind, as the weather's
fine?"
"And suppose those scoundrels return, sir, what then?" cried Mr Brymer.
Bob Hampton scratched his head.
"Ah, you may well say what then, sir," he grumbled. "I hadn't thought
o' that. Don't think they will come, do you?"
"It is possible. They left in a scare, but if they see the ship still
floating they may come back."
"Then we'd better get a couple o' pigs o' ballast ready to heave over,
and knock holes in the bottom in case they do come, for we can't get her
hysted to-night."
"I suppose you are right," said Mr Brymer in a dissatisfied tone; and,
giving the orders, Hampton and Barney Blane went off to get the two big
pieces of cast-iron and place them ready for the emergency, though it
was fervently hoped that that need might not occur.
Then as the night was clear, and we were so short-handed, it was settled
that one man only should take the watch, and every one volunteered,
though we were all so exhausted that we could hardly stand. But Mr
Brymer settled that.
"I will take the first watch myself," he said. "All of you go and get
some rest so as to relieve me."
This consultation was held just outside the saloon, and Mr Frewen had
just spoken and told Mr Brymer that he ought to have some one to share
the watch with him, when a white figure suddenly came up out of the
semi-darkness of the cabin, and I gave quite a start.
"You, Miss Denning?" I said.
"Yes. Mr Brymer, our cabin-door is open, and my brother and I have
heard every word."
"Well, my dear young lady," said the mate pleasantly, "I wish you had
heard better news."
"It was the best you could give us," she said quietly. "But my brother
sends me to say that he has had a long sleep, and that if he is helped
to a chair on the upper deck with a night-glass, he could keep the watch
himself, and easily give the alarm if it were necessary."
"But he is not fit to leave alone, Miss Denning," said the doctor
quickly.
"He would not be alone, Mr Frewen," she replied gently. "I should
share his watch."
"And do you think, my dear child," cried Mr Brymer, "that we big strong
men are going to lie down to sleep, and let you watch for us?"
"Why not?" she said quietly. "You have all risked your lives to save
us. It is the least we can do."
"Yes," came in Mr Denning's sharp voice; "we shall keep this watch
together, I am strong enough for that. Nothing shall approach the ship,
Mr Brymer, without your having warning."
"He is quite right, Brymer," said a fresh debater in a faint voice, as
no less a person than the captain joined in the discussion. "You are
all worn-out. We sick folk have sharp ears, and will keep them well
opened."
"I--I really hardly know what to say," said Mr Brymer.
I did, for I suddenly started from the spot where I stood, after
sniffing suspiciously two or three times, shouting--"Fire!--fire!" For
the enemy had evidently been at work insidiously, and had burst its
water-chains, and leaped up to attack us again.
We all made a rush for the pump and hose, for the smell of burning was
stronger as we reached the steaming hold, I being first. But I felt
puzzled, for the steam was dense as ever, and I could only smell the
dank, unpleasant, hydrogenous odour of decomposed water, while the smell
which had reached the companion-way had been the fresh, sharp, pungent
scent of burning wood. The next moment, though, I saw where the danger
was, and shouted--
"The galley--the galley!"
We all ran round to the door, for smoke was issuing from the wooden
building freely, and a dull light shone out on to the darkness. Then I
burst out in astonishment--
"What, Dumlow! You here?"
"Ay, ay, sir. Practysing up. I got it now, and go ahead to-morrow
morning. Stove bothered me a bit at first, but I can work her, and
there'll be hot water and coffee for braxfast in the morning, and soup
and taters for dinner. Cooking's easy enough when you knows how."
There was a roar of laughter at this.
"Ah, you may laugh, all on you, I don't keer. This won't hurt my leg,
will it, doctor?"
"No; you can go on with that," replied Mr Frewen; "but keep seated all
you can."
"Toe be sure, sir. I've often seen the cook sitting down to peel the
taters and stir the soup."
"Well, let that fire out now, and get some rest," said Mr Brymer. "You
startled us all."
Then leading the way back to the saloon, he told Miss Denning that we
should all gladly accept her brother's offer; and it having been
arranged that a whistle should give the signal of danger, the poor
fellow was carried up on the poop-deck, and left there with his sister,
a final look given at the steaming hold, and then the men went forward,
and we to our cabins, I choosing for mine the one occupied by Walters,
to whom I talked for a few minutes, and then in an instant I was asleep.