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"It's horrible, horrible," groaned Mark; and he bent over Mr Russell's face, and tried to make out whether there was any sign of returning consciousness. "At a time like this, messmets," whispered Tom Fillot to those nearest to him, "I'd be quiet. Mr Vandean's in a deal of trouble about the lufftenant."
But there were no signs of either, perhaps because the mist prevented them from seeing fifty yards in any direction. There was plenty to see, however, inboard, and at the first glance round, before his gaze was concentrated upon his officer, Mark Vandean's heart sank within him at the sight of the wretched, dilapidated men, whom he had seen on the previous evening looking so smart and active.
Cheer up. I must be off now. I'll come back and talk to you as soon as I can, and if you behave yourself I'll sing you a song." There was a genuine smile on Mark Vandean's face now, as he heard these words delivered with utmost seriousness. "No, no, don't, Bob," he said, feebly. "I am getting better, really, now. Don't do that. It would be more than I could stand."
I'll be so careful in future." "I can't trust you, my lad." "You may indeed now, sir. It was all with being so glad that poor Vandean's better." "Glad! Why, you looked sorry. There, then, if you promise to be very quiet, you may stay. Vandean, he must not talk to you, and you must hardly say a word. I'll go and get you a little draught."
In another minute the Americans would have been on deck, and the schooner taken; but, just as Mark Vandean's heart sank heavy as lead, Grote suddenly appeared with an axe in his hand, while his words of warning came clearly to where they stood looking on. "Stand aside!" Then Chop!
They're throwing the poor fellows overboard." "No," said the first lieutenant, with his glass to his eye; "only one." A mist came for a moment over Mark Vandean's sight, but it passed away; and, with the feeling of suffocation at his throat increasing now, he kept his glass upon the black head in the midst of the quivering water, where a man was swimming hard for life.
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