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We looked out to seaward and noted the black sky and the rising wind. "I guess you 'heroes' will have a chance to show what right you have to be called seamen," said "Stump," mimicking "Cutlets." "Watch on deck, put on your oilers," shouted the boatswain's mates. The order came none too soon, for as the last man ran up the companion-way ladder, the rain began to drop in sheets.
The next moment Murgatroyd put his head up through the companion-way which led from the upper deck to the conning-tower, and said, in a tone whose calm indicated, as usual, resignation to the worst that could happen: "My Lord, two of those beasts, fishes or live balloons, or whatever they are, have come across the propellers.
I could glimpse them through the unshaded windows, seated about a long table, while occasionally the sound of their voices reached me through the open companion-way. The mate was alone on the poop, tramping steadily back and forth, his glance wandering from the sea alongside to the flapping canvas above, but remained silent, as the brig was on her course.
"Now jist you shtop where ye are, me friend," rejoined Garry, putting out his hand to prevent his stirring from his seat. "Sure the cap'en an' me, with Dick Haldane here, will be enough to look afther 'em all." With this he made for the companion-way and descended the "stairs," as Elsie, ignorant of nautical nomenclature, called the ladder, the skipper following close behind him.
Just as I did so, I heard the mainsail fluttering, as though the boat had luffed into the wind; and at the same moment I caught sight, through the companion-way, of the vacant tiller swinging about. "Gone forward to shift the jib," thought I; and I jumped on deck to lend a hand. Bob was nowhere to be seen. "Good heavens!" exclaimed I, "what dreadful thing has happened?"
Lowington will come on deck at eight bells, and Monroe, in the starboard watch, will give him another dose." "What will that be?" "Slush the first step of the ladder at the after companion-way, and let him tumble down stairs," chuckled Grimme. "Then Lynch will give him some more," said Adler. "Well, you may break his neck when he tumbles down the ladder.
I believe the damned ship's haunted! Three bells in the middle watch last night, I'll swear I saw some black animal crawling along the deck, in the direction of the forward companion-way." "Cat?" I suggested. "Nothing like it," said Mr. Bell. "Mr. Cavanagh, it was some uncanny thing! I'm afraid I can't explain quite what I mean, but it was something I wanted to shoot!" "Where did it go?"
Perhaps she had gone up. As I stood there, hesitant, I heard her cry softly: "Oh, Humphrey, I am lost." I found her fumbling at the wall of the after bulkhead, and, half leading her, half carrying her, I took her up the companion-way. The pure air was like nectar. Maud was only faint and dizzy, and I left her lying on the deck when I took my second plunge below.
There was a skylight between the fore and the main mast, and another between the main and mizzen masts, to afford light and air to the apartments below. There were three openings in the deck by which entrance could be obtained to the interior of the ship: the fore hatch, the main hatch, and the companion-way, the two former being used by the crew, and the latter by the officers.
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