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Updated: September 15, 2025
Major Negus, who had developed, since landing on the island, what had evidently been a strong religious trait previously dormant in her character, if quoting Scripture texts were any proof of this disposition. "Ah ma'rm," responded Mr Lathrope, "don't you believe it, unless the hungry work for it." "And much you've done to earn your food!" said the lady tartly.
Mr Lathrope was having a spirited contest with the first-mate over the chequer-board that he had assisted in making; Kate was reading out of a little pocket Bible to the poor captain as he lay back in his cot; while the others, grouped around, were talking and otherwise amusing themselves some of the men knitting a net, which it was intended to use as a seine for catching fish some day when finished, and the steward assisting Snowball in cutting up some cabbage which they were going to pickle and lay by for emergencies when Mr Meldrum, after a preliminary "hem," to attract their attention, addressed the little gathering.
The same thing resulted when a second teal, or widgeon the wild duck appearing to partake of the characteristics of both varieties came by. Strange to say, the American's weapon again missed fire, and Mr Meldrum had to kill the bird with his left barrel. These repeated failures to bring down anything made Mr Lathrope use rather strong language anent the rifle.
This was immediately after the cascade of water came down the cliff; and so frightened were they, that not one of them uttered a word, nor did Mr McCarthy, who had summoned them together, urge them on with their work. All remained spell-bound and tongue-tied. "It air orfull," said Mr Lathrope, drawing a deep breath, and looking up at the sky as if to peer into its mysteries.
"I make you one good rabbit-pie next time I'se get rabbits." "That's a bargain!" said Mr Lathrope; and there the incident ended. "Rouse up there with that spout!" shouted out Mr McCarthy, who had at once turned back to tackle the roof as soon as the alarm caused by the earthquake had passed away. "Bedad, if you don't look pretty sharp, there'll be no ruff to put it on, at all at all!"
"Say, you Mister Steward, you jest hurry up and git the lady out of her muss, and come and fix me up," chimed in the voice of Mr Zachariah Lathrope. "I guess I've had my innards a'most squoze out agin the durned bunk, an' feel like a dough-nut in a frying-pan. If you leave me much longer I kalkerlate this old boss'll be cold meat, you bet, and you'll have the funeral to pay!"
I have told Kate already that she must only take the barest necessaries with her, in case we have to embark in the boats, and above all, not to forget warm clothing for herself and Florry; so you'd better advise whoever you send down, to see that Mrs Major Negus does the same. Mr Lathrope is smart enough to look after himself."
"Don't you?" exclaimed Frank, flaming up and struggling with the man who held him back; while the would-be murderer, drawing another knife from his belt, stood apparently at bay waiting for him to come on. "Hillo! what's all this yere muss about?" called out Mr Lathrope, appearing on the poop at this juncture; "whar's everybody!" "Here, help!" said Frank.
"Ah! ma'rm," put in Mr Lathrope, seeing his chance of revenge for the lady's comments on his chimney; "if all Mister Meldrum kalkerlates comes true about the shortness of our provisions, I guess you'll be glad to eat 'em bye and bye! I've seed the Chinee immigrants gobble 'em up in Californy often enough!"
As the American had remarked, they were just twenty-seven souls in all: Imprimis, Captain Dinks whose wound evidently was progressing favourably, for he had lost all those feverish symptoms that were apparent the day previous and was now in a sound sleep, after eating some thin soup which Snowball had concocted for him by Mr Meldrum's direction Mr McCarthy, Adams, Frank Harness, Ben Boltrope the carpenter, and Karl Ericksen the rescued Norwegian sailor, besides Snowball and thirteen others of the crew of the Nancy Bell, making twenty of those belonging to the ship; while, of the passengers, there were six Mr Meldrum, Kate, Florry, Mrs Major Negus and her son and only hope Maurice, and lastly, though by no means least, Mr Lathrope the grand total, with the stewardess, who must not be forgotten, coming exactly to seven-and-twenty.
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