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Updated: June 5, 2025
One pump began to clank heavily at once, and a short time after another was at work, and the clear bright water began to sparkle out of the scuppers, while, moved as it were by the same spirit, the French crew burst into a shrill involuntary cheer. "How can I ever thank you, captain?" cried the Count, while his son snatched at Rodd's hand. "Ah, I haven't done yet, sir," said the skipper coolly.
Rodd's own people, who had escaped the clutches of the slaver-traders by hiding, absence, and various other accidents, and now returned to greet his daughter and their own relatives as they would have greeted one risen from the grave. Indeed the welcome accorded to Juanna was most touching.
The east coast having been twice surveyed by Cook and Flinders, there was little left beyond minor details for King to complete. An opening which had escaped Captain Flinders was examined, finding good, well sheltered anchorage within. They named it Rodd's Bay. Amongst other places they landed at, was Cleveland Bay.
It was towards evening that, after a hasty meal, partaken of in peace in the still waters of the harbour, tempted by a few gleams of sunshine, and for Rodd's gratification, Uncle Paul and Rodd were rowed ashore in the same boat as the skipper, who had business with the English Consul about his papers, the understanding being that the boat was to go back and meet them at nine o'clock.
He was a little better after they had had a good hearty tea meal, but there was a great deal of truth in Rodd's mental remark that Uncle Paul was as cross as two sticks. Rodd quite started, feeling as he did that he must have spoken aloud, and Uncle Paul have heard his words, for the doctor turned upon him sharply, stared him full in the face, and exclaimed
"Good," grunted the skipper; "and I suppose you'll help the doctor and young Mr Rodd skin the birds they shoot?" "That's right, sir, and Mr Rodd's been laying down the law to me to take care and keep that there soapy stuff covered over as he dresses the inside of the skins with, 'cause he says it's pison." The skipper grunted again as he stood at the side and scowled down into the boat.
"I am not talking to you, sir," said the lieutenant haughtily. "Your turn will come." Rodd's uncle bowed, and turned away, frowning. "Stop, sir!" cried the officer sharply. "What insolence, uncle!" said Rodd aloud; and he turned away from the midshipman, to cross to his uncle's side. "What's that?" shouted the lieutenant, and the middy clapped his hand to the hilt of his dirk.
It was the saving of Rodd's life, but the mulatto was dangerous still, and recovering himself he made a dash at Morny, who stepped aside, while, with all the ferociousness of a Malay running amok, the man sprang aft, avoided two or three cuts made at him by the sailors, and then plunged over the side, to begin swimming towards the three-master, which was in the act of sending another shot at the doctor's vessel.
"Lieutenant Rodd reports for duty, sir," he said. Cowan, McGee and Larkin had stood transfixed, as men might who thought they were seeing a ghost. But Rodd's words, concise and strikingly characteristic of the taciturn Vermonter, snapped them into action. This was no ghost! "Rodd!" Major Cowan exclaimed, and rushed across the room to grip Rodd's unbandaged left hand. "You here?"
Rodd's heart now seemed to stand quite still till the sergeant replied to his uncle's query. "That's all, sir; that's all," said the sergeant, and Rodd's heart went on again. "You had left them behind, and I thought I'd bring them on." "Thank you," said Uncle Paul quietly. "Very good of you, and I am much obliged." "Don't name it, sir.
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