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I hailed them on board; but they did not hear me, although the first mate might have, for he was in the cabin, and the stern-window was up; but hailing to windward is hard work, such weather as this; the words are blown back again down your own throat. And now, let me know a little about you, my lad, and see whether I cannot in return be of some use to you."
The room was lit by a broad stern-window, and lined along two of its sides with mahogany doors leading, as I supposed, to sleeping cabins: the panels not to speak of the brass handles and finger-plates shining so that a man might have seen his face in them, to shave by.
I saw no reason for refusing; and in less than a minute he came running up the ladder, and introduced himself again. "Business," said he; so I led him to my cabin. "Hullo!" said he, looking over the floor. "I observe you don't chew." He glanced at the stern-window. I opened it. Our talk then ran as follows: Capt. W. "I've come to trade." Self. "Then you have come, sir, to a very bad ship." Capt.
She would only be in our way. I will take her in some dinner." "You had better keep up appearances, so that the men may not notice anything. Mr Preddle, help the soup." I shuddered, and every one turned pale. "Oh, there is no risk," said the mate quickly. "But here, make the plates and spoons look as if they had been used, and then throw all the soup out of the stern-window."
Hat, cloak, waterproof, and any necessary that you think may be useful. Nothing more. You understand?" She bowed, and began hurriedly to collect the few things she required, while, without waiting to be told, I dragged pillow and blankets from the cot, and ran out with them to the stern-window, beneath which I could plainly see the boat now.
I leaped over the breastwork with the powder-bag in my hand, meaning to run to the stern-window and throw it out, but I thought it might be useful, and I rushed into Mr Preddle's room to stand holding it behind me as there came a loud hiss and rush, and the saloon began to fill with smoke.
He had risen to his feet, speaking in a very animated tone, with a view the more to rouse his companion. But though the crimson curtain of the stern-window near him that moment fluttered against his pale cheek, Don Benito seemed to have even less welcome for the breeze than the calm.
The next minute he appeared upon the poop-deck, his figure thrown up by the light and plainly seen as he ran here and there, and then disappeared, to be seen at the stern-window. "They're nowhere about," he cried. "How rum now, aren't it?" muttered Bob Hampton. "Now I do call that strange." "Didn't either of you see them?" shouted Jarette. "No." "Did you go into their cabin?" "No, no."
His Majesty cannot again say that I have been neglectful. I was quite right. It is Sebastian and only Sebastian that we need fear. Here they are clumsy conspirators compared to him. I have been in the river half the night listening at the open stern-window of a Reval pink to every word they said. His Majesty can safely come to Konigsberg. Indeed, he is better out of Dantzig.
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