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Updated: June 25, 2025
"The two blacks are suspicious; they don't understand why we want to bring them aboard this schooner. They think we mean mischief to them." "Poor fellows! No wonder," said the lieutenant. "We must be careful, or we shall scare them, and they'll try to swim ashore." "Well, wouldn't that be best for them?" "No, Vandean; they'd only be captured and sold again. You must coax them aboard."
"Here we are," he said. "You two don't understand a word I say, and I can't make out a word of yours, so we're free and equal there. Now, look here, this is Captain Vandean, and I'm Captain Howlett. That is, we shall be some day. Now then, listen." The two blacks gazed at him intently, as if trying hard to understand him.
"Glad to see you on deck again, Mr Vandean," said the captain, shaking hands, and speaking in his clear, penetrating tones. "I know that you have felt a little shrinking naturally, sir, but no British sailor need be ashamed of scars received in an honourable service." "Thank you, sir," murmured Mark, in a choking voice, and his eyes looked his gratitude.
This is no time for skylarking." The men bent to their oars again, and the boat answered to its name, cutting swiftly through the water towards the little man-o'-war. "But there will be a row about it, old fellow," whispered Bob Howlett. "Oh, very well then, they must row," said Mark Vandean pettishly. "There's no harm in having a monkey onboard if we can get it there."
He dropped down into a seat, and pulled a big stroke to send the boat's head round. "Here, help me aboard, mate," cried a voice. "And me, messmet," cried another, the two speakers holding on by the side which they had reached after being thrown from the schooner. "No, no, hold on, mates," cried Tom. "Let's get Mr Vandean first. What was that 'ere?"
Tom Fillot seized the first he could distinguish in the herd of poor cowering wretches, but this one, too, filled the foul air with his piercing yells, and fought so hard to free himself, that Tom let go, and stepped back below the hatch. "They think we want to chuck 'em overboard, Mr Vandean, sir. I don't know what to say to 'em. No good to tell 'em that under the British flag they're free."
Then the moon began to sink lower, and the sky to grow of a darker slaty colour, while the regular beat of the men's oars sounded distant then very softly and then ceased altogether, or so it appeared to Mark Vandean, who suddenly opened his eyes with a start, and gazed wonderingly about him at the sunlit sea, now all orange and gold. "Have I been to sleep, sir?" he cried apologetically.
"No, sir, nothing," cried the doctor. "Here, I have brought you the little draught myself, so as to see that it is taken properly. I don't know why I should have so much trouble over a pack of lads who are more worry than they are worth. Why, bless my heart, Mr Vandean, you are going backward. Here, Mr Howlett, go to my quarters and send my fellow here."
Make haste and get well, Vandean. Good-bye." He shook hands warmly and turned to leave the cabin, the first lieutenant following his example, and turning to give the midshipman a friendly nod. "Hah!" said the doctor, as soon as they were alone; "they want to go too fast, and undo my work.
"This, I say, is Captain Vandean, and I'm Captain Howlett, and we came in the boat and saved your lives when you were pitched overboard out of the slaver." "Are these the two men?" said Mark, eagerly. "Right, my lord. These are they. I've had 'em holy-stoned and fresh painted. They seemed to want to stay, and the skipper said as he was short-handed he'd give 'em a trial.
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