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Another white puff of smoke, and another shot sent skipping after the lugger, but with what result we could not see. The firing made no difference, though, to the lugger, which continued its course towards the west, and Bigley gave me a triumphant look from time to time.
"Yes, there are," I said from where I had climbed over the deepest part by clinging to the hurdles, "I can see them." "Oh no, you can't, my lad. You'd like me to come splashing through the water there for you to laugh at me, but it won't do. There isn't a single fish in the place, only old Bigley old Babby as his father calls him. I say, Sep, what a game! Did you ever see such a babby?"
The water, that had been brilliantly clear when we started, was now thick with sand and broken sea-weed, and Bigley lifted out his net to clear it and to let the water settle a little before we started again. "I don't know where they've got to," said Bob sourly. "Prawns are not half so easy to catch as they used to be." "Hallo!
I hope not, my boy; but at the same time I feel as if I ought not to expose myself to risks, and I prefer to keep Jonas Uggleston at the same distance as he has before stood. We can be civil." "I'm sorry," I said. "Sorry?" "Yes, father," I replied, "because I like Bigley Uggleston." "So do I, my boy.
Bob started up in a sitting position, and gave Bigley a tremendous slap which made him follow suit. "Why, you are a chap!" he said as the idea came home to him too. "Why didn't you say so sooner?" "I didn't think of it," I replied. "Oh!" exclaimed Big dolefully, "what was the use of me taking all that trouble about the powder. I'm hot yet with climbing." "It's all Sep Duncan's fault," cried Bob.
"I know that," replied Bigley; "but I was afraid there was going to be a bother, and I wanted to tell you if there was." "Well, what did he do?"
Bigley uttered a curious hissing noise as he caught my hand, while we stood straining our eyes, and as we stared wildly there was a cheer, and we saw the boat touch the lugger's side, the sailors and the lieutenant spring up, and they made a dash to leap on board. I don't know which of us lads gripped his companion's hand the harder as we saw the struggle begin.
I had some reason for my remarks, for as I looked down there below us, where the great mass had struck so heavily, there appeared to be a smooth grey patch as if the surface had been scraped away. "Hi! Look, look!" cried Bigley. "See the rabbits!"
I don't think he was much hurt, but he pretended to be, and said that Bigley had done it on purpose. It was of no use for Bigley to protest. Once Bob had made up his mind to a thing he would not give in, so after about half a slide down we stopped short without being driven on again by our companion, and the game was voted a bore.
"Ah, you two always were lucky fellows," he said to us one day, when I told him that I was going to spend my winter evenings setting down my old recollections with Bigley Uggleston's help. "Nothing to do but enjoy yourselves, and idle, and write. But what's the good of doing that? Nobody will ever care to read about what such chaps as we've been, did in such an out-of-the-way place as this."
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