Bearsepaused to say a word as he passed on the way
to the stable. Other men get away on leave, and if youwanted to very much, I imagine
you could.
Let me alone, dont bother me, boy, he said,
solemnly.
And, to be honest, I dont think you care for me in
thatway.
As always, however, there were afew reckless
adventurers who scorned such warnings. I tell you I wont go out inthat boat to-day.
The exercise was welcome, for the cold was piercingbeyond belief.
The galley was adirty, roach-infested
hole.
CHAPTER XIIIHe did not see her again for an hour,
and after that only whenothers were present.
Youll be withher pretty soon, and to stay there, I
callate.
Cal, he whispered, hisvoice trembling, the old man
aint goin to take us out to-day, ishe? By and by I can arrangeit, maybe, but not
just now.
The Flyaway could besaved and they were there to
save her.
The worst of the danger, as far as the vesselwas
concerned, seemed to be over. For thundersakes wheres that coffee, Cal? Hes been
hoppin round here, spruce andlively as a sand flea. It is better to end it now,
likethis, than to go on pretending, and be sorry by and by.
He threw the fellow away from him and walked back
to the mess room.
Wait till the first of next week, and then Ill see.
Therewas water, however, in the lifeboat and he ordered Phinney to getit
immediately. He was to take good care of her father and especially goodcare of
himself.
They came then and wasted not another
moment.
The anchor was still holding and the sails, what
was left of them,were down on deck.
Gammon loomed up through the sleet, a sea elephant
in wet and shinyoilskins.
Them poor fellers in the focastle are pretty nigh
dead already.
If that durn stove dont cave in, he observed, well
havesomethin hot to load up our bilers with. I aint goin to be killed to please a
crazyman. His nerves were more jumpythan Calvin had known them to be, which was
saying much. Longs she can keep that course shes allright.
Wait a littlewhile; he could not be spared now. He
was scowling now, and his deep-set eyes wereglittering. As for taking them ashore in
the lifeboat that was out ofthe question now. I expected you tocome, I wrote you
that it was very important you should come. They would, some of them, surely die
before thatlong trip could be made.
When yourefroze stiff you dont care how much
stiffer you get.
Crazy as a June bug, bellowed Seleucus, from the
kitchen doorway.
If we were married Ishould be disappointing you all
the time and you would be disgustedwith me. With another smile, and a reassuring
wink, he closed the doorbehind him.