Викрадений
Chapter 11
Assoonaswewerethroughwithourmealherummagedinthecaptain’slockertillhefoundaclothes-brush;andthentakingoffhiscoat,begantovisithissuitandbrushawaythestains,withsuchcareandlabourasIsupposedtohavebeenonlyusualwithwomen.Tobesure,hehadnoother;and,besides(ashesaid),itbelongedtoakingandsobehovedtoberoyallylookedafter.
Forallthat,whenIsawwhatcarehetooktopluckoutthethreadswherethebuttonhadbeencutaway,Iputahighervalueonhisgift.
HewasstillsoengagedwhenwewerehailedbyMr.Riachfromthedeck,askingforaparley;andI,climbingthroughtheskylightandsittingontheedgeofit,pistolinhandandwithaboldfront,thoughinwardlyinfearofbrokenglass,hailedhimbackagainandbadehimspeakout.Hecametotheedgeoftheround-house,andstoodonacoilofrope,sothathischinwasonalevelwiththeroof;andwelookedateachotherawhileinsilence.Mr.Riach,asIdonotthinkhehadbeenveryforwardinthebattle,sohehadgotoffwithnothingworsethanablowuponthecheek:buthelookedoutofheartandveryweary,havingbeenallnightafoot,eitherstandingwatchordoctoringthewounded.
“Thisisabadjob,”saidheatlast,shakinghishead.
“Itwasnoneofourchoosing,”saidI.
“Thecaptain,”sayshe,“wouldliketospeakwithyourfriend.Theymightspeakatthewindow.”
“Andhowdoweknowwhattreacheryhemeans?”criedI.
“Hemeansnone,David,”returnedMr.
