Part 61 (1/2)

All in vain: Mike did not row impatient

”Here, I say,” he cried, ”I know I'm a bit of a beast so; and if it was I, you know I'd have owned I was in the wrong and held out my fist--open; not like you did, to knock a fellon”

Another pause, and Vince exclaimed,--

”Well, I _am_--”

He did not say what, but stood with extended arot any eyes in the back of your head, so Ioutto ache”

”Don't--don't!” said Mike now, in a low voice, full of theonto juot you to speak at last, and there's an end of it I say, Ladle, it's too stupid for us two to be out noe want to talk about hoe're stuck here”

”I feel as if I can't speak to you,” said Mike huskily

”More stupid you Didn't I tell you it's all over now? You were in a passion, and so was I Now you're not in a passion, no more am I; so that's all over You heard what the pirate captain said about us?”

”Yes,” said Mike dolefully

”Well, he and old Joe--Here, Ladle: I' old and grey A wicked old sneak!--I'll kick hi us in the lurch; but that isn't what I was going to say Here, why don't you turn round and sit up? Don't let those beggars think we're afraid of theed his position, turning round and sitting up

”Now, then, that's better,” said Vince ”What was I going to say? Oh!

I know The pirate captain and old Joe wanted to make us believe that ere to be taken out to sea, to walk the plank or be hung or shot or so about Botany Bay and sending us there”

”No, he didn't; he said Bottonny, and there is no such place He couldn't do it, and he couldn't keep us prisoners here”

”He htn't Bah! what a silly old Ladle you are! He couldn't

People don't do such things now, only in stories I tell you what I believe”

”What?” said Mike, for Vince paused as if to think

”Well, I believe he feels that his old sler's cave is done for noe've found out the way down to it, so he's going to clear it out and start another so's on board, and as soon as this is done he'll go to his boat and take his hat off to us and tell us we may have the caverns all to ourselves”

”Think so?” said Mike, looking up at his companion for the first time

”Yes, I believe that's it, Ladle; and if it wasn't for knowing how miserable they must be over yonder I should rather like all this--that is, if you're going to play fair and not get hitting out e ought to be the best of friends”

”Don't--don't, Cinder: I can't bear it,” groaned Mike, letting his head drop in his hands ”I hurt myself a hundred times more than I hurt you”

”Oh, did you! Ha! ha!” cried Vince ”Co as the top of my hat! Oh, I say, Ladle, old chap, don't--don't talk like that! It's all right You thought I was fighting against you Sit up Soars will see”

Mike sat up with his face twitching, and kept his back to the upper part of the cavern