Part 42 (1/2)
Rayner found, on inquiry, that, fortunately, a board was to sit the very next day, and,Captain Saltwell, heto advise,” was the answer ”I'll write a letter to Captain Cranston, and you can take it with you”
Next shi+p, where he found several other o up First one, and then another, was sent for, and ca faces At last one, who certainly did not look as if he would set the Tha and co that it was very hard a felloho had been at sea six years should be turned back
Rayner's turn caation He had no difficulty in answering those put to hi his brow, and looking very serious, said--
”Now, Mr Rayner, supposing the shi+p you are in charge of is caught on a lee shore with a hurricane blowing, and you find yourself eround, I should let go the best bower, andaloft”
”But suppose the best bower is carried away?”
”I should let go the second bower, sir”
”But suppose you lose that?” asked the captain, looking stillup withthat, Mr Rayner, hoould you next proceed?”
”I should have done all that a man can do, and should look out for thethe shi+p ashore”
”But, suppose you could find no suitable place, Mr Rayner?”
”Then, sir, I should let her find one for herself, andthe lives of her people, when she struck”
”I have the pleasure to inform you, Mr Rayner, that you have passed your exa hi,notes with the midshi+pman who had been turned back, he mentioned the question which had been put to him
”Why, that's the very one he asked me,” said his companion ”I told him I would club-haul the shi+p, and try all sorts of manoeuvres to beat out of the bay, and would not on any account let her go ashore”
”I'm not surprised that you were turned back, old fellow,” observed Rayner, with a laugh
On returning on shore he ratulate you, Rayner,” he said ”I have just received orders to commission the _Lily_ sloop-of-war, and I will apply to have you withto put up?”
”Mrs Crofton has asked ht that you would have no objection, I accepted her offer, sir,” answered Rayner
”I a you could do,” said Coh ood taste in taking advantage of the opportunity offered you to pass your tiht-hter”
Our hero spent a few happy days with the kindand Mary, who both evidently took a warm interest in his welfare It was the first ti his sojourn in France, since he first went to sea He was introduced to some of the few friends they possessed, and he made several pleasant excursions with thehbourhood of Plymouth His observation, unknown to himself, enabled him rapidly to adapt himself to the nised in the gentle midshi+pman the powder ret than he supposed he could possibly have felt that he received a su out with all despatch for the West Indies Though he no longer belonged to the _Thisbe_, it ith much sorrow that he heard she was pronounced unfit for sea, and that her crew had been dispersed He made inquiries for Jack and Toone to pay his h he searched for Tom, he could nowhere hear of him
The day after he had joined the _Lily_, he ell pleased to see Jack coed to the corvette, as I thought you would when I heard that Mr Saltas appointed to command her,” said Jack; ”so, sir, Ipressed before I got back to Plylad to see you, Peek,” said our hero ”Have you heard anything of Tom Fletcher?”