Part 11 (2/2)
The black steward, who had been asleep, ca his eyes, and hurried to obey the orders he had received; while the captain ushered his guests into the cabin, and soon produced three blankets
”There, strip off your wet duds, and wrap yourselves in these,” he said, ”while I make up your beds”
The three ed in a laugh, as they sat with the blankets over the at each other, while the kind captain coements he had promised
The steward quickly returned with a pot of hot tea, and the captain produced a box of Ae of their appetites
”There, lie do, until Peter is able to bring you mere substantial fare,” said the captain
They followed his advice, Billy carrying a handful of crackers with hi which he soon fell fast asleep They were roused up, it seemed to them, a moment afterwards by the steward, who announced that supper was on the table; when they again, not _unwillingly_, wrapped in their blankets, sat down to discuss some basins of hot soup and slices of cold beef, which, as Billy observed, ”was a great i been their only substantial fare”
At length the captain, observing that all three were nodding over the table, advised them to return to their beds; and scarcely had they put their heads on their pillows, than they were fast asleep
CHAPTER FOUR
KINDLY TREATED ON BOARD THE AMERICAN WHALER--LOOKING OUT FOR WHALES--A WHALE KILLED--CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT--THE MASTER GOES OFF IN CHASE-- THE SECOND MATE LOST OVERBOARD--SANDWICH ISLANDER ENDEAVOURS TO SAVE HIM--THE BOATS DISAPPEAR--NO APPEARANCE OF THE MASTER AND FIRST MATE--A GALE--THE BOATSWAIN assUMES COMMAND AND PLAYS THE TYRANT--WILL NOT SEARCH FOR THE CAPTAIN--HIDES THE NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS--THE BOATSWAIN DASHES TOM'S QUADRANT TO THE DECK--NIGHT--THE MIDshi+PMEN TURN IN--THE shi+P STRIKES--BOATSWAIN AND CREW PUT OFF--LEAVE TOM AND HIS COMPANIONS ON THE WRECK--WEATHER MODERATES--LAND SEEN--THEY BUILD A RAFT--VOYAGE TO THE Shore--SEE A SAVAGE ON IT--TURNS OUT TO BE PAT CASEY--NIGHT ON Shore
When Toth awoke, he found the captain, Doctor Locock (the surgeon), and the first entleh to join us?”
asked the for into his clothes, which he found perfectly dried by his side He aroused his companions, and they were all three soon seated at table, where plates had been laid for them
They were thankful to hear froh still in his hammock, was in a fair way of recovery, and would be on deck in a day or two
They now gave a fuller account of their adventures than they had done on the previous night The possible loss of the _Dragon_ was discussed, and from the captain and mate's observations the ht have escaped shi+pwreck Their opinion was that, as her , the nearest place at which it could be repaired; and that it would take several weeks before she could get back to the Bonins to look for them
That their captain would return they felt sure, unless he was convinced that they were lost
”At all events, as we are about to fish off there, ill take a look round the neighbouring islands on the chance of discovering the wreck, and rescuing any of her people who may have escaped,” said the master
”If we fail in that, we may fall in with a British man-of-war, and you shall be put on board If not, ill land you at Yokohaet to Hong-kong”
To, ”I feel sure that the British consul at any place at which you may land us will reimburse you for the expense to which you may be put on our account”
”We won't talk about that,friend,” answered the Aainst that; and I am only too happy to have saved your lives, and to have rendered any service in my power to British officers in distress, for I tell you it is ot to Guam, or any other island at which you could have landed in the Ladrones”
”I guess that they don't value ure in your service,” observed the on_ would return to look for them
”That depends on the sort ofon a modest air ”We flatter ourselves that we are not likely to be neglected Now, if we happened to have all been like Billy Blueblazes there, who, from the quantity of beef he consumes, is undoubtedly a heavy cost to her Majesty, our captain ht have considered it his duty to leave us to find our own grub for the future, and thus save our beloved country a heavy expense”
”I see,” said thethat Toe ”And pray entle one, at all events”
”It's the na us, at all events,” answered Tom ”The captain may in his supreazetted, on obtaining his lieutenancy, he nated by the last-mentioned appellation; but Billy Blueblazes he will be called by his messmates while he remains afloat”