Part 5 (1/2)
”Ahoy, there--ahoy!”
A startling response ca wail out of the dark sea
”By the lord,” muttered the captain, ”what's that?”
”Jackal,” said Mr Hume
”Impossible! We are h Maybe sent adrift by a flood, and taken to a tree”
The captain laughed ”I thought it was a hoodoo at least Well, lad”--turning to Venning--”you don't want me to pick up a creature like that?”
”I don't think it is far away, sir I think I see a tree or boat, and if you would lower me over the bows and ease the vessel----”
”Well?”
”Perhaps I could pick it up”
”You are not afraid of being bitten?”
”I think it would know I ood-humouredly ”Well, you're a plucky lad, and, at any rate, I'd not be losing time” He touched the bell, and motioned to the steersman The shi+p slowed down and caentleht lowered Do you still stick to your bargain?”
Venning answered by sliding off the bridge and cliathered at the gangway A rope was looped round his thigh, so as to give his arms play, and twoout thewent over, catching the rope above his head with his left hand, and taking a turn round with his right foot There was a scraping sound against the side of the vessel
”I've got hold,” he shouted ”It's a tree--no, a boat” Then, ”By Jove!”
”What is it?” cried several together, excited by the startled exclaht!” The lantern sank over the side, but those above could not see well because of the bulge of the hull
”Noer et in and make fast”
”Take care!” cried Mr Hu out a sailor ”There's one co up”
”Loay, please--quick!”
The ht I'm in the boat, or whatever it is