Читать книгу The Secret Chart; or, Treasure Hunting in Hayti онлайн

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Then the captain walked aft again, and the castaways began whispering among themselves as if trying to decide whether it would be safe to defy him.

Gil and Nelse stood near the wheel, where they could hear and see everything. Both wanted to go forward, but the former’s father checked them by saying, in a low tone:

“Remain where you are, unless Mr. Jenkins should call; in which case, you are to obey his orders implicitly.”

The mate was evidently making ready to carry out his instructions. All the men, save the man who had thrown the food, were sent back to the main hatch, and the young sailor was looking at his watch in an ominous manner.

The castaway muttered something which the boys could not understand; made a series of gestures to his companions, but, without receiving any reply, and then in a sulky manner began throwing the food overboard.

“Bring a swab here,” Mr. Jenkins called to one of the crew, and the shipwrecked man used it vigorously until the stains had been removed from the white planks.