Читать книгу Pitcairn's Island. Sea Adventure Novel онлайн

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“Ye’re a marvel for drink, Will,” Smith was saying. “I’ll warrant ye’ve had twice as much as Martin, but there’s none would know it from yer speech.”

“I’ve a good Scotch stomach and a hard Scotch head,” McCoy replied. “Ye maun go north o’ the Tweed, mon, if ye’s see an honest toper. We’ve bairns amangst us could drink the best o’ ye English under a table, and gang hame to their mithers after, and think nae mair aboot it.”

Smith grinned. “Aye, ye’re grand folk,” he replied, “and well ye know it.”

“We’ve reason to, Alex; but aboot this burnin’ o’ the ship ...”

“Christian’s aboard of her now, with Young and Jack Williams. They’ll be firin’ her directly.”

Presently a faint reddish glow streamed up from behind the seaward cliffs to the east. It increased from moment to moment until the light penetrated even to where they sat.

Smith got to his feet. “We’d best go and see the last of her, Will. I’ll cut Matt loose; there’s no harm in him now. What’ll ye do, John, stay or come with us?”

Mills rose and took the native girl up in his arms. “Go past the tents,” he said. “I’ll leave her there.”