Читать книгу Wrecked on Spider Island; Or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure онлайн

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“I shall see that you show up to-morrow morning,” the mate said as he turned to go. “I don’t reckon the captain will let you loaf any longer, even though a sick waiter isn’t the most pleasant person one can have around a table. The skipper of this craft don’t believe in keeping cats that can’t catch mice.”

“Do you s’pose he’ll let me stay here as long as that?” Ned asked piteously.

“I reckon so, for I shall make it out you’re worse off than really is the case; so fix yourself as comfortable as possible, an’ I’ll see to it that the cook brings you a bowl of soup before noon.”

“I couldn’t eat a mouthful.”

“Nonsense. You’ll be as ravenous as a bear by night, an’ I’ll answer for it you can get away with quite a mess by the time it is ready.”

Ned felt certain he should never again want anything in the way of food; but when, two hours later, the captain of the galley brought a bowlful of liquid, steaming hot, which gave forth a most appetizing odor, he succeeded in swallowing more than half of it, feeling very much better immediately afterward.