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

29 страница из 51

“If I don’t talk with Mr. Stout pretty soon he’ll be jest as bad as the captain,” Ned said to himself as he noted the change which had come over the mate during the past few hours. “I’ll watch my chance to-night after the old man has turned in, for if this thing is to be done inside of a week the best way is to get ready for the worst right soon.”

The captain did not interfere with the new boy on this day, and had it not been for the short but sharp experience before putting to sea, Ned would have believed he was sailing under one of the most amiable men to be found in the world.

When night came the cabin-boy finished his tasks as quickly as possible and then went on deck, where he remained by the rail amidships until after the first officer had had another interview with the captain in the pantry.

“What are you doing out here?” Mr. Stout asked as he came on deck, and since he knew the officer was willing to commit a crime, Ned fancied his voice had lost that cheery ring which pleased him so much when he first heard it. “Ain’t gettin’ homesick, are you?”