Hunting the Skipper Part 100

"That I venture to think that it would be the wisest plan in any case, sir."

"No, not in any case, Mr Murray. You see, our position is a very serious one."

"I don't think the men think so, sir."

"Eh? Do you think that they take a rosy view of it?"

"I'm sure they do, sir."

"Humph! Well, I mustn't damp them till the last extremity."

"But surely, sir--" began Murray.

"I surely see that you do not know what I know, Mr Murray."

"I suppose not, sir," said the lad.

"But I do not see why you as a youth growing into manhood, and who are sharing with me the responsibilities of this position, should not know everything."

"I think I do know everything, sir," said Murray, smiling, "and see fully how precarious our position is."

"Indeed, Mr Murray?" said the lieutenant sadly.

"Yes, sir; I think I see all, and it makes me feel very proud to know how brave and contented the men are, poor fellows! If I were in command, sir, I should be delighted to see the confidence the men have in their leader."

"Hah! Yes, my dear boy," said the lieutenant, smiling more sadly than before. "Well, I think that perhaps I shall tell you all."

"All, sir? Is there a graver peril than I know of?"

"Yes, my lad, and I think that you ought to know--that is, if you would rather share my knowledge than remain in ignorance."

"I would rather share the knowledge, sir, and try to help you," said the lad firmly.

"Good! Then you shall; Mr Murray, we have a strong little fort here, and provisions enough to last us a month."

"Yes, sir."

"But we shall be driven to cut our way somehow to the sloop."

"Why not attack one of the schooners, sir--board her--for there are evidently more than one."

"Because we want the sinews of war, Mr Murray."

"Money, sir?" cried Murray.

"Tchah! Nonsense! Powder, my boy--powder."

"Why, sir, I thought--" began Murray.

"So did I, my lad; but unfortunately those blacks in supplying us with water to saturate that last fire--"

"Threw it over the powder-supply, sir!" cried Murray, in horror.

"Yes, my lad; that is our position, and we have only a few charges left."

"Hah! Well, sir," said Murray drawing a deep breath, "then we must use the edges of our cutla.s.ses."

"Good!" said the lieutenant, clapping the lad upon the shoulder. "I am glad I told you, Mr Murray, for it has taught me that I have a brave lad upon whom I can depend. Yes, my lad, we have edges to our cutla.s.ses, and when it comes to the last we must use them too."

CHAPTER FORTY NINE.

"CAESAR DON'T KNOW."

It was a little later on that, during a quiet interval and while in obedience to his officer Murray had been seeing to the men and taking care they were well refreshed ready for the next attack that might be delivered, the lieutenant joined the lad.

"Are the men satisfied?" he said quietly.

"Yes, sir; any one would think that we were out upon an excursion."

"Poor lads!" said the lieutenant. "I'm afraid it is going to be a sad excursion for them."

"Oh, I don't know, sir," said Murray cheerily. "Who knows, sir, but what the captain may come and cut us out at any time, and call upon us to help him rout out the horrible wasps' nest?"

"That's a good, bright, boyish way of looking upon things, my boy," said the lieutenant, "and we shall see. There, come and let's look at our wounded ones. Have you had a chat with your messmate lately?"

"I've been to see him three times to-day, but he is very weak yet. You have been with him too, sir. He told me. I wish you would speak to t.i.tely, sir. He wants to get up and fight, and he is not fit."

"I've already forbidden it, Mr Murray," said the lieutenant; "and the poor fellow looked quite cut up, so I promised him a double allowance as soon as he got well enough."

The lieutenant was silent for a few minutes, and stood as if listening so intently that Murray grew uneasy.

"Do you hear anything, sir?" he asked.

"No, my lad; I wish I could. I am getting anxious."

"The men are keeping a very sharp lookout, sir."

"Oh yes; I am not afraid of that, my lad. My anxiety is for the _Seafowl_. It is so long since I have heard her guns, and then they were apparently a long distance away."

"Yes, sir," said Murray cheerfully; "but then it is a long while since we heard the slaver's guns, and that seems to mean that the captain has silenced and perhaps--"

"Perhaps what, Mr Murray?"

"I was going to say sunk the schooner, sir; but I hope he has not done that, for the men's sake."

"What, on account of prize money?" replied the lieutenant. "Oh, by the way, Mr Murray, I suppose you still believe in that black fellow, Caesar?"