Dutch the Diver Part 22

"Not they, sir: first place, no one knows of it 'cept that furren gentleman; second place, where's the air-pumps and divers' togs, to go down and get at it? I get wondering now why I never thought of a trip out there, after being with Capen Studwick here, but I never did. And now, sir, if you'll give me a light I'll have a quiet smoke."

Dutch took out a match-box, and was going to light up, but Oak.u.m held up his hand to command silence; and before the young man could make out what he was about to do, he stepped softly to the side, where a large tarpaulin covered one of the boats lying in its chocks, gave one end of the cover a sharp s.n.a.t.c.h, and the mulatto started up.

"Now then, out o' that," said the old sailor, menacingly. "If you want a caulk, just you take it below in your bunk."

The man bent his head, as he leaped lightly out, gave Oak.u.m a curious look from beneath his half-closed eyelids, and then limped forward.

"I don't like the looks o' that chap, Mr Dutch. He's one o' the sort, that if you hit him, he'd out with a knife and sheath it in a man's ribs. That chap was listening, that's what he was a-doing, though he pretended to be asleep. I don't like the look on him, nor of some more o' them as come aboard with him, and if the skipper don't look out there'll be mischief."

"I'm afraid you are given to prophesying evil, Oak.u.m," said Dutch, with a smile.

"Well, sir, I on'y says what I thinks, but, mind you this: if we get back safe, I shall be surprised, for never yet, when I've gone out to sea with petticoats on board have we got back without an accident."

"Nonsense, man."

"'Taint nonsense, sir; it's fate," said Oak.u.m, "and what's more, look here, I ain't a sooperst.i.tious man, but the speerits o' them sailors as was lost in the olden times along o' the treasure ships ain't a-going to let us get hold o' what they've been watching all those hundreds o'

years without making a bit of a how-de-do."

STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE CAPTAIN'S SUSPICIONS.

The next day it came on to blow--and for quite a week tempestuous weather set in, the schooner skimming along almost under bare poles, but progressing well on her voyage. Captain Studwick had some trouble with his men, but on the whole they were pretty good sailors, and his strict discipline kept them well to their work, so that, from showing at first a little insubordination, they went pretty willingly to their duties.

On the tenth day out, the sun rose over a sea just rippled by a pleasant breeze. The men were busy drying clothes, and all the ports and hatches were well open, and as the day wore on Mrs Pugh, looking very weak and pale, came on deck, leaning on Bessy Studwick's arm, the latter leading her to where Dutch was talking to Mr Parkley.

Dutch started as he saw them coming up, then, bowing coldly, he walked to the other side of the deck to where John Studwick was sitting, impatiently watching his sister; and as soon as he saw Mr Parkley lead Mrs Pugh to a seat, he called to Bessy sharply to come to him, keeping her jealously by his side, as he saw Mr Wilson and the doctor come up and begin walking up and down, and frowning as they both raised their hats, and smiled at his sister.

"I wish you would not notice these men, Bessy," he exclaimed in an impatient whisper.

"I only bowed courteously to them, John dear," she said sadly; "and I will not speak to them if you do not wish it."

"I don't like it," he said, hastily. "Come and read to me."

She glanced across at Hester Pugh, and saw her white lips working as her eyes followed her husband, and then, taking up a book, began to read to her brother.

"Look at that, Bob," said one of a little group of men, busy overhauling a large sail which had been split during the late gale.

"Yes, he looks bad enough," said another. "A couple more days like we've had would about finish him."

"Get out," said the other; "I don't mean him, I meant the gal."

"Yes, she ain't bad to look at," said the first. "That's her as Oak.u.m was talking about."

"That it warn't," said the other; "'twas the little pale one."

"Just you two get on with that sail, will you," said a gruff voice behind them; "and leave the women pa.s.sengers alone."

One of the men looked across at the other, and grinned, and they went on with their work, while Sam Oak.u.m walked grumbling forward.

"I wish they wouldn't have no women aboard," he muttered half aloud.

"Why not?" said the doctor, who overheard him, and, facing round, Sam found him standing there with the tall young naturalist, whom the men, with their tendency at sea to nickname everyone, had christened Pigeons.

"Why not?" growled Oak.u.m, scowling across at old Rasp, between which two a deep dislike had sprung up. "Because--though someone here as I won't name will contradict every word I says--they ain't no good. They sets the men talking about 'em instead of doing their work; they consooms the stores; they causes the ship to be littered with green stuff and fresh meat; and, what with them and invalids, my deck's always in a mess. Why here's a cow and chickens, and a goat and ducks, and 'Pollo milking every morning to get some thin blue stuff like scupper washings, and the whole place turned into a farm-yard, and all because of the women.

Blame 'em! I wish there warn't one on the face of the blessed earth."

"Hear him," said one of the two sailors who had just spoken; "hear him, Bob," for they were dragging the sail aft as Oak.u.m spoke. "He was crossed in love when he was green."

"Women's right enough at times," said Bob, a dull heavy fellow, with a dreadful squint, one of those distortions of the eyes which cause the owner to look behind his nose, which in this case was a very thick one.

"I'm right sorry for that little one there, though, for she seems mighty bad."

"Let me introduce one of our protectors to you, Miss Studwick," said the doctor, stopping by where she sat, book in hand.

John Studwick gave an impatient twist in his chair.

"This is Mr Oak.u.m, the second mate, a gentleman who is a confirmed hater of your s.e.x."

"No I arn't," said Sam gruffly; "I only said as ladies hadn't no business on board ships, even if they is captain's daughters. They only get listening by accident to people's tongues going a deal too fast and free."

"That's meant for me, I suppose," said the doctor, laughing. "Never mind, Oak.u.m, we shall not quarrel. I think you'll like Oak.u.m, Mr Studwick."

"Thank you," said the young man, sharply, "but I only take your medical advice, Mr Meldon. Come, Bessy, it's chilly here."

"But the sun is getting warmer every moment, John," said his sister, gently. "I think you will be all the better for staying on deck."

"I'm sure you will," said the doctor, smiling, and pa.s.sing on.

"I'm sure I shall not," exclaimed the invalid, pettishly, while his eyes looked jealously and brightly at the young doctor. "Take me below, Bessy. There--I can walk; come along. Mr Oak.u.m is right--men's tongues do go too freely here."

Bessy looked at him sadly, and then smiling pleasantly as he raised his eyes, walked with him to the cabin door.

"I hope you will not take any notice of my son's sharp remarks, doctor,"

said Captain Studwick, overtaking the two young men, for he had heard what had pa.s.sed.

"Not I, indeed, captain," said the doctor, frankly. "I think I understand what it means, and I should be a poor student of human nature if I visited his petulance upon him. We shall be the best of friends before long, I'll be bound."

"I hope so, I'm sure," said the captain, gloomily, "for it's quite possible that we may need to hold well together before our trip is over."

"Do you antic.i.p.ate any danger, captain?" said Wilson, turning pale.

The captain hesitated, and then said--

"Voyages are always dangerous--that's all."

"He means more than he says," thought the doctor; and he followed the captain with his eyes as he went forward, stopped, and spoke a few words to Hester and Mr Parkley, who were still sitting together, and then joined Dutch, who was, according to his wont, gazing over the bulwark far out to sea.