Jack at Sea Part 45

The captain's plan was agreed upon, and in what seemed to be the middle of the night, Jack was awakened from a dream of watching a cup-headed mountain playing at throwing up and catching a huge red-hot ball, by a voice at his berth-side saying--

"Coffee's about ready, Mr Jack--t'other gents has begun to dress."

For some moments Jack stared at him stupidly. "What time is it?" he stammered at last. "Some bells or another, sir--I dunno; but the men have got the boats out, and the things in for breakfast and lunch. They were at it before I woke."

"I won't be long," said Jack, yawning, and wishing the expedition at the bottom of the sea, for he felt dreadfully sleepy, and as if he would have given anything for another hour or two's rest. It seemed absurd to be getting up in the dark when there was all the day before them, and altogether he was in that disposition of mind which people say is caused by getting out of bed the wrong way first.

The doctor noticed it as the lad left his cabin to find a comfortable meal spread by the light of the cabin lamp, and the odour of coffee coming fragrantly from a steaming urn.

"Here, look at him," cried the doctor. "Mind, or he'll bite."

"Why, Jack, my boy," cried Sir John merrily; "don't look so fierce as that."

"I didn't know I looked fierce," said the lad in an ill-used tone. "I can't help feeling tired and sleepy."

"Of course he can't," said Doctor Instow. "He had a very hard day yesterday. Here, I'll set him right. You go back to bed, Jack, and lie there till we come back. You'll be as fresh as can be then."

"What, let you go without me?" cried the boy, with a sudden display of animation. "Of course. It is too much for you."

"Give me some coffee, Ned," said the boy irritably. "Is there no new bread?"

"No, sir. Too soon. Dry toast, sir?"

"Bother the dry toast! you know I don't like dry toast."

"Yes, and it isn't well-made, Jack. You go to bed."

The lad gave the doctor an angry glance, spread some marmalade upon the dry toast, and began to eat and sip from his coffee as fast as the heat thereof would allow.

"Well, are you going to take my advice?" said the doctor, who was pretty busy over his own early breakfast.

Jack made no reply, but went on sipping his coffee, and feeling much better.

Sir John looked up, and raised his eyebrows a little.

"Doctor Instow spoke to you, my boy," he said gently, and, to the speaker's surprise, his son said coolly--

"Yes, father, I heard him."

"Then why do you not answer?"

"Because he doesn't expect me, father. He knows what I should say."

"Knows?"

"Yes, father; he's only making fun of me. He only said that to make me speak out."

"Then why do you not speak out? If you are so tired, it is excellent advice for you to go and take a good long rest."

"And be fidgeting in that hot berth, thinking about the adventures you are having? It would do me harm instead of good. Bring, me some more toast, Edward."

The doctor threw himself back in his revolving seat at the table, and clapped his hands on his knees.

"Well done, Jack!" he cried. "Bravo, lad! You've got the stuff in you that good strong men are made of, after all. You're quite right. I did want to stir you up and make you speak. Stop in bed all day! Not you."

The captain came in.

"How are you getting on, gentlemen?" he said in his bluff way.

"Nearly ready," said Sir John. "Then you will not go with us to-day?"

"No, sir. Let Bartlett have a turn, and I'll take care of the yacht.

One word though. I don't for a moment think you will come across savages, but if you do I should like you to take the lead. You don't want to fight, only to get back safely to the yacht, so make the best retreat you can."

"Of course," said Sir John, and Jack looked from one to the other in an excited way, "I expect the doctor here would like a fight," said the captain with a grim smile.

"I! Why?" cried Doctor Instow, with a surprised look.

"So as to be getting a specimen or two to take home. I know what you naturalists are."

"Oh, pooh! nonsense! absurd!" cried the doctor, taking a good deep draught of the coffee Sir John's man knew so well how to provide.

"Doctors want to save life, not to destroy it--clever doctors do; and I'm not such a very bad one, am I, Jack?"

"I can't talk properly with my mouth full," was the reply.

"But this is not breakfast, my boy," said Sir John, smiling.

"He's quite right, sir," said the captain. "Always make your hay while the sun shines, especially when you're travelling."

There was no sign of any light when they went on deck, to find the men in the boats, and the mate waiting with Edward who had slipped up by his side.

"Hullo!" cried the doctor. "You're not going, Ned?"

"Yes, he is, doctor," said Jack quickly. "I want him."

Sir John said nothing, but stepped down into the large boat.

"I'll go in the other," said the doctor.

"You'll come with us?" said the mate to Jack.

"No; I'll go in the little boat," replied the lad; and he followed the doctor, Edward, whose face by the gleam of one of the lanterns was puckered up by a broad smile of satisfaction, entering the gig after him.

"You'll be able to go a bit farther to-day, sir," said the captain at parting. "I'd halt at the best place you can find at mid-day, and have a good meal, rest for a couple of hours, and then make the best of your way back."

Sir John nodded.

"Save the men all you can, Bartlett. You have the sails."