Sail Ho! Part 47

"I'm so sorry, Barney," I said.

"Ay, lad, I s'pose you are, and seeing as you thinked it was old Frenchy, I don't wonder as you tied them there knots as hard as ever you could. But what I do wonder at is, that the line didn't cut my legs right off. Shows as my muscles must be made of real good stuff, and when I've done rubbing 'em back into shape, I s'pose they'll come all right once more; but I should have liked to be in the fun."

"Get your pincushions all right, messmate," said Bob Hampton, slapping Barney on the back, "and don't growl; the game's on'y just begun, and you shall have first innings next time."

"Think there'll be any more fighting, matey?" said Barney eagerly.

"Think there'll be any more fighting? Just hark at him, gentlemen.

Why, you grumbling old swab, do you think as, once having hold of the Burgh Castle and calling hisself skipper, old Frenchy's the sort o' man to let a few planks and a hatchway keep him from making another try?

You wait a bit, old man, if you're so precious anxious to get yourself made sore. Frenchy won't forget us for gammoning him, and pretending to be on his side."

"I ain't hankshus to be made sore, Bob, old matey," growled Barney; "it's a kind o' nat'ral feeling in me to make him sore, and I'm going to do it if I gets half a chance."

"All right then, Mr Brymer 'll see as you has one, I dessay."

The next minute we were at the cabin in which the captain was lying, but he rose up on one arm as the door was thrown open and the light of the lantern flashed in.

Mr Frewen went to him directly.

"How are you?" he cried. "I could not come to you before."

"Tell me," cried Captain Berriman excitedly, "what has been going on?"

"Nothing much," said Mr Frewen, smiling.

"But I heard firing and a struggle in the saloon," cried the captain, clinging to Mr Frewen's arm.

"Well, yes, we have been re-taking the ship."

"What?"

"Humph! Poor fellow, he could not bear it," said Mr Frewen, as Captain Berriman sank back half-fainting, but he re-opened his eyes and clung to the doctor again.

"Too good--to be true," he muttered. "Thank G.o.d--thank G.o.d!"

There was perfect silence for a few moments, as our poor wounded captain lay back with his eyes closed. Then with his face losing its feeble, despairing look, he said anxiously--

"I don't see Brymer; is he hurt?"

"No; quite safe."

"Mr Preddle?"

"We are all pretty sound, and the mutineers are shut down in the forecastle, sir."

"Oh, if I only had strength!" said the captain. "Doctor, you have half cured me with this news; can't you give anything to set me up for an hour or two?"

"Nothing," said Mr Frewen, sadly. "I can only tell you that you must be patient. You must lie here and give your orders. We will execute them as far as we can."

"And we are in a bad storm. There must be danger on that side too, but I can do nothing."

"Mr Brymer will do his best, and there are three of the best seamen to help."

"What?" he cried excitedly.

"Hampton, and two more?"

"No, no, traitors, don't trust them--the scoundrels."

"No, we arn't, cap'n," growled Bob Hampton. "We was obliged to sham Abram a bit. Now I do call that 'ere hard, arter me and Dumlow and Barney helped get the ship back again."

"You did?" cried the captain.

"Course we did."

"Yes, they have been true as steel," said Mr Frewen. "You need not fear these men."

"And that boy, Walters?"

"Oh, him, sir! He's down below somewheres, and he'd better stay too,"

growled Bob Hampton, "for if he shows his nose, young Mr Dale here's going to tackle him pretty warmly."

"But have you got the men prisoners?" said the captain, anxiously.

"Yes, quite safe."

"Then the ship must be seen to. She's labouring heavily. Tell Brymer--"

"I shall tell Mr Brymer nothing," said Mr Frewen firmly. "You shall give him your orders instead. You can be at peace now, sir, so lie still patiently, and believe that everything possible will be done to preserve order and save the ship."

"Yes; thank you," said the captain, whose lip was quivering. "I know I must be patient. There, I'll try and do what I have not done these many hours,--go to sleep. But bring me some news sometimes, Dale, my lad, I shall be so anxious to know."

I promised him, and then we hurried out, for from time to time there was an anxious whispering going on in the next cabin, which appealed strongly to Mr Frewen and to me.

He pointed to the door as soon as we were outside, and his voice sounded very husky as he said--

"Unfasten it, and go in and tell them that all is safe once more."

"Won't you go?" I asked, as I offered him the lantern.

"No," he replied, after making an effort to master his anxiety to take the lead. "You and Mr Denning were on friendly terms. He would rather receive the good news from you. In with you quick, and tell him that if he feels strong enough, I--that is, Mr Brymer would be glad if he would come and help to keep watch over the prisoners."

"With a rewolver," growled Bob Hampton.

"Yes, say with a pistol," said Mr Frewen. "He would be as effective there as a strong man."

"Better," growled Bob, "for he understands fire-arm tools, and knows how to shoot."