" Inside the cabin, Belfast, helping Jimmy into
his bunk, twitched all over in his desire not to miss all the row, and
with difficulty restrained the tears of his facile emotion. James Wait,
flat on his back under the blanket, gasped complaints.--"We will back
you up, never fear," assured Belfast, busy about his feet.--
"I'll come out to-morrow morning------take my chance-------you fellows
must------" mumbled Wait, "I come out to-morrow------skipper or no
skipper." He lifted one arm with great difficulty, passed the hand over
his face; "Don't you let that cook..." he breathed out.--"No, no,"
said Belfast, turning his back on the bunk, "I will put a head on him
if he comes near you."--"I will smash his mug!" exclaimed faintly Wait,
enraged and weak; "I don't want to kill a man, but..." He panted fast
like a dog after a run in sunshine. Some one just outside the door
shouted, "He's as fit as any ov us!" Belfast put his hand on the
door-handle.--"Here!" called James Wait, hurriedly, and in such a clear
voice that the other spun round with a start. James Wait, stretched
out black and deathlike in the dazzling light, turned his head on the
pillow.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196