Joshua gave Rough-and-Ready an amazed look, and turned away to where Minnie was sitting. She saw him coming towards her, and her heart beat fast.
"Why have you watched near me for two nights?" he asked, without looking at her.
"You have enemies on the raft," was the answer, very quietly given.
"I know; Scadbolt and the Lascar. But I can take care of myself."
"Not when you are asleep," she said, almost in a whisper.
What could he do? What could he say? Together on the raft in the presence of Death, from which only something very like a miracle could save them, could he be stern and harsh to her? And his great misery was, that he knew and felt his power. He knew that an unkind word from him to this young girl was as bitter as death could be.
"You are like the rest of us, I suppose," he said, gently; "growing very weak."
"I do not think so," she answered, trembling at the gentleness of his voice; "I feel strong as yet. Shall we be saved?"
"We are in God's hands," he said. "I think there is but little chance of being picked up, or even of making friendly land."
Neither addressed the other by name.