“We did. But we didn’t know he was captain of a schooner like this.”
“It was a new command for him. At the last moment the regular captain of the Raven was taken sick and Captain Sudlip took his place. Poor fellow, it was a fatal trip for him.”
“Is Captain Sudlip dead?” questioned Darry.
“Not dead, but horribly burnt. They have taken him to the hospital at Roseau, on the island of Dominica, but the doctors say he cannot live.”
The Frenchman resumed his work, and the craft containing our friends moved off down the coast. For some minutes nobody spoke. Then Darry heaved a long sigh.
“It’s horrible!” he murmured. “Horrible! Captain Sudlip wasn’t our friend, but I pity him.”
“And so do I pity him,” put in Sam. “I trust his case isn’t as bad as reported.”
This was all that was said, but nobody forgot the matter until a long time after. It may be as well to state here that the captain was in a very bad way and that he died inside of the week.
It was utterly impossible to think of going ashore at St. Pierre, and fearful of another eruption which might cost them their lives, Professor Strong procured passage on a little ferry steamer which had formerly run regularly between the fallen city and Fort de France.
Turning southward again made the hearts of Mark and Frank sink like lead within their bosoms. Their thoughts were constantly on their parents.