“I hope we have not kept you waiting,” said Justin.
“Not a moment. We have only just got Mistress Cudd in here,” laughed the young man, pointing to Crummie.
They all then got into the boat.
Judith went immediately and stood by the head of the cow, with her hand on the creature’s neck, ready to soothe and control her in case she should become frightened and restive when the boat should begin to move.
But Crummie had seen too many ups and downs in this world to be disturbed by trifles, and so she made the passage to the ship with great composure.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE CRUISE.
The captain of the Xyphias stood on deck to receive his passengers.
The deck was a scene of great bustle, with the seamen getting ready to make sail. Some were weighing anchor, some loosing the topsails and courses, and others coiling down the ropes.
Through the crowd the captain led his passengers to the head of the gang-ladder, and took them down below to the gundeck where his own quarters were situated, and he assigned them berths in his own cabin.
Britomarte and her attendant had a stateroom to themselves, and Justin had a share in the captain’s stateroom. It appeared from all this that they were to be received as the captain’s own guests, and have seats at his private table as well as berths in his cabin.