"Impossible! We are miles from the shore."
"Jackal, sure enough. Maybe sent adrift by a flood, and taken to a tree."
The captain laughed. "I thought it was a hoodoo at least. Well, lad"—turning to Venning—"you don't want me to pick up a creature like that?"
"I don't think it is far away, sir. I think I see a tree or boat, and if you would lower me over the bows and ease the vessel——"
"Well?"
"Perhaps I could pick it up."
"You are not afraid of being bitten?"
"I think it would know I meant it good."
The skipper laughed good-humouredly. "Well, you're a plucky lad, and, at any rate, I'd not be losing time." He touched the bell, and motioned to the steersman. The ship slowed down and came round. "Mr. Bobbins, just sling this young gentleman over the port-bows, and have a light lowered. Do you still stick to your bargain?"
Venning answered by sliding off the bridge and climbing up into the bows, where a knot of sailors had gathered at the gangway. A rope was looped round his thigh, so as to give his arms play, and two men stood to pay him over and down.