“Well, I’ve been thinking about it—I’m sure that Mr Hippesley will flog me if he catches me to-day or to-morrow; but if I remain hid for a day or two, they will really think that I have fallen overboard, and then they will say, ‘poor Tommy Dott,’ and perhaps be so glad when I do make my appearance, that they will forgive me.”
“Yes,” replied I, delighted at the idea; “I’m sure they will, if you do tell the truth when you appear again.”
“Then, that is what I’ll do. The first lieutenant said that I might be in the spirit-room. Where shall I go to?”
“Why,” said I, “you must remain under the table till dark, and then you may easily slip down into the coal-hole, where it is so dark that they never will see you, even if they go down for coals. It is the only place I know of; stay there all to-morrow and next day, and come up in the evening; or the next morning perhaps will be better.”
“Well, it’s a very good place,” replied Tommy; “anything better than being flogged; but will you bring me something to eat and drink?”
“Depend upon me, Tommy,” replied I; “I’ll contrive to bring you something every night.”
“Well, then, I’ll do that,” replied he.
“Yes; and tell the truth when you come out,” said I.
“Yes, upon my honour I will;” and so saying, Tommy, hearing a noise, again dived under the cabin table.
Soon afterwards I went out of the cabin. The first lieutenant beckoned me to him, and asked me where Mr Dott was, and I told him what had been arranged between us. He laughed very much, and said—