“It’s no nonsense, I do assure you. I saw him with these eyes, sure as I stand here.”
“Where?” exclaimed Mr C.
“Right forward, sir. I only mention it to you, but don’t say a word about it, for I should only be laughed at; but I do assure you that I would kiss the Bible to it, if it was required. I never did before believe in anything of that sort, that’s sartain; but it’s no use talking about it, sir. I think I had better get a lantern, and get over this coal business at once.”
“Yes, yes,” replied Mr Culpepper; “but you won’t know how much coals there are: I must go myself and see.”
Bob Cross was soon ready with the lantern, and went forward with Mr Culpepper. The hammocks had been piped down, and they were obliged to bend double under them to get along the lower deck. I followed unperceived.
The descent into the coal-hole was by battens, and not very easy for an old man like Mr C But Cross went down first, holding the light for the purser to follow, which he did very slowly, and with great caution. As soon as they both stood on the coals below, the purser took the light to make his survey.
“Why, there’s plenty of coals for three months, coxswain,” said he. “I thought there was; you see they are nearly up to the beams abaft.”
“Look! sir—look!” exclaimed Cross, starting back; “what’s that?”
“Where?” exclaimed Mr C, alarmed.
“There, sir—there he is: I told you so.”