It appeared, that they had left the whaler in such a hurry, that they had only had time to throw into the boat two breakers of water, four empty breakers to fill with salt-water for ballast to the boat, and the iron pitch-kettle, with a large sack of potatoes.
As soon as supper was finished, they went to the cask for the rum, and then the mate said to me:—
“Now I’ll go and speak to the woman, and you shall take her to sleep in your cabin.”
During the whole of this time, the woman, as the mate called her, had never spoken a word. She had taken her supper, and eaten it in silence, still remaining by the fire, huddled up in the blanket. On the mate speaking to her, she rose up, and I then perceived that she was much taller than I thought she could have been; but her Panama hat still concealed her face altogether.
“Now then, my lad,” said the mate, “show the lady where she is to sleep, and then you can join us again if you like.”
“Will you come with me?” said I, walking away.
The woman followed me up the path. When we arrived at the platform opposite the cabin, I recollected Nero, whom I had ordered to stay there till my return.
“You won’t be afraid of the seal,” said I, “will you? He is very good-natured. Nero, come here.”
It was rather dark as Nero came shuffling up, and I went forward to coax him, for he snarled a little at seeing a stranger.
“Have you no light at hand?” said my companion, speaking for the first time, in a very soft yet clear voice.