Mr Brooke nodded, and I saw that he looked very serious as he walked aft, and a minute later I knew why.
“Bah!” growled Smith, as soon as he was out of hearing. “Shouldn’t have listened.”
“No,” said Barkins. “It isn’t quite manly to play the spy. Talk about snubbing, why is it officers should think it so precious fine to be always dropping on to their juniors? Now, then, look out! there’s orders coming. The old Teaser’s going to waggle her tail between her legs, and we’re going back again. More waste of Her Majesty’s coals.”
“If we don’t lie-to till the tide turns,” I said. “Oh, I say, you two look sharp and get quite well again; I didn’t know that having wounds would make fellows so sour.”
“Who’s sour. Here, let’s get aft; quick, or we shall be out of the fun.”
For the whistles were going, and the men springing to the boats, three of which were manned, and the one lying alongside being filled with a strong, well-armed crew.
We all three did press forward, in the full hope of being sent as well, and made ourselves so prominent that I saw Mr Reardon frown. But no orders came; and at last, in a great state of excitement, Barkins seized the opportunity to speak.
“May I go in the longboat, sir?”
“You—lame still from your wound, sir? Absurd! No, nor you neither, Mr Smith.”
He caught my eye just then, but turned away, and I could not help feeling disappointed, though I knew well enough that the risk would have been great.