“What, to knock my boy down, Uggleston? No, thank you, sir. I’ve little things at home that will put him to bed for a fortnight and keep him quiet without giving myself a job to mend his broken bones.”
He looked at Bob, and I saw my school-fellow turn yellow and shudder as if he were about to take a dose of some horribly nauseous medicine. Just then Bob caught my eye, and I suppose he saw that I was amused, for he doubled his fist, and showed his teeth in a snarl just like a disagreeable dog who had been threatened by a stranger with a stick.
“My faith, gentlemen,” said the French skipper, “ze boys is brave boys and make fine sailor. Zey fight zis bad storm. Zey vin ze storm, and behold me here ve are!”
“Captain Gualtière,” said my father, holding out his hand, “as an old sailor, sir, to one of the same noble profession, I thank you for your kindness to my son.”
“Mon capitaine, I you embrace with my heart whole!” cried the French skipper. “It is vell, Capitaine Ugglees-stone. Ve vill land ourselves. Mon vieux brave—to your home, and trink von ’tit verre of ze bon spee-reete vis ze friens. Come.” Jonas Uggleston nodded his head and exchanged a peculiar look with the Frenchman.
“Let’s get ashore,” he said. “You, Bill, I’ll come out again by and by. Get her fast to the buoy.”
Binnacle Bill growled and crept behind us boys to watch his opportunity, and give us each a nod, a wink, and a furtive shake of the hand.
Then the boat was hauled alongside, we descended, and Bigley pulled us ashore, where, almost in silence, and evidently a very uncomfortable party, we walked up to the cottage where Mother Bonnet was in waiting, and her first act was to rush at Bigley, hug him, kiss him soundly on both cheeks, and burst into tears.
I was afraid it was coming my way, and drew back; but it was of no use, for the old woman seized me, and I had to be kissed in the same way, while Bob Chowne submitted to the same operation with a worse grace than mine.
“Not a wink of sleep—not a wink of sleep—not a wink of sleep all night!” the old woman kept on sobbing over and over again. “Master Bigley—Master Bigley, I was afraid I should never see you any more!”