“I wish so too, my boy,” said Captain Studwick between his teeth. “Poor lad, his soul is strong if his body is weak.”
“Answer to your names, you who are here,” said Dutch; and in return he repeated those of the captain, Mr Parkley, the doctor, naturalist, and John Studwick. “The ladies, I know, are here,” he added.
“Would to heaven they were not!” muttered the doctor.
“There’s more here nor you’ve called over,” said a gruff voice.
“That’s Rasp,” cried Mr Parkley eagerly.
“Yes, and there’s a couple o’ sailors here too,” said the old fellow, “on’y they’ve lost their tongues.”
“Who are they?” asked the captain, sharply.
“Here’s Dick Rolls here, capen,” said a rough voice.
“And who is that speaking?” said the captain.
“Robert Lennie, your honour,” was the reply.