“Yes, I’m ready, and at the same time I don’t feel so,” was the reply.
“Don’t feel coming on poorly, do you?”
“Oh no,” replied Roberts, “but I don’t much care about going on deck again.”
“Why not?”
“There’s the skipper, and old Anderson; they’re both sure to begin to grumble now.”
“Oh no! I don’t think they’ll say anything.”
“Well, you’ll see,” said Roberts decisively; and the lad proved to be right when the pair went on deck, for no sooner did they appear than the first lieutenant, who was forward with the men, giving some instructions, caught sight of them and began to approach.
“Look at that,” whispered Roberts.
“Yes, and look at that, Dick,” whispered Murray. For the captain, who was on the quarter-deck, had apparently caught sight of them at the same time, and began to make for them.
There was no retreat, for the lieutenant would have met them. But it so happened that the latter saw his chief approaching and returned at once to the group of sailors, leaving the captain to have the first words.