The order was given, and a fresh position was taken up before the middy walked carefully all round the planter’s rest-house and carefully stationed his men on duty, adding a few words about keeping a sharp lookout for the approach of danger, and at a whisper from the big sailor, including snakes.
This done, the lad began to amuse himself by examining the attempts that had been made to render the place beautiful, and it was while thus engaged, and noting that the forest all round the clearing and cultivation was apparently impenetrable, giving the idea that the cottage could only be approached by water, that Tom followed up three or four rather peculiar sniffs by one that was most suggestive of a desire to call his officer’s attention to something he wished to say.
Murray, who was pretty well acquainted with the sailor’s peculiarities, turned upon him at last sharply—
“Well, Tom,” he said, “what is it?”
“Oh, nothing, sir, on’y I didn’t want to seem imperent.”
“I’m glad to hear it, my lad; but what did you want to say?”
“I was on’y thinking, sir.”
“What about?”
“Why, sir, it seemed to me as if we was taking so much trouble to keep watch over this here sick gentleman.”
“Well, go on; don’t hesitate so.”