“Only done what you wished, sir,” said the captain bluntly.
“Well then, now that we have reached a place which teems with objects of interest, and which we have not half explored, it is a pity to leave it. What do you say, Jack? Shall we give it up?”
“Because a pack of senseless savages come and attack us? No, it would be cowardly,” cried the lad.
“Poisoned arrows, spears, war canoes,” said the doctor, with a queer look at Jack.
“Of course they are horrible,” said the lad, flushing; “but perhaps we shall see no more of the blacks. Don’t give it up, father.”
“I should regret to have to do so, my boy, but mine is a very responsible position. I feel that I have to study others. I have no right to keep the officers and crew of this vessel where they are likely to encounter great risks.”
“For the matter of that, sir,” said the captain dryly, “those who go to sea look upon risks as a matter of course, and are rather disposed to think you landsmen run the most; eh, Bartlett? What do you say?”
“What, about the risk of staying here? Oh, I don’t see any particular risk if we keep our eyes open, and are not sparing of the coal.”
“Thank you, Mr Bartlett; but there are the men to study.”
“Oh, you need not study about the men, Sir John,” said the captain bluffly. “What do you say to that, Bartlett?”