“Yes,” said the diver, looking softly up at Will; “an accident, my lad, and nothing to make a fuss about; but there’s some one at home as would have made a fuss about it, and you’ve done more than save me, my lad; you’ve saved a poor woman from a broken heart, and six bairns from wanting charity; that’s all. Let’s shake hands!”
He held out his hand to Will in the midst of a strange silence, and held that of the young man with a very strong grip, before sinking back with his head upon a ship’s fender, and closing his eyes.
“He arn’t a bad sort of chap,” said Josh softly, as Will drew back; “but I don’t hold with a fellow, even if he have just been drowned, coming to life again and calling a boy like you a man. You’re wain enough as it is, and you’ve no call to be. So come along ashore, and get home and change them wet clothes.”
Will said a word to the chief of the divers about where the lead weights lay, and then stepped over the side to Josh, who was already in the lugger’s boat, without letting any one know that he was going.
Josh thrust off the boat, let his oar fall with a splash, and Will followed his example; but they were not a dozen yards from the lighter before they were missed, and divers and crew rushed to the side and gave a tremendous cheer.
“Here, come back!” cried the skipper; “come back!”
“Arn’t got time,” roared Josh, frowning; and then, as the men cheered again: “Well, of all the gashly fuss as was ever made this is about the worst! Pull hard, my lad, and let’s get out of it. I want to go home.”
“And I want to get warm, Josh,” said Will laughing. “I’m glad that poor fellow came round before we left.”
“Well, I dunno,” said Josh, sourly. “Of course you liked it because he called you a man. He ought to have knowed better, at his time o’ life. Lor’, Will, what a gashly peacock of a chap you would grow if it warn’t for me.”