“I shall do my best, sir,” said Gray, quietly. “If I do not succeed, you will know it is because I am down.”
“But you must not go down, Gray,” said Captain Smithers, hastily. “You cannot be spared. This is a most important duty, and that is why I send you.”
The private’s eyes were fixed on those of his captain most searchingly, and the latter lowered his own before those of his inferior.
“I shall give you no written message, for fear that you may be taken, Gray,” said Captain Smithers, hastily. “Take this verbal message, ‘Captain Smithers begs, for the sake of all, that Lieutenant Johnson will strive to get the steamer off, and bring her round here, to moor her close up to the bank, alongside of Dullah’s hut.’ Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” said Gray, and he repeated the words.
“That will do. Now go.”
“At once, sir?”
“At once.”
Gray saluted, and with his teeth pressing his lip started off upon another risky mission.
He met Ensign Long as he went back to the quarters, and on being questioned, he questioned in return, and obtained a few particulars, enough to make him determine to make his way up towards the head of the island, and there swim off, to try and get himself swept down to the steamer, hoping to be seen and get on board without mishap, and in this spirit, arming himself once more as on his former expedition, he set off.