“But I wouldn’t rather stay, father. I only thought it would be much pleasanter to ride.”
“Ah, to be sure!” said Mr Gregory grimly, and with a sarcastic smile. “Widgeon, run round the corner and call a couple of hansom cabs.”
The men laughed and Mark flushed up.
“Couldn’t we ride as well in a boat as in a hansom cab, Mr Gregory?” he said.
“Done!” cried Gregory, giving his leg a slap. “Here, captain, we had better take second grades. Of course: why not row round?”
“Why not, indeed?” said the captain smiling. “I daresay we can keep in the smooth lagoon all the way; and when we cannot, we can land and continue afoot. Did you notice the water, Mark?”
“Yes, father; it was exactly like this all the way, only, I think, the line of breakers comes in nearer.”
“Here, launch the boat, my lads,” cried the captain; and she was run down, the guns, ammunition, and provisions placed in the stern, and ten minutes later they were all riding easily over the blue waters of the smooth lagoon, the men bending to their oars, tiring their arms perhaps, but saving their legs, as the gig ran easily over the bright surface.
It was a glorious ride, and they had not gone twenty yards before there was a rush along the sands and then a plunge as Bruff came swimming after them; while Jack, chattering loudly, came cantering down toward the edge of the water, and then ran along the sands.
“We may as well take him in,” said the captain; and giving orders for the men to cease pulling, they waited till Bruff came alongside, Billy Widgeon receiving orders to help him in at the bows, where he was allowed to have his customary shake and go off like a water firework as the drops flew in all directions, glittering in the sun.