Chapter Six.
The First Night on the Brig.
“The night is pleasanter out here on the river, captain,” said Sir Humphrey, as he sat with his brother on the deck in company with the captain and the first mate.
“Yes, sir, one can breathe,” said the gentleman addressed, “and I can always breathe better out at sea than I can in a river. Well, have you thought of anything else you want from the shore, for time’s getting on?”
“No; I have been quite prepared for days,” replied Sir Humphrey. “What about you, Brace?”
“Oh, I’m ready,” was the reply: “as ready as Captain Banes.”
“But I’m not, my lad,” said the captain. “I can’t sail without my second officer. By the way, Dellow, did you give orders for the boat to go ashore for Lynton at ten o’clock town time?”
“I?” said the first officer staring in the dim light cast by the swinging lanthorn under which they sat talking. “No. Do you want one sent?”
“Of course,” said the captain tartly. “I told you to send one.”
“I beg pardon, sir,” replied the first officer. “When?”