“Come, Brace, lad, wake up. Going to sleep all day?”
“No, no,” cried the young man, springing out of his berth. “Why, the sun’s up!”
“Yes, long enough ago. I’ve been sleeping as soundly as you, and the cook has been to say that breakfast will soon be ready.”
“How stupid! I meant to have been on deck at daybreak. Where are we—out at sea?”
“No; as far as I can make out we are not above a mile or two below the town, and at anchor.”
“Why’s that?” said Brace, who was dressing hurriedly.
“I don’t know, unless the skipper is repenting of his bargain. I was afraid he was too easy over everything.”
“Oh, don’t say that,” cried Brace, in a disappointed tone.
The brothers were not long before they stepped on deck, to find all hands looking anxious and strange of aspect, as they stood watching the captain and first officer.
“Good morning, captain,” said Sir Humphrey warmly. “Why, I thought we were to be out at sea by now.”