“I thought of it, sir. They have everything I could think of, and at a pinch ought to be able to hold out for three months.”
“I don’t think the pinch will come, Bracy.—Ah, they are getting close in.”
“Yes,” said the lieutenant, shading his eyes. “First boat is landing her additional stores. One comfort at this time of year, there is no fear of rain, so that they need not trouble much about getting covered in to-night.”
“No,” said the captain, thoughtfully, “but I hope Mr Dallas will get everything covered in all the same.”
They were following the second boat, as it rose and fell on the mirror-like surface of the water, till she was cleverly run alongside the rocks, when the captain opened his glass once more, and stood watching—the first lieutenant seeing a smile come over his stern features, and rightly interpreting that he was gazing at his son more than the actions of the men, who were quickly landing the additional stores that they had taken to the rock; the tackle previously rigged up being lowered again and again, and the cases and kegs cleverly swung ashore, the men dipping their oars at the word of command, and every time a box was swung up the boat was drawn out of danger, ready to be backed in when the tackle was once more lowered down.
“Yes,” said the captain, thoughtfully, “I have no doubt that Mr Dallas will prove himself most able in this business. Weather seems settled down, Bracy.”
“Yes, sir; but you know what it is in these latitudes. A smile one minute and a kick the next, and when it does rain—well, it’s a good job it doesn’t last, for we don’t want another flood.”
The captain went on pacing the quarter-deck, looking very cold and stern, but with a glow about his heart.
“He’ll make a smart officer,” he said to himself,—“one of whom we shall be proud. I’ll write and tell Tom about this. How he will chuckle and enjoy it! But I suppose I must lecture the young dog when he comes on board to-night. Discipline must be maintained.”
That evening, after the men had been busily helping, the barge came back and was hoisted on board. The captain walked on deck, but recollected that it was in the second cutter that Syd had gone, and he went back to his cabin.