“We could keep them off after all, I dare say,” he said. By this time he was close up to the rough shelter which the men had dubbed the hospital. Drawing aside the canvas hung down over the doorway, he was about to step
in when there was a rush, the candle was knocked down, and by its feeble glimmer, where it lay on the rocky floor, he caught a glimpse of something dark which rushed at him, drove him backwards, and disappeared in the darkness.
“You stupid idiot!” cried Syd, in a loud whisper. “Frightened him, I suppose, going in so quickly.”
He once more stepped into the rough place, to see with astonishment the sailor who had been placed there to relieve Roylance, in the act of picking up the candle from where it lay flickering on the floor.
“Tumbled down, sir,” said the man, confusedly.
“Tumbled down!” cried Sydney, in an angry whisper; “why, you lazy rascal, you were asleep!”
“Sleep, sir?”
“Yes. Who was that in here just now?”
“Here, sir; and banged out o’ the door there! Wasn’t it you?”