“Cock-a-doodle-do!”
Mark gave a fair imitation of the crowing of a cock, and Bob was furious.
“How dare you, sir!” he cried. “Recollect you are prisoner to Her Majesty’s ship Nautilus.”
“Commanded by Bob Howlett, Esquire,” said Mark, in his natural tones, “Oh, I say, Bob, how you can bully and bounce!”
Bob’s hands dropped to his side, and just then a familiar voice shouted,—
“Where’s Mr Howlett?”
“Here, sir,” said Bob, dismally.
“Ah, that’s right. Nobody there, I suppose?” The voice was quite close to the door now, and a shadow was cast down into the darkened cabin.
“Oh yes, sir, there’s some one down here,” said Bob. “We haven’t taken the schooner after all.”
“What!”