Macey being right in the stern, Vane and Gilmore sat side by side, making a comment now and then about something they passed, while Distin was of course alone, watching them all from time to time through his half-closed eyes, as if suspicious that their words might be relating to him.
Then a gloomy silence fell, which lasted till Macey burst out in ecstatic tones:
“Oh, I am enjoying of myself!”
Then, after a pause:
“Never had such a glorious day before.”
Another silence, broken by Macey once more, saying in a deferential way:—
“If your excellency feels exhausted by this unwonted exertion, your servant will gladly take an oar.”
Distin ceased rowing, and, balancing the oars a-feather, he said coldly:—
“If you don’t stop that chattering, my good fellow, I’ll either pitch you overboard, or set you ashore to walk home.”
“Thankye,” cried Macey, cheerfully; “but I’ll take the dry, please.”