The master chuckled.
“And I’d no sooner done that than I heard some one coming.”
“Did yew get behind the door?” said the master hoarsely. “Yew said it was dark.”
“I do wish you’d let me go on my own way,” said Esau, in an ill-used tone.
“Yes, yes, yes; go on, my lad, go on,” said the master.
“Why can’t you let him bide!” growled the others; and I saw Gunson looking on in an amused way, as he turned from watching the distant schooner, far enough away now.
“My wrists and my ankles ache so I can’t hardly bear it,” continued Esau; “and when you keep on putting in your spoon it worries me.”
“Yes, yes, my lad; I won’t do so no more.”
“’Tain’t as if I was a reg’lar story-teller,” grumbled Esau. “I ain’t used to this sort o’ thing.”
“Go on telling us, Esau,” I said. “They were only eager to know.”