“I wish we were all doctors,” said Archie, at length. “I don’t like to stand here with my hands in my pockets, and if I were to go down there I might be in the way.”
“No doubt you would,” said his cousin. “But still there is something we can do. We can relieve the crew and give them a chance to sleep. I’ll speak to Mr. Baldwin.”
So saying, Frank hurried off and held a short consultation with the first officer. When he came forward again he announced with a great show of dignity that he was the officer of the deck now, and expected to be obeyed accordingly. With an assumption of authority that made all the boys laugh, he ordered Archie to relieve the sentry on the quarter-deck, placed Bob and Perk to act as anchor watch, and after telling the others that they might lie down and take a nap if they chose, he placed his hands behind his back and began planking the weather side of the quarter-deck.
Mr. Baldwin was much pleased with this arrangement, for it gave him and the rest of the crew an opportunity to obtain the rest and sleep of which they stood so much in need. Uncle Dick was satisfied with it, too. The latter came out of the forecastle about midnight, and when he called for the officer of the deck was promptly answered by Frank, who in a few words explained the situation to him. “Have we done right?” he asked.
“Perfectly,” replied Uncle Dick. “It was kind and thoughtful in you, and I thank you for it. Our poor fellows are almost worn out, and it is a pity they can’t have beds to sleep in,” he added, glancing at the stalwart sailors who were stretched out on the deck, slumbering heavily. “If you and the rest of the boys can stand it until morning they will be refreshed, and a good breakfast will put them in a fit condition for work.”
“Oh, we can stand it,” said Frank, “and will do the best we can.”
“I have no fears. I know you will do just what ought to be done. All you have to do is to see that the anchor holds, and keep your weather eye directed toward the island. The night is pretty dark, and you must look out for a surprise, for these natives are bold and cunning. If you see or hear anything suspicious, bang away without stopping to call me.”
“I will,” said Frank. “How are our friends below?”
“Pretty well pounded, some of them, but I think they will be about soon. They must have had a hard time by all accounts, but the trouble is they don’t all tell the same story, and there is no officer among them of whom I can make inquiries. They are all foremast hands. One says their ship, the Sea Gull, was just from Melbourne, and another says she was from Hobart Town, Tasmania.”
“Tasmania!” repeated Frank. “That used to be called Van Diemen’s Land.”