“She didn't want to come out and show herself till I had had a talk with you, sir. I have spoken to her through the door a few times.” He straightened himself and assumed dignity. “Captain Downs, I call it to your attention—I want you to remember that I have observed all the proprieties since I have been on board.”
Captain Downs snorted. “Proprieties—poosh! You have got her into a nice scrape! And she's down there locked in like a cat, and probably starving!”
“She doesn't care to eat. I think she isn't feeling very well.”
“I shouldn't think she would! Go bring her up here, where she can get some fresh air. I'll talk to her.”
After a moment's hesitation Bradish went below. He returned in a little while.
In spite of his efforts to pretend obliviousness Mayo stared hard at the companionway, eager to look on the face of the girl. But she did not follow her lover.
“She doesn't feel well enough to come on deck,” reported Bradish. “But she is in the saloon. Captain Downs, won't you go and talk to her and say something to make her feel easy in her mind? She is very nervous. She is frightened.”
“I'm not much of a ladies' man,” stated Old Mull. But he pulled off his cap and smoothed his grizzled hair.
“And if you could only say that you're going to help us!” pleaded the lover. “We throw ourselves on your mercy, sir.”
“I ain't much good as a life-raft in this love business.” He started for the companionway.