An exclamation of surprise and dismay told that the mate was convinced of the truth of the story related by Ned.
Coming into the pantry once more he said sternly:
“Now I want you to go over everything you heard us say! Don’t skip a single word more’n you can help, for this is gettin’ to be a serious matter.”
Wondering why Mr. Stout should have allowed himself to become so excited, the boy obeyed, saying in conclusion:
“You won’t let the captain leave me behind, will you, Mr. Stout? You know he threatened that was what he’d do to any one who had a suspicion the brig was sunk by him, an’ I’m afraid he may find out I could hear all you said.”
The mate looked at the boy very oddly for a few seconds, and then replied in a voice which trembled despite all his efforts to make it sound firm:
“I’ll see you’re not left here in case she is scuttled; but I reckon the best thing we can do now will be to give up that job, since there’s another besides ourselves who knows about it.”
“Who do you mean?”
“You, of course,” and the mate spoke as if in a rage.
“But you know I wouldn’t tell.”