“Is that where you’re bound for?” the mate inquired, and now it was his turn to show astonishment.
“Of course. Didn’t the captain tell you?”
“I ain’t certain as he did. I’ve been pretty busy on deck since you was taken sick, an’ haven’t had much chance to talk with him.”
“But I haven’t been taken sick. Captain Bragg says I’ve got leprosy; but that’s all.”
Mr. Stout acted very much as if he did not care to prolong the conversation.
He rowed as rapidly as possible with his head half-turned, as if to avoid looking the boy in the face, and pretended not to hear when Ned asked relative to the location of the village.
When the bow of the boat grated on the sand he leaped ashore and began pulling out the packages with feverish haste, while Ned, throwing off the rubber coat because of the heat, leisurely stepped on the land.
Ned Watches the Mate Row Back to the Ship.—Page [49].
In a very few seconds Mr. Stout was ready to return to the brig, and stopped as if to shake hands with Ned; but evidently changed his mind, for instead of so doing he leaped in the craft.