She had brought down a quantity of fresh provisions, and, in the delight of soon enjoying them, all hands momentarily forgot about Queensland, or the likelihood of starvation in an uninhabited country.
Jack always believed that the supper of mutton chops, 'soft tack,' and good tea, partaken of that night was the sweetest he ever had, and much chatter went on between the three youngsters in their room.
'I say, Clewlin,' Wilton sang out, 'this is all right, you know; but do you like the sea?'
'Like it?' Jack cried, with mouth full of chop; 'why, there is nothing like it anywhere!'
'I hate it,' Wilton returned, 'and mean to give it up. It isn't anything so pleasant as I thought.'
'What's the matter with it?'
'Everything,' Wilton replied. 'First of all, there are those dreadful night watches—enough to kill anyone.'
'But you were no worse off than the others,' George Archer returned. 'Did you think the anchor would be dropped, and all hands turn in till daylight?'
'I certainly never expected that I should have to haul at the ropes just like the common men, and have my arms almost dragged out for no earthly reason that I could see. It's toil, toil all the time, and no amusements of any kind. I tell you I'm sick of the life, and shall leave it when a favourable chance comes.'
'The very best thing you could do,' Archer replied.