I could see into his very soul, I think, at that awful moment, and he into mine!
It all occurred in an instant, recollect!
But in that instant ‘Ugly’ had time to break the silence that had existed between us since our fight on the forecastle of the Saint Vincent and my rescue of him aboard the same ship later on.
He spoke to me, at last, now.
“To-am Bowlin’,” whispered he hoarsely, “two chaps can’t hang on yere fur long. I’ll give oop fur ’ee, me lad. Here goes!”
Chapter Sixteen.
“His Last Muster!”
On that, the noble fellow, who thus unselfishly sacrificed his life for mine, fell with a whiz through the air that seemed to send the wind up into my face, down to the deck below.