“It is partly because you are independent of him. He has authority over all on board the Osprey except ourselves, and this chafes him.”
“I shouldn’t like to be in the power of such a man.”
“Nor I. But for your firmness, Luke and myself would have lost our cabin privileges and been obliged to eat with the sailors.”
“So far as pleasant society is concerned, I should be as willing to keep company with them as with Captain Richmond.”
“I feel the same way, but I was unwilling that the captain should impose on me.”
“Boys,” said Luke Clark, suddenly, “I think we made a mistake in not bringing some water with us. I am beginning to feel thirsty.”
“I shall feel so soon,” said Titcomb. “We may as well hunt for a spring. Thirst is, if anything, harder to bear than hunger.”
“Very well,” said Guy. “Let us make a search.”
They descended the opposite slope of the hill, and in a covert near the bottom found a clear, pellucid spring, from which they dipped water in the hollow of their hands and drank.
There was a slight mineral flavor which was not unpleasant, and all three enjoyed the cooling draughts.