"Angel child, never, never could I punish her after her agonizing sufferings," murmured the good kind Madame.
The strict watch kept over us began to be so wearisome we were glad when night veiled us in her dark mantle.
It was astonishing with what composure we laid down to rest, secure in the sharks' guard for some few hours yet, while the morrow, with all its probable horrors, seemed not to present itself to any mind. "We trusted in God that he would deliver us."
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The morning's light brought us no change either for worse or better, excepting that under cover of the night Smart had gone to search for our other companions. He gave us orders what to do, in case of an attack, and departed with these comforting words "Let a score on 'em attack ye, and I'll be bound the young gentlemen, if they be but steady, can keep 'em off. Any ways Mrs. E. can, and if we hear shots cap'in and I will just come in the rear in nick o' time."
We sat composedly down to such breakfast as we had, which led to an examination as to what had been brought up. We had plenty of water, bread, yams, and potatoes. No little girl had forgotten her parrot, or the boys their monkeys; in fact Felix declared his had been very useful, as he made him carry two great potatoes. "But," said Lilly, "you had to carry him, so it made no great difference."
"Moreover," says Felix, "I brought my two hens, because they lay eggs, and Tommy is so fond of eggs."
Lilly.—"I do think you love Smart more than any of us, more than your Mother."