As soon as he was inside, the white man threw off his muffler and turned towards the officer.
“You must take me, sir,” he said, speaking calmly. “I cannot let you do this for me. I know, sir, that you cannot help yourself.”
“No, by Heavens! Parker, I cannot take you. You jumped overboard and saved my life. I tell you, man, that I can't do it. Do you think I can ever forget that awful thirty minutes, nearly six years ago, when you kept me afloat off the Bampton Shoal? Now, Parker, just listen. I have a plan; the whole thing is arranged as soon as we leave here. But you and your wife must get away from this island soon after the Spitfire leaves. That infernal sweep, Howlman, will be sure to send another man-of-war after you——”
“Listen to me, sir. I, too, have a plan. You shall not ruin yourself for me. You are only a very young man, sir, and have the world before you. I dread nothing but the temporary separation from Tui here. To me my arrest means only dismissal from the service and a couple of years in gaol; and likely enough, I shall get back here again without much trouble.”
“No, I——”
“Don't waste time, sir. Call the escort, but for God's sake, sir, do the thing quickly; look at my girl, sir, and let me get away before I break down too, and act the coward. If you don't call the escort at once, I will.”
“You madman, Parker,” began Carteret, and then Tui threw her arms round her husband.
“Are you tired of me?” she sobbed. “Is this how you would leave the woman who loves you, and who will be the mother of your child?”
The deserter caught her in his arms, and looking over his shoulder at the lieutenant, said, “For God's sake, sir, don't wait. Call in your men and get it over.”
“Parker, for Heaven's sake take this chance. I tell you, man, that I have no fear for myself. I don't care a straw about the Service if this is discovered.”