The three boats were pretty close together, and Harvey, exhausted by the events of the day, and knowing that Tessa was safe with the second mate, was just dozing off into a “monkey's sleep” when he was awakened by a hail from Atkins.
“What's the matter, Atkins?” cried Oliver.
“We're all right, sir; but Miss Remington has just come to, and is asking for Mr. Carr, so I said I'd hail you just to show her that he is with you. Better let me come alongside.”
Oliver looked at Harvey with something like a smile in his eyes.
“All right, Atkins,” he replied, and then to Harvey, “Here, wake up young-fellow-my-lad, and get into the other boat with your sweetheart. I don't want you here. What's the use of you if you haven't even a bit of tobacco to give me?”
The second mate's boat drew alongside, and in another minute Harvey was seated in the stern sheets with Tessa's cheek against his own, and her arms round his neck.
“Any of you fellows got any tobacco, and a pipe to spare?” said the prosaic Oliver. “If you haven't, sheer off.”
“Lashings of everything,” said Atkins.
“Here you are: two pipes, matches, bottle of Jimmy Hennessy, and some water and biscuits. What more can you want? Who wouldn't sell a farm and go to sea?”