All started to their feet, several of the men and boys shouting in tones of alarm, “A man overboard!” and Captain Raymond was about to issue an order for the launching of a boat, when a glance at Mr. Lilburn deterred him.
“No occasion, captain,” laughed the old gentleman; “you could never find that poor unfortunate fellow.”
“No, I presume not,” returned the captain, echoing the laugh as he and the others reseated themselves.
“Huh! that’s an old trick o’ yours, old feller,” cried the very same voice that had been heard behind Hunt’s chair. “If I couldn’t invent suthin’ new I’d give up the business.”
“So I think I shall—for to-night, at least,” returned Cousin Ronald, but in a disguised voice that seemed to come from a distance.
Then Walter went to his side and whispered in his ear.
Mr. Lilburn smiled and seemed to assent, but at that instant the call to the supper-table put an end to the sport for the time.
There was some of the same sort of diversion at the table, however, a roast fowl resenting, with a loud squawk, the captain’s attempt to carve it; Prince asking audibly for a share when the plates were filled, and the voice that had been heard talking on deck to the “young fellers in blue” preferring the same request.
These tricks, though old to the others, were new to the cadets and caused a good deal of merriment; as did the buzzing bees, peeping chick, barking pups, and squealing pigs that seemed to have taken possession of the deck on their return thither.
At length these sounds were replied to by a loud and furious barking coming apparently from some remote part of the deck, and to which Prince immediately made response in kind, at the same time rushing away in search of the intruder.