It occurred to me that I might still have some chance by addressing myself directly to him; and, without hesitation, I turned back and followed him.
In spite of some remonstrance from the mate and one or two of the men, I kept on till I had overtaken the captain just as he was about to dive down into his cabin.
I arrested his attention by plucking the skirt of his coat.
He turned round in some surprise, and inquired what I wanted with him.
In as few words as I could manage it, I made known my wishes. The only reply he made me was a laugh; and then turning round, he cried out to one of the men—
“Here, Waters! Hoist this urchin upon your shoulders, and set him ashore. Ha! ha! ha!”
Without saying another word, he stepped down the companion ladder, and disappeared out of my sight.
In the midst of my chagrin, I felt myself lifted in the strong arms of “Waters,” who, after carrying me across the staging-plank, and some yards over the wharf, deposited me upon the pavement, and thus addressed me:—
“Now, my little sprat! take Jack Waters’s advice, and keep out o’ salt-water as long as you can, else the sharks may get hold on you.”
And then, after a pause, during which he seemed to reflect about something, he inquired—