“Now is my time,” said Bill, when he was satisfied that Salter had reached the cabin.
“Be careful this time,” added Bark, as he raised the scuttle.
“I shall be careful, but I shall make a sure thing of it,” replied Bill, stepping upon the narrow ladder, and descending.
Bill Stout was absent full five minutes this time; and, when he returned to the brig, he had not lighted the train that was to complete the destruction of the Tritonia.
“I had no paper, and I could not make a blaze,” said he. “Have you a newspaper about you, Bill?”
“No, I have not: I do not carry papers around with me.”
“What shall I do? I can’t light the rubbish without something that is entirely dry.”
“Here,” answered Bark, picking up one of the neglected text-books on the floor. “You can get as much paper as you want out of this book.”
“But that won’t do,” replied Bill. “I thought you were a very prudent fellow.”
“So I am.”