None of those assembled at the bower had seen him for some hours, and Captain Samson was on the point of organising a party to go in search of him, when one of the crew came in from the bush and said he had gone off with Simon O’Rook to the highest point of the low islet, to ascertain if possible its extent.
“He’s all right if O’Rook is with him,” said the captain to Polly, in confidence, when they went into the bower together; “but he’s not to be trusted away by himself. I never saw a man more unfit to look after himself.”
“And yet he is a good, kind man, father,” said Polly.
“True, quite true, Poll,” replied the captain, musingly. “I wonder why it is that some men seem as if they had been meant for women; maybe it is by way of balancing those women who seem to have been meant for men!”
Polly listened to this with a look of grave consideration, but not having formed an opinion on the subject, wisely held her tongue.
Meanwhile O’Rook led his companion towards the highest part of the islet, which, being clear of trees, seemed likely to afford them a good outlook. The sailor was a man of inquiring disposition, and, being of a free-and-easy nature, did not hesitate to speak out his mind on all occasions. After walking beside his tall companion and eyeing his thin figure and sad countenance in silence for some time, he said—
“You’re a cadaverous sort o’ man, Mr Luke.”
“Think so?” said Mr Luke, gently.
“Of course; I can’t help thinkin’ so, because I see it,” returned O’Rook. “Was it a fall, now, w’en you was a babby, that did it, or measles?”
“Neither, that I am aware of,” replied Mr Luke, with a good-natured smile; “my father before me was cadaverous.”