“Squeaky’s a pig, and Shrieky’s a little parrot.”
“Well,” observed the middy with a laugh, “that’s better than no company at all.”
“Yours is an English man-o’-war, I think?” said Gaff.
“You’re right, old fellow; she’s the ‘Blazer,’ 74, Captain Evans, bound for England. Took a run farther south than usual after a piratical-looking craft, but missed her. Gave up the chase, and came to this island to get water. Little thought we should find you on it. Astonish the captain rather when we go back. Of course you’ll want us to take you home. Will you go off with me at once?”
Gaff and Billy hesitated, and both looked back with a strange mixture of feelings at their island-home.
“Oh, we won’t hurry you,” said the boy, with a kindly and patronising air; “if there are any traps you want to pack up, we’ll wait for you. It’ll take us some time to get the breakers filled. Can you show me a good spring?”
“Ay, an’ we can show you a hot one,” cried Billy, with a smile. “But come up to the cave with us and have some grub.”
The midshipman expressed his readiness to comply, and ordered one of the men to stay and watch the boat.
“You needn’t leave any one with the boat,” said Gaff; “there’s nobody here to touch it.”
“Nevertheless I will leave a guard. Now, then show us the way.”