“Hallo! what’s yon,” exclaimed Peter Grim, who was first to observe the woman.
“Dunno,” said Buzzby, halting; “it looks like a bear.”
“Faix an it is, then, it’s got a young wan on its back,” cried O’Riley.
“We had better advance and find out,” remarked West, as he led the way, while several of the men threw up their arms in token of their friendly intentions. O’Riley capered somewhat extravagantly as he drew near, partly with the intention of expressing his feelings of good-will towards the unknown, and partly in order to relieve the excitement caused by the unexpected apparition.
These demonstrations, however, had the effect of terrifying the woman, who wheeled suddenly round and made off.
“Och! it is a man. Hooray, boys! give chase.”
“Men don’t usually carry babies on their backs and tie their hair up into top-knots,” remarked Grim, as he darted past in pursuit.
A few seconds sufficed to enable Grim to overtake the woman, who fell on her knees the instant she felt the sailor’s heavy hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t be afeard; we won’t hurt ye,” said Buzzby in a soothing tone, patting the woman on the head and raising her up.
“No, avic, we’s yer frinds; we’ll not harm a hair o’ yer beautiful head, we won’t. Ah, then, it’s a swate child, it is, bless its fat face!” said O’Riley, stroking the baby’s head tenderly with his big hand.