“The coast is quite clear of her. We have taken good looks at every smoke, but can see nothing that appears like our late companion. She has doubtless gone to the eastward, on duty, and merely chased us, on her road.”
“But why should she chase us, at all?”
“Because we ran. Let a dog run, or a man run, or a cat run, ten to one but something starts in chase. It is human nature, I believe, to give chase; though I will admit there was something suspicious about that steamer’s movements—her anchoring off the Fort, for instance. But let her go, for the present; are you getting things right, and to your mind, below decks?”
“Very much so. The cabin is small, and the two state-rooms the merest drawers that ever were used, but, by putting every thing in its place, we have made sufficient room, and no doubt shall be comfortable.”
“I am sorry you did not call on me for assistance. The mate has a prescriptive right to help stow away.”
“We made out without your services,” returned Rose, slightly blushing—“Jack Tier, as he is called, Josh’s assistant, is a very useful person, and has been our adviser and manager. I want no better, for such services.”
“He is a queer fellow, all round. Take him altogether, I hardly ever saw so droll a being! As thick as he’s long, with a waddle like a duck, a voice that is cracked, hair like bristles, and knee high, the man might make a fortune as a show. Tom Thumb is scarcely a greater curiosity.”
“He is singular in ‘build,’ as you call it,” returned Rose, laughing, “but, I can assure you, that he is a most excellent fellow in his way—worth a dozen of Josh. Do you know, Harry, that I suspect he has strong feelings towards Capt. Spike; though whether of like or dislike, friendship or enmity, I am at a loss to say.”
“And why do you think that he has any feeling, at all? I have heard Spike say, he left the fellow ashore, somewhere down on the Spanish Main, or in the Islands, quite twenty years since, but a sailor would scarce carry a grudge so long a time, for such a thing as that.”
“I do not know—but feeling there is, and much of it, too; though, whether hostile, or friendly, I will not undertake to say.”