“Better get the sidelights out,” said she at length.
“Plenty o’ time,” said Lee.
“Take the helm, then, while I do it,” said the girl, biting her lips.
The fellow rose and came towards her, and, as she made way for him, threw his arm round her waist and tried to detain her. Her heart beating quickly, she walked forward, and, not without a hesitating glance at the drunken figure at the wheel, descended into the fo’c’sle for the lamps.
The next moment, with a gasping little cry, she sank down on a locker as the dark figure of a man rose and stood by her.
“Don’t be frightened,” it said quietly.
“Jack?” said the girl.
“That’s me,” said the figure. “You didn’t expect to see me, did you? I thought perhaps you didn’t know what was good for you, so I stowed myself away last night, and here I am.”
“Have you heard what that fellow has been saying to me?” demanded Miss Cringle, with a spice of the old temper leavening her voice once more.
“Every word,” said the mate cheerfully.