Jem refusing to discuss the matter, the cook awoke Dobbs. Dobbs swore at him peacefully, and resumed his slumbers. The cook went up again and prowled round the deck, looking in all sorts of unlikely places for the boy. He even climbed a little way into the rigging, and, finding no traces of him, was reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he had gone overboard.
“Pore little chap,” he said solemnly, looking over the ship’s side at the still water.
He walked slowly aft, shaking his head, and looking over the stern, brought up suddenly with a cry of dismay and rubbed his eyes. The ship’s boat had also disappeared.
“Wot?” said the two seamen as he ran below and communicated the news. “Well, if it’s gorn, it’s gorn.”
“Hadn’t I better go an’ tell the skipper?” said the cook.
“Let ’im find it out ’isself,” said Jem, purring contentedly in the blankets. “It’s ’is boat. Go’ night.”
“Time we ’ad a noo ’un too,” said Dobbs, yawning. “Don’t you worry your ’ed, cook, about what don’t consarn you.”
The cook took the advice, and, having made his few simple preparations for the night, blew out the lamp and sprang into his bunk. Then he uttered a sharp exclamation, and getting out again fumbled for the matches and relit the lamp. A minute later he awoke his exasperated friends for the third time.
“S’elp me, cook,” began Jem fiercely.
“If you don’t I will,” said Dobbs, sitting up and trying to reach the cook with his clenched fist.