"Th-th-th-three ch-ch-cheers!" it said. "Th-th-th-three ch-ch-cheers for l-l-l-l-liver and onions—th-th-three ch-ch-cheers—l-l-l-liver—and—"
As Marmaduke's voice died away, the ship dissolved like a pale ghost and vanished. The Sieve was gone.
The party of adventurers sat on their mattress raft in the midst of the wide ocean, with never a ship to be seen; the long sea-swell rolled placidly over the place where their ship had been. They sat huddled together in silence around the Churchwarden, too horrified to speak a word.
The moon glistened on the Sly Old Codger's high silk hat.
CHAPTER XIV
THE CRUISE OF THE MATTRESSES
"I wish," said Aunt Amanda, "that I had brought some sewing with me. I don't suppose I could sew very well by moonlight on a mattress in the middle of the ocean, but I don't believe this would have happened if I'd had my sewing with me."
"Hi carn't see 'ow that would 'ave—" began Mr. Punch.