CONTENTS
OF
THE THIRD VOLUME

CHAP. PAGE
XXXIV. SHE WITNESSES THE DEPARTURE OF THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS[ 1]
XXXV. SHE LISTENS TO THE CONVICTS DEBATING[ 32]
XXXVI. SHE SUPS WITH HER SWEETHEART[ 63]
XXXVII. SHE DESCRIBES A WILD, DRUNKEN, UPROARIOUS SCENE[ 82]
XXXVIII. SHE ESCAPES FROM THE CONVICT SHIP WITH HER SWEETHEART AND OTHERS[ 109]
XXXIX. SHE RELATES HOW HER SWEETHEART RESOLVES TO HIDE IN AN ISLAND[ 141]
XL. SHE HELPS TO KEEP WATCH[ 160]
XLI. SHE VIEWS THE ISLAND OF TRISTAN D’ACUNHA[ 176]
XLII. SHE MEETS THE TRISTAN ISLANDERS[ 198]
XLIII. SHE SEES CAPTAIN ROTCH AND MR. NODDER AGAIN[ 225]
XLIV. SHE WITNESSES NODDER’S CONFESSION[ 274]
XLV. SHE CONCLUDES HER STORY[ 304]
POSTSCRIPT[ 323]

THE CONVICT SHIP

CHAPTER XXXIV
SHE WITNESSES THE DEPARTURE OF THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS

By this time the awning had been spread. In the cuddy a crowd of convicts were roaring out the chorus of some vulgar popular song of that time. Will said: ‘We have had nothing to eat. Aren’t you hungry?’

‘Here, you!’ exclaimed Tom to the fellow at the helm. ‘Jump below to the cuddy and bring us some food and wine to breakfast off. I’ll not trust this young gentleman amongst them. You’re known as a friend. Johnstone, hold the wheel.’

The man went like a dog to the companion-hatch and disappeared down it.

‘A worthy example of the British sailor,’ said Tom. ‘He’s one of those fellows who’d swear a man’s life and liberty away for a noggin of rum. D’ye see that boat, Marian?’ He pointed to a long thin boat, called the captain’s gig, that hung by davits over the stern, with the line of her gunwale on a level with the taffrail. ‘She’ll give us our chance. Johnstone, that’ll be the boat we’ll make off in. The sooner the better. Hark to them below! Oh, my dear heart, what has your love for me brought you into? Johnstone, the equipment of that boat will be your duty. I shall hold you responsible for everything being in its place when we come to want her.’