CHAPTER XLIII
SHE SEES CAPTAIN ROTCH AND MR. NODDER AGAIN
Mr. Bates and the others were a long time in the hold; they found trouble in getting at the goods they wanted. I cleared the table and tidied the cabin, hot with thought all the time I worked. If Rotch and Nodder were truly on the island and we got them into the brig, how would this amazing venture end?
Meanwhile I held off from Tom; I heard him walking overhead; the scheme he himself lighted on was sure to prove the best, and I guessed when he wanted me he would seek me.
At last Bates and the islanders came out of the hold. Tom descended the steps to talk with them, and I walked out to hear what passed.
‘Captain,’ said Peter Green, ‘ve vhas very glad to exchange mit a leedle of what ve hov seen. Dere vhas some goodt useful shirts, und ve find der boots und flannel joost vhat ve’ll be thankful for in a month or two.’
‘Very well,’ said Tom, who now had himself wholly under control. ‘The arrangements will stand thus, Mr. Green: I’ll take a three-mile offing and heave-to till daybreak. You’ll then come off in your whale-boat with all you’re able to load, and bring some hands to carry our boat ashore for fresh water. Is the hose still connected with the cascade?’
‘Ay, sir,’ said old Daly.
‘Boats water lying outside the surf?’
‘Dat vhas so,’ said Peter Green.
‘Well, when you’ve victualled and watered us, you’ll bring off the three men who want to get away.’