"
He paused to pat the mate on the shoulder.
"Unfortunately for us we took a different direction to you, sir," he
continued, turning to Tredgold, "and we were pulling for six days before
we were picked up by a barque bound for Melbourne. By the time she
sighted us we were reduced to half a biscuit a day each and two
teaspoonfuls o' water, and not a man grumbled. Did they, Peter?"
"Not a man," said Mr. Duckett.
"At Melbourne," said the captain, who was in a hurry to be off, "we all
separated, and Duckett and me worked our way home on a cargo-boat. We
always stick together, Peter and me."
"And always will," said Mr. Duckett, with a little emotion as he gazed
meaningly at the captain's breast-pocket.
"When I think o' that little craft lying all those fathoms down,"
continued the captain, staring full at Mr. Tredgold, "it hurts me. The
nicest little craft of her kind I ever handled. Well--so long,
gentlemen."
"We shall see you to-morrow," said Tredgold, hastily, as the captain
rose.
Brisket shook his head.
"Me and Peter are very busy," he said, softly. "We've been putting our
little bit o' savings together to buy a schooner, and we want to settle
things as soon as possible.
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