human
Well, boys, get up and give thanks! The little vessel has weathered the toughest kind of a gale. We are all safe now.
gpt
Is the danger really over?
human
The worst is over, thank God! It was a tough storm and a stiff blow, but the _Una_ rode it out, he said proudly.
gpt
One mast got a bad wrench, and all the canvas that could get loose got ripped into rags; but that’s nothin’ to what it might have been, considerin’ how the wind roared and howled over the sea. Folks blame the sea for these accidents; but bless you, the sea ain’t to blame! How can it help rearing up, with a gale like that throwing it on its pitchfork? I don’t like to see things abused, and I stick up for the sea; it behaves well enough as long as the wind lets it.
human
Where are we? asked the boys, as they reached the deck and looked curiously around.
gpt
There’s no land at all in sight!
human
No; we got blown well out to sea. It’s lucky we didn’t try to make a port last night: we’d have been caught among some o’ them islands if we had, and knocked to pieces on the rocks.
gpt
That’s so,
human
You two fellows did first-rate last night!
gpt
You are chaffing, captain,
human
No, honestly. I expected I’d have trouble with you when that storm came; but I’ll say that for you--you did first-rate!
gpt
We were too scared to do any other way,
human
Scared or not, some folks will make a rumpus just when they ought to keep stillest.--Now, Marcus, give us a good breakfast, and then we’ll shake out our canvas and see where our damages are. We must be working back, for I don’t propose to let this wind drive us off shore any further than I can help.--One time last night, along the first of the blow, we came very near Whaleback, boys; but a miss is as good as a mile when the danger is over.
gpt
Whaleback! Oh, I wish we were there now! No, I don’t either!
human
said the captain gruffly.
gpt
That’s where you belong. I believe the master there would take you back and forgive you. You’ve got a good dose of punishment, if ever a couple of young liars had.
human
You don’t know how Mr. Bernard feels about lying. He will never want the other boys to be with us again,--never!
gpt
I don’t know about that, and Captain Dare shook his head wisely.
human
I know there isn’t nobody hates a lie worse nor me; but it ain’t for me to hold back when a fellow is sorry for it, and quits the whole business of lying.
gpt
And I mean to do that! interposed Ralph with emphasis;
human
No, and that’s just what I was wishing you on Whaleback for, so you could tell him.
gpt
He wouldn’t believe us! exclaimed Ben.
human
We couldn’t expect him to, after we lied to him as we did. No, I don’t want to see him. A storm at sea is bad enough; but I believe I’d rather go through another than go ashore and face him.
gpt
I’d like to have him know how I feel about it, said Ralph.
human
I mean to write him a letter after I get back to father’s. Of course we never can be taken back into school.
gpt
Breakfast!
human
I believe the fright last night took away my seasickness, said Ralph, as he helped himself to the fish Marcus had broiled.
gpt
The fright did it, or else it died a natural death, for I had it long enough. I feel more like myself than I have since I came on board.
human
So do I,
gpt
When is this voyage going to end, captain?
human
Oh, when I get my load, I told ye before. It will take some time for this sea to go down enough to give us another chance at the fish; but with fair luck I reckon a week more will fill us.
gpt
What! don’t you like it? You seem so fresh after the storm, I concluded you was makin’ up your mind to follow my profession. Then you don’t mean to take to the business as a steady thing?
human
No, answered the boys laughing.
gpt
Dry land for us.