human
Oh yes, we can hear, cried Rodd.
gpt
We can do nothing else but listen. But what was it made that cry?
human
Ah! That's one of the things I don't know, said the skipper, chuckling.
gpt
What should you think it was?
human
Oh, I don't want to be laughed at again, cried Rodd,
gpt
Nay, you don't think it is, said the skipper.
human
You think different to that. Come, have a guess.
gpt
Well, said Rodd,
human
I should say it was some kind of great cat.
gpt
Right, my lad; not much doubt about that. I don't know what sort it is, but it's one of them spotted gentlemen. I should say there'd be plenty of them here. Well, I have had about enough of it for to-day. I am just going to see about the watch, and to say a few words below to your father about having a good look-out kept, and then it won't be very long before I turn in to my cot, for I am tired. This has been a rather anxious day.
human
You are going to speak to my father about having a good look-out kept?
gpt
Well, yes, my lad, and with our men well-armed. I don't say as it's likely, and we are too near the sea for any villages of blacks; but it wouldn't be very nice to have two or three big canoes come and make fast to us in the night, and find the decks swarming with niggers who might think that we were made on purpose for them to kill.
human
Why, you don't think that's likely, do you?
gpt
Not at all, my lad. But safe bind, safe find. What I have always found is this--that when you keep a very strict look-out nothing happens, and when you don't something does. Are you lads coming down?
human
Not yet,
gpt
I suppose you will be going soon, won't you, Mr Morny?
human
I am expecting my father will be coming up soon to say it is time.
gpt
Yes; I shouldn't leave it much longer, said the skipper.
human
I'll tell him.--Joe Cross, there!
gpt
Ay, ay, sir!
human
You and four men stand by with the gig to take the Count aboard his vessel. You will just drop down head to stream ready to pull hard if the tide seems a bit too heavy; and you, my lad, be ready forward with the end of the line made fast to the thwart and the grapnel clear, ready to drop overboard to get hold of the mud if you find the current too strong.
gpt
Ay, ay, sir!
human
I am glad of that, Joe, said Rodd eagerly.
gpt
I was thinking whether there was any risk of the boat being swept away.
human
So was I, sir; but it's always the same. Whenever I think of something that ought to be done I always find that our old man has thought of it before. Did you see that we have swung round to our anchor?
gpt
No,
human
We have, sir, and the tide's running out like five hundred million mill-streams. You come for'ard here and feel how the cable's all of a jigger, just as if the river had made up its mind to pull it right out of the mud.