human
You will have to go, Dale,
gpt
Yes, said Mr Frewen;
human
Dale will go for all our sakes.
gpt
When shall he go? said the mate;
human
It would not throw him off his guard, cried Mr Frewen, excitedly.
gpt
The man is too cunning. He would know that it was only a ruse, and be on the watch. Dale must go to-night--at once. Who knows what twenty-four hours may produce?
human
Exactly,
gpt
I quite agree with you, replied the mate;
human
I'm ready, I said, making an effort to feel brave as we sat there in the darkness.
gpt
I don't think I could do better if I thought till to-morrow night.
human
How would you manage?
gpt
I know, I said.
human
I'm not very strong, but if you made the boat drift under the ship's bows, I could catch hold of and swarm up the bob-stay easily enough. Nobody would see me, and if I got hold quickly, the boat could go on round to the stern, and if anybody was on the watch he would think you were trying to get to the Dennings' window.
gpt
Some one would be on the watch, said the mate;
human
And he would think as Dale says, exclaimed Mr Frewen,
gpt
Oh yes, I must go to-night, I said, with a bit of a shiver.
human
It would be so cruel to Miss Denning to keep her in suspense, and thinking we were not trying to help her.
gpt
Then you shall go, Dale, said Mr Brymer, firmly.
human
Keep a good heart, my lad, for the darkness will protect you from Jarette's pistol, and you can recollect this, we shall be close at hand lying across the stern ready to row along either side of the ship if we hear a splash. That splash would of course be you leaping overboard, and you must remember to swim astern to meet the boat.
gpt
And what is he to do when he gets on board, sir? said Mr Frewen.
human
Make for the Dennings' cabin at once?
gpt
No, I said sharply.
human
That's just where I shouldn't go. Some one would be sure to be watching it. I should try and find out which was the cabin Jarette uses, for the arms would be there, and then I should tie some guns--
gpt
And cartridges,
human
Oh yes, I shouldn't forget them. I'd tie 'em together and lower them down out of the window. He's sure to have the captain's cabin, and the window will be open, ready.
gpt
Bravo! cried Mr Preddle.
human
Oh dear! I wish I was a boy again.
gpt
And the best of the fun will be, I continued excitedly,
human
Then you think you can do this?
gpt
Oh yes, I think so, sir.
human
I'd better come with you, my lad,
gpt
No; that would spoil all. A boy could do it, but I don't believe a man could.
human
He is right, Frewen, said the mate.
gpt
Then understand this, Dale, you will have to act according to circumstances. Your object is to get weapons, which you will hang out so that we can get hold of them; perhaps you will be able to lower them into the boat and then slide down the rope you use. But mind this, you are not to try and communicate with the Dennings.
human
What?
gpt
It would be fatal to our success, said the mate, firmly.
human
Now, Dale, you understand, guns or revolvers, whichever you can get.
gpt
Yes, sir, I know.
human
Then how soon will you be ready?
gpt
I'm ready now.
human
Hah!