Menhardoc Part 25

"I say," said Josh, in his low sing-song way; "haven't I put it too strong? They'll think somethin' 'orrid's wrong--that it's a wreck, or somethin' worse."

"Let them!" cried Will. "It's horrible enough to be afloat in an open boat in the dark without oar or sail. Hail again, Josh."

"Ahoy--ah!" cried the fisherman once more, and an answer came back at once. Then another and another.

"They'll soon get a boat," cried Will. "You listen."

"But they'll never find us in the dark!" cried d.i.c.k dismally.

"Oh, won't they!" cried Josh; "they'd find us if we was only out in a pork tub. Lor' a mussy me, youngster, you don't know our Cornish lads!"

"We shall keep on hailing now and then," said Will, whose teeth were chattering in spite of his cheery tones.

"Ahoy--oy--oy!"

Very distinct but very distant the shouting of a numerous crowd of people; and now, like the tiniest and faintest of specks, lights could be seen dancing about on the sh.o.r.e, while all at once, one star, a vivid blue star, burst out, burning clear and bright for a few minutes, making d.i.c.k gaze wonderingly ash.o.r.e.

"Blue light," said Will.

"To hearten us up a bit, and say the boat's coming!" cried Josh.

"Ahoy--ah! Let 'em know which way to row."

Josh shouted from time to time, and then Will gave a shout or two; and there were answering shouts that seemed to come nearer, and at last plain enough there was the light of a lanthorn rising and falling slowly, telling of its being in a boat that was being propelled by stout rowers.

"Why, my father's sure to be in that boat!" cried d.i.c.k suddenly. "He'll have been frightened about me, and have come off to see."

"Shouldn't wonder," said Josh. "I should if I had a boy."

"You shall hail when they get nearer," said Will. "They couldn't hear you yet."

"I wish he could!" cried d.i.c.k. "He'll have been in such trouble. Oh, I know!"

He had suddenly remembered a little silver whistle that was attached to his chain, and placing it to his lips he blew upon it a shrill ear-piercing scream.

"There, I knew he would be!" cried d.i.c.k joyously; and he gave Will a hearty clap upon the shoulder in the eagerness of his delight. For from far away, where the dim light rose and fell upon the waters, there came an answering shrill chirruping whistle.

Then d.i.c.k gave two short whistles.

Two exactly similar came in response.

"I knew he would be," cried d.i.c.k; "but he'll be very angry, I suppose."

"Uncle Abram will be there too, I should say," said Will quietly.

"Why, your father won't be angry, my lad," said Josh after a few minutes' thought. "If he be it'll be with Josh, which is me, for not keeping a bright lookout. He can't row you for being run down, for you wasn't neither captain nor the crew. Hillo! ahoy--ah!" he answered in return to a hail.

"I say!" said d.i.c.k suddenly; "the lights are going the other way."

"Right, my lad; and so they have been this quarter hour past."

"Why's that?" said d.i.c.k.

"Because the tide's ebbing fast."

"And what does that mean?" cried d.i.c.k.

"As if they didn't overhaul us we should be carried out to sea."

"But will they find us, Will?"

"No fear of that. See how plain the light's getting. Ahoy--ah! ahoy-- ah! They're not above a quarter of a mile away."

Soon after the dipping of the oars could be seen as they threw up the lambent light in flashes, while an ever-widening track of sparkling water was plain to the eyes. Then the voices came asking questions.

"Ahoy! Who's aboard there?"

"Young gent d.i.c.k!" yelled Josh back.

"Who else?"

"Will Marion!"

"Who else? Is that Josh?"

"Ahoy, lad!"

"Hurrah!" came from the boat three times, and the oars made the water flash again as they were more vigorously plied.

"That's your sort, Master d.i.c.k!" cried Josh. "That's Cornish, that is!

They chaps is as glad at finding us as--as--as--"

"We should be at finding them," said Will.

"Ay; that's it!"

And so it seemed, for a few minutes more and the boat was alongside, and the wet and s.h.i.+vering fishers were seated in the stern-sheets, wrapped in oilskins and great-coats, their boat made fast behind, and d.i.c.k's hand tight in that of his father, who said no word of reproach; while, after a long pull against tide, with the boat towing behind, they were landed at the head of the little harbour, where a crowd of the simple-hearted folk, many having lanthorns, saluted them with a hearty cheer, and any amount of hospitality bright have been theirs.

For these dwellers by the sea, who follow their daily toil upon the treacherous waters, are always ready with their help, to give or take in the brotherly way that has long been known in the fis.h.i.+ng villages upon the Cornish sh.o.r.es.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

d.i.c.k TEMPLE FINDS IT UNPLEASANT FOR ANOTHER TO LEARN TO SMOKE.

There was too much to do in seeing that d.i.c.k was not likely to suffer from his long exposure for his father to say much to him that night.

But there was a little conversation between d.i.c.k and Arthur, who slept in the same room.

It was after the candle was out, Arthur having received strict injunctions to go quietly to bed and not disturb his brother, who was said to be in a nice sleep and perspiring well.