"
"Things look more favorable than they did yesterday morning. What sort
of a trip did you have in the boat?"
"A curious question to ask," said the captain, captiously. "We were in
danger of being swamped more than once."
"We had better have remained on board the Nantucket with you,
Mr. Holdfast," said Appleton, the Melbourne merchant.
Captain Hill chose to take offense at this remark.
"You were quite at liberty to stay, Mr. Appleton," he said. "I didn't
urge you to go with me."
"True, Captain Hill; but I trusted to your opinion that the ship was
unsafe."
The captain looked angry, but did not make any reply.
By the sailors Mr. Holdfast was warmly greeted. He was much better
liked than the captain, being a man of even temper and reasonable in
his demands.
CHAPTER XV
THE LAST OF THE "NANTUCKET"
Though the mate had removed some of the stores, much the larger
portion was left on board, for the Nantucket had been provisioned for
a long voyage. Yet Captain Hill saw fit to complain.
"It is fortunate that you didn't take all the stores, Mr. Holdfast,"
he remarked, in a sarcastic tone.
The mate eyed the captain steadily.
"May I ask your meaning, Captain Hill?" he asked.
"I mean what I say, sir. I think my language requires no interpreter.
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