He laughed and reddened a little when his mind swung
round to the more pleasing memory of the girl's frank sympathy, and he
told himself, with deep and convincing earnestness, that next time they
met he must guard his unruly tongue, else it might run away with him
again, and find her in less receptive mood.
Then he fell asleep, and slept soundly, too, in blissful ignorance of a
conversation then taking place in the chart-house, though it had the
most direct bearing on his own future.
For von Kerber had seized the opportunity, when Mr. Fenshawe and the
two ladies went below, to draw Stump into private conclave.
"We reach Suez to-morrow, captain," he said, "and that will be our last
chance of getting rid of any of the crew whom you think unsuitable."
"That's so," agreed Stump, "but I can't say I've blacklisted any of
'em. The on'y fault I find with 'em is that there's too many hands for
the work."
"Ah, you regard them as dependable, yes?"
"Good for any game you like to put before 'em," was the brisk summary.
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