Return when you will, you
shall find her precisely as she lies now. In another two hours even
this faint breeze will have died down, as you are seamen enough to
know. The anchorage is land-locked; the bottom is perfect holding;
and as for unwelcome visitors, there can be none. I am the sole
resident on this island!"
I looked up at Dr. Beauregard sharply; and so, it seemed to me, did
Mr. Rogers, who had fallen alongside.
"That is to say," continued the Doctor, quietly, without regarding
either of us, "the only male resident."
"All the same I don't like it," persisted the Captain, and shook his
head, at the same time lifting his eyes towards Miss Belcher; "and
it's clear against my rule."
"Stuff and nonsense!" said Miss Belcher. "We ought to be grateful
to Dr. Beauregard for taking this creature Glass off our hands.
I was thinking a moment ago that for a thousand pounds I'd rather he
was anywhere than on board our ship. The least we can do is to bear
a hand with him; and if we don't like the house we can come away."
"And before nightfall, if you insist," added Dr. Beauregard,
genially. "But the afternoon is young, and between now and nightfall
you may all have made your fortunes. Who knows?"
Captain Branscome yielded, after a look at Plinny, who backed up Miss
Belcher, declaring herself ardent for new adventures.
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