"
Philip spoke in a whisper, but the low pitch of his voice did not
conceal its menace. He was longing to twine his fingers round Coke's
thick neck, and some hint of his desire was communicated by the clutch
of his hand. Coke shook himself free. He feared no man born, but it
would be folly to attack Hozier then, and he was not a fool.
"Let go, you blank ijjit," he growled. "I've no grudge ag'in you. If
we pull out of this mess you'll 'ave to square matters wi' David Verity
an' that other ole ninny, Dickey Bulmer. She's promised to 'im, you
know. Told me so 'erself, so there's no mistake. I got me rag out, I
admit, an' 'oo wouldn't after bein' 'owled down by those swine forrard.
My godfather! Watch me put it over 'em w'en I get the chanst. Stop
'er, Norrie! There's plenty of way on 'er to round that bend."
Hozier reflected that he had chosen an odd moment to quarrel with his
captain, whose mordant humor in the matter of the mistletoe was only
accentuated by his reference to Iris's reported engagement. The
pungent smell of the mangrove swamp was wafted now to his nostrils. It
brought a species of warning that the disagreeable conditions of life
in Fernando Noronha were yet active. It was not pleasant to be thus
suddenly reminded of pitfalls that might exist in England; meanwhile,
here was the launch thrusting her nose into the mud and shingle of this
malevolent island.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219