Читать книгу Пятнадцатилетний капитан / Dick Sand. A Captain at Fifteen. Уровень 2 - Жюль Верн, Жуль Верн - Страница 8

Great was the excitement, and the question of an attempt to capture the sea-monster became the theme of conversation. The captain lost no time. He knew that the pursuit of a finback was always a matter of some peril.

The weather was excellent for the enterprise. The sea was calm, and the wind was moderate. The captain said,”Now, Dick, I am going to leave you for a few hours: while I am away, I hope that it will not be necessary for you to make any movement whatever. However, you must be on the watch. It is not very likely, but it is possible that this finback may carry us out to some distance. If so, you will follow us; and in that case, I am sure you may rely upon Tom and his friends for assistance.”

The negroes assured the captain of their willingness to obey Dick’s instructions, they were ready for immediate action.

The captain went on, “The weather is beautifully fine, Dick; but you must not leave the ship. If I want you to follow us, I will hoist a flag on the boat-hook.”

“You may trust me, sir,” answered Dick.

“All right, my lad; keep a cool head and a good heart. You are second captain now, you know!”

Dick blushed, and the bright flush spoke more than words.

“I can trust the lad,” murmured the captain to himself; “he is as modest as he is courageous.”

The captain was aware of the danger to which he was exposing himself, but his fisherman’s instinct was very keen. And so he finally prepared to start.

“I wish you all success!” said Mrs. Weldon.

“Many thanks!” he replied.

“Sometimes,” said Cousin Benedict, “sometimes there are strange insects on the backs of these great mammifers.”

“You will soon see them yourself,” was the captain’s reply.

As Captain Hull descended the rope-ladder[17] and took his place in the front of the boat, Mrs. Weldon and all on board renewed their good wishes.

The captain’s voice came from the retreating boat,

“Dick, one eye on us, one on the ship!”

“Ay, ay, sir,” replied the apprentice.

Dingo broke out into a piteous howl. The dog was standing erect. To the superstitious sailors, the howling was not reassuring. Even Mrs. Weldon was startled.

The animal walked slowly up to Mrs. Weldon, and began to lick her hand.

“Ah!” muttered old Tom, shaking his head solemnly, “a bad omen.”

And the dog gave a savage growl.

Negoro appeared and saw the ferocious attitude of the dog. The lady was quite unable to pacify the animal, which wanted to fly upon the throat of the cook, but Dick Sand called out loudly,

“Down, Dingo, down!”

The dog obeyed. Negoro turned very pale, and made his way cautiously back to his own quarters.

“Hercules,” said Dick, “keep your eye[18] upon that man.”

“Yes, I will,” he answered.

The whale-boat became a speck upon the water.