armadale-第26章

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him；　in　an　hour's　time。　Will　you　come　too？〃

Midwinter　assented　with　a　weary　sigh。　Always　shyly　unwilling　to
make　new　acquaintances；　fatigue　increased　the　reluctance　he　now
felt　to　become　Mr。　Hawbury's　guest。　As　matters　stood；　however；
there　was　no　alternative　but　to　go；　for；　with　Allan's
constitutional　imprudence；　there　was　no　safely　trusting　him　alone
anywhere；　and　more　especially　in　a　stranger's　house。　Mr。　Brock
would　certainly　not　have　left　his　pupil　to　visit　the　doctor
alone；　and　Midwinter　was　still　nervously　conscious　that　he
occupied　Mr。　Brock's　place。

〃What　shall　we　do　till　it's　time　to　go？〃　asked　Allan；　looking
about　him。　〃Anything　in　this？〃　he　added；　observing　the　fallen
newspaper；　and　picking　it　up　from　the　floor。

〃I'm　too　tired　to　look。　If　you　find　anything　interesting；　read　it
out；〃　said　Midwinter；　thinking　that　the　reading　might　help　to
keep　him　awake。

Part　of　the　newspaper；　and　no　small　part　of　it；　was　devoted　to
extracts　from　books　recently　published　in　London。　One　of　the
works　most　largely　laid　under　contribution　in　this　manner　was　of
the　sort　to　interest　Allan：　it　was　a　highly　spiced　narrative　of
Traveling　Adventures　in　the　wilds　of　Australia。　Pouncing　on　an
extract　which　described　the　sufferings　of　the　traveling…party；
lost　in　a　trackless　wilderness；　and　in　danger　of　dying　by　thirst；
Allan　announced　that　he　had　found　something　to　make　his　friend's
flesh　creep；　and　began　eagerly　to　read　the　passage　aloud。

Resolute　not　to　sleep；　Midwinter　followed　the　progress　of　the
adve　nture；　sentence　by　sentence；　without　missing　a　word。　The
consultation　of　the　lost　travelers；　with　death　by　thirst　staring
them　in　the　face；　the　resolution　to　press　on　while　their　strength
lasted；　the　fall　of　a　heavy　shower；　the　vain　efforts　made　to
catch　the　rainwater；　the　transient　relief　experienced　by　sucking
their　wet　clothes；　the　sufferings　renewed　a　few　hours　after；　the
night　advance　of　the　strongest　of　the　party；　leaving　the　weakest
behind；　the　following　a　flight　of　birds　when　morning　dawned；　the
discovery　by　the　lost　men　of　the　broad　pool　of　water　that　saved
their　livesall　this　Midwinter's　fast…failing　attention　mastered
painfully；　Allan's　voice　growing　fainter　and　fainter　on　his　ear
with　every　sentence　that　was　read。　Soon　the　next　words　seemed　to
drop　away　gently；　and　nothing　but　the　slowly　sinking　sound　of　the
voice　was　left。　Then　the　light　in　the　room　darkened　gradually；
the　sound　dwindled　into　delicious　silence；　and　the　last　waking
impressions　of　the　weary　Midwinter　came　peacefully　to　an　end。

The　next　event　of　which　he　was　conscious　was　a　sharp　ringing　at
the　closed　door　of　the　hotel。　He　started　to　his　feet；　with　the
ready　alacrity　of　a　man　whose　life　has　accustomed　him　to　wake　at
the　shortest　notice。　An　instant's　look　round　showed　him　that　the
room　was　empty；　and　a　glance　at　his　watch　told　him　that　it　was
close　on　midnight。　The　noise　made　by　the　sleepy　servant　in
opening　the　door；　and　the　tread　the　next　moment　of　quick
footsteps　in　the　passage；　filled　him　with　a　sudden　foreboding　of
something　wrong。　As　he　hurriedly　stepped　forward　to　go　out　and
make　inquiry；　the　door　of　the　coffee…room　opened；　and　the　doctor
stood　before　him。

〃I　am　sorry　to　disturb　you；〃　said　Mr。　Hawbury。　〃Don't　be　alarmed；
there's　nothing　wrong。〃

〃Where　is　my　friend？〃　asked　Midwinter。

〃At　the　pier　head；〃　answered　the　doctor。　〃I　am；　to　a　certain
extent；　responsible　for　what　he　is　doing　now；　and　I　think　some
careful　person；　like　yourself；　ought　to　be　with　him。〃

The　hint　was　enough　for　Midwinter。　He　and　the　doctor　set　out　for
the　pier　immediately；　Mr。　Hawbury　mentioning　on　the　way　the
circumstances　under　which　he　had　come　to　the　hotel。

Punctual　to　the　appointed　hour　Allan　had　made　his　appearance　at
the　doctor's　house；　explaining　that　he　had　left　his　weary　friend
so　fast　asleep　on　the　sofa　that　he　had　not　had　the　heart　to　wake
him。　The　evening　had　passed　pleasantly；　and　the　conversation　had
turned　on　many　subjects；　until；　in　an　evil　hour；　Mr。　Hawbury　had
dropped　a　hint　which　showed　that　he　was　fond　of　sailing；　and　that
he　possessed　a　pleasure…boat　of　his　own　in　the　harbor。　Excited　on
the　instant　by　his　favorite　topic；　Allan　had　left　his　host　no
hospitable　alternative　but　to　take　him　to　the　pier　head　and　show
him　the　boat。　The　beauty　of　the　night　and　the　softness　of　the
breeze　had　done　the　rest　of　the　mischief；　they　had　filled　Allan
with　irresistible　longings　for　a　sail　by　moonlight。　Prevented
from　accompanying　his　guest　by　professional　hindrances　which
obliged　him　to　remain　on　shore；　the　doctor；　not　knowing　what　else
to　do；　had　ventured　on　disturbing　Midwinter；　rather　than　take　the
responsibility　of　allowing　Mr。　Armadale　（no　matter　how　well　he
might　be　accustomed　to　the　sea）　to　set　off　on　a　sailing　trip　at
midnight　entirely　by　himself。

The　time　taken　to　make　this　explanation　brought　Midwinter　and　the
doctor　to　the　pier　head。　There；　sure　enough；　was　young　Armadale
in　the　boat；　hoisting　the　sail；　and　singing　the　sailor's
〃Yo…heave…ho！〃　at　the　top　of　his　voice。

〃Come　along；　old　boy！〃　cried　Allan。　〃You're　just　in　time　for　a
frolic　by　moonlight！〃

Midwinter　suggested　a　frolic　by　daylight；　and　an　adjournment　to
bed　in　the　meantime。

〃Bed！〃　cried　Allan；　on　whose　harum…scarum　high　spirits　Mr。
Hawbury's　hospitality　had　certainly　not　produced　a　sedative
effect。　〃Hear　him；　doctor！　one　would　think　he　was　ninety！　Bed；
you　drowsy　old　dormouse！　Look　at　that；　and　think　of　bed　if　you
can！〃

He　pointed　to　the　sea。　The　moon　was　shining　in　the　cloudless
heaven；　the　night…breeze　blew　soft　and　steady　from　the　land；　the
peaceful　waters　rippled　joyfully　in　the　silence　and　the　glory　of
the　night。　Midwinter　turned　to　the　doctor　with　a　wise　resignation
to　circumstances：　he　had　seen　enough　to　satisfy　him　that　all
words　of　remonstrance　would　be　words　simply　thrown　away。

〃How　is　the　tide？〃　he　asked。

Mr。　Hawbury　told　him。

〃Are　there　oars　in　the　boat？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃I　am　well　used　to　the　sea；〃　said　Midwinter；　descending　the　pier
steps。　〃You　may　trust　me　to　take　care　of　my　friend；　and　to　take
care　of　the　boat。〃

〃Good…night；　doctor！〃　shouted　Allan。　〃Your　whisky…and…water　is
deliciousyour　boat's　a　little　beautyand　you're　the　best
fellow　I　ever　met　in　my　life！〃

The　doctor　laughed　and　waved　his　hand；　and　the　boat　glided　out
from　the　harbor；　with　Midwinter　at　the　helm。

As　the　breeze　then　blew；　they　were　soon　abreast　of　the　westward
headland；　bounding　the　Bay　of　Poolvash；　and　the　question　was
started　whether　they　should　run　out　to　sea　or　keep　along　the
shore。　The　wisest　proceeding；　in　the　event　of　the　wind　failing
them；　was　to　keep　by　the　land。　Midwinter　altered　the　course　of
the　boat；　and　they　sailed　on　smoothly　in　a　south…westerly
direction；　abreast　of　the　coast。

Little　by　little　the　cliffs　rose　in　height；　and　the　rocks；　massed
wild　and　jagged；　showed　rifted　black　chasms　yawning　deep　in　their
seaward　sides。　Off　the　bold　promontory　called　Spanish　Head；
Midwinter　looked　ominously　at　his　watch。　But　Allan　pleaded　hard
for　half　all　hour　more；　and　for　a　glance　at　the　famous　channel　of
the　Sound；　which　they　were　now　fast　nearing；　and　of　which　he　had
heard　some　startling　stories　from　the　workmen　employed　on　his
yacht。　The　new　change　which　Midwinter's　compliance　with　this
request　rendered　it　necessary　to　make　in　the　course　of　the　boat
brought　her　close　to　the　wind；　and　revealed；　on　one　side；　the
grand　view　of　the　southernmost　shores　of　the　Isle　of　Man；　and；　on
the　other；　the　black　precipices　of　the　islet　called　the　Calf；
separated　from　the　mainland　by　the　dark　and　dangerous　channel　of
the　Sound。

Once　more　Midwinter　looked　at　his　watch。　〃We　have　gone　far
enough；〃　he　said。　〃Stand　by　the　sheet！〃

〃Stop！〃　cried　Allan；　from　the　bows　of　the　boat。　〃Good　God！　here's
a　wrecked　ship　right　ahead　of　us！〃

Midwinter　let　the　boat　fall　off　a　little；　and　looked　where　the
other　pointed。

There；　stranded　midway　between　the　rocky　boundaries　on　either
side　of　the　Soundthere；　never　again　to　rise　on　the　living
waters　from　her　grave　on　the　sunken　rock；　lost　and　lonely　in　the
quiet　night；　high；　and　dark；　and　ghostly　in　the　yellow　moonshine；
lay　the　Wrecked　Ship。

〃I　know　the　vessel；〃　said　Allan；　in　great　excitement。　〃I　heard　my
workmen　talking　of　her　yesterday。　She　drifted　in　here；　on　a
pitch…dark　night；　when　they　couldn't　see　the　lights；　a　poor　old
worn…out　merchantman；　Midwinter；　that　the　ship…brokers　have
bought　to　break　up。　Let's　run　in　and　have　a　look　at　her。〃

Midwinter　hesitated。　All　the　old　sympathies　of　his　sea…life
strongly　inclined　him　to　follow　Allan's　suggestion；　but　the　wind
was　falling　light；　and　he　distrusted　the　broken　water　and　the
swirling　currents　of　the　channel　ahead。　〃This　is　an　ugly　place　to
take　a　boat　into　when　you　know　nothing　about　it；〃　he　said。

〃Nonsense！〃　returned　Allan。　〃It's　as　light　as　day；　and　we　float
in　two　feet　of　water。〃

Before　Midwinter　could　answer；　the　current　caught　the　boat；　and
swept　them　onward　through　the　channel　straight　toward　the　wreck。

〃Lower　the　sail；〃　said　Midwinter；　quietly；　〃and　ship　the　oars。　We
are　running　down　on　her　fast　enough　now；　whether　we　like　it　or
not。〃

Both　well　accustomed　to　the　use　of　the　oar；　they　brought　the
course　of　the　boat　under　sufficient　control　to　keep　her　on　the
smoothest　side　of　the　channelthe　side　which　was　nearest　to　the
Islet　of　the　Calf。　As　they　came　swiftly　up　with　the　wreck；
Midwinter　resigned　his　oar　to　Allan；　and；　watching　his
opportunity；　caught　a　hold　with　the　boat…hook　on　the　fore…chains
of　the　vessel。　The　next　moment　they　had　the　boat　safely　in　hand；
under　the　lee　of　the　wreck。

The　ship's　ladder　used　by　the　workmen　hung　over　the　fore…chains。
Mounting　it；　with　the　boat's　rope　in　his　teeth；　Midwinter　secured
one　end　；　and　lowered　the　other　to　Allan　in　the　boat。　〃Make　that
fast；〃　he　said；　〃and　wait　till　I　see　if　it's　all　safe　on　board。〃
With　those　words；　he　disappeared　behind　the　bulwark。

〃Wait？〃　repeated　Allan；　in　the　blankest　astonishment　at　his
friend's　excessive　caution。　〃What　on　earth　does　he　mean？　I'll　be
hanged　if　I　wait。　Where　one　of　us　goes；　the　other　goes　too！〃

He　hitched　the　loose　end　of　the　rope　round　the　forward　thwart　of
the　boat；　and；　swinging　himself　up　the　ladder；　stood　the　next
moment　on　the　deck。　〃Anything　very　dreadful　on　board？〃　he
inquired　sarcastically；　as　he　and　his　friend　met。

Midwinter　smiled。　〃Nothing　whatever；〃　he　replied。　〃But　I　couldn't
be　sure　that　we　were　to　have　the　whole　ship　to　ourselves　till　I
got　over　the　bulwark　and　looked　about　me。〃

Allan　took　a　turn　on　the　deck；　and　surveyed　the　wreck　critically
from　stem　to　stern。

〃Not　much　of　a　vessel；〃　he　said；　〃the　Frenchmen　generally　build
better　ships　than　this。〃

Midwinter　crossed　the　deck；　and　eyed　Allan　in　a　momentary
silence。

〃Frenchmen？〃　he　repeated；　after　an　interval。　〃Is　this　vessel
French？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃How　do　you　know？〃

〃The　men　I　have　got　at　work　on　the　yacht　told　me。　They　know　all
about　her。〃

Midwinter　came　a　little　nearer。　His　swarthy　face　began　to　look；
to　Allan's　eyes；　unaccountably　pale　in　the　moonlight。

〃Did　they　mention　what　trade　she　was　engaged　in？〃

〃Yes；　the　timber　trade。〃

As　Allan　gave　that　answer