CHAPTER XXXI
HUNTING FOR THE SWAN
FOR some time after Bob's brother left we heard only the noise of the wind and the sea dashing against the keel, then footsteps were heard on the deck above and the grinding of pulleys. A sail was hoisted, then suddenly the boat leaned to one side and began to rock. In a few moments it was pitching heavily on the rough sea.
"Poor Mattia," I said, taking his hand.
"I don't care, we're saved," he said; "what if I am seasick?"
The next day I passed my time between the cabin and deck. Mattia wanted to be left alone. When at last the skipper pointed out Harfleur I hurried down to the cabin to tell him the good news. As it was late in the afternoon when we arrived at Harfleur, Bob's brother told us that we could sleep on the boat that night if we wished.
"When you want to go back to England," he said the next morning, as we wished him good-by, and thanked him for what he had done for us, "just remember that the Eclipse sails from here every Tuesday."
It was a kind invitation, but Mattia and I each of us had our reason for not wishing to cross the sea again ... yet awhile.
