ith bears, armed with nothing
but a forked stick, is not likely to hang back in the day of
battle.
"But, at present, we will say no more on the matter. Now that we
have got beyond the shelter of the island, the waves are getting
up, and the vessel is beginning to toss and roll. I see that Sir
Marmaduke has retired to his cabin. I mean to remain here as long
as I can, and I should advise you both to do the same. I have
always heard that it is better to fight with this sickness of the
sea, as long as possible, and that it is easier to do so in fresh
air than in a close cabin."
The lads quite agreed with this opinion, but were, in spite of
their efforts, presently prostrate. They remained on deck for some
hours, and then crawled to their cabin, where they remained for the
next three days, at the end of which time they came on deck again,
feeling better, but as weak as if they had suffered from a long
illness.
Mr. Jervoise had been in frequently to see them, having escaped the
malady, from which, as he told them, Sir Marmaduke was suffering to
the full as severely as they were.
"So you have found your feet again," the captain said, when they
appeared on deck. "You will be all right now."
"We feel much better," Harry said, "now that the storm is over."
"Storm! What storm? The weather has been splendid. We cannot wish
for anything better. It has been just as you see it now--a bright
sun, and just enough wind for her to carry whole sail."
The lads both looked astonished.
"Then why should we roll and toss about so much?" Harry asked.
"Roll and toss! Nonsense, lad! There has been a little movement, of
course, as there always must be when there is a brisk wind; but as
for rolling and tossing, you must wait till you see a storm, then
you will begin to have an idea of what the sea is."
The boys both felt rather crestfallen, for they had flattered
themselves that their sufferings were caused by something quite out
of the ordinary way, and it was mortifying to know that the weather
had been really fine, and there had been nothing even approaching a
storm.
The rest of the voyage was a pleasant one. They found they had
regained their appetites, and were able to enjoy their meals; still
they were not sorry when they saw the coast of Sweden, and, a few
hours later, entered the port of Gottenburg, where Sir Marmaduke,
for the first time, came on deck--looking a mere shadow of his
former jovial self.
"Well, la
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