Page:Ballantyne--The Battery and the Boiler.djvu/326

 "Well, I 've not got exactly that," replied Redpath, with an amused look; "but I've got something of the same sort for my servants. Why do you ask?"

"Because, sir, I never did sail under false colours, and I ain't agoin' to begin now. I don't set up for a gentleman, and though circumstances has throwed me along wi' two of 'em, so that we 've bin hail-feller-well-met for a time, I ain't agoin' to condescend to consort wi' them always. If you 've got a servants'-'all, I 'll come and thank 'ee; if not, I 'll go an' keep company wi' Stumps till Mr. Shipton comes back."

"Very well, my good fellow, then you shall come, and we 'll find you a berth in the servants'-hall," said Redpath, laughing.

"But what about Stumps?" said Robin; "he will wonder what has come over us. Could we not return to the hotel first"

"Impossible," said the electrician; "I have not time to wait. My leave has expired. Besides, you can write him a note."

So the note was written, as we have shown, and the party set out on their inland journey. Before starting, however, Frank Hedley, the engineer, took Sam and Robin aside.

"Now, think over what I have mentioned," he said, "and make up your minds. You see, I have