Powell noticed his appearance?
Mr. Powell didn't know enough of the captain to judge. He couldn't tell.
But he observed thoughtfully that Mr. Franklin had been saying the same
thing. And Franklin had known the captain for years. The mate was quite
worried about it.
This intelligence startled Mr. Smith considerably. "Does he think he is
in danger of dying?" he exclaimed with an animation quite extraordinary
for him, which horrified Mr. Powell.
"Heavens! Die! No! Don't you alarm yourself, sir. I've never heard a
word about danger from Mr. Franklin."
"Well, well," sighed Mr. Smith and left the poop for the saloon rather
abruptly.
As a matter of fact Mr. Franklin had been on deck for some considerable
time. He had come to relieve young Powell; but seeing him engaged in
talk with the "enemy"--with one of the "enemies" at least--had kept at a
distance, which, the poop of the _Ferndale_ being aver seventy feet long,
he had no difficulty in doing. Mr. Powell saw him at the head of the
ladder leaning on his elbow, melancholy and silent. "Oh! Here you are,
sir.
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