I mention this to prove to you
that I was right in desiring your father to order you back."
"Certainly, Ready; but Tommy is my brother, and I felt that it was more
my duty than yours to risk my life for him."
"A very proper feeling, William; but you have other duties, which are,
to look after your father and mother, and be a comfort and solace to
them. Your life is more valuable than mine. I am an old man on the
brink of the grave, and a year or two makes no difference, but your
life is, I hope, of more consequence."
That evening the prayers were more than usually solemn, and the
thanksgivings more heartfelt and sincere. Exhausted with the exciting
scene of the day, they all retired early to bed.
Chapter LIX
When Tommy was questioned on the following morning as to his inducement
to get into the boat, to their great surprise he replied, that he
wanted to go round to the tents again, to see if the bananas were ripe;
that he intended to eat some of them and be back before dinner-time,
that he might not be found out.
"I suspect, Tommy, you would have been very hungry before you ate any
bananas if we had not perceived you," said Ready.
"I won't go into the boat any more," said Tommy.
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