So the super-Alpine glories surrounding that inland sea, and
the prismatic hues flashing from many a glacier and rainbow of cataract
mist, left her unmoved, solely because the rough-hewn Indian craft
bobbing by the side of the great ship called to mind the extraordinary
conditions under which she and all on board existed.
But she was hungry, and that was a saving sign. She guessed that many
of the men, after mounting watch until broad daylight, were asleep.
Others were at work below, as was testified by a subdued sound of
hammering, with the sharp clink of metal against metal. Walker was
tinkering at the engines. With him, in all likelihood, were the
captain and Tollemache. She and Suarez were the drones of the ship,
and Suarez, poor fellow, had earned an idle hour if only on account of
the scrubbing he had given himself to wash away the tokens of five
years of slavery.
Before going in search of the cook, she walked a few steps towards the
bridge. At the top of the companion she saw Joey, sitting
disconsolately on his tail, a sure indication that Courtenay was
occupied in depths approachable only by steep iron ladders whither the
dog could not follow.
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