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Page 29
"Why not, indeed?" added Captain Helding. "Wardour is the very
man to be useful on a long march. He is in perfect health, and he
is the best shot among us. I was on the point of proposing him
myself."
Crayford failed to show his customary respect for his superior
officer. He openly disputed the captain's conclusion.
"Wardour has no right to volunteer," he rejoined. "It has been
settled, Captain Helding, that chance shall decide who is to go
and who is to stay."
"And chance _has_ decided it," cried Wardour. "Do you think we
are going to cast the dice again, and give an officer of the
_Sea-mew_ a chance of replacing an officer of the _Wanderer_?
There is a vacancy in our party, not in yours; and we claim the
right of filling it as we please. I volunteer, and my captain
backs me. Whose authority is to keep me here after that?"
"Gently, Wardour," said Captain Helding. "A man who is in the
right can afford to speak with moderation." He turned to
Crayford. "You must admit yourself," he continued, "that Wardour
is right this time. The missing man belongs to my command, and in
common justice one of my officers ought to supply his place."
It was impossible to dispute the matter further. The dullest man
present could see that the captain's reply was unanswerable. In
sheer despair, Crayford took Frank's arm and led him aside a few
steps. The last chance left of parting the two men was the chance
of appealing to Frank.
"My dear boy," he began, "I want to say one friendly word to you
on the subject of your health. I have already, if you remember,
expressed my doubts whether you are strong enough to make one of
an exploring party. I feel those doubts more strongly than ever
at this moment. Will you take the advice of a friend who wishes
you well?"
Wardour had followed Crayford. Wardour roughly interposed before
Frank could reply.
"Let him alone!"
Crayford paid no heed to the interruption. He was too earnestly
bent on withdrawing Frank from the expedition to notice anything
that was said or done by the persons about him.
"Don't, pray don't, risk hardships which you are unfit to bear!"
he went on, entreatingly. "Your place can be easily filled.
Change your mind, Frank. Stay here with me."
Again Wardour interfered. Again he called out, "Leave him alone!"
more roughly than ever. Still deaf and blind to every
consideration but one, Crayford pressed his entreaties on Frank.
"You owned yourself just now that you were not well seasoned to
fatigue," he persisted. "You feel (you _must_ feel) how weak that
last illness has left you? You know (I am sure you know) how
unfit you are to brave exposure to cold, and long marches over
the snow."
Irritated beyond endurance by Crayford's obstinacy; seeing, or
thinking he saw, signs of yielding in Frank's face, Wardour so
far forgot himself as to seize Crayford by the arm and attempt to
drag him away from Frank. Crayford turned and looked at him.
"Richard," he said, very quietly, "you are not yourself. I pity
you. Drop your hand."
Wardour relaxed his hold, with something of the sullen submission
of a wild animal to its keeper. The momentary silence which
followed gave Frank an opportunity of speaking at last.
"I am gratefully sensible, Crayford," he began, "of the interest
which you take in me--"
"And you will follow my advice?" Crayford interposed, eagerly.
"My mind is made up, old friend," Frank answered, firmly and
sadly. "Forgive me for disappointing you. I am appointed to the
expedition. With the expedition I go." He moved nearer to
Wardour. In his innocence of all suspicion he clapped Wardour
heartily on the shoulder. "When I feel the fatigue," said poor
simple Frank, "you will help me, comrade--won't you? Come along!"
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