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Ralph Granger's Fortunes by William Perry Brown
page 116 of 218 (53%)
"Ralph," called Duff, "are you all right, my lad?"

"Here, boy," said Tom, setting down the tin vessel, "wake up and eat a
bite. Mayhap cap'n will let you out before long. He's in a good humor
today."

But Ralph did not move. Duff raised him in his arms.

The boy was insensible, either from fright, exhaustion, or the lack of
suitable food. The mate's anger rose within him like a torrent.

"This is simply brutal!--it is infamous. Lead the way out of here,
bos'n; or--stay! Go to Captain Gary and say that Mr. Duff wants him to
come here right away."

"It's as much as my life's worth, sir."

"Go on I tell you!" Duff was white to the lips, "D'ye want to see
murder done? This lad's life is at stake, I say."

While Tom went off grumbling, the second mate bathed Ralph's face with
water from a jug he found, and chafed his hands.

"Poor fellow! If I lose my job and am put here with him, I will speak
out. The boy hasn't had a decent thing to eat since he came aboard."

Presently the flicker of Tom's lantern was seen again. The captain was
behind him, and in no good humor over the message he had received.

The dash and swirl of water outside was incessant and deafening.
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