I haven't changed so much
as you may think, and the Gold Coast isn't exactly the centre of
civilisation. There ! I've said my say. The less I see of you
now till we land, the better I shall be pleased."
He walked away and was challenged by the Doctor to a game of
shuffleboard. Da Souza remained in his chair, his eyes blinking
as though with the sun, and his hands gripping nervously the sides
of his chair.
CHAPTER XXIII
After six weeks' incessant throbbing the great engines were still,
and the Dunottar Castle lay at anchor a mile or two from the
African coast and off the town of Attra. The heat, which in motion
had been hard enough to bear, was positively stifling now. The sun
burned down upon the glassy sea and the white deck till the varnish
on the rails cracked and blistered, and the sweat streamed like
water from the faces of the labouring seamen. Below at the ship's
side half a dozen surf boats were waiting, manned by Kru boys, who
alone seemed perfectly comfortable, and cheerful as usual. All
around were preparations for landing - boxes were being hauled up
from the hold, and people were going about in reach of small parcels
and deck-chairs and missing acquaintances. Trent, in white linen
clothes and puggaree, was leaning over the railing, gazing towards
the town, when Da Souza came up to him -
"Last morning, Mr.
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