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But that honest old principle of seamen which never refuses to share equally with an ancient mess-mate, got the better even of his voracity. "Sit down, Sir John," the captain cried, without ceasing to masticate, "and make no bones of it. To own the fact, the latter are almost as good as the flesh. I never tasted a sweeter morsel!"
He replied that he had had no opportunity of taking lessons in his younger days, except now and then from a mess-mate who had enjoyed the advantage on shore, though he was accustomed to draw ships and to sketch the outlines of the coasts that he might recognise them on subsequent visits, but that now, with the probability of remaining on shore, he should be glad to study the art.
"'Well, little mess-mate," replied the Admiral, rubbing his nose, which he always did when he was disconcerted, "I am kind o' followin' in your wake." "Under orders?" "Under orders." "Under the Captain's orders?" "Surely." "In other words, my grandfather has sent you to fetch me back to Rivermouth?" "That's about it," said the Admiral, with a burst of frankness.
It was the mere foundering hull of a man that was before me; and though it presented the well-known features of my mess-mate, yet I knew that the living soul of Shenly never more would look out of those eyes.
I kept the top-gallant-sails in sight, until I made the island, again; and as you went off, I ran in, and took possession of my dominions, with no one to dispute my will, or to try to reason me out of my consait." "I am glad to hear you term that notion a conceit, for, certainly, it was not reason. You soon discovered your mistake, my old mess-mate, and began to think of home."
Every schooner and nearly every man got it in turn. Was there a careless or dirty cook anywhere? The dories sang about him and his food. Was a schooner badly found? The Fleet was told at full length. Had a man hooked tobacco from a mess-mate? He was named in meeting; the name tossed from roller to roller. The dories roved and fished and squabbled till a swell underran the sea.
Why cannot she allow the larva, her mess-mate, to take advantage of the remains and afterwards to shift for itself as best it can? But no: the Mason-bee's offspring must needs be stupidly sacrificed on the top of provisions which will only grow mouldy and useless! I should be reduced to the gloomy lucubrations of a Schopenhauer if I once let myself begin on parasitism.
During the day preceding, it was stated at the mess that our poor mess-mate was run down completely; the surgeon had given him up. The profound quietude of the calm pervaded the entire frigate through all her decks. The watch on duty were dozing on the carronade-slides, far above the sick-bay; and the watch below were fast asleep in their hammocks, on the same deck with the invalid.
"Metaphysics, by Jove!" cried Quill; "but all true at the same time. There was a mess-mate of mine in the 'Roscommon' who never paid car-hire in his life. 'Head or harp, Paddy! he would cry.
I am introduced to the quarter-deck and first lieutenant, who pronounces me very clever Trotted below to Mrs Trotter Connubial bliss in a cock-pit Mr Trotter takes me in as a mess-mate Feel very much surprised that so many people know that I am the son of my father. On our arrival on board, the coxswain gave a note from the captain to the first lieutenant, who happened to be on deck.
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