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The 17th we began to set up the pinnace that Peerson framed at Dartmouth, with the boards which he brought from London. The 18th, Peerson and the carpenters of the ships began to set on the planks. The 19th, as we went about an island, were found black pumice stones, and salt kerned on the rocks, very white and glistering.
No one here with such a loathsome, name as Dam, of course," but Trooper Punch Peerson had his philosophic "doots". He, like others of that set, had heard of a big chap who was a marvel at Sandhurst with the gloves, sword, horse, and other things, and who had suddenly and marvellously disappeared into thin air leaving no trace behind him, after some public scandal or other.... But that was no concern of Trooper Punch Peerson, gentleman....
At least so "Peerson" had said, and Dam had been made almost happy for a day. Memories ...! His first walk abroad from barracks, clad in the "walking-out" finery of shell-jacket and overalls, with the jingle of spurs and effort at the true Cavalry swagger, or rather the first attempt at a walk abroad, for the expedition had ended disastrously ere well begun.
No man answered, and Trooper Peerson looked at the face of no man, nor any one at any other. "No. I thought not. Well, I have a letter addressed in that objurgatory term, and I am going to place it beneath my pillow before I go out to-night. If it is there when I come in I'll destroy it unopened. 'Nuff said, as the lady remarked when she put the mop in her husband's mouth.
It's awfully good of you, old chap. I know you'll see it through. It concerns as fine a gentleman as ever stepped and the finest woman! "Ever thine, "Look here, my lambs or rather, Black Sheep," quoth Trooper Punch Peerson one tea-time to Troopers Bear, Little, Goate, Nemo, Burke, Jones, and Matthewson, "I suppose none of you answers to the name of 'Dam'?"
Was there no gentlemanliness left in Damocles de Warrenne that he should even contemplate the doing of a deed at which his old comrades-in-arms, Bear, Burke, Jones, Little, Goate, Nemo and Peerson would stand aghast, would be ready to kick him out of a decent barrack-room and the poor demented creature called for a "boy," and ordered him to send, at once, for one Abdul Ghani who would, as usual, be found sleeping beside his camels in the market-place ...
The 28th the Elizabeth towed the pinnace, which was so much bragged of by the owner's report before we came out of England, but at sea she was like a cart drawn with oxen. Sometimes we towed her, because she could not sail for scant wind. The 31st day our captain asked if the pinnace were staunch. Peerson answered that she was as sound and staunch as a cup.
The 16. we came to an anker about 4. or 5. of the clocke afternoone, the people came presently to vs after the old maner, with crying Ilyaoute, and shewing vs Scales skinnes. The 17. we began to set vp the pinnesse that Peerson framed at Dartmouth, with the boords which hee brought from London. The 18. This day also the Master of the Sunneshine tooke of the people a very strong lusty yoong fellow.
Thought I was the biggest Damn here, I suppose," Trooper Peerson replied without looking up from his plate. "Practical silly joke I should think.
The 28. the Elizabeth towed the pinnesse, which was so much bragged of by the owners report before we came out of England, but at Sea she was like a cart drawen with oxen. Sometimes we towed her because she could not saile for scant wind. The 31. day our Captaine asked if the pinnesse were stanch, Peerson answered that she was as sound and stanch as a cup.