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My hurt was very trifling: a piece of adhesive plaster on the two orifices was all the surgical assistance that I either had or required. But the case with poor Reud was very different. I detest giving a revolting description of wounds; I shall only say, that this was a most dreadful one.
But when, one evening, he mentioned that he could pilot a frigate into the inland waters from whence swarmed the crowd of schooner privateers that infested the islands, and by their swift sailing to windward, eluded our fastest ships, we laughed still, and I did something more; I reported this boast to Captain Reud.
There is a wakeful eye upon you: if you swerve from the course laid down for you, and go not immediately to Mr -'s office, be assured that you will be again in irons under the half-deck. Have I, my lord, correctly expressed your intentions?" "Correctly, Captain Reud." "Joshua Daunton, get your bag ready; and, in the meantime, I will give the necessary orders to the clerk. You may go."
"Begging your lordship's pardon," said Reud, submissively, with the dubious twinkle in his eye for interrupting a nobleman who is so seldom interrupted "I rather think that it was the fist of Pigtop." "Pigtop! Providence my quotation. Captain Reud, I have not really the pleasure of understanding you. This young gentleman who has been so lately under the chastening hand of Providence " "Pigtop."
I have been forced to hunt, and to house, and to howl with dogs much worse than myself; and that's equally true. "Maintopmast-head there," squeaked out the very disagreeable treble of Captain Reud, who had then come on deck, as I was trolling, "Shake off dull sloth, and early rise." "Mr Rattlin, what do you say?" "Ay, ay, sir." "Ay, ay, sir! what were you saying?
However, we will be very civil to the ladies; we will, by Venus! As commanding officer, I'll permit of no rudeness." "None whatever: who could think or frightening them? I suppose, Captain Reud, there can be no harm in going ashore now, and paying them a visit just to alleviate their fears," was the reply of one of the commanders. "Not to-night, not to-night.
But now is not the time to tell of this, but rather of the eagerness with which most of my companions sought to avoid thee. Captain Reud had got, apparently, into his natural, as well as native, climate. The hotter it was, like a cricket, he chirped the louder, and enjoyed it the more. Young and restless, he was the personification of mischievous humour and sly annoyance.
As yet, not only had we not had the slightest difference, but he had often humoured me to the detriment of the service, and in defiance of the just discipline Mr Farmer wished to maintain. If I presumed upon this, who shall blame such conduct in a mere boy? And then, Captain Reud was necessary to me.
My eyes ran with tears, as I laid down the book, with outrageous laughter. Mr Silva started to his feet, and was leaving the cabin, when he was ordered back by Captain Reud. An appearance of amicability was assumed, and to the old argument they went, baiting the poor author like a bear tied to a stake.
He sat motionless, with his eyes fixed upon my cot: my face he could not see, owing to the depth of the shadow in which I lay. I moved: he advanced to my cot with the gentleness of a woman, and softly uttered: "Ralph, my dear boy, do you sleep?" The tones of his voice fell soothingly upon my ear like the music of a mother's prayer. "No, Captain Reud; but I am very thirsty."
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