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"I'll knock the face off the first man that comes a step further aft!" he shouted, shaking the pin in my face. "I'll show yer who's master here! What the hell do yer mean by this? Get forrard into yer kennel!" There was a low growl from the men at the last remark, and the old bully stepped back a couple of paces. "Hold on, you fellows!" I sung out. "Shut up a minute." "Mr. Tulipson!"
He must have seen something; but we mustn't frighten the crowd more than need be." "No," said the Skipper's voice. They turned and came up the ladder, and I ran back a few steps, as far as the skylight. I heard the Old Man speak as they came up. "How is it there are no lamps, Mr. Tulipson?" he said, in a surprised tone. "I thought there would be no need up here, Sir," the Second Mate replied.
"It's always been at night, Sir," the Second answered. The Old Man nodded. "Have you anything to propose, Mr. Tulipson?" he asked. "Well, Sir," replied the Second Mate. "I think you ought to have her snugged down every night, before dark!" He spoke with considerable emphasis. Then he glanced aloft, and jerked his head in the direction of the unfurled t'gallants.
Yet, I was to have even a greater astonishment; for, abruptly, The Skipper who all this time had scarcely spoken stepped forward a pace, and put his hand on the Second Mate's shoulder. "I'll come with you, Mr. Tulipson," he said. The Second Mate twisted his head round, and stared at him a moment, in astonishment. Then he opened his mouth. "No, Sir; I don't think " he began.
"I saw it, Sir," I persisted. "Don't you talk back to me!" he snapped, with a quick burst of temper. "I won't have it!" Then, just as suddenly, he was silent. He came a step towards me, and stared into my face. I believe the old ass thought I was a bit mad; anyway, without another word, he went to the break of the poop. "Mr. Tulipson," he sung out. "Yes, Sir," I heard the Second Mate reply.
"That's sufficient, Mr. Tulipson," the Old Man interrupted. "I've made up my mind." He turned to the First Mate, who had stood by without a word. "Mr. Grainge," he said. "Take a couple of the 'prentices down with you, and pass out a box of blue-lights and some flare-ups." The Mate answered something, and hurried away into the Saloon, with the two 'prentices in his watch.
"See anything?" asked the Old Man, suddenly observing his attitude. Plummer glanced at him, with a start. "It's ther r'yal, Sir," he explained. "It's all adrift." "What!" said the Old Man. He was standing a few ratlines up the t'gallant rigging, and he bent his body outwards to get a better look. "Mr. Tulipson!" he shouted. "Do you know that the royal's all adrift?"
"Yes, Sir," answered Tammy. The Old Man turned to me again. "These things, or creatures that you say come out of the sea," he said. "You've never seen them, except after nightfall?" he asked. "No, Sir," I replied. "Never." He turned to the Second Mate. "So far as I can make out, Mr. Tulipson," he remarked, "the danger seems to be only at night."
"It's ther foot-rope, Sir-r-r!" he drew out the last word into a sort of gasp. The Second Mate bent quickly, with the lantern. I craned round the after side of the top-mast, and looked. "What is the matter, Mr. Tulipson?" I heard the Old Man singing out.
We neared the crosstrees, and the Old Man stopped and sung out to me to pass him the lantern by Quoin. A few ratlines more, and both he and the Second Mate stopped almost simultaneously, holding their lanterns as high as possible, and peered up into the darkness. "See any signs of him, Mr. Tulipson?" the Old Man asked. "No, Sir," replied the Second. "Not a sign." He raised his voice.
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