Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 23, 2025
Billy blew this into a flame, and applied it to the wood, which soon kindled into a roaring fire. "Now, then," cried the Bu'ster, "where's the spit? Ah! that's it; here you go; oh dear, how you would yell just now, Mister Grumpy, if you were alive! It's a cruel thought, but I can't help it. There, now, frizzle away, and I'll go clean up my dishes while you are roasting."
But as the position is irremediable now, I suppose I must, in an imbecile sort of fashion, go on my way rejoicing if I can sorrowing if I cannot rejoice. Mrs Bingley having more than once threatened to scratch my face when I have ventured to express the last sentiment, it may be perhaps as well to change the subject and return to Billy Gaff, the charming child, alias the Bu'ster.
Gaff took the other, and both sat down to the slow, dreary, monotonous toil of another day. At first the Bu'ster was chatty, but by degrees his tongue flagged, and ere long it became quite silent.
The Bu'ster, being equally incapable of speaking, seized the hand of the sailor next him, and also shook it violently. Then he uttered a cheer, and turning suddenly round ran along the beach for half a mile like a greyhound, after which he returned and asserted that his feelings were somewhat relieved! Meanwhile the middy continued to question Gaff.
Dan made her promise solemnly that she would tell the tale to no one else on earth, either in confidence or otherwise, and thus he checked the stream of gossip as close to its fountain-head as possible. When Stephen Gaff approached his own cottage, he beheld his wife belabouring the Bu'ster with both hands and tongue unmercifully.
"Hooray!" cried Billy faintly, as he jumped up and went to the stern, where his father soon produced the biscuit-bag and measured out the two small portions. "Cheatin' again, daddy," cried the Bu'ster with a remonstrative tone and look. "No, I ain't," said Gaff sharply, "eat yer supper, you scamp." Billy obeyed with alacrity, and disposed of his portion in three mouthfuls.
"Hallo, Billy! mind your helm!" cried his father. "I felled asleep, daddy," said the Bu'ster apologetically, as he resumed his place. "Well, well, boy; lie down and take a sleep. It's too hard on you. Eat a biscuit first though before you lie down, and I'll keep the boat's head right with the oar."
In these circumstances the captain was compelled to carry Gaff and his boy away to sea, much to the regret of the former, who was curious to know what the news could be that was to be to his advantage in London, besides being grieved at the anxiety his sudden disappearance with Billy would cause to his wife. The Bu'ster did not by any means share the regret or grief of his father.
Things might ha' bin worse. You'd better go and haul down the flag, lad. I'll look arter the roast till ye come back." "The roast'll look after itself, daddy," said the Bu'ster; "you look after Squeaky, however, for that sly critter's always up to mischief."
The Bu'ster relieved his parents from their difficulty, however, by asserting that he had taken a wild desire to see Mad Haco that night; so, declining the offer of a shake-down made up under the four-poster, he started for Wreckumoft, and took up his quarters in the Sailors' Home. Great changes had taken place in the Sailors' Home at Wreckumoft since Billy Gaff last saw it.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking