United States or Kosovo ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"The ship's yours, again, Captain Wallingford." "Mr. Diggens," I said, approaching the master's-mate, "as I have a necessity for this vessel, which is my property, if you please, sir, I'll now take charge of her in person. You had better go below, and make yourself comfortable; there is good brandy to be had for the asking, and you may pass an agreeable evening, and turn in whenever it suits you."
When seamen first come on deck at sea, there is usually a pause in the discourse, while each notes the weather, the situation of the ship, and the signs of the hour. Sennit and myself did this, almost as a matter of course, separating, in order that each might make his observations at leisure. As for Marble, he gave up the command of the deck to Diggens, walking forward by himself.
Under ordinary circumstances, this last dignitary would have been of sufficient skill to take the ship in: but this was the first prize Lord Harry had taken; she promised to be valuable if condemned; and I suppose he and his young, gentleman-like luffs were desirous of getting rid of their vulgar associate. At any rate, Messrs. Sennit and Diggens both came on board us, bag and baggage.
I was, by nature, a stronger man than Sennit, besides being younger and in my prime; while Diggens would not have been more than a child in Marble's hands. As for the man at the wheel, Neb could have thrown him half-way up to the mizen-top, on an emergency.
This was not a difficult manoeuvre at all, and the Englishman helping us, with seeming good-will, it was soon successfully executed. When this was accomplished, I sent the English sailor into the cabin to keep Diggens company, and we set a watch on deck of two and two, Marble and myself taking charge four hours and four hours, in the old mode. I acknowledge that I slept little that night.
He gave the necessary orders, notwithstanding; and presently the men were mustered aft, to be told off into the two watches that were required for the service of the ship. This was soon done. Sennit choosing five, and Diggens his five. "It's past eight o'clock," said Sennit, when the selections were made.
"I shall expect to join your mess, sir, now explanations have passed between us. I suppose my mate is to be one of my party, as well as yours?" "Certainly. I shall ask the favour of you to let Mr. Marble relieve Diggens, for half an hour or so, while the poor fellow gets a bite. We'll do as much for you another time." This was said in a dry, laughing, sort of a way, which showed that Mr.
Neb and the cook were keeping up the customary clattering with plates, knives, and forks. "Have the people had their suppers yet, Mr. Diggens?" demanded the lieutenant. "Not yet, sir. We have no cook of our own, you know, sir, and so have been obliged to wait, sir." "The King's men wait for nobody.
Diggens, I could see, was a red-faced fellow who probably had lost his promotion through love of the bottle, though, as often happens with such persons, a prime seaman and a thorough man-of-war's-man. Of him, I thought I could make sure by means of brandy. Sennit struck me as being a much more difficult subject to get along with.
Now, see how I'll manage Diggens," he added; "I want to get a luff purchase up out of the forecastle; will you just order two or three of your fellows forward, to go down and pass it up for me?" "D'ye hear there, forward," called out Diggens, with a very thick tongue. "Tumble down into that forecastle, three or four of you, and pass up the tackle for Mr. Marble."
Word Of The Day