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Updated: May 16, 2025
"But I think Captain Barker might object to that. You'd be of more use on deck, in spite of " He paused, but his glance at the iron hook had not escaped Bulger's observant eye. "Spite of the curlin' tongs, you'd say. Bless you, spit it out; I en't tender in my feelin's."
Enjoying this tranquillity, I passed by a man and woman with two children, and heard the man say invitingly: "Shall I carry the basket?" The wife answered: "'E en't 'eavy, Bill, thanks.... Only I got this 'ere little Rosy to git along." Her voice sounded gentle and cheerful, and I tried to hear more, checking my pace. But the children were walking too slowly.
To be sure it goes against my stummick to fire on old messmates; but it en't in Englishmen to hold their noses and swallow pills o' that there size. We'll load up all ready, mateys." He stripped to the waist, and tied a handkerchief over his ears. Desmond and the men followed his example.
According to their improved version, there are not two only, but three kinds of law: one kind for the rich, one for the poor, and one "the law that nobody can't make." What is this last? Why, the law "to make a feller pay what en't got nothink."
"Well, we are and we en't, eh, mateys? The Waterman's Rest en't exactly the kind of place to spend shore leave; it en't a patch on Wapping or Rotherhithe. And to tell 'ee true, we're dead sick of it. But there's reasons; there mostly is; and the whys and wherefores, therefores and becauses, I dessay you know, young gen'lman, acomin' from Captain Barker." "The press gang?"
Not but what it sarved me right, for what business had I at my time of life to be wastin' shore leave by poppin' at little dicky birds in the dirty slimy jheels, as they call 'em, round about Calcutta! "Well, I was put ashore, as was on'y natural, and 'twas a marvel I pulled through for it en't many as take the cramp in Bengal and live to tell it.
The prow was covered with a deck, level with the main deck of the vessel, but with a bulkhead between this and the forecastle. "En't she pitchin'!" remarked Bulger, standing by Desmond's side. "You couldn't expect nothing else of a craft built that shape. Look at the water pourin' off her; why, I may be wrong, but I'll lay my best breeches she's a-founderin'." As usual, Bulger was right.
"I'm quite comfortable inside," said Desmond, smiling, "but, to tell you the truth, Mr. Johnson, I feel mighty uneasy outside. After six months of the dhoti these breeches and things seem just like bandages." "It en't the first time you've been swaddled, if you had a mother. Well now, if you're ready. What! That rascal gashed you! Tuts! 'tis a scratch. Can't wait to doctor that. Come on."
The fruit boats had by this time come under the stern of the vessel, and Desmond heard the mate say: "We came away in such a hurry, sir, that we hadn't time to take in a supply of vegetables. Melons'll keep, sir, if they en't overripe." Barker growled, then bent over and called to the serang. "How much?" "Very cheap, sahib, very cheap. I will come aboard."
"By thunder, sir!" he said, when he had recovered from his astonishment at seeing Desmond in native dress, "I en't a-goin' to surrender to no Moors, sure as my name's Bulger. 'Tis a downright scandalous shame; that's what I call it." "Well, you can tell Mr. Watts so if ever you see him. At present we have no time to waste in talk. Where is Surendra Nath?"
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