Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 9, 2025
"What are you thinking of now, Jack?" said Gascoigne again. "Of Agnes," replied our hero. "Well, if that's the case I'll call you when supper's ready. In the meantime I'll go and talk with Mesty." On the fourth day they arrived at Malta, and our two midshipmen, as soon as they had settled with the padrone of the vessel, went up to the government-house.
So saying, he went on deck, where he found no one at the helm; every one drunk, and the ship with her yards braced up running before the wind, just by way of a change. Mesty growled, but there was no time to lose; the topsails only were set these he lowered down, and then put the helm a-lee, and lashed it, while he went down to call our hero to his assistance. Jack roused up, and went on deck.
"Well, sir, I can say no more," said Jack, walking aft to the taffrail, to which Oxbelly and Gascoigne had retreated. "Come, my lads, get those men in the boat," said the lieutenant. But the men had all retreated forward in a body, with Mesty at their head, and had armed themselves.
In a short time all the seamen turned out of the tent, bringing with them four muskets, which they had taken on shore with them. "Good heavens! they are not, surely, going to fire at us, Mesty." "Stop a little." The men then came down abreast of the ship, and the coxswain again hailed, and asked if they would bring the boat on shore. "You must say No, sar," replied Mesty.
They were now entering the Straits, and expected to anchor the next day at Gibraltar, and Jack was forward on the forecastle, talking with Mesty, with whom he had contracted a great friendship, for there was nothing that Mesty would not have done for Jack, although he had not been three weeks in the ship; but a little reflection will show that it was natural.
The butler, followed by Mesty, who attended him as if he was his prisoner, now made his appearance with the tray laid it down in a sulky manner and retired. Jack desired Mesty to remain. "Well, Mesty, how are they getting on in the servants' hall?" "Regular mutiny, sar ab swear dat dey no stand our nonsense, and dat we both leave the house to-morrow."
Mesty interrupted Jack in his attentions, by pointing out that they must all go upon deck so Jack again took off his hat and bowed, and then followed his men, who led away the two prisoners taken in the cabin. It was now five o'clock in the morning, and there was movement on board of the other vessels, which lay not far from the ship.
The next morning, when they met at breakfast, Mr Easy did not make his appearance, and Jack inquired of Mesty where he was? "They say down below that the old gentleman not come home last night." "Did not come home!" said Dr Middleton, "this must be looked to." "He great rascal dat butler man," said Mesty to Jack; "but de old gentleman not sleep in his bed, dat for sure."
Mesty hastened for the money, and taking it in a large bag to the monastery, delivered it to the friar's charge, and then returned to the barracks to Easy and Gascoigne. It was agreed that he should go with the friar, who would probably remain away some time; indeed, Mesty insisted upon so doing.
He then appointed Mesty as first lieutenant; the marine as sergeant; the coxswain as boatswain; two men as midshipmen to keep watch: two others as boatswain's mates, leaving two more for the ship's company, who were divided into the larboard and starboard watch.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking