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King James having escaped to Saint Germains, King William reigned in his stead, to the welfare of his people and the disgust of Captain Barker and Captain Runacles, who from habit were unable to regard a Dutchman otherwise than as an enemy to be knocked on the head.
"He is unwell." "Unwell? Why, it is not an hour since he left me!" "Nevertheless " "Let me explain, sire," said Captain Runacles, stepping forward again. "It happened thus. We met Captain van Adrienssen on our way from The Hague." "Yes, yes." "And it appeared though I had forgotten it that twenty years ago I had the imprudence to throw a boot at his head. It was off the Texel "
Captain Runacles stepped out upon this balcony. He had constructed it two years before, and it ran completely round the roof. Under his feet he heard the pigeons murmuring in their cote. Below were spread the dim grass-plots and flower-beds of the two gardens; and, far upon his right, the misty leagues of the North Sea.
The interrogatory was stayed for a while. Captain Runacles, who had caught every word, strode half a dozen times up and down his grass-plot: then summoned Simeon. "Tell nurse to send Miss Sophia down to me." Five minutes later a small child of seven appeared in the doorway, and, after hesitating there for a moment, stepped timidly across the turf.
As if to corroborate his words, at this moment the hush which had fallen upon the frigate's deck was broken by the report of a firearm, and two French grenadiers rushed upon deck from below and came forward hurriedly, one with a hand clapped to a wound in his shoulder. "That," said Captain Runacles, "is probably Captain Barker. There is a shutter to his cabin door."
Captain Runacles guessed by this that the four-year-old's question had reference to one of the figure-heads disposed along the hedge. "What is a nymph?" "A sort of girl." "I don't like this sort of girl. She's got no legs." "Come over here and look at this tulip." "There's a much better sort of girl next door," Tristram continued, unheeding.
It was past midnight when Captain Runacles left his friend's pavilion and let himself through the little blue door to his own garden. The heavens were clear and starry, and he paused for a moment on the grass-plot, his hands clasped behind him, his head tilted back and his eyes fixed on the Great Bear that hung directly overhead.
"But not of Meg's," he repeated, lifting the glass and nodding over it at the pair. His friend swayed into a chair and sat facing him, his chin but just above the table and his green eyes glaring like an owl's. "Jemmy Runacles, I adopt that boy!" "You're cursedly obstinate, Jack." "Having adopted him, I shall at once quit my profession and devote the residue of my life to his education.
Forgive me if I seem too inquisitive, but do you happen to know Captain Jeremiah Runacles?" "I know no reason, sir, against my answering. I know him well, and love him." "Ha? Where does he live?" "In Harwich." "He keeps hale?" "In excellent health for his age." "Could he still answer for himself with a small-sword? I mean not with a young adversary, but, say, with a man of my age?"
"That's my throw," Captain Runacles announced, standing up and turning his back on the pair as he staggered across the room for his hat. But the little man also had bounced up in a fury. "That's a vile trick! I make the best throw, and you force me to fight." "Ah," said the other, facing slowly about and putting on his hat. "I didn't see it in that light. Very well, Jack, I decline to fight you."
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