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"I say, Mr Cribbage," cried an old master's-mate, to the caterer, who had entered shortly after the tea-kettles, and assumed his place at the end of the table, "what sort of stuff do you call this?" "What do you mean to imply, sir?" replied Mr Skrimmage, with a pompous air.
Contempt to a superior officer clerk and caterer, indeed! The service has come to a pretty pass you villains! You may grin I'll tear the eyes out of some of you, that I will. Come, Mr Skrimmage, let us go on the quarter-deck, and see if the service is to be trifled with. Dirty scum, indeed " and the lady stopped for want of breath occasioned by the rapidity of her utterance.
That is now a white man's courage!" exclaimed the scout; "and like too many of his notions, not to be maintained by reason. Do you think the Sagamore, or Uncas, or even I, who am a man without a cross, would deliberate about finding a cover in the skrimmage, when an open body would do no good? For what have the Frenchers reared up their Quebec, if fighting is always to be done in the clearings?"
And so, you see, d'you see, says I, 'Tom Bruce, do you stick to the critter, and he'll holp you out of the skrimmage; and, says I, 'I'll take the back-track, and foller atter madam. And, says he, says he But, 'tarnal death to me, let's scalp these h'yar dead villians, and do the talking atter! Did you see the licking I gin this here feller?
No, not of danger; but that we shall have what you may call a brisk push of it is probable; and it may happen, a brush, a skrimmage, or some such divarsion, but always where covers are good, and ammunition abundant."
The "boys" were delighted at this encounter, and utterly forgetful of the pacific occasion on which they had assembled, began to pit them against each other with great glee. "That's a hard hit, Misther Costigan; but you won't let it pass, any how." "The ague an' you are ould acquaintances," retorted Costigan; "whenever a skrimmage takes place, you're sure to resave a visit from it."
"It's all right, young gentleman," said the first-lieutenant. "Take him down to the berth, Mr Skrimmage, and introduce him. You've brought your hammock, of course, and it is to be hoped that your chest has a good lock upon it; if not, I can tell you you'll not find all your clothes tally with your division list by to-morrow morning. But we cannot help these things here.
"Then, gentlemen, are you all agreed to cobb the caterer?" The shouts of assent frightened Mr Skrimmage, who attempted to make his escape by the gun-room door, but was prevented by the two sentries, who had been placed there on purpose. He then requested to be heard to be allowed to explain; but it was useless. He was dragged to the table, amidst an uproar of laughter and shouting.
'There was John declaring you would be in despair to find your precious treasure gone. 'Oh! I never was more glad! Do tell me! Why did she go? 'I had a skrimmage with her about some trout Fitzhugh sent, which I verily believe she ate herself. 'Changed with the fishmonger! 'I dare say. She sent us in some good-for-nothing wretches, all mud, and vowed these were stale then grew impertinent.
"I damn Mrs Skrimmage! You lie, sir." "Who then, sir?" "Red Cap Red Cap." "I damn Mrs Skrimmage? You lie, sir." And thus was the accusation bandied about the table, to the great amusement of the whole party, except the caterer, who regretted having taken any notice of what had been said.
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