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Updated: June 26, 2025
"Colonel Sprowle, you're a justice of the peace," said Deacon Soper, "and you know what the law says in cases like this. It a'n't so clear that it won't have to come afore the Grand Jury, whether we will or no." "I guess we'll set that j'int to-morrow mornin'," said Colonel Sprowle, which made a laugh at the Deacon's expense, and virtually settled the question.
This was the remark of our old friend, Deacon Soper, who retired from the front row, as he spoke, behind a respectable-looking, but somewhat hastily dressed person of the defenceless sex, the female help of a neighboring household, accompanied by a boy, whose unsmoothed shock of hair looked like a last-year's crow's-nest.
When he saw our boat he thought we must be some savages, and yet he said he couldn't help coming down to have a look at us, though it was so long since he had heard a word of English spoken he didn't understand what was said. Fortunately, Miles Soper had passed close to the place where he was hiding.
"So will I," said Miles Soper, who had heard us talking about the matter. "And I no stop eider, and den he lose four good hands. He no like dat," said Sam Coal. Brown, hearing from Jim of my apprehensions, said he would go likewise if the captain attempted to play any tricks of that sort. Three days after the gale we hove-to off three small islands surrounded by a reef.
But Abel untied his hands, in spite of the Deacon's considerate remonstrance. "Now," said the Doctor, "the first thing is to put the joint back." "Stop," said Deacon Soper, "stop a minute. Don't you think it will be safer for the women-folks jest to wait till mornin', afore you put that j'int into the socket?" Colonel Sprowle, who had been called by a special messenger, spoke up at this moment.
A sound something between a howl and an oath startled the company and broke off the Doctor's sentence. Everybody's eyes turned in the direction from which it came. A group instantly gathered round the person who had uttered it, who was no other than Deacon Soper. "He's chokin'! he's chokin'!" was the first exclamation, "slap him on the back!"
"Deacon Soper," said the Colonel, "here is some Madary Judge Thornton recommends. Let me fill you a glass of it." The Deacon's eyes glistened. He was one of those consistent Christians who stick firmly by the first miracle and Paul's advice to Timothy. "A little good wine won't hurt anybody," said the Deacon. "Plenty, plenty, plenty. There!"
I scarcely supposed that the ship would recover herself, but suddenly she came up with a jerk, the bowsprit carried away, and the next moment it came right across our forecastle. "Rouse up, lads, and secure the foremast," shouted the captain. Led by the mates, with Brown, Ringold, Soper, Jim, and me, the crew rushed forward to secure the fore-topmast stay. We then got the bowsprit inboard.
He said he thought of going somewhere up the river. He had also thought, though he did not say so, that in fulfilment of an ancient promise he would take Miss Flossie to the play on Saturday afternoon. Yet when it came to the point he had some diffidence in asking her. She might not think it proper. It was Mr. Soper who precipitated his resolve.
We fortunately had a couple of axes with us, which were of great service, and while Soper and I lent a hand Jack went down to collect shell-fish, which he did much more rapidly than we could, being well accustomed to it. The weather was so fine that we required only a very slight hut, which we formed partly of the boat's sails and partly of the boughs and stems of small trees.
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