United States or Finland ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"You wouldn't like the body of your own mother to go heavenward after such a fashion, sinner as ye are, would ye, Jack?" "They are coming," observed the rover, without heeding Springall's words, "they are coming." It was a fine sight to see even a small number of such well-disciplined soldiers winding their way under the shadow of the hill nearest the scene of so many adventures.
Towards the latter part of the ditty, which was but little relished by the company, it was evident that Solomon had followed Grimstone's advice, for his snoring formed a loud and most inharmonious bass to the sweet boy-like melody of Springall's ballad. Robin had rejoined the party, but his face and lips were of a livid paleness, and he seemed labouring under evident distress.
Although the crew of the Fire-fly would have been looked upon by your genuine seaman as a set of half-castes, which they really were, yet they had, if possible, more recklessness of character than ever belonged to any number of persons so congregated together; they had so often jested at, and with death, in all its shapes, that it was little more than pastime; and they had in their own persons experienced so many hairbreadth 'scapes that they looked upon Springall's great and very natural anxiety for the fate of the ship he loved, as a species of madness which a little experience would soon cure him of.
"You are not going to be mad enough to follow any one into Sir Robert Cecil's hall!" argued De Guerre, at the same time seizing Springall's arm. "Oh, Lord! oh, Lord! that I should ever live to see you, sir, in league with a bogle! Why, I vow I had the mark of that devil's hand on me in black lumps, just as if I was burnt with what our scourer calls ague-fortys.
I would say, 'God direct me for the best! only I fear He has no thought of me, except for my girl's sake: and, Robin, touching her, I must again say, that " Whatever the Buccaneer would have added, Springall's entrance at the moment prevented. He seemed delighted at meeting Robin, and inquired in the same breath if he had been with his mother. Robin said, "No."
"Reptile! dare you barter words with me? Your commander's name?" The boy made no answer. "Dost hear me? Your commander's name?" and as the question was repeated, the mailed glove of the interrogator pressed painfully into Springall's flesh, without, however, eliciting a reply. "He has a name, I suppose?"
Is it rum, brandy, or Hollands?" inquired Roupall, who could see no more value in the timbers of the Fire-fly than in those of any other ship that carried a good cargo. Springall's enthusiasm was wasted on him; but it was followed by a reply from the hot-headed lad that would have led to more than words, if another of the party had not interfered. "For shame, Spring, to be so fiery!
But, Robin, you must not tarry; close watch shall be set for this dangerous imp, to prevent farther mischief; and if Springall's conjecture should be right yet it is most wild, and most improbable! What disguise will you adopt in this pursuit of our heedless friend?"
A good-humoured burst of approbation followed Springall's speech, which was hushed by some one of the party saying, "Here comes our Captain, and we can form no plan till he is present."
He then turned to look for his young companion, to whom he extended the boat-spear that had been of such service. Animated by his master's success and example, Springall's self-possession was confirmed; and both soon stood on the brow of the precipice. "Sharp sailing that, boy," observed the elder, as the youth panted at his side.
Word Of The Day