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"Where's Major Clavering? I'll ask to dismiss the men." "They are dismissing a great many little men, forward, I suspect," said the first-mate, laughing. "I cannot imagine what induced Captain Oughton to give the order: we never shake bedding except when the ship's before the wind." This last very consoling remark made it worse than all; the officers were in an agony.
The first-mate, having hold of one of the ropes leading down the main-mast, clung fast to save himself, and in so doing also broke the fall of Newton; but the weight of their bodies dragged the rope through Jackson's hands, which were lacerated to the bone. Neither party were much hurt by the fall; so that the treachery of Jackson recoiled upon himself.
Mark looked at the poor, wretched, piteous face, and then up at the mate, whose countenance was like cast-iron with the tip of his nose red-hot. He glanced at Mr Morgan, who was frowning and looked annoyed, but who smiled at Mark as their eyes met. "Here, Billy Widgeon, fetch one of the dock police," cried the first-mate.
Still no reply but this dismal moaning "Oh!" a piteous appeal in its way, which made Mark shudder. "I'll try again," said the first-mate. "Here, hi! Where are you?" He paused, and they all listened. He shouted again and again, but with no result, and turning to the second-mate he said: "The poor wretch is insensible, I'm afraid." "Yes, he seems beyond answering. Where do you make him out to be?"
In a few more broadsides the cutter was a complete wreck, and unable to return the fire of her opponent. Her fore-stay and halyards had been cut away, her fore-sail was down on deck, and her jib lying overboard, under her bows. "I think that will do," said McElvina to the first-mate.
"It's fighting, as sure as I'm a soldier," said the major nodding his head. "You're right, Morgan," said the first-mate hoarsely. "Come along, quick! There's something wrong aboard the ship." "Aboard our ship the Petrel?" cried Mark, with a curious choking sensation coming upon him, and his heart beating rapidly.
"But you'll fight, Gregory, if called on, eh?" said the major. "Try me," replied the first-mate gruffly. "Well, Captain Strong, what's it to be?" said the major; "a bold attack upon the scoundrelly set of jail-sweepings and a lesson for them in British valour?" "No attack, Major O'Halloran, but a bold defence, sir. Weak as we are it is the better policy." "Then you mean to hold the ship, Strong?"
The necessary bows were exchanged, and Mr Williams, the first-mate, desired to show the officers to their respective accommodations, when he would be able to ascertain what part of their luggage was required, and be enabled to strike the remainder down into the after-hold.
"Why, of course we will. I want to make J Small, his mark, on some of their brown carkidges. Don't you, boys?" A low whispered growl came in reply, a sound that was as full of fight as if it had been uttered by some fierce beast. "That will do then," said the first-mate. "You slip up there first, Billy Widgeon, and you others go next. Stop: Billy, send down a table-cloth."
He should regain a measure, at least, of his old distinction and beauty before any, beyond these, looked on his face. And so his own men-servants Captain Vanstone, capable, humorous, and alert and Price, the red-headed, Welsh first-mate, of varied and voluminous gift of invective continued to nurse him. These men loved him.
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