Various startling schemes propounded by the
skipper for obtaining possession of his men's attire were rejected by
the youth as unlawful, and, what was worse, impracticable. For a couple
of hours they discussed ways and means, but only ended in diatribes
against the mean ways of the crew; and the skipper, whose head ached
still from his excesses, fell into a state of sullen despair at length,
and sat silent.
"By Jove, Tommy, I've got it," he cried suddenly, starting up and
hitting the table with his fist. "Where's your other suit?"
"That ain't no bigger that this one," said Tommy.
"You git it out," said the skipper, with a knowing toss of his head.
"Ah, there we are. Now go in my state-room and take those off."
The wondering Tommy, who thought that great grief had turned his
kinsman's brain, complied, and emerged shortly afterwards in a blanket,
bringing his clothes under his arm.
"Now, do you know what I'm going to do?" inquired the skipper, with a
big smile.
"No."
"Fetch me the scissors, then. Now do you know what I'm going to do?"
"Cut up the two suits and make 'em into one," hazarded the horror-
stricken Tommy. "Here, stop it! Leave off!"
The skipper pushed him impatiently off, and, placing the clothes on the
table, took up the scissors, and, with a few slashing strokes, cut them
garments into their component parts.
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