"It's the finest sight I ever saw in my life, Bross," he said when the
other had finished. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I've been
feeling very low this last week, and it's done me good. Don't talk
nonsense about leaving the ship. I wouldn't lose you for anything after
this, but if you like to ship a fresh mate and crew you can please
yourself. If you'll only come up to the house and let Mrs. Pearson see
you--she's been ailing--I'll give you a couple of pounds. Now, get your
bonnet and come."
THE BOATSWAIN'S WATCH
Captain Polson sat in his comfortable parlour smiling benignly upon his
daughter and sister. His ship, after an absence of eighteen months, was
once more berthed in the small harbour of Barborough, and the captain
was sitting in that state of good-natured affability which invariably
characterised his first appearance after a long absence.
"No news this end, I suppose," he inquired, after a lengthy recital of
most extraordinarily uninteresting adventures.
"Not much," said his sister Jane, looking nervously at her niece. "Young
Metcalfe has gone into partnership with his father."
"I don't want to hear about those sharks," said the captain, waxing red.
"Tell me about honest men."
"Joe Lewis has had a month's imprisonment for stealing fowls," said Miss
Polson meekly.
Pages:
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120