" "You're
dainty, that's wot you are. Look at the others--look how they're eating
theirs!"
At this hint the others came out of their bunks and fell to, and the
"Bruiser" became affable.
"It's wonderful wot I can turn my 'and to," he remarked pleasantly.
"Things come natural to me that other men have to learn. You 'd better
put a bit of raw beef on that eye o' yours, Sam."
The thoughtless Sam clapped on a piece from his plate, and it was only
by the active intercession of the rest of the crew that the sensitive
cook was prevented from inflicting more punishment.
From this time forth the "Bruiser" ruled the roost, and, his temper
soured by his trials, ruled it with a rod of iron. The crew, with the
exception of Dowse, were small men getting into years, and quite unable
to cope with him. His attitude with the skipper was dangerously
deferential, and the latter was sorely perplexed to think of a way out
of the mess in which he found himself.
"He means business, George," he said one day to the mate, as he saw the
"Bruiser" watching him intently from the galley.
"He looks at you worse an' worse," was the mate's cheering reply. "The
cooking's spoiling what little temper he's got left as fast as
possible."
"It's the scandal I'm thinking of," groaned the skipper; "all becos' I
like to be a bit pleasant to people.
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