Part 25 (1/2)
”No, I don't fancy ye will,” he said, sniffing and chuckling and twitching his nose ”I hope ye'll hurt soh”
The captain then opened another chest, a sed out fro it with a heavy key he took off a bunch which was hanging up on a nail over his writing-desk and throwing back the lid
This second receptacle, we soon discovered, contained a lot of cartridges for the rifles, there being a hundred or more of various sorts, some for the breech-loaders and soulation size There were also a variety of save Toe of these latter for our weapons
In the chest, likewise, were two or three large flasks of powder and a lot of bullets loose, which the captain cra and told us to take on the poop with the rifles, To of bullets and powder-flasks and then returning for the rest
In our absence ”Old Jock” had ferreted out fro-place of his a couple of swords and a number of cutlasses, which he likewise directed us to take up the co us; until, presently, we had the whole arht
”Now, Mackay,” said Captain Gillespie, blowing like a grampus after his exertions, ”take y'r choice, but I think that the two best shots in the shi+p ought to have the Martini rifles; and if I were picking out the picked ' and 'picked,' didn't intend it though--I'd have chosen y'rself and the bosun!”
Of course we all laughed at his joke, as he had taken such pains to point it out; and he was so pleased with it hiain, he sniffed and snorted so much
”Not bad that, Mackay,” he said; ”not bad--eh? But which of these things would ye like best--eh?”
”I think I'll take the breech-loader, sir,” replied the other, suiting the action to the word and proceeding to examine the lock of one of the Martini-Henrys, which seemed to be an old acquaintance of his, for he loaded the chae my new acquisition; ”and I don't believe you could do better than hand the other to Rooney, as you suggested He's the best shot in the shi+p, I'm certain”
”Y'rself excepted,” interposed the captain wonderfully politely for hi out loudly at the same time, ”Bosun!”
”Here, sorr,” cried Ti below close to the poop ladder, expecting the suht ”Here I am, sorr”
”Well, bosun,” said Captain Gillespie, ”it looks as if we'll have to fight those rascals co for us The cowards!
They didn't dare attack the old barquey when she was all ataunto in the open sea; and only now rely on their nu in liht for it”
”Bully for ye, sorr!” cried Tiht, sure I'm niver at pace barrin' whin I'm in a row, sure, sorr!”
”Then you'll be soon in your elerimly ”Call the hands aft”
”Aye, aye, sorr,” answered Ti voice, ”All ha-a-nds aft!”
”Now,over the poop and addressing theot a batch of rascally pirates co up after us astern; and, as you knoe can't run away froht 'e cheer
”Ye'll fight 'eht 'e for the rest, who endorsed his answer on their behalf with a ”Hip, hip, hooray!”
”And one for the skipper,” shouted Joe Fergusson, as a sailor of sailors by this ti out of his old provincialisms ”Hip, hip, hooray!”
”And another for Mr Mackay,” cried a voice that sounded like that of Adaain with fresh force, this cheer being much heartier than the first