Part 4 (2/2)

”Arrah now, I'll be drowned entirely,” bawled Gerald, as the water again washed over him. His shouts fortunately at this juncture attracted the attention of Jack, who, setting him and Tom on their legs, told them to go below and turn into their hammocks, as they were not of the slightest use on deck.

Drenched to the skin and crest-fallen, after holding on to each other for half a minute and gazing round them at the dark tumultuous billows, they did as they were bid, glad to strip off their wet clothes and endeavour to get between the blankets.

”Sure I'm after feeling mighty quare,” said Gerald, as he was trying to scramble into his hammock, but it would not remain quiet as it was accustomed to do.

”So do I,” groaned Tom, ”I didn't think anything could upset me, but this is awful.”

”Faith there's but little fun in it at all at all,” cried Gerald, who had succeeded in getting in and covering himself up. ”Will we all be drowned, do you think?”

”I hope not; my brother Jack seems to consider that there's nothing in it, and of course he's right--oh!”

The frigate gave a pitch, which made Tom feel as if he was going to be shot feet foremost along the deck.

”Arrah, now, where will we be after going to?” cried Paddy, from his hammock.

”Belay the slack of your jaws, youngsters,” growled out old Higson, who had just turned in after his watch, and being perfectly indifferent to all the rolling and pitching, and the wild uproar of the elements, wanted to go to sleep.

”If you make such a row, my colt and your backs will become acquainted with each other before long.”

”Why, man alive, it isn't we are making the row, sure it's the wind and the big waves outside the s.h.i.+p,” exclaimed Paddy.

The mids.h.i.+pmen's small voices were, however, much more disturbing to the old mate than the sounds of the gale. A threatening growl was the only answer he condescended to make, as he had no intention to take the trouble of turning out of his hammock to execute the vengeance he promised.

Tom also by this time was dropping off to sleep, and Gerald shortly after followed his example. They ought properly to have kept the morning watch, but they were not called till the hammocks were piped up.

They had then to turn out, feeling utterly unable to do anything but sit on their chests and languidly clutch their wet clothes. The two marines acting as their servants at length came aft, looking as pale and miserable as they were, and suggested that it would be wiser to get out some dry things. Dressing, after several pauses, was accomplished, and was.h.i.+ng having been dispensed with, they managed to reel into the berth.

There sat Higson, with coffee-pot in hand, and most of the other oldsters holding on to cups and plates, the biscuit-boat and more substantial viands being secured by puddings on the table.

”I've ordered some fat bacon especially for you fellows,” said the former, looking at Tom and Gerald; ”it's the best thing for you.”

”Oh, don't,” they groaned in chorus. ”Horrible!”

”Why don't? You'll never become sailors till you've eaten half a pound apiece every morning, for at least a week.”

The fat bacon was brought. Tom tried to lift a piece to his mouth at the end of his fork, but his hips curled, he could not have done it to save his life. Gerald essayed to do likewise with the same result.

They were not alone in their misery. The a.s.sistant-surgeon, two clerks, and another mids.h.i.+pman looked equally pale and miserable.

”Come, come, youngsters, munch away,” said Hickson; ”it's time to finish breakfast.”

”I wish to be a sailor,” cried Tom, again manfully lifting the piece of pork towards his loathing lips, but though his spirit was high his feelings overcame him, and he bolted out of the berth, followed by Gerald and several others, amid the laughter of the seasoned hands.

Tom's misfortunes did not end here, for the frigate giving a violent roll he b.u.t.ted head foremost right between the legs of Mr Jennings, the tall lieutenant of marines, who not being especially firm on them just then, was upset in a moment. The rest of the party, including McTavish, the a.s.sistant-surgeon, escaping from the berth now came tumbling over them, and there the whole lay stretched on the deck, kicking frantically, as if knocked over by a dose of canister fired into their midst.

The prostrate officer, utterly unable to rise, shouted for some time in vain for a.s.sistance; at length his cries were heard by the corporal of marines and two of his men, who hurrying aft to his rescue, hauled off the superinc.u.mbent mids.h.i.+pmen and McTavish, and set Lieutenant Jennings, foaming with indignation, on his legs.

”Beg pardon, sir, I didn't intend it,” cried Tom; ”I won't do it again.”

But Tom was counting without his host, for at that instant the s.h.i.+p, giving another roll, threw him once more against the luckless lieutenant, who grasping at the corporal, over they all went, McTavish and Gerald, who had been thrown against the other jollies, bringing them again right over Lieutenant Jennings to the deck.

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