Part 34 (2/2)
”Yes,” said Barney, thrusting in his head, ”that was as fair as could be, Master Syd.”
”What you, Barney!”
”Bo'sun, sir. I wouldn't interrupt you afore, 'cause I knowed you wouldn't like it, but the captain wants to see you.”
”What!” cried Sydney, as he clapped his hands to his swollen nose and lips. ”Wants to see me?”
”Soon as ever he's done his braxfa.s.s, sir.”
”Oh, what shall I do?” cried Syd.
”Dunno, sir,” said the boatswain, grinning, ”unless you sends word you're sea-sick, for you do look bad.”
”No, no, I can't do that.”
”Oh, I dunno, sir,” said the boatswain, chuckling. ”You was sea-sick months before you joined your s.h.i.+p, so I don't see why you shouldn't be now. My Panny-mar's got it too. Took bad last night.”
”What, has he been fighting?”
”Didn't ask him, sir; but he can't see out of his eyes, and when I asked him how he felt, he grinned like all on one side.”
”I heard there was a fight with a new boy,” piped out Jenkins. ”Had it out with Monkey Bill and licked him. Was that your boy, bo'sun?”
”That's him, sir. We all comes of a fighting breed; him and me and the cap'en and Master Syd here. Skipper's awful, and I shall be sorry for the Frenchies and Spanles as he tackles. Well, Master Syd, what am I to tell the captain's sarvant 'bout you?”
”Go and ask to see the captain,” said Syd, firmly, ”and tell him that I have been having a fight, and am not fit to come.”
”Hear that?” said the boatswain, looking proudly round--”hear that, young gen'lemen? That's Bri'sh bull-dog, that is. What do you think of your messmate now?”
The middies gave a cheer, and crowded round Syd as Terry bent over the locker to bathe his swollen face, and he looked up once, but did not say a word.
”Some says fighting among boys is a bad thing,” muttered the boatswain, as he went on deck, ”and I don't approve of it. But when one chap bullies all the rest, same as when one country begins to wallop all the others, what are you to do?”
CHAPTER NINETEEN.
As Bo'sun Strake reached the deck, he came suddenly upon the first lieutenant, and touched his hat.
”Where have you been, my man?”
”Down below, sir.”
”I said where have you been, my man?” said the lieutenant, sternly.
”Young gentlemen's quarters, sir.”
”What was going on there?”
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