Part 9 (1/2)
But the conversation was interrupted at this point by the appearance of the cook, whose legs were more tangled up by his tipples than his master's. He delivered the request of Captain Sullendine that they should come into the cabin, and partake of the lunch which had been set out for them. As they moved towards the companion, they saw Sopsy creep over to the alley where Bokes had been sleeping, and take up the bottle of apple-jack Christy had given him, and drink from it. It was evident to them that the cook could not be much longer in condition for any duty.
The two mates went below as invited, and found the captain at the table.
He had brought out the bottle of whiskey, and was eating of the dishes before him, but plainly with little relish.
”Have another little drink, Mr. Balker; but I think Mr. Sandman had better not take anymore,” said the master, whose speech was rather thick by this time.
”Thank you, Captain Sullendine; I will do a little in that way, for we are likely to have a very damp night of it,” replied Graines, as he helped himself, though he did not take ten drops.
”A little does one good; but it don't do to take too much when we have very important business on our hands. After that one, Mr. Balker, I advise you not to take any more till we get clear of the blockaders,”
added the skipper, as he emptied the bottle into his gla.s.s.
The ham on the table was of excellent quality, and the two mates ate heartily of it, with the s.h.i.+p-bread. The last dose the captain had taken appeared to cap the climax, and he could no longer eat, or talk so as to be clearly understood. When the mates had finished their lunch, they saw that the skipper had dropped asleep in his chair. They rose from their places, and rattled the stools. The noise roused the sleeper, and he sprang to his feet with a violent start.
”What's time'z it, Mr. Zbalker?” he demanded, catching hold of the table to avoid falling on the cabin floor.
He seemed to be conscious that he was not presenting a perfectly regular appearance to his new officers; and he dropped into his chair, making a ludicrous effort to stiffen his muscles and put on his dignity, but it was a failure.
”Quarter-past two, Captain Sullendine,” replied Graines in answer to the question.
”Most an hour more 'fore we git started,” stammered the invalid.
”I didn't sleep none last night, I'm sleepy. I'm go'n to turn in for half an hour, 'n then I'll be on deck ready for busi-- ready for buzness.”
Graines a.s.sisted him to his stateroom, for he could not walk, and he was afraid he would fall and hurt himself. He helped him into his berth, and arranged him so that he could sleep it off, and he did not care if he did not do so before the next day. He waited till he had dropped off into a deep slumber, and then joined Christy in the cabin.
”If I had not been a temperance man before, I should be now,” said the lieutenant. ”It is just as well that the captain is clean over the bay, for we might have been obliged to shoot him if he had been sober.”
”But we could have taken possession of the vessel in spite of him, if the steamer had not interfered,” replied Graines, as he led the way to the deck. ”I don't see that we have anything to do but wait for the moving of the waters, or for the moving of the steamer. I suppose our men are all right forward.”
”I have no doubt of it, though I have not seen them lately. I gave one of the bottles of apple-jack the captain sent forward for them to Bokes, and poured the contents of the other into Mobile Bay. I think we had better go forward and look the vessel over,” said Christy.
They had gone but a few steps before they stumbled over the body of Sopsy, who had evidently succ.u.mbed to the quant.i.ty of firewater he had consumed. He had a.s.sisted Bokes to empty the bottle given to him, and both of them were too far gone to give an alarm if they discovered at any time that something was wrong about the movements of the West Wind.
They found the Belleviters lounging about on the cotton bales, some of them asleep, and others carrying on a conversation in a low tone. They were glad to see their officers, who told them the time for some sort of action was rapidly approaching. Then they went to the bow of the vessel, where they found that she was anch.o.r.ed, though the chain had been hove short. The hawser by which she was to be towed to sea was made fast to the bowsprit bitts, and led to the stern of the steamer, where it was doubtless properly secured.
While they were looking over the bow, a boat approached from the Tallahatchie, and an officer hailed, asking for Captain Sullendine.
”He is in the cabin; I am the mate,” replied the engineer, ”and the captain has s.h.i.+pped a new crew, we are all right now.”
”Weigh your anchor at three short whistles,” added the officer.
”Understood, and all right,” said the new mate.
The boat pulled back to the steamer.
CHAPTER IX
THE DEPARTURE OF THE TALLAHATCHIE