Part 47 (1/2)
”So good, sir, that the only regret I have in leaving the schooner is, that I cannot take him with me. He is my right-hand man and I owe much to him, and it will be a sore blow to him as well as to me.”
”I see, you want him made boatswain of your brig--that's it.”
”I a.s.sure you, admiral, I should be most grateful if you would have that kindness.”
”I am always ready to promote a good man; your recommending him, and his severe wound, are sufficient. He shall be your boatswain, Keene.”
”You are very kind, sir,” replied I. ”I hope I shall do justice to your patronage.”
”I've no fear of that, Keene, and I know that a man, to work well, should, as far as he can, choose his own tools. Mr Dott is waiting now, and as soon as he has his acting order, I will send him in to you.”
About ten minutes afterwards Mr Tommy Dott made his appearance; he extended his hand to me, saying, in a haw-haw way, ”Keene, my dear fellow, I'm glad to see you.” He certainly did look two or three inches taller, for he walked almost on tiptoe.
”Glad to see you, Tommy,” said I; ”well, what's the news?”
”Nothing, I believe, except what you have brought. I hear you had a bit of a brush, and got winged.”
”Even so, Tommy,” replied I, pointing to my wounded leg. ”The admiral has kindly asked me to stay here until I'm better.”
”I dine with him to-day,” replied Tommy; ”but as for staying here, I should think that rather a bore. By the bye, Keene, what sort of a craft is that Diligente brig which the Naiad and you took?”
”A very fine craft, Tommy: sails as well as the Firefly.”
”Oh, you, of course, swear by your own vessel; and there's nothing like the schooner--that's natural enough; now, I must say, I prefer something a little larger, and, therefore, I'm not sorry that I have my commission for the new brig.”
”Indeed! Tommy; I wish you joy,” replied I.
”Thank ye, Keene,” replied Tommy, very dignified. ”I wonder,” said he, ”what sort of a skipper we shall have. There's the first lieutenant of the Naiad has a good chance. I saw him: a very sharp sort of gentleman, and carries his head remarkably high; but that won't do for me. I'll not allow any captain to play tricks in a s.h.i.+p that I'm aboard of. I know the rules and regulations of the service as well as any one, and that the captain shall see, if he attempts to go beyond his tether.”
”Now, Tommy,” replied I, ”you know, that although you talk so big, if you had been appointed a lieutenant into a s.h.i.+p commanded by Lord de Versely, you would have been as much afraid of him as a lieutenant as you used to be as a mids.h.i.+pman.”
”Lord de Versely,” replied Tommy, who felt the truth of what I said: ”he's a peculiar sort of man.”
”Take my word for it, Tommy, you'll find all captains peculiar to one point; which is, that they expect respectful behaviour, and not cavilling, from their officers; and our service is so peculiar, that it is absolutely necessary that the officers should set this example to the men.”
”Yes; that may be very well; but who knows but the captain of the brig may be some young fellow, who has seen no more service than myself-- perhaps, not been to sea so long?”
”That is no reason that you should not obey his orders; indeed, if not experienced, you ought to do all you can to support him.”
”Well, if he was to ask my advice, indeed--”
”But he may not require your advice, Tommy, he may prefer deciding for himself. Now, the first lieutenant of the Naiad is a great Tartar, and I'm certain, if he is your captain, that, on the first word, he would have you under an arrest. There's an old saying, Tommy, 'It's folly to kick against tenpenny nails;' and that every officer does who kicks against his superior. I can a.s.sure you, Tommy, that if ever I am a captain, my officers shall obey me implicitly. I will have no cavilling at my orders. I will always treat them as gentlemen, and support their authority, as they ought to support mine; but captain of my own s.h.i.+p I would be, and I suspect that it would go hard with any officer who ventured to dispute my rights.”
”Well, I dare say you will be a martinet, or rather that you are one now, as you command a schooner. However, as I never intend to sail with you, that's nothing to me. I'm sure, from what has pa.s.sed, that you and I should have a row before we were a week on board; for I'm not to be played with.”
”Well, Tommy, I'm very glad we have had this explanation; for now we both know what to expect. I am resolved to be captain, you to resist my authority.”
”No, no, I don't say that--I only say that I won't be played with--I won't be trifled with.”
”Tommy, I will neither play nor trifle with you; nor will you ever play or trifle with me. We have done that as mids.h.i.+pmen; in our new relative situations it is not to be thought of for a moment. Read this.” I handed him my appointment as commander of the Diligente: Tommy cast his eyes over it, and at once saw that his promotion did not prevent his getting into sc.r.a.pes, as usual.