Part 18 (1/2)

Then in his quiet, decided tones--

”Now, Mr Barkins--Mr Herrick, it is not your watch. You had better go below.”

”Yes, sir; good-night, sir.”

”Good-morning, you mean,” he replied; and we two went down and turned in.

”I say, Gnat,” cried Barkins in a sleepy voice; ”old Tom Jecks'll be more chuckle-b.u.mptious than ever.”

”Yes,” I said; ”that happened just right for him.”

”Yes, that's the luck that kind of b.u.mble-head always gets. He'll set up--now--for--_snore_--set up for--oh, how sleepy I am! What say?”

”I didn't speak,” I replied drowsily.

”Who said you did? Oh, I remember now. Tom Jecks'll set up for boss-- know--all now. Look here--you help me, and we'll gammon him into--be-- believing--he ought to make an alma--alma--nick--nack,”--_snore_.

Barkins was fast asleep, and I was just thinking how suddenly a drowsy person dropped off, when all at once I seemed to be back in the cabin of the burned s.h.i.+p, where I was searching the lockers for pirates, and then some one hauled me out of my berth by one leg, and I raised myself on my elbow to stare wildly at Smith.

CHAPTER NINE.

PREPARATIONS.

”At last!” he cried. ”I began to think your eyelids were sewed up.

Dress yourself, sir; do you hear? Do you suppose that the junior officers of the _Teaser_ are kept here on purpose to set a bad example to the men?”

”Breakfast ready?” I said, yawning.

”Of course it is, sir. Kidneys and fried soles done to a shade. Fresh water-cresses, hot rolls, and all kinds of don't-you-wish-you-may-get-'ems, waiting. I say, look at old Tanner.

Let's rouse him up.”

I rose slowly, and, with the customary malignity of one rudely wakened from sleep, began to feel a grim satisfaction in seeing my messmate robbed of his repose in turn.

”Cold pig?” suggested Smith.

”No, no; don't,” I said. ”It makes the place so wet.”

”All right. Come here, then.”

I was about to join him, when the peculiar vibration going on made me turn sharply to Smith.

”Hallo!” I said.

”What's the matter?”

”Under steam again?”

”Yes. Orders came soon after daylight, and we're going south with our tail between our legs. Skipper seems to think it's of no use trying any longer; and you mark my words, as soon as we're gone those beggars will come out of their creeks and begin murdering and burning every trading vessel they can catch.”