"Maintop there, send down the hauling line on the starboard
side."
"Ay, ay, sir."
"Now then, my lads, clap on, and run it up at once."
"Maintop, there," hailed the captain, "be a little smarter, or by
G----d, I'll call you down for something." This did not come with a
good grace from one who had done nothing, to those who were working with
all their energy. "Mr Simple," said the captain, "I wish you would carry
on duty with less noise."
"At all events, he set us that example during the action," muttered the
Joe Miller; and the other men laughed heartily at the implication. In
two hours, during which we had carefully watched the enemy, who still
lay where we left him, we were again ready for action.
"Shall I give the men their grog now, sir?" said I to the captain; "they
must want it."
"No, no," replied the captain; "no, no, Mr Simple, I don't like what you
call _Dutch_ courage."
"I don't think he much does; and this fellow has shown plenty of it,"
said the Joe Miller, softly; and the men about him laughed heartily.
"I think, sir," observed I, "that it is an injustice to this fine ship's
company to hint at their requiring Dutch courage." (Dutch courage is a
term for courage screwed up by drinking freely.) "And I most
respectfully beg leave to observe, that the men have not had their
afternoon's allowance; and, after the fatigues they have undergone,
really require it."
"I command this ship, sir," replied he.
"Certainly, sir, I am aware of it," rejoined I.
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