Page:Cerise, a tale of the last century (IA cerisetaleoflast00whytrich).pdf/240

 sea-birds were soaring and dipping, and wheeling joyously on the wing. The breeze whistled through the tackle, the waves leaped and lashed merrily against her sides, and the crew of the brigantine took their places, clean, well dressed, brown-faced, and bare-footed, on her deck. While the boatswain, who from sheer habit cast an eye continually aloft, observed her truck catch the first gleams of the morning sun, Captain George, carefully attired, issued from his cabin with a telescope under his arm, and made his first and last oration to the crew.

"My lads!" said he, "I've beat to quarters, this fine morning, before I get my anchor up, because I want to say a few words to you, and the sooner we understand each other the better! You've heard I'm a soldier. So I am! That's right enough; but, mark, you! I dipped my hand in the tar-bucket before I was old enough to carry a sword; so don't you ever think to come over me with skulking, for I've seen that game played out before. Mind you, I don't believe I've got a skulker on board; if I have, let him step forward and show himself. Over the side he goes, and I sail without him! Now, my lads, I know my duty and I know yours. I'll take care both are done. I'll have no grumbling and no quarrelling. If any man has a complaint to make, let him come to me, and out with it. A quarrelsome chap with his messmates is generally a shy cock when you put him down to fight. I'll have man-of-war's discipline aboard. You all know what that is, and those that don't like it must lump it. Last night there were three of you tried to take French leave and to steal my boat; I stopped that game with a little friend I keep in my belt. Look ye, my sons, next bout I'll cover the man instead of the tackle! I know who they are, well enough, but I mean to forget as soon as ever the anchor's up. I'll have a clean bill of health to take out into blue water. Now, my lads, attend to me! We've a long cruise before us, but we've a craft well-provisioned, well-found, and, I heartily believe, well-*manned. Whatever prizes we take, whatever profit we make on the cargo, from skipper to ship's boy, every one shall have his share according to the articles hung up in my cabin. We may have to fight, and we may not; it's the last job you're likely to shirk; but mind this—one skipper's