Page:Doctor Syn - A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh.djvu/37

 THE CAPTAIN

UST as suddenly as the pandemonium had begun, just so suddenly did it cease, for there strode through the door a short, thick-set man, with a bull neck and a red face, a regular rough fighting dog, who, by his dress and the extraordinary effect he produced upon the men, Denis and Jerk at once knew to be an officer.

"Bo'sun," he said in a thick voice, addressing one of the sailors, "in a quarter of an hour pipe the men outside the inn, and we'll see to the billeting. Meantime make 'em pay for their drinks and no chalking. Hi, youngster!" he cried, catching hold of young Jerk by the ear, "if you're the potboy, tumble round behind and look after your job." Jerk, mentally consigning him to the gibbet, did as he was ordered, for his ear was hurting horribly.

"And now, sir," went on the officer, addressing himself to Denis, "is there anyone in this law-forsaken hole who can answer questions in King's English?"

"Certainly, sir," said Denis proudly, "if they are asked with a civil tongue. I am Denis Cobtree, and