Page:Life on the Mississippi (IA lifeonmississipptwai).pdf/81

Rh majesty of his great position, and made the world feel it, too. When he gave even the simplest order, he discharged it like a blast of lightning, and sent a long, reverberating peal of profanity thundering after it. I could not help contrasting the way in which the average landsman would give an order, with the the mate's way of doing it.



If the landsman should wish the gang-plank moved a foot farther forward, he would probably say: "James or William, one of you push that plank forward, please:" but put the mate in his place, and he would roar out: "Here, now, start that gang-plank for'ard! Lively, now! What're you about! Snatch it! snatch it! There! there! Aft again!