Page:Morley roberts--Blue Peter--sea yarns.djvu/110

94 "Set this man to work," said Greig, "and keep your eye on him."

And Brogger went forward like a lamb.

"It's cruel! it's cruel!" said Brogger. But in less than two shakes of a lamb's tail he found himself getting paint out of the bo'-son's locker in company with Corlett and Jack Eales.

"What you've got to do, sonny," said Jack, who had half a mind to be sorry for him, "is to do your duty and do it smart and quick. Just now you're off-colour, so to speak, in spite of that 'ealthy complexion of yours, and you don't feel well. Exercise will do you good. We'll have you on a topsail-yard yet singin' out: '’Aul out to loo'ard' with the best." He turned to Corlett.

"What's all this bally paint for, Corlett?" he asked.

"Blamed if I know," said his mate.

But the other men were rigging up stages and getting them over the side, awhile the bo'son mixed the paint. It was blue, and Corlett stared hard at Eales.

"Well, I'm d-dashed," said Eales; "this is the queerest start!"