Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 2.djvu/304

 Suddenly a loud, commanding, impressive voice thundered out the words:

"Every man to his postpost! [sic] Stop the ship!"

Johnson instinctively obeyed, and it was high time, for the Forward was steaming along at such a rate, that, before another minute, it must have dashed against the rocky walls.

But Johnson was the only man that obeyed. Shandon, Clawbonny, and the entire crew, even the stoker and the cook, assembled on deck, and they all saw a man coming out of the captain's cabin, the mysterious cabin, so closely locked hitherto, the key of which was in the captain's sole possession. This man was none other than the sailor Garry.

"Sir," said Shandon, turning pale. "Garry, you—what right have you to command?"

"Duk!" called Garry, giving the same identical whistle which had so perplexed the crew.

At the sound of his right name the dog gave one bound on to the poop, and stretched himself quietly at his master's feet. Not one of the crew said a word. The possession of the key, the dog sent by him, which now proved, as it were, his identity, together with the tone of command, which it was impossible to mistake, had a great effect on the minds of the men, and sufficed to establish Garry's authority.

Besides, Garry was hardly recognizable. He had shaved off his big whiskers, and his face appeared more impassive than before, and more energetic and imperious. He was dressed now as befitted his rank, and had the air of one used to command.

The crew were quite taken by storm, and, with sailor-like mobility of character, burst out in loud cheers for the captain, who desired Shandon to muster them in order, as he wished to inspect them. When they were all drawn up in file, he passed along in front of them and had a suitable word to say to each, treating them according to their past conduct.

Then he mounted the poop, and in a calm voice said:

"Officers and sailors, I am an Englishman like yourselves, and my motto is that of Admiral Nelson, England expects every man to do his duty."

"As an Englishman I am unwilling, we are unwilling, that any should be braver than ourselves, and venture where