Blue Jackets Part 18

Then in his quiet, decided tones--

"Now, Mr Barkins--Mr Herrick, it is not your watch. You had better go below."

"Yes, sir; good-night, sir."

"Good-morning, you mean," he replied; and we two went down and turned in.

"I say, Gnat," cried Barkins in a sleepy voice; "old Tom Jecks'll be more chuckle-b.u.mptious than ever."

"Yes," I said; "that happened just right for him."

"Yes, that's the luck that kind of b.u.mble-head always gets. He'll set up--now--for--_snore_--set up for--oh, how sleepy I am! What say?"

"I didn't speak," I replied drowsily.

"Who said you did? Oh, I remember now. Tom Jecks'll set up for boss-- know--all now. Look here--you help me, and we'll gammon him into--be-- believing--he ought to make an alma--alma--nick--nack,"--_snore_.

Barkins was fast asleep, and I was just thinking how suddenly a drowsy person dropped off, when all at once I seemed to be back in the cabin of the burned ship, where I was searching the lockers for pirates, and then some one hauled me out of my berth by one leg, and I raised myself on my elbow to stare wildly at Smith.

CHAPTER NINE.

PREPARATIONS.

"At last!" he cried. "I began to think your eyelids were sewed up.

Dress yourself, sir; do you hear? Do you suppose that the junior officers of the _Teaser_ are kept here on purpose to set a bad example to the men?"

"Breakfast ready?" I said, yawning.

"Of course it is, sir. Kidneys and fried soles done to a shade. Fresh water-cresses, hot rolls, and all kinds of don't-you-wish-you-may-get-'ems, waiting. I say, look at old Tanner.

Let's rouse him up."

I rose slowly, and, with the customary malignity of one rudely wakened from sleep, began to feel a grim satisfaction in seeing my messmate robbed of his repose in turn.

"Cold pig?" suggested Smith.

"No, no; don't," I said. "It makes the place so wet."

"All right. Come here, then."

I was about to join him, when the peculiar vibration going on made me turn sharply to Smith.

"Hallo!" I said.

"What's the matter?"

"Under steam again?"

"Yes. Orders came soon after daylight, and we're going south with our tail between our legs. Skipper seems to think it's of no use trying any longer; and you mark my words, as soon as we're gone those beggars will come out of their creeks and begin murdering and burning every trading vessel they can catch."

"I am sorry," I said, as I recalled my interview with the captain.

"Sorry! I should think you are. So are we all. It's a shame, that's what it is, Gnat."

"It seems to be a pity, because we might run against them some time."

"Run against them! Why, of course. The scent's hot now. Oh, I only wish I was captain of this ship!"

"Wish you were, Smithy," said Barkins, yawning.

"Oh, you're awake at last, are you?"

"Of course I am. Who's to sleep with you yelping about like that. I say, if you were skipper, we'd share the cabin with you, and have a jolly time of it--eh?"

"Oh, would you?" cried Smith. "We'd see about that. I tell you what, though, if I was skipper, this gunboat shouldn't leave the station while there was a pirate on the east coast."

"Well, there won't be when we've done. I say--oh dear me!--how is it the legs of your trousers will get tangled when you want to put 'em on in a hurry."

"'Cause you put 'em on with your eyes tangled up. Hear that?"

"What, you gabbling?"

"No; the screw at work."

"Eh? Yes. What does it mean?"

"We're going back."

"No!"

"We are--full speed."

"Without yard-arming the beggars who took that ship."

"Yes; ain't it a shame?"

Barkins made no answer, but kept on dressing--s.n.a.t.c.hing on his clothes, so to speak; and when we went on deck that bright, fine morning, there was a lowering look upon every face; and the officers were all snappish, the men discontented, and scowling at the two figures marching up and down the quarter-deck side by side.

I felt disappointed, for we had been looking forward to the exciting moments when we should first overhaul some piratical junk. Of course I knew that there might be some danger, but I foresaw very little: our well-armed ship, with its strong, highly-disciplined crew, would over-ride every opposition offered by the half-savage Chinamen, I felt sure; and, like most people in the service, I felt that, if any one was hurt, it would be some one else. And now there was to be no further search for the pirates. We were going south again, probably to Hong-Kong; and I was sick of hot Hong-Kong, and doing nothing but drill.

I partook, then, of the general feeling of dissatisfaction that morning; and, feeling quite glum and vexed with myself, I leaned over the taffrail and gazed down at the bright, clear water in search of fish.

"I wish I hadn't spoken as I did last night," I said to myself later on; and I was going over the whole scene in the cabin, and thinking of what a noodle I must have looked, when I heard my name uttered in the captain's short, sharp voice.

I turned and saluted, to find that Mr Reardon had gone forward.

"I only want to repeat my caution to you, Mr Herrick," said the captain. "You will not say a word to any one about your visit to me last night."