Blue Jackets; or, The Adventures of J. Thompson, A.B., Among "the Heathen Chinee": A Nautical NovelGreey, Edward
General
Blue Jackets; or, The Adventures of J. Thompson, A.B., Among "the Heathen Chinee": A Nautical Novel
Greey, Edward
Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Fiction; Seafaring life -- Fiction
Boy Jordun received all the honours, being sent in the pinnace with the
baggage. All the crew and marines shook hands with him, and he was
literally laden with presents. Just as he left the gangway a
quarter-master came to him to say the captain wanted him. William went
aft and saluted Woodward, who thereupon gave him a little advice and a
five-shilling-piece for the assistance he had given his steward in
taking an inventory of the furniture, &c., purchased by him of the late
captain. Jordun looked at the money and then at the captain, and with a
bow observed, "I saved yer from being done on the gear, sir, but you
will find a hawful lot of duffers among the bottles."
Woodward, who did not exactly understand the purport of the boy's
speech, upon this patted him upon the shoulder, told him to be a good
boy, and dismissed him. When the pinnace left the ship's side a ringing
cheer burst from the crew, three times three and one over being roared
forth with all the force of their powerful lungs.
"Good-bye, young Bill"--"Good-bye, chummy"--"Good luck to ye."
William Jordun stood up in the boat, gave three cheers by way of reply,
and--then blubbered.
"Mind you don't forget the parcel!" shouted a voice loud and clear above
the babel on board.
"You may take your halfadavit I won't," murmured the boy as he drew his
cuff across his eyes, and composed his mind to go on board the steamer.
The Lota had the blue peter flying, and was nearly ready to slip from
her moorings when the pinnace went alongside, and Jordun soon found
himself rid of his charge as far as baggage was concerned. After a
search he found Puffeigh's cabin, where he delivered sundry small
articles.
The P. and O. steamer was splendidly found, excellently manned, and well
commanded. Wonderful to tell, they did not flog their crew or treat them
like animals; yet, notwithstanding this, they managed to keep them in a
very complete state of discipline, so good that it puzzled Puffeigh.
However, as he despised anything that savoured of the merchant service,
he held his tongue and accepted the hospitality of the commander, as
homage to his superior rank, whereupon Captain Turner, who never toadied
a man in his life, quietly cut him, and confined his civility to wishing
him good morning when going his rounds.
As they left the harbour, dinner was announced; and Captain Turner
being engaged on deck, Puffeigh assumed his place at the head of the
table, a very inquisitive lady, who was placed in his charge by her
husband, being seated upon his right; the boy Jordun standing by, having
been directed to wait upon her, as a sort of extra attendant. Dinner was
nearly over, and Puffeigh well warmed with sherry, when a steward
pointed to a long parcel which was laid upon the glass-rack overhead,
and asked the captain if he knew it was there.
"What is it?"
"Don't know, sir," said the head steward. "It was brought on board for
you just as the ship turned ahead."
"Hand it down."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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