Seeing Lanyard was angry and in earnest, he now did as desired. So we were presently on his deck, when we found he was a running ship, who, not liking our appearance, had very properly tried to escape in the first instance, and, finding that impossible, to fight, if need were, in the second. All his papers were right, and I had time to take a squint at the passengers. There were several ladies on board--three, I think--an elderly one, and two very handsome girls. They were now all on deck, surrounded by the male passengers, the Spartan band who had made such a hostile demonstration on the poop, some of whom cut rather conspicuous figures, in their shooting jackets, with bran-new red turkey leather pocketbooks peeping out of the numberless pockets, and gay seal-skin caps, and natty waistcoats, with lots of chains and seals--every thing, in fact, of the newest and gaudiest--and oh for the murder and piracy of his Majesty's English amongst the Cockney crew! One spruce young fellow--the youth whose musket had gone off by mistake--had chosen to equip himself, sailor fashion, jacket, trowsers, and white vest, with a straw hat and black ribbon, and lots of bright brass buttons, all astonishingly fine. He kept swaggering about the deck, on which, by the way, he could hardly stand, and twice, rather unceremoniously, thrust himself between me and one of the young ladies, to whom I happened to be speaking. I determined to give him a fright. So I tipped the wink to Marline. "Dogvane, order the boat's crew on deck." "Ay, ay, sir." "Now, captain, have the kindness to muster your people, if you please." The man remonstrated, but the midshipman insisted; and presently the poor fellows were ranged on the lee-side of the quarterdeck, each in momentary dread of being selected as pressed men. "Why, sir," persisted the captain, "I solemnly protest against this; we carry a letter of marque, sir; and it is more than your rating is worth to take any of my hands. I solemnly protest against such conduct." Marline apparently gave in. "Very well, sir; but we must be manned by hook or crook, you know, however unwilling to distress running ships. Oh, I see--_there_ is a smart hand, in the gay jacket there, who does not seem to belong to your crew--a good seaman, evidently, by the cut of his jib." This last part of his speech was intended to be overheard by the fresh-water sailor with the brass buttons, who now toddled up--the vessel was rolling a good deal--smirking and smiling--"Why, captain, I have paid great attention since we embarked, and really I have become a very capital sailor, sir. Do you know I have been twice through the lubber's hole?" "Really! I knew you were a thorough good bit of stuff;" and then in a gruff voice, "so hand up your bag, sir, and step into the boat." "Hand up my bag, and step into the boat!" said the poor fellow, all abroad; "my bag! la, sir, my clothes a'n't packed, and why should I go into your boat?"