Well, come what
will of this affair, it will leave me a master, though it is beyond the
power of the best duke in England to rob me of my share of the honor!"
With this consolation for his perfectly hopeless condition as respects
promotion, the old seaman walked forward, examining critically into the
state of the vessel; while his young commander, having cast a look about
him, motioned to his prisoner and the Alderman to follow to the poop.
"I do not pretend to inquire into the nature of the tie which unites you
with some in this ship," Ludlow commenced, addressing his words to
Seadrift, though he kept his gaze on the recent gift of Alida; "but, that
it must be strong, is evident by the interest they have taken in your
fate. One who is thus esteemed should set a value on himself. How far you
have trifled with the laws, I do not wish to say; but here is an
opportunity to redeem some of the public favor. You are a seaman, and need
not be told that my ship is not as strongly manned as one could wish her
at this moment, and that the services of every Englishman will be welcome.
Take charge of these six guns, and depend on my honor that your devotion
to the flag shall not go unrequited."
"You much mistake my vocation, noble captain;" returned the dealer in
contraband, faintly laughing. "Though one of the seas, I am one more used
to the calm latitudes than to these whirlwinds of war. You have visited
the brigantine of our mistress, and must have seen that her temple
resembles that of Janus more than that of Mars.
Pages:
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500