[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
honestly, I don't believe the admiral did send us here for such a purpose, nor
do I believe we are one whit worse than those who stigmatize our characters in
so wholesale and careless a manner.
Next in order of events comes the admiral's inspection searching, [212]of
course, as all his inspections are known to be. He has a curious knack of
catching people on what, in lower-deck phrase, is styled the "ground-hop," and
generally succeeds, by his rapid and pertinent questions, in putting people
into such utter confusion of ideas that negatives and affirmatives are bundled
out indiscriminately, if indeed the mouth can be induced to open itself at
all, or to frame any speech. However, in one department, at least, he got as
good as he gave. Whilst visiting the magazine he suddenly gave the order,
"fire on the flat!" The gunner's mate in charge of the magazine, whom we will
call "Topper," immediately closed the hatch and stood on guard over it.
Turning around, the admiral said "I want to go into the magazine;" but
observing that "Topper" still stood motionless, he again repeated the order.
"You can't, sir," was the rejoinder, "because there is fire in the flat." "Oh!
very well," replied the admiral, "cease fire!" With great promptitude and
despatch the hatch was removed, and the admiral prepared to descend, but was
once more checked, and was informed that if he complied with the magazine
regulations, and left his shoes and sword behind, he might do so. He fared no
better down below, I believe, and left the magazine perfectly satisfied with
the conduct of affairs in that region.
A few days before sailing, a suggestion made by Mr. Robinson, the officer
whose kindnesses I have had occasion to note before, met with universal favor.
For a very small sum each man, a telegram was sent to Mr. R 's agent in
London, in the following words "When will 'Audacious' commission, and probably
sail?" For three days nothing else was spoken of, and various were [213]the
speculations as to the answer. It came "Early September." Very short, but to
the point, though to some rather ambiguous. To which did the answer refer, the
commissioning, or the sailing? Reason implied the former, as, knowing it, the
latter might be inferred. A subsequent telegram set the matter at rest.
April 19th. After a more than ordinarily long stay at Hong Kong, to-day sees
us clearing out of the harbour on our projected summer cruise. The following
ships besides ourselves comprised the squadron "Curaçoa," "Encounter,"
"Albatross," "Swift," "Daring," and "Foxhound," with the "Vigilant" and
"Zephyr," which accompanied us out of the harbour. On parting company with the
admiral we shaped course for Manilla, the admiral being specially careful to
give Captain Tracey injunctions not to forget to bring him 2,000 cigars from
that place. We were then sailing under sealed orders.
April 24th. This morning, having sent the "Swift" back to Hong Kong, the
sealed orders were opened, and, to the surprise of everybody to the captain's
not less than to our own we were not to go to Manilla at all! This in the face
of what the admiral said to the captain! Well, up helm, and away we go for
Loo-Choo; it does not signify much where we go for the next six or eight
months, I suppose.
April 25th. Caught our first shark. Yes; one out of the many scores in the
vicinity actually meditated an attack on our four-pound piece. However he
discovered, to his cost, that a barbed hook is no easy matter to digest. He
was landed inboard in a trice, and handed over to the tender mercies of the
forecastle hands. Now it was [214]a most unfortunate thing for that shark that
one of these same tender hands had, that very morning, lost a "hook pot" of
fish off the range, through the kind services of some obliging shipmate. Hence
revenge was the dominant feeling in that man's breast. Electing himself
butcher-in-chief, sharko's spirit was soon gathered to his fathers.
A most devilish contrivance torpedo, electric wire, and all complete was
invented by our torpedo officer for the accommodation of the next friendly
shark. With this little affair safely stowed within his stomach, he would find
Page 87
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
his internal arrangements subject to sudden and unaccountable tension. Enough
this to make the shark parliament pass a bill condemning all illicit grabbing.
April 20th. Off the east of Formosa, and during the middle watch, the ships of
the squadron were caught aback in a sudden squall. There was a deuce of a
commotion up aloft, sails flapping and splitting, ropes cracking, and blocks
rattling till further orders. To establish order amongst these refractory
things the hands were called. Next day the wind crept ahead and gradually
freshened to what looked and felt extremely like a gale. The poor little
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]