"That ain't the Start light; it's the Shambles6," growled7 an aged9 tar2, who, wrapped up to the eyes in a lammy frock, strongly resembled a polar bear.
"I tell ye it's the Start," urged another speaker; "I was borned not far off it, and I ought to know."
"You was borned?" contemptuously observed the old man who had first spoken; "you, was borned? Well, I suppose every one has been borned as well as you. But I say it's the Shambles, and I don't care a button who says it isn't."
"There's the Portland light," cried another; and so they made out each beacon11 as it came in view, and yarned12 away the time utterly13 regardless of its being their watch below.
The "watch on deck" worked like lightning; and Tortle, who was on the bridge with Cravan, observed they were as smart a crew as he had ever commanded.
"Yes," sneered14 the first lieutenant15, "they can move quick enough, the lubbers, now they smell the land; they are not as smart as this in a gale17 of wind."
Forward, the gun-ports of the forecastle were swarming18 with the watch below and idlers, and it was amusing to hear their ideas as to what they would do with their money when they were paid off; the opinions of the old petty officers being listened to with the utmost attention and respect by the boys, who believed their mess-bullies possessed19 the most profound knowledge of nautical20 human affairs.
"I say, Bill Farley, won't your old woman be in Portsmouth to meet you?" observed a leathern-visaged individual to a fat old boatswain's yeoman, who, with round figure and small head, looked like a turtle standing21 on its hind22 fins23.
"She will be there, me hearty24—trust her. My old gal16 has never missed a voyage but once, and then I lost my way, and by the time I reached her I had only a penny in my pocket. Ha, ha, ha!"
This being the signal for a laugh, the spectators joined in the roar, but the moral of the story was not lost on the boys, who whispered to each other, "Ah, old Bill's bin25 a gay one, ain't he?"
"How are you goin' to spend your whack26, Joseph?" demanded another old salt, addressing a marine27 who was seated on the starboard side of the forecastle. "How are you a goin' to get rid of all your fan-pinners, chummy?"
[Pg 215]
"Me, old George? Why, I'm going' to buy my discharge, and mean to emigrate to Awstraylea. I'm tired of soldiering."
"Are you, Joseph?" continued his friend somewhat sarcastically28. "I know what sort of Stralia you'll reach. You'll go ashore29, get a pint30 of beer, go up to the barracks, go to the canteen, treat a lot of fellers who is as greedy as sharks, get into a glorious state, have your furlough given you, go on a bender, be in a werry tight state for a week, wake up some mornin' to find you haven't got a mag, have a pint on tick, get histed out of the house and fetch up in barricks agin jest in time to larn your new drill. That'll be your Straylia. No, Joseph, you belongs to the sarvice, you don't know nothing outside of the sarvice, and the sarvice will keep you, mark me!"
The marine growled, out a reply, saying that he sposed he weren't a born fool, and knowed what to do with his own; but the audience only shook their heads and looked pityingly upon him. Their oracle31 had spoken, and they firmly believed that Joseph would do exactly as George predicted.
Towards midnight some of the watchers began to get tired of looking out for the lights, and the more prudent32 went down below when the watch was called at eight bells; but many of them were far too much excited to go to sleep, so they kept on deck until the morning dawned, and the grey fog lifted and showed them the white cliffs. They believed that the hour of freedom was at hand; and although the "iron grasp" was light upon them, many of the lads determined33 never to let it close round them again. Unlike the marine, they were intelligent fellows, who having once felt what the tyranny of a man-of-war was like, knew too much to place themselves within its cruel power a second time; and although "continuous and general service men," many of them were, soon after the Stinger was paid off, ploughing the seas in merchant-ships bound for America or the colonies. It was this anticipation34 which excited them, and kept them on deck through that night. They remembered Clare's punishment, Dunstable's death, and the other atrocities35 which had been perpetrated on board by cruel men in command, and all their subsequent good treatment by Captain Woodward did not prevent them from thinking bitterly of their slavery, particularly as a tyrant36 had followed up his too brief term of strict but just command.
The Stinger steamed up the Channel, and in due time arrived at Spithead, where she saluted37 the admiral's flag, and having discharged her powder, entered Portsmouth harbour, preparatory to being paid off, and by five o'clock on Saturday evening was made fast to the wharf38, upon which swarmed39 a crowd of relations and friends, ready to fall upon the crew, and, if not prevented by the police, to carry them off piecemeal40.
Major Barron had landed when the ship was at Spithead, and upon the Stinger arriving alongside the wharf was waiting with a carriage ready to take his family to the George Hotel. Great was the sensation when the mob beheld41 a lady led on shore by Captain Tortle, followed by a French bonne carrying a pretty blue-eyed baby; but when Cops made her appearance in the arms of Mr. Thompson—and that charming young lady kissed her hand to the crowd—all the mothers present, and there were not a few, cried "Bless her little heart?" and the spinsters, and other females, looked at the innocent face, thought of their own childhood, and, bad as some of them were, said, "Pretty darling, aint she lovely?" the acting42-boatswain by his looks almost resenting any encomiums passed by the latter speakers.
When Captain Tortle had landed her mamma into the carriage, he turned to Cops as if intending to take her from her friend, but she resolutely43 refused to allow him to touch her, upon seeing which the mob laughed and the women cried, "Well done, pretty dear!" Tortle's disposition44 being known to the people, who were well posted in the peculiarities45 of most naval47 officers of rank. Mr. Thompson having placed his tyrant in the carriage,[Pg 216] was rewarded with a kiss, after which, to the further admiration48 of the crowd, the Major and Mrs. Barron shook hands with him, and the vehicle was driven away amid the deafening49 cheers of the mob, who considered such an act of condescension50 required a special mark of their approbation51.
When the passengers had departed, Captain Tortle returned to his ship and informed the crew that, in consequence of some orders received from the Admiralty but a few moments before, it was decided52 that the ship was to proceed to Woolwich to pay off, and as it would prevent a great deal of trouble, the admiral had ordered that the men were not to have leave, as the ship was to start early on Monday morning, but from 8 o'clock A.M. until 8 o'clock P.M. the next day their friends and relations would be allowed to come on board to see them.
This information was anticipated by the crew, who were, upon the ship's arrival alongside the wharf, told of the facts by the mob, who seemed to know all about it. So upon receiving their letters and getting sundry53 presents from their friends, and a supply of beer on board, they kept tolerably quiet, and the dockyard police having cleared the wharf, by eight o'clock that night, the Stinger was as still as a graveyard54.
At six o'clock the next morning the crew were turned out, and after they had scrubbed and washed decks, stowed their hammocks, put all the ornamental55 work round the wheel, capstan, and gangways, and generally decorated the ship, they were piped to church, and for the first time since the battle of Chow-chan received the benefit of the regular clergy56, and as their thoughts wandered elsewhere, proved anything but a devotional flock. It is true under the generous Woodward the prayers of the Established Church were regularly read to them once a week, but "The Articles of War" having been substituted for religious service by Tortle, the crew had fallen into indifference58, and the only effect produced by the clergyman was a tendency to doze59 on the part of the boys, while the men looked as if they were swearing instead of repeating the responses.
Church being over, the pipe went for breakfast, and various presents received from friends on shore were duly paraded in the messes. One old quarter-master produced a plum-pudding large and heavy enough to give an elephant a fit of indigestion; while another served out red herrings to all his less fortunate messmates who were unprovided with wives to send them off such delicacies60. Some paraded fat pork sausages or handkerchiefs full of apples, while many a sly nip of grog, sent on board in skins secreted61 in the food, was swigged by the knowing ones, who imagined the nasty stuff to be nectar, because it was surreptitiously obtained. Every one was in good humour, and, taking it altogether, considered the admiralty order to stop their leave was a wise precaution.
About a quarter before eight o'clock all those who claimed to be the wives or relatives of the Stingers were let into the dockyard, and a mob of clamorous62 expectants swarmed upon the wharf, all eager to see their friends or to make friends with those they saw on board.
"Vy, Shack63," screamed one gentleman, whose every-day occupation consisted in selling sham5 jewellery or ready-made clothes to half-intoxicated sailors. "Vy, Shack, ma poy, how are you?"
"Not much better for seeing of you, Peter," replied the man thus addressed. "I don't want no more of your tin watches and baggy64 trowsers this voyage;" hearing which, Peter turned his attention to another sailor.
A number of policemen now arrived, and having forced their way through the crowd, formed a half circle round the top of the gangway ladder, in order to keep the unruly among the mob from pouring on board the ship en masse.
Precisely65 as the dockyard bell struck eight the first lady was passed on board, and[Pg 217] being rather short-sighted, she, much to her husband's annoyance66, saluted the wrong sailor, which caused no little merriment among the others, and made her partner growl8 out, "I say, Peggy, when you've done with George Town perhaps you'll give me a buss."
"Ladies first," cried the sergeant67 of marines, who, with the ship's corporal, kept the girls from thrusting each other off the gangway into the water. "Just ease a little, mum, or you'll squeeze that ere infant's life out," he added, as one brazen-faced woman, who declared she was the wife of Mister Stebbings, A. B., pushed herself past him, and drove her way down the ladder.
Unfortunately for the creature, the sergeant laid hold of the child, and finding it wad a dummy68, rudely snatched it from her arms, whereupon the ladies on the wharf set up a howl of indignation.
"You brute69!" cried one, "to serve a baby in that manner."
"The wretch70!" shrieked71 another.
"Murder!" screamed the lady who was thus abruptly72 deprived of her infant.
The sergeant, after compelling the indignant woman to retrace73 her steps up the ladder, handed her over to the police, and proceeded to strip the wrappings off the dummy, which process at last brought to light a large-sized square bottle of "Hollands," seeing which the—mother swooned in the policeman's arms, and was carried to the dock gates, where they laid her outside to come to as best she might. We need scarcely say she recovered as soon as she found herself out of custody74.
The sergeant's action was quite correct, for were women allowed to carry spirits on board a man-of-war the men would be simply unmanageable, and the most strict search has to be instituted to prevent liquor being thus introduced by disreputable characters, who as long as they can pillage75 the sailors do not hesitate to supply them with the most poisonous stuff.
In any cases the various friends were required to name their relatives before they were allowed on board, although it was not always possible to get them to speak, as among this disreputable mob were many genuine mothers, wives, and sweethearts, and some of those became so agitated76 at the sight of their relations, that they could not speak, but would point with their fingers to the loved ones, and with mute earnestness prove their claims were genuine.
There was much laughter when an old woman would frantically77 embrace her equally old man. The aged lovers in many cases joined in the roar; but now and then the faces of all, both on shore and on board, were saddened, as some poor creature would come forward and ask to see a husband whom she would never meet again in this world.
Just after the fictitious78 baby had been disposed of a respectably attired79 girl passed down the gangway ladder, and seeing Mr. Thompson, with whom she formerly80 had been acquainted, she laughingly asked him where her Jem was.
"Your Jem, mam? Jem what?"
"Why, don't you know me now you're promoted?" (She saw he was no longer a common sailor.) "Why, Jem Shaw," replied the woman, her mouth moving nervously81, as if fearing to hear some ill tidings.
"God bless you, poor soul!—Come down into my cabin," said the sympathizing acting warrant.
The woman followed him as if in a dream; and when she reached the cabin, grasped his arm and demanded if her Jem were alive or not, bidding him out with it, and not kill her with waiting.
Thompson turned his face away, and in a husky voice told her that poor Jem was dead, and had been buried out in China.
[Pg 218]
"Oh! oh!" wailed82 the poor creature; "my poor Jem—oh, my poor dear man!" and then she fell fainting upon his arm.
Thompson called some women who were sitting happily by the side of their husbands, and told them to see to the helpless girl. Then, having directed them to give her a little brandy, the sympathetic fellow went on deck.
After a time the poor creature revived, and, sending for Mr. Thompson, was escorted by him to the dock gates, her eyes dry and tearless, and her heart feeling like a stone. Upon parting Jerry respectfully bade her good-bye, when she turned her wan57 face towards his, and, having thus mutely expressed her thankfulness, walked slowly away.
This was not the only case where poor women came to meet their relations, and found they were no more, and the scenes upon those occasions were most heart-rending. In this, as in all other phases of life, misery83 and happiness being side by side.
By noon the ship was completely crammed84 with the sailors' visitors, many persons suddenly finding relations of whose existence they had previously85 been unaware86. Some of the boys had no less than seven uncles and aunts, and one old topman was claimed by five wives. These were, of course, exceptions, but upon an average the sailors had ten relatives a-piece, not less than five of these being well-known dealers87 in clothing, who showed their joy at meeting their "tear friends" by repeatedly measuring them for fashionable suits.
"Shest let me measure you round the vaist vonce again, Villiam, ma poy," urged the irrepressible Peter, who had somehow contrived88 to get on board. "I vont our verkmen to fit you like a glove, ma poy."
The sailor so addressed submitted to the measuring process for the fourth time, but, notwithstanding this, he had a suit of clothes sent to him at Woolwich, which would have fitted a man twice his size; but having foolishly paid for them beforehand, had no remedy, so he sold them to a gentleman who strongly resembled Peter, of whom he, sailor-like, ordered another suit.
Clare had received a short note from his wife, and a portrait of his boy, and the poor fellow was busily employed all the afternoon in writing a long letter to Polly, in which he communicated his friend's good fortune, and informed her of his intention of paying Jerry a visit when the latter should be settled in his new home.
Upon the day after they arrived in harbour Mr. Thompson received the following unsigned note; and, as he imagined that it came from Mary Ann, it somewhat revived his feeble attachment89.
"No. 34, West Delacour Street,
"Portsmouth.
"Dear Mr. Thompson,
"We shall be pleased to see you to tea to-night, at five o'clock."
His heart now beat quickly, and a hundred little reminiscences of his old sweetheart came into his mind. "Well, she is right not to be too forward; she is a good girl," he thought; "so I'll go on shore and pop the question this evening, and if all goes smoothly90 she can join me at Woolwich, and we will get married. Then I shall be done for, and can start life ashore as a respectable individual."
About four o'clock Jerry, having dressed himself in his best uniform, left the ship in company with the carpenter and gunner, and after partaking of a friendly glass of ale, the trio parted, he to ascertain91 his fate, they to visit their friends and relations.
[Pg 219]
Mr. Thompson walked quickly to the street, which was in, to him, a new locality; and having peered at the numbers on one side of the way, was returning down the other when a door opened, and Mary Ann stepped forth92, bearing in her arms a chubby-looking baby, who, seeing Jerry, crowed, kicked its little legs, and cried "Dad-da;" when, without waiting for a recognition from her, the excited fellow rushed forward, and catching93 Mary Ann round the waist, imprinted94 a hearty smack95 upon her lips, and cried, "Why, Mary Ann, my dear gal, how are you?"
"Gr-r-acious evengs! why, it's Jerry!" said the blushing girl. "Why—how—did—you—come—here?"
Hearing this a smartly-dressed young man stepped out upon the pavement, and seeing the visitor, coolly walked up to him, and taking his hand, said, "Welcome home, old chap, she's a waiting for you up-stairs."
By this time Mary Ann had somewhat recovered her composure; so, turning to her old flame, she welcomed him home; then, with a sly twinkle in her eyes, begged to introduce him to her husband, Mr. Joseph Jenkins.
"Why, d-d-dear me, if it ain't the carpenter!" cried the astonished acting-warrant; "and that little cheerup, is he or she your'n?"
Mary Ann nodded, and smilingly observed that they had another at home—a boy—older than that one, and they had named him Jerry, out of compliment to him, thinking he was dead.
"So you're married, and have got a family, and a good husband, have you, Mary Ann?"
"Yes, Mr. Thompson, as good a husband as ever a woman were blessed with."
"Being so, I can't marry you," he continued in a dreamy manner. "But, Mrs. Mary Ann, as I'm going to get married somehow, can you recommend me to a nice young gal; I feel mighty96 lonely now you're out of the way."
Mrs. Jenkins laughed, and having shaken hands with him, pointed97 to the sign over the shop before which they were standing, and observed, "There's a lady who will be proud to see you, Mr. Thompson;" then motioning to her husband to say good-bye, she passed up the street.
"Mrs. Shever, Dressmaker, Ladies' own materials made up," read the somewhat bewildered Thompson. "Well, she always was a kind-hearted one, so I'll call upon her and tell her how I am situated98."
At that moment a smart servant-girl peeped forth as if to reconnoitre, but seeing Mr. Thompson withdrew again, and shut the door with a bang; upon which Jerry pulled the bell and lifted the knocker, directions to that effect being given over the handle of the former.
After some delay the domestic appeared at the door, and, looking at the visitor as if she had never seen him in her life, sweetly murmured, "What do you want, sir?"
"Does Mrs. Shever live here?"
"Yes sir."
"Is she at home?"
"I don't know, sir. Will you please give me your card?"
Now, Jerry thought it rather a joke for Mrs. Shever to require her visitors to send up their cards, so, although he knew better, he pulled out an article bearing the name of "Edwin Lass, Bootmaker. Repairs neatly99 executed on the shortest notice," and having deposited it in a plated salver, which the girl produced from under her apron100, was requested to walk in and wait in the "drawering room," until she found out if missis was at home.
Thompson seated himself on a sofa and laughed, as he thought how very stylish[Pg 220] Mrs. Shever had become, when all of a sudden the door was opened and in walked the boatswain's widow, who without more ado tottered101 towards him, uttered a little squeal102, and fainted in his arms.
"Poor creature! why, it's too much for her," he cried. "Here, Mary—Eliza—what's your name? bring some vinegar and brown paper."
Finding the smart servant was out of hearing, and Mrs. Shever's rosy103 lips being in close proximity104 to his own, Mr. Thompson thoughtlessly imprinted a kiss upon them! and the first gentle pressure proving ineffectual, repeated the application until the lady found he began to weary, upon which she recovered from her faint, and allowed him to lead her to the sofa.
After passing her right hand several times across her forehead, as if recovering from a dream, the boatswain's widow suddenly ejaculated, "Am I awake?"
"I believe you are, my dear Mrs. S.," replied the somewhat amused sailor. "Would you like a little cold water sprinkled over your face?"
"Oh, dear me, no, Mr. Thompson," cried she, fearing he would spoil her dress. "I'm all right now; I fear I fainted."
"You went off like a shot, mum; but I'm glad you're all right, as I ain't up to this sort of performance. I were just a going to burn them things under your nose," cried he pointing to some peacock's feathers which ornamented105 a mirror hanging over the fireplace. "I've heard they are first-rate for highstayricks."
"Can he be indifferent to me? No, surely he will be only too glad to marry me," thought the boatswain's widow, "but I'll be more distant, and draw him out."—"Would you like to have some music, Mr. Thompson?"
"Werry much indeed, mum. Have you a hand organ, or do that work by machinery106?" inquired Jerry, pointing to a cottage piano, which stood on the other side of the room.
Mrs. Shever gave a peculiar46 little laugh, as if to hide her chagrin107; then rising majestically108, rustled109 to the piano, and having perpetrated some preliminary attempts, at last managed to finger her way through a simple air, although, in spite of her endeavours to check herself, she would every now and then audibly utter "one! two! three!" which caused Mr. Thompson to remark that she might just as well give him the whole of the words out loud, as he was fond of hearing a lady sing.
Having concluded the performance, which was the result of long study on her part, and much patience on that of her music mistress, the boatswain's widow returned to the sofa, and, notwithstanding the entreaty110 of her visitor, wisely declined to repeat what he called the ceremony.
Now, Mrs. Shever wanted to bring Jerry to a declaration; and, as she had invited Mary Ann and her husband to return to supper, having no doubt but that Mr. Thompson would propose to her before they arrived, began to get a little fidgetty, so, in order to lead him on, she asked why he had called upon her.
"Well, you see, my dear Mrs. Shever, wot with that poor gal a fainting in my cabin this morning—"
"Oh, false man, false man!" murmured the lady, bashfully reclining her head upon his shoulder.
"No, marm, I were not false."
"I know that, I know that. You are too noble, too generous to be false. It was her own fault."
"No, it warn't. How could she help losing her husband?"
"Oh," cried Mrs. Shever, seeing she had made a mistake, "of course she couldn't help it, poor soul."
[Pg 221]
"Well, first that occurred, and made me feel as unhappy as if she had been my own wife."
"You ain't married, are you?" exclaimed the buxom111 widow, raising her head in alarm.
"Why, bless your kind heart, no. I've come here to ask your advice. I find Mary Ann hasn't kept; so, knowing you are a motherly sort of a soul, I come to ask you what you would advise me to do."
Mrs. Shever did not much relish112 the term "motherly sort of a soul;" but, relying upon her powers of entanglement113, she let him run on.
"I'm young and have good prospects114, and all I want is to meet with a girl who is honest and good, and who will be as true to me as I will be to her. I've got a first-rate berth115 on shore, and can afford to keep a wife, so I means to have one. I have loved a woman, who is now better off, in such a way as I shall never love again." Here Jerry's eye moistened a little. "But I promise that whoever I gets married to now I will stick to, and do my best to make her happy. But one thing I must bargain for. I must take care of my little boy, and she must be one as will look kindly116 on him."
"I'll forgive you that," cried the delighted widow. "Oh, Jerry, there ain't many men like you. The boy will not stand in the way."
"When his poor father dies—"
"I hope he'll be spared many years. Oh, Jerry, don't talk about dying upon such a happy occasion as this," cried the sympathetic woman, the tears streaming down her face.
"But, my dear creature, we must look forward to it; life is short, and we must prepare for such things;" saying which he drew forth his bandana, and gently wiped her eyes. "I've promised to be a father to poor little Tom, and I'll keep my word; and my wife must be a mother to him."
"She will, she will do that," sobbed117 the happy one through her tears, although she inwardly hoped the child was old enough to walk, as she hated babies.
"And now you knows how I am situated. Do, my dear Mrs. Shever, tell me what you think I ought to do; and if you knows a gal as will suit me, introduce me, and I'll be your everlasting118 debtor119."
The boatswain's widow was somewhat nonplussed120 by his obtuseness121, but knowing it was "now or never," she motioned him to take a seat before her; then, averting122 her face, spoke10 as follows:—
"Je—hem! Mr. Thompson, I have long looked forward to this here day, and anticipated the pleasure of your society." (This was correctly delivered, all but the here, according to "The book of Etiquette123 for Modern society.") "I knowed" (here she forgot her text, but feeling equal to the occasion, spoke her own sentiments) "you were always a manly124, beautiful-disposed, noble, generous, A 1, first-rate young feller, and I felt very much disgusted with some people when I found they didn't wait for you, and that it was throwing purl before swine for you to be constant to them."
"You're werry good, marm." Jerry winced125 a little at the last part of her remark.
"I thought, here is a generous heart wot will be chucked away on some good-for-nothing baggage as soon as he lands if I don't do my best for him."
"How kind of you!" murmured Jerry, looking at the averted126 face with a somewhat astonished air. "Go on, marm; go on. I can bear it."
"Well, my dear Je—Mr. Thompson, knowing, as I said before, that some one had; although I say it of my own sister, married a common carpenter, after she had been pertickler warned not to do so by—one who is worth a cart-load of sich—knowing all[Pg 222] this, I felt for you, and determined to do everything in my power to make you happy on your return."
"You're werry, werry kind, marm," mournfully observed her visitor.
"Yes, and, my dear Jerry—Forgive me calling you so."
"I forgive you. There, go on," cried the now wondering acting warrant, taking her hand by way of encouraging her to proceed.
"Well, my dear Jerry, when I looked around me, I wondered where I could find a virtuous127, good-looking girl, suitable to your mind—"
"That's poetry, dear friend, ain't it?" put in her visitor.
"I saw painted faces, false figgers, flaunting128 airs, brazen-nosed impudence129, and, nothing but sham—all—everywhere."
"There ain't much sham about you," admiringly observed Thompson, glancing at her tightly-fitting silk dress, which set off her buxom figure to great advantage.
Mrs. Shever pretended not to hear this compliment, but continued—"Well, dear Jerry, I saw all this, and I said to myself, 'Now, I wonder if some good, kind, loving, devoted130, amiable131, not bad-looking, affectionate, well-to-do girl were to be willing—would he—make her a offer?'"
At this juncture132 the face of Thompson, who now began to what is vulgarly termed "smell a rat," assumed a roguish expression, and, quietly, pushing his finger into her side, he laughingly observed, "I say, Missis S., you don't mean to say you want to sacrifice yourself agin, do you?"
Mrs. Shever blushed violently, but being determined to carry it through, she fell into his arms, called him her own Jerry, and vowed133 he was a perfect "Dom Juam."
Thompson quietly unwound the somewhat impulsive134 lady, and having placed the table between them, was about to speak, when Mrs. Shever, finding her shots had fallen wide, and hearing Mary Ann's voice in the hall, suddenly assumed a severe air, and ordered him to leave the apartment.
"You quit, sir, and never dare insult me" (here the door was opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins looked wonderingly in) "in my own house again. Begone, false serpent, and lay your base snares135 for some other innocent heart! Villain136, I scorn you! Clear out, or I send for a police to remove you from my premises137."
"Wot's the row?" demanded the carpenter, looking at Jerry, as if he would like to challenge him to mortal combat.
"That base man has insulted me," screamed the boatswain's widow, who then pretended to faint, thinking the gentlemen would now settle the affair by an appeal to arms.
"Come, come, 'Melia, this won't do," put in Mary Ann; "you know Mr. Thompson don't care for you, and never did; and you've set your cap at him, and have been refused, and serve you right."
"Did you write this poetry to me, Mrs. Mary Ann?" demanded the acting warrant, producing Mrs. Shever's poetical138 effusion.
"No, Mr. Thompson, I didn't," emphatically replied the lady.
"Did you write this ere letter to me?" handing her the note which he had received that morning.
"No, Mr. Thompson, I'll swear I didn't. I don't write no letters to young men now I'm married."
Finding matters were going against her, and not wishing for any further explanation, Mrs. Shever got up from the sofa, dried her eyes, and walking to Mrs. Jenkins kissed her affectionately, and begged she would not say any more about it, as she had been very foolish, and now saw through her folly139. Then, turning to Jerry, asked him, for[Pg 223] the sake of old times, and him as was dead and gone, to forgive her, and forget she had been such a fool.
Thompson gladly made up matters, and explained to the still somewhat bewildered Jenkins that he felt the greatest admiration for both the ladies present,—one being still an out-and-out handsome woman, and as such to be admired by the opposite sex; while the other was, to his mind, the werry idle of a comely140 mother.
This somewhat mixed compliment soothed141 the carpenter's irritated feelings, and after a general hand-shaking the party proceeded to the supper-table, where they attacked the good things in a most praiseworthy manner, and Jerry saw with no little amusement that her disappointment had not taken away the widow's appetite.
Mrs. Shever came out quite nobly, and pledged Mr. Thompson's health in a glass of sherry, wishing him speedily "a good partner;" while Jerry, not to be outdone, toasted "The fair widow, and may she soon again be a happy wife." Of course there was no allusion142 to her little mistake, and the casual visitors who dropped in imagined it was "all right," and were a few days afterwards much astonished to hear that Mrs. Shever had changed her mind.
The buxom widow did not fret143 about her failure, but went into society, and turned men's heads with such success that in a few weeks the "Portsmouth Times" had the following announcement in its list of marriages:—
"On the 23rd instant, at Mount Hope Chapel144, by the Rev1. Mr. Barryl, Amelia, widow of the late Mr. Henry Shever, formerly of H.M. Royal Navy, to Orlando Huffers, an eminent145 retired146 grocer of this place."
Mr. Thompson walked down to his ship, pondering upon the vanity of all things, and of Mrs. Shever in particular; and as he turned in that night vowed he would shun147 the sex in future, as there was no one in the world like A-tae, and he was tired of the women.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
rev
|
|
| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
tar
|
|
| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
seamen
|
|
| n.海员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
snug
|
|
| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
sham
|
|
| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
shambles
|
|
| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
growl
|
|
| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
beacon
|
|
| n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
yarned
|
|
| vi.讲故事（yarn的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
13
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
sneered
|
|
| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
gal
|
|
| n.姑娘，少女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
gale
|
|
| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
swarming
|
|
| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
nautical
|
|
| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
fins
|
|
| [医]散热片；鱼鳍；飞边；鸭掌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
bin
|
|
| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
whack
|
|
| v.敲击，重打，瓜分；n.重击，重打，尝试，一份 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
marine
|
|
| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
sarcastically
|
|
| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
pint
|
|
| n.品脱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
oracle
|
|
| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
anticipation
|
|
| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
atrocities
|
|
| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
tyrant
|
|
| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
saluted
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
wharf
|
|
| n.码头，停泊处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
swarmed
|
|
| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
piecemeal
|
|
| adj.零碎的；n.片，块；adv.逐渐地；v.弄成碎块 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
resolutely
|
|
| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
peculiarities
|
|
| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
naval
|
|
| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
deafening
|
|
| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
condescension
|
|
| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
approbation
|
|
| n.称赞；认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
sundry
|
|
| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
graveyard
|
|
| n.坟场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
ornamental
|
|
| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
clergy
|
|
| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
wan
|
|
| (wide area network)广域网 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
doze
|
|
| v.打瞌睡；n.打盹，假寐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
delicacies
|
|
| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
secreted
|
|
| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
clamorous
|
|
| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
shack
|
|
| adj.简陋的小屋，窝棚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
baggy
|
|
| adj.膨胀如袋的，宽松下垂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
sergeant
|
|
| n.警官，中士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
dummy
|
|
| n.假的东西；(哄婴儿的)橡皮奶头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
brute
|
|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
shrieked
|
|
| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
retrace
|
|
| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
custody
|
|
| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
pillage
|
|
| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
frantically
|
|
| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
fictitious
|
|
| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
attired
|
|
| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
wailed
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
crammed
|
|
| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
unaware
|
|
| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
dealers
|
|
| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
contrived
|
|
| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
attachment
|
|
| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
smoothly
|
|
| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
imprinted
|
|
| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
smack
|
|
| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
situated
|
|
| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
neatly
|
|
| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
apron
|
|
| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
tottered
|
|
| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
squeal
|
|
| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
rosy
|
|
| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
proximity
|
|
| n.接近，邻近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
ornamented
|
|
| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
machinery
|
|
| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
chagrin
|
|
| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
majestically
|
|
| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
rustled
|
|
| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
entreaty
|
|
| n.恳求，哀求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
buxom
|
|
| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
relish
|
|
| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
entanglement
|
|
| n.纠缠，牵累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
prospects
|
|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
berth
|
|
| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
sobbed
|
|
| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
everlasting
|
|
| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
debtor
|
|
| n.借方，债务人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
nonplussed
|
|
| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
obtuseness
|
|
| 感觉迟钝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
averting
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的现在分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
etiquette
|
|
| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
manly
|
|
| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
winced
|
|
| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
virtuous
|
|
| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
flaunting
|
|
| adj.招摇的，扬扬得意的，夸耀的v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的现在分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
impudence
|
|
| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
juncture
|
|
| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
vowed
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
impulsive
|
|
| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
snares
|
|
| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
premises
|
|
| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
poetical
|
|
| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
comely
|
|
| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
soothed
|
|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
allusion
|
|
| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
fret
|
|
| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
chapel
|
|
| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
eminent
|
|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
shun
|
|
| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |