"This is the first time you have been in this cabin, Lucy, I think," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"Well, and what do you think of the accommodation offered by the Minorca?"
"I hope Miss Acton thinks well of it," said Mr Lawrence. "I was trying this moment to tempt1 her to take a voyage to the West Indies by a poor description of some of the wonders which are to be met in the trip."
"Oh, if we should think of a journey to the West Indies we should not choose the Minorca," said Captain Acton. "I confess that I have sometimes myself had a fancy for looking into one or two of the old ports which I remember as a midshipman. The Aurora2 would be the ship. She has a speed that would make me indifferent to pursuit. At the [Pg 102]same time there is always the risk of capture, and as I can no longer serve my country by taking my chance of a French prison, I believe I am discreetly3 advised by leaving well alone, that is until peace comes, if ever it comes. Is not this a very fine cabin, Lucy, considering the size of the ship?"
"I daresay it is, papa, but how should I know? This is the first cabin I ever was in, and the Minorca and the Aurora are the only two vessels5 whose decks I have ever stepped upon."
"Then let me tell you there are countless6 Naval7 officers afloat who would reckon themselves in Paradise if they had such quarters as these to live in. Look at the Saucy8! The well of a cod9 smack10 is more comfortable than her sleeping places. Take a corvette or gun-brig stationed on the West Coast of Africa, or kept cruising along the West Indian shores; the heat strikes through the plank11 and a man sleeps in a furnace; cockroaches12 in numbers thick as ropes blacken the beams, rats ferocious13 with thirst are found drowned in the hook pot of cold tea you want to drink. Everything simmers, the paint even below, if there is any paint to be found, bubbles, and you are fed on scalding pea soup and beef blue with brine, the very sight of which raises a craziness of thirst which you slake14 by rum, for[Pg 103] the cooling of which you might offer your year's pay for a piece of ice. Now, these are airy quarters. An admiral might well be content with such a living-room."
He looked into one or two of the cabins or sleeping berths15, and examined a stand of arms affixed17 to a bulkhead just before the companion ladder.
"If, sir, you should be tempted19 whilst I have the honour of holding command in your service into taking a trip in one of your vessels to the West Indies," said Mr Lawrence, "I hope I shall be the one privileged to navigate20 you and Miss Acton there."
"Oh, we should be in very good hands—very good hands," answered Captain Acton, lightly regarding him; they had met by appointment not long before at Acton's offices, and there the gallant21 Captain had taken notice that Mr Lawrence was as sober as he himself was, whilst the care with which he had attired22 himself had promoted all that was excellent in his person to such a degree that Captain Acton had never thought him handsomer and on the whole a finer specimen23 of the young British Naval officer.
Indeed he had congratulated himself on behalf of his worthy24 old friend Sir William on having resolved to give his son this appointment, for it surely looked as though[Pg 104] with this gift of a berth16, with this opportunity for honourably25 employing himself and so getting a little money and easing his father of the burden of his maintenance, the young fellow's reformation had begun, and naturally Captain Acton, who was an exceedingly kind-hearted man and a sound Christian26 in principle and behaviour, could not but be happy in the reflection that he might prove instrumental in rescuing a handsome young man, a gentleman, the son of an old friend, himself a Naval officer, a person whose character was enriched by many meritorious27 and some rare qualities, from the ruin physical and moral into which he was fast decaying through drink and an idleness which was a consequence of an aversion to his old calling, and the almost insuperable difficulty of obtaining anything to do whilst loitering in Old Harbour Town and passing most of his time at "The Swan" with Lieutenant28 Tupman.
"Mr Lawrence would represent the voyage to the West Indies as beautiful, wonderful, and indeed magical, as an Arabian Nights dream," said Lucy. "But you did not tell me of cockroaches, sir," she added with a smile, and with one of those looks which in her seemed a brooding or dwelling29 of the eye, though if judged of its effect by time the look was scarcely more than a glance; yet this was[Pg 105] the consequence of the peculiar30 beauty of her heavy lids rendered yet more languid by the fringes through which the large dark brown orbs31 of vision directed their gaze. "And you said nothing about the beef blue with salt which creates thirst before it is tasted."
"We will undertake to keep you free from cockroaches, madam," said Mr Lawrence. "And the beef Captain Acton speaks of is shipped for the sailors. I believe, sir, it would not be difficult to send aft every day such a dinner and breakfast as would convince Miss Acton that at sea all that we eat is not bread-grubs and beef hard enough to carve snuff boxes out of."
"For my part," said Captain Acton, "I don't want to sit down to a better banquet than a piece of really good ship's pickled beef finely grained, and cutting delicately and well fatted, and a crisp ship's biscuit, and you may add a drop of real old Jamaica. I have dined more heartily32 off such a dish than at many a dinner ashore33 of ten or twelve courses."
"You were young, sir," said Lucy, "and you enjoyed all that you ate. There was a good deal that you ate when you were young that you would not eat now, and even now I doubt whether you would find the old relish34 in your prime piece of pickled beef."
Captain Acton smiled, and looked fondly[Pg 106] at his daughter, and said pleasantly: "And pray, my dear, what are Mr Lawrence's temptations to a voyage to the West Indies?"
Captain Acton broke in: "We have finer sunsets in England than any you get in the tropics."
"Ay, but they don't sing," said Captain Acton. "Give me the song of the thrush or the blackbird before all the finest feathers in the world."
"Wonderfully dyed fish——" said Lucy.
"Oh, madam," said Mr Lawrence, with a little blush in his face, "I did not intend my poor representation of the fascinations38 of a voyage to the West Indies for the ear of so experienced a sailor, and so keen an observer as Captain Acton."
"Well, we may go with you some day, sir," said Captain Acton good-humouredly, "but peace must be declared before I embark39. We are keeping Miss Acton waiting."
He led the way up the companion ladder.
Amongst those who just then were standing40 upon the quay41-side gazing with more or less of interest at the Minorca and the other vessels moored42 to the walls, was old Mr Greyquill, whose figure was immediately [Pg 107]conspicuous by reason of his long white hair and heavily white thatched eyebrows43. And this day he wore a round velvet44 cap such as might have been suggested to him by a portrait by some old Flemish artist, and a velvet coat. He stood on the wharf45 a few paces behind some people who formed a little group, and peered at the Minorca with the sharp of his hand pressed against his brow seeking to determine the faces he saw on board. He was too far off to recognise the Admiral and Captain Acton, who now appeared, but the moment Mr Lawrence's head was visible above the bulwark-rail he knew him, and seemed to try to catch his eye, but Lawrence, who instantly perceived him, averted46 his gaze or turned his back, and after steadily47 staring for some moments under the shelter of his hand the old fellow shuffled48 off.
"If Lucy and I should take the trip we should go in the Aurora," said Captain Acton.
"You! At your time of life, brother, going a voyage to the West Indies with every probability of the French making a prisoner of you and Lucy!" cried Miss Acton in the[Pg 108] high key in which she saluted51 the ear when she was alarmed.
"My dear sister, we are going to do nothing of the sort. Not that a voyage to the West Indies in such a vessel4 as the Aurora would be a fearful adventure or a terrible ordeal52. Indeed I never look at that little ship," said he, turning his eyes in the direction of the schooner53, "without a longing54 to be on her deck when she is fully37 clothed, when the liberal breeze of the sea blows steadily, and when bending under her white heights she springs like the flying fish from one sparkling sea to another, cradled always by the rocking hand of the swell55."
"You should add papa's description to your list of the charms of a West Indian voyage," said Lucy, with a slight glance at Mr Lawrence, for, when a girl has been proposed to by a man and has refused him, and when she is perfectly56 well aware that his passion remains57 as great for her as ever it was, she will be coy, shy, cautious, something unintelligible58 perhaps, in his presence.
"Upon my word, Acton," said the Admiral, "you have just put into words the fancies I have had whilst I have been conversing59 with Miss Acton. The old spirit will speak in a man, the old love will grow eloquent60 once again at the suggestion that quickens it into[Pg 109] bright memory: and whilst I have been talking to you, I have in imagination paced the starboard side of the quarterdeck, which we will call the weather side; this harbour, these wharves61, the Old Town have disappeared, and I am surrounded by a wide ocean in the heart of which this little ship is rushing, streaming her wake like a comet's tail, bursting the surge in rainbow-like arches for her progress, filling the air with the music of shroud62 and back-stay, and lightening the heart with a sense of freedom which the sea alone can give, and which used to visit me like a sense of gratitude63 or rejoicing as though something had been given to me that was gracious, beautiful, and rare."
Mr Lawrence viewed his father with astonishment64, Miss Lucy with a smile whose beauty was radiant with applause, Miss Acton with an expression of awe65, whilst Captain Acton burst out: "Upon my word, Admiral, forgive me for saying so, but I never could have believed such thinking so expressed was in your line of mind. I believe St Vincent would be very pleased did he possess your powers of delivery."
"Oh come, come!" cried the Admiral, "don't make me feel more ashamed of myself than I am. But, Miss Lucy, is not the sea a subject about which you cannot think without being[Pg 110] inspired with thoughts high above those which visit you from other topics?"
"When such a man as Nelson is in your mind."
"Yes, Nelson is the great sea-poem of the age," said Captain Acton, "and I find more melody in the thunder of his guns than in the prettiest turns of the poetic66 measure. Are you going home, sister?"
"Yes, we have done all we came out to do. Where is Mr Eagle? Mr Lawrence, you will not forget to give him the sulphur for his poor feet?"
"I will not, madam, and I trust that the application of it may make him a little better humoured."
"One might notice a man's ill-temper," said the Admiral, "if he were over you; but when he is under you—there used to be a saying in my day—it's in the power of an officer to ride down any man under him."
"I believe Mr Eagle is a very respectable man, though illiterate67 like most of them in the lower walks of the Merchant Service," said Captain Acton. "This sort of people come on board through the hawse pipe, but at a pinch their knowledge which is uncommonly68 practical, is sometimes vastly useful. They are acquainted with manœuvres which would often put their betters to their trumps69.[Pg 111] They know all about rigging, its straining point, have little tricks above the average seamanship for heavy weather, are learned in the pumps and their gear, and indeed know ships not only with the familiarity of a master-rigger, but of a master builder. One of these men I believe is Eagle, and I think, sir, you will find him all that I tell you he is, though like most of his class he is of a somewhat sour and sullen70 nature, and quick to grumble71. I'll go home with you, sister. Admiral, can we give you a lift?"
"No, I thank you, sir. I am to dine to-day with Mr Perry. I have long promised to eat a cut of cold meat with him. His cider is the best I know. His cider alone makes him worth dining with."
"Give Perry my kind regards," said Captain Acton.
"And thank him," twittered Miss Acton, "for the beautiful sermon he gave us last Sunday, and tell him I am looking forward to such another next Sunday."
This said, they all went over the side, the Admiral taking great care of Miss Acton as she crossed the planks72. Mr Lawrence remained in the gangway. When on the wharf his father called to him.
"Where do you dine, Walter?"
"At 'The Swan,' sir."
[Pg 112]
"I have a few words to say to my son," said the Admiral. "I will bid you good-bye here," and with the ceremonious courtesy of that age, he took leave of Captain Acton and the ladies, who proceeded to their carriage, where they were cordially welcomed by the passionate73 barking of the pug and the terrier.
Mr Lawrence's eye reposed74 upon Lucy's figure whilst his father was bidding the party farewell, whilst she walked away on Captain Acton's right, Aunt Caroline strutting76 and leaning with some affectation on her crutch-cane on his left, the three much saluted by the people who lingered on the wharf, as they went. The young fellow's eyes still reposed upon the girl even as the Admiral came stumping77 across the planks pounding them with his staff as he walked.
"Well," said he, "I suppose you kept your appointment this morning with Captain Acton."
"Oh, certainly, and his reception was all that I could have expected at his hands."
"Are the terms pretty satisfactory?"
"Twelve pounds a month, and ten per cent. commission on the freight."
"On the freight?"
"I understand," said the Admiral. "This[Pg 113] should prove a very good offer—very good terms. What will this ship carry?"
Mr Lawrence reflected as though mentally gauging79 depth of hold and breadth of beam, and answered, "I think when flush she should hold six hundred tons."
"Six hundred tons out and six hundred home. That is twelve hundred. I don't know what freights are, but they must rule high, and, kindly80 creature as he is, Acton is the man to know to what market to drive his pigs. I think you have done very well; besides obtaining occupation which may conduct you to something higher or at least better, you stand to clear about a hundred pounds by this voyage——"
"The value of its wages, sir, will depend upon its length," interrupted Mr Lawrence.
"I know that," cried the Admiral. "But whatever the sum, it is good money and honestly earned, made not as you could make it in this place, and better a hundred pounds gained by toil81 which a man's conscience approves and applauds, than one hundred thousand fetched from the pockets of others by the crime of gambling82."
He looked steadily at his son whose eyes were fixed18 upon the carriage which the Actons were at that moment entering.
"Did you observe Mr Greyquill," continued[Pg 114] the Admiral, "on the wharf behind a little crowd of people viewing the ship under his lifted hand? He was there when you came on deck."
"I saw him."
"What brings that old man here peering and mopping and mowing83? Has he heard of your appointment? I wish he may not be hatching some scheme, planning some design to end this, your fortunate command, by arresting you unless you pay him up in full."
"I don't know what his intentions are," said Mr Lawrence with some blood colouring his face. "I saw the old rascal84 plain enough, but avoided his eye as I feared he might have the insolence85 to step aboard and address me in the presence of Captain Acton and the ladies, and yourself, sir. But if he has heard of my appointment I cannot conceive that he meditates86 my arrest as an alternative to my paying him in full, which he knows I cannot do. I should tell him that by waiting he will receive payment by instalments. This I can manage now that I have money coming to me. Will he stop his sole chance of receiving back his loan by clapping me into gaol87?"
"Why, perhaps not," answered the Admiral. "He would be a fool as well as a villain88 for so doing. Take an opportunity of putting [Pg 115]the matter to him as you put it to me. I do not want to see your chance obstructed89 nor Captain Acton's kindness embarrassed by any action on the part of old Greyquill. And I beg, sir," continued the old officer speaking slowly and solemnly, "that during the rest of your time ashore you will behave with that discretion90 which can alone secure you the continuance of Captain Acton's goodwill91. You are going to dine at 'The Swan'? I am sure you will understand what must signify a report that you were not master of yourself, for," continued the old Admiral with emphasis, "it is idle to believe that the best natured man in the world will confide92 his property and the care of valuable lives to the custody93 of a man who is not fit to take charge of himself."
"You may trust me," said Mr Lawrence, making Sir William so low a bow that it might have been thought that they were strangers, and had met on an affair of ceremony.
The young man watched his father roll away towards the steps which conducted him on to the bridge. His face was sunk in thought, a peculiar gloom was in the expression of it. His beauty even in repose75 always had something of sternness in it: now as he watched his father's diminishing figure his mouth gradually put on an air of bitter[Pg 116] hardness, and a frown gave severity and even the light of anger to his eyes.
He was lingering on board until the hour when the ordinary at "The Swan" was served, and whilst he stood looking over the rail near the gangway, so profoundly self-abstracted that his eyes, turning idly, seemed without speculation94, Mr Eagle came across the planks. He limped a little, and the expression of his face was uncommonly acid with pain and the nature of the man.
"Oh," said Mr Lawrence, waking up, "here is a packet left by Miss Acton for you for your feet." He handed him the sulphur.
"I am much obliged I am sure," said Eagle. He put it to his nose. "I have tried it again and again," he said, "and it ain't of no more use than if you was to rub in snuff. But she's a kindly lady to remember me," said he, putting the packet into his pocket. "And I hope, sir, as when you meet her you'll present her with my humble95 acknowledgments."
Mr Lawrence gave him a nod and then turned his head away, not desirous of further converse96 with a man he regarded as inferior to a boatswain's mate or master-at-arms upon a man-of-war.
Eagle was on board to see to the arrival of cargo which came into Old Harbour very leisurely97 in waggon-loads at a time. The[Pg 117] Minorca was now receiving commodities for the passage out, but she did not sail till the 3rd of May, and was not yet more than half full up.
Mr Lawrence looked at the clock which was affixed to the house at the end of the wharf in which Captain Acton had his offices, and was about to leave the ship to make his way to "The Swan," when a man who had been standing a few moments on the quay side at the foot of the gangway boards, stepped across and saluted him.
Mr Lawrence exclaimed: "Oh, it's you! What do you want?"
The man was almost a caricature owing to malformation and other deformities. His red hair flamed; he was hunched98, his arms were as long as a baboon's and seemed designed for climbing. His legs were arched and at the same time crooked99 at the knees, so that he appeared to be stooping whether he walked or stood, and to complete the suggestion of his origin he had a trick of scratching himself like a monkey. He was about twenty-five years of age. Whose son he was he could not have told. He preeminently belonged to the parish.
Lawrence had got to know of his existence by one day sauntering into the justice's court. Among the prisoners charged with various[Pg 118] misdemeanours was this man, who had no other name than Paul. He was accused of having taken a vegetable, a cabbage or a turnip100, from a field which lay invitingly101 open, and the punishment inflicted103 was a fine or a term of imprisonment104. Mr Lawrence, struck by the extraordinary appearance of the man, or witnessing a very great hardship in a pauper105 having to pay for so mean a thing as a turnip by a considerable term of incarceration106, put his hand in his pocket with a sailor's liberality, and finding the money that was wanted, handed the amount to an official of the court, and the man went free.
The man waited outside for Mr Lawrence. When he appeared he seized his hand, and fell upon his crooked knees and kissed and slobbered his hand, and blubbered, with tears trickling107 down his face, "that so help him his good God, come what might he would do anything, no matter what, to serve his honour, he would die for his honour; let his honour command him to jump into the river then and there and drown himself, he'd do it if only to please him." His gestures whilst on his knees, his extraordinary grimaces108, the strange, wild terms in which he expressed his pathetic gratitude for this condescension109 of a gentleman in taking notice of, and rescuing from gaol a poor, pitiful vagabond, a child of the parish,[Pg 119] a no man's son, nor woman's either, a creature who lived he could not tell how, sometimes by stealing a raw vegetable, sometimes by running an errand, sometimes by the bounty110 of a tradesman who might fling him a crust, or of some drunken fisherman who might toss him a shilling to sing him a song and dance as he sang, a performance so hideously111 uncouth112 that Hogarth would have immortalised it could he have witnessed it; his gratitude, in short, was so diverting, at the same time moving in its appeal to pity, that Mr Lawrence could scarcely forbear a laugh, and indeed did laugh when he got rid of the fellow and walked away.
"I understand that your honour's got command of this ship," answered Paul.
"Well!" exclaimed Mr Lawrence, eyeing him with that sort of regard with which one views some hairy, human-like importation of the likeness113 of a man, and perhaps better looking than some men, from an Indian or South American forest.
"If your honour hasn't shipped a steward114, sir, I should be mighty115 glad if you'd take me. I could sail round the world with you, sir. I'd love to be your shadder. Wherever your honour goes, I'd like to be there."
The strange face of the fellow with its red eyebrows and red eyelashes, and red fluff upon his upper lip, and compressed nose,[Pg 120] ape-like or sheep-like, so that the nostrils116 seemed to be squeezed out of position, and to gape117 from either side, quivered with feeling, with intensity118, and passion of desire.
Mr Lawrence, with a ridiculing119 smile, said: "What do you know about waiting on people in the cabins of ships?"
"What I did should be to your honour's satisfaction. I could lay a cloth and set a dish, and I'd learn in as many hours as much as it would take others days."
"But you were never at sea. You'll be sick in your hammock, and I shall be wanting some one to wait upon me."
"Oh yes, your honour, I've been to sea," answered Paul with prodigious120 earnestness. "I've been in smacks121. I've knocked about all my life in boats belonging to this Harbour. Sick! No fear, your honour. I'll sarve you for nothing."
Mr Lawrence looked at the red-headed, monkey-faced, pleading creature, not, in that look designing, it was manifest, to give him the berth; but all on a sudden his face slightly changed, an idea seemed to flash up in him and work in his countenance122, just as a light kindled123 suddenly within a mask made of something transparent124 might, by the intention of the artist, change its look.
"What's your name again?" he said.
[Pg 121]
"Paul, your honour," answered the fellow, brightening instinctively125 with the face Mr Lawrence now viewed him with.
"No other name?—no matter; Paul will do very well for the books."
He mused126 a little with his eyes fastened upon the ship's decks. For a space he was deeply sunk in thought. Presently his eyes rose to the figure before him, and he examined him as curiously127 as though he had never before seen him.
"Be here," said he, "on Saturday next. It may be that I'll give you the berth. No more words. Off with you!"
The fellow made a dash with his hand at a red forelock, and in his crooked gait went through the gangway and walked away up to the wharf, just as Mr Eagle rose out of the main-hatch.
Mr Lawrence walked to "The Swan." The entrance was under a covered way into which the stage coach drove for baiting. Mr Lawrence walked into the bar and observed a letter fixed in a frame of red tape stretched across a board covered with green baize. As he was in the habit of receiving letters at this house he looked at this one and saw that it was addressed to him. He pulled it out of its mesh128 of tape, and addressing a middle-aged129, comely130 woman who sat in the window in[Pg 122] the bar where she supplied lookers-in with pots of frothing beer, or directed them to such parts of the house as they desired to visit, he asked when that letter had been left, and was answered that the letter carrier had brought it in about two hours before.
He seemed to know the handwriting on the envelope, and there was a frown upon his face as he broke the big seal. He read it where he stood. It was a letter from a Captain Rousby informing him that he owed him the sum of one hundred guineas, that this money as a debt of honour had been payable131 immediately on proof of the loss of the wager132, but that so far from having received it, Captain Rousby had been waiting for nine months without obtaining further satisfaction than the now wearisome and well-worn excuse that Mr Lawrence could not immediately pay, that he was expecting to obtain employment in the course of the month which would enable him to discharge this debt with interest if Captain Rousby thought proper. The Captain informed Mr Lawrence that last week Mrs Rousby had presented him with twins, a catastrophe133 which greatly increased his expenses at a time when he was without employment, and when money was never more urgently needed. Captain Rousby then went on to inform[Pg 123] Mr Lawrence that if a portion of this debt, say twenty-five guineas, was not sent to him by the first of June, it would be his unpleasant duty to visit Old Harbour Town, call upon Sir William Lawrence and state the facts of the case to him as an officer and a gentleman. If he could obtain no satisfaction from the Admiral, it would be his painful duty—a duty that must be singularly distasteful to a man who had been a messmate and shipmate of Mr Lawrence—to take such steps as his lawyer might advise.
When Mr Lawrence had read this letter through, he was in the act of crushing it by one of those spasmodic motions of the hand which accompany a sudden violent gust134 of wrath135, he met the eyes of the female in the bar fixed upon him; in her gloomy beer-flavoured recess136, faintly luminous137 with hanging rows of highly-polished drinking pots, and a sideboard well within laden138 with metal vessels for drinking from and for holding drink, the landlady139 of "The Swan," for such was this decoration of the bar, had manifestly been studying his face whilst he read. She knew him very well, and she was also well acquainted with his habits. In a breath on meeting her eyes he changed his resolution, and folded up the letter into its original creases140, giving her a smile which did not seem in the least[Pg 124] degree forced, and saying to her in his pleasantest manner, "Is the ordinary on?" and receiving her answer after she had darted141 a look at an invisible clock in her room, "In another three minutes, sir," he passed on and went upstairs.
The ordinary was held in a long room next to the room in which the seafaring men congregated142. As a meal it was renowned143 in the district. Coarse it might have been called, coarse and plentiful144, but it was of that sort of coarseness which makes very good eating. Mr Short, the landlord, was a liberal caterer145, and he excelled in choice of rounds of beef, in joints146 of venison, in legs of pork and mutton, in fine dishes of veal148; and this ordinary was always graced with a precedent149 dish of fish, which was invariably fresh from the sea, and whether turbot, cod, bake, soles, and many flat fish which the smacks brought with them into Old Harbour, were delicious in freshness and flavour. Short's cheeses, too, were always very fine, dry, crumbly, flakey, nutty, and without being too strong they flavoured the bread or the biscuit with what the palate knew to be real cheese. His cellars held a very fine old port, but it was seldom asked for unless some person of distinction and importance occupied a seat at that teeming150 and appetising board. Short brewed151 his [Pg 125]own beer, and a delicate amber152 draught153 it was; there was no better beer brewed in England.
This ordinary was held every day, for there were always people passing through Old Harbour Town, and then Old Harbour Town itself was liberal with its own supply of guests, pilots, smack-owners and others who found it cheaper and much more convenient to get a cut at "The Swan," than to sit down to an ill-killed and ill-cooked joint147, or a fried chop or steak in their own homes. The ordinary was frequently graced by the presence of distinguished154 people. A lord would occasionally take a chair; several neighbouring squires155 were regular frequenters when business brought them into those parts. Captain Acton had often made a meal at that table, and so had Sir William.
Mr Short occupied the head of the table, and the oldest frequenter who happened to be present the foot. Mr Short took his seat when Mr Lawrence sat down, and all the people who had come to eat were then assembled. In a picture they would figure as a homely156 old English lot: men in bottle-green coats, in red coats, in purple waistcoats, in plain pilot cloth, here and there a dandy built up in the latest style, here and there an old fogey who stuck to the fashion of the last[Pg 126] century and figured in a little tye wig157, a frill very fit for the harbouring of snuff, a cut-away coat with immense pockets, such as Boswell might have been found drunk in, in Edinburgh, and shoes with buckles158.
Mr Short said grace, and prayed for the King and Royal Family, and for the utter ruin and confusion of the French, Spanish, and all our enemies. In two or three places the walls were adorned159 by maps, with which no navigator of this age would dare to risk his life fifty miles out of sight of land. A spinet160 stood in a corner; it was sometimes customary when the ordinary was ended and the sentiments had been brought to a conclusion for any one who could perform, to sit down to this spinet and accompany any gentleman who was good enough to oblige. But it was always understood that the song must carry a chorus which everybody present knew so that everybody present might join in it, hence the same old melodies were very often heard in that long room with the low ceiling, and its clock whose voice was audible all over the house at night.
Mr Lawrence was a quality guest, and being a frequenter, had a place of his own, which was on the left hand of the landlord; thus he got the fish of his choice, the cut of meat he liked best, the best draught of ale the house could[Pg 127] supply, and this ordinary was too useful to him to allow him to be in debt to it.
Short was a large fat man with a pink face, merry little drunken eyes almost buried out of sight in hairy eyebrows and eyelashes; his pear-shaped nose was so purple at the end that it might have been supposed he had just been fighting his way through a hedge full of nettles161. He treated his patrons as guests, and of those he knew, would ask familiarly after their relations, and how their businesses went and the like.
Mr Lawrence sat very silent, yet ate with appetite because what was put before him he relished162, but it was observed that he limited himself to one tankard of beer. When the ordinary was ended, pipes were put upon the table, and jars of tobacco, and then Mr Short, without rising, exclaimed:
"Gentlemen! before I give you a sentiment I shall be pleased if you will allow me to propose a toast. It was only known to me this morning that my highly respectable friend on the left, Mr Lawrence, the son of that distinguished officer, Rear-Admiral Sir William Lawrence, has received, through his friend Captain Acton of His Majesty's Navy, the command of that beautiful barque, the Minorca. I am sure that there is ne'er a gent here who takes an interest in our Old Harbour, and[Pg 128] who has the honour of the acquaintance of Captain Acton and Mr Lawrence, but will feel proud and delighted that that beautiful ship, the Minorca, which we all claim now as belonging to our town, will be commanded by as fine an officer as ever walked His Majesty's quarterdeck. Gentlemen all, I give you the health of Captain Acton, Mr Lawrence, and the Minorca, and may prosperity attend the beautiful ship, and may she return home to gladden the eyes of all well-wishers of our grand old town by loading our store-houses with more foreign produce."
Mr Lawrence looked startled when this toast was begun; but he composed his face as Short proceeded, and when everybody was extending his glass to him and wishing him all the good-luck that Short desired, he was receiving the general salutation with a composed smile and an air of courteous163 appreciation164.
One sat at the table who peered at him hard when Mr Short began. This was a middle-aged man in a brown wig. He was one of the two clerks kept by Mr Greyquill, and regularly dined at "The Swan's" ordinary, a repast which had never once been decorated by the presence of Mr Greyquill, who, living in rooms over his offices, chose to eat for his breakfast a little fish which he bought from[Pg 129] a man with a barrow with whom he haggled165, and for his dinner a cutlet or a piece of steak, just enough for one, with vegetables, and for supper whatever might have been left from breakfast or dinner, and if nothing was left, then a piece of "hearty bread and cheese," as he would term it, and a glass of beer.
The man with the brown wig peered with his head on one side at Mr Lawrence, as though Mr Short's toast conveyed a piece of news to him.
When the landlord had made an end, and the healths named had been pledged, Mr Short, filling a pipe and inviting102 those of his friends who were smokers166 to follow his example, asked old Mr Sturgeon, a well-known smack owner, for a sentiment, who in a feeble voice, and eyes from which the light of being had almost been extinguished by time, broke out in a sort of hiccough: "As we ascend167 the hill of life may we never meet a friend."
This was enough for Mr Lawrence, who perfectly understood that all the sentiments which were likely to be delivered at that table he had heard over and over again. He rose, made a bow to the landlord and the company, and walked from the room to the adjacent room, which was made a reading-room of by the pilots, smacksmen, and others, and sitting down at the long table, took a sheet of some[Pg 130] paper which was there for the accommodation of the frequenters, and after thinking deeply, undisturbed by the sound of singing which started next door, he began to write in pencil, obviously making a draft of a communication he proposed to copy there, or more probably elsewhere.
Certainly what he wrote about did not refer to the letter he had received on his arrival at "The Swan." This may be assumed, as he never referred to that letter which lay in his pocket. He wrote leisurely and with absorption, never heeding168 the noise next door, and when he was done he carefully read through what he had written, and with his handsome face stern with the quality of resolution and the temper which enters into great or violent undertakings169 as their impulse or seminal170 principle, he pocketed the letter, and left the room by another door.
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1
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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4
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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cod
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| n.鳕鱼；v.愚弄；哄骗 | |
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smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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cockroaches
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| n.蟑螂( cockroach的名词复数 ) | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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14
slake
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| v.解渴，使平息 | |
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berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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16
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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17
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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18
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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19
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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20
navigate
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| v.航行，飞行；导航，领航 | |
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21
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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22
attired
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| 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 ) | |
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23
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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24
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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25
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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26
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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27
meritorious
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| adj.值得赞赏的 | |
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28
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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29
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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30
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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31
orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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32
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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33
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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34
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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35
spoke
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| 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 | |
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36
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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37
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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38
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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39
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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40
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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41
quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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42
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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43
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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44
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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45
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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46
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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47
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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48
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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49
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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50
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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51
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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52
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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53
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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54
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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55
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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56
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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57
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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58
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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59
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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60
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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61
wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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62
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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63
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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64
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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65
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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66
poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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67
illiterate
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| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
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68
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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69
trumps
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| abbr.trumpets 喇叭；小号；喇叭形状的东西；喇叭筒v.（牌戏）出王牌赢（一牌或一墩）( trump的过去式 )；吹号公告，吹号庆祝；吹喇叭；捏造 | |
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70
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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71
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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72
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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73
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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74
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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76
strutting
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| 加固，支撑物 | |
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77
stumping
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| 僵直地行走，跺步行走( stump的现在分词 )； 把（某人）难住； 使为难； （选举前）在某一地区作政治性巡回演说 | |
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78
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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79
gauging
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| n.测量[试]，测定，计量v.（用仪器）测量( gauge的现在分词 )；估计；计量；划分 | |
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80
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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81
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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82
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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83
mowing
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| n.割草，一次收割量，牧草地v.刈，割( mow的现在分词 ) | |
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84
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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85
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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86
meditates
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的第三人称单数 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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87
gaol
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| n.(jail)监狱；(不加冠词)监禁；vt.使…坐牢 | |
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88
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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89
obstructed
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| 阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
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90
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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91
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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92
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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93
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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94
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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95
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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96
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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97
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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98
hunched
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| （常指因寒冷、生病或愁苦）耸肩弓身的，伏首前倾的 | |
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99
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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100
turnip
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| n.萝卜，芜菁 | |
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101
invitingly
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| adv. 动人地 | |
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102
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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103
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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105
pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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106
incarceration
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| n.监禁，禁闭；钳闭 | |
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107
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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108
grimaces
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| n.（表蔑视、厌恶等）面部扭曲，鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 ) | |
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109
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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110
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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111
hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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112
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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113
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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114
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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115
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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116
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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117
gape
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| v.张口，打呵欠，目瞪口呆地凝视 | |
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118
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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119
ridiculing
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| v.嘲笑，嘲弄，奚落( ridicule的现在分词 ) | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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121
smacks
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| 掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌 | |
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122
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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123
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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124
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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125
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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127
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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128
mesh
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| n.网孔，网丝，陷阱；vt.以网捕捉，啮合，匹配；vi.适合； [计算机]网络 | |
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129
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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130
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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131
payable
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| adj.可付的，应付的，有利益的 | |
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132
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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133
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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134
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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140
creases
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的第三人称单数 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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caterer
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| n. 备办食物者，备办宴席者 | |
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joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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147
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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veal
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| n.小牛肉 | |
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149
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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teeming
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| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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151
brewed
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| 调制( brew的过去式和过去分词 )； 酝酿； 沏（茶）； 煮（咖啡） | |
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152
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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153
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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154
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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155
squires
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| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
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156
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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wig
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| n.假发 | |
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158
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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159
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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spinet
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| n.小型立式钢琴 | |
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161
nettles
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| n.荨麻( nettle的名词复数 ) | |
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relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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164
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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165
haggled
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| v.讨价还价( haggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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166
smokers
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| 吸烟者( smoker的名词复数 ) | |
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167
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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168
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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169
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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170
seminal
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| adj.影响深远的；种子的 | |
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