"You will be the laughing-stock of all the ships inside the Wight, and the object of some indignation ashore."
"There is nothing to detain us, for doubtless I can pick up a few recruits at Falmouth.… But what to do with these men?"
"May I suggest that I have not yet dismissed my shore-boat?"
"The very thing!" Captain Suckling gazed overside, and then southward towards the Wight, whence a light sea-fog was drifting up again to envelop us.
"I never thought," he murmured, "to be thankful for thick weather to weigh anchor in!"
He turned and stared pensively at the line of prisoners who had staggered one by one to the bulwarks, and leaned there limply, their resentment lost for the time in the convulsions of nature.
"It seems like taking advantage of their weakness," said he pensively.
"It does," agreed His Excellency; "but I strongly advise it."
A moment, and a moment only, Captain Suckling hesitated before giving the order.… Then in miserable procession the strong men were led past us to the ladder, each supported by two seamen. The gangway was crowded, and my inches did not allow me to look over the bulwarks: but I heard the boatswain knocking off their irons in the boat below, and the objurgating voice of the man in the pearl buttons.
"Give way!" shouted someone. I edged towards the gangway and stooped; and then, peering between the legs of my superior officers, I saw the boat glide away from the frigate's side. Our friends lay piled on the bottom-boards and under the thwarts like a catch of fish. One or two lifted clenched fists: and the boatmen, eyeing them nervously, fell to their oars for dear life.