“There is somebody outside. We have a part to play. I am abusing you and you are fighting for your life,� I whispered swiftly, then louder, fairly shouting at her, indeed, I cried out, “Down on your knees, wench. You will find that you have met your master now.�
I made some sound of scuffling and she did indeed scream loudly. In the midst of the commotion the door was tried, but fortunately I had turned the key.
“Who’s there?� I shouted, and to my lady whispered, “beg for help, loudly.�
Entering into the spirit of the game and smiling at me since there was none but me to see, albeit she infused strange terror in her voice so that I was amazed myself, she cried at the top of her voice,
“Help! Help!�
I in turn called louder yet.
“Silence woman!� and struck the bulkhead again.
Finally turning to the door I opened it a bit and there stood one of the younger seamen.
“What want you?� I began sternly and stormily. “I don’t care to be disturbed just now.�
“Well, from the sound of your love makin’,� answered the sailor insolently, “I shouldn’t judge that you was gittin’ any for-ader.�