"He ain't never been the same man since that cruel sentence was executed on him, sir. That and being separated from his wife has done it. See, he's reviving."
After a time he became sensible, and spoke quite rationally to those near him, but he steadily refused to speak about what he had seen.
"It's a horrid dream, a kind of nightmare, and I know it ain't real. Please, Jerry, don't ask me nothing more about it."
When the first lieutenant went his rounds the next morning, he observed Clare lying upon the bed in the acting boatswain's cabin, seeing which he sent for Mr. Thompson, and sneeringly remarked that he did not approve of the warrant-officers' cabins being turned into hospitals.
"If you please, sir, may poor Clare remain there for a day or two? I don't think he will last long anyhow."
"No, sir; let him go into the sick-bay, along with the rest of the men. It won't do to show favour. Why, they will want me to turn out of my cabin next."
"Never fear, sir."
"What do you mean by that reply, Mr. Thompson?" angrily demanded the bully.
"What I said, sir! No foremast hand would think of axing such a thing," coolly replied Jerry.
"Oh, very good. You must mind what you say. It will depend on me whether you are confirmed as boatswain or not, as Captain Tortle will be guided by my advice when he makes his report about you."