“Well it’s very odd; I never lost a cock this way in all my voyages. Send the poulterer here; I must inquire about it.”
“Yes, sir,” replied the steward; and he quitted the cabin.
With the exception of the major, who knew nothing of the circumstances, the officers thought it advisable to de-camp, that they might not be present when the dénouement took place. The poulterer made his appearance, was interrogated, and obliged in his own defence to criminate the parties, corroborating his assertions by producing a pair of spurs found upon a cock, which had been killed, and thrown behind the coop in a hurry at the appearance of Captain Oughton on deck.
“I am sorry that my officers should have taken such a liberty,” observed the major, gravely.
“O never mind, major, only allow me to be even with them; I shouldn’t have minded if I had seen the fighting. I think you said that you would like to exercise your men a little this afternoon?”
“I did; that is, if not inconvenient.”
“Not in the least, major; the quarter-deck is at your service. I presume you do not superintend yourself?”
“Yes, I generally do.”
“Well, don’t this time, but let all the officers; and then I shall be able to play them a little trick that will make us all square.”
Major Clavering consented. The officers were ordered up to drill their men. Captain Majoribanks and Mr Irving had one party at the platoon exercise.