“And how many had we before?—twenty-six, I think.”
“Twenty-seven, sir, with the young chap I sent on board last night.”
“Well, that will do; it’s quite as many as we can stow away, or take care of:— pass them all down below, forward; take up the ladder, and put on the grating until we are out of the harbour. As soon as the jolly-boat comes on board we’ll up anchor.”
“She’ll be off directly, sir; I ordered her to wait for Johnson and Merton, who did not come down with us.”
“Do you think they have given you the slip?”
“I should think not, sir. Here is the jolly-boat coming off.”
“Well, pass the men forward, and secure them,” replied the lieutenant. “Overhaul the boat’s falls, and bring to with the windlass.”
Newton thought this a good opportunity to state that he was the master of a vessel, and, as such, protected from the impress; he therefore walked over to the lieutenant, addressing him, “I beg your pardon, sir—”
“Who are you?” interrupted the lieutenant, gruffly.
“I was impressed last night, sir;—may I speak to you?”