“Well, that is hard. I will go for you, Prose, shall I? Where’s the boat?”
“All ready, alongside. Well, now, it’s very kind of you, Jerry, I do declare.”
Jerry laid hold of the man-ropes, and began to descend the side—and then, as if recollecting himself of a sudden, said, “Oh, by the bye, I had nearly forgot. Here’s a note from the master to Mr Price. Give it him, Prose.”
“Yes, Jerry, I will,” replied Prose, walking over to the side of the quarter-deck where Price was carrying on the duty, while Jerry made all the haste he could, and shoved off in the boat.
“A note, sir, from Mr Pearce, the master.”
“Hum,” said Price, running it over. “Mr Prose, go up to the masthead, and stay there till I call you down.”
“Sir!” replied Prose, aghast.
“No reply, sir—up immediately.”
“Why, sir, it was—”
“Another word, sir, and I’ll keep you there all night,” cried Price, walking forward, in furtherance of the duty he was carrying on.