“Where is he then?” cried the astonished lieutenant.
“Your honour won’t cut me down if I speak?” said the corporal.
“No, no,” said the lieutenant, lowering the point of his sword; “where is Mr Leigh?”
“Ain’t come aboard, sir.”
“Not come aboard? Here, Waters!”
The gunner trotted forward, pulled his forelock and kicked out his right leg behind.
“Where is Mr Leigh?”
The gunner pulled his forelock again, kicked out his left leg, and as he bobbed his head, his pigtail went up and came down again flop between his shoulders as if it were a long knocker.
“I say, where is Mr Leigh? You mutinous scoundrel, why don’t you speak?”
“Honour said you’d cut me down if I did.”