“Haul away.”
“Keep him right side upwards, you sir,” said the American coolly.
“Right side upwards, sir!” growled the captain fiercely. “You deserve to be headed up in the cask yourself and thrown overboard.”
As he spoke, the big cask appeared above the combings of the hatchway, was swung clear of the opening, and lowered again, to come down with a bump upon the deck.
“Here, quick,” cried the captain. “Bring an axe and knock off those top hoops.”
“Nay, nay!” cried the American coolly.
“Don’t interfere, sir,” said Sir Humphrey; “it is to get the head out.”
“I know,” said the American; “but one of those borings is a round keyhole. He’ll open the head from inside if he’s awake: and if he don’t I can.”
“If he’s awake!” said Brace bitterly.
“P’raps he isn’t, for he’s a oner to sleep. Stand aside, skipper.”