“Because the command has fallen upon you, my lad; and I’m only a poor feeble creature, hardly able to lift an arm. Come; you have no time to spare. Draw up your ropes, beat to quarters, and if the enemy does come near, and send a boat to land, you can warn them off.”
“And if they will not go, sir?”
“Send a shot over their heads.”
“And if they don’t go then?”
“Send one through their boat.”
“But that will hurt somebody, sir.”
“I hope so,” said the lieutenant, dryly. “Why, Strake, what are you doing?” he continued, excitedly, as the boatswain slowly sat up, uttering a groan as he lowered down his feet.
“On’y going to see to that there ammunition, sir. There’s no gunner aboard, and some one ought to do it.”
“But you are too weak and ill, my man.”
“I shall be weaker and iller ever so much, sir, if I stop here,” said the boatswain. “Oh, I arn’t so very bad.”