“Rosalie! why that’s the name of my niece,” exclaimed Piron; “and she is prettier and whiter than your trim little craft, sir. But you must come with the commodore to Escondido, and judge for yourself. But, bless my soul! you resemble our Rosalie, even if your schooner don’t. Why, look at him, Paddy Burns!”
Don Stingo, and Tom Stewart, and the Paddy did look at him, and all shook hands with him, laughing the while at Piron, and asking when old Clinker looked for another earthquake.
“Come, Piron, come, gentlemen, don’t let us keep the soup waiting! By the way, Mr. Hardy, will you do me the favor to take a glass of wine with us after gun-fire?”
“Thank you.”
“Suppose you bring little Mouse with you; I like children; and perhaps you will excuse the younker from keeping his watch to-night? A little extra sleep in hammock won’t hurt him, you know.”
And so Commodore Cleveland raised his hat, followed by the eyes of respect and devotion from officer and sailor, as he passed down the ladder and entered his spacious cabin.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE BLUE PENNANT IN THE CABIN.
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“To Bachelors’ hall we good fellows invite To partake of the chase that makes up our delight.” “Ask smiling honor to proclaim What is glory, what is fame? Hark! the glad mandate strikes the list’ning ear! ‘The truest glory to the bosom dear, Is when the soul starts soft compassion’s tear.’” |