Bob and I stepped forward with one accord, just as Sir Hyde whipped round upon his heel and said sharply,—
“If you have no objection, sir, I should like to lead our bluejackets in this affair. You will have to send some one with them; they will be worse than useless in the hands of the soldier-officers, since they will not understand each other, and I might as well go as another.”
“Not to be thought of for a moment, sir,” returned the admiral. “No, no, no; give one or other of the captains a chance to distinguish himself; you have already made your mark. Well, what can I do for you, young gentlemen?” turning to us.
“We shall volunteer, sir,” said I, as bold as brass; “and we should feel very much obliged if you will put in a word for us with the sk— with Captain Hood, sir, if you please.”
“Have either of you ever been present at the storming of a fortress?” asked the admiral.
“No, sir,” cut in Bob, taking the words out of my mouth, “but we have boarded an enemy’s ship before now, sir, which is pretty much the same thing.”
“About as much like it as the musketry-fire of a squad of marines is to the broadside of this ship,” remarked the admiral. “No, my lads, take my advice and remain on board your ship. I have no doubt your courage is more than sufficient for such work, but you lack strength. Men are needed for a storming-party; you could be of no possible use, and by going would only risk your lives needlessly. I am sorry to be obliged to refuse you, but I should not be justified in acceding to your request. You may retire, young gentlemen, but I shall not forget your gallant behaviour.”
We accordingly retreated down the side, very much crestfallen and disappointed indeed, and, jumping into the dinghy, returned to the “Mouette,” just as the captains’ gigs from the various ships were coming up alongside.
Seating ourselves upon the companion-slide, and dangling our legs disconsolately down the companion, we abandoned ourselves to the most gloomy reflections, watching meanwhile the boats as they dashed up alongside the flag-ship, and cynically criticising the stroke and action of the several crews; and I am afraid the skippers themselves did not altogether escape our disparaging remarks.
We had been sitting thus for about a quarter of an hour, giving unrestrained vent to our feelings of dissatisfaction, when Bob’s countenance suddenly brightened, and, turning to me, he exclaimed in an animated tone of voice,—