Anchor watch had been set; and as old Nestor struck four bells in the chill morning and croaked hoarsely out his ‘All’s well!’ the stars saw a crowd of men in stockinged feet, and bearing bundles, slipping silently aft.
The gig was hanging at the stern-davits. Noiselessly as greased falls could slide over greased sheaves she was lowered without a creak or a splash.
The man who had been standing over the cuddy companion with a handspike joined his fellows. Fortunately—for themselves—no one had shown up. The [50] ]boat pushed off, Bill sculling. The Sardanapalus was crewless.
Half-an-hour afterwards, the great Australian Bush took to itself sixteen hairy-breasted able seamen and this story.
[Footnote 1: ] Small wooden tub.] [Return to text]
[Footnote 2: ] A smoke and a drink of water.] [Return to text]
[Footnote 3: ] Merchant Seamen’s Act.] [Return to text]
[Footnote 4: ] Bile.] [Return to text]
[Footnote 5: ] Four till six a.m.] [Return to text]
[Footnote 6: ] Apprentices.] [Return to text]