crew, “Fo’cs’le there!” And they sang out, “Aye, aye, sir!”
“Volunteers for the whaleboat!”
My heart was beating fast enough, but I do not think I could have counted a dozen throbs, before, with a wild hurrah, every man had leaped from the forecastle, Alister among them, and I was left alone.
I was just wondering if I could possibly be of use, when I heard the captain’s voice again. (He had come down, and was where the whaleboat was hanging, which, I learned, was fitted like a lifeboat, and the crew were crowding round him.)
“Steady, lads! Stand back. Come as you’re called. Thunder and lightning, we want to man the boat, not sink her. Mr. Johnson!”
“Aye, aye, sir!”
“A! B! C! D!” &c.
“Here, sir!” “Here, sir!” “Here, sir!”
“Fall back there! Thank you all, my lads, but she’s manned.”
A loud cheer drowned every other sound, and I saw men busy with the boat, and Alister coming back with a dejected air, and the captain jumping up and down, and roaring louder than the wind: “Steward! rum, and a couple of blankets. Look sharp. Stand back; in you go; steady! Now,