the mirth of these rude-looking men, and I could hear some of them give utterance to certain expressions of sympathy.
Not so, however, the mate, who, without changing his tone of banter, instantly rejoined—
“Well, then, go to your father, and tell him to give you a good flogging!”
“I have no father!”
“Poor little chap! it’s a horphin arter all,” said one of the tars, in a kind tone.
“No father either, you say,” continued the mate, who appeared to me an unfeeling brute; “then go to your grandmother, or your uncle, or your aunt, if you’ve got one; or go anywhere you like, but get about your business from here, or I’ll trice you up, and give you a round dozen on the buttocks; be off now, I say!”
The brute seemed fully in earnest; and, deeply mortified by the threat, I turned away in obedience to the command.
I had reached the gangway, and was about to step upon the plank, when I observed a man coming in the opposite direction—from the shore. He was dressed in the same style as a merchant or other citizen might have been, with a black frock-coat and beaver hat; but there was something in his look that told me he belonged to the sea. The complexion of his face was of that weather bronze, and there was an expression in the eyes which I knew to be characteristic of men who lead the life of the mariner. Moreover, his trousers were of blue pilot-cloth, and that gave him a sea-faring look. It struck me at the moment that he was the captain of the ship.
I was not long in doubt. On reaching the gangway, the stranger stepped aboard with an air that betokened him the master; and I heard him issue some orders in a tone that bespoke his full command of everybody within hearing.
He did not stop after going aboard, but walked on towards the quarter-deck of the vessel.