“Of course, Jackson, it isn’t my place to interfere, and perhaps I was wrong in mentioning the matter?”
“Oh, don’t you fret about your doin’ wrong, mate. You’ve done right, an’ by the Lord Harry, when I tell some o’ them about his meanness an’ lyin’, there’ll be hell to pay! There’s old Bill Brown will be hoppin’ about it. Only yesterday, old Bill says to me: ‘Damme,’ says Bill, ‘I’ve been threatenin’ to desert ever since we kem on this here station but I’ve been held back ’cause I hated to leave the old flag. But, by G——,’ (Bill’s a orful swearer) ‘if this feller deals out short allowance o’ grog, I’m finished with King George!’”
“It’s a shame, Jackson. Don’t tell any of the men that I have given you a drink. Dunton would be sure to hear of it and that would be the end of the game. I know where there’s a good supply stowed away and I can get at it; so, if you keep the matter to yourself, I may be able to let you have a good drink occasionally.”
“All right, my hearty; you can trust me with a secret. Fact of it is, mate, the crew don’t think anything the worse o’ you for bein’ a Yank. They know Dunton’s down on you, but he’s obliged to keep a civil tongue just now. Old Dick Raggett has given him orders to treat you decent.”
“I thought there was something strange about his civility, Jackson, and I’m much obliged to you for telling me the reason. What do you say to another swallow?”
Jackson had no objection at all, so he took a copious draught which put him in high spirits.
Hoppy again warned him to be silent about the rum and went aft.
The stillness of the atmosphere continued and the night was intensely dark. From his station Hoppy closely watched the western sky. The deluge would soon be upon them and already he noticed faint streaks of lightning near the horizon. Everything seemed to favor him. He had secured the goodwill of Jackson and would be able to use him when the right moment arrived. The watch officers, also seeing the lightning, asked him if he thought it advisable to call Dunton’s attention to it, but Hoppy replied that his orders were not to call the commander until there were signs of a breeze.
“It’s no use waking him, Mr. Jenkins. If we’re going to run for better holding ground we must wait for wind, and we shan’t have any for some time yet.”
“Very well, Mayo; but if a sudden squall should strike us, Mr. Dunton won’t be pleased to be below.”