Two minutes after I had drained that mug and chewed off some chunks of “junk,” and I was still doing business at the old stand.
“And now,” said I, “next?”
“Well,” came the hearty response, “seein’s I’m the doctor, why, I jest says the deck for yourn. Besides, them’s the orders.”
Before I mounted the ladder I stood before the old fellow, and put out my hand.
“My name’s Tom Grey,” said I, “and somehow I’m not much when it comes to thanks; but[Pg 45]——”
“Aw, shucks!” he roared back at me, as he fairly enveloped my hand with his big paw. “Nawthin’ ’tall! Kind o’ fun, ’twas, fishin’ you out thataway! Besides, I warn’t doing nothin’ but obeyin’ orders; an’ as mebbe I’ve before let out, I’m quite some when it comes t’ orders. Yep! Why, any o’ the lads on deck’ll second the motion that old Steve, bos’n o’ this here Ruby Light, jest eats ’em—orders, that is. Now, tumble out and mind your eye, matie. Me fer a cat nap.”
Whereupon he rolled into the bunk I had quitted.
CHAPTER IX.
A PLEASURE TRIP.
It was fully fifteen minutes after I gained the deck before the slightest attention was paid to my appearance, and this period I made full use of in close scrutiny of my surroundings.
Never, even aboard a man-of-war, have I seen such decks. Holystoned they were, every inch of them, and at that very instant four fellows were scouring away for dear life.