Here Captain Burke arrived with a sextant in his hand.
'What is it, my lads?' said he quickly, but good-humouredly.
'The starboard watch's allowance of meat's gone off, sir,' said the man in the Scotch cap civilly enough.
'The fok'sle's dark with the smell of it,' said another.
'Notice a blue ring round the flame of the lamp?' said the captain.
''Tain't meat for men,' exclaimed the man, who had growled out a laugh.
'Go and bring aft what remains of it,' said Captain Burke, and he stepped to the side and adjusted his sextant to get a meridional observation.
The men trudged forward. I could not but notice how eloquent of grumbling their postures were as they walked. Experience has long since assured me that no man can so perfectly make every limb and lineament of him look his grievance as the sailor.
They presently returned, bearing a dish: Captain Burke stooped to it and sniffed.