No one could have listened to the voice of the finest Italian opera-singer of the day with more relish and ardent attention than the doctor to the chanting of the convicts.
The singing ceased. I stood at a little distance, with the brandy and the corkscrew, waiting to be told to draw the cork.
‘Whose was that deep voice?’ said Captain Barrett.
‘Barney Abram’s,’ answered the doctor.
‘Was it a Christian hymn they sang?’ asked Captain Barrett.
‘Certainly,’ responded the doctor. ‘Do you suppose that I would allow any other sort of hymn to be sung in this ship?’
‘What’s Barney’s creed?’ said the subaltern.
‘He’s coming right,’ answered the doctor, severely. And then turning to Captain Sutherland, he exclaimed: ‘I know you take an interest in these matters. You will be gratified to learn that Abram expressed a wish yesterday to be received into our Church.’
‘Indeed!’ said Captain Sutherland.
‘That could only be done by a bishop or a clergyman, I suppose?’ said the subaltern.