"Yes, your honour." (Exit boatswain, and enter steward.)
This personage belonged to the party of marines, who had been drafted into the ship--for Captain Capperbar"s economical propensities would not allow him to hire a servant brought up to the situation, who would have demanded wages independent of the ship"s pay. Having been well drilled at barracks, he never answered any question put to him by an officer, without recovering himself from his usual "stand-at-ease" position-- throwing shoulders back, his nose up in the air, his arms down his sides, and the palms of his hands flattened on his thighs. His replies were given with all the brevity that the question would admit, or rapid articulation on his own part would enable him to confer.
"Thomas, are the sugar and cocoa ready to go on sh.o.r.e?"
"Yes, sir."
"Don"t forget to send that letter to Mr Gibson for the ten dozen port and sherry."
"No, sir."
"When it comes on board, you"ll bring it on sh.o.r.e a dozen at a time, in the hair trunk."
"Yes, sir."
"Mind you don"t let any of the hay peep outside."
"No, sir."
"Has the cooper finished the washing-tubs?"
"Yes, sir."
"And the small kids?"
"No, sir."
"Have you inquired among the ship"s company for a gardener?"
"Yes, sir; there"s a marine kept the garden of the major in the barracks."
"Don"t forget to bring him on sh.o.r.e."
"No, sir."
"Recollect, too, that Mrs Capperbar wants some vinegar--the boatswain"s is the best--and a gallon or two of rum--and you must corn some beef.
The harness cask may remain on sh.o.r.e, and the cooper must make me another."
"Yes, sir."
"Master Henry"s trousers--are they finished yet?"
"No, sir; Spriggs is at them now. Bailly and James are making Miss Ellen"s petticoats."
"And the shoes for Master John--are they finished?"
"Yes, sir."
"And Master Henry"s?"
"No, sir. Wilson says that he has lost Master Henry"s measure."
"Careless scoundrel! he shall have four-water grog for a week; and, steward, take three bags of bread on sh.o.r.e, and forty pounds of flour."
"Yes, sir."
"That"s all. Oh, no--don"t forget to send some peas on sh.o.r.e for the pig."
"No, sir," and the steward departed to execute his variety of commissions.
The present first-lieutenant of the _Aspasia_, who, upon the promotion of the former, had been selected by Captain M--- previous to his quitting the ship, was an excellent officer and a pleasant, light-hearted messmate, very superior in talent and information to the many.
The conduct of Captain Capperbar was a source of annoyance to him, as he frequently could not command the services of the different artificers when they were required for the ship. He had, however, been long enough in the service to be aware that it was better to make the best of it than to create enemies by impeaching the conduct of his superior officer. As the command of Captain Capperbar was but temporary, he allowed him to proceed without expostulation, contenting himself with turning his conduct into a source of conversation and amus.e.m.e.nt.
"Well, Prose, how do you like the new skipper?" inquired Seymour, soon after his arrival on board.
"Why--I do declare, I can hardly tell. He"s a very good-tempered man, but he don"t exactly treat us midshipmen as if we were officers or gentlemen; and as for his wife, she is really too bad. I am sent every day on sh.o.r.e to the cottage, because I belong to the captain"s gig.
They never ask me to sit down, but set me to work somehow or another.
The other day he had a boat"s crew on sh.o.r.e digging up a piece of ground for planting potatoes, and he first showed me how to cut the _eyes_, and then gave me a knife, and ordered me to _finish the whole bag_ which lay in the field, and to see that the men worked properly at the same time.
I never cut potatoes into little bits before, except at table after they were boiled."
"Well, that was too bad; but however, you"ll know how to plant potatoes in future--there"s nothing like knowledge."
"And then he sends the nurse and children for an airing, as he calls it, on the water, and I am obliged to take them. I don"t like pulling maid-servants about."
"That"s quite a matter of taste, Prose; some midshipmen do."
"What do you think Mrs Capperbar asked me to do the other day?"
"I"m sure I can"t guess."
"Why, to sh.e.l.l peas."
"Well, did you oblige her?"
"Why, yes, I did; but I did not like it,--and the other day the captain sent me out to walk with the nurse and children, that I might carry Master Henry if he was tired."
"They have observed the versatility of your genius."
"She made me hunt the hedges for a whole morning after eggs because she was convinced that one of the hens laid astray."
"Did you find any?"
"No; and when I came back to tell her so, she got into a rage, and threatened to make the captain flog me."
"The devil she did!"
"A devil she is," continued Prose. "She runs about the house--"Captain Capperbar" this,--"Captain Capperbar" that--"I will"--"I will not"--"I insist"--"I am determined." But," continued Prose, "as you belonged to the captain"s gig before, you will of course take her again, and I shall be very glad to give the charge up to you."