"
Theorists are amazing; and it was plain, by the alacrity with which these
good creatures loaded the rival instruments, that to them the pirate came
not so much as a pirate as a solution. Indeed, Kenealy, in the act of
charging his piece, was heard to mutter, "Now, this is lucky." However,
these theorists were no sooner loaded than something occurred to make
them more serious. They were sent for in haste to Dodd's cabin; they
found him giving Sharpe a new order.
"Shorten sail to the taupsles and jib, get the colours ready on the
halyards, and then send the men aft."
Sharpe ran out full of zeal, and tumbled over Ramgolam, who was stooping
remarkably near the keyhole. Dodd hastily bolted the cabin-door, and
looked with trembling lip and piteous earnestness in Kenealy's face and
Fullalove's. They were mute with surprise at a gaze so eloquent and yet
mysterious.
He manned himself, and opened his mind to them with deep emotion, yet not
without a certain simple dignity.
"Colonel," said he, "you are an old friend; _you,_ sir, are a new one;
but I esteem you highly, and what my young gentlemen chaff you about, you
calling all men brothers, and making that poor negro love you instead of
fear you, that shows me you have a great heart.
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