Dodd tried her on every tack, and at last ordered Sharpe to make all sail
and head for the Cape.
This electrified the first mate. The breeze was very faint but southerly,
and the Mauritius under their lee. They could make it in a night and
there refit, and ship a new rudder. He suggested the danger of sailing
sixteen hundred miles steered by a gimcrack; and implored Dodd to put
into port.
Dodd answered with a roughness and a certain wildness never seen in him
before: "Danger, sir! There will be no more foul weather this voyage;
Jonah is overboard." Sharpe stared an inquiry. "I tell you we shan't
lower our topgallants once from this to the Cape: Jonah is overboard:"
and he slapped his forehead in despair; then, stamping impatiently with
his foot, told Sharpe his duty was to obey orders, not discuss them.
"Certainly, sir," said Sharpe sullenly, and went out of the cabin with
serious thoughts of communicating to the other mates an alarming
suspicion about Dodd, that now, for the first time, crossed his mind. But
long habit of discipline prevailed, and he made all sail on the ship, and
bore away for the Cape with a heavy heart.
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