"And when will you like to come?" inquired Dodd, with imperturbable
good-humour.
"Now, this moment: and I'll trouble you to come along with me."
"Certainly, sir."
They got a boat and went out to the ship: on coming alongside, Dodd
thought to meet his wishes by going first and receiving him. But the
jealous, cross-grained fellow, shoved roughly before him and led the way
up the ship's side. Sharpe and the rest saluted him: he did not return
the salute, but said hoarsely, "Turn the hands up to muster."
When they were all aft, he noticed one or two with their caps on. "Hats
off and be ---- to you!" cried he. "Do you know where you are? Do you
know who you are looking at? If not, I'll show you. I'm here to restore
discipline to this ship: so mind how you run athwart my hawse: don't you
play with the bull, my men; or you'll find his horns ---- sharp. Pipe
down! Now, you, sir, bring me the log-book."
He ran his eye over it, and closed it contemptuously: "Pirates, and
hurricanes! _I_ never fell in with pirates nor hurricanes: I have heard
of a breeze, and a gale, but I never knew a seaman worth his salt say
'hurricane.
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