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“In the middle o’ this argument the gunner protrudes his ram-bow from ‘is cabin, an’ brings it all to an ‘urried conclusion with some remarks suitable to ‘is piebald warrant-rank. Navigatin’ thence under easy steam, an’ leavin’ Antonio to re-sling his little foreign self, my large flat foot comes in detonatin’ contact with a small objec’ on the deck. Not ‘altin’ for the obstacle, nor changin’ step, I shuffles it along under the ball of the big toe to the foot o’ the hatchway, when, lightly stoopin’, I catch it in my right hand and continue my evolutions in rapid time till I eventuates under ‘Op’s lee.

“It was a small moroccer-bound pocket-book, full of indelible pencil- writin’–in French, for I could plainly discern the doodeladays, which is about as far as my education runs.

“‘Op fists it open and peruses. ‘E’d known an ‘arf-caste Frenchwoman pretty intricate before he was married; when he was trained man in a stinkin’ gunboat up the Saigon River. He understood a lot o’ French– domestic brands chiefly–the kind that isn’t in print.

“‘Pye,’ he says to me, ‘you’re a tattician o’ no mean value. I am a trifle shady about the precise bearin’ an’ import’ o’ this beggar’s private log here,’ ‘e says, ‘but it’s evidently a case for the owner. You’ll ‘ave your share o’ the credit,’ ‘e says.

“‘Nay, nay, Pauline,’ I says, ‘You don’t catch Emanuel Pyecroft mine- droppin’ under any post-captain’s bows,’ I says, ‘in search of honour,’ I says. ‘I’ve been there oft.’

“‘Well, if you must, you must,’ ‘e says, takin’ me up quick. ‘But I’ll speak a good word for you, Pye.’

“‘You’ll shut your mouth, ‘Op,’ I says, ‘or you an’ me’ll part brass-rags. The owner has his duties, an’ I have mine. We will keep station,’ I says, ‘nor seek to deviate.’

“‘Deviate to blazes!’ says ‘Op. ‘I’m goin’ to deviate to the owner’s comfortable cabin direct.’ So he deviated.”

Mr. Pyecroft leaned forward and dealt the Marine a large pattern Navy kick. “‘Ere, Glass! You was sentry when ‘Op went to the old man–the first time, with Antonio’s washin’-book. Tell us what transpired. You’re sober. You don’t know how sober you are!”

The Marine cautiously raised his head a few inches. As Mr. Pyecroft said, he was sober–after some R.M.L.I. fashion of his own devising. “‘Op bounds in like a startled anteloper, carryin’ ‘is signal-slate at the ready. The old man was settin’ down to ‘is bountiful platter–not like you an’ me, without anythin’ more in sight for an ‘ole night an’ ‘arf a day. Talkin’ about food–“

“No! No! No!” cried Pyecroft, kicking again. “What about ‘Op?” I thought the Marine’s ribs would have snapped, but he merely hiccuped.

“Oh, ‘im! ‘E ‘ad it written all down on ‘is little slate–I think–an’ ‘e shoves it under the old man’s nose. ‘Shut the door,’ says ‘Op. ‘For ‘Eavin’s sake shut the cabin door!’ Then the old man must ha’ said somethin’ ’bout irons. ‘I’ll put ’em on, Sir, in your very presence,’ says ‘Op, ‘only ‘ear my prayer,’ or–words to that ‘fect…. It was jus’ the same with me when I called our Sergeant a bladder-bellied, lard-‘eaded, perspirin’ pension-cheater. They on’y put on the charge-sheet ‘words to that effect,’ Spoiled the ‘ole ‘fect.”

“‘Op! ‘Op! ‘Op! What about ‘Op?” thundered Pyecroft.

“‘Op? Oh, shame thing. Words t’ that ‘fect. Door shut. Nushin’ more transphired till ‘Op comes out–nose exshtreme angle plungin’ fire or–or words ‘that effect. Proud’s parrot. ‘Oh, you prou’ old parrot,’ I says.”

Mr. Glass seemed to slumber again.

“Lord! How a little moisture disintegrates, don’t it? When we had ship’s theatricals off Vigo, Glass ‘ere played Dick Deadeye to the moral, though of course the lower deck wasn’t pleased to see a leatherneck interpretin’ a strictly maritime part, as you might say. It’s only his repartees, which ‘e can’t contain, that conquers him. Shall I resume my narrative?”

Another drink was brought on this hint, and Mr. Pyecroft resumed.