Dont be in too great a hurry, sir, said Haco, with a peculiar smile and twinkle in his eye; Im inclined to think that Mr Stuart will send her back to London to be repaired there
What! exclaimed Susan, with a flush of indignation, an risk your life, father?
As to that, lass, my life has got to be risked anyhow, and it aint much worth, to say the truth; so you neednt trouble yourself on that pint.
Its worth a great deal to me, said Susan, drawing herself closer to the side of her rugged parent.
I could not help smiling as I looked at this curious specimen of a British seaman shaking his head gravely and speaking so disparagingly of himself, when I knew, and every one in the town knew, that he was one of the kindest and most useful of men. He was a very giant in size, with a breadth of shoulder that would have made him quite ridiculous had it not been counterbalanced by an altitude of six feet four. He had a huge head of red hair, and a huge heart full of tenderness. His only fault was utter recklessness in regard to his own life and limbsa fault which not unfrequently caused him to place the lives and limbs of others in jeopardy, though he never could be brought to perceive that fact.
Whatever your life may be worth, my friend, said I, it is to be hoped that Mr Stuart will not risk it by sending you to sea in the Coffin till it is thoroughly overhauled.
Come in! shouted the skipper, in answer to a rap at the door.
The invitation to enter was not accepted, but the rap was repeated.
Go, Susan, said I, see who it is.
Susan obeyedwith unusual alacrity, as I fancied, but did not return with equal quickness. We heard her whispering with some one; then there was a sound as if of a suppressed scream, followed by something that was marvellously like a slap applied to a cheek with an open hand. Next moment Susan re-appeared with a letter and a very flushed face.
A letter, sir, said Susan, dropping her eyes.
Who brought it? I inquired.
Mr Horsey, sir. Susan stammered the name, and looked confused. He waits an answer, sir.
Haco Barepoles had been eyeing his daughter gravely the while. He now sprang up with the wild energy that was his peculiar characteristic, and flinging the door wide-open with a crash that shook the whole framework of the berth, stood face to face with Dan Horsey.
Intense gravity marked the features of the groom, who stood, hat in hand, tapping the side of his top-boot with a silver-mounted riding-whip. He met Hacos steady frown with a calm and equally steady gaze of his clear grey eyes; and then, relaxing into a smile, nodded familiarly, and inquired if the weather was fine up there, bekaise, judgin from his, (Hacos), face he would be inclined to think it must be raither cowld!
Haco smiled grimly: Ye was to wait an answer, was ye?
If I may venture to make so bowld as to say so in the presence of your highness, I was.
Then wait, said Haco, smiling a little less grimly.
Thank ye, sir, for yer kind permission, said Dan in a tone and with an air of assumed meekness.
The skipper returned to the bed, which creaked as if taxed to its utmost, when he sat down on it, and drew Susan close to his side.
This is from Mr Stuart, Haco, said I, running my eye hastily over the note; he consents to my sending the men in your vessel, but after what you have told me
Dont mind wot I told ye, Captain Bingley. Ill see Mr Stuart to-day, anll call on you in the afternoon. The Coffin aint quite so bad as she looks. Have ee any answer to send back?
No, said I, turning to Dan, who still stood at the door tapping his right boot with a jaunty air; tell your master, with my compliments, that I will see him about this matter in the evening.
And harkee, lad, cried Haco, again springing up and confronting the groom, dye see this young ooman? (pointing to Susan.)
Sure I do, replied Dan, with a smile and a nod to Susan, an a purty cratur she is, for the eye of man to rest upon.
And, shouted Haco, shaking his enormous fist within an inch of the others nose, dye see them there knuckles?
Dan regarded them steadfastly for a moment or two without winking or flinching.
Theyre a purty bunch o fives, he said at length, drawing back his head, and placing it a little on one side in order to view the bunch, with the air of a connoisseur; very purty, but raither too fat to do much damage in the ring. I should say, now, that it would get puffy at the fifth round, supposin that you had wind and pluck left, at your time of life, to survive the fourth.
Well now, lad, retorted the skipper, all Ive to say is, that youve seed it, an if you dont mind yer eye yell feel it. A nods as good as a wink to a blind horse.
Haco plunged the bunch of fives into his coat-pocket, and sat down again beside his agitated daughter.
I can speak purfessionally, said Dan, in regard to yer last obsarvation consarnin blind hosses, and I belave that yere crect. It dont much matter whether ye nod or wink to a blind hoss; though I cant spake from personal exparience caise I niver tried it on, not havin nothin to do with blind hosses. Ye wouldnt have a weed, would ye, skipper? he added, pulling out a neat leather case from which he drew a cigar!
Go away, Dan, directly, said I with some asperity, for I was nettled at the impudence of the man in my presence, and not a little alarmed lest the angry Haco should kick him down-stairs.
Dan at once obeyed, bowing respectfully to me, and, as I observed, winking to Susan as he turned away. He descended the stair in silence, but we heard him open the door of the public room and address the Russians, who were assembled there, warming themselves at the fire, and enjoying their pipes.
Hooray! my hearties, said Dan; got yer broken legs rewived I hope, and yer spurrits bandaged up? Hey,och! I forgot ye can swaller nothin but Toorkocum, squaki lorum ho po, doddie jairum frango whiskie loorowhack?eh! Arrah! ye dont need to answer for fear the effort opens up yer wounds afresh. Farewell, lads, or may be its wishin ye fair-wind would be more natral.
So saying he slammed the door, and we heard him switching his boots as he passed along the street under the windows, whistling the air of The girls we left behind us, followed, before he was quite out of earshot, by Oh my love is like the red red rose, thats newly sprung in June.
Immediately after Dans departure I left Haco and Susan together, and they held the following conversation when left alone. I am enabled to report it faithfully, reader, because Susan told it word for word to her mistress, who has a very reprehensible habit of listening to the gossip of her maid. Of course Mrs B told it to me, because she tells everything to me, sometimes a good deal more than I care to hear. This I think a very reprehensible habit also. I am bound to listen, because when my strong-minded wife begins to talk I might as well try to stop a runaway locomotive as attempt to silence her. And so it comes about that I am now making the thing public!
Susan, said Haco, earnestly looking at his daughters downcast face, on which the tell tale blood was mantling. Are you fond o thatthat feller?
Yeyes, father, replied Susan, with some hesitation.
Humph! an is he fond o you?