| 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 |
| 1 | 50 | 101 | 151 | 201 |
|
''Vast, there!' cried the captain. 'No more of that. No more drinking on
this ship.'
'Turned teetotal, 'ave you?' inquired Hu'sh. 'I'm agreeable. About time,
eh? Bloomin' nearly lost another ship, I fancy.' He took out a bottle
and began calmly to burst the wire with the spike of a corkscrew.
'Do you hear me speak?' cried Davis.
'
I suppose I do. You speak loud enough,' said Huish. 'The trouble is
that I don't care.'
Herrick plucked the captain's sleeve. 'Let him free now,' he said.
'We've had all we want this morning.'
'Let him have it then,' said the captain. 'It's his last.'
By this time the wire was open, the string was cut, the head of glided
paper was torn away; and Huish waited, mug in hand, expecting the usual
explosion. It did not follow. He eased the cork with his thumb; still
there was no result. At last he took the screw and drew it. It came out
very easy and with scarce a sound.
'
'Illo!'said Huish. ''Ere's a bad bottle.'
He poured some of the wine into the mug; it was colourless and still. He
smelt and tasted it.
8
4
Page
Quick Jump
|