Mainly they all att once about him laid,

And sore beset on every side arownd,

That nigh he breathless grew: yet nought dismaid

He ever to them yielded foot of grownd.

SPENSER

Robin followed Springall into the room he had so recently left, and

stood at the entrance; fixing at the same time his eyes, which, it must

be confessed, were of unrivalled brilliancy and blackness, upon the

Buccaneer, he said-"Captain, I would speak a few words with you in private, after which we

will talk of the danger that surrounds us."

Dalton and Robin withdrew together, and remained alone for more than

twenty minutes, during which Springall and three or four others of the

crew, who had crowded, like crows into a rookery in dread of an

approaching storm, debated upon and formed plans for the safety of their

vessel.

"Were all hands aboard," said Springall, whose youth joyed in perpetual

hope--"were we all aboard, I would undertake to pilot that vessel over

and under or through any one or any number of ships between Sheerness

and Chatham!"

"Through their hulks, do you mean?" inquired Jack Roupall, who had but

just joined the party.

"I don't pretend to speak grammar or book-English, Jack," retorted the

young sailor, "no more than yourself; but all who have ever sailed in

the Fire-fly, as both you and I have done, know her quality, and that

anything can be made of her: I tell you, every beam of her timbers has

life in it--every spar is a spirit!"

"What sort of spirit?--Is it rum, brandy, or Hollands?" inquired

Roupall, who could see no more value in the timbers of the Fire-fly than

in those of any other ship that carried a good cargo. Springall's

enthusiasm was wasted on him; but it was followed by a reply from the

hot-headed lad that would have led to more than words, if another of the

party had not interfered.

"For shame, Spring, to be so fiery! Sure you know of old, that Jack will

have his joke, and means no harm. Besides, he's only a land-lubber,

after all."

"Well, pepper away, brave boys! pepper away! I'll have my revenge on you

all yet!" continued the trooper.

"You won't inform, will you?" exclaimed Springall, ever ready for a

fray, pushing his beardless face close to the weather-beaten countenance

of sturdy Roupall.

"Will you keep your face out of my mouth?" replied the man-mountain,

stretching his jaws at the same time, and displaying a double row of the

most enormous teeth, and a gulf which really looked as if it could

contain the animated countenance of the young sailor, who, as easily

moved to mirth as anger, burst into a merry laugh at the prospect before

him.




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