[Omoo: Adventures in the South Seas by Herman Melville]@TWC D-Link bookOmoo: Adventures in the South Seas CHAPTER XXII 4/5
I'll take no insolence;" and, in a tremor, Wilson hurried over the side in the midst of a volley of execrations. Shortly after his departure, the mate ordered the cook and steward into his boat; and saying that he was going to see how the captain did, left us, as before, under the charge of Bembo. At this time we were lying becalmed, pretty close in with the land (having gone about again), our main-topsail flapping against the mast with every roll. The departure of the consul and Jermin was followed by a scene absolutely indescribable.
The sailors ran about deck like madmen; Bembo, all the while leaning against the taff-rail by himself, smoking his heathenish stone pipe, and never interfering. The cooper, who that morning had got himself into a fluid of an exceedingly high temperature, now did his best to regain the favour of the crew.
"Without distinction of party," he called upon all hands to step up, and partake of the contents of his bucket. But it was quite plain that, before offering to intoxicate others, he had taken the wise precaution of getting well tipsy himself.
He was now once more happy in the affection of his shipmates, who, one and all, pronounced him sound to the kelson. The Pisco soon told; and, with great difficulty, we restrained a party in the very act of breaking into the after-hold in pursuit of more. All manner of pranks were now played. "Mast-head, there! what d'ye see ?" bawled Beauty, hailing the main-truck through an enormous copper funnel.
"Stand by for stays," roared Flash Jack, bawling off with the cook's axe, at the fastening of the main-stay.
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