[Mother Carey’s Chicken by George Manville Fenn]@TWC D-Link bookMother Carey’s Chicken CHAPTER ELEVEN 1/9
CHAPTER ELEVEN. HOW JACK PROVED TO BE AN IMPOSTOR. The damage could not be thoroughly ascertained, for a vast deal of mischief must have been done by the water poured into the hold, water which exercised the men's patience a good, deal before it was all cleared out; but the amount destroyed by fire when they worked down to the seat of the mishap was comparatively small, for the smouldering had produced a vast amount of smoke. One little matter which took place toward the next evening, when order was once more restored, the boats in their places, and everyone assured that there was no chance of a fresh outbreak, deserves recording. It was close upon dusk when, as Jimpny came slouching along the deck, he encountered the first-mate, and was about to turn aside; but Mr Gregory, who had been chatting with Mark, and patting Bruff, who had won the distinction of giving first warning of the fire, stopped him. "I'm rather rough sometimes with the men, Jimpny, and I have been particularly hard on you.
I can't say a good word for you as a sailor, but you have saved this ship by coming aboard, and if Captain Strong--" "What about him ?" said the captain.
"Oh, I see; you were talking to Jimpny here.
Ah! he has his strong points, you see, Gregory.
I shall not forget what took place last night." "Don't talk about it, sir," said the stowaway in a shamefaced fashion. "Only too glad to have recollected about the matches." "Ah," said the mate; "and if you could only recollect the scoundrel who sent them, he should pay for the damage, eh, Captain Strong ?" "Yes," said the captain; "it was a cruel trick, for the sake of saving a few pounds.
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