The Return Home
Bytwobellsthatmorningtheywereallstirringtheirstumps;fortherewasabigsearunning;andTootles,thebo’sun,wasamongthem,witharope’sendinhishandandchewingtobacco.Theyalldonnedpirateclothescutoffattheknee,shavedsmartly,andtumbledup,withthetruenauticalrollandhitchingtheirtrousers.
Itneednotbesaidwhowasthecaptain.NibsandJohnwerefirstandsecondmate.Therewasawomanaboard.Therestweretarsbeforethemast,andlivedinthefo’c’sle.Peterhadalreadylashedhimselftothewheel;buthepipedallhandsanddeliveredashortaddresstothem;saidhehopedtheywoulddotheirdutylikegallanthearties,butthatheknewtheywerethescumofRioandtheGoldCoast,andiftheysnappedathimhewouldtearthem.Hisbluffstridentwordsstruckthenotesailorsunderstand,andtheycheeredhimlustily.Thenafewsharpordersweregiven,andtheyturnedtheshipround,andnosedherforthemainland.
CaptainPancalculated,afterconsultingtheship’schart,thatifthisweatherlastedtheyshouldstriketheAzoresaboutthe21stofJune,afterwhichitwouldsavetimetofly.
Someofthemwantedittobeanhonestshipandotherswereinfavourofkeepingitapirate;butthecaptaintreatedthemasdogs,andtheydarednotexpresstheirwishestohimeveninaroundrobin.Instantobediencewastheonlysafething.Slightlygotadozenforlookingperplexedwhentoldtotakesoundings.