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.