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Some time later Mr Horrace, the gunner, fresh from his meal, came on deck to see the set of the sails and converse quietly with Mr South. Not long after, the bell rang out four double strokes, followed immediately by the bosun’s calls and the tramping of dozens of feet as the men were piped to supper. Philip heard the master formally hand off the deck to the gunner: “here you have her: course east-southeast till Sardinia is in sight, then southeast, all possible speed; engine at six knots, forecourse, topsails and driver; Captain to be notified of any change of weather or sail; orders are in the binnacle;” and the gunner’s equally formal “east-southeast till Sardinia then southeast, all possible speed, captain notified of any change or sail.” The men saluted, and the master retreated below for his own supper.
Forty-five minutes later the sailors who had worked through supper took their own meal, while the rest of the larboard watch came on duty.
Badger continued to chase the setting sun. Her bell rang out, the men at the wheel and the lookouts were relieved, the log was thrown. The sailmaker and some of the more skilled seamen stretched the main course out on deck to overhaul its boltrope while under the foc’cle several of the starbolines gathered around a fiddle. Philip moved to his cabin to take his solitary meal, staring out at the
Badger’s empty, creaming wake.
Author's Note|
First Post|
Previous|
Next|
last episode with Dr M’Mullen
GLOSSARY
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