564 The King's Otvi). [MAY, 



the sawyers have nothing to do, they may as well cut the palings at once. And 

 now, let me see oh ! the painters must go on shore to finish the attics/ 



{< ' Yes, sir; but my Lady Capperhar wishes the jealowsees to be painted ver- 

 million : she says it will IOOK more rural/ 



" ' Mrs. Capperbar ought to know enough about ship's stores by this time, to be 

 aware that we are only allowed three colours. She may choose or mix them as 

 she pleases ; but as for going to the expense of buying paint, I can't afford it. 

 What are the rest of the men about '? 



tf ' Repairing the second cutter, and making a new mast for the pinnace/ 



'' ' By the by that puts me in mind of it have you expended any boat's 

 masts?' 



" ' Only the one carried away, sir/ 



" ' Then you must expend two more. Mrs. C has just sent me off a list of 



a few things that she wishes made while we are at anchor, and I see two poles 

 for clothes-lines. Saw off the sheave-holes, and put two pegs through at right 

 angles: you know how I mean.' 



" ( Yes, sir. What am I to do, sir, about the cucumber frame ? My Lady Cap- 

 perbar says that she must have it, and 1 havn't glass enough : they grumbled at 

 the yard last time/ 



" ' Mrs. C must wait a little. What are the armourers about ?' 



" ' They have been so busy with your work, sir, that the arms are in a very 

 bad condition. The first lieutenant said yesterday that they were a disgrace to 

 the ship/ 



"'Who dared say that?' 



" < The first lieutenant, sir/ 



" ' Well, then, let them rub up the arms, and let me know when they are 

 done, and we'll get the forge up/ 



" ' The armourer has made six rakes and six hoes, and the two little hoes for 

 the children ; but he says that he can't make a spade.' 



" ' Then I '11 take his warrant away, by heavens ! since he does not know his 

 duty. That will do, Mr. Cheeks. I shall overlook your being in liquor this time ; 

 but take care send the boatswain to me/ 



" ' Yes, sir,' and the carpenter quitted the cabin. 



"'Well, Mr. Hurley/ said the captain, as the boatswain stroked down his 

 hair, as a mark of respect when he entered the cabin, ' are the cots all finished ?' 



" ' All finished, your honour, and slung, except the one for the bobby. Had I 

 not better get a piece of duck for that f 



" ' No, no ; number seven will do as well. Mrs. C wants some fearnought 



to put down in the entrance-hall/ 



" ' Yes, your honour/ 



" ' And some cod-lines laid up for clothes-lines/ 

 . " ' Yes, your honour/ 



" ' Stop, let me look at my list ( Knife-tray, meat-screen, leads for window- 

 sashes/ Ah! have you any hand-leads not on charge?' 



" ' Yes, your honour, four or five/ 



" ' Give them to my steward. ' Small chair for Ellen ; canvas for veranda/ 

 Oh ! here's something else ; have you any painted canvas f 



" ' Only a waist-hammock-cloth, sir, ready fitted/ 



" ' We must expend that ; ' no old on charge.' Send it on shore to the cottage, 

 and I shall want some pitch/ 



" ' We 've lots of that, your honour/ 



" ' That will do, Mr. Hurley. Desire the sentry to tell my steward to come 

 here.' 



" ' Yes, your honour/ (Exit boatswain, and enter steward.) 



" This personage belonged to the party of marines who had been drafted into the 

 ship; for Captain Capperbar's economical propensities would not allow him to hire 

 a servant brought up to the situation, who would have demanded wages inde- 

 pendent of the ship's pay. Having been well drilled at barracks, he never answered 

 any question put to him by an officer without recovering himself from his usual 

 ' stand-at-ease' position, throwing shoulders back, his nose up in the air, his arms 



