Commodore Junk Part 36

"Why was the schooner not waiting?"

"Faix, the captain gave orders for sail to be made," said Dinny, in a meaning tone; "and away we wint."

"The captain!" said Jack, with a angry look in his eyes. "Where is the captain, then?"

"Sure," cried Dinny, as a murmur ran through the group gathered on the deck; "sure, he's in his cabin, having a slape."

"It's all over, Bart, my lad," said Jack, bitterly. "What will you do-- stop and serve under Captain Mazzard, or shall we go?"

"Do!" cried Bart, angrily, as he turned toward the men, who seemed to be divided into two parties. "Look here; I can't parley; but is it going to be fair-play or no?"

"Yes!" rose with a shout; but it was met by a menacing growl; and one man ran to the cabin, to return directly, half dragging, half leading Mazzard, who stared round wildly in a drink-stupefied manner, and faltered out, as if in answer to a question--

"No more, now! Who's altered her course?"

There was a few moments' silence, during which the self-elected captain stared about him, and tried to comprehend what was going on, for he had just been roused suddenly from a rum-engendered sleep, and seemed like one in a dream.

"What, isn't annybody going to spake?" cried Dinny; "thin I will. Who althered the s.h.i.+p's course! Why, I did. D'yer think I was going to stand by and see a messmate left in the lurch? Look here, my lads; I am not going to make a s.p.a.che, but the captain's dead, and you've got to choose a new one."

"Hurrah for Dinny Kelly; he's the man!" shouted one of the sailors.

"If I didn't know ye can't help it, Sam Marlow, I'd say don't be a fool!" cried Dinny, scornfully. "Now, do I look like a captain! Bad luck to ye for an omadhaun. I'm a foighting man, and not a sailor at all; but ye've got to choose bechuckst two. Who is it to be--Black Mazzard there, or the old captain's brave little brother, Master Jack here, the best sailor, steersman, and bravest little chap that ever stepped on a plank? What do you say, d.i.c.k?"

"Three cheers for Captain Jack!" cried d.i.c.k Dullock.

"Nay, nay, Commodore Junk!" cried Dinny; "that name's a power, me boys.

Now, then, who among ye says it isn't to be the captain's brother?"

"I do!" cried Mazzard, who was growing sobered by the excitement of the scene. "I do. I'm captain of the schooner now; and if any man dares--"

He dragged a pistol from his belt and c.o.c.ked it.

"Do you hear?" cried Mazzard again. "I'm captain now, and if any man dares to say I'm not, let him--Well, no, I won't give him time to say his prayers!"

He stared round the ring of people, of which he now formed the centre, the pistol barrel pointing all round, as if its holder were in search of a mark.

Just then Bart stepped forward, but Jack drew him aside.

"No; let me speak," he said.

"Oh, it's you, is it, my whipper-snapper!" cried Mazzard, scornfully.

"There, we had enough of your little baby of a brother, and he's dead; so now, if you want to keep your skin whole, go back to your place, and if you behave yourself I'll make you my cabin-boy."

Jack continued to advance, looking round at the crew, who, some fifty strong, had now hurried upon deck.

"D'yer hear?" roared Mazzard, who seemed brutally sober now. "Go back, or--"

He took aim at Jack with the pistol, and a murmur ran round the crew once more--a murmur which was turned to a shout of applause, for, gazing full at the drink inflamed countenance before him, Jack stepped right up to Mazzard and seized the pistol, which exploded in the air.

The next moment it was wrenched out of the ruffian's hand, and sent flying over the side, to fall with a splash in the sea.

"Look here, my lads," cried Jack, turning his back to Mazzard, and ignoring the threatening gesture he made with a knife; "look here, my lads; it is not for any man to say he will be your captain. My brave brother is dead--"

"G.o.d rest him!" cried Dinny.

"And it is for you to choose someone in his place. Do you select Black Mazzard?"

"No," roared Dinny, "the divil a bit! Three cheers, me boys, for the bowld little Commodore Junk!"

The crew burst into a roar, even those who had favoured Mazzard being carried away.

"A lad who was niver afraid of anny man's pishtle," cried Dinny, leaping on a cask and waving his cap.

"Hurrah!" shouted the men, enthusiastically.

"A lad who has only wan failing in him."

"Hurrah!" came in chorus, and a voice cried: "What's that, Dinny?"

"Faix, his mother made a mistake and let him be born out of Oireland."

There was another roar, and the crew pressed round Jack, whose face flushed as he hold up his hand.

"Stop a minute, my lads!" he cried. "Don't decide in haste, for I shall be a hard officer."

"And a brave one," shouted Dinny.

"Hurrah!"

"Am I to understand," continued Jack, "that you select me for your captain?"

"Yes, yes," came in a roar.

"Then I have a request to make," cried Jack; "and that is, that you support and obey my first lieutenant."

"Hurrah for owld Bart Wrigley!" roared Dinny.

"No, no; stop!" cried Jack. "I choose my own lieutenant. Mazzard, will you serve under me faithfully as a man?"

Black Mazzard stood scowling for a few moments, and then held out his hand.

"I will," he said. "There's no jealousy in me."

"Hurrah!" shouted the crew again; and directly after the new captain gave orders for the schooner's head to be laid for Sandy Key, towards which she was soon tacking to and fro.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.