Commodore Junk — page 172: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GIBBET SPIT. 165 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 7 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 coun- tenance 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 witha knife ; “look here, my lads; it is not for any man to say he will be your captain, My brave brother is dead——” “God 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 ?” CONnnicGloOol<s