Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

~_— reject what isso handsomely proffered.” SOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-STERVANT. 191 the air. In an instant he flew to his boat,—I and Cosmo following, but at asomewhat more moderate pace. We took our seats: the boatman pushed off—and betaking himself to his oars, he began pulling vigorously therewith, so that the light gon- dola-sbaped wherry cut rapidly through the water. The nearer we approached the schooner, the more was I impressed with her elegant build, as well as tion. the admirable neatness which characterized her “ Will you excuse me,” I said, “for offering to | rigging, and in contrast with which that of all the render your apartment a trifle more cheerful by | other vessels in the harbour was clumsy, slovenly, sending a few flowers? I think I can procure | and negligent toadegree. The reader must recol- some from a conservatory in the town. I can pro-|lect that I was not a complete stranger to a fine- mise some fruit likewise; and as the larder of this | looking ship,—in proof of which I need only re- tavern may be better supplied with substantials | mind him of my terrible adventure on board the than with delicacies, I shall use the privilege which | emigrant-vessel to which Lanover’s treachery had one may exercise in respect to an invalid’s cham-| consigned me: for though I was only for a few ber by forwarding a jelly, or some little trifie of | hours an inmate of that ill-fated ship, yet all the the sort, at the same time.” scenes connected with it were only too well calcu- “Thanks for your courtesy,’ was the Captain’s | lated to rivet its entire aspect—hull, masts, cordage, response; “and though I care little enough for | sails, everything—in my memory. kick-shaws of that kind, yet it would be rude to} The boat ran along the schoonev’s side; a sailor with a blue jacket and ared fez, or Greek cap, looked over the bulwark and put some question, but it was in his own native language. Cosmo spoke to him in Italian: he shook his head, but made a sign for us to wait in the boat,—having done which, he disappeared. Four or five other sailors, similarly dressed, and all fine-looking fellows, with dark complexions and bright eyes, stared at us in a cool listless manner over the ship’s side; and as I ran my eye along the bulwarks, I said to Cosmo, “Iam very much mistaken if this vessel does not carry guns: for though the port-holes are closed, yet I can distinctly perceive their square outlines—or rather, the places where the lids, or whatever you call them, are shut down.” “Indeed,” said Cosmo, but with an air of such apparent indifference that I did not choose to con- tinue the conversation. In about a minute a smart-looking officer ap- peared at the gangway, and addressed us in Italian. Cosmo answered him, at the same time looking towards me: so that I had no difficulty in comprehending that he was explaining my wish to go on board the vessel. The officer appeared un- certain how to act; and then Cosmo boldly as- sured him that I was a friend of Captain Notaras whom indeed I had only just left. Still the officer did not give an immediate assent—but conversed for a few moments with another, evidently his junior, who had come forward to see what was going on. Another question was now put to Cosmo: and I understood a sufficiency of Italian to comprehend that it was an inquiry as to who he himself was. This he answered by declaring that he was my domestic; and after a few minutes’ more hesitation, the senior officer of the two made a sign for us to ascend to the deck. Although on approaching the vessel I was im- pressed with the idea that her dimensions were far greater than I could possibly have anticipated when viewing her from the shore, or even through Signor Portici’s telescope,—yet I was perfectly astonished on setting my fuot upon the deck, at the sweeping length of the schooner as well as her breadth of beam. A first glance showed me also that my conjecture relative to her being an armed vessel was correct: for she carried eight carronades on her quarter-deck; and these were now drawn “ No—he has not called yet,” answered the Cap- tain: “but I suppose he will presently. Itis eursed dull, I can tell you, to be cooped up here in this place instead of pacing the quarter-deck of that noble vessel of mine. But it can’t be helped ’—and notwithstanding this philosophical conclusion to which the Greek captain had just come, he gave vent to another bitter impreca- “T shall call and see you again at my leisure,” I said—and then took my departure. On rejoining Cosmo, he asked, “ How fares the invalid, sir ?” “ As his accident occurred but yesterday,” I re- sponded, “there has been no time tor much pro- gress towards convalescence. ‘The fellow’s temper is irritable; and methinks that his impatience will keep him back. Look! It is that beautiful vessel yonder, which is moored all alone—apart from the other shipping—which owns him as com- mander.” Cosmo threw a glance of what appeared to be complete indifference towards the schooner—and immediately said, “‘ Did you bear in mind, sir, the suggestion which I offered ?” “ Yes—and I was almost sorry that I made the proposal,” I replied: “ for though accepted, it was nevertheless in a half brutal, half churlish man- ner iy “Never mind, sir,’ interrupted Cosmo: “ these mariners are rude uncouth beings—but they some- times appreciate an act of kindness more than they outwardly appear to do. You seem to ad- mire that vessel, sir—your gaze is fixed upon it ?” “Though unable to view it with a seaman’s eye,’ was my answer, “I nevertheless comprehend its beauty as a model 4 “And perhaps you would like to goon board her ?” said Cosmo, inquiringly. “ We have plenty of time—for I shall wait for the dusk ere I visit a certain house”—alluding to Signor Portici’s—“ in order to procure the fruits and flowers which you have promised that Greek captain.” “You ask me,” I said, “ whether I should like to go on board that beautiful ship; and I confess that I have the curiosity—but perhaps the permis- sion will be refused ?” * Scarcely, sir, [should think,” answered Cosmo: **it would be the height of discourtesy for the offi- cer who may be in command during the captain’s illness, to refuse you admission to the vessel. At all events we will try.” Cosmo did not wait for any further signification of my assent—but at once hailed a boatman, who was lying along some pieces of timber on the wharf and kicking his naked feet up and down in ee Pe ek ee) ECORNICLOOKS (CO)