Beadle's Dime Novels No. 94: The Mad Skipper — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

peculiar to the people of his race when provided with such in- struments, he thrust his food into his mouth and chewed it with astonishing rapidity. | Collins, however, still moving upon the tips of his toes, po- litely motioned the two passengers to their places, and’ put the edibles in the position most convenient for them to reach. “Sorry the captain’s in his reverie,” said he, “for I know he'd be glad to do the honors of the table.” “ Never mind,” replied the-doctor, “ we shall get along very well.” They—that is to say, Claret and his daughter—had nearly finished their meal, when they saw the steward make a violent pass with his clutched fist, as if striking at some “ invisible ” antagonist, while his whole face wrinkled with the most sin- gular contortions. One corner of his mouth was twisted to- ward his left ear; his nose and his brows were moved rapidly ; he winked with both eyes! “Good heavens!” cried Claret, “what is the matter, my friend ?” “ Nothing, only it’s a-coming on!” exclaimed Collins, with a strong nasal twang, at the same time jerking both elbows violently, “it’s a-coming on, my smashing-up fit—and Td thank somebody to tie me up at once! Come, Onoolo— quick !” The New-Zealander, however, having just’ made an attack upon an enormous chunk of salt beef, continued to eat vora- ciously, paying no attention to the summons. “Tt’s a-coming on!” continued Collins, dancing around the state-room, “ there'll be ruin here, directly, if I ain’t tied up !? “Tie up, when get through eat—not before,’ grunted the mate, with his mouth full. “That will probably be too late,” said Claret, jumping from his chair. “ However, I have something here,’—pulling the pill-box from his pocket—* which, I doubt not, will prove more beneficial, even, than tying him up!” So saying, he advanced toward Collins with a pill held. be- tween his thumb and forefinger; but the steward gliding past him, declared it was no use; and snatching an empty platter from the table, he dashed it upon the floor, shivering it to atoms. Seizing a coffee-cup, he destroyed that in the same conmmicloooks. conn