CHAPTER X
Vomito Prieto.
"This disease is beyond my practice."
Macbeth, Vi.59.
The second and acting third--lieutenants were on board the prizes--the
purser was busy in his vocation--the doctor ditto Indeed, he and his
mates had more on their hands than they could well manage. The first
lieutenant was engaged on deck, and the master was in his cot, suffering
from a severe contusion; so when got on board the corvette, and dived
into the gunroom in search ol some crumbs of comfort, the deuce a living
soul was there to welcome me, except the gunroom steward, who speedily
produced some cold meat, and asked me if I would take a glass of swizzle.
The food I had no great fancy to, although I had not tasted a morsel
since six o'clock in the morning, and it was now eight in the evening;
but the offer of the grog sounded gratefully in mine ear, and I was about
tackling to a stout rummer of the same, when a smart dandified shaver,
with gay mother--of--pearl buttons on his jacket, as thick set as peas,
presented his tallow chops at the door.
"Captain Transom desires me to say, that he will be glad of your company
in the cabin, Mr Cringle."
"My compliments--I will wait on him so soon as I have had a snack. We
have had no dinner in the gunroom to--day yet, you know, Mafame."
"Why, it was in the knowledge of that the Captain sent me, sir. He has
not had any dinner either; but it is now on the table, and he waits for
you.
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