FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80  
81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   >>   >|  
An essence that breathes of it many a year; Thus bright to my soul--as 'twas then to my eyes-- Is that bower on the banks of the calm Bendemeer." And then (as somebody said) the noise we made was enough to scare the sea-gulls off the tops of the waves. "You scored that time, Mr. O'Moore," said the boatswain. "You'd make your fortune in a music-hall, sir." "Thank ye, bo'sun. Glad I didn't give ye your revenge, anyhow." But the boatswain meant to strike nearer home. A ship's favourite might have hesitated to sing after Dennis, so Alister's feelings may be guessed on hearing the following speech: "Mr. O'Moore, and comrades all. I believe I speak for all hands on this vessel, when I say that we ain't likely to forget sech an agreeable addition to a ship's company as the gentleman who has just given us a taste of the nightingale's quality" (loud cheers). "But we've been out-o'-way favoured as I may say, this voyage. We mustn't forget that there's two other little strangers aboard" (roars of laughter). "They 'olds their 'eads rather 'igh p'raps, for _stowaways_" ("Hear! hear!"), "but no doubt their talents bears 'em out" ("Hear, hear!" from Dennis, which found a few friendly echoes). "Anyway, as they've paid us a visit, without waiting to ask if we was at 'ome to callers, we may look to 'em to contribute to the general entertainment. Alister Auchterlay will now favour the company with a song." The boatswain stood back and folded his arms, and fixed his eyes on the sea-line, from which attitude no appeals could move him. I was very sorry for Alister, and so was Dennis, I am sure, for he did his best to encourage him. "Sing 'GOD save the Queen,' and I'll keep well after ye with the fiddle," he suggested. But Alister shook his head. "I know one or two Scotch tunes," Dennis added, and he began to sketch out an air or two with his fingers on the strings. Presently Alister stopped him. "Yon's the 'Land o' the Leal'?" "It is," said Dennis. "Play it a bit quicker, man, and I'll try 'Scots wha hae.'" Dennis quickened at once, and Alister stood forward. He neither fidgeted nor complained of feeling shy, but as my eyes (I was squatted cross-legged on the deck) were at the level of his knees, I could see them shaking, and pitied him none the less, that I was doubtful as to what might not be before _me_. Dennis had to make two or three false starts before poor Alister could get a note ou
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80  
81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Dennis

 

Alister

 

boatswain

 

forget

 

company

 
doubtful
 

attitude

 

appeals

 

encourage

 
shaking

pitied

 
starts
 

entertainment

 

favour

 

Auchterlay

 

folded

 

callers

 

general

 

contribute

 

feeling


complained

 

stopped

 

quicker

 

quickened

 

forward

 

fidgeted

 

Presently

 

strings

 

suggested

 

fiddle


sketch

 
squatted
 

fingers

 

Scotch

 

legged

 
laughter
 

revenge

 

fortune

 

feelings

 

guessed


hearing

 

hesitated

 

nearer

 

strike

 

favourite

 

bright

 
essence
 

breathes

 

Bendemeer

 

scored