It was breaking 'igh
on the reef, and we laid well out and sent a couple of
boats. I didn't go in neither; only stood and looked
on: but it seems they was all badly scared and muddled,
and didn't know which end was uppermost. One on 'em
kep' snivelling and wringing of his 'ands; he come on
board, all of a sop like a monthly nurse. That Trent,
he come first, with his 'and in a bloody rag. I was
near 'em as I am to you; and I could make out he was
all to bits--'eard his breath rattle in his blooming
lungs as he come down the ladder. Yes, they was a
scared lot, small blame to 'em, I say! The next
after Trent come him as was mate."
"Goddedaal!" I exclaimed.
"And a good name for him too," chuckled the man-o'-
war's man, who probably confounded the word with a
familiar oath. "A good name too; only it weren't his.
He was a gen'lem'n born, sir, as had gone
maskewerading. One of our officers knowed him at 'ome,
reckonises him, steps up, 'olds out his 'and right off,
and says he, ''Ullo, Norrie, old chappie!' he says.
The other was coming up, as bold as look at it; didn't
seem put out--that's where blood tells, sir! Well, no
sooner does he 'ear his born name given him than he
turns as white as the Day of Judgment, stares at Mr.
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