He was tried for his life in Fiji in Sir
Arthur Gordon's time; and if ever he prayed at all, the
name of Sir Arthur was certainly not forgotten. He was
speared in seven places in New Ireland--the same time
his mate was killed--the famous "outrage on the brig
JOLLY ROGER"; but the treacherous savages made little
by their wickedness, and Bostock, in spite of their
teeth, got seventy-five head of volunteer labour on
board, of whom not more than a dozen died of injuries.
He had a hand, besides, in the amiable pleasantry which
cost the life of Patteson; and when the sham bishop
landed, prayed, and gave his benediction to the
natives, Bostock, arrayed in a female chemise out of
the traderoom, had stood at his right hand and boomed
amens. This, when he was sure he was among good
fellows, was his favourite yarn. "Two hundred head of
labour for a hatful of amens," he used to name the
tale; and its sequel, the death of the real bishop,
struck him as a circumstance of extraordinary humour.
Many of these details were communicated in the hansom,
to the surprise of Carthew.
Pages:
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568