So let's see your
arm, and no more talk."
The arm was set and splinted; the body of Brown fetched
from the forepeak, where it lay still and cold, and
committed to the waters of the lagoon; and the washing
of the cabin rudely finished. All these were done ere
mid-day; and it was past three when the first cat's-paw
ruffled the lagoon, and the wind came in a dry squall,
which presently sobered to a steady breeze.
The interval was passed by all in feverish impatience,
and by one of the party in secret and extreme concern
of mind. Captain Wicks was a fore-and-aft sailor; he
could take a schooner through a Scotch reel, felt her
mouth and divined her temper like a rider with a horse;
she, on her side, recognising her master and following
his wishes like a dog. But by a not very unusual train
of circumstance, the man's dexterity was partial and
circumscribed. On a schooner's deck he was Rembrandt,
or (at the least) Mr. Whistler; on board a brig he was
Pierre Grassou. Again and again in the course of the
morning he had reasoned out his policy and rehearsed
his orders; and ever with the same depression and
weariness.
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