The Meaning of the War: Life & Matter in Conflict

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, indeed, we had passed many throughout the day-but that the bo'sun, whose boat had the lead, cried out that there was some craft lying-up, a lit

e stranger. And so, in silence, the bo'sun turned his craft toward the creek, whereat we followed, taking heed to keep quietness, and working the oars warily. So, in a little, we came to the shoulder of the bend, and h

the stunted trees. For the rest, she appeared to be firmly imbedded in the heavy mud, and there was a certain look of ag

own boat. Then, being ready to fly if we had been in danger, the bo'sun hailed the stranger; but got no reply, save that some echo of his shout seemed to come back at us. And so he sung out again to her, chance there migh

her decks. Here, save that the glass of the skylight of the main cabin had been broken, and some portion of the framework

ng. We found the leaf of the scuttle pulled forward to within an inch of closing, and so much effort did it requi

nd, and the captain's cabin in the after part, and in all of these we found matters of clothing and sundries such as proved that the vessel had been deserted apparently in haste. In furth

assenger. The other, in which there were two bunks, had been shared, so far as we could have any certainty, by a c

or we were pressed for food, and made haste-under the directing of the bo

casks were sound and tight, and in them was ship's biscuit, very good and fit for food. At this, as may be imagined, we felt eased in our minds, knowing that there was no immediate fear of starvation. Following this, we found a barrel of molasses; a ca

was fit for our stomachs, and that which was otherwise. Meantime, whilst the bo'sun overhauled these matters, Josh called a couple of

the place; for she was but a small brig, and had no call for a great crowd. Yet Josh was more than a little puzzled to know what had come to the odd chests; for it was not to be supposed that t

e had served out two biscuits apiece all round, and a tot of rum. To Josh, when he appeared, he gave

for the bo'sun had discovered a case of tobacco in the captain's

trated from the sea; else we had not been in need. To the charge of this, the bo'sun set Josh, along with two of the men. Another, he told to take charge of the galley, so long as we were in the hulk. But for that night, he said we had no need to

ing of the first day. At that we looked at one another through the smoke and the growing dark, and, even as we looked, it became plainer heard, until, in a while, it was all

into the scuttle to see whether anything was in sight; but they found nothing, and so came down t

, and still we sat within the dark cabin, none speaking,

; then, once more it came, and it was nearer and more plain to the ear. I took my pipe from my mouth; for I had come again upon the great fear and uneasiness which the happenings of the f

ey had it across; though with difficulty. When we had come into the captain's cabin, we closed and barred the door, piling two great sea chests up against it; and so we felt near safe; for we knew that no thing, man nor

t over our heads, and of a loudness far surpassing all that had come to us on the previous ni