One of the men in the boat suggested this; but another
immediately answered, "They'd pitch the skipper overboard if he gave
such an order, and glad o' the chance. There's no love for 'em among
us, I can tell you; and by ----! there'll be bloody work done aboard
the _Grosvenor_ if things aren't mended soon, as you'll see."
They all four pulled at their oars savagely as these words were spoken;
and I never saw such sullen and ferocious expressions on men's faces as
came into theirs, as they fixed their eyes as with one accord upon the
ship. _She_, deep as she was, looked a beautiful model on the mighty
surface of the water, rolling with marvelous grace to the swell, the
strength and volume of which made me feel my littleness and weakness as
it lifted the small boat with irresistible power. There was wind
enough to keep her sails full upon her graceful, slender masts, and the
brass-work upon her deck flashed brilliantly as she rolled from side to
side.
Strange contrast, to look from her to the broken and desolate picture
ahead! My eyes were riveted upon it now with new and intense emotion,
for by this time I could discern that the person who was waving to us
was a female,--woman or girl I could not yet make out,--and that her
hair was like a veil of gold behind her swaying arm.
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