The new smack
was flying a flag at her masthead, but Jim could not read well enough to
make out the inscription on the flag. He said, "Who's he?" and his mate
answered, "A blank mission ship. Lot o' blokes come round preachin' and
prayin'."
"What? To our blank chaps? How is it I've never seen his blank flag
afore?"
"Ain't been werry long started. I heerd about 'em at Gorleston. Fat Dan
got converted board o' one on 'em."
Just then the smart smack shoved her foresail a-weather and hove-to;
then a small boat put out, and a stout grizzled man hailed Jim.
"What cheer, old lad, what cheer? Come and give us a look. Service in an
hour's time. Come and have a pot o' tea and a pipe."
I am grieved to say that Mr. Billings remarked, "Let's go aboard the
blank, and capsize the whole blank trunk."
Certainly he jumped up the side of the mission ship with very evil
intentions. Boat after boat came up and made fast astern of the dandy
vessel, and soon the decks were crowded with merry groups.
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