Читать книгу Men Against the Sea – Book Set. The Greatest Maritime Adventure Novels: The Bounty Trilogy, Lost Island, The Hurricane, Botany Bay, The Far Lands, Tales of the South Seas… онлайн

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We had no sooner finished our hurried toilet than Captain Edwards entered, followed by Lieutenant Parkin. The master-at-arms called out, “Prisoners! Stand!” We rose to our feet, and Edwards glanced around the compartment and from one to another of us. The stench of the place was frightful, and our naked bodies gleamed with sweat in the dim light. From the appearance of my fellow prisoners I knew what a disgusting appearance I myself must present. My intention had been to protest against the inhumanity of such a place of confinement; but believing that conditions would speak eloquently enough for themselves, I decided to say nothing. Edwards turned to the master-at-arms.

“Command them to hold out their hands,” he said.

“Prisoners, hold out your hands!”

We obeyed, and Edwards examined our handcuffs and leg irons. It chanced that Stewart’s manacles fitted somewhat loosely to his wrists, and Edwards noticed this.

“Mr. Parkin, see to it that the armourer inspects all of these irons,” he said. “I shall hold him responsible if any prisoner shall be able to free himself.”