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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At Captain Bligh’s entrance, they rose; but he at once motioned them to be seated.

“Eat hearty, lads,” he said. “There’s no need to wish you good appetites, that’s plain.”

“We’re doin’ famous, sir,” Cole replied. A moment later, Captain Bligh retired with our guests to the hall, while Nelson and I remained for a little to look on at this memorable feast.

“I hope you’ll not think we’re goin’ beyond reason, Mr. Ledward,” said Cole. “Better vittles I never tasted!”

“And well you deserve them, every man of you,” I replied. “Eat as much as you like.”

“Aye, they’ll do,” said Purcell, grudgingly; “but I’d sooner set down to a good feed of eggs and bacon. All these rich falderals ... I don’t well know what I’m eatin’.”

“Trust old Chips to find fault,” said Hayward.

“Here, Purcell; have some of the bread, if you don’t like Dutch food,” said Hallet. “Pass it along to him, Tinkler.”

“Mr. Nelson and Mr. Ledward would like some, I’m sure,” said Tinkler. “Try a little, Mr. Nelson.”

He rose and took up a large platter, set high in the middle of the table on four tall water-glasses. Heaped on the platter was something that resembled nothing on earth save what it was: the bread of the Bounty’s launch.