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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“What! A wench not drink with her fancy-man?” said Martin. “That’s not jack-tar’s fashion. Give her a sup.”

“Aye, ye’re right, Isaac,” Mills replied. “It ain’t natural on a spree. Come, lass, just a drop now.”

He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her to him, holding the bottle to her lips. Thus urged, the girl closed her eyes and took two or three resolute swallows. Choking and sputtering, she pushed the bottle away and ran to the near-by stream. The three men laughed heartily.

“Fancy a dolly-mop at home makin’ such a face as that over good brandy,” said Martin.

“My old woman could drink her half-pint in two ticks, not winkin’ an eye,” said McCoy.... “There’s an odd thing,” he added; “I doubt I’ve thought of her twice this past twelvemonth.”

“Was ye wedded to her, Will?”

“Aye; all shipshape and Bristol-fashion. I liked her well enough, too.”

“If I know women she’ll not be sleepin’ cold the nights ye’ve been away,” said Mills.

“Aye, she’ll hae dragged her anchor long afore this,” McCoy replied. He raised his bottle. “Well, here’s luck to her wherever she is.”