Spokeshave

I started to obey Captain Applegarth's order, but I had hardly got three steps down the ladder when Spokeshave saved me further trouble by coming up on the bridge again of his own accord, without waiting to be summoned.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

I am not so well informed as you are concerning the dramatic world, Spokeshave.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

Spokeshave must have shouted down the Irishman's throat, for the next instant he poked his head up the hatchway.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

This didn't satisfy the skipper, so he turned to the first mate, who had remained moodily aloof with Spokeshave at the end of the bridge.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

"Nonsense, boy; you'd better go below!" said the first mate brusquely, while Spokeshave sniggered and whispered something to the lamp-trimmer and man at the wheel that made them both laugh out right.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

"Quite so," shoved in Spokeshave again in his parrot fashion; "quite so, sir."

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

"Quite so," echoed Spokeshave, emphasising Mr Fosset's logical argument in his own defence.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

"Quite so, Haldane; quite so," chuckled Spokeshave, as pleased as Punch at the imaginary compliment.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

Spokeshave was one of these latter, having, unfortunately, the end of his nose -- that prominent feature of his -- cut clean off by a slash from a cutlass; but the majority, we were glad to find, mostly escaped unscathed.

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin

"Faith, sor, the ould moon looked so moighty plisint that night that I took a lunar or two, jist to divart mesilf with, when Spokeshave wint below and there was nobody lift to poke fun at, sure!"

The Ghost Ship A Mystery of the Sea Henry [Illustrator] Austin