Blue Lights | Page 8

was obviously in a very sulky frame of mind--a condition which he
occasionally indicated through a growl of dissatisfaction.
As Miles sat wondering what could have upset the temper of a tar
whose visage was marked by the unmistakable lines and dimples of

good-humour, he overheard part of the conversation that passed
between the barman and Mr Sloper.
"What! have they got hold o' Rattling Bill?" asked the former, as he
drew the beer.
"Ay, worse luck," returned Sloper. "I saw the sergeant as I came along
lead him over to Miss Robinson's trap--confound her!"
"Don't you go fur to say anything agin Miss Robinson, old man,"
suddenly growled the big sailor, in a voice so deep and strong that it
silenced for a moment the rest of the company. "Leastways, you may if
you like, but if you do, I'll knock in your daylights, an' polish up your
figur'-head so as your own mother would mistake you fur a battered
saucepan!"
The seaman did not move from his semi-recumbent position as he
uttered this alarming threat, but he accompanied it with a portentous
frown and an owlish wink of both eyes.
"What! have you joined the Blue Lights?" asked Sloper, with a smile,
referring to the name by which the religious and temperance men of the
army were known.
"No, I ha'n't. Better for me, p'r'aps, if I had. Here, waiter, fetch me
another gin-an'-warer. An' more o' the gin than the warer, mind. Heave
ahead or I'll sink you!"
Having been supplied with a fresh dose of gin and water, the seaman
appeared to go to sleep, and Miles, for want of anything better to do,
accepted Sloper's invitation to play a game of dominoes.
"Are the beds here pretty good?" he asked, as they were about to begin.
"Yes, first-rate--for the money," answered Sloper.
"That's a lie!" growled the big sailor. "They're bad at any price-- stuffed
wi' cocoa-nuts and marline-spikes."

Mr Sloper received this observation with the smiling urbanity of a man
who eschews war at all costs.
"You don't drink," he said after a time, referring to Miles's pot of beer,
which he had not yet touched.
Miles made no reply, but by way of answer took up the pot and put it to
his lips.
He had not drunk much of it when the big seaman rose hurriedly and
staggered between the two tables. In doing so, he accidentally knocked
the pot out of the youth's hand, and sent the contents into Mr Sloper's
face and down into his bosom, to the immense amusement of the
company.
That man of peace accepted the baptism meekly, but Miles sprang up in
sudden anger.
The seaman turned to him, however, with a benignantly apologetic
smile.
"Hallo! messmate. I ax your parding. They don't leave room even for a
scarecrow to go about in this here cabin. I'll stand you another glass.
Give us your flipper!"
There was no resisting this, it was said so heartily. Miles grasped the
huge hand that was extended and shook it warmly.
"All right," he said, laughing. "I don't mind the beer, and there's plenty
more where that came from, but I fear you have done some damage to
my fr--"
"Your friend. Out with it, sir. Never be ashamed to acknowledge your
friends," exclaimed the shabby man, as he wiped his face. "Hold on a
bit," he added, rising; "I'll have to change my shirt. Won't keep you
waitin' long."
"Another pot o' beer for this 'ere gen'lem'n," said the sailor to the

barman as Sloper left the room.
Paying for the drink, he returned and put the pot on the table. Then,
turning to Miles, he said in a low voice and with an intelligent look--
"Come outside for a bit, messmate. I wants to speak to 'ee."
Miles rose and followed the man in much surprise.
"You'll excuse me, sir," he said, when a few yards away from the door;
"but I see that you're green, an' don't know what a rascally place you've
got into. I've been fleeced there myself, and yet I'm fool enough to go
back! Most o' the parties there--except the sailors an' sodgers--are
thieves an' blackguards. They've drugged your beer, I know; that's why
I capsized it for you, and the feller that has got hold o' you is a
well-known decoy-duck. I don't know how much of the ready you may
have about you, but this I does know, whether it be much or little, you
wouldn't have a rap of it in the mornin' if you stayed the night in this
here house."
"Are you sure of this, friend?" asked Miles, eyeing his companion
doubtfully.
"Ay, as sure as I am that my name's Jack Molloy."
"But you've been shamming drunk all this time.