Our young gentleman immediately conceived the meaning of Tom's
appearance on board; and when the tumult was a little subsided,
went up, and encouraged him to exert himself for the preservation
of the ship, promising to take him again into his service, from
which he should never be dismissed, except at his own desire. This
assurance had a surprising effect upon Pipes, who, though he made
no manner of reply, thrust the helm into the master's hands, saying,
"Here, you old bumboat-woman, take hold of the tiller, and keep
her thus, boy, thus;" and skipped about the vessel, trimming the
sails, and managing the ropes with such agility and skill, that
everybody on deck stood amazed at his dexterity.
Mr. Jolter was far from being unconcerned at the uncommon motion
of the vessel, the singing of the wind, and the uproar which he
heard about him: he looked towards the cabin-door with the most
fearful expectation, in hope of seeing some person who could give
some account of the weather, and what was doing upon deck; but not
a soul appeared, and he was too well acquainted with the disposition
of his own bowels to make the least alteration in his attitude.
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