From Cornhill to Grand Cairo by William Makepeace Thackeray
page 12 of 216 (05%)
page 12 of 216 (05%)
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"I SAY!" howled a man; "I say!--a word!--I say! Pasagero! Pasagero! Pasage-e-ero!" We were two hundred yards ahead by this time. "Go on," says the captain. "You may stop if you like," says Lieutenant Bundy, exerting his tremendous responsibility. It is evident that the lieutenant has a soft heart, and felt for the poor devil in the boat who was howling so piteously "Pasagero!" But the captain was resolute. His duty was NOT to take the man up. He was evidently an irregular customer--someone trying to escape, possibly. The lieutenant turned away, but did not make any further hints. The captain was right; but we all felt somehow disappointed, and looked back wistfully at the little boat, jumping up and down far astern now; the poor little light shining in vain, and the poor wretch within screaming out in the most heartrending accents a last faint desperate "I say! Pasagero-o!" We all went down to tea rather melancholy; but the new milk, in the place of that abominable whipped egg, revived us again; and so ended the great events on board the "Lady Mary Wood" steamer, on the 25th August, 1844. |
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