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London, Jack

"The Sea-Wolf"

You'll never see eighteen again. Big for your age at that, with muscles like a horse. Pack up your kit and go for'ard into the fo'c's'le. You're a boat-puller now. You're promoted; see?'


? ? ? ? Without waiting for the boy's acceptance, the captain turned to the sailor who had just finished the gruesome task of sewing up the body. 'Johansen, do you know anything about navigation?'


? ? ? ? 'No, sir.'


? ? ? ? 'Well, never mind; you're mate just the same. Get your traps aft into the mate's berth.'


? ? ? ? 'Aye, aye, sir,' was the cheery response, as Johansen started forward.


? ? ? ? In the meantime the erstwhile cabin-boy had not moved.


? ? ? ? 'What are you waiting for?' Wolf Larsen demanded.


? ? ? ? 'I didn't sign for boat-puller, sir,' was the reply. 'I signed for cabin-boy. An' I don't want no boat-pullin' in mine.'


? ? ? ? 'Pack up and go for'ard.'


? ? ? ? This time Wolf Larsen's command was thrillingly imperative.


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