“Hundred tousand tyfels!” continued the corporal, when he witnessed the effects of his violence.

Although the widow lamented her table, she forgave the corporal with a smile; she liked such proofs of strength in her intended, and she, moreover, knew that the accident was occasioned by indignation at Vanslyperken.

“Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken, you’ll pay me for that,” exclaimed she; “I prophesy that before long you and your nasty cur will both swing together.”

The corporal now walked across the little parlour and back again, then turned to the widow Vandersloosh, and with a most expressive look slowly muttered,

“Yes, mein Gott!”

After which he sat down again by the side of the widow, and they had a short consultation; before it was over, Corporal Van Spitter declared himself the deadly enemy of Lieutenant Vanslyperken; swore that he would be his ruin, and ratified the oath upon the widow’s lips.  Alas! what changes there are in this world!

After which solemn compact the corporal rose, took his leave, went on board, and reported himself, as we have stated in the preceding chapter.

Chapter XXII

In which Snarleyyow proves to be the devil, and no mistake.

That the corporal mystified his lieutenant, may easily be supposed; but the corporal had other work to do, and he did it immediately.  He went up to Jemmy Ducks, who looked daggers at him, and said to him quietly, “That he had something to say to him as soon as it was dusk, and they would not be seen together.”  Vanslyperken ordered the corporal to resume his office, and serve out the provisions that afternoon:  and to the astonishment of the men, he gave them not only full, but overweight; and instead of abusing them, and being cross, he was good-humoured, and joked with them; and all the crew stared at each other, and wondered what could be the matter with Corporal Van Spitter.  But what was their amazement, upon Snarleyyow’s coming up to him as he was serving out provisions, instead of receiving something from the hand of the corporal as usual, he, on the contrary, received a sound kick on the ribs from his foot which sent him yelping back into the cabin.  Their astonishment could only be equalled by that of Snarleyyow himself.  But that was not all; it appeared as if wonders would never cease, for when Smallbones came up to receive his master’s provisions, after the others had been served and gone away, the corporal not only kindly received him, but actually presented him with a stiff glass of grog mixed with the corporal’s own hand.  When he offered it, the lad could not believe his eyes, and even when he had poured it down his throat, he would not believe his own mouth; and he ran away, leaving his provisions, chuckling along the lower deck till he could gain the forecastle, and add this astonishing piece of intelligence to the other facts, which were already the theme of admiration.