Chapter 2 Summary

While Bryant lies in a coma, Flashy has visions of the gallows. With Flashy's political hopes gone and prison possible, Morrison gives him money and arranges with Captain John Charity Spring to get him out of England. At first glance, Flashy sees that he is a terrible man, under whom he will voyage as a supercargo to America and back. Spring spouts Latin epigrams as he leads Flashy to the wharf and across the English Channel to his clipper, Balliol College, anchored off the coast of France. Seasick for days, Flashy is filled with self-pity and rage. Flashy rejects gruel from the steward, Looney, and sexual favors from the cabin boy. Mr. Comber, the third mate, Flashy's bunkmate, seems civil, cultivated, and self-confident.

Captain Spring assigns Flashy to a watch and shows him to a roomy hold lined with half-decks, which from a...