Chapter 51

ONE OF "THE PEOPLE" HAS AN AUDIENCE WITH THE COMMODORE AND THE
CAPTAIN ON THE QUARTER-DECK.

We had not lain in Rio long, when in the innermost recesses of
the mighty soul of my noble Captain of the Top--incomparable Jack
Chase--the deliberate opinion was formed, and rock-founded, that
our ship's company must have at least one day's "_liberty_" to go
ashore ere we weighed anchor for home.

Here it must be mentioned that, concerning anything of this kind,
no sailor in a man-of-war ever presumes to be an agitator, unless
he is of a rank superior to a mere able-seaman; and no one short
of a petty officer--that is, a captain of the top, a quarter-
gunner, or boatswain's mate--ever dreams of being a spokesman to
the supreme authority of the vessel in soliciting any kind of
favor for himself and shipmates.

After canvassing the matter thoroughly with several old quarter-
masters and other dignified sea-fencibles, Jack, hat in hand,
made his appearance, one fine evening, at the mast, and, waiting
till Captain Claret drew nigh, bowed, and addressed him in his
own off-hand, polished, and poetical style. In his intercourse
with the quarter-deck, he always presumed upon his being such a
universal favourite.

"Sir, this Rio is a charming harbour, and we poor mariners--your
trusty sea-warriors, valiant Captain! who, with _you_ at their
head, would board the Rock of Gibraltar itself, and carry it by
storm--we poor fellows, valiant Captain! have gazed round upon
this ravishing landscape till we can gaze no more. Will Captain
Claret vouchsafe one day's liberty, and so assure himself of
eternal felicity, since, in our flowing cups, he will be ever
after freshly remembered?"

As Jack thus rounded off with a snatch from Shakspeare, he
saluted the Captain with a gallant flourish of his tarpaulin, and
then, bringing the rim to his mouth, with his head bowed, and his
body thrown into a fine negligent attitude, stood a picture of
eloquent but passive appeal. He seemed to say, Magnanimous
Captain Claret, we fine fellows, and hearts of oak, throw
ourselves upon your unparalleled goodness.

"And what do you want to go ashore for?" asked the Captain,
evasively, and trying to conceal his admiration of Jack by
affecting some haughtiness.

"Ah! sir," sighed Jack, "why do the thirsty camels of the desert
desire to lap the waters of the fountain and roll in the green
grass of the oasis? Are we not but just from the ocean Sahara?
and is not this Rio a verdant spot, noble Captain? Surely you
will not keep us always tethered at anchor, when a little more
cable would admit of our cropping the herbage! And it is a weary
thing, Captain