“You! Smith! You’re bound for HMS Hazard!”
HazardSmith opened his eyes. The bullying petty officer from the previous night – or was it the night before that? - stood over him, kicking at his legs. A seaman unfastened the manacles, grabbed Smith’s hair and hauled him upright. “Get up, you lubber! There’s work to do!”
Smith looked around, wincing at the pain in his cramped limbs. His head still ached, but not with the same intensity. He pushed the seaman away as something of his old spirit returned. “I can stand without your help, cully!”
“Cully, is it? I’ll teach you cully, you jawing bastard!” The seaman lifted a knotted rope’s end.
“Touch me with that, and the fish will feed on your guts,” Smith warned. The seaman snarled, looked into Smith’s eyes, and decided to back away.
For a mom
