White Jacket

Chapter 54

"THE PEOPLE" ARE GIVEN "LIBERTY."

Whenever, in intervals of mild benevolence, or yielding to mere

politic dictates, Kings and Commodores relax the yoke of

servitude, they should see to it well that the concession seem

not too sudden or unqualified; for, in the commoner's estimation,

that might argue feebleness or fear.

Hence it was, perhaps, that, though noble Jack had carried the

day captive in his audience at the mast, yet more than thirty-six

hours elapsed ere anything official was heard of the "liberty"

his shipmates so earnestly coveted. Some of the people began to

growl and grumble.

"It's turned out all gammon, Jack," said one.

"Blast the Commodore!" cried another, "he bamboozled you, Jack."

"Lay on your oars a while," answered Jack, "and we shall see;

we've struck for