It is too deep to anchor here, so
the vessels are compelled to keep moving up and down until they get a
fair wind to go through the straits into the Adriatic. While cruising
about, the vessels passed so closely that the crews could hold
conversation with each other, and many a friend was recognized and
hailed. Their second morning under the lee of the rock during Paul's
watch the large bark Culpepper, commanded by a very irritable old
mariner was slowly passing. The angry voice of the captain, as he
heartily cursed his crew was plainly heard on the George. In a lull in
the torrent of abuse an Irish sailor who was leaning over the
George's rail, said derisively:
"Hould on, hould on Captain, till the waters bile and Oi'll go over and
shave ye."
The remark was overheard by the captain of the Culpepper who cried
loudly and angrily:
"Bark ahoy, there! Bark ahoy, there."
"What do you want?" responded Paul coming to the side.
"Are you the captain?" demanded the infuriated ruler of the Culpepper.
"No," said Paul, "he is below."
"Then call him up," he thundered.
At this moment, Captain Moore, who had heard the conversation, protruded
his head through the hatch and Paul informed him that the captain of
the Culpepper desired to speak to him.
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