"That argument won't stand good with the skipper," said I. "Now, come,
let me do the only thing which can set matters to rights; because it is
the right thing. I'm a bit of a favourite with Mr Du Pre, I suspect;
and I'll go up to him at once, and tell him the truth. If anything can
get you off, that will; and if the affair reaches the ears of the
captain, there will be a very serious row, I'm certain."
At last Dicky consented to my plan, and without waiting to let him
change his mind, I went on deck, where I found the first-lieutenant.
"I've got something to say about that beef-bone, sir," I began.
"What's that, Mr D'Arcy," he exclaimed, turning sharp round. "When am
I to hear the last of that beef-bone?"
"Why, sir, it wasn't the carpenter threw it, but one of the midshipmen;
he couldn't help it, though. No one could, I'm sure," I rapped out.
"Why, Master D'Arcy, I verily believe you're the culprit," he exclaimed,
looking at me steadfastly.
I detected, however, a smile in his eye, which showed that his anger was
not very serious; so I at once told him exactly how the matter had
occurred, and that Dicky had begged me to come and confess the truth and
intercede for him. Master Sharpe was therefore sent for; and having
been severely reprimanded, was told that as soon as we got into harbour
his leave would be stopped, and was then ordered to the masthead for a
couple of hours, to sit there instead of on the stool of repentance.
The carpenter was released from arrest, on condition that he should keep
the peace. The boatswain's nose mended in the course of a few days; and
though reminded of the outrage every time he attempted to shave before
his broken bit of looking-glass, he and Chissel soon patched up their
quarrel and resumed their former intimacy. The person who fared worst
was Bobby Smudge, who, never a favourite with his master, now obtained a
double allowance of finnams, and a sly rope's-ending whenever
opportunities offered. Bobby began to discover that revenge, though
sweet, may recoil on the head of the avenger, and become very bitter.
More ultimately came out of the beef-bone affair.