The Conduct of Mackshane and Crampley
Upon recovering, the narrator crawls on deck with a staff and encounters Doctor Mackshane, who passes with disdain and offers no acknowledgment. Crampley follows, confronting the narrator with abusive language about lazy skulking men allowed to lollop while betters do hard duty. The narrator restrains his anger, knowing his feebleness and enemies in the ship could ruin him. He reminds Crampley he has not forgotten the insolence and malice, hoping they will meet on shore. Crampley grins and declares he longs for such an opportunity.
Departure of Captain Oakum
The ship is ordered to be heaved down, victualled, and watered for the return to England. Captain Oakum, finding it inconvenient to revisit his native country, exchanges with another gentleman who desperately wishes to be safe beyond the tropics.
Captain Whiffle’s Character
The new commander, Captain Whiffle, takes possession of the ship in a ten-oared barge, appearing in every way the reverse of Oakum. He is a tall, thin young man dressed elaborately: a white hat with a red feather, pink silk coat lined with white, white satin waistcoat embroidered with gold, a garnet brooch on fine cambric shirt edged with Mechlin lace, crimson velvet breeches, silk stockings, blue Morocco shoes with diamond buckles, a steel-hilted sword inlaid with gold, and an amber-headed cane. Remarkably, he wears a mask on his face and white gloves fixed with rings on his little fingers. His ship is impregnated with perfumes, surpassing even Arabia Felix in sweetness, and he is surrounded by attendants of similar disposition.
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