Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/117

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PAUL CLIFFORD.
109

power which for two quarterly terms you have confided to mine, ready to sink into your ranks as a comrade, nor unwilling to renounce the painful honour I have borne;—borne with much infirmity, it is true; but at least, with a sincere desire to serve that cause with which you have entrusted me."

So saying, the Captain descended from his chair, amidst the most uproarious applause; and as soon as the first burst had partially subsided, Augustus Tomlinson rising, with one hand in his breeches' pocket and the other stretched out, said:

"Gentlemen, I move that Paul Lovett be again chosen as our Captain for the ensuing term of three months.—(Deafening cheers.)—Much might I say about his surpassing merits, but why dwell upon that which is obvious? Life is short! Why should speeches be long? Our lives, perhaps, are shorter than the lives of other men: why should not our harangues be of a suitable brevity? Gentlemen, I shall say but one word in favour of my excellent friend; of mine, say I? ay, of mine,