Page:Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection).djvu/218

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The typhoon struck us full astern,
Stout masts bent down like reeds,
She rose and fell, then rose again
To meet old ocean's steeds.

In serried ranks they charged her deck,
They drenched the scattered crew,
And lower still the mastheads bent
As still the tempest grew.

But good ship Victor laughed to scorn
The winds that blew so free,
And raised her crest above the waves
And bounded o'er the sea.

Then staggering upward from below
Our drunken captain came,
His bloodshot eyes seemed filled with fire,
His swarthy cheeks aflame.

"What means this coward crew!" he cried,
"What! fear you such a gale?
All hands aloft upon the yards
And set the topmost sail.

What then my lads, you will not go?"
The frenzied captain cried,
"'ll teach this crew to disobey—
Bring out my old rawhide!"

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