Because the eggs were always stolen as soon as laid, the captain decreed
the slaughter of the hens, too ... not a rooster among them ... the hens
were frankly unhappy, because of this....
* * * * *
The last hen was to be slain. Pursued, she flew far out over the still
ocean. Further and further she flew, keeping up her heavy body as if by
an effort of will.
"Come back! Don't be such a damn fool!" I shouted in my excitement.
Everybody was watching when the chicken would light ... how long it
could keep up....
As soon as I shouted "come back!" the bird, as if giving heed to my
exhortation, slowly veered, and turned toward the ship again. Everybody
had laughed till they nearly sank on deck, at my naive words.
Now a spontaneous cheer went up, as the hen slowly tacked and started
back....
It was still weather, but the ship was moving ahead....
"She won't make it!"
"She will!"
Another great shout. She lit astern, right by the wheel. Straightway she
began running forward, wings spread in genuine triumph.
"Catch her!" shouted the mate.
Nobody obeyed him; they stood by laughing and cheering, till the hen
made safety beneath the forecastle head.
* * * * *
She was spared for three days.
* * * * *
"If you ever tell the captain on us," First Mate Miller threatened, as
he and the second mate stood over a barrel of Kuemmel, mixing hot water
with it, to fill up for what they had stolen, "if you ever tell, I'll
see that you go overboard--by accident .
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