Rites of Passage – William Golding - bzelbublive.info

securing this last on my head by means of a scarf passedover the crown and tied under my chin. I debated thepropriety of sending Wheeler to announce me but thoughtthis too formal in the circumstances. I pulled on my gloves,therefore, shook out my capes, glanced down at my bootsand found them adequate. I went to climb the laddersthoughof course they are staircases and broad at that-tothe afterdeck and quarterdeck. I passed M r Cumbershumwith an underling and gave him good day. But he ignoredmy greeting in a way that would have offended me had I notknown from the previous day's exchanges that his mannersare uncouth and his temper uncertain. I approached thecaptain therefore, who w a s t o b e recognized b y hiselaborate i f shabby uniform. H e stood o n the starboardside o f the quarterdeck, the wind a t hi s back where hishands were clasped, and he was staring at me, his faceraised, as if my appearance was a shock. Now I have toacquaint yo ur lordship w i t h a n unpleasant discovery.However gallant and indeed invincible our Navy may be,however heroic her officers and devoted her people, a shipof war is an ignoble despotism! Captain Anderson's firstremark-if such a growl may be so described-and uttered atthe very moment when having touched my glove to the brimof my beaver I was about to announce my name, was anunbelievably discourteous one."\Vho the devil is this, Cumbershum? Have they not readmy orders?" This remark so astonished me that I did notattend to Cumbershum's reply, if indeed he made any. My