Fitz the Filibuster by George Manville Fenn
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Fitz the Filibuster
CHAPTER ONE.
ABOARD A GUNBOAT.
"Well, Mr Burnett, what is it?"
"Beg pardon, sir."
"Now, my good boy, have I not told you always to speak out in a sharp, business-like way? How in the world do you expect to get on in your profession and become a smart officer, one who can give orders promptly to his men, if you begin in that stammering, hesitating style? Here, I'm busy; what do you want?"
"I beg pardon, sir, I--"
"Will--you--speak--out!"
"Yes, sir; Mr Storks is going off to-night with an armed boat's crew--"
"Thank you, Mr Burnett, I am much obliged; but allow me to tell you that your news is very stale, for I was perfectly aware of that fact, and gave the orders to Mr Storks myself."
"Yes, sir; of course, sir; but--"
"My good boy, what do you want?"
"To go with them, sir."
"Oh! Then why didn't you say so at first?"
"I didn't know how you'd take it, sir."
"Then you know now: very badly. No; the boat's going on important business, and I don't want her packed full of useless boys. What good do you expect you could do there?"
"Learn my profession, sir."
"Oh! Ah! H'm! Well--that's smart. Yes, I like that, Mr Burnett, much better. Well, I don't know what to say. There's no danger. Perhaps you will be away all the night and get no sleep."
"Shouldn't mind that, sir. Mr Storks said that he wouldn't mind."
"Doesn't matter whether Mr Storks minds or not. Well--yes; you may go. There, there, no thanks; and--er--and--er--don't take a