` Thanks , I hope you will . This long voyage will give you new experiences , and being an officer , you will have new duties and responsibilities . Are you ready for them ? You take everything so gaily , I 've been wondering if you realized that now you will have not only to obey but to command also , and power is a dangerous thing . Be careful that you do n't abuse it or let it make a tyrant of you . ' ` Right you are , ma'am . I 've seen plenty of that , and have got my bearings pretty well , I guess . I sha n't have very wide swing with Peters over me , but I 'll see that the boys do n't get abused when he 's bowsed up his jib . No right to speak before , but now I wo n't stand it . ' ` That sounds mysteriously awful ; could I ask what nautical torture `` bowsing jibs '' is ? ' asked Mrs Jo , in a tone of deep interest . ` Getting drunk . Peters can hold more grog than any man I ever saw ; he keeps right side up , but is as savage as a norther , and makes things lively all round . I 've seen him knock a fellow down with a belaying pin , and could n't lend a hand . Better luck now , I hope . ' And Emil frowned as if he already trod the quarter-deck , lord of all he surveyed . ` Do n't get into trouble , for even Uncle Herman 's favour wo n't cover insubordination , you know . You have proved yourself a good sailor ; now be a good officer , which is a harder thing , I fancy . It takes a fine character to rule justly and kindly ; you will have to put by your boyish ways and remember your dignity . That will be excellent training for you , Emil , and sober you down a bit .
No more skylarking except here , so mind your ways , and do honour to your buttons , ' said Mrs Jo , tapping one of the very bright brass ones that ornamented the new suit XXXXX was so proud of .
Emil Herman Jo Peters grog jib jibs quarter-deck right torture