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diff --git a/old/5758-2004-05-01-h/5758-h.htm b/old/5758-2004-05-01-h/5758-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 4d2b8c1..0000000 --- a/old/5758-2004-05-01-h/5758-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12035 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html lang="en"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" - content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> -<title> - Many Cargoes, - by W.w. Jacobs -</title> - -<style type="text/css"> - <!-- - body { text-align:justify} - P { margin:15%; - margin-top: .75em; - margin-bottom: .75em; } - H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } - hr { width: 50%; } - hr.full { width: 100%; } - .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } - .play { margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; text-align: justify; font-size: 100%; } - img {border: 0;} - HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } - blockquote {font-size: 97%; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 1%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: left; - color: gray; - } /* page numbers */ - .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 1%;} - .figright {float: right; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 1%;} - .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; - margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} - .toc { margin-left: 5%; margin-bottom: .75em; font-size: 110%;} - .toc2 { margin-left: 5%;} - CENTER { padding: 10px;} - PRE { font-family: Times; font-style: italic; font-size: 100%; margin-left: 25%;} - --> -</style> - -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Many Cargoes, by W.W. Jacobs - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Many Cargoes - -Author: W.W. Jacobs - -Release Date: May 6, 2009 [EBook #5758] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MANY CARGOES *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, David Widger, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<br><br> - -<h1> - MANY CARGOES -</h1><br><br> - -<h2> -By W.W. Jacobs -</h2><br><br> - -<h4> -Second Edition -<br><br> -New York 1894 -</h4> - - - - -<br> -<br> -<hr> -<br> -<br> - - -<h2>Contents</h2> - -<center> -<table summary=""> -<tr><td> - - - -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0001"> -A CHANGE OF TREATMENT -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0002"> -A LOVE PASSAGE -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0003"> -THE CAPTAIN'S EXPLOIT -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0004"> -CONTRABAND OF WAR -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0005"> -A BLACK AFFAIR -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0006"> -THE SKIPPER OF THE "OSPREY" -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0007"> -IN BORROWED PLUMES -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0008"> -THE BOATSWAIN'S WATCH -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0009"> -LOW WATER -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0010"> -IN MID-ATLANTIC -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0011"> -AFTER THE INQUEST -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0012"> -IN LIMEHOUSE REACH -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0013"> -AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0014"> -THE COOK OF THE "GANNET" -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0015"> -A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0016"> -A CASE OF DESERTION -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0017"> -OUTSAILED -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0018"> -MATED -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0019"> -THE RIVAL BEAUTIES -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0020"> -MRS. BUNKER'S CHAPERON -</a></p> -<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0021"> -A HARBOUR OF REFUGE -</a></p> - - -</td></tr> -</table> -</center> - -<br> -<br> -<hr> -<br> -<br> - -<a name="2H_4_0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - - -<h2> - A CHANGE OF TREATMENT -</h2> -<p> -"Yes, I've sailed under some 'cute skippers in my time," said the -night-watchman; "them that go down in big ships see the wonders o' the -deep, you know," he added with a sudden chuckle, "but the one I'm going -to tell you about ought never to have been trusted out without 'is ma. -A good many o' my skippers had fads, but this one was the worst I ever -sailed under. -</p> -<p> -"It's some few years ago now; I'd shipped on his barque, the John -Elliott, as slow-going an old tub as ever I was aboard of, when I wasn't -in quite a fit an' proper state to know what I was doing, an' I hadn't -been in her two days afore I found out his 'obby through overhearing a -few remarks made by the second mate, who came up from dinner in a hurry -to make 'em. 'I don't mind saws an' knives hung round the cabin,' he ses -to the fust mate, 'but when a chap has a 'uman 'and alongside 'is plate, -studying it while folks is at their food, it's more than a Christian man -can stand.' -</p> -<p> -"'That's nothing,' ses the fust mate, who had sailed with the barque -afore. 'He's half crazy on doctoring. We nearly had a mutiny aboard once -owing to his wanting to hold a post-mortem on a man what fell from the -mast-head. Wanted to see what the poor feller died of.' -</p> -<p> -"'I call it unwholesome,' ses the second mate very savage.' He offered -me a pill at breakfast the size of a small marble; quite put me off my -feed, it did.' -</p> -<p> -"Of course, the skipper's fad soon got known for'ard. But I didn't think -much about it, till one day I seed old Dan'l Dennis sitting on a locker -reading. Every now and then he'd shut the book, an' look up, closing 'is -eyes, an' moving his lips like a hen drinking, an' then look down at the -book again. -</p> -<p> -"'Why, Dan,' I ses, 'what's up? you ain't larning lessons at your time -o' life?' -</p> -<p> -"'Yes, I am,' ses Dan very soft. 'You might hear me say it, it's this -one about heart disease.' -</p> -<p> -"He hands over the book, which was stuck full o' all kinds o' diseases, -and winks at me 'ard. -</p> -<p> -"'Picked it up on a book-stall,' he ses; then he shut 'is eyes an' said -his piece wonderful. It made me quite queer to listen to 'im. 'That's -how I feel,' ses he, when he'd finished. 'Just strength enough to get to -bed. Lend a hand, Bill, an' go an' fetch the doctor.' -</p> -<p> -"Then I see his little game, but I wasn't going to run any risks, so I -just mentioned, permiscous like, to the cook as old Dan seemed rather -queer, an' went back an' tried to borrer the book, being always fond of -reading. Old Dan pretended he was too ill to hear what I was saying, -an' afore I could take it away from him, the skipper comes hurrying down -with a bag in his 'and. -</p> -<p> -"'What's the matter, my man?' ses he, 'what's the matter?' -</p> -<p> -"'I'm all right, sir,' ses old Dan, 'cept that I've been swoonding away -a little.' -</p> -<p> -"'Tell me exactly how you feel,' ses the skipper, feeling his pulse. -</p> -<p> -"Then old Dan said his piece over to him, an' the skipper shook his head -an' looked very solemn. -</p> -<p> -"'How long have you been like this?' he ses. -</p> -<p> -"'Four or five years, sir,' ses Dan. 'It ain't nothing serious, sir, is -it?' -</p> -<p> -"'You lie quite still,' ses the skipper, putting a little trumpet thing -to his chest an' then listening. 'Um! there's serious mischief here I'm -afraid, the prognotice is very bad.' -</p> -<p> -"'Prog what, sir?' ses Dan, staring. -</p> -<p> -"'Prognotice,' ses the skipper, at least I think that's the word he -said. 'You keep perfectly still, an' I'll go an' mix you up a draught, -and tell the cook to get some strong beef-tea on.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, the skipper 'ad no sooner gone, than Cornish Harry, a great big -lumbering chap o' six feet two, goes up to old Dan, an' he ses, 'Gimme -that book.' -</p> -<p> -"'Go away,' says Dan, 'don't come worrying 'ere; you 'eard the skipper -say how bad my prognotice was.' -</p> -<p> -"'You lend me the book,' ses Harry, ketching hold of him, 'or else I'll -bang you first, and split to the skipper arterwards. I believe I'm a bit -consumptive. Anyway, I'm going to see.' -</p> -<p> -"He dragged the book away from the old man, and began to study. There -was so many complaints in it he was almost tempted to have something -else instead of consumption, but he decided on that at last, an' he got -a cough what worried the fo'c'sle all night long, an' the next day, when -the skipper came down to see Dan, he could 'ardly 'ear hisself speak. -</p> -<p> -"'That's a nasty cough you've got, my man,' ses he, looking at Harry. -</p> -<p> -"'Oh, it's nothing, sir,' ses Harry, careless like. 'I've 'ad it for -months now off and on. I think it's perspiring so of a night does it." -</p> -<p> -"'What?' ses the skipper. 'Do you perspire of a night?' -</p> -<p> -"'Dredful,' ses Harry. 'You could wring the clo'es out. I s'pose it's -healthy for me, ain't it, sir?' -</p> -<p> -"'Undo your shirt,' ses the skipper, going over to him, an' sticking the -trumpet agin him. 'Now take a deep breath. Don't cough.' -</p> -<p> -"'I can't help it, sir,' ses Harry, 'it will come. Seems to tear me to -pieces.' -</p> -<p> -"'You get to bed at once," says the skipper, taking away the trumpet, -an' shaking his 'ed. 'It's a fortunate thing for you, my lad, you're in -skilled hands. With care, I believe I can pull you round. How does that -medicine suit you, Dan?' -</p> -<p> -"'Beautiful, sir,' says Dan. 'It's wonderful soothing, I slep' like a -new-born babe arter it.' -</p> -<p> -"'I'll send you some more,' ses the skipper. 'You're not to get up mind, -either of you.' -</p> -<p> -"'All right, sir,' ses the two in very faint voices, an' the skipper -went away arter telling us to be careful not to make a noise. -</p> -<p> -"We all thought it a fine joke at first, but the airs them two chaps -give themselves was something sickening. Being in bed all day, they was -naturally wakeful of a night, and they used to call across the fo'c'sle -inquiring arter each other's healths, an' waking us other chaps up. An' -they'd swop beef-tea an' jellies with each other, an' Dan 'ud try an' -coax a little port wine out o' Harry, which he 'ad to make blood with, -but Harry 'ud say he hadn't made enough that day, an' he'd drink to the -better health of old Dan's prognotice, an' smack his lips until it drove -us a'most crazy to 'ear him. -</p> -<p> -"Arter these chaps had been ill two days, the other fellers began to put -their heads together, being maddened by the smell o' beef-tea an' the -like, an' said they was going to be ill too, and both the invalids got -into a fearful state of excitement. -</p> -<p> -"'You'll only spoil it for all of us,' ses Harry, 'and you don't know -what to have without the book.' -</p> -<p> -"'It's all very well doing your work as well as our own,' ses one of the -men. 'It's our turn now. It's time you two got well.' -</p> -<p> -"'WELL? ses Harry, 'well? Why you silly iggernerant chaps, we shan't -never get well, people with our complaints never do. You ought to know -that.' -</p> -<p> -"'Well, I shall split, 'ses one of them. "'You do!' ses Harry, 'you -do, an' I'll put a 'ed on you that all the port wine and jellies in the -world wouldn't cure. 'Sides, don't you think the skipper knows what's -the matter with us?' -</p> -<p> -"'Afore the other chap could reply, the skipper hisself comes down, -accompanied by the fust mate, with a look on his face which made Harry -give the deepest and hollowest cough he'd ever done. -</p> -<p> -"'What they reely want,' ses the skipper, turning to the mate, 'is -keerful nussing.' -</p> -<p> -"'I wish you'd let me nuss 'em,' ses the fust mate, 'only ten -minutes—I'd put 'em both on their legs, an' running for their lives -into the bargain, in ten minutes.' -</p> -<p> -"'Hold your tongue, sir,' ses the skipper; 'what you say is unfeeling, -besides being an insult to me. Do you think I studied medicine all these -years without knowing when a man's ill?' -</p> -<p> -"The fust mate growled something and went on deck, and the skipper -started examining of 'em again. He said they was wonderfully patient -lying in bed so long, an' he had 'em wrapped up in bedclo'es and carried -on deck, so as the pure air could have a go at 'em. WE had to do the -carrying, an' there they sat, breathing the pure air, and looking at the -fust mate out of the corners of their eyes. If they wanted anything from -below one of us had to go an' fetch it, an' by the time they was taken -down to bed again, we all resolved to be took ill too. -</p> -<p> -"Only two of 'em did it though, for Harry, who was a powerful, -ugly-tempered chap, swore he'd do all sorts o' dreadful things to us if -we didn't keep well and hearty, an' all 'cept these two did. One of 'em, -Mike Rafferty, laid up with a swelling on his ribs, which I knew myself -he 'ad 'ad for fifteen years, and the other chap had paralysis. I never -saw a man so reely happy as the skipper was. He was up an down with his -medicines and his instruments all day long, and used to make notes -of the cases in a big pocket-book, and read 'em to the second mate at -mealtimes. -</p> -<p> -"The fo'c'sle had been turned into hospital about a week, an' I was -on deck doing some odd job or the other, when the cook comes up to me -pulling a face as long as a fiddle. -</p> -<p> -"'Nother invalid,' ses he; 'fust mate's gone stark, staring mad!' -</p> -<p> -"'Mad?' ses I. -</p> -<p> -"'Yes,' ses he. 'He's got a big basin in the galley, an' he's laughing -like a hyener an' mixing bilge-water an' ink, an' paraffin an' butter -an' soap an' all sorts o' things up together. The smell's enough to kill -a man; I've had to come away.' -</p> -<p> -"Curious-like, I jest walked up to the galley an' puts my 'ed in, an' -there was the mate as the cook said, smiling all over his face, and -ladling some thick sticky stuff into a stone bottle. -</p> -<p> -"'How's the pore sufferers, sir?' ses he, stepping out of the galley -jest as the skipper was going by. -</p> -<p> -"'They're very bad; but I hope for the best," ses the skipper, looking -at him hard. 'I'm glad to see you've turned a bit more feeling.' -</p> -<p> -"'Yes, sir,' ses the mate. 'I didn't think so at fust, but I can see -now them chaps is all very ill. You'll s'cuse me saying it, but I don't -quite approve of your treatment.' -</p> -<p> -"I thought the skipper would ha' bust. -</p> -<p> -"'My treatment?' ses he. 'My treatment? What do you know about it?' -</p> -<p> -"'You're treating 'em wrong, sir,' ses the mate. 'I have here' (patting -the jar) 'a remedy which 'ud cure them all if you'd only let me try it.' -</p> -<p> -"'Pooh!' ses the skipper. 'One medicine cure all diseases! The old -story. What is it? Where'd you get it from?' ses he. -</p> -<p> -"'I brought the ingredients aboard with me,' ses the mate. 'It's a -wonderful medicine discovered by my grandmother, an' if I might only try -it I'd thoroughly cure them pore chaps.' -</p> -<p> -"'Rubbish!' ses the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"'Very well, sir,' ses the mate, shrugging his shoulders. 'O' course, -if you won't let me you won't. Still I tell you, if you'd let me try I'd -cure 'em all in two days. That's a fair challenge.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, they talked, and talked, and talked, until at last the skipper -give way and went down below with the mate, and told the chaps they was -to take the new medicine for two days, jest to prove the mate was wrong. -</p> -<p> -"'Let pore old Dan try it first, sir,' ses Harry, starting up, an' -sniffing as the mate took the cork out; 'he's been awful bad since -you've been away.' -</p> -<p> -"'Harry's worse than I am, sir,' ses Dan; 'it's only his kind heart that -makes him say that.' -</p> -<p> -"'It don't matter which is fust,' ses the mate, filling a tablespoon -with it, 'there's plenty for all. Now, Harry.' -</p> -<p> -"'Take it,' ses the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Harry took it, an' the fuss he made you'd ha' thought he was swallering -a football. It stuck all round his mouth, and he carried on so dredful -that the other invalids was half sick afore it came to them. -</p> -<p> -"By the time the other three 'ad 'ad theirs it was as good as a -pantermime, an' the mate corked the bottle up, and went an' sat down on -a locker while they tried to rinse their mouths out with the luxuries -which had been given 'em. -</p> -<p> -"'How do you feel?' ses the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"'I'm dying,' ses Dan. -</p> -<p> -"'So'm I,' ses Harry; 'I b'leeve the mate's pisoned us." -</p> -<p> -"The skipper looks over at the mate very stern an' shakes his 'ed -slowly. -</p> -<p> -"'It's all right,' ses the mate. 'It's always like that the first dozen -or so doses.' -</p> -<p> -"'Dozen or so doses!' ses old Dan, in a far-away voice. -</p> -<p> -"'It has to be taken every twenty minutes,' ses the mate, pulling out -his pipe and lighting it; an' the four men groaned all together. -</p> -<p> -"'I can't allow it,' ses the skipper, 'I can't allow it. Men's lives -mustn't be sacrificed for an experiment.' -</p> -<p> -"''T ain't a experiment,' ses the mate very indignant, 'it's an old -family medicine.' -</p> -<p> -"'Well, they shan't have any more,' ses the skipper firmly. -</p> -<p> -"'Look here,' ses the mate. 'If I kill any one o' these men I'll give -you twenty pound. Honour bright, I will.' -</p> -<p> -"'Make it twenty-five,' ses the skipper, considering. -</p> -<p> -"'Very good,' ses the mate. 'Twenty-five; I can't say no fairer than -that, can I? It's about time for another dose now.' -</p> -<p> -"He gave 'em another tablespoonful all round as the skipper left, an' -the chaps what wasn't invalids nearly bust with joy. He wouldn't let -'em have anything to take the taste out, 'cos he said it didn't give the -medicine a chance, an' he told us other chaps to remove the temptation, -an' you bet we did. -</p> -<p> -"After the fifth dose, the invalids began to get desperate, an' when -they heard they'd got to be woke up every twenty minutes through the -night to take the stuff, they sort o' give up. Old Dan said he felt a -gentle glow stealing over him and strengthening him, and Harry said that -it felt like a healing balm to his lungs. All of 'em agreed it was -a wonderful sort o' medicine, an' arter the sixth dose the man with -paralysis dashed up on deck, and ran up the rigging like a cat. He sat -there for hours spitting, an' swore he'd brain anybody who interrupted -him, an' arter a little while Mike Rafferty went up and j'ined him, an' -it the fust mate's ears didn't burn by reason of the things them two -pore sufferers said about 'im, they ought to. -</p> -<p> -"They was all doing full work next day, an' though, o'course, the -skipper saw how he'd been done, he didn't allude to it. Not in words, -that is; but when a man tries to make four chaps do the work of eight, -an' hits 'em when they don't, it's a easy job to see where the shoe -pinches." -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - A LOVE PASSAGE -</h2> -<p> -The mate was leaning against the side of the schooner, idly watching -a few red-coated linesmen lounging on the Tower Quay. Careful mariners -were getting out their side-lights, and careless lightermen were -progressing by easy bumps from craft to craft on their way up the river. -A tug, half burying itself in its own swell, rushed panting by, and a -faint scream came from aboard an approaching skiff as it tossed in the -wash. -</p> -<p> -"JESSICA ahoy!" bawled a voice from the skiff as she came rapidly -alongside. -</p> -<p> -The mate, roused from his reverie, mechanically caught the line and made -it fast, moving with alacrity as he saw that the captain's daughter was -one of the occupants. Before he had got over his surprise she was on -deck with her boxes, and the captain was paying off the watermen. -</p> -<p> -"You've seen my daughter Hetty afore, haven't you?" said the skipper. -"She's coming with us this trip. You'd better go down and make up her -bed, Jack, in that spare bunk." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," said the mate dutifully, moving off. -</p> -<p> -"Thank you, I'll do it myself," said the scandalised Hetty, stepping -forward hastily. -</p> -<p> -"As you please," said the skipper, leading the way below. "Let's have a -light on, Jack." -</p> -<p> -The mate struck a match on his boot, and lit the lamp. -</p> -<p> -"There's a few things in there'll want moving," said the skipper, as -he opened the door. "I don't know where we're to keep the onions now, -Jack." -</p> -<p> -"We'll find a place for 'em," said the mate confidently, as he drew out -a sack and placed it on the table. -</p> -<p> -"I'm not going to sleep in there," said the visitor decidedly, as she -peered in. "Ugh! there's a beetle. Ugh!" -</p> -<p> -"It's quite dead," said the mate reassuringly. "I've never seen a live -beetle on this ship." -</p> -<p> -"I want to go home," said the girl. "You've no business to make me come -when I don't want to." -</p> -<p> -"You should behave yourself then," said her father magisterially. "What -about sheets, Jack; and pillers?" -</p> -<p> -The mate sat on the table, and, grasping his chin, pondered. Then as his -gaze fell upon the pretty, indignant face of the passenger, he lost the -thread of his ideas. -</p> -<p> -"She'll have to have some o' my things for the present," said the -skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Why not," said the mate, looking up again—"why not let her have your -state-room?" -</p> -<p> -"'Cos I want it myself," replied the other calmly. -</p> -<p> -The mate blushed for him, and, the girl leaving them to arrange matters -as they pleased, the two men, by borrowing here and contriving there, -made up the bunk. The girl was standing by the galley when they went on -deck again, an object of curious and respectful admiration to the crew, -who had come on board in the meantime. She stayed on deck until the -air began to blow fresher in the wider reaches, and then, with a brief -good-night to her father, retired below. -</p> -<p> -"She made up her mind to come with us rather suddenly, didn't she?" -inquired the mate after she had gone. -</p> -<p> -"She didn't make up her mind at all," said the skipper; "we did it for -her, me an' the missus. It's a plan on our part." -</p> -<p> -"Wants strengthening?" said the mate suggestively. -</p> -<p> -"Well, the fact is," said the skipper, "it's like this, Jack; there's a -friend o' mine, a provision dealer in a large way o' business, wants -to marry my girl, and me an' the missus want him to marry her, so, o' -course, she wants to marry someone else. Me an' 'er mother we put our -'eads together and decided for her to come away. When she's at 'ome, -instead o' being out with Towson, direckly her mother's back's turned -she's out with that young sprig of a clerk." -</p> -<p> -"Nice-looking young feller, I s'pose?" said the mate somewhat anxiously. -</p> -<p> -"Not a bit of it," said the other firmly. "Looks as though he had never -had a good meal in his life. Now my friend Towson, he's all right; he's -a man of about my own figger." -</p> -<p> -"She'll marry the clerk," said the mate, with conviction. -</p> -<p> -"I'll bet you she don't," said the skipper. "I'm an artful man, Jack, -an' I, generally speaking, get my own way. I couldn't live with my -missus peaceable if it wasn't for management." -</p> -<p> -The mate smiled safely in the darkness, the skipper's management -consisting chiefly of slavish obedience. -</p> -<p> -"I've got a cabinet fortygraph of him for the cabin mantel-piece, Jack," -continued the wily father. "He gave it to me o' purpose. She'll see that -when she won't see the clerk, an' by-and-bye she'll fall into our way of -thinking. Anyway, she's going to stay here till she does." -</p> -<p> -"You know your way about, cap'n," said the mate, in pretended -admiration. -</p> -<p> -The skipper laid his finger on his nose, and winked at the mainmast. -"There's few can show me the way, Jack," he answered softly; "very few. -Now I want you to help me too; I want you to talk to her a great deal." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," said the mate, winking at the mast in his turn. -</p> -<p> -"Admire the fortygraph on the mantel-piece," said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"I will," said the other. -</p> -<p> -"Tell her about a lot o' young girls you know as married young -middle-aged men, an' loved 'em more an' more every day of their lives," -continued the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Not another word," said the mate. "I know just what you want. She -shan't marry the clerk if I can help it." -</p> -<p> -The other turned and gripped him warmly by the hand. "If ever you are a -father your elf, Jack," he said with emotion, "I hope as how somebody'll -stand by you as you're standing by me." -</p> -<p> -The mate was relieved the next day when he saw the portrait of Towson. -He stroked his moustache, and felt that he gained in good looks every -time he glanced at it. -</p> -<p> -Breakfast finished, the skipper, who had been on deck all night, retired -to his bunk. The mate went on deck and took charge, watching with great -interest the movements of the passenger as she peered into the galley -and hotly assailed the cook's method of washing up. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you like the sea?" he inquired politely, as she came and sat on -the cabin skylight. -</p> -<p> -Miss Alsen shook her head dismally. "I've got to it," she remarked. -</p> -<p> -"Your father was saying something to me about it," said the mate -guardedly. -</p> -<p> -"Did he tell the cook and the cabin boy too?" inquired Miss Alsen, -flushing somewhat. "What did he tell you?" -</p> -<p> -"Told me about a man named Towson," said the mate, becoming intent on -the sails, "and—another fellow." -</p> -<p> -"I took a little notice of HIM just to spoil the other," said the girl, -"not that I cared for him. I can't understand a girl caring for any man. -Great, clumsy, ugly things." -</p> -<p> -"You don't like him then?" said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Of course not," said the girl, tossing her head. -</p> -<p> -"And yet they 've sent you to sea to get out of his way," said the mate -meditatively. "Well, the best thing you can do"—His hardihood failed -him at the pitch. -</p> -<p> -"Go on," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"Well, it's this way," said the mate, coughing; "they've sent you to -sea to get you out of this fellow's way, so if you fall in love with -somebody on the ship they'll send you home again." -</p> -<p> -"So they will," said the girl eagerly. "I'll pretend to fall in love -with that nice-looking sailor you call Harry. What a lark!" -</p> -<p> -"I shouldn't do that," said the mate gravely. -</p> -<p> -"Why not?" said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"'Tisn't discipline," said the mate very firmly; "it wouldn't do at all. -He's before the mast." -</p> -<p> -"Oh, I see," remarked Miss Alsen, smiling scornfully. -</p> -<p> -"I only mean pretend, of course," said the mate, colouring. "Just to -oblige you." -</p> -<p> -"Of course," said the girl calmly. "Well, how are we to be in love?" -</p> -<p> -The mate flushed darkly. "I don't know much about such things," he said -at length; "but we'll have to look at each other, and all that sort of -thing, you know." -</p> -<p> -"I don't mind that," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"Then we'll get on by degrees," said the other. "I expect we shall both -find it come easier after a time." -</p> -<p> -"Anything to get home again," said the girl, rising and walking slowly -away. -</p> -<p> -The mate began his part of the love-making at once, and, fixing a gaze -of concentrated love on the object of his regard, nearly ran down -a smack. As he had prognosticated, it came easy to him, and other -well-marked symptoms, such as loss of appetite and a partiality for -bright colours, developed during the day. Between breakfast and tea -he washed five times, and raised the ire of the skipper to a dangerous -pitch by using the ship's butter to remove tar from his fingers. -</p> -<p> -By ten o'clock that night he was far advanced in a profound melancholy. -All the looking had been on his side, and, as he stood at the wheel -keeping the schooner to her course, he felt a fellow-feeling for the -hapless Towson, His meditations were interrupted by a slight figure -which emerged from the companion, and, after a moment's hesitation, came -and took its old seat on the skylight. -</p> -<p> -"Calm and peaceful up here, isn't it?" said he, after waiting some time -for her to speak. "Stars are very bright to-night." -</p> -<p> -"Don't talk to me," said Miss Alsen snappishly. -</p> -<p> -"Why doesn't this nasty little ship keep still? I believe it's you -making her jump about like this." -</p> -<p> -"Me?" said the mate in amazement. -</p> -<p> -"Yes, with that wheel." -</p> -<p> -"I can assure you "—began the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Yes, I knew you'd say so," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"Come and steer yourself," said the mate; "then you'll see." -</p> -<p> -Much to his surprise she came, and, leaning limply against the wheel, -put her little hands on the spokes, while the mate explained the -mysteries of the compass. As he warmed with his subject he ventured -to put his hands on the same spokes, and, gradually becoming more -venturesome, boldly supported her with his arm every time the schooner -gave a lurch. -</p> -<p> -"Thank you," said Miss Alsen, coldly extricating herself, as the male -fancied another lurch was coming. "Good-night." -</p> -<p> -She retired to the cabin as a dark figure, which was manfully knuckling -the last remnant of sleep from its eyelids, stood before the mate, -chuckling softly. -</p> -<p> -"Clear night," said the seaman, as he took the wheel in his great paws. -</p> -<p> -"Beastly," said the mate absently, and, stifling a sigh, went below and -turned in. -</p> -<p> -He lay awake for a few minutes, and then, well satisfied with the day's -proceedings, turned over and fell asleep. He was pleased to discover, -when he awoke, that the slight roll of the night before had disappeared, -and that there was hardly any motion on the schooner. The passenger -herself was already at the breakfast-table. -</p> -<p> -"Cap'n's on deck, I s'pose?" said the mate, preparing to resume -negotiations where they were broken off the night before. "I hope you -feel better than you did last night." -</p> -<p> -"Yes, thank you," said she. -</p> -<p> -"You'll make a good sailor in time," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I hope not," said Miss Alsen, who thought it time to quell a gleam of -peculiar tenderness plainly apparent in the mate's eyes. "I shouldn't -like to be a sailor even if I were a man." -</p> -<p> -"Why not?" inquired the other. -</p> -<p> -"I don't know," said the girl meditatively; "but sailors are generally -such scrubby little men, aren't they?" -</p> -<p> -"SCUBBY?" repeated the mate, in a dazed voice. -</p> -<p> -"I'd sooner be a soldier," she continued; "I like soldiers—they're so -manly. I wish there was one here now." -</p> -<p> -"What for?" inquired the mate, in the manner of a sulky schoolboy. -</p> -<p> -"If there was a man like that here now," said Miss Alsen thoughtfully, -"I'd dare him to mustard old Towson's nose." -</p> -<p> -"Do what?" inquired the astonished mate. -</p> -<p> -"Mustard old Towson's nose," said Miss Alsen, glancing lightly from the -cruet-stand to the portrait. -</p> -<p> -The infatuated man hesitated a moment, and then, reaching over to the -cruet, took out the spoon, and with a pale, determined face, indignantly -daubed the classic features of the provision dealer. His indignation was -not lessened by the behaviour of the temptress, who, instead of fawning -upon him for his bravery, crammed her handkerchief to her mouth and -giggled foolishly. -</p> -<p> -"Where's father," she said suddenly, as a step sounded above. "Oh, you -will get it!" -</p> -<p> -She rose from her seat, and, standing aside to let her father pass, -went on deck. The skipper sank on to a locker, and, raising the tea-pot, -poured himself out a cup of tea, which he afterwards decanted into a -saucer. He had just raised it to his lips, when he saw something over -the rim of it which made him put it down again untasted, and stare -blankly at the mantel-piece. -</p> -<p> -"Who the—what the—who the devil's done this?" he inquired in a -strangulated voice, as he rose and regarded the portrait. -</p> -<p> -"I did," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"You did?" roared the other. "You? What for?" -</p> -<p> -"I don't know," said the mate awkwardly. "Something seemed to come over -me all of a sudden, and I felt as though I MUST do it." -</p> -<p> -"But what for? Where's the sense of it?" said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -The mate shook his head sheepishly. -</p> -<p> -"But what did you want to do such a monkey-trick FOR?" roared the -skipper. -</p> -<p> -"I don't know," said the mate doggedly; "but it's done, ain't it? and -it's no good talking about it." -</p> -<p> -The skipper looked at him in wrathful perplexity. "You'd better have -advice when we get to port, Jack," he said at length; "the last few -weeks I've noticed you've been a bit strange in your manner. You go an' -show that 'ed of yours to a doctor." -</p> -<p> -The mate grunted, and went on deck for sympathy, but, finding Miss Alsen -in a mood far removed from sentiment, and not at all grateful, drew off -whistling. Matters were in this state when the skipper appeared, wiping -his mouth. -</p> -<p> -"I've put another portrait on the mantel-piece, Jack," he said -menacingly; "it's the only other one I've got, an' I wish you to -understand that if that only smells mustard, there'll be such a row in -this 'ere ship that you won't be able to 'ear yourself speak for the -noise." -</p> -<p> -He moved off with dignity as his daughter, who had overheard the remark, -came sidling up to the mate and smiled on him agreeably. -</p> -<p> -"He's put another portrait there," she said softly. -</p> -<p> -"You'll find the mustard-pot in the cruet," said the mate coldly. -</p> -<p> -Miss Alsen turned and watched her father as he went forward, and then, -to the mate's surprise, went below without another word. A prey to -curiosity, but too proud to make any overture, he compromised matters by -going and standing near the companion. -</p> -<p> -"Mate!" said a stealthy whisper at the foot of the ladder. -</p> -<p> -The mate gazed calmly out to sea. -</p> -<p> -"Jack!" said the girl again, in a lower whisper than before. -</p> -<p> -The mate went hot all over, and at once descended. He found Miss Alsen, -her eyes sparkling, with the mustard-pot in her left hand and the spoon -in her right, executing a war-dance in front of the second portrait. -</p> -<p> -"Don't do it," said the mate, in alarm. -</p> -<p> -"Why not?" she inquired, going within an inch of it. -</p> -<p> -"He'll think it's me," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"That's why I called you down here," said she; "you don't think I wanted -you, do you?" -</p> -<p> -"You put that spoon down," said the mate, who was by no means desirous -of another interview with the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Shan't!" said Miss Alsen. -</p> -<p> -The mate sprang at her, but she dodged round the table. He leaned over, -and, catching her by the left arm, drew her towards him; then, with -her flushed, laughing face close to his, he forgot everything else, and -kissed her. -</p> -<p> -"Oh!" said Hetty indignantly. -</p> -<p> -"Will you give it to me now?" said the mate, trembling at his boldness. -</p> -<p> -"Take it," said she. She leaned across the table, and, as the mate -advanced, dabbed viciously at him with the spoon. Then she suddenly -dropped both articles on the table and moved away, as the mate, startled -by a footstep at the door, turned a flushed visage, ornamented with -three streaks of mustard, on to the dumbfounded skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Sakes alive!" said that astonished mariner, as soon as he could speak; -"if he ain't a-mustarding his own face now—I never 'card of such a -thing in all my life. Don't go near 'im, Hetty. Jack!" -</p> -<p> -"Well," said the mate, wiping his smarting face with his handkerchief. -</p> -<p> -"You've never been took like this before?" queried the skipper -anxiously. -</p> -<p> -"O'course not," said the mortified mate. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you say o'course not to me," said the other warmly, "after -behaving like this. A straight weskit's what you want. I'll go an' see -old Ben about it. He's got an uncle in a 'sylum. You come up too, my -girl." -</p> -<p> -He went in search of Ben, oblivious of the fact that his daughter, -instead of following him, came no farther than the door, where she stood -and regarded her victim compassionately. -</p> -<p> -"I'm so sorry," she said "Does it smart?" -</p> -<p> -"A little," said the mate; "don't you trouble about me." -</p> -<p> -"You see what you get for behaving badly," said Miss Alsen judicially. -</p> -<p> -"It's worth it," said the mate, brightening. -</p> -<p> -"I'm afraid it'll blister," said she. She crossed over to him, and -putting her head on one side, eyed the traces wisely. "Three marks," she -said. -</p> -<p> -"I only had one," suggested the mate. -</p> -<p> -"One what?" enquired Hetty. -</p> -<p> -"Those," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -In full view of the horrified skipper, who was cautiously peeping at the -supposed lunatic through the skylight, he kissed her again. -</p> -<p> -"You can go away, Ben," said the skipper huskily to the expert. "D'ye -hear, you can go AWAY, and not a word about this, mind." -</p> -<p> -The expert went away grumbling, and the father, after another glance, -which showed him his daughter nestling comfortably on the mate's right -shoulder, stole away and brooded darkly over this crowning complication. -An ordinary man would have run down and interrupted them; the master -of the Jessica thought he could attain his ends more certainly by -diplomacy, and so careful was his demeanour that the couple in the cabin -had no idea that they had been observed—the mate listening calmly to -a lecture on incipient idiocy which the skipper thought it advisable to -bestow. -</p> -<p> -Until the mid-day meal on the day following he made no sign. If anything -he was even more affable than usual, though his wrath rose at the -glances which were being exchanged across the table. -</p> -<p> -"By the way, Jack," he said at length, "what's become of Kitty Loney?" -</p> -<p> -"Who?" inquired the mate. "Who's Kitty Loney?" -</p> -<p> -It was now the skipper's turn to stare, and he did it admirably. -</p> -<p> -"Kitty Loney," he said in surprise, "the little girl you are going to -marry." -</p> -<p> -"Who are you getting at?" said the mate, going scarlet as he met the -gaze opposite. -</p> -<p> -"I don't know what you mean," said the skipper with dignity. "I'm -allooding to Kitty Loney, the little girl in the red hat and white -feathers you introduced to me as your future." -</p> -<p> -The mate sank back in his seat, and regarded him with open-mouthed, -horrified astonishment. -</p> -<p> -"You don't mean to say you've chucked 'er," pursued the heartless -skipper, "after getting an advance from me to buy the ring with, too? -Didn't you buy the ring with the money?" -</p> -<p> -"No," said the mate, "I—oh, no—of course—what on earth are you -talking about?" -</p> -<p> -The skipper rose from his seat and regarded him sorrowfully but -severely. "I'm sorry, Jack," he said stiffly, "if I've said anything to -annoy you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O' course it's your business, -not mine. P'raps you'll say you never heard o' Kitty Loney?" -</p> -<p> -"I do say so," said the bewildered mate; "I do say so." -</p> -<p> -The skipper eyed him sternly, and without another word left the cabin. -"If she's like her mother," he said to himself, chuckling as he went up -the companion-ladder, "I think that'll do." -</p> -<p> -There was an awkward pause after his departure. "I'm sure I don't know -what you must think of me," said the mate at length, "but I don't know -what your father's talking about." -</p> -<p> -"I don't think anything," said Hetty calmly. "Pass the potatoes, -please." -</p> -<p> -"I suppose it's a joke of his," said the mate, complying. -</p> -<p> -"And the salt," said she; "thank you." -</p> -<p> -"But you don't believe it?" said the mate pathetically. -</p> -<p> -"Oh, don't be silly," said the girl calmly. "What does it matter whether -I do or not?" -</p> -<p> -"It matters a great deal," said the mate gloomily. "It's life or death -to me." -</p> -<p> -"Oh, nonsense," said Hetty. "She won't know of your foolishness. I won't -tell her." -</p> -<p> -"I tell you," said the mate desperately, "there never was a Kitty Loney. -What do you think of that?" -</p> -<p> -"I think you are very mean," said the girl scornfully; "don't talk to me -any more, please." -</p> -<p> -"Just as you like," said the mate, beginning to lose his temper. -</p> -<p> -He pushed his plate from him and departed, while the girl, angry and -resentful, put the potatoes back as being too floury for consumption in -the circumstances. -</p> -<p> -For the remainder of the passage she treated him with a politeness and -good humour through which he strove in vain to break. To her surprise -her father made no objection, at the end of the voyage, when she -coaxingly suggested going back by train; and the mate, as they sat -at dummy-whist on the evening before her departure, tried in vain to -discuss the journey in an unconcerned fashion. -</p> -<p> -"It'll be a long journey," said Hetty, who still liked him well enough -to make him smart a bit, "What's trumps?" -</p> -<p> -"You'll be all right," said her father. "Spades." -</p> -<p> -He won for the third time that evening, and, feeling wonderfully well -satisfied with the way in which he had played his cards generally, could -not resist another gibe at the crestfallen mate. -</p> -<p> -"You'll have to give up playing cards and all that sort o' thing when -you're married, Jack," said he. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," said the mate recklessly, "Kitty don't like cards." -</p> -<p> -"I thought there was no Kitty," said the girl, looking up, scornfully. -</p> -<p> -"She don't like cards," repeated the mate. "Lord, what a spree we had. -Cap'n, when we went to the Crystal Palace with her that night." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, that we did," said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Remember the roundabouts?" said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I do," said the skipper merrily. "I'll never forget 'em." -</p> -<p> -"You and that friend of hers, Bessie Watson, lord how you did go on!" -continued the mate, in a sort of ecstasy. The skipper stiffened suddenly -in his chair. "What on earth are you talking about?" he inquired -gruffly. -</p> -<p> -"Bessie Watson," said the mate, in tones of innocent surprise. "Little -girl in a blue hat with white feathers, and a blue frock, that came with -us." -</p> -<p> -"You're drunk," said the skipper, grinding his teeth, as he saw the trap -into which he had walked. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you remember when you two got lost, an' me and Kitty were looking -all over the place for you?" demanded the mate, still in the same tones -of pleasant reminiscence. -</p> -<p> -He caught Hetty's eye, and noticed with a thrill that it beamed with -soft and respectful admiration. -</p> -<p> -"You've been drinking," repeated the skipper, breathing hard. "How dare -you talk like that afore my daughter?" -</p> -<p> -"It's only right I should know," said Hetty, drawing herself up. "I -wonder what mother'll say to it all?" -</p> -<p> -"You say anything to your mother if you dare," said the now maddened -skipper. "You know what she is. It's all the mate's nonsense." -</p> -<p> -"I'm very sorry, cap'n," said the mate, "if I've said anything to annoy -you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O' course it's your business, not -mine. Perhaps you'll say you never heard o' Bessie Watson?" -</p> -<p> -"Mother shall hear of her," said Hetty, while her helpless sire was -struggling for breath. -</p> -<p> -"Perhaps you'll tell us who this Bessie Watson is, and where she lives?" -he said at length. -</p> -<p> -"She lives with Kitty Loney," said the mate simply. -</p> -<p> -The skipper rose, and his demeanour was so alarming that Hetty shrank -instinctively to the mate for protection. In full view of his captain, -the mate placed his arm about her waist, and in this position they -confronted each other for some time in silence. Then Hetty looked up and -spoke. -</p> -<p> -"I'm going home by water," she said briefly. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - THE CAPTAIN'S EXPLOIT -</h2> -<p> -It was a wet, dreary night in that cheerless part of the great -metropolis known as Wapping. The rain, which had been falling heavily -for hours, still fell steadily on to the sloppy pavements and roads, and -joining forces in the gutter, rushed impetuously to the nearest sewer. -The two or three streets which had wedged themselves in between the -docks and the river, and which, as a matter of fact, really comprise the -beginning and end of Wapping, were deserted, except for a belated van -crashing over the granite roads, or the chance form of a dock-labourer -plodding doggedly along, with head bent in distaste for the rain, and -hands sunk in trouser-pockets. -</p> -<p> -"Beastly night," said Captain Bing, as he rolled out of the private bar -of the "Sailor's Friend," and, ignoring the presence of the step, took -a little hurried run across the pavement. "Not fit for a dog to be out -in." -</p> -<p> -He kicked, as he spoke, at a shivering cur which was looking in at the -crack of the bar-door, with a hazy view of calling its attention to the -matter, and then, pulling up the collar of his rough pea-jacket, stepped -boldly out into the rain. Three or four minutes' walk, or rather roll, -brought him to a dark narrow passage, which ran between two houses to -the water-side. By a slight tack to starboard at a critical moment he -struck the channel safely, and followed it until it ended in a flight of -old stone steps, half of which were under water. -</p> -<p> -"Where for?" inquired a man, starting up from a small penthouse formed -of rough pieces of board. -</p> -<p> -"Schooner in the tier, Smiling Jane," said the captain gruffly, as he -stumbled clumsily into a boat and sat down in the stern. "Why don't you -have better seats in this 'ere boat?" -</p> -<p> -"They're there, if you'll look for them," said the waterman; "and you'll -find 'em easier sitting than that bucket." -</p> -<p> -"Why don't you put 'em where a man can see 'em?" inquired the captain, -raising his voice a little. -</p> -<p> -The other opened his mouth to reply, but realising that it would lead -to a long and utterly futile argument, contented himself with asking his -fare to trim the boat better; and, pushing off from the steps, pulled -strongly through the dark lumpy water. The tide was strong, so that they -made but slow progress. -</p> -<p> -"When I was a young man," said the fare with severity, "I'd ha' pulled -this boat across and back afore now." -</p> -<p> -"When you was a young man," said the man at the oars, who had a local -reputation as a wit, "there wasn't no boats; they was all Noah's arks -then." -</p> -<p> -"Stow your gab," said the captain, after a pause of deep thought. -</p> -<p> -The other, whose besetting sin was certainly not loquacity, ejected -a thin stream of tobacco-juice over the side, spat on his hands, and -continued his laborious work until a crowd of dark shapes, surmounted by -a network of rigging, loomed up before them. -</p> -<p> -"Now, which is your little barge?" he inquired, tugging strongly to -maintain his position against the fast-flowing tide. -</p> -<p> -"Smiling Jane" said his fare. -</p> -<p> -"Ah," said the waterman, "Smiling Jane, is it? You sit there, cap'n, an' -I'll row round all their sterns while you strike matches and look at the -names. We'll have quite a nice little evening." -</p> -<p> -"There she is," cried the captain, who was too muddled to notice the -sarcasm; "there's the little beauty. Steady, my lad." -</p> -<p> -He reached out his hand as he spoke, and as the boat jarred violently -against a small schooner, seized a rope which hung over the side, and, -swaying to and fro, fumbled in his pocket for the fare. -</p> -<p> -"Steady, old boy," said the waterman affectionately. He had just -received twopence-halfpenny and a shilling by mistake for threepence. -"Easy up the side. You ain't such a pretty figger as you was when your -old woman made such a bad bargain." -</p> -<p> -The captain paused in his climb, and poising himself on one foot, -gingerly felt for his tormentor's head with the other Not finding it, he -flung his leg over the bulwark, and gained the deck of the vessel as the -boat swung round with the tide and disappeared in the darkness. -</p> -<p> -"All turned in," said the captain, gazing owlishly at the deserted deck. -"Well, there's a good hour an' a half afore we start; I'll turn in too." -</p> -<p> -He walked slowly aft, and sliding back the companion-hatch, descended -into a small evil-smelling cabin, and stood feeling in the darkness for -the matches. They were not to be found, and, growling profanely, he felt -his way to the state-room, and turned in all standing. -</p> -<p> -It was still dark when he awoke, and hanging over the edge of the bunk, -cautiously felt for the floor with his feet, and having found it, -stood thoughtfully scratching his head, which seemed to have swollen to -abnormal proportions. -</p> -<p> -"Time they were getting under weigh," he said at length, and groping his -way to the foot of the steps, he opened the door of what looked like a -small pantry, but which was really the mate's boudoir. -</p> -<p> -"Jem," said the captain gruffly. -</p> -<p> -There was no reply, and jumping to the conclusion that he was above, the -captain tumbled up the steps and gained the deck, which, as far as -he could see, was in the same deserted condition as when he left it. -Anxious to get some idea of the time, he staggered to the side and -looked over. The tide was almost at the turn, and the steady clank, -clank of neighbouring windlasses showed that other craft were just -getting under weigh. A barge, its red light turning the water to blood, -with a huge wall of dark sail, passed noiselessly by, the indistinct -figure of a man leaning skilfully upon the tiller. -</p> -<p> -As these various signs of life and activity obtruded themselves upon -the skipper of the Smiling Jane, his wrath rose higher and higher as he -looked around the wet, deserted deck of his own little craft. Then he -walked forward and thrust his head down the forecastle hatchway. -</p> -<p> -As he expected, there was a complete sleeping chorus below; the deep -satisfied snoring of half-a-dozen seamen, who, regardless of the tide -and their captain's feelings, were slumbering sweetly, in blissful -ignorance of all that the Lancet might say upon the twin subjects of -overcrowding and ventilation. -</p> -<p> -"Below there, you lazy thieves!" roared the captain; "tumble up, tumble -up!" -</p> -<p> -The snores stopped. "Ay, ay!" said a sleepy voice. "What's the matter, -master?" -</p> -<p> -"Matter!" repeated the other, choking violently. "Ain't you going to -sail to-night?" -</p> -<p> -"To-night!" said another voice, in surprise. "Why, I thought we wasn't -going to sail till Wen'sday." -</p> -<p> -Not trusting himself to reply, so careful was he of the morals of his -men, the skipper went and leaned over the side and communed with the -silent water. In an incredibly short space of time five or six dusky -figures pattered up on to the deck, and a minute or two later the harsh -clank of the windlass echoed far and wide. -</p> -<p> -The captain took the wheel. A fat and very sleepy seaman put up the -side-lights, and the little schooner, detaching itself by the aid of -boat-hooks and fenders from the neighbouring craft, moved slowly down -with the tide. The men, in response to the captain's fervent orders, -climbed aloft, and sail after sail was spread to the gentle breeze. -</p> -<p> -"Hi! you there," cried the captain to one of the men who stood near him, -coiling up some loose line. -</p> -<p> -"Sir?" said the man. -</p> -<p> -"Where is the mate?" inquired the captain. -</p> -<p> -"Man with red whiskers and pimply nose?" said the man interrogatively. -</p> -<p> -"That's him to a hair," answered the other. -</p> -<p> -"Ain't seen him since he took me on at eleven," said the man. "How many -new hands are there?" -</p> -<p> -"I b'leeve we're all fresh," was the reply. "I don't believe some of 'em -have ever smelt salt water afore." -</p> -<p> -"The mate's been at it again," said the captain warmly, "that's what -he has. He's done it afore and got left behind. Them what can't stand -drink, my man, shouldn't take it, remember that." -</p> -<p> -"He said we wasn't going to sail till Wen'sday," remarked the man, who -found the captain's attitude rather trying. -</p> -<p> -"He'll get sacked, that's what he'll get," said the captain warmly. "I -shall report him as soon as I get ashore." -</p> -<p> -The subject exhausted, the seaman returned to his work, and the captain -continued steering in moody silence. -</p> -<p> -Slowly, slowly darkness gave way to light. The different portions of -the craft, instead of all being blurred into one, took upon themselves -shape, and stood out wet and distinct in the cold grey of the breaking -day. But the lighter it became, the harder the skipper stared and rubbed -his eyes, and looked from the deck to the flat marshy shore, and from -the shore back to the deck again. -</p> -<p> -"Here, come here," he cried, beckoning to one of the crew. -</p> -<p> -"Yessir," said the man, advancing. -</p> -<p> -"There's something in one of my eyes," faltered the skipper. "I can't -see straight; everything seems mixed up. Now, speaking deliberate and -without any hurry, which side o' the ship do you say the cook's galley's -on?" -</p> -<p> -"Starboard," said the man promptly, eyeing him with astonishment. -</p> -<p> -"Starboard," repeated the other softly. "He says starboard, and that's -what it seems to me. My lad, yesterday morning it was on the port side." -</p> -<p> -The seaman received this astounding communication with calmness, but, as -a slight concession to appearances, said "Lor!" -</p> -<p> -"And the water-cask," said the skipper; "what colour is it?" -</p> -<p> -"Green," said the man. -</p> -<p> -"Not white?" inquired the skipper, leaning heavily upon the wheel. -</p> -<p> -"Whitish-green," said the man, who always believed in keeping in with -his superior officers. -</p> -<p> -The captain swore at him. -</p> -<p> -By this time two or three of the crew who had over-heard part of the -conversation had collected aft, and now stood in a small wondering knot -before their strange captain. -</p> -<p> -"My lads," said the latter, moistening his dry lips with his tongue, -"I name no names—I don't know 'em yet—and I cast no suspicions, but -somebody has been painting up and altering this 'ere craft, and twisting -things about until a man 'ud hardly know her. Now what's the little -game?" -</p> -<p> -There was no answer, and the captain, who was seeing things clearer and -clearer in the growing light, got paler and paler. -</p> -<p> -"I must be going crazy," he muttered. "Is this the SMILING JANE, or am I -dreaming?" -</p> -<p> -"It ain't the SMILING JANE," said one of the seamen; "leastways," he -added cautiously, "it wasn't when I came aboard." -</p> -<p> -"Not the SMILING JANE!" roared the skipper; "what is it, then?" -</p> -<p> -"Why, the MARY ANN," chorused the astonished crew. -</p> -<p> -"My lads," faltered the agonised captain after a long pause. "My lads—" -He stopped and swallowed something in his throat. "I've been and brought -away the wrong ship," he continued with an effort; "that's what I've -done. I must have been bewitched." -</p> -<p> -"Well, who's having the little game now?" inquired a voice. -</p> -<p> -"Somebody else'll be sacked as well as the mate," said another. -</p> -<p> -"We must take her back," said the captain, raising his voice to drown -these mutterings. "Stand by there!" -</p> -<p> -The bewildered crew went to their posts, the captain gave his orders in -a voice which had never been so subdued and mellow since it broke at -the age of fourteen, and the Mary Ann took in sail, and, dropping her -anchor, waited patiently for the turning of the tide. -</p> -<pre> - * * * * * * * -</pre> -<p> -The church bells in Wapping and Rotherhithe were just striking the hour -of mid-day, though they were heard by few above the noisy din of workers -on wharves and ships, as a short stout captain, and a mate with red -whiskers and a pimply nose, stood up in a waterman's boat in the centre -of the river, and gazed at each other in blank astonishment. -</p> -<p> -"She's gone, clean gone!" murmured the bewildered captain. -</p> -<p> -"Clean as a whistle," said the mate. "The new hands must ha' run away -with her." -</p> -<p> -Then the bereaved captain raised his voice, and pronounced a pathetic -and beautiful eulogy upon the departed vessel, somewhat marred by -an appendix in which he consigned the new hands, their heirs, and -descendants, to everlasting perdition. -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy!" said the waterman, who was getting tired of the business, -addressing a grimy-looking seaman hanging meditatively over the side of -a schooner. "Where's the Mary Ann?" -</p> -<p> -"Went away at half-past one this morning," was the reply. -</p> -<p> -"'Cos here's the cap'n an' the mate," said the waterman, indicating the -forlorn couple with a bob of his head. -</p> -<p> -"My eyes!" said the man, "I s'pose the cook's in charge then. We was to -have gone too, but our old man hasn't turned up." -</p> -<p> -Quickly the news spread amongst the craft in the tier, and many and -various were the suggestions shouted to the bewildered couple from the -different decks. At last, just as the captain had ordered the waterman -to return to the shore, he was startled by a loud cry from the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Look there!" he shouted. -</p> -<p> -The captain looked. Fifty or sixty yards away, a small -shamefaced-looking schooner, so it appeared to his excited imagination, -was slowly approaching them. A minute later a shout went up from the -other craft as she took in sail and bore slowly down upon them. Then a -small boat put off to the buoy, and the Mary Ann was slowly warped into -the place she had left ten hours before. -</p> -<p> -But while all this was going on, she was boarded by her captain and -mate. They were met by Captain Bing, supported by his mate, who had -hastily pushed off from the Smiling Jane to the assistance of his chief. -In the two leading features before mentioned he was not unlike the -mate of the Mary Ann, and much stress was laid upon this fact by the -unfortunate Bing in his explanation. So much so, in fact, that both -the mates got restless; the skipper, who was a plain man, and given to -calling a spade a spade, using the word "pimply" with what seemed to -them unnecessary iteration. -</p> -<p> -It is possible that the interview might have lasted for hours had not -Bing suddenly changed his tactics and begun to throw out dark hints -about standing a dinner ashore, and settling it over a friendly -glass. The face of the Mary Ann's captain began to clear, and, as Bing -proceeded from generalities to details, a soft smile played over his -expressive features. It was reflected in the faces of the mates, who by -these means showed clearly that they understood the table was to be laid -for four. -</p> -<p> -At this happy turn of affairs Bing himself smiled, and a little while -later a ship's boat containing four boon companions put off from the -Mary Ann and made for the shore. Of what afterwards ensued there is -no distinct record, beyond what may be gleaned from the fact that the -quartette turned up at midnight arm-in-arm, and affectionately refused -to be separated—even to enter the ship's boat, which was waiting for -them. The sailors were at first rather nonplussed, but by dint of -much coaxing and argument broke up the party, and rowing them to their -respective vessels, put them carefully to bed. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - CONTRABAND OF WAR -</h2> -<p> -A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo'c'sle of the schooner -Greyhound, by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedate -appearance sat crocheting an antimacassar. Two other men were snoring -with deep content in their bunks, while a small, bright-eyed boy sat up -in his, reading adventurous fiction. -</p> -<p> -"Here comes old Dan," said the man with the anti-macassar warningly, as -a pair of sea boots appeared at the top of the companion-ladder; "better -not let him see you with that paper, Billee." -</p> -<p> -The boy thrust it beneath his blankets, and, lying down, closed his eyes -as the new-comer stepped on to the floor. -</p> -<p> -"All asleep?" inquired the latter. -</p> -<p> -The other man nodded, and Dan, without any further parley, crossed over -to the sleepers and shook them roughly. -</p> -<p> -"Eh! wha's matter?" inquired the sleepers plaintively. -</p> -<p> -"Git up," said Dan impressively, "I want to speak to you. Something -important." -</p> -<p> -With sundry growls the men complied, and, thrusting their legs out -of their bunks, rolled on to the locker, and sat crossly waiting for -information. -</p> -<p> -"I want to do a pore chap a good turn," said Dan, watching them narrowly -out of his little black eyes, "an' I want you to help me; an' the boy -too. It's never too young to do good to your fellow-creatures, Billy." -</p> -<p> -"I know it ain't," said Billy, taking this as permission to join the -group; "I helped a drunken man home once when I was only ten years old, -an' when I was only—" -</p> -<p> -The speaker stopped, not because he had come to the end of his remarks, -but because one of the seamen had passed his arm around his neck and was -choking him. -</p> -<p> -"Go on," said the man calmly; "I've got him. Spit it out, Dan, and none -of your sermonising." -</p> -<p> -"Well, it's like this, Joe," said the old man; "here's a pore chap, -a young sojer from the depot here, an' he's cut an' run. He's been in -hiding in a cottage up the road two days, and he wants to git to London, -and git honest work and employment, not shooting, an' stabbing, an' -bayoneting—" -</p> -<p> -"Stow it," said Joe impatiently. -</p> -<p> -"He daren't go to the railway station, and he dursen't go outside in his -uniform," continued Dan. "My 'art bled for the pore young feller, an' -I've promised to give 'im a little trip to London with us. The people -he's staying with won't have him no longer. They've only got one bed, -and directly he sees any sojers coming he goes an' gits into it, whether -he's got his boots on or not." -</p> -<p> -"Have you told the skipper?" inquired Joe sardonically. -</p> -<p> -"I won't deceive you, Joe, I 'ave not," replied the old man. "He'll have -to stay down here of a daytime, an' only come on deck of a night when -it's our watch. I told 'im what a lot of good-'arted chaps you was, and -how—" -</p> -<p> -"How much is he going to give you?" inquired Joe impatiently. -</p> -<p> -"It's only fit and proper he should pay a little for the passage," said -Dan. -</p> -<p> -"How MUCH?" demanded Joe, banging the little triangular table with his -fist, and thereby causing the man with the antimacassar to drop a couple -of stitches. -</p> -<p> -"Twenty-five shillings," said old Dan reluctantly; "an' I'll spend the -odd five shillings on you chaps when we git to Limehouse." -</p> -<p> -"I don't want your money," said Joe; "there's a empty bunk he can have; -and mind, you take all the responsibility—I won't have nothing to do -with it." -</p> -<p> -"Thanks, Joe," said the old man, with a sigh of relief; "he's a nice -young chap, you're sure to take to him. I'll go and give him the tip to -come aboard at once." -</p> -<p> -He ran up on deck again and whistled softly, and a figure, which had -been hiding behind a pile of empties, came out, and, after looking -cautiously around, dropped noiselessly on to the schooner's deck, and -followed its protector below. -</p> -<p> -"Good evening, mates," said the linesman, gazing curiously and anxiously -round him as he deposited a bundle on the table, and laid his swagger -cane beside it. -</p> -<p> -"What's your height?" inquired Joe abruptly. "Seven foot?" -</p> -<p> -"No, only six foot four," said the new arrival, modestly. "I'm not proud -of it. It's much easier for a small man to slip off than a big one." -</p> -<p> -"It licks me," said Joe thoughtfully, "what they want 'em back for—I -should think they'd be glad to git rid o' such"—he paused a moment -while politeness struggled with feeling, and added, "skunks." -</p> -<p> -"P'raps I've a reason for being a skunk, p'raps I haven't," retorted -Private Smith, as his face fell. -</p> -<p> -"This'll be your bunk," interposed Dan hastily; "put your things in -there, and when you are in yourself you'll be as comfortable as a oyster -in its shell." -</p> -<p> -The visitor complied, and, first extracting from the bundle some tins of -meat and a bottle of whiskey, which he placed upon the table, nervously -requested the honour of the present company to supper. With the -exception of Joe, who churlishly climbed back into his bunk, the men -complied, all agreeing that boys of Billy's age should be reared on -strong teetotal principles. -</p> -<p> -Supper over, Private Smith and his protectors retired to their couches, -where the former lay in much anxiety until two in the morning, when they -got under way. -</p> -<p> -"It's all right, my lad," said Dan, after the watch had been set, as he -came and stood by the deserter's bunk; "I 've saved you—I've saved you -for twenty-five shillings." -</p> -<p> -"I wish it was more," said Private Smith politely. -</p> -<p> -The old man sighed—and waited. -</p> -<p> -"I'm quite cleaned out, though," continued the deserter, "except -fi'pence ha'penny. I shall have to risk going home in my uniform as it -is." -</p> -<p> -"Ah, you'll get there all right," said Dan cheerfully; "and when you get -home no doubt you 've got friends, and if it seems to you as you 'd like -to give a little more to them as assisted you in the hour of need, you -won't be ungrateful, my lad, I know. You ain't the sort." -</p> -<p> -With these words old Dan, patting him affectionately, retired, and the -soldier lay trying to sleep in his narrow quarters until he was aroused -by a grip on his arm. -</p> -<p> -"If you want a mouthful of fresh air you 'd better come on deck now," -said the voice of Joe; "it's my watch. You can get all the sleep you -want in the daytime." -</p> -<p> -Glad to escape from such stuffy quarters, Private Smith clambered out of -his bunk and followed the other on deck. It was a fine clear night, and -the schooner was going along under a light breeze; the seaman took the -wheel, and, turning to his companion, abruptly inquired what he meant by -deserting and worrying them with six foot four of underdone lobster. -</p> -<p> -"It's all through my girl," said Private Smith meekly; "first she jilted -me, and made me join the army; now she's chucked the other fellow, and -wrote to me to go back." -</p> -<p> -"An' now I s'pose the other chap'll take your place in the army," said -Joe. "Why, a gal like that could fill a regiment, if she liked. Pah! -They'll nab you too, in that uniform, and you'll get six months, and -have to finish your time as well." -</p> -<p> -"It's more than likely," said the soldier gloomily. "I've got to tramp -to Manchester in these clothes, as far as I can see." -</p> -<p> -"What did you give old Dan all your money for?" inquired Joe. -</p> -<p> -"I was only thinking of getting away at first," said Smith, "and I had -to take what was offered." -</p> -<p> -"Well, I'll do what I can for you," said the seaman. "If you're in love, -you ain't responsible for your actions. I remember the first time I got -the chuck. I went into a public-house bar, and smashed all the glass -and bottles I could get at. I felt as though I must do something. If you -were only shorter, I'd lend you some clothes." -</p> -<p> -"You're a brick," said the soldier gratefully. -</p> -<p> -"I haven't got any money I could lend you either," said Joe. "I never do -have any, somehow. But clothes you must have." -</p> -<p> -He fell into deep thought, and cocked his eye aloft as though -contemplating a cutting-out expedition on the sails, while the soldier, -sitting on the side of the ship, waited hopefully for a miracle. -</p> -<p> -"You'd better get below again," said Joe presently. -</p> -<p> -"There seems to be somebody moving below; and if the skipper sees you, -you're done. He's a regular Tartar, and he's got a brother what's a -sergeant-major in the army. He'd give you up d'rectly if he spotted -you." -</p> -<p> -"I'm off," said Smith; and with long, cat-like strides he disappeared -swiftly below. -</p> -<p> -For two days all went well, and Dan was beginning to congratulate -himself upon his little venture, when his peace of mind was rudely -disturbed. The crew were down below, having their tea, when Billy, who -had been to the galley for hot water, came down, white and scared. -</p> -<p> -"Look here," he said nervously, "I've not had anything to do with this -chap being aboard, have I?" -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter?" inquired Dan quickly. -</p> -<p> -"It's all found out," said Billy. -</p> -<p> -"WHAT!" cried the crew simultaneously. -</p> -<p> -"Leastways, it will be," said the youth, correcting himself. "You'd -better chuck him overboard while you've got time. I heard the cap'n tell -the mate as he was coming down in the fo'c'sle to-morrow morning to look -round. He's going to have it painted." -</p> -<p> -"This," said Dan, in the midst of a painful pause, "this is what comes -of helping a fellow-creature. What's to be done?" -</p> -<p> -"Tell the skipper the fo'c'sle don't want painting," suggested Billy. -</p> -<p> -The agonised old seaman, carefully putting down his saucer of tea, -cuffed his head spitefully. -</p> -<p> -"It's a smooth sea," said he, looking at the perturbed countenance -of Private Smith, "'an there's a lot of shipping about. If I was a -deserter, sooner than be caught, I would slip overboard to-night with a -lifebelt and take my chance." -</p> -<p> -"I wouldn't," said Mr. Smith, with much decision. -</p> -<p> -"You wouldn't? Not if you was quite near another ship?" cooed Dan. -</p> -<p> -"Not if I was near fifty blooming ships, all trying to see which could -pick me up first," replied Mr. Smith, with some heat. -</p> -<p> -"Then we shall have to leave you to your fate," said Dan solemnly. "If a -man's unreasonable, his best friends can do nothing for him." -</p> -<p> -"Chuck all his clothes overboard, anyway," said Billy. -</p> -<p> -"That's a good idea o' the boy's. You leave his ears alone," said Joe, -stopping the ready hand of the exasperated Dan. "He's got more sense -than any of us. Can you think of anything else, Billy? What shall we do -then?" -</p> -<p> -The eyes of all were turned upon their youthful deliverer, those of Mr. -Smith being painfully prominent. It was a proud moment for Billy, and -he sat silent for some time, with a look of ineffable wisdom and thought -upon his face. At length he spoke. -</p> -<p> -"Let somebody else have a turn," he said generously. -</p> -<p> -The voice of the antimacassar worker broke the silence. -</p> -<p> -"Paint him all over with stripes of different-coloured paint, and let -him pretend he's mad, and didn't know how he got here," he said, with -an uncontrollable ring of pride at the idea, which was very coldly -received, Private Smith being noticeably hard on it. -</p> -<p> -"I know," said Billy shrilly, clapping his hands. "I've got it, I 've -got it. After he's chucked his clothes overboard to-night, let him go -overboard too, with a line." -</p> -<p> -"And tow him the rest o' the way, and chuck biscuits to him, I suppose," -snarled Dan. -</p> -<p> -"No," said the youthful genius scornfully; "pretend he's been upset from -a boat, and has been swimming about, and we heard him cry out for help -and rescued him." -</p> -<p> -"It's about the best way out of it," said Joe, after some deliberation; -"it's warm weather, and you won't take no harm, mate. Do it in my watch, -and I'll pull you out directly." -</p> -<p> -"Wouldn't it do if you just chucked a bucket of water over me and SAID -you'd pulled me out," suggested the victim. "The other thing seems a -downright LIE." -</p> -<p> -"No," said Billy authoritatively, "you've got to look half-drowned, and -swallow a lot of water, and your eyes be all bloodshot." -</p> -<p> -Everybody being eager for the adventure, except Private Smith, -the arrangements were at once concluded, and the approach of night -impatiently awaited. It was just before midnight when Smith, who -had forgotten for the time his troubles in sleep, was shaken into -wakefulness. -</p> -<p> -"Cold water, sir?" said Billy gleefully. -</p> -<p> -In no mood for frivolity, Private Smith rose and followed the youth on -deck. The air struck him as chill as he stood there; but, for all that, -it was with a sense of relief that he saw Her Majesty's uniform go over -the side and sink into the dark water. -</p> -<p> -"He don't look much with his padding off, does he?" said Billy, who had -been eyeing him critically. -</p> -<p> -"You go below," said Dan sharply. -</p> -<p> -"Garn," said Billy indignantly; "I want to see the fun as well as you -do. I thought of it." -</p> -<p> -"Fun?" said the old man severely. "Fun? To see a feller creature -suffering, and perhaps drowned—" -</p> -<p> -"I don't think I had better go," said the victim; "it seems rather -underhand." -</p> -<p> -"Yes, you will," said Joe. "Wind this line round an' round your arm, and -just swim about gently till I pull you in." -</p> -<p> -Sorely against his inclination Private Smith took hold of the line, and, -hanging over the side of the schooner, felt the temperature with his -foot, and, slowly and tenderly, with many little gasps, committed his -body to the deep. Joe paid out the line and waited, letting out more -line, when the man in the water, who was getting anxious, started to -come in hand over hand. -</p> -<p> -"That'll do," said Dan at length. -</p> -<p> -"I think it will," said Joe, and, putting his hand to his mouth, gave a -mighty shout. It was answered almost directly by startled roars from the -cabin, and the skipper and mate came rushing hastily upon deck, to see -the crew, in their sleeping gear, forming an excited group round Joe, -and peering eagerly over the side. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter?" demanded the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Somebody in the water, sir," said Joe, relinquishing the wheel to one -of the other seamen, and hauling in the line. "I heard a cry from the -water and threw a line, and, by gum, I've hooked it!" -</p> -<p> -He hauled in, lustily aided by the skipper, until the long white body -of Private Smith, blanched with the cold, came bumping against the -schooner's side. -</p> -<p> -"It's a mermaid," said the mate, who was inclined to be superstitious, -as he peered doubtfully down at it. "Let it go, Joe." -</p> -<p> -"Haul it in, boys," said the skipper impatiently; and two of the men -clambered over the side and, stooping down, raised it from the water. -</p> -<p> -In the midst of a puddle, which he brought with him, Private Smith was -laid on the deck, and, waving his arms about, fought wildly for his -breath. -</p> -<p> -"Fetch one of them empties," said the skipper quickly, as he pointed to -some barrels ranged along the side. -</p> -<p> -The men rolled one over, and then aided the skipper in placing the long -fair form of their visitor across it, and to trundle it lustily up and -down the deck, his legs forming convenient handles for the energetic -operators. -</p> -<p> -"He's coming round," said the mate, checking them; "he's speaking. How -do you feel, my poor fellow?" -</p> -<p> -He put his ear down, but the action was unnecessary. Private Smith felt -bad, and, in the plainest English he could think of at the moment, said -so distinctly. -</p> -<p> -"He's swearing," said the mate. "He ought to be ashamed of himself." -</p> -<p> -"Yes," said the skipper austerely; "and him so near death too. How did -you get in the water?" -</p> -<p> -"Went for a—swim," panted Smith surlily. -</p> -<p> -"SWIM?" echoed the skipper. "Why, we're ten miles from land!" -</p> -<p> -"His mind's wandering, pore feller," interrupted Joe hurriedly. "What -boat did you fall out of, matey?" -</p> -<p> -"A row-boat," said Smith, trying to roll out of reach of the skipper, -who was down on his knees flaying him alive with a roller-towel. "I had -to undress in the water to keep afloat. I've lost all my clothes." -</p> -<p> -"Pore feller," said Dan. -</p> -<p> -"A gold watch and chain, my purse, and three of the nicest fellers that -ever breathed," continued Smith, who was now entering into the spirit of -the thing. -</p> -<p> -"Poor chaps," said the skipper solemnly. "Any of 'em leave any family?" -</p> -<p> -"Four," said Smith sadly. -</p> -<p> -"Children?" queried the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Families," said Smith. -</p> -<p> -"Look here," said the mate, but the watchful Joe interrupted him. -</p> -<p> -"His mind's wandering," said he hastily. "He can't count, pore chap. We -'d better git him to bed." -</p> -<p> -"Ah, do," said the skipper, and, assisted by his friends, the rescued -man was half led, half carried below and put between the blankets, where -he lay luxuriously sipping a glass of brandy and water, sent from the -cabin. -</p> -<p> -"How'd I do it?" he inquired, with a satisfied air. -</p> -<p> -"There was no need to tell all them lies about it," said Dan sharply; -"instead of one little lie you told half-a-dozen. I don't want nothing -more to do with you. You start afresh now, like a new-born babe." -</p> -<p> -"All right," said Smith shortly; and, being very much fatigued with -his exertions, and much refreshed by the brandy, fell into a deep and -peaceful sleep. -</p> -<p> -The morning was well advanced when he awoke, and the fo'c'sle empty -except for the faithful Joe, who was standing by his side, with a heap -of clothing under his arm. -</p> -<p> -"Try these on," said he, as Smith stared at him half awake; "they'll be -better than nothing, at any rate." -</p> -<p> -The soldier leaped from his bunk and gratefully proceeded to dress -himself, Joe eyeing him critically as the trousers climbed up his -long legs, and the sleeves of the jacket did their best to conceal his -elbows. -</p> -<p> -"What do I look like?" he inquired anxiously, as he finished. -</p> -<p> -"Six foot an' a half o' misery," piped the shrill voice of Billy -promptly, as he thrust his head in at the fo'c'sle. "You can't go to -church in those clothes." -</p> -<p> -"Well, they'll do for the ship, but you can't go ashore in 'em," said -Joe, as he edged towards the ladder, and suddenly sprang up a step or -two to let fly at the boy, "The old man wants to see you; be careful -what you say to him." -</p> -<p> -With a very unsuccessful attempt to appear unconscious of the figure he -cut, Smith went up on deck for the interview. -</p> -<p> -"We can't do anything until we get to London," said the skipper, as he -made copious notes of Smith's adventures. "As soon as we get there, I'll -lend you the money to telegraph to your friends to tell 'em you're safe -and to send you some clothes, and of course you'll have free board -and lodging till it comes, and I'll write out an account of it for the -newspapers." -</p> -<p> -"You're very good," said Smith blankly. -</p> -<p> -"And I don't know what you are," said the skipper, interrogatively; "but -you ought to go in for swimming as a profession—six hours' swimming -about like that is wonderful." -</p> -<p> -"You don't know what you can do till you have to," said Smith modestly, -as he backed slowly away; "but I never want to see the water again as -long as I live." -</p> -<p> -The two remaining days of their passage passed all too quickly for the -men, who were casting about for some way out of the difficulty which -they foresaw would arise when they reached London. -</p> -<p> -"If you'd only got decent clothes," said Joe, as they passed Gravesend, -"you could go off and send a telegram, and not come back; but you -couldn't go five yards in them things without having a crowd after you." -</p> -<p> -"I shall have to be taken I s'pose," said Smith moodily. -</p> -<p> -"An' poor old Dan'll get six months hard for helping you off," said Joe -sympathetically, as a bright idea occurred to him. -</p> -<p> -"Rubbish!" said Dan uneasily. "He can stick to his tale of being upset; -anyway, the skipper saw him pulled out of the water. He's too honest a -chap to get an old man into trouble for trying to help him." -</p> -<p> -"He must have a new rig out, Dan," said Joe softly. "You an' me'll go -an' buy 'em. I'll do the choosing, and you'll do the paying. Why, it'll -be a reg'lar treat for you to lay out a little money, Dan. We'll have -quite an evening's shopping, everything of the best." -</p> -<p> -The infuriated Dan gasped for breath, and looked helplessly at the -grinning crew. -</p> -<p> -"I'll see him—overboard first," he said furiously. -</p> -<p> -"Please yourself," said Joe shortly, "If he's caught you'll get six -months. As it is, you've got a chance of doing a nice, kind little -Christian act, becos, o' course, that twenty-five bob you got out of him -won't anything like pay for his toggery." -</p> -<p> -Almost beside himself with indignation, the old man moved off, and said -not another word until they were made fast to the wharf at Limehouse. -He did not even break silence when Joe, taking him affectionately by the -arm, led him aft to the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Me an' Dan, sir," said Joe very respectfully, "would like to go ashore -for a little shopping. Dan has very kindly offered to lend that pore -chap the money for some clothes, and he wants me to go with him to help -carry them." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," said the skipper, with a benevolent smile at the aged -philanthropist. "You'd better go at once, afore the shops shut." -</p> -<p> -"We'll run, sir," said Joe, and taking Dan by the arm, dragged him into -the street at a trot. -</p> -<p> -Nearly a couple of hours passed before they returned, and no child -watched with greater eagerness the opening of a birthday present than -Smith watched the undoing of the numerous parcels with which they were -laden. -</p> -<p> -"He's a reg'lar fairy godmother, ain't he?" said Joe, as Smith joyously -dressed himself in a very presentable tweed suit, serviceable boots, and -a bowler hat. "We had a dreadful job to get a suit big enough, an' the -only one we could get was rather more money than we wanted to give, -wasn't it, Dan?" -</p> -<p> -The fairy godmother strove manfully with his feelings. -</p> -<p> -"You'll do now," said Joe. "I ain't got much, but what I have you're -welcome to." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out some loose -coin. "What have you got, mates?" -</p> -<p> -With decent good will the other men turned out their pockets, and, -adding to the store, heartily pressed it upon the reluctant Smith, who, -after shaking hands gratefully, followed Joe on deck. -</p> -<p> -"You've got enough to pay your fare," said the latter; "an' I've told -the skipper you are going ashore to send off telegrams. If you send the -money back to Dan, I'll never forgive you." -</p> -<p> -"I won't, then," said Smith firmly; "but I'll send theirs back to the -other chaps. Good-bye." -</p> -<p> -Joe shook him by the hand again, and bade him go while the coast was -clear, advice which Smith hastened to follow, though he turned and -looked back to wave his hand to the crew, who had come up on deck -silently to see him off; all but the philanthropist, who was down below -with a stump of lead-pencil and a piece of paper doing sums. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - A BLACK AFFAIR -</h2> -<p> -"I didn't want to bring it," said Captain Gubson, regarding somewhat -unfavourably a grey parrot whose cage was hanging against the mainmast, -"but my old uncle was so set on it I had to. He said a sea-voyage would -set its 'elth up." -</p> -<p> -"It seems to be all right at present," said the mate, who was tenderly -sucking his forefinger; "best of spirits, I should say." -</p> -<p> -"It's playful," assented the skipper. "The old man thinks a rare lot of -it. I think I shall have a little bit in that quarter, so keep your eye -on the beggar." -</p> -<p> -"Scratch Poll!" said the parrot, giving its bill a preliminary strop on -its perch. "Scratch poor Polly!" -</p> -<p> -It bent its head against the bars, and waited patiently to play off -what it had always regarded as the most consummate practical joke in -existence. The first doubt it had ever had about it occurred when the -mate came forward and obligingly scratched it with the stem of his pipe. -It was a wholly unforeseen development, and the parrot, ruffling its -feathers, edged along its perch and brooded darkly at the other end of -it. -</p> -<p> -Opinion before the mast was also against the new arrival, the general -view being that the wild jealousy which raged in the bosom of the ship's -cat would sooner or later lead to mischief. -</p> -<p> -"Old Satan don't like it," said the cook, shaking his head. "The blessed -bird hadn't been aboard ten minutes before Satan was prowling around. -The blooming image waited till he was about a foot off the cage, and -then he did the perlite and asked him whether he'd like a glass o' beer. -<i>I</i> never see a cat so took aback in all my life. Never." -</p> -<p> -"There'll be trouble between 'em," said old Sam, who was the cat's -special protector, "mark my words." -</p> -<p> -"I'd put my money on the parrot," said one of the men confidently. "It's -'ad a crool bit out of the mate's finger. Where 'ud the cat be agin that -beak?" -</p> -<p> -"Well, you'd lose your money," said Sam. "If you want to do the cat a -kindness, every time you see him near that cage cuff his 'ed." -</p> -<p> -The crew being much attached to the cat, which had been presented to -them when a kitten by the mate's wife, acted upon the advice with so -much zest that for the next two days the indignant animal was like to -have been killed with kindness. On the third day, however, the parrot's -cage being on the cabin table, the cat stole furtively down, and, at the -pressing request of the occupant itself, scratched its head for it. -</p> -<p> -The skipper was the first to discover the mischief, and he came on deck -and published the news in a voice which struck a chill to all hearts. -</p> -<p> -"Where's that black devil got to?" he yelled. -</p> -<p> -"Anything wrong, sir?" asked Sam anxiously. -</p> -<p> -"Come and look here," said the skipper. He led the way to the cabin, -where the mate and one of the crew were already standing, shaking their -heads over the parrot. -</p> -<p> -"What do you make of that?" demanded the skipper fiercely. -</p> -<p> -"Too much dry food, sir," said Sam, after due deliberation. -</p> -<p> -"Too much what?" bellowed the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Too much dry food," repeated Sam firmly. "A parrot—a grey -parrot—wants plenty o' sop. If it don't get it, it moults." -</p> -<p> -"It's had too much CAT" said the skipper fiercely, "and you know it, and -overboard it goes." -</p> -<p> -"I don't believe it was the cat, sir," interposed the other man; "it's -too soft-hearted to do a thing like that." -</p> -<p> -"You can shut your jaw," said the skipper, reddening. "Who asked you to -come down here at all?" -</p> -<p> -"Nobody saw the cat do it," urged the mate. -</p> -<p> -The skipper said nothing, but, stooping down, picked up a tail feather -from the floor, and laid it on the table. He then went on deck, followed -by the others, and began calling, in seductive tones, for the cat. -No reply forth coming from the sagacious animal, which had gone into -hiding, he turned to Sam, and bade him call it. -</p> -<p> -"No, sir, I won't 'ave no 'and in it," said the old man. "Putting aside -my liking for the animal, <i>I'M</i> not going to 'ave anything to do with -the killing of a black cat." -</p> -<p> -"Rubbish!" said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Very good, sir," said Sam, shrugging his shoulders, "you know best, o' -course. You're eddicated and I'm not, an' p'raps you can afford to make -a laugh o' such things. I knew one man who killed a black cat an' he -went mad. There's something very pecooliar about that cat o' ours." -</p> -<p> -"It knows more than we do," said one of the crew, shaking his head. -"That time you—I mean we—ran the smack down, that cat was expecting of -it 'ours before. It was like a wild thing." -</p> -<p> -"Look at the weather we've 'ad—look at the trips we've made since he's -been aboard," said the old man. "Tell me it's chance if you like, but I -KNOW better." -</p> -<p> -The skipper hesitated. He was a superstitious man even for a sailor, -and his weakness was so well known that he had become a sympathetic -receptacle for every ghost story which, by reason of its crudeness or -lack of corroboration, had been rejected by other experts. He was a -perfect reference library for omens, and his interpretations of dreams -had gained for him a widespread reputation. -</p> -<p> -"That's all nonsense," he said, pausing uneasily; "still, I only want to -be just. There's nothing vindictive about me, and I'll have no hand -in it myself. Joe, just tie a lump of coal to that cat and heave it -overboard." -</p> -<p> -"Not me," said the cook, following Sam's lead, and working up a shudder. -"Not for fifty pun in gold. I don't want to be haunted." -</p> -<p> -"The parrot's a little better now, sir," said one of the men, taking -advantage of his hesitation, "he's opened one eye." -</p> -<p> -"Well, I only want to be just," repeated the skipper. "I won't do -anything in a hurry, but, mark my words, if the parrot dies that cat -goes overboard." -</p> -<p> -Contrary to expectations, the bird was still alive when London was -reached, though the cook, who from his connection with the cabin had -suddenly reached a position of unusual importance, reported great loss -of strength and irritability of temper. It was still alive, but failing -fast on the day they were to put to sea again; and the fo'c'sle, in -preparation for the worst, stowed their pet away in the paint-locker, -and discussed the situation. -</p> -<p> -Their council was interrupted by the mysterious behaviour of the cook, -who, having gone out to lay in a stock of bread, suddenly broke in upon -them more in the manner of a member of a secret society than a humble -but useful unit of a ship's company. -</p> -<p> -"Where's the cap'n?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, as he took a seat on -the locker with the sack of bread between his knees. -</p> -<p> -"In the cabin," said Sam, regarding his antics with some disfavour. -"What's wrong, cookie?" -</p> -<p> -"What d' yer think I've got in here?" asked the cook, patting the bag. -</p> -<p> -The obvious reply to this question was, of course, bread; but as it -was known that the cook had departed specially to buy some, and that he -could hardly ask a question involving such a simple answer, nobody gave -it. -</p> -<p> -"It come to me all of a sudden," said the cook, in a thrilling whisper. -"I'd just bought the bread and left the shop, when I see a big black -cat, the very image of ours, sitting on a doorstep. I just stooped down -to stroke its 'ed, when it come to me." -</p> -<p> -"They will sometimes," said one of the seamen. -</p> -<p> -"I don't mean that," said the cook, with the contempt of genius. "I mean -the idea did. Ses I to myself, 'You might be old Satan's brother by the -look of you; an' if the cap'n wants to kill a cat, let it be you,' I -ses. And with that, before it could say Jack Robinson, I picked it up by -the scruff o' the neck and shoved it in the bag." -</p> -<p> -"What, all in along of our bread?" said the previous interrupter, in a -pained voice. -</p> -<p> -"Some of yer are 'ard ter please," said the cook, deeply offended. -</p> -<p> -"Don't mind him, cook," said the admiring Sam. "You're a masterpiece, -that's what you are." -</p> -<p> -"Of course, if any of you've got a better plan"—said the cook -generously. -</p> -<p> -"Don't talk rubbish, cook," said Sam; "fetch the two cats out and put -'em together." -</p> -<p> -"Don't mix 'em," said the cook warningly; "for you'll never know which -is which agin if you do." -</p> -<p> -He cautiously opened the top of the sack and produced his captive, -and Satan, having been relieved from his prison, the two animals were -carefully compared. -</p> -<p> -"They're as like as two lumps o' coal," said Sam slowly. "Lord, what a -joke on the old man. I must tell the mate o' this; he'll enjoy it." -</p> -<p> -"It'll be all right if the parrot don't die," said the dainty pessimist, -still harping on his pet theme. "All that bread spoilt, and two cats -aboard." -</p> -<p> -"Don't mind what he ses," said Sam; "you're a brick, that's what you -are. I'll just make a few holes in the lid o' the boy's chest, and pop -old Satan in. You don't mind, do you, Billy?" -</p> -<p> -"Of course he don't," said the other men indignantly. -</p> -<p> -Matters being thus agreeably arranged, Sam got a gimlet, and prepared -the chest for the reception of its tenant, who, convinced that he was -being put out of the way to make room for a rival, made a frantic fight -for freedom. -</p> -<p> -"Now get something 'eavy and put on the top of it," said Sam, having -convinced himself that the lock was broken; "and, Billy, put the noo cat -in the paint-locker till we start; it's home-sick." -</p> -<p> -The boy obeyed, and the understudy was kept in durance vile until they -were off Limehouse, when he came on deck and nearly ended his career -there and then by attempting to jump over the bulwark into the next -garden. For some time he paced the deck in a perturbed fashion, and -then, leaping on the stern, mewed plaintively as his native city receded -farther and farther from his view. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter with old Satan?" said the mate, who had been let into -the secret. "He seems to have something on his mind." -</p> -<p> -"He'll have something round his neck presently," said the skipper -grimly. -</p> -<p> -The prophecy was fulfilled some three hours later, when he came up on -deck ruefully regarding the remains of a bird whose vocabulary had once -been the pride of its native town. He threw it overboard without a -word, and then, seizing the innocent cat, who had followed him under the -impression that it was about to lunch, produced half a brick attached -to a string, and tied it round his neck. The crew, who were enjoying the -joke immensely, raised a howl of protest. -</p> -<p> -"The Skylark'll never have another like it, sir," said Sam solemnly. -"That cat was the luck of the ship." -</p> -<p> -"I don't want any of your old woman's yarns," said the skipper brutally. -"If you want the cat, go and fetch it." -</p> -<p> -He stepped aft as he spoke, and sent the gentle stranger hurtling -through the air. There was a "plomp" as it reached the water, a bubble -or two came to the surface, and all was over. -</p> -<p> -"That's the last o' that," he said, turning away. -</p> -<p> -The old man shook his head. "You can't kill a black cat for nothing," -said he, "mark my words!" -</p> -<p> -The skipper, who was in a temper at the time, thought little of them, -but they recurred to him vividly the next day. The wind had freshened -during the night, and rain was falling heavily. On deck the crew stood -about in oilskins, while below, the boy, in his new capacity of gaoler, -was ministering to the wants of an ungrateful prisoner, when the cook, -happening to glance that way, was horrified to see the animal emerge -from the fo'c'sle. It eluded easily the frantic clutch of the boy as he -sprang up the ladder after it, and walked leisurely along the deck in -the direction of the cabin. Just as the crew had given it up for lost it -encountered Sam, and the next moment, despite its cries, was caught up -and huddled away beneath his stiff clammy oilskins. At the noise the -skipper, who was talking to the mate, turned as though he had been shot, -and gazed wildly round him. -</p> -<p> -"Dick," said he, "can you hear a cat?" -</p> -<p> -"Cat!" said the mate, in accents of great astonishment. -</p> -<p> -"I thought I heard it," said the puzzled skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Fancy, sir," said Dick firmly, as a mewing, appalling in its wrath, -came from beneath Sam's coat. -</p> -<p> -"Did you hear it, Sam?" called the skipper, as the old man was moving -off. -</p> -<p> -"Hear what, sir?" inquired Sam respectfully, without turning round. -</p> -<p> -"Nothing," said the skipper, collecting himself. "Nothing. All right." -</p> -<p> -The old man, hardly able to believe in his good fortune, made his way -forward, and, seizing a favourable opportunity, handed his ungrateful -burden back to the boy. -</p> -<p> -"Fancy you heard a cat just now?" inquired the mate casually. -</p> -<p> -"Well, between you an' me, Dick," said the skipper, in a mysterious -voice, "I did, and it wasn't fancy neither. I heard that cat as plain as -if it was alive." -</p> -<p> -"Well, I've heard of such things," said the other, "but I don't believe -'em. What a lark if the old cat comes back climbing up over the side out -of the sea to-night, with the brick hanging round its neck." -</p> -<p> -The skipper stared at him for some time without speaking. "If that's -your idea of a lark," he said at length, in a voice which betrayed -traces of some emotion, "it ain't mine." -</p> -<p> -"Well, if you hear it again," said the mate cordially, "you might let me -know. I'm rather interested in such things." -</p> -<p> -The skipper, hearing no more of it that day, tried hard to persuade -himself that he was the victim of imagination, but, in spite of this, he -was pleased at night, as he stood at the wheel, to reflect on the sense -of companionship afforded by the look-out in the bows. On his part the -look-out was quite charmed with the unwonted affability of the skipper, -as he yelled out to him two or three times on matters only faintly -connected with the progress of the schooner. -</p> -<p> -The night, which had been dirty, cleared somewhat, and the bright -crescent of the moon appeared above a heavy bank of clouds, as the cat, -which had by dint of using its back as a lever at length got free from -that cursed chest, licked its shapely limbs, and came up on deck. After -its stifling prison, the air was simply delicious. -</p> -<p> -"Bob!" yelled the skipper suddenly. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay, sir!" said the look-out, in a startled voice. -</p> -<p> -"Did you mew?" inquired the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Did I WOT, sir?" cried the astonished Bob. -</p> -<p> -"Mew," said the skipper sharply, "like a cat?" -</p> -<p> -"No, sir," said the offended seaman. "What 'ud I want to do that for?" -</p> -<p> -"I don't know what you want to for," said the skipper, looking round him -uneasily. "There's some more rain coming, Bob." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay, sir," said Bob. -</p> -<p> -"Lot o' rain we've had this summer," said the skipper, in a meditative -bawl. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay, sir," said Bob. "Sailing-ship on the port bow, sir." -</p> -<p> -The conversation dropped, the skipper, anxious to divert his thoughts, -watching the dark mass of sail as it came plunging out of the darkness -into the moonlight until it was abreast of his own craft. His eyes -followed it as it passed his quarter, so that he saw not the stealthy -approach of the cat which came from behind the companion, and sat down -close by him. For over thirty hours the animal had been subjected to the -grossest indignities at the hands of every man on board the ship except -one. That one was the skipper, and there is no doubt but that its -subsequent behaviour was a direct recognition of that fact. It rose to -its feet, and crossing over to the unconscious skipper, rubbed its head -affectionately and vigorously against his leg. -</p> -<p> -From simple causes great events do spring. The skipper sprang four -yards, and let off a screech which was the subject of much comment on -the barque which had just passed. When Bob, who came shuffling up at -the double, reached him he was leaning against the side, incapable of -speech, and shaking all over. -</p> -<p> -"Anything wrong, sir?" inquired the seaman anxiously, as he ran to the -wheel. -</p> -<p> -The skipper pulled himself together a bit, and got closer to his -companion. -</p> -<p> -"Believe me or not, Bob," he said at length, in trembling accents, "just -as you please, but the ghost of that—cat, I mean the ghost of that poor -affectionate animal which I drowned, and which I wish I hadn't, came and -rubbed itself up against my leg." -</p> -<p> -"Which leg?" inquired Bob, who was ever careful about details. -</p> -<p> -"What the blazes does it matter which leg?" demanded the skipper, whose -nerves were in a terrible state. "Ah, look—look there!" -</p> -<p> -The seaman followed his outstretched finger, and his heart failed him as -he saw the cat, with its back arched, gingerly picking its way along the -side of the vessel. -</p> -<p> -"I can't see nothing," he said doggedly. -</p> -<p> -"I don't suppose you can, Bob," said the skipper in a melancholy voice, -as the cat vanished in the bows; "it's evidently only meant for me to -see. What it means I don't know. I'm going down to turn in. I ain't fit -for duty. You don't mind being left alone till the mate comes up, do -you?" -</p> -<p> -"I ain't afraid," said Bob. -</p> -<p> -His superior officer disappeared below, and, shaking the sleepy mate, -who protested strongly against the proceedings, narrated in trembling -tones his horrible experiences. -</p> -<p> -"If I were you "—said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Yes?" said the skipper, waiting a bit. Then he shook him again, -roughly. -</p> -<p> -"What were you going to say?" he inquired. -</p> -<p> -"Say?" said the mate, rubbing his eyes. "Nothing." -</p> -<p> -"About the cat?" suggested the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Cat?" said the mate, nestling lovingly down in the blankets again. -"Wha' ca'—goo' ni'"— -</p> -<p> -Then the skipper drew the blankets from the mate's sleepy clutches, and, -rolling him backwards and forwards in the bunk, patiently explained to -him that he was very unwell, that he was going to have a drop of whiskey -neat, and turn in, and that he, the mate, was to take the watch. From -this moment the joke lost much of its savour for the mate. -</p> -<p> -"You can have a nip too, Dick," said the skipper, proffering him the -whiskey, as the other sullenly dressed himself. -</p> -<p> -"It's all rot," said the mate, tossing the spirits down his throat, "and -it's no use either; you can't run away from a ghost; it's just as likely -to be in your bed as anywhere else. Good-night." -</p> -<p> -He left the skipper pondering over his last words, and dubiously eyeing -the piece of furniture in question. Nor did he retire until he had -subjected it to an analysis of the most searching description, and then, -leaving the lamp burning, he sprang hastily in, and forgot his troubles -in sleep. -</p> -<p> -It was day when he awoke, and went on deck to find a heavy sea running, -and just sufficient sail set to keep the schooner's head before the wind -as she bobbed about on the waters. An exclamation from the skipper, as a -wave broke against the side and flung a cloud of spray over him, brought -the mate's head round. -</p> -<p> -"Why, you ain't going to get up?" he said, in tones of insincere -surprise. -</p> -<p> -"Why not?" inquired the other gruffly. -</p> -<p> -"You go and lay down agin," said the mate, "and have a cup o' nice hot -tea an' some toast." -</p> -<p> -"Clear out," said the skipper, making a dash for the wheel, and reaching -it as the wet deck suddenly changed its angle. "I know you didn't like -being woke up, Dick; but I got the horrors last night. Go below and turn -in." -</p> -<p> -"All right," said the mollified mate. -</p> -<p> -"You didn't see anything?" inquired the skipper, as he took the wheel -from him. -</p> -<p> -"Nothing at all," said the other. -</p> -<p> -The skipper shook his head thoughtfully, then shook it again vigorously, -as another shower-bath put its head over the side and saluted him. -</p> -<p> -"I wish I hadn't drowned that cat, Dick," he said. -</p> -<p> -"You won't see it again," said Dick, with the confidence of a man who -had taken every possible precaution to render the prophecy a safe one. -</p> -<p> -He went below, leaving the skipper at the wheel idly watching the cook -as he performed marvellous feats of jugglery, between the galley and the -fo'c'sle, with the men's breakfast. -</p> -<p> -A little while later, leaving the wheel to Sam, he went below -himself and had his own, talking freely, to the discomfort of the -conscious-stricken cook, about his weird experiences of the night -before. -</p> -<p> -"You won't see it no more, sir, I don't expect," he said faintly; "I -b'leeve it come and rubbed itself up agin your leg to show it forgave -you." -</p> -<p> -"Well, I hope it knows it's understood," said the other. "I don't want -it to take any more trouble." -</p> -<p> -He finished the breakfast in silence, and then went on deck again. It -was still blowing hard, and he went over to superintend the men who were -attempting to lash together some empties which were rolling about in -all directions amidships. A violent roll set them free again, and at the -same time separated two chests in the fo'c'sle, which were standing one -on top of the other. This enabled Satan, who was crouching in the lower -one, half crazed with terror, to come flying madly up on deck and -give his feelings full vent. Three times in full view of the horrified -skipper he circled the deck at racing speed, and had just started on the -fourth when a heavy packing-case, which had been temporarily set on end -and abandoned by the men at his sudden appearance, fell over and caught -him by the tail. Sam rushed to the rescue. -</p> -<p> -"Stop!" yelled the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Won't I put it up, sir?" inquired Sam. -</p> -<p> -"Do you see what's beneath it?" said the skipper, in a husky voice. -</p> -<p> -"Beneath it, sir?" said Sam, whose ideas were in a whirl. -</p> -<p> -"The cat, can't you see the cat?" said the skipper, whose eyes had been -riveted on the animal since its first appearance on deck. -</p> -<p> -Sam hesitated a moment, and then shook his head. -</p> -<p> -"The case has fallen on the cat," said the skipper. "I can see it -distinctly." -</p> -<p> -He might have said heard it, too, for Satan was making frenzied appeals -to his sympathetic friends for assistance. -</p> -<p> -"Let me put the case back, sir," said one of the men, "then p'raps the -vision 'll disappear." -</p> -<p> -"No, stop where you are," said the skipper. "I can stand it better by -daylight. It's the most wonderful and extraordinary thing I've ever -seen. Do you mean to say you can't see anything, Sam?" -</p> -<p> -"I can see a case, sir," said Sam, speaking slowly and carefully, -"with a bit of rusty iron band sticking out from it. That's what you're -mistaking for the cat, p'raps, sir." -</p> -<p> -"Can't you see anything, cook?" demanded the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"It may be fancy, sir," faltered the cook, lowering his eyes, "but it -does seem to me as though I can see a little misty sort o' thing there. -Ah, now it's gone." -</p> -<p> -"No, it ain't," said the skipper. "The ghost of Satan's sitting there. -The case seems to have fallen on its tail. It appears to be howling -something dreadful." -</p> -<p> -The men made a desperate effort to display the astonishment suitable to -such a marvel, whilst Satan, who was trying all he knew to get his tail -out, cursed freely. How long the superstitious captain of the Skylark -would have let him remain there will never be known, for just then the -mate came on deck and caught sight of it before he was quite aware of -the part he was expected to play. -</p> -<p> -"Why the devil don't you lift the thing off the poor brute," he yelled, -hurrying up towards the case. -</p> -<p> -"What, can YOU see it, Dick?" said the skipper impressively, laying his -hand on his arm. -</p> -<p> -"SEE it?" retorted the mate. "D'ye think I'm blind. Listen to the poor -brute. I should—Oh!" -</p> -<p> -He became conscious of the concentrated significant gaze of the crew. -Five pairs of eyes speaking as one, all saying "idiot" plainly, the -boy's eyes conveying an expression too great to be translated. -</p> -<p> -Turning, the skipper saw the bye-play, and a light slowly dawned upon -him. But he wanted more, and he wheeled suddenly to the cook for the -required illumination. -</p> -<p> -The cook said it was a lark. Then he corrected himself and said it -wasn't a lark, then he corrected himself again and became incoherent. -Meantime the skipper eyed him stonily, while the mate released the cat -and good-naturedly helped to straighten its tail. -</p> -<p> -It took fully five minutes of unwilling explanation before the skipper -could grasp the situation. He did not appear to fairly understand -it until he was shown the chest with the ventilated lid; then his -countenance cleared, and, taking the unhappy Billy by the collar, he -called sternly for a piece of rope. -</p> -<p> -By this statesmanlike handling of the subject a question of much -delicacy and difficulty was solved, discipline was preserved, and a -practical illustration of the perils of deceit afforded to a youngster -who was at an age best suited to receive such impressions. That he -should exhaust the resources of a youthful but powerful vocabulary upon -the crew in general, and Sam in particular, was only to be expected. -They bore him no malice for it, but, when he showed signs of going -beyond his years, held a hasty consultation, and then stopped his mouth -with sixpence-halfpenny and a broken jack-knife. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - THE SKIPPER OF THE "OSPREY" -</h2> -<p> -It was a quarter to six in the morning as the mate of the sailing-barge -Osprey came on deck and looked round for the master, who had been -sleeping ashore and was somewhat overdue. Ten minutes passed before -he appeared on the wharf, and the mate saw with surprise that he was -leaning on the arm of a pretty girl of twenty, as he hobbled painfully -down to the barge. -</p> -<p> -"Here you are then," said the mate, his face clearing. "I began to think -you weren't coming." -</p> -<p> -"I'm not," said the skipper; "I've got the gout crool bad. My darter -here's going to take my place, an' I'm going to take it easy in bed for -a bit." -</p> -<p> -"I'll go an' make it for you," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I mean my bed at home," said the skipper sharply. "I want good nursing -an' attention." -</p> -<p> -The mate looked puzzled. -</p> -<p> -"But you don't really mean to say this young lady is coming aboard -instead of you?" he said. -</p> -<p> -"That's just what I do mean," said the skipper. "She knows as much about -it as I do. She lived aboard with me until she was quite a big girl. -You'll take your orders from her. What are you whistling about? Can't I -do as I like about my own ship?" -</p> -<p> -"O' course you can," said the mate drily; "an' I s'pose I can whistle if -I like—I never heard no orders against it." -</p> -<p> -"Gimme a kiss, Meg, an' git aboard," said the skipper, leaning on his -stick and turning his cheek to his daughter, who obediently gave him -a perfunctory kiss on the left eyebrow, and sprang lightly aboard the -barge. -</p> -<p> -"Cast off," said she, in a business-like manner, as she seized a -boat-hook and pushed off from the jetty. "Ta ta, Dad, and go straight -home, mind; the cab's waiting." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay, my dear," said the proud father, his eye moistening with -paternal pride as his daughter, throwing off her jacket, ran and -assisted the mate with the sail. "Lord, what a fine boy she would have -made!" -</p> -<p> -He watched the barge until she was well under way, and then, waving his -hand to his daughter, crawled slowly back to the cab; and, being to a -certain extent a believer in homeopathy, treated his complaint with a -glass of rum. -</p> -<p> -"I'm sorry your father's so bad, miss," said the mate, who was still -somewhat dazed by the recent proceedings, as the girl came up and took -the wheel from him. "He was complaining a goodish bit all the way up." -</p> -<p> -"A wilful man must have his way," said Miss Cringle, with a shake of -her head. "It's no good me saying anything, because directly my back's -turned he has his own way again." -</p> -<p> -The mate shook his head despondently. -</p> -<p> -"You'd better get your bedding up and make your arrangements forward," -said the new skipper presently. There was a look of indulgent admiration -in the mate's eye, and she thought it necessary to check it. -</p> -<p> -"All right," said the other, "plenty of time for that; the river's a -little bit thick just now." -</p> -<p> -"What do you mean?" inquired the girl hastily. -</p> -<p> -"Some o' these things are not so careful as they might be," said the -mate, noting the ominous sparkle of her eye, "an' they might scrape the -paint off." -</p> -<p> -"Look here, my lad," said the new skipper grimly, "if you think you can -steer better than me, you'd better keep it to yourself, that's all. Now -suppose you see about your bedding, as I said." -</p> -<p> -The mate went, albeit he was rather surprised at himself for doing -so, and hid his annoyance and confusion beneath the mattress which -he brought up on his head. His job completed, he came aft again, and, -sitting on the hatches, lit his pipe. -</p> -<p> -"This is just the weather for a pleasant cruise," he said amiably, after -a few whiffs. "You've chose a nice time for it." -</p> -<p> -"I don't mind the weather," said the girl, who fancied that there was -a little latent sarcasm somewhere. "I think you'd better wash the decks -now." -</p> -<p> -"Washed 'em last night," said the mate, without moving. -</p> -<p> -"Ah, after dark, perhaps," said the girl. "Well, I think I'll have them -done again." -</p> -<p> -The mate sat pondering rebelliously for a few minutes, then he removed -his jacket, put on in honour of the new skipper, and, fetching the -bucket and mop, silently obeyed orders. -</p> -<p> -"You seem to be very fond of sitting down," remarked the girl, after he -had finished; "can't you find something else to do?" -</p> -<p> -"I don't know," replied the mate slowly; "I thought you were looking -after that." -</p> -<p> -The girl bit her lip, and was looking carefully round her, when they -were both disturbed by the unseemly behaviour of the master of a passing -craft. -</p> -<p> -"Jack!" he yelled in a tone of strong amazement, "Jack!" -</p> -<p> -"Halloa!" cried the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Why didn't you tell us?" yelled the other reproachfully. -</p> -<p> -"Tell you what?" roared the mystified mate. -</p> -<p> -The master of the other craft, holding on to the stays with one hand, -jerked his thumb expressively towards Miss Cringle, and waited. -</p> -<p> -"When was it?" he screamed anxiously, as he realised that his craft was -rapidly carrying him out of earshot. -</p> -<p> -The mate smiled feebly, and glanced uneasily at the girl, who, with a -fine colour and an air of vast unconcern, was looking straight in front -of her; and it was a relief to both of them when they found themselves -hesitating and dodging in front of a schooner which was coming up. -</p> -<p> -"Do you want all the river?" demanded the exasperated master of the -latter vessel, running to the side as they passed. "Why don't you drop -anchor if you want to spoon?" -</p> -<p> -"Perhaps you 'd better let me take the wheel a bit," said the mate, not -without a little malice in his voice. -</p> -<p> -"No; you can go an' keep a look-out in the bows," said the girl -serenely. "It'll prevent misunderstandings, too. Better take the -potatoes with you and peel them for dinner." -</p> -<p> -The mate complied, and the voyage proceeded in silence, the steering -being rendered a little nicer than usual by various nautical sparks -bringing their boats a bit closer than was necessary in order to obtain -a good view of the fair steersman. -</p> -<p> -After dinner, the tide having turned and a stiff head-wind blowing, -they brought up off Sheppey. It began to rain hard, and the crew of the -Osprey, having made all snug above, retired to the cabin to resume their -quarrel. -</p> -<p> -"Don't mind me," said Miss Cringle scathingly, as the mate lit his pipe. -</p> -<p> -"Well, I didn't think you minded," replied the mate; "the old man"— -</p> -<p> -"Who?" interrupted Miss Cringle, in a tone of polite inquiry. -</p> -<p> -"Captain Cringle," said the mate, correcting himself, "smokes a great -deal, and I've heard him say that you liked the smell of it." -</p> -<p> -"There's pipes and pipes," said Miss Cringle oracularly. -</p> -<p> -The mate flung his on the floor and crunched it beneath his heel, then -he thrust his hands in his pockets, and, leaning back, scowled darkly up -at the rain as it crackled on the skylight. -</p> -<p> -"If you are going to show off your nasty temper," said the girl -severely, "you'd better go forward. It's not quite the thing after all -for you to be down here—not that I study appearances much." -</p> -<p> -"I shouldn't think you did," retorted the mate, whose temper was rapidly -getting the better of him. "I can't think what your father was thinking -of to let a pret—to let a girl like you come away like this." -</p> -<p> -"If you were going to say pretty girl," said Miss Cringle, with calm -self-abnegation, "don't mind me, say it. The captain knows what he's -about. He told me you were a milksop; he said you were a good young man -and a teetotaller." -</p> -<p> -The mate, allowing the truth of the captain's statement as to his -abstinence, hotly denied the charge of goodness. "I can understand -your father's hurry to get rid of you for a spell," he concluded, being -goaded beyond all consideration of politeness. "His gout 'ud never get -well while you were with him. More than that, I shouldn't wonder if you -were the cause of it." -</p> -<p> -With this parting shot he departed, before the girl could think of a -suitable reply, and went and sulked in the dingy little fo'c'sle. -</p> -<p> -In the evening, the weather having moderated somewhat, and the tide -being on the ebb, they got under way again, the girl coming on deck -fully attired in an oilskin coat and sou'-wester to resume the command. -The rain fell steadily as they ploughed along their way, guided by the -bright eye of the "Mouse" as it shone across the darkening waters. The -mate, soaked to the skin, was at the wheel. -</p> -<p> -"Why don't you go below and put your oilskins on?" inquired the girl, -when this fact dawned upon her. -</p> -<p> -"Don't want 'em," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I suppose you know best," said the girl, and said no more until nine -o'clock, when she paused at the companion to give her last orders for -the night. -</p> -<p> -"I'm going to turn in," said she; "call me at two o'clock. Good-night." -</p> -<p> -"Good-night," said the other, and the girl vanished. -</p> -<p> -Left to himself, the mate, who began to feel chilly, felt in his pockets -for a pipe, and was in all the stress of getting a light, when he heard -a thin, almost mild voice behind him, and, looking round, saw the face -of the girl at the companion. -</p> -<p> -"I say, are these your oilskins I've been wearing?" she demanded -awkwardly. -</p> -<p> -"You're quite welcome," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Why didn't you tell me?" said the girl indignantly. "I wouldn't have -worn them for anything if I had known it." -</p> -<p> -"Well, they won't poison you," said the mate resentfully. "Your father -left his at Ipswich to have 'em cobbled up a bit." -</p> -<p> -The girl passed them up on the deck, and, closing the companion with a -bang, disappeared. It is possible that the fatigues of the day had been -too much for her, for when she awoke, and consulted the little silver -watch that hung by her bunk, it was past five o'clock, and the red glow -of the sun was flooding the cabin as she arose and hastily dressed. -</p> -<p> -The deck was drying in white patches as she went above, and the mate was -sitting yawning at the wheel, his eyelids red for want of sleep. -</p> -<p> -"Didn't I tell you to call me at two o'clock?" she demanded, confronting -him. -</p> -<p> -"It's all right," said the mate. "I thought when you woke would be soon -enough. You looked tired." -</p> -<p> -"I think you'd better go when we get to Ipswich," said the girl, -tightening her lips. "I'll ship somebody who'll obey orders." -</p> -<p> -"I'll go when we get back to London," said the mate. "I'll hand this -barge over to the cap'n, and nobody else." -</p> -<p> -"Well, we'll see," said the girl, as she took the wheel, "<i>I</i> think -you'll go at Ipswich." -</p> -<p> -For the remainder of the voyage the subject was not alluded to; the -mate, in a spirit of sulky pride, kept to the fore part of the boat, -except when he was steering, and, as far as practicable, the girl -ignored his presence. In this spirit of mutual forbearance they entered -the Orwell, and ran swiftly up to Ipswich. -</p> -<p> -It was late in the afternoon when they arrived there, and the new -skipper, waiting only until they were made fast, went ashore, leaving -the mate in charge. She had been gone about an hour when a small -telegraph boy appeared, and, after boarding the barge in the unsafest -manner possible, handed him a telegram. The mate read it and his face -flushed. With even more than the curtness customary in language at a -halfpenny a word, it contained his dismissal. -</p> -<p> -"I've had a telegram from your father sacking me," he said to the girl, -as she returned soon after, laden with small parcels. -</p> -<p> -"Yes, I wired him to," she replied calmly. "I suppose you'll go NOW?" -</p> -<p> -"I'd rather go back to London with you," he said slowly. -</p> -<p> -"I daresay," said the girl. "As a matter of fact I wasn't really meaning -for you to go, but when you said you wouldn't I thought we'd see who was -master. I've shipped another mate, so you see I haven't lost much time." -</p> -<p> -"Who is he," inquired the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Man named Charlie Lee," replied the girl; "the foreman here told me of -him." -</p> -<p> -"He'd no business too," said the mate, frowning; "he's a loose fish; -take my advice now and ship somebody else. He's not at all the sort of -chap I'd choose for you to sail with." -</p> -<p> -"You'd choose," said the girl scornfully; "dear me, what a pity you -didn't tell me before." -</p> -<p> -"He's a public-house loafer," said the mate, meeting her eye angrily, -"and about as bad as they make 'em; but I s'pose you'll have your own -way." -</p> -<p> -"He won't frighten me," said the girl. "I'm quite capable of taking care -of myself, thank you. Good evening." -</p> -<p> -The mate stepped ashore with a small bundle, leaving the remainder of -his possessions to go back to London with the barge. The girl watched -his well-knit figure as it strode up the quay until it was out of sight, -and then, inwardly piqued because he had not turned round for a parting -glance, gave a little sigh, and went below to tea. -</p> -<p> -The docile and respectful behaviour of the new-comer was a pleasant -change to the autocrat of the Osprey, and cargoes were worked out and in -without an unpleasant word. They laid at the quay for two days, the new -mate, whose home was at Ipswich, sleeping ashore, and on the morning of -the third he turned up punctually at six o'clock, and they started on -their return voyage. -</p> -<p> -"Well, you do know how to handle a craft," said Lee admiringly, as they -passed down the river. "The old boat seems to know it's got a pretty -young lady in charge." -</p> -<p> -"Don't talk rubbish," said the girl austerely. -</p> -<p> -The new mate carefully adjusted his red necktie and smiled indulgently. -</p> -<p> -"Well, you're the prettiest cap'n I've ever sailed under," he said. -"What do they call that red cap you've got on? Tam-o'-Shanter is it?" -</p> -<p> -"I don't know," said the girl shortly. -</p> -<p> -"You mean you won't tell me," said the other, with a look of anger in -his soft dark eyes. -</p> -<p> -"Just as you like," said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his -heel and began to busy himself with some small matter forward. -</p> -<p> -The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the -new mate's manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the Osprey -regret her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her -proud spirit quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the -barge merely crawled along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious -glances, took each other's measure. -</p> -<p> -"This is the nicest trip I've ever had," said Lee, as he came up from an -unduly prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. "I've -brought your jacket up." -</p> -<p> -"I don't want it, thank you," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"Better have it," said Lee, holding it up for her. -</p> -<p> -"When I want my jacket I'll put it on myself," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"All right, no offence," said the other airily. "What an obstinate -little devil you are." -</p> -<p> -"Have you got any drink down there?" inquired the girl, eyeing him -sternly. -</p> -<p> -"Just a little drop o' whiskey, my dear, for the spasms," said Lee -facetiously. "Will you have a drop?" -</p> -<p> -"I won't have any drinking here," said she sharply. "If you want to -drink, wait till you get ashore." -</p> -<p> -"YOU won't have any drinking!" said the other, opening his eyes, and -with a quiet chuckle he dived below and brought up a bottle and a glass. -"Here's wishing a better temper to you, my dear," he said amiably, as he -tossed off a glass. "Come, you'd better have a drop. It'll put a little -colour in your cheeks." -</p> -<p> -"Put it away now, there's a good fellow," said the captain timidly, as -she looked anxiously at the nearest sail, some two miles distant. -</p> -<p> -"It's the only friend I've got," said Lee, sprawling gracefully on -the hatches, and replenishing his glass. "Look here. Are you on for a -bargain?" -</p> -<p> -"What do you mean?" inquired the girl. -</p> -<p> -"Give me a kiss, little spitfire, and I won't take another drop -to-night," said the new mate tenderly. "Come, I won't tell." -</p> -<p> -"You may drink yourself to death before I'll do that," said the girl, -striving to speak calmly. "Don't talk that nonsense to me again." -</p> -<p> -She stooped over as she spoke and made a sudden grab at the bottle, -but the new mate was too quick for her, and, snatching it up jeeringly, -dared her to come for it. -</p> -<p> -"Come on, come and fight for it," said he; "hit me if you like, I don't -mind; your little fist won't hurt." -</p> -<p> -No answer being vouchsafed to this invitation he applied himself to his -only friend again, while the girl, now thoroughly frightened, steered in -silence. -</p> -<p> -"Better get the sidelights out," said she at length. -</p> -<p> -"Plenty o' time," said Lee. -</p> -<p> -"Take the helm, then, while I do it," said the girl, biting her lips. -</p> -<p> -The fellow rose and came towards her, and, as she made way for him, -threw his arm round her waist and tried to detain her. Her heart beating -quickly, she walked forward, and, not without a hesitating glance at the -drunken figure at the wheel, descended into the fo'c'sle for the lamps. -</p> -<p> -The next moment, with a gasping little cry, she sank down on a locker as -the dark figure of a man rose and stood by her. -</p> -<p> -"Don't be frightened," it said quietly. -</p> -<p> -"Jack?" said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"That's me," said the figure. "You didn't expect to see me, did you? -I thought perhaps you didn't know what was good for you, so I stowed -myself away last night, and here I am." -</p> -<p> -"Have you heard what that fellow has been saying to me?" demanded Miss -Cringle, with a spice of the old temper leavening her voice once more. -</p> -<p> -"Every word," said the mate cheerfully. -</p> -<p> -"Why didn't you come up and stand by me?" inquired the girl hotly. -</p> -<p> -The mate hung his head. -</p> -<p> -"Oh," said the girl, and her tones were those of acute disappointment, -"you're afraid." -</p> -<p> -"I'm not," said the mate scornfully. -</p> -<p> -"Why didn't you come up, then, instead of skulking down here?" inquired -the girl. -</p> -<p> -The mate scratched the back of his neck and smiled, but weakly. "Well, -I—I thought"—he began, and stopped. -</p> -<p> -"You thought"—prompted Miss Cringle coldly. -</p> -<p> -"I thought a little fright would do you good," said the mate, speaking -quickly, "and that it would make you appreciate me a little more when I -did come." -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy! MAGGIE! MAGGIE!" came the voice of the graceless varlet who was -steering. -</p> -<p> -"I'll MAGGIE him," said the mate, grinding his teeth, "Why, what -the—why you 're crying." -</p> -<p> -"I'm not," sobbed Miss Cringle scornfully. "I'm in a temper, that's -all." -</p> -<p> -"I'll knock his head off," said the mate; "you stay down here." -</p> -<p> -"Mag-GIE!" came the voice again, "MAG—HULLO!" -</p> -<p> -"Were you calling me, my lad?" said the mate, with dangerous politeness, -as he stepped aft. "Ain't you afraid of straining that sweet voice o' -yours? Leave go o' that tiller." -</p> -<p> -The other let go, and the mate's fist took him heavily in the face and -sent him sprawling on the deck. He rose with a scream of rage and rushed -at his opponent, but the mate's temper, which had suffered badly through -his treatment of the last few days, was up, and he sent him heavily down -again. -</p> -<p> -"There's a little dark dingy hole forward," said the mate, after waiting -some time for him to rise again, "just the place for you to go and think -over your sins in. If I see you come out of it until we get to London, -I'll hurt you. Now clear." -</p> -<p> -The other cleared, and, carefully avoiding the girl, who was standing -close by, disappeared below. -</p> -<p> -"You've hurt him," said the girl, coming up to the mate and laying her -hand on his arm. "What a horrid temper you've got." -</p> -<p> -"It was him asking you to kiss him that upset me," said the mate -apologetically. -</p> -<p> -"He put his arm round my waist," said Miss Cringle, blushing. -</p> -<p> -"WHAT!" said the mate, stuttering, "put his—put his arm—round—your -waist—like"— -</p> -<p> -His courage suddenly forsook him. -</p> -<p> -"Like what?" inquired the girl, with superb innocence. -</p> -<p> -"Like THAT," said the mate manfully. -</p> -<p> -"That'll do," said Miss Cringle softly, "that'll do. You're as bad as he -is, only the worst of it is there is nobody here to prevent you." -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - IN BORROWED PLUMES -</h2> -<p> -The master of the Sarah Jane had been missing for two days, and all on -board, with the exception of the boy, whom nobody troubled about, were -full of joy at the circumstance. Twice before had the skipper, whose -habits might, perhaps, be best described as irregular, missed his ship, -and word had gone forth that the third time would be the last. His berth -was a good one, and the mate wanted it in place of his own, which was -wanted by Ted Jones, A. B. -</p> -<p> -"Two hours more," said the mate anxiously to the men, as they stood -leaning against the side, "and I take the ship out." -</p> -<p> -"Under two hours'll do it," said Ted, peering over the side and watching -the water as it slowly rose over the mud. "What's got the old man, I -wonder?" -</p> -<p> -"I don't know, and I don't care," said the mate. "You chaps stand by me -and it'll be good for all of us. Mr. Pearson said distinct the last time -that if the skipper ever missed his ship again it would be his last -trip in her, and he told me afore the old man that I wasn't to wait two -minutes at any time, but to bring her out right away." -</p> -<p> -"He's an old fool," said Bill Loch, the other hand; "and nobody'll miss -him but the boy, and he's been looking reg'lar worried all the morning. -He looked so worried at dinner time that I give 'im a kick to cheer him -up a bit. Look at him now." -</p> -<p> -The mate gave a supercilious glance in the direction of the boy, and -then turned away. The boy, who had no idea of courting observation, -stowed himself away behind the windlass; and, taking a letter from his -pocket, perused it for the fourth time. -</p> -<p> -"Dear Tommy," it began. "I take my pen in and to inform you that I'm -stayin here and cant get away for the reason that I lorst my cloes at -cribage larst night, also my money, and everything beside. Don't speek to -a living sole about it as the mate wants my birth, but pack up sum cloes -and bring them to me without saying nuthing to noboddy. The mates cloths -will do becos I havent got enny other soot, dont tell 'im. You needen't -trouble about soks as I've got them left. My bed is so bad I must now -conclude. Your affecshunate uncle and captin Joe Bross. P.S. Dont let -the mate see you come, or else he wont let you go." -</p> -<p> -"Two hours more," sighed Tommy, as he put the letter back in his pocket. -"How can I get any clothes when they're all locked up? And aunt said I -was to look after 'im and see he didn't get into no mischief." -</p> -<p> -He sat thinking deeply, and then, as the crew of the Sarah Jane stepped -ashore to take advantage of a glass offered by the mate, he crept down -to the cabin again for another desperate look round. The only articles -of clothing visible belonged to Mrs. Bross, who up to this trip had -been sailing in the schooner to look after its master. At these he gazed -hard. -</p> -<p> -"I'll take 'em and try an' swop 'em for some men's clothes," said he -suddenly, snatching the garments from the pegs. "She wouldn't mind"; -and hastily rolling them into a parcel, together with a pair of carpet -slippers of the captain's, he thrust the lot into an old biscuit bag. -Then he shouldered his burden, and, going cautiously on deck, gained the -shore, and set off at a trot to the address furnished in the letter. -</p> -<p> -It was a long way, and the bag was heavy. His first attempt at barter -was alarming, for the pawnbroker, who had just been cautioned by the -police, was in such a severe and uncomfortable state of morals, that the -boy quickly snatched up his bundle again and left. Sorely troubled he -walked hastily along, until, in a small bye street, his glance fell upon -a baker of mild and benevolent aspect, standing behind the counter of -his shop. -</p> -<p> -"If you please, sir," said Tommy, entering, and depositing his bag on -the counter, "have you got any cast-off clothes you don't want?" -</p> -<p> -The baker turned to a shelf, and selecting a stale loaf cut it in -halves, one of which he placed before the boy. -</p> -<p> -"I don't want bread," said Tommy desperately; "but mother has just died, -and father wants mourning for the funeral. He's only got a new suit with -him, and if he can change these things of mother's for an old suit, he'd -sell his best ones to bury her with." -</p> -<p> -He shook the articles out on the counter, and the baker's wife, who had -just come into the shop, inspected them rather favourably. -</p> -<p> -"Poor boy, so you've lost your mother," she said, turning the clothes -over. "It's a good skirt, Bill." -</p> -<p> -"Yes, ma'am," said Tommy dolefully. -</p> -<p> -"What did she die of?" inquired the baker. -</p> -<p> -"Scarlet fever," said Tommy, tearfully, mentioning the only disease he -knew. -</p> -<p> -"Scar—Take them things away," yelled the baker, pushing the clothes on -to the floor, and following his wife to the other end of the shop. "Take -'em away directly, you young villain." -</p> -<p> -His voice was so loud, his manner so imperative, that the startled boy, -without stopping to argue, stuffed the clothes pell-mell into the bag -again and departed. A farewell glance at the clock made him look almost -as horrified as the baker. -</p> -<p> -"There's no time to be lost," he muttered, as he began to run; "either -the old man'll have to come in these or else stay where he is." -</p> -<p> -He reached the house breathless, and paused before an unshaven man in -time-worn greasy clothes, who was smoking a short clay pipe with much -enjoyment in front of the door. -</p> -<p> -"Is Cap'n Bross here?" he panted. -</p> -<p> -"He's upstairs," said the man, with a leer, "sitting in sackcloth and -ashes, more ashes than sackcloth. Have you got some clothes for him?" -</p> -<p> -"Look here," said Tommy. He was down on his knees with the mouth of the -bag open again, quite in the style of the practised hawker. "Give me an -old suit of clothes for them. Hurry up. There's a lovely frock." -</p> -<p> -"Blimey," said the man, staring, "I've only got these clothes. Wot d'yer -take me for? A dook?" -</p> -<p> -"Well, get me some somewhere," said Tommy. "If you don't the cap'n 'll -have to come in these, and I'm sure he won't like it." -</p> -<p> -"I wonder what he'd look like," said the man, with a grin. "Damme if I -don't come up and see." -</p> -<p> -"Get me some clothes," pleaded Tommy. -</p> -<p> -"I wouldn't get you clothes, no, not for fifty pun," said the man -severely. "Wot d'yer mean wanting to spoil people's pleasure in that -way? Come on, come and tell the cap'n what you've got for 'im, I want -to 'ear what he ses. He's been swearing 'ard since ten o'clock this -morning, but he ought to say something special over this." -</p> -<p> -He led the way up the bare wooden stairs, followed by the harassed boy, -and entered a small dirty room at the top, in the centre of which the -master of the Sarah Jane sat to deny visitors, in a pair of socks and -last week's paper. -</p> -<p> -"Here's a young gent come to bring you some clothes, cap'n," said the -man, taking the sack from the boy. -</p> -<p> -"Why didn't you come before?" growled the captain, who was reading the -advertisements. -</p> -<p> -The man put his hand in the sack, and pulled out the clothes. "What do -you think of 'em?" he asked expectantly. -</p> -<p> -The captain strove vainly to tell him, but his tongue mercifully forsook -its office, and dried between his lips. His brain rang with sentences of -scorching iniquity, but they got no further. -</p> -<p> -"Well, say thank you, if you can't say nothing else," suggested his -tormentor hopefully. -</p> -<p> -"I couldn't bring nothing else," said Tommy hurriedly; "all the things -was locked up. I tried to swop 'em and nearly got locked up for it. Put -these on and hurry up." -</p> -<p> -The captain moistened his lips with his tongue. -</p> -<p> -"The mate'll get off directly she floats," continued Tommy. "Put these -on and spoil his little game. It's raining a little now. Nobody'll see -you, and as soon as you git aboard you can borrow some of the men's -clothes." -</p> -<p> -"That's the ticket, cap'n," said the man. "Lord lumme, you'll 'ave -everybody falling in love with you." -</p> -<p> -"Hurry up," said Tommy, dancing with impatience. "Hurry up." -</p> -<p> -The skipper, dazed and wild-eyed, stood still while his two assistants -hastily dressed him, bickering somewhat about details as they did so. -</p> -<p> -"He ought to be tight-laced, I tell you," said the man. -</p> -<p> -"He can't be tight-laced without stays," said Tommy scornfully. "You -ought to know that." -</p> -<p> -"Ho, can't he," said the other, discomfited. "You know too much for a -young-un. Well, put a bit o' line round 'im then." -</p> -<p> -"We can't wait for a line," said Tommy, who was standing on tip-toe to -tie the skipper's bonnet on. "Now tie the scarf over his chin to -hide his beard, and put this veil on. It's a good job he ain't got a -moustache." -</p> -<p> -The other complied, and then fell back a pace or two to gaze at his -handiwork. "Strewth, though I sees it as shouldn't, you look a treat!" -he remarked complacently. "Now, young-un, take 'old of his arm. Go up -the back streets, and if you see anybody looking at you, call 'im Mar." -</p> -<p> -The two set off, after the man, who was a born realist, had tried to -snatch a kiss from the skipper on the threshold. Fortunately for the -success of the venture, it was pelting with rain, and, though a few -people gazed curiously at the couple as they went hastily along, they -were unmolested, and gained the wharf in safety, arriving just in time -to see the schooner shoving off from the side. -</p> -<p> -At the sight the skipper held up his skirts and ran. "Ahoy!" he shouted. -"Wait a minute." -</p> -<p> -The mate gave one look of blank astonishment at the extraordinary -figure, and then turned away; but at that moment the stern came within -jumping distance of the wharf, and uncle and nephew, moved with one -impulse leaped for it and gained the deck in safety. -</p> -<p> -"Why didn't you wait when I hailed you?" demanded the skipper fiercely. -</p> -<p> -"How was I to know it was you?" inquired the mate surlily, as he -realised his defeat. "I thought it was the Empress of Rooshia." -</p> -<p> -The skipper stared at him dumbly. -</p> -<p> -"An' if you take my advice," said the mate, with a sneer, "you'll keep -them things on. <i>I</i> never see you look so well in anything afore." -</p> -<p> -"I want to borrow some o' your clothes, Bob," said the skipper, eyeing -him steadily. -</p> -<p> -"Where's your own?" asked the other. -</p> -<p> -"I don't know," said the skipper. "I was took with a fit last night, -Bob, and when I woke up this morning they were gone. Somebody must have -took advantage of my helpless state and taken 'em." -</p> -<p> -"Very likely," said the mate, turning away to shout an order to the -crew, who were busy setting sail. -</p> -<p> -"Where are they, old man?" inquired the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"How should I know?" asked the other, becoming interested in the men -again. -</p> -<p> -"I mean YOUR clothes," said the skipper, who was fast losing his temper. -</p> -<p> -"Oh, mine?" said the mate. "Well, as a matter o' fact, I don't like -lending my clothes. I'm rather pertickler. You might have a fit in -THEM." -</p> -<p> -"You won't lend 'em to me?" asked the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"I won't," said the mate, speaking loudly, and frowning significantly at -the crew, who were listening. -</p> -<p> -"Very good," said the skipper. "Ted, come here. Where's your other -clothes?" -</p> -<p> -"I'm very sorry, sir," said Ted, shifting uneasily from one leg to the -other, and glancing at the mate for support; "but they ain't fit for -the likes of you to wear, sir." "I'm the best judge of that," said the -skipper sharply. "Fetch 'em up." -</p> -<p> -"Well, to tell the truth, sir," said Ted, "I'm like the mate. I'm only -a poor sailor-man, but I wouldn't lend my clothes to the Queen of -England." -</p> -<p> -"You fetch up them clothes," roared the skipper snatching off his bonnet -and flinging it on the deck. "Fetch 'em up at once. D'ye think I'm going -about in these petticuts?" -</p> -<p> -"They're my clothes," muttered Ted doggedly. -</p> -<p> -"Very well, then, I'll have Bill's," said the skipper. "But mind you, -my lad, I'll make you pay for this afore I've done with you. Bill's the -only honest man aboard this ship. Gimme your hand, Bill, old man." -</p> -<p> -"I'm with them two," said Bill gruffly, as he turned away. -</p> -<p> -The skipper, biting his lips with fury, turned from one to the other, -and then, with a big oath, walked forward. Before he could reach the -fo'c'sle Bill and Ted dived down before him, and, by the time he had -descended, sat on their chests side by side confronting him. To threats -and appeals alike they turned a deaf ear, and the frantic skipper was -compelled at last to go on deck again, still encumbered with the hated -skirts. -</p> -<p> -"Why don't you go an' lay down," said the mate, "an' I'll send you down -a nice cup o' hot tea. You'll get histericks, if you go on like that." -</p> -<p> -"I'll knock your 'ead off if you talk to me," said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Not you," said the mate cheerfully; "you ain't big enough. Look at that -pore fellow over there." -</p> -<p> -The skipper looked in the direction indicated, and, swelling with -impotent rage, shook his fist fiercely at a red-faced man with grey -whiskers, who was wafting innumerable tender kisses from the bridge of a -passing steamer. -</p> -<p> -"That's right," said the mate approvingly; "don't give 'im no -encouragement. Love at first sight ain't worth having." -</p> -<p> -The skipper, suffering severely from suppressed emotion, went below, -and the crew, after waiting a little while to make sure that he was not -coming up again, made their way quietly to the mate. -</p> -<p> -"If we can only take him to Battlesea in this rig it'll be all right," -said the latter. "You chaps stand by me. His slippers and sou'-wester -is the only clothes he's got aboard. Chuck every needle you can lay your -hands on overboard, or else he'll git trying to make a suit out of a -piece of old sail or something. If we can only take him to Mr. Pearson -like this, it won't be so bad after all." -</p> -<p> -While these arrangements were in hand above, the skipper and the boy -were busy over others below. Various startling schemes propounded by the -skipper for obtaining possession of his men's attire were rejected by -the youth as unlawful, and, what was worse, impracticable. For a couple -of hours they discussed ways and means, but only ended in diatribes -against the mean ways of the crew; and the skipper, whose head ached -still from his excesses, fell into a state of sullen despair at length, -and sat silent. -</p> -<p> -"By Jove, Tommy, I've got it," he cried suddenly, starting up and -hitting the table with his fist. "Where's your other suit?" -</p> -<p> -"That ain't no bigger that this one," said Tommy. -</p> -<p> -"You git it out," said the skipper, with a knowing toss of his head. -"Ah, there we are. Now go in my state-room and take those off." -</p> -<p> -The wondering Tommy, who thought that great grief had turned his -kinsman's brain, complied, and emerged shortly afterwards in a blanket, -bringing his clothes under his arm. -</p> -<p> -"Now, do you know what I'm going to do?" inquired the skipper, with a -big smile. -</p> -<p> -"No." -</p> -<p> -"Fetch me the scissors, then. Now do you know what I'm going to do?" -</p> -<p> -"Cut up the two suits and make 'em into one," hazarded the -horror-stricken Tommy. "Here, stop it! Leave off!" -</p> -<p> -The skipper pushed him impatiently off, and, placing the clothes on the -table, took up the scissors, and, with a few slashing strokes, cut them -garments into their component parts. -</p> -<p> -"What am <i>I</i> to wear," said Tommy, beginning to blubber. "You didn't -think of that?" -</p> -<p> -"What are you to wear, you selfish young pig?" said the skipper sternly. -"Always thinking about yourself. Go and git some needles and thread, -and if there's any left over, and you're a good boy, I'll see whether I -can't make something for you out of the leavings." -</p> -<p> -"There ain't no needles here," whined Tommy, after a lengthened search. -</p> -<p> -"Go down the fo'c'sle and git the case of sail-makers' needles, then," -said the skipper, "Don't let anyone see what you're after, an' some -thread." -</p> -<p> -"Well, why couldn't you let me go in my clothes before you cut 'em up," -moaned Tommy. "I don't like going up in this blanket. They'll laugh at -me." -</p> -<p> -"You go at once!" thundered the skipper, and, turning his back on him, -whistled softly, and began to arrange the pieces of cloth. -</p> -<p> -"Laugh away, my lads," he said cheerfully, as an uproarious burst of -laughter greeted the appearance of Tommy on deck. "Wait a bit." -</p> -<p> -He waited himself for nearly twenty minutes, at the end of which time -Tommy, treading on his blanket, came flying down the companion-ladder, -and rolled into the cabin. -</p> -<p> -"There ain't a needle aboard the ship," he said solemnly, as he picked -himself up and rubbed his head. "I've looked everywhere." -</p> -<p> -"What?" roared the skipper, hastily concealing the pieces of cloth. -"Here, Ted! Ted!" -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay, sir!" said Ted, as he came below. -</p> -<p> -"I want a sail-maker's needle," said the skipper glibly. "I've got a -rent in this skirt." -</p> -<p> -"I broke the last one yesterday," said Ted, with an evil grin. -</p> -<p> -"Any other needle then," said the skipper, trying to conceal his -emotion. -</p> -<p> -"I don't believe there's such a thing aboard the ship," said Ted, who -had obeyed the mate's thoughtful injunction. "NOR thread. I was only -saying so to the mate yesterday." -</p> -<p> -The skipper sank again to the lowest depths, waved him away, and then, -getting on a corner of the locker, fell into a gloomy reverie. -</p> -<p> -"It's a pity you do things in such a hurry," said Tommy, sniffing -vindictively. "You might have made sure of the needle before you spoiled -my clothes. There's two of us going about ridiculous now." -</p> -<p> -The master of the Sarah Jane allowed this insolence to pass unheeded. It -is in moments of deep distress that the mind of man, naturally reverting -to solemn things, seeks to improve the occasion by a lecture. The -skipper, chastened by suffering and disappointment, stuck his right hand -in his pocket, after a lengthened search for it, and gently bidding the -blanketed urchin in front of him to sit down, began: -</p> -<p> -"You see what comes of drink and cards," he said mournfully. "Instead of -being at the helm of my ship, racing all the other craft down the river, -I'm skulkin' down below here like—like"— -</p> -<p> -"Like an actress," suggested Tommy. -</p> -<p> -The skipper eyed him all over. Tommy, unconscious of offence, met his -gaze serenely. -</p> -<p> -"If," continued the skipper, "at any time you felt like taking too much, -and you stopped with the beer-mug half-way to your lips, and thought of -me sitting in this disgraceful state, what would you do?" -</p> -<p> -"I dunno," replied Tommy, yawning. -</p> -<p> -"What would you do?" persisted the skipper, with great expression. -</p> -<p> -"Laugh, I s'pose," said Tommy, after a moment's thought. -</p> -<p> -The sound of a well-boxed ear rang through the cabin. -</p> -<p> -"You're an unnatural, ungrateful little toad," said the skipper -fiercely. "You don't deserve to have a good, kind uncle to look after -you." -</p> -<p> -"Anybody can have him for me," sobbed the indignant Tommy, as he -tenderly felt his ear. "You look a precious sight more like an aunt than -an uncle." -</p> -<p> -After firing this shot he vanished in a cloud of blanket, and the -skipper, reluctantly abandoning a hastily-formed resolve of first -flaying him alive and then flinging him overboard, sat down again and -lit his pipe. -</p> -<p> -Once out of the river he came on deck again, and, ignoring by a great -effort the smiles of the crew and the jibes of the mate, took command. -The only alteration he made in his dress was to substitute his -sou'-wester for the bonnet, and in this guise he did his work, while the -aggrieved Tommy hopped it in blankets. The three days at sea passed like -a horrid dream. So covetous was his gaze, that the crew instinctively -clutched their nether garments and looked to the buttoning of their -coats as they passed him. He saw coats in the mainsail, and fashioned -phantom trousers out of the flying jib, and towards the end began -to babble of blue serges and mixed tweeds. Oblivious of fame, he had -resolved to enter the harbour of Battlesea by night; but it was not to -be. Near home the wind dropped, and the sun was well up before Battlesea -came into view, a grey bank on the starboard bow. -</p> -<p> -Until within a mile of the harbour, the skipper held on, and then his -grasp on the wheel relaxed somewhat, and he looked round anxiously for -the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Where's Bob?" he shouted. -</p> -<p> -"He's very ill, sir," said Ted, shaking his head. -</p> -<p> -"Ill?" gasped the startled skipper. "Here, take the wheel a minute." -</p> -<p> -He handed it over, and grasping his skirts went hastily below. The mate -was half lying, half sitting, in his bunk, groaning dismally. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"I'm dying," said the mate. "I keep being tied up all in knots inside. I -can't hold myself straight." -</p> -<p> -The other cleared his throat. "You'd better take off your clothes and -lie down a bit," he said kindly. "Let me help you off with them." -</p> -<p> -"No—don't—trouble," panted the mate. -</p> -<p> -"It ain't no trouble," said the skipper, in a trembling voice. -</p> -<p> -"No, I'll keep 'em on," said the mate faintly. "I've always had an idea -I'd like to die in my clothes. It may be foolish, but I can't help it." -</p> -<p> -"You'll have your wish some day, never fear, you infernal rascal," -shouted the overwrought skipper. "You're shamming sickness to make me -take the ship into port." -</p> -<p> -"Why shouldn't you take her in," asked the mate, with an air of innocent -surprise. "It's your duty as cap'n. You'd better get above now. The bar -is always shifting." -</p> -<p> -The skipper, restraining himself by a mighty effort, went on deck again, -and, taking the wheel, addressed the crew. He spoke feelingly of the -obedience men owed their superior officers, and the moral obligation -they were under to lend them their trousers when they required them. He -dwelt on the awful punishments awarded for mutiny, and proved clearly, -that to allow the master of a ship to enter port in petticoats was -mutiny of the worst type. He then sent them below for their clothing. -They were gone such a long time that it was palpable to the meanest -intellect that they did not intend to bring it. Meantime the harbour -widened out before him. -</p> -<p> -There were two or three people on the quay as the Sarah Jane came within -hailing distance. By the time she had passed the lantern at the end -of it there were two or three dozen, and the numbers were steadily -increasing at the rate of three persons for every five yards she made. -Kind-hearted, humane men, anxious that their friends should not lose so -great and cheap a treat, bribed small and reluctant boys with pennies to -go in search of them, and by the time the schooner reached her berth, -a large proportion of the population of the port was looking over each -other's shoulders and shouting foolish and hilarious inquiries to the -skipper. The news reached the owner, and he came hurrying down to the -ship, just as the skipper, regardless of the heated remonstrances of the -sightseers, was preparing to go below. -</p> -<p> -Mr. Pearson was a stout man, and he came down exploding with wrath. Then -he saw the apparition, and mirth overcame him. It became necessary for -three stout fellows to act as buttresses, and the more indignant the -skipper looked the harder their work became. Finally he was assisted, -in a weak state, and laughing hysterically, to the deck of the schooner, -where he followed the skipper below, and in a voice broken with emotion -demanded an explanation. -</p> -<p> -"It's the finest sight I ever saw in my life, Bross," he said when the -other had finished. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I've been -feeling very low this last week, and it's done me good. Don't talk -nonsense about leaving the ship. I wouldn't lose you for anything after -this, but if you like to ship a fresh mate and crew you can please -yourself. If you'll only come up to the house and let Mrs. Pearson see -you—she's been ailing—I'll give you a couple of pounds. Now, get your -bonnet and come." -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - THE BOATSWAIN'S WATCH -</h2> -<p> -Captain Polson sat in his comfortable parlour smiling benignly upon his -daughter and sister. His ship, after an absence of eighteen months, was -once more berthed in the small harbour of Barborough, and the captain -was sitting in that state of good-natured affability which invariably -characterised his first appearance after a long absence. -</p> -<p> -"No news this end, I suppose," he inquired, after a lengthy recital of -most extraordinarily uninteresting adventures. -</p> -<p> -"Not much," said his sister Jane, looking nervously at her niece. "Young -Metcalfe has gone into partnership with his father." -</p> -<p> -"I don't want to hear about those sharks," said the captain, waxing red. -"Tell me about honest men." -</p> -<p> -"Joe Lewis has had a month's imprisonment for stealing fowls," said Miss -Polson meekly. "Mrs. Purton has had twins—dear little fellows they are, -fat as butter!—she has named one of them Polson, after you. The greedy -one." -</p> -<p> -"Any deaths?" inquired the captain snappishly, as he eyed the innocent -lady suspiciously. -</p> -<p> -"Poor old Jasper Wheeler has gone," said his sister; "he was very -resigned. He borrowed enough money to get a big doctor from London, and -when he heard that there was no hope for him he said he was just longing -to go, and he was sorry he couldn't take all his dear ones with him. -Mary Hewson is married to Jack Draper, and young Metcalfe's banns go up -for the third time next Sunday." -</p> -<p> -"I hope he gets a Tartar," said the vindictive captain. "Who's the girl? -Some silly little fool, I know. She ought to be warned!" -</p> -<p> -"I don't believe in interfering in marriages," said his daughter -Chrissie, shaking her head sagely. -</p> -<p> -"Oh!" said the captain, staring, "YOU don't! Now you've put your hair up -and taken to wearing long frocks, I suppose you're beginning to think of -it." -</p> -<p> -"Yes; auntie wants to tell you something!" said his daughter, rising and -crossing the room. -</p> -<p> -"No, I don't!" said Miss Polson hastily. -</p> -<p> -"You'd better do it," said Chrissie, giving her a little push, "there's -a dear; I'll go upstairs and lock myself in my room." -</p> -<p> -The face of the captain, whilst this conversation was passing, was a -study in suppressed emotions. He was a firm advocate for importing the -manners of the quarter-deck into private life, the only drawback being -that he had to leave behind him the language usual in that locality. To -this omission he usually ascribed his failures. -</p> -<p> -"Sit down, Chrissie," he commanded; "sit down, Jane. Now, miss, what's -all this about?" -</p> -<p> -"I don't like to tell you," said Chrissie, folding her hands in her lap. -"I know you'll be cross. You're so unreasonable." -</p> -<p> -The captain stared—frightfully. -</p> -<p> -"I'm going to be married," said Chrissie suddenly,—"there! To Jack -Metcalfe—there! So you'll have to learn to love him. He's going to try -and love you for my sake." To his sister's dismay the captain got up, -and brandishing his fists walked violently to and fro. By these simple -but unusual means decorum was preserved. -</p> -<p> -"If you were only a boy," said the captain, when he had regained his -seat, "I should know what to do with you." -</p> -<p> -"If I were a boy," said Chrissie, who, having braced herself up for -the fray, meant to go through with it, "I shouldn't want to marry Jack. -Don't be silly, father!" -</p> -<p> -"Jane," said the captain, in a voice which made the lady addressed start -in her chair, "what do you mean by it?" -</p> -<p> -"It isn't my fault," said Miss Polson feebly. "I told her how it would -be. And it was so gradual; he admired my geraniums at first, and, of -course, I was deceived. There are so many people admire my geraniums; -whether it is because the window has a south aspect"— -</p> -<p> -"Oh!" said the captain rudely, "that'll do, Jane. If he wasn't a lawyer, -I'd go round and break his neck. Chrissie is only nineteen, and she'll -come for a year's cruise with me. Perhaps the sea air'll strengthen her -head. We'll see who's master in this family." -</p> -<p> -"I'm sure I don't want to be master," said his daughter, taking a weapon -of fine cambric out of her pocket, and getting ready for action. "I -can't help liking people. Auntie likes him too, don't you, auntie?" -</p> -<p> -"Yes," said Miss Polson bravely. -</p> -<p> -"Very good," said the autocrat promptly, "I'll take you both for a -cruise." -</p> -<p> -"You're making me very un—unhappy," said Chrissie, burying her face in -her handkerchief. -</p> -<p> -"You'll be more unhappy before I've done with you," said the captain -grimly. "And while I think of it, I'll step round and stop those banns." -His daughter caught him by the arm as he was passing, and laid her face -on his sleeve. "You'll make me look so foolish," she wailed. -</p> -<p> -"That'll make it easier for you to come to sea with me," said her -father. "Don't cry all over my sleeve. I'm going to see a parson. Run -upstairs and play with your dolls, and if you're a good girl, I'll bring -you in some sweets." He put on his hat, and closing the front door with -a bang, went off to the new rector to knock two years off the age which -his daughter kept for purposes of matrimony. The rector, grieved at such -duplicity in one so young, met him more than half way, and he came out -from him smiling placidly, until his attention was attracted by a young -man on the other side of the road, who was regarding him with manifest -awkwardness. -</p> -<p> -"Good evening, Captain Polson," he said, crossing the road. -</p> -<p> -"Oh," said the captain, stopping, "I wanted to speak to you. I suppose -you wanted to marry my daughter while I was out of the way, to save -trouble. Just the manly thing I should have expected of you. I've -stopped the banns, and I'm going to take her for a voyage with me. -You'll have to look elsewhere, my lad." -</p> -<p> -"The ill feeling is all on your side, captain," said Metcalfe, -reddening. -</p> -<p> -"Ill feeling!" snorted the captain. "You put me in the witness-box, and -made me a laughing-stock in the place with your silly attempts at jokes, -lost me five hundred pounds, and then try and marry my daughter while -I'm at sea. Ill feeling be hanged!" -</p> -<p> -"That was business," said the other. -</p> -<p> -"It was," said the captain, "and this is business too. Mine. I'll look -after it, I'll promise you. I think I know who'll look silly this time. -I'd sooner see my girl in heaven than married to a rascal of a lawyer." -</p> -<p> -"You'd want good glasses," retorted Metcalfe, who was becoming ruffled. -</p> -<p> -"I don't want to bandy words with you," said the captain with dignity, -after a long pause, devoted to thinking of something worth bandying. -"You think you're a clever fellow, but I know a cleverer. You're quite -welcome to marry my daughter—if you can." -</p> -<p> -He turned on his heel, and refusing to listen to any further remarks, -went on his way rejoicing. Arrived home, he lit his pipe, and throwing -himself into an armchair, related his exploits. Chrissie had recourse to -her handkerchief again, more for effect than use, but Miss Polson, who -was a tender soul, took hers out and wept unrestrainedly. At first the -captain took it well enough. It was a tribute to his power, but when -they took to sobbing one against the other, his temper rose, and he -sternly commanded silence. -</p> -<p> -"I shall be like—this—every day at sea," sobbed Chrissie vindictively, -"only worse; making us all ridiculous." -</p> -<p> -"Stop that noise directly!" vociferated the captain. -</p> -<p> -"We c-c-can't," sobbed Miss Polson. -</p> -<p> -"And we d-don't want to," said Chrissie. "It's all we can do, and we're -going to do it. You'd better g-go out and stop something else. You can't -stop us." -</p> -<p> -The captain took the advice and went, and in the billiard-room of the -"George" heard some news which set him thinking, and which brought him -back somewhat earlier than he had at first intended. A small group at -his gate broke up into its elements at his approach, and the captain, -following his sister and daughter into the room, sat down and eyed them -severely. -</p> -<p> -"So you're going to run off to London to get married, are you, miss?" he -said ferociously. "Well, we'll see. You don't go out of my sight until -we sail, and if I catch that pettifogging lawyer round at my gate again, -I'll break every bone in his body, mind that." -</p> -<p> -For the next three days the captain kept his daughter under observation, -and never allowed her to stir abroad except in his company. The evening -of the third day, to his own great surprise, he spent at a Dorcas. The -company was not congenial, several of the ladies putting their work -away, and glaring frigidly at the intruder; and though they could see -clearly that he was suffering greatly, made no attempt to put him at his -ease. He was very thoughtful all the way home, and the next day took a -partner into the concern, in the shape of his boatswain. -</p> -<p> -"You understand, Tucker," he concluded, as the hapless seaman stood in -a cringing attitude before Chrissie, "that you never let my daughter out -of your sight. When she goes out you go with her." -</p> -<p> -"Yessir," said Tucker; "and suppose she tells me to go home, what am I -to do then?" -</p> -<p> -"You're a fool," said the captain sharply. "It doesn't matter what she -says or does; unless you are in the same room, you are never to be more -than three yards from her." -</p> -<p> -"Make it four, cap'n," said the boatswain, in a broken voice. -</p> -<p> -"Three," said the captain; "and mind, she's artful. All girls are, and -she'll try and give you the slip. I've had information given me as to -what's going on. Whatever happens, you are not to leave her." -</p> -<p> -"I wish you'd get somebody else, sir," said Tucker, very respectfully. -"There's a lot of chaps aboard that'd like the job." -</p> -<p> -"You're the only man I can trust," said the captain shortly. "When I -give you orders I know they'll be obeyed; it's your watch now." -</p> -<p> -He went out humming. Chrissie took up a book and sat down, utterly -ignoring the woebegone figure which stood the regulation three yards -from her, twisting its cap in its hands. -</p> -<p> -"I hope, miss," said the boatswain, after standing patiently for -three-quarters of an hour, "as 'ow you won't think I sought arter this -'ere little job." -</p> -<p> -"No," said Chrissie, without looking up. -</p> -<p> -"I'm just obeying orders," continued the boatswain. "I always git let in -for these 'ere little jobs, somehow. The monkeys I've had to look arter -aboard ship would frighten you. There never was a monkey on the Monarch -but what I was in charge of. That's what a man gets through being -trustworthy." -</p> -<p> -"Just so," said Chrissie, putting down her book. "Well, I'm going into -the kitchen now; come along, nursie." -</p> -<p> -"'Ere, I say, miss!" remonstrated Tucker, flushing. -</p> -<p> -"I don't know how Susan will like you going in her kitchen," said -Chrissie thoughtfully; "however, that's your business." -</p> -<p> -The unfortunate seaman followed his fair charge into the kitchen, and, -leaning against the door-post, doubled up like a limp rag before the -terrible glance of its mistress. -</p> -<p> -"Ho!" said Susan, who took the state of affairs as an insult to the sex -in general; "and what might you be wanting?" -</p> -<p> -"Cap'n's orders," murmured Tucker feebly. -</p> -<p> -"I'm captain here," said Susan, confronting him with her bare arms -akimbo. -</p> -<p> -"And credit it does you," said the boatswain, looking round admiringly. -</p> -<p> -"Is it your wish, Miss Chrissie, that this image comes and stalks into -my kitchen as if the place belongs to him?" demanded the irate Susan. -</p> -<p> -"I didn't mean to come in in that way," said the astonished Tucker. "I -can't help being big." -</p> -<p> -"I don't want him here," said her mistress; "what do you think I want -him for?" -</p> -<p> -"You hear that?" said Susan, pointing to the door; "now go. I don't want -people to say that you come into this kitchen after me." -</p> -<p> -"I'm here by the cap'n's orders," said Tucker faintly. "I don't want to -be here—far from it. As for people saying that I come here after you, -them as knows me would laugh at the idea." -</p> -<p> -"If I had my way," said Susan, in a hard rasping voice, "I'd box your -ears for you. That's what I'd do to you, and you can go and tell the -cap'n I said so. Spy!" -</p> -<p> -This was the first verse of the first watch, and there were many verses. -To add to his discomfort he was confined to the house, as his charge -manifested no desire to go outside, and as neither she nor her aunt -cared about the trouble of bringing him to a fit and proper state of -subjection, the task became a labour of love for the energetic Susan. -In spite of everything, however, he stuck to his guns, and the indignant -Chrissie, who was in almost hourly communication with Metcalfe through -the medium of her faithful handmaiden, was rapidly becoming desperate. -</p> -<p> -On the fourth day, time getting short, Chrissie went on a new tack with -her keeper, and Susan, sorely against her will, had to follow suit. -Chrissie smiled at him, Susan called him Mr. Tucker, and Miss Polson -gave him a glass of her best wine. From the position of an outcast, he -jumped in one bound to that of confidential adviser. Miss Polson -told him many items of family interest, and later on in the afternoon -actually consulted him as to a bad cold which Chrissie had developed. -</p> -<p> -He prescribed half-a-pint of linseed oil hot, but Miss Polson favoured -chlorodyne. The conversation then turned on the deadly qualities of that -drug when taken in excess, of the fatal sleep in which it lulled its -victims. So disastrous were the incidents cited, that half an hour -later, when, her aunt and Susan being out, Chrissie took a small bottle -of chlorodyne from the mantel-piece, the boatswain implored her to try -his nastier but safer remedy instead. -</p> -<p> -"Nonsense!" said Chrissie, "I'm only going to take twenty -drops—one—two—three—" -</p> -<p> -The drug suddenly poured out in a little stream. -</p> -<p> -"I should think that's about it," said Chrissie, holding the tumbler up -to the light. -</p> -<p> -"It's about five hundred!" said the horrified Tucker. "Don't take that, -miss, whatever you do; let me measure it for you." -</p> -<p> -The girl waved him away, and, before he could interfere, drank off the -contents of the glass and resumed her seat. The boatswain watched her -uneasily, and taking up the phial carefully read through the directions. -After that he was not at all surprised to see the book fall from his -charge's hand on to the floor, and her eyes close. -</p> -<p> -"I knowed it," said Tucker, in a profuse perspiration, "I knowed it. -Them blamed gals are all alike. Always knows what's best. Miss Polson! -Miss Polson!" -</p> -<p> -He shook her roughly, but to no purpose, and then running to the door, -shouted eagerly for Susan. No reply forthcoming he ran to the window, -but there was nobody in sight, and he came back and stood in front of -the girl, wringing his huge hands helplessly. It was a great question -for a poor sailor-man. If he went for the doctor he deserted his post; -if he didn't go his charge might die. He made one more attempt to awaken -her, and, seizing a flower-glass, splashed her freely with cold water. -She did not even wince. -</p> -<p> -"It's no use fooling with it," murmured Tucker; "I must get the doctor, -that's all." -</p> -<p> -He quitted the room, and, dashing hastily downstairs, had already -opened the hall door when a thought struck him, and he came back again. -Chrissie was still asleep in the chair, and, with a smile at the clever -way in which he had solved a difficulty, he stooped down, and, raising -her in his strong arms, bore her from the room and downstairs. Then a -hitch occurred. The triumphant progress was marred by the behaviour of -the hall door, which, despite his efforts, refused to be opened, and, -encumbered by his fair burden, he could not for some time ascertain the -reason. Then, full of shame that so much deceit could exist in so -fair and frail a habitation, he discovered that Miss Polson's foot was -pressing firmly against it. Her eyes were still closed and her head -heavy, but the fact remained that one foot was acting in a manner that -was full of intelligence and guile, and when he took it away from the -door the other one took its place. By a sudden manoeuvre the wily Tucker -turned his back on the door, and opened it, and, at the same moment, a -hand came to life again and dealt him a stinging slap on the face. -</p> -<p> -"Idiot!" said the indignant Chrissie, slipping from his arms and -confronting him. "How dare you take such a liberty?" -</p> -<p> -The astonished boatswain felt his face, and regarded her open-mouthed. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you ever dare to speak to me again," said the offended maiden, -drawing herself up with irreproachable dignity. "I am disgusted with -your conduct. Most unbearable!" -</p> -<p> -"I was carrying you off to the doctor," said the boatswain. "How was I -to know you was only shamming?" -</p> -<p> -"SHAMMING?" said Chrissie, in tones of incredulous horror. "I was -asleep. I often go to sleep in the afternoon." -</p> -<p> -The boatswain made no reply, except to grin with great intelligence as -he followed his charge upstairs again. He grinned at intervals until the -return of Susan and Miss Polson, who, trying to look unconcerned, came -in later on, both apparently suffering from temper, Susan especially. -Amid the sympathetic interruptions of these listeners Chrissie recounted -her experiences, while the boatswain, despite his better sense, felt -like the greatest scoundrel unhung, a feeling which was fostered by the -remarks of Susan and the chilling regards of Miss Poison. -</p> -<p> -"I shall inform the captain," said Miss Polson, bridling. "It's my -duty." -</p> -<p> -"Oh, I shall tell him," said Chrissie. "I shall tell him the moment he -comes in at the door." -</p> -<p> -"So shall I," said Susan; "the idea of taking such liberties!" -</p> -<p> -Having fired this broadside, the trio watched the enemy narrowly and -anxiously. -</p> -<p> -"If I've done anything wrong, ladies," said the unhappy boatswain, "I am -sorry for it. I can't say anything fairer than that, and I'll tell the -cap'n myself exactly how I came to do it when he comes in." -</p> -<p> -"Pah! tell-tale!" said Susan. -</p> -<p> -"Of course, if you are here to fetch and carry," said Miss Polson, with -withering emphasis. -</p> -<p> -"The idea of a grown man telling tales," said Chrissie scornfully. -"Baby!" -</p> -<p> -"Why, just now you were all going to tell him yourselves," said the -bewildered boatswain. -</p> -<p> -The two elder women rose and regarded him with looks of pitying disdain. -Miss Polson's glance said "Fool!" plainly; Susan, a simple child of -nature, given to expressing her mind freely, said "Blockhead!" with -conviction. -</p> -<p> -"I see 'ow it is," said the boatswain, after ruminating deeply. "Well, -I won't split, ladies. I can see now you was all in it, and it was a -little job to get me out of the house." -</p> -<p> -"What a head he has got," said the irritated Susan; "isn't it wonderful -how he thinks of it all! Nobody would think he was so clever to look at -him." -</p> -<p> -"Still waters run deep," said the boatswain, who was beginning to have a -high opinion of himself. -</p> -<p> -"And pride goes before a fall," said Chrissie; "remember that, Mr. -Tucker." -</p> -<p> -Mr. Tucker grinned, but, remembering the fable of the pitcher and the -well, pressed his superior officer that evening to relieve him from his -duties. He stated that the strain was slowly undermining a constitution -which was not so strong as appearances would warrant, and that his -knowledge of female nature was lamentably deficient on many important -points. "You're doing very well," said the captain, who had no intention -of attending any more Dorcases, "very well indeed; I am proud of you." -</p> -<p> -"It isn't a man's work," objected the boatswain. "Besides, if anything -happens you'll blame me for it." -</p> -<p> -"Nothing can happen," declared the captain confidently. "We shall make a -start in about four days now. You're the only man I can trust with such -a difficult job, Tucker, and I shan't forget you." -</p> -<p> -"Very good," said the other dejectedly. "I obey orders, then." -</p> -<p> -The next day passed quietly, the members of the household making a great -fuss of Tucker, and thereby filling him with forebodings of the worst -possible nature. On the day after, when the captain, having business at -a neighbouring town, left him in sole charge, his uneasiness could not -be concealed. -</p> -<p> -"I'm going for a walk," said Chrissie, as he sat by himself, working out -dangerous moves and the best means of checking them; "would you care to -come with me, Tucker?" -</p> -<p> -"I wish you wouldn't put it that way, miss," said the boatswain, as he -reached for his hat. -</p> -<p> -"I want exercise," said Chrissie; "I've been cooped up long enough." -</p> -<p> -She set off at a good pace up the High Street, attended by her faithful -follower, and passing through the small suburbs, struck out into the -country beyond. After four miles the boatswain, who was no walker, -reminded her that they had got to go back. -</p> -<p> -"Plenty of time," said Chrissie, "we have got the day before us. Isn't -it glorious? Do you see that milestone, Tucker? I'll race you to it; -come along." -</p> -<p> -She was off on the instant, with the boatswain, who suspected treachery, -after her. -</p> -<p> -"You CAN run," she panted, thoughtfully, as she came in second; "we'll -have another one presently. You don't know how good it is for you, -Tucker." -</p> -<p> -The boatswain grinned sourly and looked at her from the corner of his -eye. The next three miles passed like a horrible nightmare; his charge -making a race for every milestone, in which the labouring boatswain, -despite his want of practice, came in the winner. The fourth ended -disastrously, Chrissie limping the last ten yards, and seating herself -with a very woebegone face on the stone itself. -</p> -<p> -"You did very well, miss," said the boatswain, who thought he could -afford to be generous. "You needn't be offended about it." -</p> -<p> -"It's my ankle," said Chrissie with a little whimper. "Oh! I twisted it -right round." -</p> -<p> -The boatswain stood regarding her in silent consternation -</p> -<p> -"It's no use looking like that," said Chrissie sharply, "you great -clumsy thing. If you hadn't have run so hard it wouldn't have happened. -It's all your fault." -</p> -<p> -"If you don't mind leaning on me a bit," said Tucker, "we might get -along." -</p> -<p> -Chrissie took his arm petulantly, and they started on their return -journey, at the rate of about four hours a mile, with little cries and -gasps at every other yard. -</p> -<p> -"It's no use," said Chrissie as she relinquished his arm, and, limping -to the side of the road, sat down. The boatswain pricked up his ears -hopefully at the sound of approaching wheels. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter with the young lady?" inquired a groom who was -driving a little trap, as he pulled up and regarded with interest a -grimace of extraordinary intensity on the young lady's face. -</p> -<p> -"Broke her ankle, I think," said the boatswain glibly. "Which way are -you going?" -</p> -<p> -"Well, I'm going to Barborough," said the groom; "but my guvnor's rather -pertickler." -</p> -<p> -"I'll make it all right with you," said the boatswain. -</p> -<p> -The groom hesitated a minute, and then made way for Chrissie as the -boatswain assisted her to get up beside him; then Tucker, with a grin of -satisfaction at getting a seat once more, clambered up behind, and they -started. -</p> -<p> -"Have a rug, mate," said the groom, handing the reins to Chrissie and -passing it over; "put it round your knees and tuck the ends under you." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay, mate," said the boatswain as he obeyed the instructions. -</p> -<p> -"Are you sure you are quite comfortable?" said the groom affectionately. -</p> -<p> -"Quite," said the other. -</p> -<p> -The groom said no more, but in a quiet business-like fashion placed his -hands on the seaman's broad back, and shot him out into the road. Then -he snatched up the reins and drove off at a gallop. -</p> -<p> -Without the faintest hope of winning, Mr. Tucker, who realised clearly, -appearances notwithstanding, that he had fallen into a trap, rose after -a hurried rest and started on his fifth race that morning. The prize -was only a second-rate groom with plated buttons, who was waving cheery -farewells to him with a dingy top hat; but the boatswain would have -sooner had it than a silver tea-service. -</p> -<p> -He ran as he had never ran before in his life, but all to no purpose, -the trap stopping calmly a little further on to take up another -passenger, in whose favour the groom retired to the back seat; then, -with a final wave of the hand to him, they took a road to the left and -drove rapidly out of sight. The boatswain's watch was over. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - LOW WATER -</h2> -<p> -It was a calm, clear evening in late summer as the Elizabeth Ann, of -Pembray, scorning the expensive aid of a tug, threaded her way down the -London river under canvas. The crew were busy forward, and the master -and part-owner—a fussy little man, deeply imbued with a sense of his -own importance and cleverness—was at the wheel chatting with the mate. -While waiting for a portion of his cargo, he had passed the previous -week pleasantly enough with some relatives in Exeter, and was now in a -masterful fashion receiving a report from the mate. -</p> -<p> -"There's one other thing," said the mate. "I dessay you've noticed how -sober old Dick is to-night." -</p> -<p> -"I kept him short o' purpose," said the skipper, with a satisfied air. -</p> -<p> -"Tain't that," said the mate. "You'll be pleased to hear that 'im an' -Sam has been talked over by the other two, and that all your crew now, -'cept the cook, who's still Roman Catholic, has j'ined the Salvation -Army." -</p> -<p> -"Salvation Army!" repeated the skipper in dazed tones. "I don't want -none o' your gammon, Bob." -</p> -<p> -"It's quite right," said the other. "You can take it from me. How it was -done I don't know, but what I do know is, none of 'em has touched licker -for five days. They've all got red jerseys, an' I hear as old Dick -preaches a hexcellent sermon. He's red-hot on it, and t'others follow -'im like sheep." -</p> -<p> -"The drink's got to his brain," said the skipper sagely, after due -reflection. "Well, I don't mind, so long as they behave theirselves." -</p> -<p> -He kept silence until Woolwich was passed, and they were running along -with all sails set, and then, his curiosity being somewhat excited, he -called old Dick to him, with the amiable intention of a little banter. -</p> -<p> -"What's this I hear about you j'ining the Salvation Army?" he asked. -</p> -<p> -"It's quite true, sir," said Dick. "I feel so happy, you can't think—we -all do." -</p> -<p> -"Glory!" said one of the other men, with enthusiastic corroboration. -</p> -<p> -"Seems like the measles," said the skipper facetiously. "Four of you -down with it at one time!" -</p> -<p> -"It IS like the measles, sir," said the old man impressively, "an' I -only hope as you'll catch it yourself, bad." -</p> -<p> -"Hallelujah!" bawled the other man suddenly. "He'll catch it." -</p> -<p> -"Hold that noise, you, Joe!" shouted the skipper sternly. "How dare you -make that noise aboard ship?" -</p> -<p> -"He's excited, sir," said Dick. "It's love for you in 'is 'eart as does -it." -</p> -<p> -"Let him keep his love to hisself," said the skipper churlishly. -</p> -<p> -"Ah! that's just what we can't do," said Dick in high-pitched tones, -which the skipper rightly concluded to be his preaching voice. "We can't -do it—an' why can't we do it? Becos we feel good, an' we want you to -feel good too. We want to share it with you. Oh, dear friend—" -</p> -<p> -"That's enough," said the master of the Elizabeth Ann, sharply. "Don't -you go 'dear friending' me. Go for'ard! Go for'ard at once!" -</p> -<p> -With a melancholy shake of his head the old man complied, and the -startled skipper turned to the mate, who was at the wheel, and expressed -his firm intention of at once stopping such behaviour on his ship. -</p> -<p> -"You can't do it," said the mate firmly. -</p> -<p> -"Can't do it?" queried the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Not a bit of it," said the other. "They've all got it bad, an' the more -you get at 'em the wuss they'll be. Mark my words, best let 'em alone." -</p> -<p> -"I'll hold my hand a bit and watch 'em," was the reply; "but I've always -been cap'n on my own ship, and I always will." -</p> -<p> -For the next twenty-four hours he retained his sovereignty undisputed, -but on Sunday morning, after breakfast, when he was at the wheel, and -the crew below, the mate, who had been forward, came aft with a strange -grin struggling for development at the corners of his mouth. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper, regarding him with some -disfavour. -</p> -<p> -"They're all down below with their red jerseys on," replied the mate, -still struggling, "and they're holding a sort o' consultation about the -lost lamb, an' the best way o' reaching 'is 'ard 'eart." -</p> -<p> -"Lost lamb!" repeated the skipper unconcernedly, but carefully avoiding -the other's eye. -</p> -<p> -"You're the lost lamb," said the mate, who always went straight to the -point. -</p> -<p> -"I won't have it," said the skipper excitably. "How dare they go on in -this way? Go and send 'em up directly." -</p> -<p> -The mate, whistling cheerily, complied, and the four men, neatly attired -in scarlet, came on deck. -</p> -<p> -"Now, what's all this nonsense about?" demanded the incensed man. "What -do you want?" -</p> -<p> -"We want your pore sinful soul," said Dick with ecstasy. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, an' we'll have it," said Joe, with deep conviction. -</p> -<p> -"So we will," said the other two, closing their eyes and smiling -rapturously; "so we will." -</p> -<p> -The skipper, alarmed, despite himself, at their confidence, turned a -startled face to the mate. -</p> -<p> -"If you could see it now," continued Dick impressively, "you'd be -frightened at it. If you could—" -</p> -<p> -"Get to your own end of the ship," spluttered the indignant skipper. -"Get, before I kick you there!" -</p> -<p> -"Better let Sam have a try," said one of the other men, calmly ignoring -the fury of the master; "his efforts have been wonderfully blessed. Come -here, Sam." -</p> -<p> -"There's a time for everything" said Sam cautiously. "Let's go for'ard -and do what we can for him among ourselves." -</p> -<p> -They moved off reluctantly, Dick throwing such affectionate glances at -the skipper over his shoulders that he nearly choked with rage. -</p> -<p> -"I won't have it!" he said fiercely; "I'll knock it out of 'em." -</p> -<p> -"You can't," said the mate. "You can't knock sailor men about nowadays. -The only thing you can do is to get rid of 'em." -</p> -<p> -"I don't want to do that," was the growling reply. "They've been with me -a long time, and they're all good men. Why don't they have a go at you, -I wonder?" -</p> -<p> -"ME?" said the mate, in indignant surprise. "Why, I'm a Seventh Day -Baptist! They don't want to waste their time over me. I'm all right." -</p> -<p> -"You're a pretty Seventh Day Baptist, you are!" replied the skipper. -"Fust I've heard of it." -</p> -<p> -"You don't understand about such things," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"It must be a very easy religion," continued the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"I don't make a show of it, if that's what you mean," rejoined the other -warmly. "I'm one o' them as believe in 'iding my light under a bushel." -</p> -<p> -"A pint pot'ud do easy," sneered the skipper. "It's more in your line, -too." -</p> -<p> -"Anyway, the men reckernise it," said the mate loftily. "They don't go -an' sit in their red jerseys an' hold mothers' meetings over me." -</p> -<p> -"I'll knock their blessed heads off!" growled the skipper. "I'll learn -'em to insult me!" -</p> -<p> -"It's all for your own good," said the other. "They mean it kindly. -Well, I wish 'em luck." -</p> -<p> -With these hardy words he retired, leaving a seething volcano to pace -the deck, and think over ways and means of once more reducing his crew -to what he considered a fit and proper state of obedience and respect. -</p> -<p> -The climax was reached at tea-time, when an anonymous hand was thrust -beneath the skylight, and a full-bodied tract fluttered wildly down and -upset his tea. -</p> -<p> -"That's the last straw!" he roared, fishing out the tract and throwing -it on the floor. "I'll read them chaps a lesson they won't forget in a -hurry, and put a little money in my pocket at the same time. I've got a -little plan in my 'ed as come to me quite sudden this afternoon. Come on -deck, Bob." -</p> -<p> -Bob obeyed, grinning, and the skipper, taking the wheel from Sam, sent -him for the others. -</p> -<p> -"Did you ever know me break my word, Dick?" he inquired abruptly, as -they shuffled up. -</p> -<p> -"Never," said Dick. -</p> -<p> -"Cap'n Bowers' word is better than another man's oath," asseverated Joe. -</p> -<p> -"Well," said Captain Bowers, with a wink at the mate, "I'm going to give -you chaps a little self-denial week all to yourselves. If you all live -on biscuit and water till we get to port, and don't touch nothing else, -I'll jine you and become a Salvationist." -</p> -<p> -"Biscuit and water," said Dick doubtfully, scratching a beard strong -enough to scratch back. -</p> -<p> -"It wouldn't be right to play with our constitooshuns in that way, sir," -objected Joe, shaking his head. -</p> -<p> -"There you are," said Bowers, turning to the mate with a wave of his -hand. "They're precious anxious about me so long as it's confined to -jawing, and dropping tracts into my tea, but when it comes to a little -hardship on their part, see how they back out of it." -</p> -<p> -"We ain't backing out of it," said Dick cautiously; "but s'pose we do, -how are we to be certain as you'll jine us?" -</p> -<p> -"You 've got my word for it," said the other, "an' the mate an' cook -witness it." -</p> -<p> -"O' course, you jine the Army for good, sir," said Dick, still -doubtfully. -</p> -<p> -"O' course." -</p> -<p> -"Then it's a bargain, sir," said Dick, beaming; "ain't it, chaps?" -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," said the others, but not beaming quite so much. "Oh, what a -joyful day this is!" said the old man. "A Salvation crew an' a Salvation -cap'n! We'll have the cook next, bad as he is." -</p> -<p> -"You'll have biskit an' water," said the cook icily, as they moved off, -"an' nothing else, I'll take care." -</p> -<p> -"They must be uncommon fond o' me," said the skipper meditatively. -</p> -<p> -"Uncommon fond o' having their own way," growled the mate. "Nice thing -you've let yourself in for." -</p> -<p> -"I know what I 'm about," was the confident reply. -</p> -<p> -"You ain't going to let them idiots fast for a week an' then break your -word?" said the mate in surprise. -</p> -<p> -"Certainly not," said the other wrathfully; "I'd sooner jine three -armies than do that, and you know it." -</p> -<p> -"They'll keep to the grub, don't you fear," said the mate. "I can't -understand how you are going to manage it." -</p> -<p> -"That's where the brains come in," retorted the skipper, somewhat -arrogantly. -</p> -<p> -"Fust time I've heard of 'em," murmured the mate softly; "but I s'pose -you've been using pint pots too." -</p> -<p> -The skipper glared at him scornfully, but, being unprovided with a -retort, forbore to reply, and going below again mixed himself a stiff -glass of grog, and drank success to his scheme. -</p> -<p> -Three days passed, and the men stood firm, and, realising that they were -slowly undermining the skipper's convictions, made no effort to carry -him by direct assault. The mate made no attempt to conceal his opinion -of his superior's peril, and in gloomy terms strove to put the full -horror of his position before him. -</p> -<p> -"What your missis'll say the first time she sees you prancing up an' -down the road tapping a tambourine, I can't think," said he. -</p> -<p> -"I shan't have no tambourine," said Captain Bowers cheerfully. -</p> -<p> -"It'll also be your painful dooty to stand outside your father-in-law's -pub and try and persuade customers not to go in," continued Bob. "Nice -thing that for a quiet family!" -</p> -<p> -The skipper smiled knowingly, and, rolling a cigar in his mouth, leaned -back in his seat and cocked his eye at the skylight. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you worry, my lad," said he; "don't you worry. I'm in this job, -an' I'm coming out on top. When men forget what's due to their betters, -and preach to 'em, they've got to be taught what's what. If the wind -keeps fair we ought to be home by Sunday night or Monday morning." -</p> -<p> -The other nodded. -</p> -<p> -"Now, you keep your eyes open," said the skipper; and, going to his -state-room, he returned with three bottles of rum and a corkscrew, all -of which, with an air of great mystery, he placed on the table, and then -smiled at the mate. The mate smiled too. -</p> -<p> -"What's this?" inquired the skipper, drawing the cork, and holding a -bottle under the other's nose. -</p> -<p> -"It smells like rum," said the mate, glancing round, possibly for a -glass. -</p> -<p> -"It's for the men," said the skipper, "but you may take a drop." -</p> -<p> -The mate, taking down a glass, helped himself liberally, and, having -made sure of it, sympathetically, but politely, expressed his firm -opinion that the men would not touch it under any conditions whatever. -</p> -<p> -"You don't quite understand how firm they are," said he; "you think it's -just a new fad with 'em, but it ain't." -</p> -<p> -"They'll drink it," said the skipper, taking up two of the bottles. -"Bring the other on deck for me." -</p> -<p> -The mate complied, wonderingly, and, laden with prime old Jamaica, -ascended the steps. -</p> -<p> -"What's this?" inquired the skipper, crossing over to Dick, and holding -out a bottle. -</p> -<p> -"Pison, sir," said Dick promptly. -</p> -<p> -"Have a drop," said the skipper jovially. -</p> -<p> -"Not for twenty pounds," said the old man, with a look of horror. -</p> -<p> -"Not for two million pounds," said Sam, with financial precision. -</p> -<p> -"Will anybody have a drop?" asked the owner, waving the bottle to and -fro. -</p> -<p> -As he spoke a grimy paw shot out from behind him, and, before he quite -realised the situation, the cook had accepted the invitation, and was -hurriedly making the most of it. -</p> -<p> -"Not you," growled the skipper, snatching the bottle from him; "I didn't -mean you. Well, my lads, if you won't have it neat you shall have it -watered." -</p> -<p> -Before anybody could guess his intention he walked to the water-cask, -and, removing the cover, poured in the rum. In the midst of a profound -silence he emptied the three bottles, and then, with a triumphant smile, -turned and confronted his astonished crew. -</p> -<p> -"What's in that cask, Dick?" he asked quietly. -</p> -<p> -"Rum and water," groaned Dick; "but that ain't fair play, sir. We've -kep' to our part o' the agreement, sir, an' you ought to ha' kep' to -yours." -</p> -<p> -"So I have," was the quick reply; "so I have, an' I still keep to it. -Don't you see this, my lads; when you start playing antics with me -you're playing a fool's game, an' you're bound to come a cropper. Some -men would ha' waited longer afore they spiled their game, but I think -you've suffered enough. Now there's a lump of beef and some taters on, -an' you'd better go and make a good square meal, an' next time you -want to alter the religion of people as knows better than you do, think -twice." -</p> -<p> -"We don't want no beef, sir; biskit'll do for us," said Dick firmly. -</p> -<p> -"All right, please yourselves," said the skipper; "but mind, no -hanky-panky, no coming for drink when my back's turned; this cask'll be -watched; but if you do alter your mind about the beef you can tell the -cook to get it for you any time you like." -</p> -<p> -He threw the bottles overboard, and, ignoring the groaning and -head-shaking of the men, walked away, listening with avidity to -the respectful tributes to his genius tendered by the mate and -cook—flattery so delicate and so genuine withal that he opened another -bottle. -</p> -<p> -"There's just one thing," said the mate presently; "won't the rum affect -the cooking a good deal?" -</p> -<p> -"I never thought o' that," admitted the skipper; "still, we musn't -expect to have everything our own way." -</p> -<p> -"No, no," said the mate blankly, admiring the other's choice of -pronouns. -</p> -<p> -Up to Friday afternoon the skipper went about with a smile of kindly -satisfaction on his face; but in the evening it weakened somewhat, and -by Saturday morning it had vanished altogether, and was replaced by -an expression of blank amazement and anxiety, for the crew shunned the -water cask as though it were poison, without appearing to suffer the -slightest inconvenience. A visible air of proprietorship appeared on -their faces whenever they looked at the skipper, and the now frightened -man inveighed fiercely to the mate against the improper methods of -conversion patronised by some religious bodies, and the aggravating -obstinacy of some of their followers. -</p> -<p> -"It's wonderful what enthusiasm'll do for a man," said Bob reflectively; -"I knew a man once—" -</p> -<p> -"I don't want none o' your lies," interposed the other rudely. -</p> -<p> -"An' I don't want your blamed rum and water, if it comes to that," said -the mate, firing up. "When a man's tea is made with rum, an' his beef is -biled in it, he begins to wonder whether he's shipped with a seaman or -a—a—" -</p> -<p> -"A what?" shouted the skipper. "Say it!" -</p> -<p> -"I can't think o' nothing foolish enough," was the frank reply. "It's -all right for you, becos it's the last licker as you'll be allowed to -taste, but it's rough on me and the cook." -</p> -<p> -"Damn you an' the cook," said the skipper, and went on deck to see -whether the men's tongues were hanging out. -</p> -<p> -By Sunday morning he was frantic; the men were hale and well enough, -though, perhaps, a trifle thin, and he began to believe with the cook -that the age of miracles had not yet passed. -</p> -<p> -It was a broiling hot day, and, to add to his discomfort, the mate, -who was consumed by a raging thirst, lay panting in the shade of the -mainsail, exchanging condolences of a most offensive nature with the -cook every time he looked his way. -</p> -<p> -All the morning he grumbled incessantly, until at length, warned by an -offensive smell of rum that dinner was on the table, he got up and went -below. -</p> -<p> -At the foot of the ladder he paused abruptly, for the skipper was -leaning back in his seat, gazing in a fascinated manner at some object -on the table. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter?" inquired the mate in alarm. -</p> -<p> -The other, who did not appear to hear the question, made no answer, but -continued to stare in a most extraordinary fashion at a bottle which -graced the centre of the table. -</p> -<p> -"What is it?" inquired the mate, not venturing to trust his eyes. -"WATER? Where did it come from?" -</p> -<p> -"Cook!" roared the skipper, turning a bloodshot eye on that worthy, as -his pallid face showed behind the mate, "what's this? If you say it's -water I'll kill you." -</p> -<p> -"I don't know what it is, sir," said the cook cautiously; "but Dick sent -it to you with his best respects, and I was to say as there's plenty -more where that came from. He's a nasty, under'anded, deceitful old man, -is Dick, sir, an' it seems he laid in a stock o' water in bottles an' -the like afore you doctored the cask, an' the men have had it locked up -in their chests ever since." -</p> -<p> -"Dick's a very clever old man," remarked the mate, pouring himself out a -glass, and drinking it with infinite relish, "ain't he, cap'n? It'll be -a privilege to jine anything that man's connected with, won't it?" -</p> -<p> -He paused for a reply, but none came, for the cap'n, with dim eyes, was -staring blankly into a future so lonely and uncongenial that he had -lost the power of speech—even of that which, at other crises, had -never failed to afford him relief. The mate gazed at him curiously for a -moment, and then, imitating the example of the cook, quitted the cabin. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - IN MID-ATLANTIC -</h2> -<p> -"No, sir," said the night-watchman, as he took a seat on a post at the -end of the jetty, and stowed a huge piece of tobacco in his cheek. "No, -man an' boy, I was at sea forty years afore I took on this job, but I -can't say as ever I saw a real, downright ghost." -</p> -<p> -This was disappointing, and I said so. Previous experience of the power -of Bill's vision had led me to expect something very different. -</p> -<p> -"Not but what I've known some queer things happen," said Bill, fixing -his eyes on the Surrey side, and going off into a kind of trance. "Queer -things." -</p> -<p> -I waited patiently; Bill's eyes, after resting for some time on Surrey, -began to slowly cross the river, paused midway in reasonable hopes of a -collision between a tug with its flotilla of barges and a penny steamer, -and then came back to me. -</p> -<p> -"You heard that yarn old Cap'n Harris was telling the other day about -the skipper he knew having a warning one night to alter his course, an' -doing so, picked up five live men and three dead skeletons in a open -boat?" he inquired. -</p> -<p> -I nodded. -</p> -<p> -"The yarn in various forms is an old one," said I. -</p> -<p> -"It's all founded on something I told him once," said Bill. "I don't -wish to accuse Cap'n Harris of taking another man's true story an' -spoiling it; he's got a bad memory, that's all. Fust of all, he forgets -he ever heard the yarn; secondly, he goes and spoils it." -</p> -<p> -I gave a sympathetic murmur. Harris was as truthful an old man as ever -breathed, but his tales were terribly restricted by this circumstance, -whereas Bill's were limited by nothing but his own imagination. -</p> -<p> -"It was about fifteen years ago now," began Bill, getting the quid into -a bye-way of his cheek, where it would not impede his utterance "I was -A. B. on the Swallow, a barque, trading wherever we could pick up stuff. -On this v'y'ge we was bound from London to Jamaica with a general cargo. -</p> -<p> -"The start of that v'y'ge was excellent. We was towed out of the St. -Katherine's Docks here, to the Nore, an' the tug left us to a stiff -breeze, which fairly raced us down Channel and out into the Atlantic. -Everybody was saying what a fine v'y'ge we was having, an' what quick -time we should make, an' the fust mate was in such a lovely temper that -you might do anything with him a'most. -</p> -<p> -"We was about ten days out, an' still slipping along in this spanking -way, when all of a sudden things changed. I was at the wheel with the -second mate one night, when the skipper, whose name was Brown, came up -from below in a uneasy sort o' fashion, and stood looking at us for some -time without speaking. Then at last he sort o' makes up his mind, and -ses he— -</p> -<p> -"'Mr. McMillan, I've just had a most remarkable experience, an' I don't -know what to do about it.' -</p> -<p> -"'Yes, sir?' ses Mr. McMillan. -</p> -<p> -"'Three times I 've been woke up this night by something shouting in -my ear, "Steer nor'-nor'-west!"' ses the cap'n very solemnly, '"Steer -nor'-nor'-west!"' that's all it says. The first time I thought it was -somebody got into my cabin skylarking, and I laid for 'em with a stick -but I've heard it three times, an' there's nothing there.' -</p> -<p> -"'It's a supernatural warning,' ses the second mate, who had a great -uncle once who had the second sight, and was the most unpopular man of -his family, because he always knew what to expect, and laid his plans -according. -</p> -<p> -"'That's what I think,' ses the cap'n. 'There's some poor shipwrecked -fellow creatures in distress." -</p> -<p> -"'It's a verra grave responsebeelity,' ses Mr. McMillan 'I should just -ca' up the fairst mate.' -</p> -<p> -"'Bill,' ses the cap'n, 'just go down below, and tell Mr. Salmon I 'd -like a few words with him partikler.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, I went down below, and called up the first mate, and as soon as -I'd explained to him what he was wanted for, he went right off into a -fit of outrageous bad language, an' hit me. He came right up on deck in -his pants an' socks. A most disrespekful way to come to the cap'n, but -he was that hot and excited he didn't care what he did. -</p> -<p> -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses the cap'n gravely, 'I've just had a most solemn -warning, and I want to—' -</p> -<p> -"'I know,' says the mate gruffly. -</p> -<p> -"'What! have you heard it too?' ses the cap'n, in surprise. 'Three -times?' "I heard it from him,' ses the mate, pointing to me. 'Nightmare, -sir, nightmare.' -</p> -<p> -"'It was not nightmare, sir,' ses the cap'n, very huffy, 'an if I hear -it again, I 'm going to alter this ship's course.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, the fust mate was in a hole. He wanted to call the skipper -something which he knew wasn't discipline. I knew what it was, an' I -knew if the mate didn't do something he'd be ill, he was that sort of -man, everything flew to his head. He walked away, and put his head -over the side for a bit, an' at last, when he came back, he was, -comparatively speaking, calm. -</p> -<p> -"'You mustn't hear them words again, sir,' ses he; 'don't go to sleep -again to-night. Stay up, an' we'll have a hand o' cards, and in the -morning you take a good stiff dose o' rhoobarb. Don't spoil one o' the -best trips we've ever had for the sake of a pennyworth of rhoobarb,' ses -he, pleading-like. -</p> -<p> -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses the cap'n, very angry, 'I shall not fly in the face -o' Providence in any such way. I shall sleep as usual, an' as for your -rhoobarb,' ses the cap'n, working hisself up into a passion—'damme, -sir, I'll—I'll dose the whole crew with it, from first mate to -cabin-boy, if I have any impertinence.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, Mr. Salmon, who was getting very mad, stalks down below, followed -by the cap'n, an' Mr. McMillan was that excited that he even started -talking to me about it. Half-an-hour arterwards the cap'n comes running -up on deck again. -</p> -<p> -"'Mr. McMillan,' ses he excitedly, 'steer nor'-nor'-west until further -orders. I've heard it again, an' this time it nearly split the drum of -my ear.' -</p> -<p> -"The ship's course was altered, an' after the old man was satisfied he -went back to bed again, an' almost directly arter eight bells went, an' -I was relieved. I wasn't on deck when the fust mate come up, but those -that were said he took it very calm. He didn't say a word. He just sat -down on the poop, and blew his cheeks out. -</p> -<p> -"As soon as ever it was daylight the skipper was on deck with his -glasses. He sent men up to the masthead to keep a good look-out, an' he -was dancing about like a cat on hot bricks all the morning. -</p> -<p> -"'How long are we to go on this course, sir?' asks Mr. Salmon, about ten -o'clock in the morning. -</p> -<p> -"'I've not made up my mind, sir,' ses the cap'n, very stately; but I -could see he was looking a trifle foolish. -</p> -<p> -"At twelve o'clock in the day, the fust mate got a cough, and every time -he coughed it seemed to act upon the skipper, and make him madder and -madder. Now that it was broad daylight, Mr. McMillan didn't seem to -be so creepy as the night before, an' I could see the cap'n was only -waiting for the slightest excuse to get into our proper course again. -</p> -<p> -"'That's a nasty, bad cough o' yours, Mr. Salmon,' ses he, eyeing the -mate very hard. -</p> -<p> -"'Yes, a nasty, irritating sort o' cough, sir,' ses the other; 'it -worries me a great deal. It's this going up nor'ards what's sticking in -my throat,' ses he. -</p> -<p> -"The cap'n give a gulp, and walked off, but he comes back in a minute, -and ses he— -</p> -<p> -"'Mr. Salmon, I should think it a great pity to lose a valuable officer -like yourself, even to do good to others. There's a hard ring about -that cough I don't like, an' if you really think it's going up this bit -north, why, I don't mind putting the ship in her course again.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, the mate thanked him kindly, and he was just about to give the -orders when one o' the men who was at the masthead suddenly shouts out— -</p> -<p> -"'Ahoy! Small boat on the port bow!' -</p> -<p> -"The cap'n started as if he'd been shot, and ran up the rigging with his -glasses. He came down again almost direckly, and his face was all in a -glow with pleasure and excitement. -</p> -<p> -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses he, 'here's a small boat with a lug sail in the -middle o' the Atlantic, with one pore man lying in the bottom of her. -What do you think o' my warning now?' -</p> -<p> -"The mate didn't say anything at first, but he took the glasses and -had a look, an' when he came back anyone could see his opinion of the -skipper had gone up miles and miles. -</p> -<p> -"'It's a wonderful thing, sir,' ses he, 'and one I'll remember all my -life. It's evident that you've been picked out as a instrument to do -this good work.' -</p> -<p> -"I'd never heard the fust mate talk like that afore, 'cept once when he -fell overboard, when he was full, and stuck in the Thames mud. He -said it was Providence; though, as it was low water, according to the -tide-table, I couldn't see what Providence had to do with it myself. -He was as excited as anybody, and took the wheel himself, and put the -ship's head for the boat, and as she came closer, our boat was slung -out, and me and the second mate and three other men dropped into her, -an' pulled so as to meet the other. -</p> -<p> -"'Never mind the boat; we don't want to be bothered with her,' shouts -out the cap'n as we pulled away—'Save the man!' -</p> -<p> -"I'll say this for Mr. McMillan, he steered that boat beautifully, and -we ran alongside o' the other as clever as possible. Two of us shipped -our oars, and gripped her tight, and then we saw that she was just an -ordinary boat, partly decked in, with the head and shoulders of a man -showing in the opening, fast asleep, and snoring like thunder. -</p> -<p> -"'Puir chap,' ses Mr. McMillan, standing up. 'Look how wasted he is.' -</p> -<p> -"He laid hold o' the man by the neck of his coat an' his belt, an', -being a very powerful man, dragged him up and swung him into our boat, -which was bobbing up and down, and grating against the side of the -other. We let go then, an' the man we'd rescued opened his eyes as Mr. -McMillan tumbled over one of the thwarts with him, and, letting off a -roar like a bull, tried to jump back into his boat. -</p> -<p> -"'Hold him!' shouted the second mate. 'Hold him tight! He's mad, puir -feller.' -</p> -<p> -"By the way that man fought and yelled, we thought the mate was right, -too. He was a short, stiff chap, hard as iron, and he bit and kicked and -swore for all he was worth, until at last we tripped him up and tumbled -him into the bottom of the boat, and held him there with his head -hanging back over a thwart. -</p> -<p> -"'It's all right, my puir feller,' ses the second mate; 'ye're in good -hands—ye're saved.' -</p> -<p> -"'Damme!' ses the man; 'what's your little game? Where's my boat—eh? -Where's my boat?' -</p> -<p> -"He wriggled a bit, and got his head up, and, when he saw it bowling -along two or three hundred yards away, his temper got the better of him, -and he swore that if Mr. McMillan didn't row after it he'd knife him. -</p> -<p> -"'We can't bother about the boat,' ses the mate; 'we've had enough -bother to rescue you.' -</p> -<p> -"'Who the devil wanted you to rescue me?' bellowed the man. 'I'll make -you pay for this, you miserable swabs. If there's any law in Amurrica, -you shall have it!' -</p> -<p> -"By this time we had got to the ship, which had shortened sail, and the -cap'n was standing by the side, looking down upon the stranger with a -big, kind smile which nearly sent him crazy. -</p> -<p> -"'Welcome aboard, my pore feller,' ses he, holding out his hand as the -chap got up the side. -</p> -<p> -"'Are you the author of this outrage?' ses the man fiercely. "'I don't -understand you,' ses the cap'n, very dignified, and drawing himself up. -</p> -<p> -"'Did you send your chaps to sneak me out o' my boat while I was having -forty winks?' roars the other. 'Damme! that's English, ain't it?' -</p> -<p> -"'Surely,' ses the cap'n, 'surely you didn't wish to be left to perish -in that little craft. I had a supernatural warning to steer this course -on purpose to pick you up, and this is your gratitude.' -</p> -<p> -"'Look here!' ses the other. 'My name's Cap'n Naskett, and I'm doing -a record trip from New York to Liverpool in the smallest boat that has -ever crossed the Atlantic, an' you go an' bust everything with your -cussed officiousness. If you think I'm going to be kidnapped just to -fulfil your beastly warnings, you've made a mistake. I'll have the law -on you, that's what I'll do. Kidnapping's a punishable offence.' -</p> -<p> -"'What did you come here for, then?' ses the cap'n. -</p> -<p> -"'Come!' howls Cap'n Naskett. 'Come! A feller sneaks up alongside o' me -with a boat-load of street-sweepings dressed as sailors, and snaps me up -while I'm asleep, and you ask me what I come for. Look here. You clap on -all sail and catch that boat o' mine, and put me back, and I'll call it -quits. If you don't, I'll bring a law-suit agin you, and make you the -laughing-stock of two continents into the bargain.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, to make the best of a bad bargain, the cap'n sailed after the -cussed little boat, and Mr. Salmon, who thought more than enough time -had been lost already, fell foul o' Cap'n Naskett. They was both pretty -talkers, and the way they went on was a education for every sailorman -afloat. Every man aboard got as near as they durst to listen to them; -but I must say Cap'n Naskett had the best of it. He was a sarkastik -man, and pretended to think the ship was fitted out just to pick up -shipwrecked people, an' he also pretended to think we was castaways what -had been saved by it. He said o' course anybody could see at a glance we -wasn't sailormen, an' he supposed Mr. Salmon was a butcher what had been -carried out to sea while paddling at Margate to strengthen his ankles. -He said a lot more of this sort of thing, and all this time we was -chasing his miserable little boat, an' he was admiring the way she -sailed, while the fust mate was answering his reflexshuns, an' I'm -sure that not even our skipper was more pleased than Mr. Salmon when -we caught it at last, and shoved him back. He was ungrateful up to -the last, an', just before leaving the ship, actually went up to Cap'n -Brown, and advised him to shut his eyes an' turn round three times and -catch what he could. -</p> -<p> -"I never saw the skipper so upset afore, but I heard him tell Mr. -McMillan that night that if he ever went out of his way again after a -craft, it would only be to run it down. Most people keep pretty quiet -about supernatural things that happen to them, but he was about the -quietest I ever heard of, an', what's more, he made everyone else keep -quiet about it, too. Even when he had to steer nor'-nor'-west arter -that in the way o' business he didn't like it, an' he was about the -most cruelly disappointed man you ever saw when he heard afterwards that -Cap'n Naskett got safe to Liverpool." -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - AFTER THE INQUEST -</h2> -<p> -It was a still fair evening in late summer in the parish of Wapping. The -hands had long since left, and the night watchman having abandoned his -trust in favour of a neighbouring bar, the wharf was deserted. -</p> -<p> -An elderly seaman came to the gate and paused irresolute, then, seeing -all was quiet, stole cautiously on to the jetty, and stood for some -time gazing curiously down on to the deck of the billy-boy PSYCHE lying -alongside. -</p> -<p> -With the exception of the mate, who, since the lamented disappearance -of its late master and owner, was acting as captain, the deck was as -deserted as the wharf. He was smoking an evening pipe in all the pride -of a first command, his eye roving fondly from the blunt bows and untidy -deck of his craft to her clumsy stern, when a slight cough from the man -above attracted his attention. -</p> -<p> -"How do, George?" said the man on the jetty, somewhat sheepishly, as the -other looked up. -</p> -<p> -The mate opened his mouth, and his pipe fell from it and smashed to -pieces unnoticed. -</p> -<p> -"Got much stuff in her this trip?" continued the man, with an obvious -attempt to appear at ease. -</p> -<p> -"The mate, still looking up, backed slowly to the other side of the -deck, but made no reply. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter, man?" said the other testily. "You don't seem -overpleased to see me." -</p> -<p> -He leaned over as he spoke, and, laying hold of the rigging, descended -to the deck, while the mate took his breath in short, exhilarating -gasps. -</p> -<p> -"Here I am, George," said the intruder, "turned up like a bad penny, an' -glad to see your handsome face again, I can tell you." -</p> -<p> -In response to this flattering remark George gurgled. -</p> -<p> -"Why," said the other, with an uneasy laugh, "did you think I was dead, -George? Ha, ha! Feel that!" -</p> -<p> -He fetched the horrified man a thump in the back, which stopped even his -gurgles. -</p> -<p> -"That feel like a dead man?" asked the smiter, raising his hand again. -"Feel"— -</p> -<p> -The mate moved back hastily. "That'll do," said he fiercely; "ghost or -no ghost, don't you hit me like that again." -</p> -<p> -"A' right, George," said the other, as he meditatively felt the stiff -grey whiskers which framed his red face. "What's the news?" -</p> -<p> -"The news," said George, who was of slow habits and speech, "is that you -was found last Tuesday week off St. Katherine's Stairs, you was sat on -a Friday week at the Town o' Ramsgate public-house, and buried on Monday -afternoon at Lowestoft." -</p> -<p> -"Buried?" gasped the other, "sat on? You've been drinking, George." -</p> -<p> -"An' a pretty penny your funeral cost, I can tell you," continued the -mate. "There's a headstone being made now—'Lived lamented and died -respected,' I think it is, with 'Not lost, but gone before,' at the -bottom." -</p> -<p> -"Lived respected and died lamented, you mean," growled the old man; -"well, a nice muddle you have made of it between you. Things always go -wrong when I'm not here to look after them." -</p> -<p> -"You ain't dead, then?" said the mate, taking no notice of this -unreasonable remark, "Where've you been all this long time?" -</p> -<p> -"No more than you're master o' this 'ere ship," replied Mr. Harbolt -grimly. "I—I've been a bit queer in the stomach, an' I took a little -drink to correct it. Foolish like, I took the wrong drink, and it must -have got into my head." -</p> -<p> -"That's the worst of not being used to it," said the mate, without -moving a muscle. -</p> -<p> -The skipper eyed him solemnly, but the mate stood firm. -</p> -<p> -"Arter that," continued the skipper, still watching him suspiciously, -"I remember no more distinctly until this morning, when I found myself -sitting on a step down Poplar way and shiverin', with the morning -newspaper and a crowd round me." -</p> -<p> -"Morning newspaper!" repeated the mystified mate. "What was that for?" -</p> -<p> -"Decency. I was wrapped up in it," replied the skipper. "Where I came -from or how I got there I don't know more than Adam. I s'pose I must -have been ill; I seem to remember taking something out of a bottle -pretty often. Some old gentleman in the crowd took me into a shop and -bought me these clothes, an' here I am. My own clo'es and thirty pounds -o' freight money I had in my pocket is all gone." -</p> -<p> -"Well, I'm hearty glad to see you back," said the mate. "It's quite a -home-coming for you, too. Your missis is down aft." -</p> -<p> -"My missis? What the devil's she aboard for?" growled the skipper, -successfully controlling his natural gratification at the news. -</p> -<p> -"She's been with us these last two trips," replied the mate. "She's had -business to settle in London, and she's been going through your lockers -to clear up, like." -</p> -<p> -"My lockers!" groaned the skipper. "Good heavens! there's things in them -lockers I wouldn't have her see for the world; women are so fussy an' so -fond o' making something out o' nothing. There's a pore female touched -a bit in the upper storey, what's been writing love letters to me, -George." -</p> -<p> -"Three pore females," said the precise mate; "the missis has got all -the letters tied up with blue ribbon. Very far gone they was, too, poor -creeters." -</p> -<p> -"George," said the skipper in a broken voice, "I'm a ruined man. I'll -never hear the end o' this. I guess I'll go an' sleep for'ard this -voyage, and lie low. Be keerful you don't let on I'm aboard, an' after -she's home I'll take the ship again, and let the thing leak out gradual. -Come to life bit by bit, so to speak. It wouldn't do to scare her, -George, an' in the meantime I'll try an' think o' some explanation to -tell her. You might be thinking too." -</p> -<p> -"I'll do what I can," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Crack me up to the old girl all you can; tell her I used to write to -all sorts o' people when I got a drop of drink in me; say how thoughtful -I always was of her. You might tell her about that gold locket I bought -for her an' got robbed of." -</p> -<p> -"Gold locket?" said the mate in tones of great surprise. "What gold -locket? Fust I've heard of it." -</p> -<p> -"Any gold locket," said the skipper irritably; "anything you can think -of; you needn't be pertikler. Arter that you can drop little hints about -people being buried in mistake for others, so as to prepare her a bit—I -don't want to scare her." -</p> -<p> -"Leave it to me," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I'll go an' turn in now, I'm dead tired," said the skipper. "I s'pose -Joe and the boy's asleep?" -</p> -<p> -George nodded, and meditatively watched the other as he pushed back -the fore-scuttle and drew it after him as he descended. Then a thought -struck the mate, and he ran hastily forward and threw his weight on the -scuttle just in time to frustrate the efforts of Joe and the boy, who -were coming on deck to tell him a new ghost story. The confusion below -was frightful, the skipper's cry of "It's only me, Joe," not possessing -the soothing effect which he intended. They calmed down at length, after -their visitor had convinced them that he really was flesh and blood -and fists, and the boy's attention being directed to a small rug in -the corner of the foc's'le, the skipper took his bunk and was soon fast -asleep. -</p> -<p> -He slept so soundly that the noise of the vessel getting under way -failed to rouse him, and she was well out in the open river when he -awoke, and after cautiously protruding his head through the scuttle, -ventured on deck. For some time he stood eagerly sniffing the cool, -sweet air, and then, after a look round, gingerly approached the mate, -who was at the helm. -</p> -<p> -"Give me a hold on her," said he. -</p> -<p> -"You had better get below again, if you don't want the missis to see -you," said the mate. "She's gettin' up—nasty temper she's in too." -</p> -<p> -The skipper went forward grumbling. "Send down a good breakfast, -George," said he. -</p> -<p> -To his great discomfort the mate suddenly gave a low whistle, and -regarded him with a look of blank dismay. -</p> -<p> -"Good gracious!" he cried, "I forgot all about it. Here's a pretty -kettle of fish—well, well." -</p> -<p> -"Forgot about what?" asked the skipper uneasily. -</p> -<p> -"The crew take their meals in the cabin now," replied the mate, "'cos -the missis says it's more cheerful for 'em, and she's l'arning 'em to -eat their wittles properly." -</p> -<p> -The skipper looked at him aghast. "You'll have to smuggle me up some -grub," he said at length. "I'm not going to starve for nobody." -</p> -<p> -"Easier said than done," said the mate. "The missis has got eyes like -needles; still, I'll do the best I can for you. Look out! Here she -comes." -</p> -<p> -The skipper fled hastily, and, safe down below, explained to the crew -how they were to secrete portions of their breakfast for his benefit. -The amount of explanation required for so simple a matter was -remarkable, the crew manifesting a denseness which irritated him almost -beyond endurance. They promised, however, to do the best they could for -him, and returned in triumph after a hearty meal, and presented their -enraged commander with a few greasy crumbs and the tail of a bloater. -</p> -<p> -For the next two days the wind was against them, and they made but -little progress. Mrs. Harbolt spent most of her time on deck, thereby -confining her husband to his evil-smelling quarters below. Matters were -not improved for him by his treatment of the crew, who, resenting -his rough treatment of them, were doing their best to starve him into -civility. Most of the time he kept in his bunk—or rather Jemmy's -bunk—a prey to despondency and hunger of an acute type, venturing on -deck only at night to prowl uneasily about and bemoan his condition. -</p> -<p> -On the third night Mrs. Harbolt was later in retiring than usual, and it -was nearly midnight before the skipper, who had been indignantly waiting -for her to go, was able to get on deck and hold counsel with the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I've done what I could for you," said the latter, fishing a crust from -his pocket, which Harbolt took thankfully. "I've told her all the yarns -I could think of about people turning up after they was buried and the -like." -</p> -<p> -"What'd she say?" queried the skipper eagerly, between his bites. -</p> -<p> -"Told me not to talk like that," said the mate; "said it showed a want -o' trust in Providence to hint at such things. Then I told her what you -asked me about the locket, only I made it a bracelet worth ten pounds." -</p> -<p> -"That pleased her?" suggested the other hopefully. -</p> -<p> -The mate shook his head. "She said I was a born fool to believe you'd -been robbed of it," he replied. "She said what you'd done was to give it -to one o' them pore females. She's been going on frightful about it all -the afternoon—won't talk o' nothing else." -</p> -<p> -"I don't know what's to be done," groaned the skipper despondently. "I -shall be dead afore we get to port this wind holds. Go down and get me -something to eat George; I'm starving." -</p> -<p> -"Everything's locked up, as I told you afore," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"As the master of this ship," said the skipper, drawing himself up, -"I order you to go down and get me something to eat. You can tell the -missus it's for you if she says anything." -</p> -<p> -"I'm hanged if I will," said the mate sturdily. "Why don't you go down -and have it out with her like a man? She can't eat you." -</p> -<p> -"I'm not going to," said the other shortly. "I'm a determined man, and -when I say a thing I mean it. It's going to be broken to her gradual, as -I said; I don't want her to be scared, poor thing." -</p> -<p> -"I know who'd be scared the most," murmured the mate. -</p> -<p> -The skipper looked at him fiercely, and then sat down wearily on the -hatches with his hands between his knees, rising, after a time, to get -the dipper and drink copiously from the water-cask. Then, replacing it -with a sigh, he bade the mate a surly good-night and went below. -</p> -<p> -To his dismay he found when he awoke in the morning that what little -wind there was had dropped in the night, and the billy-boy was just -rising and falling lazily on the water in a fashion most objectionable -to an empty stomach. It was the last straw, and he made things so -uncomfortable below that the crew were glad to escape on deck, where -they squatted down in the bows, and proceeded to review a situation -which was rapidly becoming unbearable. -</p> -<p> -"I've 'ad enough of it, Joe," grumbled the boy. "I'm sore all over with -sleeping on the floor, and the old man's temper gets wuss and wuss. I'm -going to be ill." -</p> -<p> -"Whaffor?" queried Joe dully. -</p> -<p> -"You tell the missus I'm down below ill. Say you think I'm dying," -responded the infant Machiavelli, "then you'll see somethink if you keep -your eyes open." -</p> -<p> -He went below again, not without a little nervousness, and, clambering -into Joe's bunk, rolled over on his back and gave a deep groan. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter with YOU!" growled the skipper, who was lying in the -other bunk staving off the pangs of hunger with a pipe. -</p> -<p> -"I'm very ill—dying," said Jemmy, with another groan. -</p> -<p> -"You'd better stay in bed and have your breakfast brought down here, -then," said the skipper kindly. -</p> -<p> -"I don't want no breakfast," said Jem faintly. -</p> -<p> -"That's no reason why you shouldn't have it sent down, you unfeeling -little brute," said the skipper indignantly. "You tell Joe to bring you -down a great plate o' cold meat and pickles, and some coffee; that's -what you want." -</p> -<p> -"All right, sir," said Jemmy. "I hope they won't let the missus come -down here, in case it's something catching. I wouldn't like her to be -took bad." -</p> -<p> -"Eh?" said the skipper, in alarm. "Certainly not. Here, you go up and -die on deck. Hurry up with you." -</p> -<p> -"I can't; I'm too weak," said Jemmy. -</p> -<p> -"You get up on deck at once; d'ye hear me?" hissed the skipper, in -alarm. -</p> -<p> -"I c-c-c-can't help it," sobbed Jemmy, who was enjoying the situation -amazingly. "I b'lieve it's sleeping on the hard floor's snapped -something inside me." -</p> -<p> -"If you don't go I'll take you," said the skipper, and he was about -to rise to put his threat into execution when a shadow fell across -the opening, and a voice, which thrilled him to the core, said softly, -"Jemmy!" -</p> -<p> -"Yes 'm?" said Jemmy languidly, as the skipper flattened himself in his -bunk and drew the clothes over him. -</p> -<p> -"How do you feel?" inquired Mrs. Harbolt. -</p> -<p> -"Bad all over," said Jemmy. "Oh, don't come down, mum—please don't." -</p> -<p> -"Rubbish!" said Mrs. Harbolt tartly, as she came slowly and carefully -down backwards. "What a dark hole this is, Jemmy. No wonder you're ill. -Put your tongue out." -</p> -<p> -Jemmy complied. -</p> -<p> -"I can't see properly here," murmured the lady, "but it looks very -large. S'pose you go in the other bunk, Jemmy. It's a good bit higher -than this, and you'd get more air and be more comfortable altogether." -</p> -<p> -"Joe wouldn't like it, mum," said the boy anxiously. The last glimpse -he had had of the skipper's face did not make him yearn to share his bed -with him. -</p> -<p> -"Stuff an' nonsense!" said Mrs. Harbolt hotly. "Who's Joe, I'd like to -know? Out you come." -</p> -<p> -"I can't move, mum," said Jemmy firmly. -</p> -<p> -"Nonsense!" said the lady. "I'll just put it straight for you first, -then in it you go." -</p> -<p> -"No, don't, mum," shouted Jemmy, now thoroughly alarmed at the success -of his plot. "There, there's a gentleman in that bunk. A gentleman we -brought from London for a change of sea air." -</p> -<p> -"My goodness gracious!" ejaculated the surprised Mrs. Harbolt. "I never -did. Why, what's he had to eat?" -</p> -<p> -"He—he—didn't want nothing to eat," said Jemmy, with a woeful -disregard for facts. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter with him?" inquired Mrs. Harbolt, eyeing the bunk -curiously. "What's his name? Who is he?" -</p> -<p> -"He's been lost a long time," said Jemmy, "and he's forgotten who he -is—he's a oldish man with a red face an' a little white whisker all -round it—a very nice-looking man, I mean," he interposed hurriedly. "I -don't think he's quite right in his head, 'cos he says he ought to have -been buried instead of someone else. Oh!" -</p> -<p> -The last word was almost a scream, for Mrs. Harbolt, staggering back, -pinched him convulsively. -</p> -<p> -"Jemmy!" she gasped, in a trembling voice, as she suddenly remembered -certain mysterious hints thrown out by the mate. "Who is it?" -</p> -<p> -"The CAPTAIN!" said Jemmy, and, breaking from her clasp, slipped from -his bed and darted hastily on deck, just as the pallid face of his -commander broke through the blankets and beamed anxiously on his wife. -</p> -<pre> - * * * * * * * * -</pre> -<p> -Five minutes later, as the crew gathered aft were curiously eyeing -the foc's'le, Mrs. Harbolt and the skipper came on deck. To the great -astonishment of the mate, the eyes of the redoubtable woman were -slightly wet, and, regardless of the presence of the men, she clung -fondly to her husband as they walked slowly to the cabin. Ere they -went below, however, she called the grinning Jemmy to her, and, to his -private grief and public shame, tucked his head under her arm and kissed -him fondly. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - IN LIMEHOUSE REACH -</h2> -<p> -It was the mate's affair all through. He began by leaving the end of -a line dangling over the stern, and the propeller, though quite -unaccustomed to that sort of work, wound it up until only a few fathoms -remained. It then stopped, and the mischief was not discovered until -the skipper had called the engineer everything that he and the mate and -three men and a boy could think of. The skipper did the interpreting -through the tube which afforded the sole means of communication between -the wheel and the engine-room, and the indignant engineer did the -listening. -</p> -<p> -The Gem was just off Limehouse at the time, and it was evident she was -going to stay there. The skipper ran her ashore and made her fast to a -roomy old schooner which was lying alongside a wharf. He was then able -to give a little attention to the real offender, and the unfortunate -mate, who had been the most inventive of them all, realised to the -full the old saying of curses coming home to roost. They brought some -strangers with them, too. -</p> -<p> -"I'm going ashore," said the skipper at last. "We won't get off till -next tide now. When it's low water you'll have to get down and cut the -line away. A new line too! I'm ashamed o' you, Harry." -</p> -<p> -"I'm not surprised," said the engineer, who was a vindictive man. -</p> -<p> -"What do you mean by that?" demanded the mate fiercely. -</p> -<p> -"We don't want any of your bad temper," interposed the skipper severely. -"NOR bad language. The men can go ashore, and the engineer too, provided -he keeps steam up. But be ready for a start about five. You'll have to -mind the ship." -</p> -<p> -He looked over the stern again, shook his head sadly, and, after a visit -to the cabin, clambered over the schooner's side and got ashore. The -men, after looking at the propeller and shaking their heads, went ashore -too, and the boy, after looking at the propeller and getting ready to -shake his, caught the mate's eye and omitted that part of the ceremony, -from a sudden conviction that it was unhealthy. -</p> -<p> -Left alone, the mate, who was of a sensitive disposition, after a curt -nod to Captain Jansell of the schooner Aquila, who had heard of the -disaster, and was disposed to be sympathetically inquisitive, lit his -pipe and began moodily to smoke. -</p> -<p> -When he next looked up the old man had disappeared, and a girl in a -print dress and a large straw hat sat in a wicker chair reading. She was -such a pretty girl that the mate forgot his troubles at once, and, after -carefully putting his cap on straight, strolled casually up and down the -deck. -</p> -<p> -To his mortification, the girl seemed unaware of his presence, and read -steadily, occasionally looking up and chirping with a pair of ravishing -lips at a blackbird, which hung in a wicker cage from the mainmast. -</p> -<p> -"That's a nice bird," said the mate, leaning against the side, and -turning a look of great admiration upon it. -</p> -<p> -"Yes," said the girl, raising a pair of dark blue eyes to the bold brown -ones, and taking him in at a glance. -</p> -<p> -"Does it sing?" inquired the mate, with a show of great interest. -</p> -<p> -"It does sometimes, when we are alone," was the reply. -</p> -<p> -"I should have thought the sea air would have affected its throat," said -the mate, reddening. "Are you often in the London river, miss? I don't -remember seeing your craft before." -</p> -<p> -"Not often," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"You've got a fine schooner here," said the mate, eyeing it critically. -"For my part, I prefer a sailer to a steamer." -</p> -<p> -"I should think you would," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"Why?" inquired the mate tenderly, pleased at this show of interest. -</p> -<p> -"No propeller," said the girl quietly, and she left her seat and -disappeared below, leaving the mate gasping painfully. -</p> -<p> -Left to himself, he became melancholy, as he realised that the great -passion of his life had commenced, and would probably end within a few -hours. The engineer came aboard to look at the fires, and, the steamer -being now on the soft mud, good-naturedly went down and assisted him -to free the propeller before going ashore again. Then he was alone once -more, gazing ruefully at the bare deck of the Aquila. -</p> -<p> -It was past two o'clock in the afternoon before any signs of life other -than the blackbird appeared there. Then the girl came on deck again, -accompanied by a stout woman of middle age, and an appearance so affable -that the mate commenced at once. -</p> -<p> -"Fine day," he said pleasantly, as he brought up in front of them. -</p> -<p> -"Lovely weather," said the mother, settling herself in her chair and -putting down her work ready for a chat. "I hope the wind lasts; we start -to-morrow morning's tide. You'll get off this afternoon, I s'pose." -</p> -<p> -"About five o'clock," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I should like to try a steamer for a change," said the mother, and -waxed garrulous on sailing craft generally, and her own in particular. -</p> -<p> -"There's five of us down there, with my husband and the two boys," said -she, indicating the cabin with her thumb; "naturally it gets rather -stuffy." -</p> -<p> -The mate sighed. He was thinking that under some conditions there were -worse things than stuffy cabins. -</p> -<p> -"And Nancy's so discontented," said the mother, looking at the girl who -was reading quietly by her side. "She doesn't like ships or sailors. She -gets her head turned reading those penny novelettes." -</p> -<p> -"You look after your own head," said Nancy elegantly, without looking -up. -</p> -<p> -"Girls in those novels don't talk to their mothers like that," said the -elder woman severely. -</p> -<p> -"They have different sorts of mothers," said Nancy, serenely turning -over a page. "I hate little pokey ships and sailors smelling of tar. I -never saw a sailor I liked yet." -</p> -<p> -The mate's face fell. "There's sailors and sailors," he suggested -humbly. -</p> -<p> -"It's no good talking to her," said the mother, with a look of fat -resignation on her face, "we can only let her go her own way; if you -talked to her twenty-four hours right off it wouldn't do her any good." -</p> -<p> -"I'd like to try," said the mate, plucking up spirit. -</p> -<p> -"Would you?" said the girl, for the first time raising her head and -looking him full in the face. "Impudence!" -</p> -<p> -"Perhaps you haven't seen many ships," said the impressionable mate, his -eyes devouring her face. "Would you like to come and have a look at our -cabin?" -</p> -<p> -"No, thanks!" said the girl sharply. Then she smiled maliciously. "I -daresay mother would, though; she's fond of poking her nose into other -people's business." -</p> -<p> -The mother regarded her irreverent offspring fixedly for a few moments. -The mate interposed. -</p> -<p> -"I should be very pleased to show you over, ma'am," he said politely. -</p> -<p> -The mother hesitated; then she rose, and accepting the mate's -assistance, clambered on to the side of the steamer, and, supported by -his arms, sprang to the deck and followed him below. -</p> -<p> -"Very nice," she said, nodding approvingly, as the mate did the honours. -"Very nice." -</p> -<p> -"It's nice and roomy for a little craft like ours," said the mate, as he -drew a stone bottle from a locker and poured out a couple of glasses of -stout. "Try a little beer, ma'am." -</p> -<p> -"What you must think o' that girl o' mine I can't think," murmured the -lady, taking a modest draught. -</p> -<p> -"The young," said the mate, who had not quite reached his twenty-fifth -year, "are often like that." -</p> -<p> -"It spoils her," said her mother. "She's a good-looking girl, too, in -her way." -</p> -<p> -"I don't see how she can help being that," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Oh, get away with you," said the lady pleasantly. "She'll get fat like -me as she gets older." -</p> -<p> -"She couldn't do better," said the mate tenderly. -</p> -<p> -"Nonsense," said the lady, smiling. -</p> -<p> -"You're as like as two peas," persisted the mate. "I made sure you were -sisters when I saw you first." -</p> -<p> -"You ain't the first that's thought that," said the other, laughing -softly; "not by a lot." -</p> -<p> -"I like to see ladies about," said the mate, who was trying desperately -for a return invitation. "I wish you could always sit there. You quite -brighten the cabin up." -</p> -<p> -"You're a flatterer," said his visitor, as he replenished her glass, and -showed so little signs of making a move that the mate, making a pretext -of seeing the engineer, hurried up on deck to singe his wings once more. -</p> -<p> -"Still reading?" he said softly, as he came abreast of the girl. "All -about love, I s'pose." -</p> -<p> -"Have you left my mother down there all by herself?" inquired the girl -abruptly. -</p> -<p> -"Just a minute," said the mate, somewhat crestfallen. "I just came up to -see the engineer." -</p> -<p> -"Well, he isn't here," was the discouraging reply. -</p> -<p> -The mate waited a minute or two, the girl still reading quietly, and -then walked back to the cabin. The sound of gentle regular breathing -reached his ears, and, stepping softly, he saw to his joy that his -visitor slept. -</p> -<p> -"She's asleep," said he, going back, "and she looks so comfortable I -don't think I'll wake her." -</p> -<p> -"I shouldn't advise you to," said the girl; "she always wakes up cross." -</p> -<p> -"How strange we should run up against each other like this," said the -mate sentimentally; "it looks like Providence, doesn't it?" -</p> -<p> -"Looks like carelessness," said the girl. -</p> -<p> -"I don't care," replied the mate. "I'm glad I did let that line go -overboard. Best day's work I ever did. I shouldn't have seen you if I -hadn't." -</p> -<p> -"And I don't suppose you'll ever see me again," said the girl -comfortably, "so I don't see what good you've done yourself." -</p> -<p> -"I shall run down to Limehouse every time we're in port, anyway," said -the mate; "it'll be odd if I don't see you sometimes. I daresay our -craft'll pass each other sometimes. Perhaps in the night," he added -gloomily. -</p> -<p> -"I shall sit up all night watching for you," declared Miss Jansell -untruthfully. -</p> -<p> -In this cheerful fashion the conversation proceeded, the girl, who was -by no means insensible to his bright eager face and well-knit figure, -dividing her time in the ratio of three parts to her book and one to -him. Time passed all too soon for the mate, when they were interrupted -by a series of hoarse unintelligible roars proceeding from the -schooner's cabin. -</p> -<p> -"That's father," said Miss Jansell, rising with a celerity which spoke -well for the discipline maintained on the Aquila; "he wants me to mend -his waistcoat for him." -</p> -<p> -She put down her book and left, the mate watching her until she -disappeared down the companion-way. Then he sat down and waited. -</p> -<p> -One by one the crew returned to the steamer, but the schooner's deck -showed no signs of life. Then the skipper came, and, having peered -critically over his vessel's side, gave orders to get under way. -</p> -<p> -"If she'd only come up," said the miserable mate to himself, "I'd risk -it, and ask whether I might write to her." -</p> -<p> -This chance of imperilling a promising career did not occur, however; -the steamer slowly edged away from the schooner, and, picking her way -between a tier of lighters, steamed slowly into clearer water. -</p> -<p> -"Full speed ahead!" roared the skipper down the tube. The engineer -responded, and the mate gazed in a melancholy fashion at the water as -it rapidly widened between the two vessels. Then his face brightened up -suddenly as the girl ran up on deck and waved her hand. Hardly able to -believe his eyes, he waved his back. The girl gesticulated violently, -now pointing to the steamer, and then to the schooner. -</p> -<p> -"By Jove, that girl's taken a fancy to you," said the skipper. "She -wants you to go back." -</p> -<p> -The mate sighed. "Seems like it," he said modestly. -</p> -<p> -To his astonishment the girl was now joined by her men folk, who -also waved hearty farewells, and, throwing their arms about, shouted -incoherently. -</p> -<p> -"Blamed if they haven't all took a fancy to you," said the puzzled -skipper; "the old man's got the speaking-trumpet now. What does he say?" -</p> -<p> -"Something about life, I think," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"They're more like jumping-jacks than anything else," said the skipper. -"Just look at 'em." -</p> -<p> -The mate looked, and, as the distance increased, sprang on to the side, -and, his eyes dim with emotion, waved tender farewells. If it had -not been for the presence of the skipper—a tremendous stickler for -decorum—he would have kissed his hand. -</p> -<p> -It was not until Gravesend was passed, and the side-lights of the -shipping were trying to show in the gathering dusk, that he awoke from -his tender apathy. It is probable that it would have lasted longer than -that but for a sudden wail of anguish and terror which proceeded from -the cabin and rang out on the still warm air. -</p> -<p> -"Sakes alive!" said the skipper, starting; "what's that?" -</p> -<p> -Before the mate could reply, the companion was pushed back, and a -middle-aged woman, labouring under strong excitement, appeared on deck. -</p> -<p> -"You villain!" she screamed excitably, rushing up to the mate. "Take me -back; take me back!" -</p> -<p> -"What's all this, Harry?" demanded the skipper sternly. -</p> -<p> -"He—he—he—asked me to go into the cab—cabin," sobbed Mrs. Jansell, -"and sent me to sleep, and too—too—took me away. My husband'll kill -me; I know he will. Take me back." -</p> -<p> -"What do you want to be took back to be killed for?" interposed one of -the men judicially. -</p> -<p> -"I might ha' known what he meant when he said I brightened the cabin -up," said Mrs. Jansell; "and when he said he thought me and my daughter -were sisters. He said he'd like me to sit there always, the wretch!" -</p> -<p> -"Did you say that?" inquired the skipper fiercely. -</p> -<p> -"Well, I did," said the miserable mate; "but I didn't mean her to take -it that way. She went to sleep, and I forgot all about her." -</p> -<p> -"What did you say such silly lies for, then?" demanded the skipper. -</p> -<p> -The mate hung his head. -</p> -<p> -"Old enough to be your mother too," said the skipper severely. "Here's a -nice thing to happen aboard my ship, and afore the boy too!" -</p> -<p> -"Blast the boy!" said the goaded mate. -</p> -<p> -"Take me back," wailed Mrs. Jansell; "you don't know how jealous my -husband is." -</p> -<p> -"He won't hurt you," said the skipper kindly "he won't be jealous of a -woman your time o' life; that is, not if he's got any sense. You'll have -to go as far as Boston with us now. I've lost too much time already to -go back." -</p> -<p> -"You must take me back," said Mrs. Jansell passionately. -</p> -<p> -"I'm not going back for anybody," said the skipper. "But you can make -your mind quite easy: you're as safe aboard my ship as what you would be -alone on a raft in the middle of the Atlantic; and as for the mate, he -was only chaffing you. Wasn't you, Harry?" -</p> -<p> -The mate made some reply, but neither Mrs. Jansell, the skipper, nor -the men, who were all listening eagerly, caught it, and his unfortunate -victim, accepting the inevitable, walked to the side of the ship and -gazed disconsolately astern. -</p> -<p> -It was not until the following morning that the mate, who had received -orders to mess for'ard, saw her, and ignoring the fact that everybody -suspended work to listen, walked up and bade her good morning. -</p> -<p> -"Harry," said the skipper warningly. -</p> -<p> -"All right," said the mate shortly. "I want to speak to you very -particularly," he said nervously, and led his listener aft, followed -by three of the crew who came to clean the brasswork, and who listened -mutinously when they were ordered to defer unwonted industry to a more -fitting time. The deck clear, the mate began, and in a long rambling -statement, which Mrs. Jansell at first thought the ravings of lunacy, -acquainted her with the real state of his feelings. -</p> -<p> -"I never did!" said she, when he had finished. "Never! Why, you hadn't -seen her before yesterday." -</p> -<p> -"Of course I shall take you back by train," said the mate, "and tell -your husband how sorry I am." -</p> -<p> -"I might have suspected something when you said all those nice things to -me," said the mollified lady. "Well, you must take your chance, like -all the rest of them. She can only say 'No,' again. It'll explain this -affair better, that's one thing; but I expect they'll laugh at you." -</p> -<p> -"I don't care," said the mate stoutly. "You're on my side, ain't you?" -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Jansell laughed, and the mate, having succeeded beyond his hopes -in the establishment of amicable relations, went about his duties with a -light heart. -</p> -<p> -By the time they reached Boston the morning was far advanced, and after -the Gem was comfortably berthed he obtained permission of the skipper -to accompany the fair passenger to London, beguiling the long railway -journey by every means in his power. Despite his efforts, however, the -journey began to pall upon his companion, and it was not until evening -was well advanced that they found themselves in the narrow streets of -Limehouse. -</p> -<p> -"We'll see how the land lies first," said he, as they approached the -wharf and made their way cautiously on to the quay. -</p> -<p> -The Aquila was still alongside, and the mate's heart thumped violently -as he saw the cause of all the trouble sitting alone on the deck. She -rose with a little start as her mother stepped carefully aboard, and, -running to her, kissed her affectionately, and sat her down on the -hatches. -</p> -<p> -"Poor mother," she said caressingly. "What did you bring that lunatic -back with you for?" -</p> -<p> -"He would come," said Mrs. Jansell. "Hush! here comes your father." -</p> -<p> -The master of the Aquila came on deck as she spoke, and walking slowly -up to the group, stood sternly regarding them. Under his gaze the mate -breathlessly reeled off his tale, noticing with somewhat mixed feelings -the widening grin of his listener as he proceeded. -</p> -<p> -"Well, you're a lively sort o' man," said the skipper as he finished. -"In one day you tie up your own ship, run off with my wife, and lose us -a tide. Are you always like that?" -</p> -<p> -"I want somebody to look after me, I s'pose," said the mate, with a side -glance at Nancy. -</p> -<p> -"Well, we'd put you up for the night," said the skipper, with his arm -round his wife's shoulders; "but you're such a chap. I'm afraid you'd -burn the ship down, or something. What do you think, old girl?" -</p> -<p> -"I think we'll try him this once," said his wife. "And now I'll go down -and see about supper; I want it." -</p> -<p> -The old couple went below, and the young one remained on deck. Nancy -went and leaned against the side; and as she appeared to have quite -forgotten his presence, the mate, after some hesitation, joined her. -</p> -<p> -"Hadn't you better go down and get some supper?" she asked. -</p> -<p> -"I'd sooner stay here, if yon don't mind," said the mate. "I like -watching the lights going up and down; I could stay here for hours." -</p> -<p> -"I'll leave you, then," said the girl; "I'm hungry." -</p> -<p> -She tripped lightly off with a smothered laugh, leaving the -fairly-trapped man gazing indignantly at the lights which had lured him -to destruction. -</p> -<p> -From below he heard the cheerful clatter of crockery, accompanied by a -savoury incense, and talk and laughter. He imagined the girl making fun -of his sentimental reasons for staying on deck; but, too proud to meet -her ironical glances, stayed doggedly where he was, resolving to be off -by the first train in the morning. He was roused from his gloom by a -slight touch on his arm, and, turning sharply, saw the girl by his side. -</p> -<p> -"Supper's quite ready," said she soberly. "And if you want to admire the -lights very much, come up and see them when I do—after supper." -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT -</h2> -<p> -I have always had a slight suspicion that the following narrative is -not quite true. It was related to me by an old seaman who, among other -incidents of a somewhat adventurous career, claimed to have received -Napoleon's sword at the battle of Trafalgar, and a wound in the back at -Waterloo. I prefer to tell it in my own way, his being so garnished with -nautical terms and expletives as to be half unintelligible and somewhat -horrifying. Our talk had been of love and courtship, and after making -me a present of several tips, invented by himself, and considered -invaluable by his friends, he related this story of the courtship of a -chum of his as illustrating the great lengths to which young bloods were -prepared to go in his days to attain their ends. -</p> -<p> -It was a fine clear day in June when Hezekiah Lewis, captain and part -owner of the schooner Thames, bound from London to Aberdeen, anchored -off the little out-of-the-way town of Orford in Suffolk. Among other -antiquities, the town possessed Hezekiah's widowed mother, and when -there was no very great hurry—the world went slower in those days—the -dutiful son used to go ashore in the ship's boat, and after a filial tap -at his mother's window, which often startled the old woman considerably, -pass on his way to see a young lady to whom he had already proposed five -times without effect. -</p> -<p> -The mate and crew of the schooner, seven all told, drew up in a little -knot as the skipper, in his shore-going clothes, appeared on deck, and -regarded him with an air of grinning, mysterious interest. -</p> -<p> -"Now you all know what you have got to do?" queried the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," replied the crew, grinning still more deeply. -</p> -<p> -Hezekiah regarded them closely, and then ordering the boat to be -lowered, scrambled over the side, and was pulled swiftly towards the -shore. -</p> -<p> -A sharp scream, and a breathless "Lawk-a-mussy me!" as he tapped at his -mother's window, assured him that the old lady was alive and well, and -he continued on his way until he brought up at a small but pretty house -in the next road. -</p> -<p> -"Morning, Mr. Rumbolt," said he heartily to a stout, red-faced man, who -sat smoking in the doorway. -</p> -<p> -"Morning, cap'n, morning," said the red-faced man. -</p> -<p> -"Is the rheumatism any better?" inquired Hezekiah anxiously, as he -grasped the other's huge hand. -</p> -<p> -"So, so," said the other. "But it ain't the rheumatism so much what -troubles me," he resumed, lowering his voice, and looking round -cautiously. "It's Kate." -</p> -<p> -"What?" said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"You've heard of a man being henpecked?" continued Mr. Rumbolt, in tones -of husky confidence. -</p> -<p> -The captain nodded. -</p> -<p> -"I'm CHICK-PECKED" murmured the other. -</p> -<p> -"What?" inquired the astonished mariner again. -</p> -<p> -"Chick-pecked," repeated Mr. Rumbolt firmly. "CHIK-PEKED. D'ye -understand me?" -</p> -<p> -The captain said that he did, and stood silent awhile, with the air of -a man who wants to say something, but is half afraid to. At last, with a -desperate appearance of resolution, he bent down to the old man's ear. -</p> -<p> -"That's the deaf 'un," said Mr. Rumbolt promptly. -</p> -<p> -Hezekiah changed ears, speaking at first slowly and awkwardly, but -becoming more fluent as he warmed with his subject; while the expression -of his listener's face gradually changed from incredulous bewilderment -to one of uncontrollable mirth. He became so uproarious that he was fain -to push the captain away from him, and lean back in his chair and choke -and laugh until he nearly lost his breath, at which crisis a remarkably -pretty girl appeared from the back of the house, and patted him with -hearty good will. -</p> -<p> -"That'll do, my dear," said the choking Mr. Rumbolt. "Here's Captain -Lewis." -</p> -<p> -"I can see him," said his daughter calmly. "What's he standing on one -leg for?" -</p> -<p> -The skipper, who really was standing in a somewhat constrained attitude, -coloured violently, and planted both feet firmly on the ground. -</p> -<p> -"Being as I was passing close in, Miss Rumbolt," said he, "and coming -ashore to see mother"— -</p> -<p> -To the captain's discomfort, manifestations of a further attack on the -part of Mr. Rumbolt appeared, but were promptly quelled by the daughter. -</p> -<p> -"Mother?" she repeated encouragingly, -</p> -<p> -"I thought I'd come on and ask you just to pay a sort o' flying visit -to the Thames." "Thank you, I'm comfortable enough where I am," said the -girl. -</p> -<p> -"I've got a couple of monkeys and a bear aboard, which I 'm taking to a -menagerie in Aberdeen," continued the captain, "and the thought struck -me you might possibly like to see 'em." "Well, I don't know," said the -damsel in a flutter. "Is it a big bear?" -</p> -<p> -"Have you ever seen an elephant?" inquired Hezekiah cautiously. -</p> -<p> -"Only in pictures," replied the girl. -</p> -<p> -"Well, it's as big as that, nearly," said he. -</p> -<p> -The temptation was irresistible, and Miss Rumbolt, telling her father -that she should not be long, disappeared into the house in search of -her hat and jacket, and ten minutes later the brawny rowers were gazing -their fill into her deep blue eyes as she sat in the stern of the boat, -and told Lewis to behave himself. -</p> -<p> -It was but a short pull out to the schooner, and Miss Rumbolt was soon -on the deck, lavishing endearments on the monkey, and energetically -prodding the bear with a handspike to make him growl. The noise of the -offended animal as he strove to get through the bars of his cage was -terrific, and the girl was in the full enjoyment of it, when she became -aware of a louder noise still, and, turning round, saw the seamen at the -windlass. -</p> -<p> -"Why, what are they doing?" she demanded, "getting up anchor?" -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy, there!" shouted Hezekiah sternly. "What are you doing with that -windlass?" -</p> -<p> -As he spoke, the anchor peeped over the edge of the bows, and one of the -seamen running past them took the helm. -</p> -<p> -"Now then," shouted the fellow, "stand by. Look lively there with them -sails." -</p> -<p> -Obeying a light touch of the helm, the schooner's bow-sprit slowly swung -round from the land, and the crew, hauling lustily on the ropes, began -to hoist the sails. -</p> -<p> -"What the devil are you up to?" thundered the skipper. "Have you all -gone mad? What does it all mean?" -</p> -<p> -"It means," said one of the seamen, whose fat, amiable face was marred -by a fearful scowl, "that we've got a new skipper." -</p> -<p> -"Good heavens, a mutiny!" exclaimed the skipper, starting -melodramatically against the cage, and starting hastily away again. -"Where's the mate?" -</p> -<p> -"He's with us," said another seaman, brandishing his sheath knife, and -scowling fearfully. "He's our new captain." -</p> -<p> -In confirmation of this the mate now appeared from below with an axe in -his hand, and, approaching his captain, roughly ordered him below. -</p> -<p> -"I'll defend this lady with my life," cried Hezekiah, taking the -handspike from Kate, and raising it above his head. -</p> -<p> -"Nobody'll hurt a hair of her beautiful head," said the mate, with a -tender smile. -</p> -<p> -"Then I yield," said the skipper, drawing himself up, and delivering the -handspike with the air of a defeated admiral tendering his sword. -</p> -<p> -"Good," said the mate briefly, as one of the men took it. -</p> -<p> -"What!" demanded Miss Rumbolt excitedly, "aren't you going to fight -them? Here, give me the handspike." -</p> -<p> -Before the mate could interfere, the sailor, with thoughtless obedience, -handed it over, and Miss Rumbolt at once tried to knock him over the -head. Being thwarted in this design by the man taking flight, she lost -her temper entirely, and bore down like a hurricane on the remaining -members of the crew who were just approaching. -</p> -<p> -They scattered at once, and ran up the rigging like cats, and for a few -moments the girl held the deck; then the mate crept up behind her, and -with the air of a man whose job exactly suited him, clasped her tightly -round the waist, while one of the seamen disarmed her. -</p> -<p> -"You must both go below till we've settled what to do with you," said -the mate, reluctantly releasing her. -</p> -<p> -With a wistful glance at the handspike, the girl walked to the cabin, -followed slowly by the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"This is a bad business," said the latter, shaking his head solemnly, as -the indignant Miss Rumbolt seated herself. -</p> -<p> -"Don't talk to me, you coward!" said the girl energetically. -</p> -<p> -The skipper started. -</p> -<p> -"<i>I</i> made three of 'em run," said Miss Rumbolt, "and you did nothing. -You just stood still, and let them take the ship. I'm ashamed of you." -</p> -<p> -The skipper's defence was interrupted by a hoarse voice shouting to them -to come on deck, where they found the mutinous crew gathered aft round -the mate. The girl cast a look at the shore, which was now dim and -indistinct, and turned somewhat pale as the serious nature of her -position forced itself upon her. -</p> -<p> -"Lewis," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Well," growled the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"This ship's going in the lace and brandy trade, and if so be as you're -sensible you can go with it as mate, d'ye hear?" -</p> -<p> -"An' s'pose I do; what about the lady?" inquired the captain. -</p> -<p> -"You and the lady'll have to get spliced," said the mate sternly. "Then -there'll be no tales told. A Scotch marriage is as good as any, and -we'll just lay off and put you ashore, and you can get tied up as right -as ninepence." -</p> -<p> -"Marry a coward like that?" demanded Miss Rumbolt, with spirit; "not if -I know it. Why, I'd sooner marry that old man at the helm." -</p> -<p> -"Old Bill's got three wives a'ready to my sartin knowledge," spoke up -one of the sailors. "The lady's got to marry Cap'n Lewis, so don't let's -have no fuss about it." -</p> -<p> -"I won't," said the lady, stamping violently. -</p> -<p> -The mutineers appeared to be in a dilemma, and, following the example of -the mate, scratched their heads thoughtfully. -</p> -<p> -"We thought you liked him," said the mate, at last, feebly. -</p> -<p> -"You had no business to think," said Miss Rumbolt. "You are bad men, -and you'll all be hung, every one of you; I shall come and see it." "The -cap'n's welcome to her for me," murmured the helmsman in a husky whisper -to the man next to him. "The vixen!" -</p> -<p> -"Very good," said the mate. "If you won't, you won't. This end of the -ship'll belong to you after eight o'clock of a night. Lewis, you must go -for'ard with the men." -</p> -<p> -"And what are you going to do with me after?" inquired the fair -prisoner. -</p> -<p> -The seven men shrugged their shoulders helplessly, and Hezekiah, looking -depressed, lit his pipe, and went and leaned over the side. -</p> -<p> -The day passed quietly. The orders were given by the mate, and Hezekiah -lounged moodily about, a prisoner at large. At eight o'clock Miss -Rumbolt was given the key of the state-room, and the men who were not in -the watch went below. -</p> -<p> -The morning broke fine and clear with a light breeze, which, towards -mid-day, dropped entirely, and the schooner lay rocking lazily on a sea -of glassy smoothness. The sun beat fiercely down, bringing the fresh -paint on the taffrail up in blisters, and sorely trying the tempers of -the men who were doing odd jobs on deck. -</p> -<p> -The cabin, where the two victims of a mutinous crew had retired for -coolness, got more and more stuffy, until at length even the scorching -deck seemed preferable, and the girl, with a faint hope of finding a -shady corner, went languidly up the companion-ladder. -</p> -<p> -For some time the skipper sat alone, pondering gloomily over the state -of affairs as he smoked his short pipe. He was aroused at length from -his apathy by the sound of the companion being noisily closed, while -loud frightened cries and hurrying footsteps on deck announced that -something extraordinary was happening. As he rose to his feet he was -confronted by Kate Rumbolt, who, panting and excited, waved a big key -before him. -</p> -<p> -"I've done it," she cried, her eyes sparkling. -</p> -<p> -"Done what?" shouted the mystified skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Let the bear loose," said the girl. "Ha, ha! you should have seen them -run. You should have seen the fat sailor!" -</p> -<p> -"Let the—phew—let the— Good heavens! here's a pretty kettle of fish!" -he choked. -</p> -<p> -"Listen to them shouting," cried the exultant Kate, clapping her hands. -"Just listen." -</p> -<p> -"Those shouts are from aloft," said Hezekiah sternly, "where you and I -ought to be." -</p> -<p> -"I've closed the companion," said the girl reassuringly. -</p> -<p> -"Closed the companion!" repeated Hezekiah, as he drew his knife. "He can -smash it like cardboard, if the fit takes him. Go in here." -</p> -<p> -He opened the door of his state-room. -</p> -<p> -"Shan't!" said Miss Rumbolt politely. -</p> -<p> -"Go in at once!" cried the skipper. "Quick with you." -</p> -<p> -"Sha—" began Miss Rumbolt again. Then she caught his eye, and went in -like a lamb. "You come too," she said prettily. -</p> -<p> -"I've got to look after my ship and my men," said the skipper. "I -suppose you thought the ship would steer itself, didn't you?" -</p> -<p> -"Mutineers deserve to be eaten," whimpered Miss Rumbolt piously, -somewhat taken aback by the skipper's demeanour. -</p> -<p> -Hezekiah looked at her. -</p> -<p> -"They're not mutineers, Kate," he said quietly. "It was just a piece -of mad folly of mine. They're as honest a set of old sea dogs as ever -breathed, and I only hope they are all safe up aloft. I'm going to lock -you in; but don't be frightened, it shan't hurt you." -</p> -<p> -He slammed the door on her protests, and locked it, and, slipping the -key of the cage in his pocket, took a firm grip of his knife, and, -running up the steps, gained the deck. Then his breath came more freely, -for the mate, who was standing a little way up the fore rigging, after -tempting the bear with his foot, had succeeded in dropping a noose over -its head. The brute made a furious attempt to extricate itself, but the -men hurried down with other lines, and in a short space of time the bear -presented much the same appearance as the lion in Aesop's Fables, and -was dragged and pushed, a heated and indignant mass of fur, back to its -cage. -</p> -<p> -Having locked up one prisoner the skipper went below and released the -other, who passed quickly from a somewhat hysterical condition to one -of such haughty disdain that the captain was thoroughly cowed, and stood -humbly aside to let her pass. -</p> -<p> -The fat seaman was standing in front of the cage as she reached it, and -regarding the bear with much satisfaction until Kate sidled up to him, -and begged him, as a personal favour, to go in the cage and undo it. -</p> -<p> -"Undo it! Why he'd kill me!" gasped the fat seaman, aghast at such -simplicity. -</p> -<p> -"I don't think he would," said his tormenter, with a bewitching smile; -"and I'll wear a lock of your hair all my life if you do. But you'd -better give it to me before you go in." -</p> -<p> -"I ain't going in," said the fat sailor shortly. -</p> -<p> -"Not for me?" queried Kate archly. -</p> -<p> -"Not for fifty like you," replied the old man firmly. "He nearly had me -when he was loose. I can't think how he got out." -</p> -<p> -"Why, I let him out," said Miss Rumbolt airily. "Just for a little run. -How would you like to be shut up all day?" -</p> -<p> -The sailor was just going to tell her with more fluency than politeness -when he was interrupted. "That'll do," said the skipper, who had come -behind them. "Go for'ard, you. There's been enough of this fooling; -the lady thought you had taken the ship. Thompson, I'll take the helm; -there's a little wind coming. Stand by there." -</p> -<p> -He walked aft and relieved the steersman, awkwardly conscious that the -men were becoming more and more interested in the situation, and also -that Kate could hear some of their remarks. As he pondered over the -subject, and tried to think of a way out of it, the cause of all the -trouble came and stood by him. -</p> -<p> -"Did my father know of this?" she inquired. -</p> -<p> -"I don't know that he did exactly," said the skipper uneasily. "I just -told him not to expect you back that night." -</p> -<p> -"And what did he say?" said she. -</p> -<p> -"Said he wouldn't sit up," said the skipper, grinning, despite himself. -</p> -<p> -Kate drew a breath the length of which boded no good to her parent, and -looked over the side. -</p> -<p> -"I was afraid of that traveller chap from Ipswich," said Hezekiah, -after a pause. "Your father told me he was hanging round you again, so I -thought I—well, I was a blamed fool anyway." -</p> -<p> -"See how ridiculous you have made me look before all these men," said -the girl angrily. -</p> -<p> -"They've been with me for years," said Hezekiah apologetically, "and the -mate said it was a magnificent idea. He quite raved about it, he did. -I wouldn't have done it with some crews, but we've had some dirty times -together, and they've stood by me well. But of course that's nothing to -do with you. It's been an adventure I'm very sorry for, very." -</p> -<p> -"A pretty safe adventure for YOU," said the girl scornfully. "YOU didn't -risk much. Look here, I like brave men. If you go in the cage and undo -that bear, I'll marry you. That's what <i>I</i> call an adventure." -</p> -<p> -"Smith," called the skipper quietly, "come and take the helm a bit." -</p> -<p> -The seaman obeyed, and Lewis, accompanied by the girl, walked forward. -</p> -<p> -At the bear's cage he stopped, and, fumbling in his pocket for the key, -steadily regarded the brute as it lay gnashing its teeth, and trying in -vain to bite the ropes which bound it. -</p> -<p> -"You're afraid," said the girl tauntingly; "you're quite white." -</p> -<p> -The captain made no reply, but eyed her so steadily that her gaze fell. -He drew the key from his pocket and inserted it in the huge lock, and -was just turning it, when a soft arm was drawn through his, and a soft -voice murmured sweetly in his ear, "Never mind about the old bear." -</p> -<p> -And he did not mind. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - THE COOK OF THE "GANNET" -</h2> -<p> -"All ready for sea, and no cook," said the mate of the schooner Gannet, -gloomily. "What's become of all the cooks I can't think." -</p> -<p> -"They most on 'em ship as mates now," said the skipper, grinning. "But -you needn't worry about that; I've got one coming aboard to-night. I'm -trying a new experiment, George." -</p> -<p> -"I once knew a chemist who tried one," said George, "an' it blew him out -of the winder; but I never heard o' shipmasters trying 'em." -</p> -<p> -"There's all kinds of experiments," rejoined the other, "What do you say -to a lady cook, George?" -</p> -<p> -"A WHAT?" asked the mate in tones of strong amazement. "What, aboard a -schooner?" -</p> -<p> -"Why not?" inquired the skipper warmly; "why not? There's plenty of 'em -ashore—why not aboard ship?" -</p> -<p> -"'Tain't proper, for one thing," said the mate virtuously. -</p> -<p> -"I shouldn't have expected you to have thought o' that," said the other -unkindly. "Besides, they have stewardesses on big ships, an' what's the -difference? She's a sort o' relation o' mine, too—cousin o' my wife's, -a widder woman, and a good sensible age, an' as the doctor told her to -take a sea voyage for the benefit of her 'elth, she's coming with me for -six months as cook. She'll take her meals with us; but, o' course, the -men are not to know of the relationship." -</p> -<p> -"What about sleeping accommodation?" inquired the mate, with the air of -a man putting a poser. -</p> -<p> -"I've thought o' that," replied the other; "it's all arranged." -</p> -<p> -The mate, with an uncompromising air, waited for information. -</p> -<p> -"She—she's to have your berth, George," continued the skipper, without -looking at him. "You can have that nice, large, airy locker." -</p> -<p> -"One what the biscuit and onions kep' in?" inquired George. -</p> -<p> -The skipper nodded. -</p> -<p> -"I think, if it's all the same to you," said the mate, with laboured -politeness, "I'll wait till the butter keg's empty, and crowd into -that." -</p> -<p> -"It's no use your making yourself unpleasant about it," said the -skipper, "not a bit. The arrangements are made now, and here she comes." -</p> -<p> -Following his gaze, the mate looked up as a stout, comely-looking woman -of middle age came along the jetty, followed by the watchman staggering -under a box of enormous proportions. -</p> -<p> -"Jim!" cried the lady. -</p> -<p> -"Halloa!" cried the skipper, starting uneasily at the title. "We've been -expecting you for some time." -</p> -<p> -"There's a row on with the cabman," said the lady calmly. "This silly -old man"—the watchman snorted fiercely—"let the box go through the -window getting it off the top, and the cabman wants ME to pay. He's out -there using language, and he keeps calling me grandma—I want you to -have him locked up." -</p> -<p> -"Come down below now," said the skipper; "we'll see about the cab. Mrs. -Blossom—my mate. George, go and send that cab away." -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Blossom, briefly acknowledging the introduction, followed the -skipper to the cabin, while the mate, growling under his breath, went -out to enter into a verbal contest in which he was from the first -hopelessly overmatched. -</p> -<p> -The new cook, being somewhat fatigued with her journey, withdrew at -an early hour, and the sun was well up when she appeared on deck next -morning. The wharves and warehouses of the night before had disappeared, -and the schooner, under a fine spread of canvas, was just passing -Tilbury. -</p> -<p> -"There's one thing I must put a stop to," said the skipper, as he and -the mate, after an admirably-cooked breakfast, stood together talking. -"The men seem to be hanging round that galley too much." -</p> -<p> -"What can you expect?" demanded the mate. "They've all got their Sunday -clothes on too, pretty dears." -</p> -<p> -"Hi, you Bill!" cried the skipper. "What are you doing there?" -</p> -<p> -"Lending cook a hand with the saucepans, sir," said Bill, an -oakum-bearded man of sixty. -</p> -<p> -"There ain't no call for 'im to come 'ere at all, sir," shouted another -seaman, putting his head out of the galley. "Me an' cook's lifting 'em -beautiful." -</p> -<p> -"Come out, both of you, or I'll start you with a rope!" roared the -irritated commander. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter?" inquired Mrs. Blossom. "They're not doing any -harm." -</p> -<p> -"I can't have 'em there," said the skipper gruffly. "They've got other -things to do." -</p> -<p> -"I must have some assistance with that boiler and the saucepans," said -Mrs. Blossom decidedly, "so don't you interfere with what don't concern -you, Jimmy." -</p> -<p> -"That's mutiny," whispered the horrified mate. "Sheer, rank mutiny." -</p> -<p> -"She don't know no better," whispered the other back. "Cook, you mustn't -talk like that to the cap'n—what me and the mate tell you you must do. -You don't understand yet, but it'll come easier by-and-bye." -</p> -<p> -"WILL it," demanded Mrs. Blossom loudly; "WILL it? I don't think it -will. How dare you talk to me like that, Jim Harris? You ought to be -ashamed of yourself!" -</p> -<p> -"My name's Cap'n Harris," said the skipper stiffly. -</p> -<p> -"Well, CAPTAIN Harris," said Mrs. Blossom scornfully; "and what'll -happen if I don't do as you and that other shamefaced-looking man tell -me?" -</p> -<p> -"We hope it won't come to that," said Harris, with quiet dignity, as he -paused at the companion. "But the mate's in charge just now, and I warn -you he's a very severe man. Don't stand no nonsense, George." -</p> -<p> -With these brave words the skipper disappeared below, and the mate, -after one glance at the dauntless and imposing attitude of Mrs. Blossom, -walked to the side and became engrossed in a passing steamer. A hum -of wondering admiration arose from the crew, and the cook, thoroughly -satisfied with her victory, returned to the scene of her labours. -</p> -<p> -For the next twenty-four hours Mrs. Blossom reigned supreme, and -performed the cooking for the vessel, assisted by five ministering -seamen. The weather was fine, and the wind light, and the two officers -were at their wits' end to find jobs for the men. -</p> -<p> -"Why don't you put your foot down," grumbled the mate, as a burst of -happy laughter came from the direction of the galley. "The idea of men -laughing like that aboard ship; they're carrying on just as though we -wasn't here." -</p> -<p> -"Will you stand by me?" demanded the skipper, pale but determined. -</p> -<p> -"Of course I will," said the other indignantly. -</p> -<p> -"Now, my lads," said Harris, stepping forward, "I can't have you chaps -hanging round the galley all day; you're getting in cook's way and -hindering her. Just get your knives out; I'll have the masts scraped." -</p> -<p> -"You just stay where you are," said Mrs. Blossom. "When they're in my -way, I'll soon let 'em know." -</p> -<p> -"Did you hear what I said?" thundered the skipper, as the men hesitated. -</p> -<p> -"Aye, aye, sir," muttered the crew, moving off. -</p> -<p> -"How dare you interfere with me?" said Mrs. Blossom hotly, as she -realised the defeat. "Ever since I've been on this ship you've been -trying to aggravate me. I wonder the men don't hit you, you nasty, -ginger-whiskered little man." -</p> -<p> -"Go on with your work," said the skipper, fondly stroking the maligned -whiskers. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you talk to me, Jim Harris," said Mrs. Blossom, quivering with -wrath. "Don't you give ME none of your airs. WHO BORROWED FIVE POUNDS -FROM MY POOR DEAD HUSBAND JUST BEFORE HE DIED, AND NEVER PAID IT BACK?" -</p> -<p> -"Go on with your work," repeated the skipper, with pale lips. -</p> -<p> -"WHOSE UNCLE BENJAMIN HAD THREE WEEKS?" demanded Mrs. Blossom darkly. -"WHOSE UNCLE JOSEPH HAD TO GO ABROAD WITHOUT STOPPING TO PACK UP?" -</p> -<p> -The skipper made no reply, but the anxiety of the crew to have these -vital problems solved was so manifest that he turned his back on the -virago and went towards the mate, who at that moment dipped hurriedly -to escape a wet dish-clout. The two men regarded each other, pale with -anxiety. -</p> -<p> -"Now, you just move off," said Mrs. Blossom, shaking another clout at -them. "I won't have you hanging about my galley. Keep to your own end of -the ship." -</p> -<p> -The skipper drew himself up haughtily, but the effect was somewhat -marred by one eye, which dwelt persistently on the clout, and after a -short inward struggle he moved off, accompanied by the mate. Wellington -himself would have been nonplussed by a wet cloth in the hands of a -fearless woman. -</p> -<p> -"She'll just have to have her own way till we get to Llanelly," said -the indignant skipper, "and then I'll send her home by train and ship -another cook. I knew she'd got a temper, but I didn't know it was like -this. She's the last woman that sets foot on my ship—that's all she's -done for her sex." -</p> -<p> -In happy ignorance of her impending doom Mrs. Blossom went blithely -about her duties, assisted by a crew whose admiration for her increased -by leaps and bounds; and the only thing which ventured to interfere with -her was a stiff Atlantic roll, which they encountered upon rounding the -Land's End. -</p> -<p> -The first intimation Mrs. Blossom had of it was the falling of small -utensils in the galley. After she had picked them up and replaced them -several times, she went out to investigate, and discovered that the -schooner was dipping her bows to big green waves, and rolling, with much -straining and creaking, from side to side. A fine spray, which broke -over the bows and flew over the vessel, drove her back into the galley, -which had suddenly developed an unaccountable stuffiness; but, though -the crew to a man advised her to lie down and have a cup of tea, she -repelled them with scorn, and with pale face and compressed lips stuck -to her post. -</p> -<p> -Two days later they made fast to the quay at Llanelly, and half-an-hour -later the skipper called the mate down to the cabin, and, handing him -some money, told him to pay the cook off and ship another. The mate -declined. -</p> -<p> -"You obey orders," said the skipper fiercely, "else you an' me'll -quarrel." -</p> -<p> -"I've got a wife an' family," urged the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Pooh!" said the skipper. "Rubbish!" -</p> -<p> -"And uncles," added the mate rebelliously. -</p> -<p> -"Very good," said the skipper, glaring. "We'll ship the other cook first -and let him settle it. After all, I don't see why we should fight his -battles for him." -</p> -<p> -The mate, being agreeable, went off at once; and when Mrs. Blossom, -after a little shopping ashore, returned to the Gannet she found the -galley in the possession of one of the fattest cooks that ever broke -ship's biscuit. -</p> -<p> -"Hullo!" said she, realising the situation at a glance, "what are you -doing here?" -</p> -<p> -"Cooking," said the other gruffly. Then, catching sight of his -questioner, he smiled amorously and winked at her. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you wink at me," said Mrs. Blossom wrathfully. "Come out of that -galley." -</p> -<p> -"There's room for both," said the new cook persuasively. "Come in an' -put your 'ed on my shoulder." -</p> -<p> -Utterly unprepared for this mode of attack, Mrs. Blossom lost her nerve, -and, instead of storming the galley, as she had fully intended, drew -back and retired to the cabin, where she found a short note from the -skipper, enclosing her pay, and requesting her to take the train home. -After reading this she went ashore again, returning presently with a big -bundle, which she placed on the cabin table in front of Harris and the -mate, who had just begun tea. -</p> -<p> -"I'm not going home by train," said she, opening the bundle, which -contained a spirit kettle and provisions. "I'm going back with you; but -I am not going to be beholden to you for anything—I 'm going to board -myself." -</p> -<p> -After this declaration she made herself tea and sat down. The meal -proceeded in silence, though occasionally she astonished her companions -by little mysterious laughs, which caused them slight uneasiness. As -she made no hostile demonstration, however, they became reassured, and -congratulated themselves upon the success of their manoeuvre. -</p> -<p> -"How long shall we be getting back to London, do you think?" inquired -Mrs. Blossom at last. -</p> -<p> -"We shall probably sail Tuesday night, and it may be anything from six -days upwards," answered the skipper. "If this wind holds it'll probably -be upwards." -</p> -<p> -To his great concern Mrs. Blossom put her handkerchief over her face, -and, shaking with suppressed laughter, rose from the table and left the -cabin. -</p> -<p> -The couple left eyed each other wonderingly. -</p> -<p> -"Did I say anything pertickler funny, George?" inquired the skipper, -after some deliberation. -</p> -<p> -"Didn't strike me so," said the mate carelessly; "I expect she's -thought o' something else to say about your family. She wouldn't be so -good-tempered as all that for nothing. I feel cur'ous to know what it -is." -</p> -<p> -"If you paid more attention to your own business," said the skipper, -his choler rising, "you'd get on better. A mate who was a good seaman -wouldn't ha' let a cook go on like this—it's not discipline." -</p> -<p> -He went off in dudgeon, and a coolness sprang up between them, which -lasted until the bustle of starting in the small hours of Wednesday -morning. -</p> -<p> -Once under way the day passed uneventfully, the schooner crawling -sluggishly down the coast of Wales, and, when the skipper turned in that -night, it was with the pleasant conviction that Mrs. Blossom had shot -her last bolt, and, like a sensible woman, was going to accept her -defeat. From this pleasing idea he was aroused suddenly by the watch -stamping heavily on the deck overhead. -</p> -<p> -"What's up?" cried the skipper, darting up the companion-ladder, jostled -by the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I dunno," said Bill, who was at the wheel, shakily. "Mrs. Blossom come -up on deck a little while ago, and since then there's been three or four -heavy splashes." -</p> -<p> -"She can't have gone overboard," said the skipper, in tones to which -he manfully strove to impart a semblance of anxiety. "No, here she is. -Anything wrong, Mrs. Blossom?" -</p> -<p> -"Not so far as I'm concerned," replied the lady, passing him and going -below. -</p> -<p> -"You've been dreaming, Bill," said the skipper sharply. -</p> -<p> -"I ain't," said Bill stoutly. "I tell you I heard splashes. It's my -belief she coaxed the cook up on deck, and then shoved him overboard. A -woman could do anything with a man like that cook." -</p> -<p> -"I'll soon see," said the mate, and walking forward he put his head down -the fore-scuttle and yelled for the cook. -</p> -<p> -"Aye, aye, sir," answered a voice sleepily, while the other men started -up in their bunks. "Do you want me?" -</p> -<p> -"Bill thinks somebody has gone overboard," said the mate. "Are you all -here?" -</p> -<p> -In answer to this the mystified men turned out all standing, and came -on deck yawning and rubbing their eyes, while the mate explained the -situation. Before he had finished the cook suddenly darted off to the -galley, and the next moment the forlorn cry of a bereaved soul broke on -their startled ears. -</p> -<p> -"What is it?" cried the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Come here!" shouted the cook, "look at this!" -</p> -<p> -He struck a match and held it aloft in his shaking fingers, and the men, -who were worked up to a great pitch of excitement and expected to see -something ghastly, after staring hard for some time in vain, profanely -requested him to be more explicit. -</p> -<p> -"She's thrown all the saucepans and things overboard," said the cook -with desperate calmness. "This lid of a tea kettle is all that's left -for me to do the cooking in." -</p> -<hr> -<p> -The Gannet, manned by seven famine-stricken misogynists, reached -London six days later, the skipper obstinately refusing to put in at an -intermediate port to replenish his stock of hardware. The most he would -consent to do was to try and borrow from a passing vessel, but the -unseemly behaviour of the master of a brig, who lost two hours owing -to their efforts to obtain a saucepan of him, utterly discouraged any -further attempts in that direction, and they settled down to a diet of -biscuits and water, and salt beef scorched on the stove. -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Blossom, unwilling perhaps to witness their sufferings, remained -below, and when they reached London, only consented to land under the -supervision of a guard of honour, composed of all the able-bodied men on -the wharf. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE -</h2> -<p> -In the small front parlour of No. 3, Mermaid Passage, Sunset Bay, -Jackson Pepper, ex-pilot, sat in a state of indignant collapse, tenderly -feeling a cheek on which the print of hasty fingers still lingered. -</p> -<p> -The room, which was in excellent order, showed no signs of the tornado -which had passed through it, and Jackson Pepper, looking vaguely round, -was dimly reminded of those tropical hurricanes he had read about -which would strike only the objects in the path, and leave all others -undisturbed. -</p> -<p> -In this instance he had been the object, and the tornado, after -obliterating him, had passed up the small staircase which led from the -room, leaving him listening anxiously to its distant mutterings. -</p> -<p> -To his great discomfort the storm showed signs of coming up again, and -he had barely time to effect an appearance of easy unconcern, which -accorded but ill with the flush afore-mentioned, when a big, red-faced -woman came heavily downstairs and burst into the room. -</p> -<p> -"You have made me ill again," she said severely, "and now I hope you are -satisfied with your work. You'll kill me before you have done with me!" -</p> -<p> -The ex-pilot shifted on his chair. -</p> -<p> -"You're not fit to have a wife," continued Mrs. Pepper, "aggravating -them and upsetting them! Any other woman would have left you long ago!" -</p> -<p> -"We've only been married three months," Pepper reminded her. -</p> -<p> -"Don't talk to me!" said his wife; "it seems more like a lifetime!" -</p> -<p> -"It seems a long time to ME" said the ex-pilot, plucking up a little -courage. -</p> -<p> -"That's right!" said his wife, striding over to where he sat. "Say -you're tired of me; say you wish you hadn't married me! You coward! Ah! -if my poor first husband was only alive and sitting in that chair now -instead of you, how happy I would be!" -</p> -<p> -"If he likes to come and take it he's welcome!" said Pepper; "it's my -chair, and it was my father's before me, but there's no man living I -would sooner give it to than your first. Ah! he knew what he was about -when the Dolphin went down, he did. I don't blame him, though." -</p> -<p> -"What do you mean?" demanded his wife. -</p> -<p> -"It's my belief that he didn't go down with her," said Pepper, crossing -over to the staircase and standing with his hand on the door. -</p> -<p> -"Didn't go down with her?" repeated his wife scornfully. "What became of -him, then? Where's he been this thirty years?" -</p> -<p> -"In hiding!" said Pepper spitefully, and passed hastily upstairs. -</p> -<p> -The room above was charged with memories of the late lamented. -His portrait in oils hung above the mantel-piece, smaller -portraits—specimens of the photographer's want of art—were scattered -about the room, while various personal effects, including a mammoth -pair of sea-boots, stood in a corner. On all these articles the eye of -Jackson Pepper dwelt with an air of chastened regret. -</p> -<p> -"It 'ud be a rum go if he did turn up after all," he said to himself -softly, as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I've heard of such things -in books. I dessay she'd be disappointed if she did see him now. Thirty -years makes a bit of difference in a man." -</p> -<p> -"Jackson!" cried his wife from below, "I'm going out. If you want any -dinner you can get it; if not, you can go without it!" -</p> -<p> -The front door slammed violently, and Jackson, advancing cautiously -to the window, saw the form of his wife sailing majestically up the -passage. Then he sat down again and resumed his meditations. -</p> -<p> -"If it wasn't for leaving all my property I'd go," he said gloomily. -"There's not a bit of comfort in the place! Nag, nag, nag, from morn -till night! Ah, Cap'n Budd, you let me in for a nice thing when you -went down with that boat of yours. Come back and fill them boots again; -they're too big for me." -</p> -<p> -He rose suddenly and stood gaping in the centre of the room, as a mad, -hazy idea began to form in his brain. His eyes blinked and his face grew -white with excitement. He pushed open the little lattice window, and sat -looking abstractedly up the passage on to the bay beyond. Then he put on -his hat, and, deep in thought, went out. -</p> -<p> -He was still thinking deeply as he boarded the train for London next -morning, and watched Sunset Bay from the window until it disappeared -round the curve. So many and various were the changes that flitted -over his face that an old lady, whose seat he had taken, gave up her -intention of apprising him of the fact, and indulged instead in a bitter -conversation with her daughter, of which the erring Pepper was the -unconscious object. -</p> -<p> -In the same preoccupied fashion he got on a Bayswater omnibus, and -waited patiently for it to reach Poplar. Strange changes in the -landscape, not to be accounted for by the mere lapse of time, led to -explanations, and the conductor—a humane man, who said he had got an -idiot boy at home—personally laid down the lines of his tour. Two hours -later he stood in front of a small house painted in many colours, and, -ringing the bell, inquired for Cap'n Crippen. -</p> -<p> -In response to his inquiry, a big man, with light blue eyes and a long -grey beard, appeared, and, recognising his visitor with a grunt of -surprise, drew him heartily into the passage and thrust him into the -parlour. He then shook hands with him, and, clapping him on the back, -bawled lustily for the small boy who had opened the door. -</p> -<p> -"Pot o' stout, bottle o' gin, and two long pipes," said he, as the boy -came to the door and eyed the ex-pilot curiously. -</p> -<p> -At all these honest preparations for his welcome the heart of Jackson -grew faint within him. -</p> -<p> -"Well, I call it good of you to come all this way to see me," said -the captain, after the boy had disappeared; "but you always was -warm-hearted, Pepper. And how's the missis?" -</p> -<p> -"Shocking!" said Pepper, with a groan. -</p> -<p> -"Ill?" inquired the captain. -</p> -<p> -"Ill-tempered," said Pepper. "In fact, cap'n, I don't mind telling you, -she's killing me—slowly killing me!" -</p> -<p> -"Pooh!" said Crippen. "Nonsense! You don't know how to manage her!" -</p> -<p> -"I thought perhaps you could advise me," said the artful Pepper. "I said -to myself yesterday, 'Pepper, go and see Cap'n Crippen. What he don't -know about wimmen and their management ain't worth knowing! If there's -anybody can get you out of a hole, it's him. He's got the power, and, -what's more, he's got the will!'" -</p> -<p> -"What causes the temper?" inquired the captain, with his most judicial -air, as he took the liquor from his messenger and carefully filled a -couple of glasses. -</p> -<p> -"It's natural!" said his friend ruefully. "She calls it having a high -spirit herself. And she's so generous. She's got a married niece living -in the place, and when that gal comes round and admires the things—my -things—she gives 'em to her! She gave her a sofa the other day, and, -what's more, she made me help the gal to carry it home!" -</p> -<p> -"Have you tried being sarcastic?" inquired the captain thoughtfully. -</p> -<p> -"I have," said Pepper, with a shiver. "The other day I said, very nasty, -'Is there anything else you'd like, my dear?' but she didn't understand -it." -</p> -<p> -"No?" said the captain. -</p> -<p> -"No," said Pepper. "She said I was very kind, and she'd like the clock; -and, what's more, she had it too! Red-'aired hussy!" -</p> -<p> -The captain poured out some gin and drank it slowly. It was evident -he was thinking deeply, and that he was much affected by his friend's -troubles. -</p> -<p> -"There is only one way for me to get clear," said Pepper, as he finished -a thrilling recital of his wrongs, "and that is, to find Cap'n Budd, her -first." -</p> -<p> -"Why, he's dead!" said Crippen, staring hard. "Don't you waste your time -looking for him!" -</p> -<p> -"I'm not going to," said Pepper; "but here's his portrait. He was a big -man like you; he had blue eyes and a straight handsome nose, like you. -If he'd lived to now he'd be almost your age, and very likely more like -you than ever. He was a sailor; you've been a sailor." -</p> -<p> -The captain stared at him in bewilderment. -</p> -<p> -"He had a wonderful way with wimmen," pursued Jackson hastily; "you've -got a wonderful way with wimmen. More than that, you've got the most -wonderful gift for acting I've ever seen. Ever since the time when you -acted in that barn at Bristol I've never seen any actor I can honestly -say I've liked—never! Look how you can imitate cats—better than Henry -Irving himself!" -</p> -<p> -"I never had much chance, being at sea all my life," said Crippen -modestly. -</p> -<p> -"You've got the gift," said Pepper impressively. "It was born in you, -and you'll never leave off acting till the day of your death. You -couldn't if you tried—you know you couldn't!" -</p> -<p> -The captain smiled deprecatingly. -</p> -<p> -"Now, I want you to do a performance for my benefit," continued Pepper. -"I want you to act Cap'n Budd, what was lost in the Dolphin thirty years -ago. There's only one man in England I'd trust with the part, and that's -you." -</p> -<p> -"Act Cap'n Budd!" gasped the astonished Crippen, putting down his glass -and staring at his friend. -</p> -<p> -"The part is written here," said the ex-pilot, producing a note-book -from his breast pocket and holding it out to his friend. "I've been -keeping a log day by day of all the things she said about him, in the -hopes of catching her tripping, but I never did. There's notes of his -family, his ships, and a lot of silly things he used to say, which she -thinks funny." -</p> -<p> -"I couldn't do it!" said the captain seriously, as he took the book. -</p> -<p> -"You could do it if you liked," said Pepper. "Besides, think what a -spree it'll be for you. Learn it by heart, then come down and claim her. -Her name's Martha." -</p> -<p> -"What good 'ud it do you if I did?" inquired the captain. "She'd soon -find out!" -</p> -<p> -"You come down to Sunset Bay," said Pepper, emphasising his remarks with -his forefinger; "you claim your wife; you allude carefully to the things -set down in this book; I give Martha back to you and bless you both. -Then"— -</p> -<p> -"Then what?" inquired Crippen anxiously. -</p> -<p> -"You disappear!" concluded Pepper triumphantly; "and, of course, -believing her first husband is alive, she has to leave me. She's a very -particular woman; and, besides that, I'd take care to let the neighbours -know. I'm happy, you're happy, and, if she's not happy, why, she don't -deserve to be." -</p> -<p> -"I'll think it over," said Crippen, "and write and let you know." -</p> -<p> -"Make up your mind now," urged Pepper, reaching over and patting him -encouragingly upon the shoulder. "If you promise to do it, the thing's -as good as done. Lord! I think I see you now, coming in at that door and -surprising her. Talk about acting!" -</p> -<p> -"Is she what you'd call a good-looking woman?" inquired Crippen. -</p> -<p> -"Very handsome!" said Pepper, looking out of the window. -</p> -<p> -"I couldn't do it!" said the captain. "It wouldn't be right and fair to -her." -</p> -<p> -"I don't see that!" said Pepper. "I never ought to have married her -without being certain her first was dead. It ain't right, Crippen; say -what you like, it ain't right!" -</p> -<p> -"If you put it that way," said the captain hesitatingly. -</p> -<p> -"Have some more gin," said the artful pilot. -</p> -<p> -The captain had some more, and, what with flattery and gin, combined -with the pleadings of his friend, began to consider the affair more -favourably. Pepper stuck to his guns, and used them so well that when -the captain saw him off that evening he was pledged up to the hilt -to come down to Sunset Bay and personate the late Captain Budd on the -following Thursday. -</p> -<p> -The ex-pilot passed the intervening days in a sort of trance, from which -he only emerged to take nourishment, or answer the scoldings of his -wife. On the eventful Thursday, however, his mood changed, and he went -about in such a state of suppressed excitement that he could scarcely -keep still. -</p> -<p> -"Lor' bless me!" snapped Mrs. Pepper, as he slowly perambulated the -parlour that afternoon. "What ails the man? Can't you keep still for -five minutes?" -</p> -<p> -The ex-pilot stopped and eyed her solemnly, but, ere he could reply, his -heart gave a great bound, for, from behind the geraniums which filled -the window, he saw the face of Captain Crippen slowly rise and peer -cautiously into the room. Before his wife could follow the direction of -her husband's eyes it had disappeared. -</p> -<p> -"Somebody looking in at the window," said Pepper, with forced calmness, -in reply to his wife's eyebrows. -</p> -<p> -"Like their impudence!" said the unconscious woman, resuming her -knitting, while her husband waited in vain for the captain to enter. -</p> -<p> -He waited some time, and then, half dead with excitement, sat down, and -with shaking fingers lit his pipe. As he looked up the stalwart figure -of the captain passed the window. During the next twenty minutes it -passed seven times, and Pepper, coming to the not unnatural conclusion -that his friend intended to pass the afternoon in the same unprofitable -fashion, resolved to force his hand. -</p> -<p> -"Must be a tramp," he said aloud. -</p> -<p> -"Who?" inquired his wife. "Man keeps looking in at the window," said -Pepper desperately. "Keeps looking in till he meets my eye, then he -disappears. Looks like an old sea-captain, something." -</p> -<p> -"Old sea-captain?" said his wife, putting down her work and turning -round. There was a strange hesitating note in her voice. She looked -at the window, and at the same instant the head of the captain again -appeared above the geraniums, and, meeting her gaze, hastily vanished. -Martha Pepper sat still for a moment, and then, rising in a slow, dazed -fashion, crossed to the door and opened it. Mermaid Passage was empty! -</p> -<p> -"See anybody?" quavered Pepper. -</p> -<p> -His wife shook her head, but in a strangely quiet fashion, and, sitting -down, took up her knitting again. -</p> -<p> -For some time the click of the needles and the tick of the clock were -the only sounds audible, and the ex-pilot had just arrived at the -conclusion that his friend had abandoned him to his fate, when there -came a low tapping at the door. -</p> -<p> -"Come in!" cried Pepper, starting. -</p> -<p> -The door opened slowly, and the tall figure of Captain Crippen entered -and stood there eyeing them nervously. A neat little speech he had -prepared failed him at the supreme moment. He leaned against the wall, -and in a clumsy, shamefaced fashion lowered his gaze, and stammered out -the one word—"Martha!" -</p> -<p> -At that word Mrs. Pepper rose and stood with parted lips, eyeing him -wildly. -</p> -<p> -"Jem!" she gasped, "Jem!" -</p> -<p> -"Martha!" croaked the captain again. -</p> -<p> -With a choking cry Mrs. Pepper ran towards him, and, to the huge -gratification of her lawful spouse, flung her arms about his neck and -kissed him violently. -</p> -<p> -"Jem," she cried breathlessly, "is it really you? I can hardly believe -it. Where have you been all this long time? Where have you been?" -</p> -<p> -"Lots of places," said the captain, who was not prepared to answer a -question like that offhand; "but wherever I've been"—he held up his -hand theatrically—"the image of my dear lost wife has been always in -front of me." -</p> -<p> -"I knew you at once, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper fondly, smoothing the hair -back from his forehead. "Have I altered much?" -</p> -<p> -"Not a bit," said Crippen, holding her at arm's length and carefully -regarding her. "You look just the same as the first time I set eyes on -you." -</p> -<p> -"Where have you been?" wailed Martha Pepper, putting her head on his -shoulder. -</p> -<p> -"When the Dolphin went down from under me, and left me fighting with the -waves for life and Martha, I was cast ashore on a desert island," began -Crippen fluently. "There I remained for nearly three years, when I was -rescued by a barque bound for New South Wales. There I met a man from -Poole who told me you were dead. Having no further interest in the land -of my birth, I sailed in Australian waters for many years, and it was -only lately that I heard how cruelly I had been deceived, and that my -little flower was still blooming." -</p> -<p> -The little flower's head being well down on his shoulder again, the -celebrated actor exchanged glances with the worshipping Pepper. -</p> -<p> -"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper. "Who was he? What -was his name?" -</p> -<p> -"Smith," said the cautious captain. -</p> -<p> -"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper, in a smothered -voice, "it would have been better. Only three months ago I married that -object over there." -</p> -<p> -The captain attempted a melodramatic start with such success, that, -having somewhat underestimated the weight of his fair bride, he nearly -lost his balance. -</p> -<p> -"It can't be helped, I suppose," he said reproachfully, "but you might -have waited a little longer, Martha." -</p> -<p> -"Well, I'm your wife, anyhow," said Martha, "and I'll take care I never -lose you again. You shall never go out of my sight again till you die. -Never." -</p> -<p> -"Nonsense, my pet," said the captain, exchanging uneasy glances with the -ex-pilot. "Nonsense." -</p> -<p> -"It isn't nonsense, Jem," said the lady, as she drew him on to the sofa -and sat with her arms round his neck. "It may be true, all you've told -me, and it may not. For all I know, you may have been married to some -other woman; but I've got you now, and I intend to keep you." -</p> -<p> -"There, there," said the captain, as soothingly as a strange sinking at -the heart would allow him. -</p> -<p> -"As for that other little man, I only married him because he worried -me so," said Mrs. Pepper tearfully. "I never loved him, but he used -to follow me about and propose. Was it twelve or thirteen times you -proposed to me, Pepper?" -</p> -<p> -"I forget," said the ex-pilot shortly. -</p> -<p> -"But I never loved him," she continued. "I never loved you a bit, did I, -Pepper?" -</p> -<p> -"Not a bit," said Pepper warmly. "No man could ever have a harder or -more unfeeling wife than you was. I'll say that for you, willing." -</p> -<p> -As he bore this testimony to his wife's fidelity there was a knock at -the door, and, upon his opening it, the rector's daughter, a lady of -uncertain age, entered, and stood regarding with amazement the frantic -but ineffectual struggles of Captain Crippen to release himself from a -position as uncomfortable as it was ridiculous. -</p> -<p> -"Mrs. Pepper!" said the lady, aghast. "Oh, Mrs. Pepper!" -</p> -<p> -"It's all right, Miss Winthrop," said the lady addressed, calmly, as she -forced the captain's flushed face on to her ample shoulder again; "it's -my first husband, Jem Budd." -</p> -<p> -"Good gracious!" said Miss Winthrop, starting. "Enoch Arden in the -flesh!" -</p> -<p> -"Who?" inquired Pepper, with a show of polite interest. -</p> -<p> -"Enoch Arden," said Miss Winthrop. "One of our great poets wrote a noble -poem about a sailor who came home and found that his wife had married -again; but, in the POEM, the first husband went away without making -himself known, and died of a broken heart." -</p> -<p> -She looked at Captain Crippen as though he hadn't quite come up to her -expectations. -</p> -<p> -"And now," said Pepper, speaking with great cheerfulness, "it's me -that's got to have the broken heart. Well, well." -</p> -<p> -"It's a most interesting case," cried Miss Winthrop; "and, if you wait -till I fetch my camera, I'll take your portrait together just as you -are." -</p> -<p> -"Do," said Mrs. Pepper cordially. -</p> -<p> -"I won't have my portrait took," said the captain, with much acerbity. -</p> -<p> -"Not if I wish it, dear?" inquired Mrs. Pepper tenderly. -</p> -<p> -"Not if you keep a-wishing it all your life," replied the captain -sourly, making another attempt to get his head from her shoulder. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you think they ought to have their portrait taken now?" asked -Miss Winthrop, turning to the ex-pilot. -</p> -<p> -"I don't see no 'arm in it," said Pepper thoughtlessly. -</p> -<p> -"You hear what Mr. Pepper says," said the lady, turning to the captain -again. "Surely if he doesn't mind, you ought not to." -</p> -<p> -"I'll talk to him by-and-bye," said the captain, very grimly. -</p> -<p> -"P'raps it would be better if we kept this affair to ourselves for the -present," said the ex-pilot, taking alarm at his friend's manner. -</p> -<p> -"Well, I won't intrude on you any longer," said Miss Winthrop. "Oh! Look -there! How rude of them!" -</p> -<p> -The others turned hastily in time to see several heads vanish from the -window. Captain Crippen was the first to speak. -</p> -<p> -"Jem!" said Mrs. Pepper severely, before he had finished. -</p> -<p> -"Captain Budd!" said Miss Winthrop, flushing. -</p> -<p> -The incensed captain rose to his feet and paced up and down the room. He -looked at the ex-pilot, and that small schemer shivered. -</p> -<p> -"Easy does it, cap'n," he murmured, with a wink which he meant to be -comforting. -</p> -<p> -"I'm going out a little way," said the captain, after the rector's -daughter had gone. "Just to cool my head." -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Pepper took her bonnet from its peg behind the door, and, surveying -herself in the glass, tied it beneath her chin. -</p> -<p> -"Alone," said Crippen nervously. "I want to do a little thinking." -</p> -<p> -"Never again, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper firmly. "My place is by your side. -If you're ashamed of people looking at you, I'm not. I'm proud of you. -Come along. Come and show yourself, and tell them who you are. You shall -never go out of my sight again as long as I live. Never." -</p> -<p> -She began to whimper. -</p> -<p> -"What's to be done?" inquired Crippen, turning desperately on the -bewildered pilot. -</p> -<p> -"What's it got to do with him?" demanded Mrs. Pepper sharply. -</p> -<p> -"He's got to be considered a little, I s'pose," said the captain, -dissembling. "Besides, I think I'd better do like the man in the poetry -did. Let me go away and die of a broken heart. Perhaps it's best." -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Pepper looked at him with kindling eyes. -</p> -<p> -"Let me go away and die of a broken heart," repeated the captain, with -real feeling. "I'd rather do it. I would indeed." -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Pepper, bursting into angry tears, flung her arms round his neck -again, and sobbed on his shoulder. The pilot, obeying the frenzied -injunctions of his friend's eye, drew down the blind. -</p> -<p> -"There's quite a crowd outside," he remarked. -</p> -<p> -"I don't mind," said his wife amiably. "They'll soon know who he is." -</p> -<p> -She stood holding the captain's hand and stroking it, and whenever his -feelings became too much for her put her head down on his waistcoat. At -such times the captain glared fiercely at the ex-pilot, who, being of -a weak nature, was unable, despite his anxiety, to give his risible -faculties that control which the solemnity of the occasion demanded. -</p> -<p> -The afternoon wore slowly away. Miss Winthrop, who disliked scandal, -had allowed something of the affair to leak out, and several visitors, -including a local reporter, called, but were put off till the morrow, on -the not unnatural plea that the long-separated couple desired a little -privacy. The three sat silent, the ex-pilot, with wrinkled brows, trying -hard to decipher the lip-language in which the captain addressed him -whenever he had an opportunity, but could only dimly guess its purport, -when the captain pressed his huge fist into the service as well. -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Pepper rose at length, and went into the back room to prepare tea. -As she left the door open, however, and took the captain's hat with her, -he built no hopes on her absence, but turned furiously to the ex-pilot. -</p> -<p> -"What's to be done?" he inquired in a fierce whisper. "This can't go -on." -</p> -<p> -"It'll have to," whispered the other. -</p> -<p> -"Now, look here," said Crippen menacingly, "I'm going into the kitchen -to make a clean breast of it. I'm sorry for you, but I've done the best -I can. Come and help me to explain." -</p> -<p> -He turned to the kitchen, but the other, with the strength born of -despair, seized him by the sleeve and held him back. -</p> -<p> -"She'll kill me," he whispered breathlessly. -</p> -<p> -"I can't help it," said Crippen, shaking him off. "Serve you right." -</p> -<p> -"And she'll tell the folks outside, and they'll kill you," continued -Pepper. -</p> -<p> -The captain sat down again, and confronted him with a face as pale as -his own. -</p> -<p> -"The last train leaves at eight," whispered the pilot hurriedly. "It's -desperate, but it's the only thing you can do. Take her for a stroll up -by the fields near the railway station. You can see the train coming in -for a mile off nearly. Time yourself carefully, and make a bolt for it. -She can't run." -</p> -<p> -The entrance of their victim with the tea-tray stopped the conversation; -but the captain nodded acceptance behind her back, and then, with a -forced gaiety, sat down to tea. -</p> -<p> -For the first time since his successful appearance he became loquacious, -and spoke so freely of incidents in the life of the man he was -impersonating that the ex-pilot sat in a perfect fever lest he -should blunder. The meal finished, he proposed a stroll, and, as the -unsuspecting Mrs. Pepper tied on her bonnet, slapped his leg, and winked -confidently at his fellow-conspirator. -</p> -<p> -"I'm not much of a walker," said the innocent Mrs. Pepper, "so you must -go slowly." -</p> -<p> -The captain nodded, and at Pepper's suggestion left by the back way, to -avoid the gaze of the curious. -</p> -<p> -For some time after their departure Pepper sat smoking, with his anxious -face turned to the clock, until at length, unable to endure the strain -any longer, and not without a sportsmanlike idea of being in at the -death, he made his way to the station, and placed himself behind a -convenient coal-truck. -</p> -<p> -He waited impatiently, with his eyes fixed on the road up which he -expected the captain to come. He looked at his watch. Five minutes to -eight, and still no captain. The platform began to fill, a porter seized -the big bell and rang it lustily; in the distance a patch of white smoke -showed. Just as the watcher had given up all hope, the figure of the -captain came in sight. He was swaying from side to side, holding his hat -in his hand, but doggedly racing the train to the station. -</p> -<p> -"He'll never do it!" groaned the pilot. Then he held his breath, for -three or four hundred yards behind the captain Mrs. Pepper pounded in -pursuit. -</p> -<p> -The train rolled into the station; passengers stepped in and out; doors -slammed, and the guard had already placed the whistle in his mouth, when -Captain Crippen, breathing stentorously, came stumbling blindly on to -the platform, and was hustled into a third class carriage. -</p> -<p> -"Close shave that, sir," said the station-master as he closed the door. -</p> -<p> -The captain sank back in his seat, fighting for breath, and turning his -head, gave a last triumphant look up the road. -</p> -<p> -"All right, sir," said the station-master kindly, as he followed the -direction of the other's eyes and caught sight of Mrs. Pepper. "We'll -wait for your lady." -</p> -<hr> -<p> -Jackson Pepper came from behind the coal-truck and watched the train out -of sight, wondering in a dull, vague fashion what the conversation was -like. He stood so long that a tender hearted porter, who had heard the -news, made bold to come up and put a friendly hand on his shoulder. -</p> -<p> -"You'll never see her again, Mr. Pepper," he said sympathetically. -</p> -<p> -The ex-pilot turned and regarded him fixedly, and the last bit of spirit -he was ever known to show flashed up in his face as he spoke. -</p> -<p> -"You're a blamed idiot!" he said rudely. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - A CASE OF DESERTION -</h2> -<p> -The sun was just rising as the small tub-like steamer, or, to be more -correct, steam-barge, the Bulldog, steamed past the sleeping town of -Gravesend at a good six knots per hour. -</p> -<p> -There had been a little discussion on the way between her crew and the -engineer, who, down in his grimy little engine-room, did his own stoking -and everything else necessary. The crew, consisting of captain, -mate, and boy, who were doing their first trip on a steamer, had been -transferred at the last moment from their sailing-barge the Witch, and -found to their discomfort that the engineer, who had not expected to -sail so soon, was terribly and abusively drunk. Every moment he could -spare from his engines he thrust the upper part of his body through the -small hatchway, and rowed with his commander. -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy, bargee!" he shouted, popping up like a jack-in-the-box, after a -brief cessation of hostilities. -</p> -<p> -"Don't take no notice of 'im," said the mate. "'E's got a bottle of -brandy down there, an' he's 'alf mad." -</p> -<p> -"If I knew anything o' them blessed engines," growled the skipper, "I'd -go and hit 'im over the head." -</p> -<p> -"But you don't," said the mate, "and neither do I, so you'd better keep -quiet." -</p> -<p> -"You think you're a fine feller," continued the engineer, "standing up -there an' playing with that little wheel. You think you're doing all the -work. What's the boy doing? Send him down to stoke." -</p> -<p> -"Go down," said the skipper, grinning with fury, and the boy reluctantly -obeyed. -</p> -<p> -"You think," said the engineer pathetically, after he had cuffed the -boy's head and dropped him down below by the scruff of his neck, "you -think because I've got a black face I'm not a man. There's many a hoily -face 'ides a good 'art." -</p> -<p> -"I don't think nothing about it," grunted the skipper; "you do your -work, and I'll do mine." -</p> -<p> -"Don't you give me none of your back answers," bellowed the engineer, -"'cos I won't have 'em." -</p> -<p> -The skipper shrugged his shoulders and exchanged glances with his -sympathetic mate. "Wait till I get 'im ashore," he murmured. -</p> -<p> -"The biler is wore out," said the engineer, re-appearing after a hasty -dive below. "It may bust at any moment." -</p> -<p> -As though to confirm his words fearful sounds were heard proceeding from -below. -</p> -<p> -"It's only the boy," said the mate, "he's scared—natural." -</p> -<p> -"I thought it was the biler," said the skipper, with a sigh of relief. -"It was loud enough." -</p> -<p> -As he spoke the boy got his head out of the hatchway, and, rendered -desperate with fear, fairly fought his way past the engineer and gained -the deck. -</p> -<p> -"Very good," said the engineer, as he followed him on deck and staggered -to the side. "I've had enough o' you lot." -</p> -<p> -"Hadn't you better go down to them engines?" shouted the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Am I your SLAVE?" demanded the engineer tearfully. "Tell me that. Am I -your slave?" -</p> -<p> -"Go down and do your work like a sensible man," was the reply. -</p> -<p> -At these words the engineer took umbrage at once, and, scowling -fiercely, removed his greasy jacket and flung his cap on the deck. He -then finished the brandy which he had brought up with him, and gazed -owlishly at the Kentish shore. -</p> -<p> -"I'm going to have a wash," he said loudly, and, sitting down, removed -his boots. -</p> -<p> -"Go down to the engines first," said the skipper, "and I'll send the boy -to you with a bucket and some soap." -</p> -<p> -"Bucket!" replied the engineer scornfully, as he moved to the side. "I'm -going to have a proper wash." -</p> -<p> -"Hold him!" roared the skipper suddenly. "Hold him!" -</p> -<p> -The mate, realising the situation, rushed to seize him, but the -engineer, with a mad laugh, put his hands on the side and vaulted into -the water. When he rose the steamer was twenty yards ahead. -</p> -<p> -"Go astarn!" yelled the mate. -</p> -<p> -"How can I go astarn when there's nobody at the engines?" shouted the -skipper, as he hung on to the wheel and brought the boat's head sharply -round. "Git a line ready." -</p> -<p> -The mate, with a coil of rope in his hand, rushed to the side, but his -benevolent efforts were frustrated by the engineer, who, seeing the -boat's head making straight for him, saved his life by an opportune -dive. The steamer rushed by. -</p> -<p> -"Turn 'er agin!" screamed the mate. -</p> -<p> -The captain was already doing so, and in a remarkably short space of -time the boat, which had described a complete circle, was making again -for the engineer. -</p> -<p> -"Look out for the line!" shouted the mate warningly. -</p> -<p> -"I don't want your line," yelled the engineer. "I'm going ashore." -</p> -<p> -"Come aboard!" shouted the captain imploringly, as they swept past -again. "We can't manage the engines." -</p> -<p> -"Put her round again," said the mate. "I'll go for him with the boat. -Haul her in, boy." -</p> -<p> -The boat, which was dragging astern, was hauled close, and the mate -tumbled into her, followed by the boy, just as the captain was in the -middle of another circle?-to the intense indignation of a crowd of -shipping, large and small, which was trying to get by. -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy!" yelled the master of a tug which was towing a large ship. "Take -that steam roundabout out of the way. What the thunder are you doing?" -</p> -<p> -"Picking up my engineer," replied the captain, as he steamed right -across the other's bows, and nearly ran down a sailing-barge, the -skipper of which, a Salvation Army man, was nobly fighting with his -feelings. -</p> -<p> -"Why don't you stop?" he yelled. -</p> -<p> -"'Cos I can't," wailed the skipper of the Bulldog, as he threaded his -way between a huge steamer and a schooner, who, in avoiding him, were -getting up a little collision on their own account. -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy, Bulldog! Ahoy!" called the mate. "Stand by to pick us up. We've -got him." -</p> -<p> -The skipper smiled in an agonised fashion as he shot past, hotly pursued -by his boat. The feeling on board the other craft as they got out of the -way of the Bulldog, and nearly ran down her boat, and then, in avoiding -that, nearly ran down something else, cannot be put into plain English, -but several captains ventured into the domains of the ornamental with -marked success. -</p> -<p> -"Shut off steam!" yelled the engineer, as the Bulldog went by again. -"Draw the fires, then." -</p> -<p> -"Who's going to steer while I do it?" bellowed the skipper, as he left -the wheel for a few seconds to try and get a line to throw them. -</p> -<p> -By this time the commotion in the river was frightful, and the captain's -steering, as he went on his round again, something marvellous to behold. -A strange lack of sympathy on the part of brother captains added to his -troubles. Every craft he passed had something to say to him, busy as -they were, and the remarks were as monotonous as they were insulting. At -last, just as he was resolving to run his boat straight down the river -until he came to a halt for want of steam, the mate caught the rope he -flung, and the Bulldog went down the river with her boat made fast to -her stern. -</p> -<p> -"Come aboard, you—you lunatic!" he shouted. -</p> -<p> -"Not afore I knows 'ow I stand," said the engineer, who was now -beautifully sober, and in full possession of a somewhat acute intellect. -</p> -<p> -"What do you mean?" demanded the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"I don't come aboard," shouted the engineer, "until you and the mate and -the bye all swear as you won't say nothing about this little game." -</p> -<p> -"I'll report you the moment I get ashore," roared the skipper. "I'll -give you in charge for desertion. I'll"— -</p> -<p> -With a supreme gesture the engineer prepared to dive, but the watchful -mate fell on his neck and tripped him over a seat. -</p> -<p> -"Come aboard!" cried the skipper, aghast at such determination. "Come -aboard, and I'll give you a licking when we get ashore instead." -</p> -<p> -"Honour bright?" inquired the engineer. -</p> -<p> -"Honour bright," chorused the three. -</p> -<p> -The engineer, with all the honours of war, came on board, and, after -remarking that he felt chilly bathing on an empty stomach, went down -below and began to stoke. In the course of the voyage he said that -it was worth while making such a fool of himself if only to see the -skipper's beautiful steering, warmly asseverating that there was not -another man on the river that could have done it. Before this insidious -flattery the skipper's wrath melted like snow before the sun, and by the -time they reached port he would as soon have thought of hitting his own -father as his smooth-tongued engineer. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - OUTSAILED -</h2> -<p> -It was a momentous occasion. The two skippers sat in the private bar of -the "Old Ship," in High Street, Wapping, solemnly sipping cold gin and -smoking cigars, whose sole merit consisted in the fact that they had -been smuggled. It is well known all along the waterside that this -greatly improves their flavour. -</p> -<p> -"Draw all right?" queried Captain Berrow?-a short, fat man of few ideas, -who was the exulting owner of a bundle of them. -</p> -<p> -"Beautiful," replied Captain Tucker, who had just made an excursion into -the interior of his with the small blade of his penknife. "Why don't you -keep smokes like these, landlord?" -</p> -<p> -"He can't," chuckled Captain Berrow fatuously. "They're not to be -'ad—money couldn't buy 'em." -</p> -<p> -The landlord grunted. "Why don't you settle about that race o' yours an' -ha' done with it," he cried, as he wiped down his counter. "Seems to me, -Cap'n Tucker's hanging fire." -</p> -<p> -"I'm ready when he is," said Tucker, somewhat shortly. -</p> -<p> -"It's taking your money," said Berrow slowly; "the Thistle can't hold -a candle to the Good Intent, and you know it. Many a time that little -schooner o' mine has kept up with a steamer." -</p> -<p> -"Wher'd you ha' been if the tow rope had parted, though?" said the -master of the Thistle, with a wink at the landlord. -</p> -<p> -At this remark Captain Berrow took fire, and, with his temper rapidly -rising to fever heat, wrathfully repelled the scurvy insinuation in -language which compelled the respectful attention of all the other -customers and the hasty intervention of the landlord. -</p> -<p> -"Put up the stakes," he cried impatiently. "Put up the stakes, and don't -have so much jaw about it." -</p> -<p> -"Here's mine," said Berrow, sturdily handing over a greasy fiver. "Now, -Cap'n Tucker, cover that." -</p> -<p> -"Come on," said the landlord encouragingly; "don't let him take the wind -out of your sails like that." -</p> -<p> -Tucker handed over five sovereigns. -</p> -<p> -"High water's at 12.13," said the landlord, pocketing the stakes. "You -understand the conditions?-each of you does the best he can for hisself -after eleven, an' the one what gets to Poole first has the ten quid. -Understand?" -</p> -<p> -Both gamblers breathed hard, and, fully realising the desperate nature -of the enterprise upon which they had embarked, ordered some more gin. A -rivalry of long standing as to the merits of their respective schooners -had led to them calling in the landlord to arbitrate, and this was the -result. Berrow, vaguely feeling that it would be advisable to keep on -good terms with the stakeholder, offered him one of the famous cigars. -The stakeholder, anxious to keep on good terms with his stomach, -declined it. -</p> -<p> -"You've both got your moorings up, I s'pose?" he inquired. -</p> -<p> -"Got 'em up this evening," replied Tucker. "We're just made fast one on -each side of the Dolphin now." -</p> -<p> -"The wind's light, but it's from the right quarter," said Captain -Berrow, "an' I only hope as 'ow the best ship'll win. I'd like to win -myself, but, if not, I can only say as there's no man breathing I'd -sooner have lick me than Cap'n Tucker. He's as smart a seaman as ever -comes into the London river, an' he's got a schooner angels would be -proud of." -</p> -<p> -"Glasses o' gin round," said Tucker promptly. "Cap'n Berrow, here's your -very good health, an' a fair field an' no favour." -</p> -<p> -With these praiseworthy sentiments the master of the Thistle finished -his liquor, and, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, nodded -farewell to the twain and departed. Once in the High Street he walked -slowly, as one in deep thought, then, with a sudden resolution, turned -up Nightingale Lane, and made for a small, unsavoury thoroughfare -leading out of Ratcliff Highway. A quarter of an hour later he emerged -into that famous thoroughfare again, smiling incoherently, and, -retracing his steps to the waterside, jumped into a boat, and was pulled -off to his ship. -</p> -<p> -"Comes off to-night, Joe," said he, as he descended to the cabin, "an' -it's arf a quid to you if the old gal wins." -</p> -<p> -"What's the bet?" inquired the mate, looking up from his task of -shredding tobacco. -</p> -<p> -"Five quid," replied the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Well, we ought to do it," said the mate slowly; "'t wont be my fault if -we don't." -</p> -<p> -"Mine neither," said the skipper. "As a matter o' fact, Joe, I reckon -I've about made sure of it. All's fair in love and war and racing, Joe." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," said the mate, more slowly than before, as he revolved this -addition to the proverb. -</p> -<p> -"I just nipped round and saw a chap I used to know named Dibbs," said -the skipper. "Keeps a boarding-house for sailors. Wonderful sharp little -chap he is. Needles ain't nothing to him. There's heaps of needles, -but only one Dibbs. He's going to make old Berrow's chaps as drunk as -lords." -</p> -<p> -"Does he know 'em?" inquired the mate. -</p> -<p> -"He knows where to find 'em," said the other. "I told him they'd either -be in the 'Duke's Head' or the 'Town o' Berwick.' But he'd find 'em -wherever they was. Ah, even if they was in a coffee pallis, I b'leeve -that man 'ud find 'em." -</p> -<p> -"They're steady chaps," objected the mate, but in a weak fashion, being -somewhat staggered by this tribute to Mr. Dibbs' remarkable powers. -</p> -<p> -"My lad," said the skipper, "it's Dibbs' business to mix sailors' -liquors so's they don't know whether they're standing on their heads -or their heels. He's the most wonderful mixer in Christendom; takes a -reg'lar pride in it. Many a sailorman has got up a ship's side, thinking -it was stairs, and gone off half acrost the world instead of going to -bed, through him." -</p> -<p> -"We'll have a easy job of it, then," said the mate. "I b'leeve we could -ha' managed it without that, though. 'Tain't quite what you'd call -sport, is it?" -</p> -<p> -"There's nothing like making sure of a thing," said the skipper -placidly. "What time's our chaps coming aboard?" -</p> -<p> -"Ten thirty, the latest," replied the mate. "Old Sam's with 'em, so -they'll be all right." -</p> -<p> -"I'll turn in for a couple of hours," said the skipper, going towards -his berth. "Lord! I'd give something to see old Berrow's face as his -chaps come up the side." -</p> -<p> -"P'raps they won't git as far as that," remarked the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Oh, yes they will," said the skipper. "Dibbs is going to see to that. -I don't want any chance of the race being scratched. Turn me out in a -couple of hours." -</p> -<p> -He closed the door behind him, and the mate, having stuffed his clay -with the coarse tobacco, took some pink note-paper with scalloped edges -from his drawer, and, placing the paper at his right side, and squaring -his shoulders, began some private correspondence. -</p> -<p> -For some time he smoked and wrote in silence, until the increasing -darkness warned him to finish his task. He signed the note, and, having -put a few marks of a tender nature below his signature, sealed it ready -for the post, and sat with half-closed eyes, finishing his pipe. Then -his head nodded, and, placing his arms on the table, he too slept. -</p> -<p> -It seemed but a minute since he had closed his eyes when he was awakened -by the entrance of the skipper, who came blundering into the darkness -from his stateroom, vociferating loudly and nervously. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay!" said Joe, starting up. -</p> -<p> -"Where's the lights?" said the skipper. "What's the time? I dreamt I'd -overslept myself. What's the time?" -</p> -<p> -"Plenty o' time," said the mate vaguely, as he stifled a yawn. -</p> -<p> -"Ha'-past ten," said the skipper, as he struck a match, "You've been -asleep," he added severely. -</p> -<p> -"I ain't," said the mate stoutly, as he followed the other on deck. -"I've been thinking. I think better in the dark." -</p> -<p> -"It's about time our chaps was aboard," said the skipper, as he looked -round the deserted deck. "I hope they won't be late." -</p> -<p> -"Sam's with 'em," said the mate confidently, as he went on to the side; -"there ain't no festivities going on aboard the Good Intent, neither." -</p> -<p> -"There will be," said his worthy skipper, with a grin, as he looked -across the intervening brig at the rival craft; "there will be." -</p> -<p> -He walked round the deck to see that everything was snug and ship-shape, -and got back to the mate just as a howl of surprising weirdness was -heard proceeding from the neighbouring stairs. -</p> -<p> -"I'm s'prised at Berrow allowing his men to make that noise," said the -skipper waggishly. "Our chaps are there too, I think. I can hear Sam's -voice." -</p> -<p> -"So can I," said the mate, with emphasis. -</p> -<p> -"Seems to be talking rather loud," said the master of the Thistle, -knitting his brows. -</p> -<p> -"Sounds as though he's trying to sing," said the mate, as, after some -delay, a heavily-laden boat put off from the stairs and made slowly for -them. "No, he ain't; he's screaming." -</p> -<p> -There was no longer any doubt about it. The respectable and -greatly-trusted Sam was letting off a series of wild howls which would -have done credit to a penny-gaff Zulu, and was evidently very much out -of temper about something. -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy, Thistle! Ahoy!" bellowed the waterman, as he neared the schooner. -"Chuck us a rope?-quick!" -</p> -<p> -The mate threw him one, and the boat came alongside. It was then seen -that another waterman, using impatient and deplorable language, was -forcibly holding Sam down in the boat. -</p> -<p> -"What's he done? What's the row?" demanded the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Done?" said the waterman, in disgust. "Done? He's 'ad a small lemon, -an' it's got into his silly old head. He's making all this fuss 'cos -he wanted to set the pub on fire, an' they wouldn't let him. Man ashore -told us they belonged to the Good Intent, but I know they're your men." -</p> -<p> -"Sam!" roared the skipper, with a sinking heart, as his glance fell on -the recumbent figures in the boat; "come aboard at once, you drunken -disgrace! D'ye hear?" -</p> -<p> -"I can't leave him," said Sam, whimpering. -</p> -<p> -"Leave who?" growled the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Him," said Sam, placing his arms round the waterman's neck. "Him an' -me's like brothers." -</p> -<p> -"Get up, you old loonatic!" snarled the waterman, extricating himself -with difficulty, and forcing the other towards the side. "Now, up you -go!" -</p> -<p> -Aided by the shoulders of the waterman and the hands of his superior -officers, Sam went up, and then the waterman turned his attention to the -remainder of his fares, who were snoring contentedly in the bottom of -the boat. -</p> -<p> -"Now, then!" he cried; "look alive with you! D'ye hear? Wake up! Wake -up! Kick 'em, Bill!" -</p> -<p> -"I can't kick no 'arder," grumbled the other waterman. -</p> -<p> -"What the devil's the matter with 'em?" stormed the master of the -Thistle, "Chuck a pail of water over 'em, Joe!" -</p> -<p> -Joe obeyed with gusto; and, as he never had much of a head for details, -bestowed most of it upon the watermen. Through the row which ensued the -Thistle's crew snored peacefully, and at last were handed up over the -sides like sacks of potatoes, and the indignant watermen pulled back to -the stairs. -</p> -<p> -"Here's a nice crew to win a race with!" wailed the skipper, almost -crying with rage. "Chuck the water over 'em, Joe! Chuck the water over -'em!" -</p> -<p> -Joe obeyed willingly, until at length, to the skipper's great relief, -one man stirred, and, sitting up on the deck, sleepily expressed his -firm conviction that it was raining. For a moment they both had hopes -of him, but as Joe went to the side for another bucketful, he evidently -came to the conclusion that he had been dreaming, and, lying down again, -resumed his nap. As he did so the first stroke of Big Ben came booming -down the river. -</p> -<p> -"Eleven o'clock!" shouted the excited skipper. -</p> -<p> -It was too true. Before Big Ben had finished, the neighbouring church -clocks commenced striking with feverish haste, and hurrying feet and -hoarse cries were heard proceeding from the deck of the GOOD INTENT. -</p> -<p> -"Loose the sails!" yelled the furious Tucker. "Loose the sails! Damme, -we'll get under way by ourselves!" -</p> -<p> -He ran forward, and, assisted by the mate, hoisted the jibs, and then, -running back, cast off from the brig, and began to hoist the mainsail. -As they disengaged themselves from the tier, there was just sufficient -sail for them to advance against the tide; while in front of them the -Good Intent, shaking out sail after sail, stood boldly down the river. -</p> -<hr> -<p> -"This was the way of it," said Sam, as he stood before the grim Tucker -at six o'clock the next morning, surrounded by his mates. "He came into -the 'Town o' Berwick,' where we was, as nice a spoken little chap as -ever you'd wish to see. He said he'd been a-looking at the GOOD INTENT, -and he thought it was the prettiest little craft 'e ever seed, and the -exact image of one his dear brother, which was a missionary, 'ad, and -he'd like to stand a drink to every man of her crew. Of course, we all -said we was the crew direckly, an' all I can remember after that is -two coppers an' a little boy trying to giv' me the frog's march, an' -somebody chucking pails o' water over me. It's crool 'ard losing a -race, what we didn't know nothink about, in this way; but it warn't -our fault?-it warn't, indeed. It's my belief that the little man was a -missionary of some sort hisself, and wanted to convert us, an' that was -his way of starting on the job. It's all very well for the mate to have -highstirriks; but it's quite true, every word of it, an' if you go an' -ask at the pub they'll tell you the same." -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - MATED -</h2> -<p> -The schooner Falcon was ready for sea. The last bale of general cargo -had just been shipped, and a few hairy, unkempt seamen were busy putting -on the hatches under the able profanity of the mate. -</p> -<p> -"All clear?" inquired the master, a short, ruddy-faced man of about -thirty-five. "Cast off there!" -</p> -<p> -"Ain't you going to wait for the passengers, then?" inquired the mate. -</p> -<p> -"No, no," replied the skipper, whose features were working with -excitement. "They won't come now, I'm sure they won't. We'll lose the -tide if we don't look sharp." -</p> -<p> -He turned aside to give an order just as a buxom young woman, -accompanied by a loutish boy, a band-box, and several other bundles, -came hurrying on to the jetty. -</p> -<p> -"Well, here we are, Cap'n Evans," said the girl, springing lightly on to -the deck. "I thought we should never get here; the cabman didn't seem to -know the way; but I knew you wouldn't go without us." -</p> -<p> -"Here you are," said the skipper, with attempted cheerfulness, as he -gave the girl his right hand, while his left strayed vaguely in the -direction of the boy's ear, which was coldly withheld from him. "Go down -below, and the mate'll show you your cabin. Bill, this is Miss Cooper, a -lady friend o' mine, and her brother." -</p> -<p> -The mate, acknowledging the introduction, led the way to the cabin, -where they remained so long that by the time they came on deck again the -schooner was off Limehouse, slipping along well under a light wind. -</p> -<p> -"How do you like the state-room?" inquired the skipper, who was at the -wheel. -</p> -<p> -"Pretty fair," replied Miss Cooper. "It's a big name for it though, -ain't it? Oh, what a large ship!" -</p> -<p> -She ran to the side to gaze at a big liner, and as far as Gravesend -besieged the skipper and mate with questions concerning the various -craft. At the mate's suggestion they had tea on deck, at which meal -William Henry Cooper became a source of much discomfort to his host -by his remarkable discoveries anent the fauna of lettuce. Despite -his efforts, however, and the cloud under which Evans seemed to be -labouring, the meal was voted a big success; and after it was over they -sat laughing and chatting until the air got chilly, and the banks of the -river were lost in the gathering darkness. At ten o'clock they retired -for the night, leaving Evans and the mate on deck. -</p> -<p> -"Nice gal, that," said the mate, looking at the skipper, who was leaning -moodily on the wheel. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," replied he. "Bill," he continued, turning suddenly towards the -mate. "I'm in a deuce of a mess. You've got a good square head on your -shoulders. Now, what on earth am I to do? Of course you can see how the -land lays?" -</p> -<p> -"Of course," said the mate, who was not going to lose his reputation by -any display of ignorance. "Anyone could see it," he added. -</p> -<p> -"The question is what's to be done?" said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"That's the question," said the mate guardedly. -</p> -<p> -"I feel that worried," said Evans, "that I've actually thought of -getting into collision, or running the ship ashore. Fancy them two women -meeting at Llandalock." -</p> -<p> -Such a sudden light broke in upon the square head of the mate, that he -nearly whistled with the brightness of it. -</p> -<p> -"But you ain't engaged to this one?" he cried. -</p> -<p> -"We're to be married in August," said the skipper desperately. "That's -my ring on her finger." -</p> -<p> -"But you're going to marry Mary Jones in September," expostulated the -mate. "You can't marry both of 'em." -</p> -<p> -"That's what I say," replied Evans; "that's what I keep telling myself, -but it don't seem to bring much comfort. I'm too soft-'earted where -wimmen is concerned, Bill, an' that's the truth of it. D'reckly I get -alongside of a nice gal my arm goes creeping round her before I know -what it's doing." -</p> -<p> -"What on earth made you bring the girl on the ship?" inquired the mate. -"The other one's sure to be on the quay to meet you as usual." -</p> -<p> -"I couldn't help it," groaned the skipper; "she would come; she can be -very determined when she likes. She's awful gone on me, Bill." -</p> -<p> -"So's the other one apparently," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I can't think what it is the gals see in me," said the other -mournfully. "Can you?" -</p> -<p> -"No, I'm blamed if I can," replied the mate frankly. -</p> -<p> -"I don't take no credit for it, Bill," said the skipper, "not a bit. My -father was like it before me. The worry's killing me." -</p> -<p> -"Well, which are you going to have?" inquired the mate. "Which do you -like the best?" -</p> -<p> -"I don't know, an' that's a fact," said the skipper. "They 've both got -money coming to 'em; when I'm in Wales I like Mary Jones best, and when -I'm in London it's Janey Cooper. It's dreadful to be like that, Bill." -</p> -<p> -"It is," said the mate drily. "I wouldn't be in your shoes when those -two gals meet for a fortune. Then you'll have old Jones and her brothers -to tackle, too. Seems to me things'll be a bit lively." -</p> -<p> -"I hev thought of being took sick, and staying in my bunk, Bill," -suggested Evans anxiously. -</p> -<p> -"An' having the two of 'em to nurse you," retorted Bill. "Nice quiet -time for an invalid." -</p> -<p> -Evans made a gesture of despair. -</p> -<p> -"How would it be," said the mate, after a long pause, and speaking very -slowly; "how would it be if I took this one off your hands." -</p> -<p> -"You couldn't do it, Bill," said the skipper decidedly. "Not while she -knew I was above ground." "Well, I can try," returned the mate shortly. -"I've took rather a fancy to the girl. Is it a bargain?" -</p> -<p> -"It is," said the skipper, shaking hands upon it. "If you git me out of -this hole, Bill, I'll remember it the longest day I live." -</p> -<p> -With these words he went below, and, after cautiously undoing W. -H. Cooper, who had slept himself into a knot that a professional -contortionist would have envied, tumbled in beside him and went to -sleep. -</p> -<p> -His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at -breakfast in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong -effort; and after the meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on -deck, he laid hold of the mate, who was following, and drew him into the -cabin. -</p> -<p> -"You haven't washed yourself this morning," he said, eyeing him closely. -"How do you s'pose you are going to make an impression if you don't look -smart?" -</p> -<p> -"Well, I look tidier than you do," growled the mate. -</p> -<p> -"Of course you do," said the wily Evans. "I'm going to give you all the -chances I can. Now you go and shave yourself, and here—take it." -</p> -<p> -He passed the surprised mate a brilliant red silk tie, embellished with -green spots. -</p> -<p> -"No, no," said the mate deprecatingly. -</p> -<p> -"Take it," repeated Evans; "if anything'll fetch her it'll be that tie; -and here's a couple of collars for you; they're a new shape, quite the -rage down Poplar way just now." -</p> -<p> -"It's robbing you," said the mate, "and it's no good either. I ain't got -a decent suit of clothes to my back." -</p> -<p> -Evans looked up, and their eyes met; then, with a catch in his breath, -he turned away, and after some hesitation went to his locker, and -bringing out a new suit, bought for the edification of Miss Jones, -handed it silently to the mate. -</p> -<p> -"I can't take all these things without giving you something for 'em," -said the mate. "Here, wait a bit." -</p> -<p> -He dived into his cabin, and, after a hasty search, brought out some -garments which he placed on the table before his commander. -</p> -<p> -"I wouldn't wear 'em, no, not to drown myself in," declared Evans after -a brief glance; "they ain't even decent." -</p> -<p> -"So much the better," said the mate; "it'll be more of a contrast with -me." -</p> -<p> -After a slight contest the skipper gave way, and the mate, after an -elaborate toilette, went on deck and began to make himself agreeable, -while his chief skulked below trying to muster up courage to put in an -appearance. -</p> -<p> -"Where's the captain?" inquired Miss Cooper, after his absence had been -so prolonged as to become noticeable. -</p> -<p> -"He's below, dressin', I b'leeve," replied the mate simply. -</p> -<p> -Miss Cooper, glancing at his attire, smiled softly to herself, and -prepared for something startling, and she got it; for a more forlorn, -sulky-looking object than the skipper, when he did appear, had never -been seen on the deck of the Falcon, and his London betrothed glanced at -him hot with shame and indignation. -</p> -<p> -"Whatever have you got those things on for?" she whispered. -</p> -<p> -"Work, my dear—work," replied the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Well, mind you don't lose any of the pieces," said the dear suavely; -"you mightn't be able to match that cloth." -</p> -<p> -"I'll look after that," said the skipper, reddening. "You must excuse me -talkin' to you now. I'm busy." -</p> -<p> -Miss Cooper looked at him indignantly, and, biting her lip, turned away, -and started a desperate flirtation with the mate, to punish him. Evans -watched them with mingled feelings as he busied himself with various -small jobs on the deck, his wrath being raised to boiling point by -the behaviour of the cook, who, being a poor hand at disguising his -feelings, came out of the galley several times to look at him. -</p> -<p> -From this incident a coolness sprang up between the skipper and the -girl, which increased hourly. At times the skipper weakened, but the -watchful mate was always on hand to prevent mischief. Owing to his -fostering care Evans was generally busy, and always gruff; and Miss -Cooper, who was used to the most assiduous attentions from him, knew not -whether to be most bewildered or most indignant. Four times in one day -did he remark in her hearing that a sailor's ship was his sweetheart, -while his treatment of his small prospective brother in-law, when he -expostulated with him on the state of his wardrobe, filled that hitherto -pampered youth with amazement. At last, on the fourth night out, as the -little schooner was passing the coast of Cornwall, the mate came up to -him as he was steering, and patted him heavily on the back. -</p> -<p> -"It's all right, cap'n," said he. "You've lost the prettiest little girl -in England." -</p> -<p> -"What?" said the skipper, in incredulous tones. -</p> -<p> -"Fact," replied the other. "Here's your ring back. I wouldn't let her -wear it any longer." -</p> -<p> -"However did you do it?" inquired Evans, taking the ring in a dazed -fashion. -</p> -<p> -"Oh, easy as possible," said the mate. "She liked me best, that's all." -</p> -<p> -"But what did you say to her?" persisted Evans. -</p> -<p> -The other reflected. -</p> -<p> -"I can't call to mind exactly," he said at length. "But, you may rely -upon it, I said everything I could against you. But she never did care -much for you. She told me so herself." -</p> -<p> -"I wish you joy of your bargain," said Evans solemnly, after a long -pause. -</p> -<p> -"What do you mean?" demanded the mate sharply. -</p> -<p> -"A girl like that," said the skipper, with a lump in his throat, "who -can carry on with two men at once ain't worth having. She's not my -money, that's all." -</p> -<p> -The mate looked at him in honest bewilderment. -</p> -<p> -"Mark my words," continued the skipper loftily, "you'll live to regret -it. A girl like that's got no ballast. She'll always be running after -fresh neckties." -</p> -<p> -"You put it down to the necktie, do you?" sneered the mate wrathfully. -</p> -<p> -"That and the clothes, cert'nly," replied the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Well, you're wrong," said the mate. "A lot you know about girls. It -wasn't your old clothes, and it wasn't all your bad behaviour to -her since she's been aboard. You may as well know first as last. She -wouldn't have nothing to do with me at first, so I told her all about -Mary Jones." -</p> -<p> -"You told her THAT?" cried the skipper fiercely. -</p> -<p> -"I did," replied the other. "She was pretty wild at first; but then the -comic side of it struck her—you wearing them old clothes, and going -about as you did. She used to watch you until she couldn't stand it any -longer, and then go down in the cabin and laugh. Wonderful spirits that -girl's got. Hush! Here she is!" -</p> -<p> -As he spoke the girl came on deck, and, seeing the two men talking -together, remained at a short distance from them. -</p> -<p> -"It's all right, Jane," said the mate; "I've told him." -</p> -<p> -"Oh!" said Miss Cooper, with a little gasp. -</p> -<p> -"I can't bear deceit," said the mate; "and now it's off his mind, he's -so happy he can't bear himself." -</p> -<p> -The latter part of this assertion seemed to be more warranted by facts -than the former, but Evans made a choking noise, which he intended as a -sign of unbearable joy, and, relinquishing the wheel to the mate, walked -forward. The clear sky was thick with stars, and a mind at ease might -have found enjoyment in the quiet beauty of the night, but the skipper -was too interested in the behaviour of the young couple at the wheel to -give it a thought. Immersed in each other, they forgot him entirely, -and exchanged little playful slaps and pushes, which incensed him -beyond description. Several times he was on the point of exercising -his position as commander and ordering the mate below, but in the -circumstances interference was impossible, and, with a low-voiced -good-night, he went below. Here his gaze fell on William Henry, who was -slumbering peacefully, and, with a hazy idea of the eternal fitness -of things, he raised the youth in his arms, and, despite his sleepy -protests, deposited him in the mate's bunk. Then, with head and heart -both aching, he retired for the night. -</p> -<p> -There was a little embarrassment next day, but it soon passed off, and -the three adult inmates of the cabin got on quite easy terms with each -other. The most worried person aft was the boy, who had not been taken -into their confidence, and whose face, when his sister sat with the -mate's arm around her waist, presented to the skipper a perfect study in -emotions. -</p> -<p> -"I feel quite curious to see this Miss Jones," said Miss Cooper amiably, -as they sat at dinner. -</p> -<p> -"She'll be on the quay, waving her handkerchief to him," said the mate. -"We'll be in to-morrow afternoon, and then you'll see her." -</p> -<p> -As it happened, the mate was a few hours out in his reckoning, for by -the time the Falcon's bows were laid for the small harbour it was quite -dark, and the little schooner glided in, guided by the two lights which -marked the entrance. The quay, seen in the light of a few scattered -lamps, looked dreary enough, and, except for two or three indistinct -figures, appeared to be deserted. Beyond, the broken lights of the town -stood out more clearly as the schooner crept slowly over the dark water -towards her berth. -</p> -<p> -"Fine night, cap'n," said the watchman, as the schooner came gently -alongside the quay. -</p> -<p> -The skipper grunted assent. He was peering anxiously at the quay. -</p> -<p> -"It's too late," said the mate. "You couldn't expect her this time -o'night. It's ten o'clock." -</p> -<p> -"I'll go over in the morning," said Evans, who, now that things had been -adjusted, was secretly disappointed that Miss Cooper had not witnessed -the meeting. "If you're not going ashore, we might have a hand o' cards -as soon's we're made fast." -</p> -<p> -The mate assenting, they went below, and were soon deep in the mysteries -of three-hand cribbage. Evans, who was a good player, surpassed himself, -and had just won the first game, the others being nowhere, when a head -was thrust down the companion-way, and a voice like a strained foghorn -called the captain by name. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay!" yelled Evans, laying down his hand. -</p> -<p> -"I'll come down, cap'n," said the voice, and the mate just had time to -whisper "Old Jones" to Miss Cooper, when a man of mighty bulk filled up -the doorway of the little cabin, and extended a huge paw to Evans and -the mate. He then looked at the lady, and, breathing hard, waited. -</p> -<p> -"Young lady o' the mate's," said Evans breathlessly,—"Miss Cooper. Sit -down, cap'n. Get the gin out, Bill." -</p> -<p> -"Not for me," said Captain Jones firmly, but with an obvious effort. -</p> -<p> -The surprise of Evans and the mate admitted of no concealment; but it -passed unnoticed by their visitor, who, fidgeting in his seat, appeared -to be labouring with some mysterious problem. After a long pause, during -which all watched him anxiously, he reached over the table and shook -hands with Evans again. -</p> -<p> -"Put it there, cap'n," said Evans, much affected by this token of -esteem. -</p> -<p> -The old man rose and stood looking at him, with his hand on his -shoulder; he then shook hands for the third time, and patted him -encouragingly on the back. -</p> -<p> -"Is anything the matter?" demanded the skipper of the Falcon as he rose -to his feet, alarmed by these manifestations of feeling. "Is Mary—is -she ill?" -</p> -<p> -"Worse than that," said the other—"worse'n that, my poor boy; she's -married a lobster!" -</p> -<p> -The effect of this communication upon Evans was tremendous; but it may -be doubted whether he was more surprised than Miss Cooper, who, utterly -unversed in military terms, strove in vain to realize the possibility of -such a mesalliance, as she gazed wildly at the speaker and squeaked with -astonishment. -</p> -<p> -"When was it?" asked Evans at last, in a dull voice. -</p> -<p> -"Thursday fortnight, at ha' past eleven," said the old man. "He's a -sergeant in the line. I would have written to you, but I thought it was -best to come and break it to you gently. Cheer up, my boy; there's more -than one Mary Jones in the world." -</p> -<p> -With this undeniable fact, Captain Jones waved a farewell to the party -and went off, leaving them to digest his news. For some time they sat -still, the mate and Miss Cooper exchanging whispers, until at length, -the stillness becoming oppressive, they withdrew to their respective -berths, leaving the skipper sitting at the table, gazing hard at a knot -in the opposite locker. -</p> -<p> -For long after their departure he sat thus, amid a deep silence, -broken only by an occasional giggle from the stateroom, or an idiotic -sniggering from the direction of the mate's bunk, until, recalled to -mundane affairs by the lamp burning itself out, he went, in befitting -gloom, to bed. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - THE RIVAL BEAUTIES -</h2> -<p> -"If you hadn't asked me," said the night watchman, "I should never have -told you; but, seeing as you've put the question point blank, I will -tell you my experience of it. You're the first person I've ever opened -my lips to upon the subject, for it was so eggstraordinary that all -our chaps swore as they'd keep it to theirselves for fear of being -disbelieved and jeered at. -</p> -<p> -"It happened in '84, on board the steamer George Washington, bound from -Liverpool to New York. The first eight days passed without anything -unusual happening, but on the ninth I was standing aft with the first -mate, hauling in the log, when we hears a yell from aloft, an' a chap -what we called Stuttering Sam come down as if he was possessed, and -rushed up to the mate with his eyes nearly starting out of his 'ed. -</p> -<p> -"'There's the s-s-s-s-s-s-sis-sis-sip!' ses he. -</p> -<p> -"'The what?' ses the mate. -</p> -<p> -"'The s-s-sea-sea-sssssip!' -</p> -<p> -"'Look here, my lad,' ses the mate, taking out a pocket-hankerchief an' -wiping his face, 'you just tarn your 'ed away till you get your breath. -It's like opening a bottle o' soda water to stand talking to you. Now, -what is it?' -</p> -<p> -"'It's the ssssssis-sea-sea-sea-sarpint!' ses Sam, with a bust. -</p> -<p> -"'Rather a long un by your account of it,' ses the mate, with a grin. -</p> -<p> -"'What's the matter?' ses the skipper, who just came up. -</p> -<p> -"'This man has seen the sea-sarpint, sir, that's all,' ses the mate. -</p> -<p> -"'Y-y-yes,' said Sam, with a sort o' sob. -</p> -<p> -"'Well, there ain't much doing just now,' ses the skipper, 'so you'd -better get a slice o' bread and feed it.' -</p> -<p> -"The mate bust out larfing, an' I could see by the way the skipper -smiled he was rather tickled at it himself. -</p> -<p> -"The skipper an' the mate was still larfing very hearty when we heard a -dreadful 'owl from the bridge, an' one o' the chaps suddenly leaves -the wheel, jumps on to the deck, and bolts below as though he was mad. -T'other one follows 'm a'most d'reckly, and the second mate caught hold -o' the wheel as he left it, and called out something we couldn't catch -to the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"'What the d——'s the matter?' yells the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"The mate pointed to starboard, but as 'is 'and was shaking so that one -minute it was pointing to the sky an' the next to the bottom o' the sea, -it wasn't much of a guide to us. Even when he got it steady we couldn't -see anything, till all of a sudden, about two miles off, something like -a telegraph pole stuck up out of the water for a few seconds, and then -ducked down again and made straight for the ship. -</p> -<p> -"Sam was the fust to speak, and, without wasting time stuttering or -stammering, he said he'd go down and see about that bit o' bread, an' he -went afore the skipper or the mate could stop 'im. -</p> -<p> -"In less than 'arf a minute there was only the three officers an' me on -deck. The second mate was holding the wheel, the skipper was holding -his breath, and the first mate was holding me. It was one o' the most -exciting times I ever had. -</p> -<p> -"'Better fire the gun at it,' ses the skipper, in a trembling voice, -looking at the little brass cannon we had for signalling. -</p> -<p> -"'Better not give him any cause for offence,' ses the mate, shaking his -head. -</p> -<p> -"'I wonder whether it eats men,' ses the skipper. 'Perhaps it'll come -for some of us.' -</p> -<p> -"'There ain't many on deck for it to choose from,' ses the mate, looking -at 'im significant like. -</p> -<p> -"'That's true,' ses the skipper, very thoughtful; 'I'll go an' send all -hands on deck. As captain, it's my duty not to leave the ship till the -LAST, if I can anyways help it.' -</p> -<p> -"How he got them on deck has always been a wonder to me, but he did it. -He was a brutal sort o' a man at the best o' times, an' he carried on -so much that I s'pose they thought even the sarpint couldn't be worse. -Anyway, up they came, an' we all stood in a crowd watching the sarpint -as it came closer and closer. -</p> -<p> -"We reckoned it to be about a hundred yards long, an' it was about the -most awful-looking creetur you could ever imagine. If you took all -the ugliest things in the earth and mixed 'em up—gorillas an' the -like—you'd only make a hangel compared to what that was. It just hung -off our quarter, keeping up with us, and every now and then it would -open its mouth and let us see about four yards down its throat. -</p> -<p> -"'It seems peaceable,' whispers the fust mate, arter awhile. -</p> -<p> -"'P'raps it ain't hungry,' ses the skipper. 'We'd better not let it get -peckish. Try it with a loaf o' bread.' -</p> -<p> -"The cook went below and fetched up half-a-dozen, an' one o' the chaps, -plucking up courage, slung it over the side, an' afore you could say -'Jack Robinson' the sarpint had woffled it up an' was looking for more. -It stuck its head up and came close to the side just like the swans in -Victoria Park, an' it kept that game up until it had 'ad ten loaves an' -a hunk o' pork. -</p> -<p> -"'I'm afraid we're encouraging it,' ses the skipper, looking at it as it -swam alongside with an eye as big as a saucer cocked on the ship. -</p> -<p> -"'P'raps it'll go away soon if we don't take no more notice of it,' ses -the mate. 'Just pretend it isn't here.' -</p> -<p> -"Well, we did pretend as well as we could; but everybody hugged the -port side o' the ship, and was ready to bolt down below at the shortest -notice; and at last, when the beast got craning its neck up over the -side as though it was looking for something, we gave it some more grub. -We thought if we didn't give it he might take it, and take it off the -wrong shelf, so to speak. But, as the mate said, it was encouraging -it, and long arter it was dark we could hear it snorting and splashing -behind us, until at last it 'ad such an effect on us the mate sent one -o' the chaps down to rouse the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"'I don't think it'll do no 'arm,' ses the skipper, peering over the -side, and speaking as though he knew all about sea-sarpints and their -ways. -</p> -<p> -"'S'pose it puts its 'ead over the side and takes one o' the men,' ses -the mate. -</p> -<p> -"'Let me know at once,' ses the skipper firmly; an' he went below agin -and left us. -</p> -<p> -"Well, I was jolly glad when eight bells struck, an' I went below; an' -if ever I hoped anything I hoped that when I go up that ugly brute would -have gone, but, instead o' that, when I went on deck it was playing -alongside like a kitten a'most, an' one o' the chaps told me as the -skipper had been feeding it agin. -</p> -<p> -"'It's a wonderful animal,' ses the skipper, 'an' there's none of you -now but has seen the sea-sarpint; but I forbid any man here to say a -word about it when we get ashore.' -</p> -<p> -"'Why not, sir?' ses the second mate. -</p> -<p> -"'Becos you wouldn't be believed,' said the skipper sternly. 'You might -all go ashore and kiss the Book an' make affidavits an' not a soul 'ud -believe you. The comic papers 'ud make fun of it, and the respectable -papers 'ud say it was seaweed or gulls.' -</p> -<p> -"Why not take it to New York with us?' ses the fust mate suddenly. -</p> -<p> -"'What?' ses the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"'Feed it every day,' ses the mate, getting excited, 'and bait a couple -of shark hooks and keep 'em ready, together with some wire rope. Git 'im -to foller us as far as he will, and then hook him. We might git him in -alive and show him at a sovereign a head. Anyway, we can take in his -carcase if we manage it properly.' -</p> -<p> -"'By Jove! if we only could,' ses the skipper, getting excited too. -</p> -<p> -"'We can try,' ses the mate. 'Why, we could have noosed it this mornin' -if we had liked; and if it breaks the lines we must blow its head to -pieces with the gun.' -</p> -<p> -"It seemed a most eggstraordinary thing to try and catch it that way; -but the beast was so tame, and stuck so close to us, that it wasn't -quite so ridikilous as it seemed at fust. -</p> -<p> -"Arter a couple o' days nobody minded the animal a bit, for it was about -the most nervous thing of its size you ever saw. It hadn't got the soul -of a mouse; and one day when the second mate, just for a lark, took the -line of the foghorn in his hand and tooted it a bit, it flung up its -'ead in a scared sort o' way, and, after backing a bit, turned clean -round and bolted. -</p> -<p> -"I thought the skipper 'ud have gone mad. He chucked over loaves o' -bread, bits o' beef and pork, an' scores o' biskits, and by-and-bye, -when the brute plucked up heart an' came arter us again, he fairly -beamed with joy. Then he gave orders that nobody was to touch the horn -for any reason whatever, not even if there was a fog, or chance of -collision, or anything of the kind; an' he also gave orders that the -bells wasn't to be struck, but that the bosen was just to shove 'is 'ead -in the fo'c's'le and call 'em out instead. -</p> -<p> -"Arter three days had passed, and the thing was still follering us, -everybody made certain of taking it to New York, an' I b'leeve if it -hadn't been for Joe Cooper the question about the sea-sarpint would ha' -been settled long ago. He was a most eggstraordinary ugly chap was Joe. -He had a perfic cartoon of a face, an' he was so delikit-minded and -sensitive about it that if a chap only stopped in the street and -whistled as he passed him, or pointed him out to a friend, he didn't -like it. He told me once when I was symperthizing with him, that the -only time a woman ever spoke civilly to him was one night down Poplar -way in a fog, an' he was so 'appy about it that they both walked into -the canal afore he knew where they was. -</p> -<p> -"On the fourth morning, when we was only about three days from Sandy -Hook, the skipper got out o' bed wrong side, an' when he went on deck he -was ready to snap at anybody, an' as luck would have it, as he walked -a bit forrard, he sees Joe a-sticking his phiz over the side looking at -the sarpint. -</p> -<p> -"'What the d—— are you doing?' shouts the skipper, 'What do you mean -by it?' -</p> -<p> -"'Mean by what, sir?' asks Joe. -</p> -<p> -"'Putting your black ugly face over the side o' the ship an' frightening -my sea-sarpint!' bellows the skipper, 'You know how easy it's skeered.' -</p> -<p> -"'Frightening the sea-sarpint?' ses Joe, trembling all over, an' turning -very white. -</p> -<p> -"'If I see that face o' yours over the side agin, my lad,' ses the -skipper very fierce, 'I'll give it a black eye. Now cut!' -</p> -<p> -"Joe cut, an' the skipper, having worked off some of his ill-temper, -went aft again and began to chat with the mate quite pleasant like. I -was down below at the time, an' didn't know anything about it for hours -arter, and then I heard it from one o' the firemen. He comes up to me -very mysterious like, an' ses, 'Bill,' he ses, 'you're a pal o' Joe's; -come down here an' see what you can make of 'im.' -</p> -<p> -"Not knowing what he meant, I follered 'im below to the engine-room, an' -there was Joe sitting on a bucket staring wildly in front of 'im, and -two or three of 'em standing round looking at 'im with their 'eads on -one side. -</p> -<p> -"'He's been like that for three hours,' ses the second engineer in a -whisper, 'dazed like.' -</p> -<p> -"As he spoke Joe gave a little shudder; 'Frighten the sea-sarpint!' ses -he, 'O Lord!' -</p> -<p> -"'It's turned his brain,' ses one o' the firemen, 'he keeps saying -nothing but that.' -</p> -<p> -"'If we could only make 'im cry,' ses the second engineer, who had a -brother what was a medical student, 'it might save his reason. But how -to do it, that's the question.' -</p> -<p> -"'Speak kind to 'im, sir,' ses the fireman. 'I'll have a try if you -don't mind.' He cleared his throat first, an' then he walks over to Joe -and puts his hand on his shoulder an' ses very soft an' pitiful like: -</p> -<p> -"'Don't take on, Joe, don't take on, there's many a ugly mug 'ides a -good 'art,' -</p> -<p> -"Afore he could think o" anything else to say, Joe ups with his fist an' -gives 'im one in the ribs as nearly broke 'em. Then he turns away 'is -'ead an' shivers again, an' the old dazed look come back. -</p> -<p> -"'Joe,' I ses, shaking him, 'Joe!' -</p> -<p> -"'Frightened the sea-sarpint!' whispers Joe, staring. -</p> -<p> -"'Joe,' I ses, 'Joe. You know me, I'm your pal, Bill.' -</p> -<p> -"'Ay, ay,' ses Joe, coming round a bit. -</p> -<p> -"'Come away,' I ses, 'come an' git to bed, that's the best place for -you.' -</p> -<p> -"I took 'im by the sleeve, and he gets up quiet an' obedient and follers -me like a little child. I got 'im straight into 'is bunk, an' arter a -time he fell into a soft slumber, an' I thought the worst had passed, -but I was mistaken. He got up in three hours' time an' seemed all right, -'cept that he walked about as though he was thinking very hard about -something, an' before I could make out what it was he had a fit. -</p> -<p> -"He was in that fit ten minutes, an' he was no sooner out o' that one -than he was in another. In twenty-four hours he had six full-sized fits, -and I'll allow I was fairly puzzled. What pleasure he could find in -tumbling down hard and stiff an' kicking at everybody an' everything I -couldn't see. He'd be standing quiet and peaceable like one minute, and -the next he'd catch hold o' the nearest thing to him and have a bad fit, -and lie on his back and kick us while we was trying to force open his -hands to pat 'em. -</p> -<p> -"The other chaps said the skipper's insult had turned his brain, but I -wasn't quite so soft, an' one time when he was alone I put it to him. -</p> -<p> -"'Joe, old man,' I ses, 'you an' me's been very good pals.' -</p> -<p> -"'Ay, ay,' ses he, suspicious like. -</p> -<p> -"'Joe,' I whispers, 'what's yer little game?' -</p> -<p> -"'Wodyermean?' ses he, very short. -</p> -<p> -"'I mean the fits,' ses I, looking at 'im very steady, 'It's no good -looking hinnercent like that, 'cos I see yer chewing soap with my own -eyes.' -</p> -<p> -"'Soap,' ses Joe, in a nasty sneering way, 'you wouldn't reckernise a -piece if you saw it.' -</p> -<p> -"Arter that I could see there was nothing to be got out of 'im, an' I -just kept my eyes open and watched. The skipper didn't worry about his -fits, 'cept that he said he wasn't to let the sarpint see his face when -he was in 'em for fear of scaring it; an' when the mate wanted to leave -him out o' the watch, he ses, 'No, he might as well have fits while at -work as well as anywhere else.' -</p> -<p> -"We were about twenty-four hours from port, an' the sarpint was still -following us; and at six o'clock in the evening the officers puffected -all their arrangements for ketching the creetur at eight o'clock next -morning. To make quite sure of it an extra watch was kept on deck all -night to chuck it food every half-hour; an' when I turned in at ten -o'clock that night it was so close I could have reached it with a -clothes-prop. -</p> -<p> -"I think I'd been abed about 'arf-an-hour when I was awoke by the most -infernal row I ever heard. The foghorn was going incessantly, an' there -was a lot o' shouting and running about on deck. It struck us all as -'ow the sarpint was gitting tired o' bread, and was misbehaving himself, -consequently we just shoved our 'eds out o' the fore-scuttle and -listened. All the hullaballoo seemed to be on the bridge, an' as we -didn't see the sarpint there we plucked up courage and went on deck. -</p> -<p> -"Then we saw what had happened. Joe had 'ad another fit while at the -wheel, and, NOT KNOWING WHAT HE WAS DOING, had clutched the line of the -foghorn, and was holding on to it like grim death, and kicking right and -left. The skipper was in his bedclothes, raving worse than Joe; and just -as we got there Joe came round a bit, and, letting go o' the line, asked -in a faint voice what the foghorn was blowing for. I thought the skipper -'ud have killed him; but the second mate held him back, an', of course, -when things quieted down a bit, an' we went to the side, we found the -sea-sarpint had vanished. -</p> -<p> -"We stayed there all that night, but it warn't no use. When day broke -there wasn't the slightest trace of it, an' I think the men was as sorry -to lose it as the officers. All 'cept Joe, that is, which shows how -people should never be rude, even to the humblest; for I'm sartin that -if the skipper hadn't hurt his feelings the way he did we should now -know as much about the sea-sarpint as we do about our own brothers." -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - MRS. BUNKER'S CHAPERON -</h2> -<p> -Matilda stood at the open door of a house attached to a wharf situated -in that dreary district which bears the high-sounding name of "St. -Katharine's." -</p> -<p> -Work was over for the day. A couple of unhorsed vans were pushed up -the gangway by the side of the house, and the big gate was closed. The -untidy office which occupied the ground-floor was deserted, except for -a grey-bearded "housemaid" of sixty, who was sweeping it through with a -broom, and indulging in a few sailorly oaths at the choking qualities of -the dust he was raising. -</p> -<p> -The sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate, a small flap-door -let in it flew open, and Matilda Bunker's open countenance took a -pinkish hue, as a small man in jersey and blue coat, with a hard round -hat exceeding high in the crown, stepped inside. -</p> -<p> -"Good evening, Mrs. Bunker, ma'am," said he, coming slowly up to her. -</p> -<p> -"Good evening, captain," said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of -her age and presence. -</p> -<p> -"Fresh breeze," said the man in the high round hat. "If this lasts we'll -be in Ipswich in no time." -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Bunker assented. -</p> -<p> -"Beautiful the river is at present," continued the captain. "Everything -growing splendid." -</p> -<p> -"In the river?" asked the mystified Mrs. Bunker. -</p> -<p> -"On the banks," said the captain; "the trees, by Sheppey, and all round -there. Now, why don't you say the word, and come? There's a cabin like -a new pin ready for you to sit in—for cleanness, I mean—and every -accommodation you could require. Sleep like a humming-top you will, if -you come." -</p> -<p> -"Humming-top?" queried Mrs. Bunker archly. -</p> -<p> -"Any top," said the captain. "Come, make up your mind. We shan't sail -afore nine." -</p> -<p> -"It don't look right," said the lady, who was sorely tempted. "But the -missus says I may go if I like, so I'll just go and get my box ready. -I'll be down on the jetty at nine." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay," said the skipper, smiling, "me and Bill'll just have a snooze -till then. So long." -</p> -<p> -"So long," said Matilda. -</p> -<p> -"So long," repeated the amorous skipper, and turning round to bestow -another ardent glance upon the fair one at the door, crashed into the -waggon. -</p> -<p> -The neighbouring clocks were just striking nine in a sort of yelping -chorus to the heavy boom of Big Ben, which came floating down the -river, as Mrs. Bunker and the night watchman, staggering under a load of -luggage, slowly made their way on to the jetty. The barge, for such -was the craft in question, was almost level with the planks, while the -figures of two men darted to and fro in all the bustle of getting under -way. -</p> -<p> -"Bill," said the watchman, addressing the mate, "bear a hand with this -box, and be careful, it's got the wedding clothes inside." -</p> -<p> -The watchman was so particularly pleased with this little joke that in -place of giving the box to Bill he put it down and sat on it, shaking -convulsively with his hand over his mouth, while the blushing Matilda -and the discomfited captain strove in vain to appear unconcerned. -</p> -<p> -The packages were rather a tight squeeze for the cabin, but they managed -to get them in, and the skipper, with a threatening look at his mate, -who was exchanging glances of exquisite humour with the watchman, gave -his hand to Mrs. Bunker and helped her aboard. -</p> -<p> -"Welcome on the Sir Edmund Lyons, Mrs. Bunker," said he. "Bill, kick -that dawg back." -</p> -<p> -"Stop!" said Mrs. Bunker hastily, "that's my chapperong." -</p> -<p> -"Your what?" said the skipper. "It's a dawg, Mrs. Bunker, an' I won't -have no dawgs aboard my craft." -</p> -<p> -"Bill," said Mrs. Bunker, "fetch my box up again." -</p> -<p> -"Leastways," the captain hastened to add, "unless it's any friend of -yours, Mrs. Bunker." -</p> -<p> -"It's chaperoning me," said Matilda; "it wouldn't be proper for a lady -to go a v'y'ge with two men without somebody to look after her." -</p> -<p> -"That's right, Sam," said the watchman sententiously. "You ought to know -that at your age." -</p> -<p> -"Why, we're looking after her," said the simple-minded captain. "Me an' -Bill." -</p> -<p> -"Take care Bill don't cut you out," said the watchman in a hoarse -whisper, distinctly audible to all. "He's younger nor what you are, -Sam, an' the wimmen are just crazy arter young men. 'Sides which, he's a -finer man altogether. An' you've had ONE wife a'ready, Sam." -</p> -<p> -"Cast off!" said the skipper impatiently. "Cast off! Stand by there, -Bill!" -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay!" said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and the lines fell into the -water with a splash as the barge was pushed out into the tide. -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Bunker experienced the usual trouble of landsmen aboard ship, and -felt herself terribly in the way as the skipper divided his attentions -between the tiller and helping Bill with the sail. Meantime the barge -had bothered most of the traffic by laying across the river, and when -the sail was hoisted had got under the lee of a huge warehouse and -scarcely moved. -</p> -<p> -"We'll feel the breeze directly," said Captain Codd. "Then you'll see -what she can do." -</p> -<p> -As he spoke, the barge began to slip through the water as a light breeze -took her huge sail and carried her into the stream, where she fell into -line with other craft who were just making a start. -</p> -<p> -At a pleasant pace, with wind and tide, the Sir Edmund Lyons proceeded -on its way, her skipper cocking his eye aloft and along her decks to -point out various beauties to his passenger which she might otherwise -have overlooked. A comfortable supper was spread on the deck, and Mrs. -Bunker began to think regretfully of the pleasure she had missed in -taking up barge-sailing so late in life. -</p> -<p> -Greenwich, with its white-fronted hospital and background of trees, was -passed. The air got sensibly cooler, and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed that -the water was not only getting darker, but also lumpy, and she asked two -or three times whether there was any danger. -</p> -<p> -The skipper laughed gaily, and diving down into the cabin fetched up a -shawl, which he placed carefully round his fair companion's shoulders. -His right hand grasped the tiller, his left stole softly and carefully -round her waist. -</p> -<p> -"How enjoyable!" said Mrs. Bunker, referring to the evening. -</p> -<p> -"Glad you like it," said the skipper, who wasn't. "Oh, how pleasant -to go sailing down the river of life like this, everything quiet and -peaceful, just driftin'"— -</p> -<p> -"Ahoy!" yelled the mate suddenly from the bows. "Who's steering? Starbud -your hellum." -</p> -<p> -The skipper started guiltily, and put his helm to starboard as another -barge came up suddenly from the opposite direction and almost grazed -them. There were two men on board, and the skipper blushed for their -fluency as reflecting upon the order in general. -</p> -<p> -It was some little time before they could settle down again after this, -but ultimately they got back in their old position, and the infatuated -Codd was just about to wax sentimental again, when he felt something -behind him. He turned with a start as a portly retriever inserted -his head under his left arm, and slowly but vigorously forced himself -between them; then he sat on his haunches and panted, while the -disconcerted Codd strove to realise the humour of the position. -</p> -<p> -"I think I shall go to bed now," said Mrs. Bunker, after the position -had lasted long enough to be unendurable. "If anything happens, a -collision or anything, don't be afraid to let me know." -</p> -<p> -The skipper promised, and, shaking hands, bade his passenger good-night. -She descended, somewhat clumsily, it is true, into the little cabin, -and the skipper, sitting by the helm, which he lazily manoeuvred as -required, smoked his short clay and fell into a lover's reverie. -</p> -<p> -So he sat and smoked until the barge, which had, by the help of the -breeze, been making its way against the tide, began to realise that that -good friend had almost dropped, and at the same time bethought itself -of a small anchor which hung over the bows ready for emergencies such as -these. -</p> -<p> -"We must bring up, Bill," said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay!" said Bill, sleepily raising himself from the hatchway. "Over -she goes." -</p> -<p> -With no more ceremony than this he dropped the anchor; the sail, with -two strong men hauling on to it, creaked and rustled its way close to -the mast, and the Sir Edmund Lyons was ready for sleep. -</p> -<p> -"I can do with a nap," said Bill. "I'm dog-tired." -</p> -<p> -"So am I," said the other. "It'll be a tight fit down for'ard, but we -couldn't ask a lady to sleep there." -</p> -<p> -Bill gave a non-committal grunt, and as the captain, after the manner -of his kind, took a last look round before retiring, placed his hands -on the hatch and lowered himself down. The next moment he came up with a -wild yell, and, sitting on the deck, rolled up his trousers and fondled -his leg. -</p> -<p> -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"That blessed dog's down there, that's all," said the injured Bill. -"He's evidently mistook it for his kennel, and I don't wonder at it. I -thought he'd been wonderful quiet." -</p> -<p> -"We must talk him over," said the skipper, advancing to the hatchway. -"Poor dog! Poor old chap! Come along, then! Come along!" He patted -his leg and whistled, and the dog, which wanted to get to sleep again, -growled like a small thunderstorm. -</p> -<p> -"Come on, old fellow!" said the skipper enticingly. "Come along, come -on, then!" -</p> -<p> -The dog came at last, and then the skipper, instead of staying to pat -him, raced Bill up the ropes, while the brute, in execrable taste, paced -up and down the deck daring them to come down. Coming to the conclusion, -at last, that they were settled for the night, he returned to the -forecastle and, after a warning bark or two, turned in again. Both men, -after waiting a few minutes, cautiously regained the deck. -</p> -<p> -"You call him up again," said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and holding it -at the charge. -</p> -<p> -"Certainly not," said the other. "I won't have no blood spilt aboard my -ship." -</p> -<p> -"Who's going to spill blood?" asked the Jesuitical Bill; "but if he -likes to run hisself on to the boat-hook "— -</p> -<p> -"Put it down," said the skipper sternly, and Bill sullenly obeyed. -</p> -<p> -"We'll have to snooze on deck," said Codd. -</p> -<p> -"And mind we don't snore," said the sarcastic Bill, "'cos the dog -mightn't like it." -</p> -<p> -Without noticing this remark the captain stretched himself on the -hatches, and Bill, after a few more grumbles, followed his example, and -both men were soon asleep. -</p> -<p> -Day was breaking when they awoke and stretched their stiffened limbs, -for the air was fresh, with a suspicion of moisture in it. Two or three -small craft were, like them selves, riding at anchor, their decks wet -and deserted; others were getting under way to take advantage of the -tide, which had just turned. -</p> -<p> -"Up with the anchor," said the skipper, seizing a handspike and -thrusting it into the windlass. -</p> -<p> -As the rusty chain came in, an ominous growling came from below, and -Bill snatched his handspike out and raised it aloft. The skipper gazed -meditatively at the shore, and the dog, as it came bounding up, gazed -meditatively at the handspike. Then it yawned, an easy, unconcerned -yawn, and commenced to pace the deck, and coming to the conclusion that -the men were only engaged in necessary work, regarded their efforts with -a lenient eye, and barked encouragingly as they hoisted the sail. -</p> -<p> -It was a beautiful morning. The miniature river waves broke against the -blunt bows of the barge, and passed by her sides rippling musically. -Over the flat Essex marshes a white mist was slowly dispersing before -the rays of the sun, and the trees on the Kentish hills were black and -drenched with moisture. -</p> -<p> -A little later smoke issued from the tiny cowl over the fo'c'sle and -rolled in a little pungent cloud to the Kentish shore. Then a delicious -odour of frying steak rose from below, and fell like healing balm upon -the susceptible nostrils of the skipper as he stood at the helm. -</p> -<p> -"Is Mrs. Bunker getting up?" inquired the mate, as he emerged from the -fo'c'sle and walked aft. -</p> -<p> -"I believe so," said the skipper. "There's movements below." -</p> -<p> -"'Cos the steak's ready and waiting," said the mate. "I've put it on a -dish in front of the fire." -</p> -<p> -"Ay, ay!" said the skipper. -</p> -<p> -The mate lit his pipe and sat down on the hatchway, slowly smoking. He -removed it a couple of minutes later, to stare in bewilderment at -the unwonted behaviour of the dog, which came up to the captain and -affectionately licked his hands. -</p> -<p> -"He's took quite a fancy to me," said the delighted man. -</p> -<p> -"Love me love my dog," quoted Bill waggishly, as he strolled forward -again. -</p> -<p> -The skipper was fondly punching the dog, which was now on its back -with its four legs in the air, when he heard a terrible cry from the -fo'c'sle, and the mate came rushing wildly on deck. -</p> -<p> -"Where's that ———— dog?" he cried. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you talk like that aboard my ship. Where's your manners?" cried -the skipper hotly. -</p> -<p> -"—— the manners!" said the mate, with tears in his eyes. "Where's that -dog's manners? He's eaten all that steak." -</p> -<p> -Before the other could reply, the scuttle over the cabin was drawn, and -the radiant face of Mrs. Bunker appeared at the opening. -</p> -<p> -"I can smell breakfast," she said archly. -</p> -<p> -"No wonder, with that dog so close," said Bill grimly. Mrs. Bunker -looked at the captain for an explanation. -</p> -<p> -"He's ate it," said that gentleman briefly. "A pound and a 'arf o' the -best rump steak in Wapping." -</p> -<p> -"Never mind," said Mrs. Bunker sweetly, "cook some more. I can wait." -</p> -<p> -"Cook some more," said the skipper to the mate, who still lingered. -</p> -<p> -"I'll cook some bloaters. That's all we've got now," replied the mate -sulkily. -</p> -<p> -"It's a lovely morning," said Mrs. Bunker, as the mate retired, "the air -is so fresh. I expect that's what has made Rover so hungry. He isn't a -greedy dog. Not at all." -</p> -<p> -"Very likely," said Codd, as the dog rose, and, after sniffing the air, -gently wagged his tail and trotted forward. "Where' she off to now?" -</p> -<p> -"He can smell the bloaters, I expect," said Mrs. Bunker, laughing. "It's -wonderful what intelligence he's got. Come here, Rover!" -</p> -<p> -"Bill!" cried the skipper warningly, as the dog continued on his way. -"Look out! He's coming!" -</p> -<p> -"Call him off!" yelled the mate anxiously. "Call him off!" -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Bunker ran up, and, seizing her chaperon by the collar, hauled him -away. -</p> -<p> -"It's the sea air," said she apologetically; "and he's been on short -commons lately, because he's not been well. Keep still, Rover!" -</p> -<p> -"Keep still, Rover!" said the skipper, with an air of command. -</p> -<p> -Under this joint control the dog sat down, his tongue lolling out, -and his eyes fixed on the fo'c'sle until the breakfast was spread. The -appearance of the mate with a dish of steaming fish excited him again, -and being chidden by his mistress, he sat down sulkily in the skipper's -plate, until pushed off by its indignant owner. -</p> -<p> -"Soft roe, Bill?" inquired the skipper courteously, after he had served -his passenger. -</p> -<p> -"That's not my plate," said the mate pointedly, as the skipper helped -him. -</p> -<p> -"Oh! I wasn't noticing," said the other, reddening. -</p> -<p> -"I was, though," said the mate rudely. "I thought you'd do that. I was -waiting for it. I'm not going to eat after animals, if you are." -</p> -<p> -The skipper coughed, and, after effecting the desired exchange, -proceeded with his breakfast in sombre silence. -</p> -<p> -The barge was slipping at an easy pace through the water, the sun was -bright, and the air cool, and everything pleasant and comfortable, until -the chaperon, who had been repeatedly pushed away, broke through the -charmed circle which surrounded the food and seized a fish. In the -confusion which ensued he fell foul of the tea-kettle, and, dropping his -prey, bit the skipper frantically, until driven off by his mistress. -</p> -<p> -"Naughty boy!" said she, giving him a few slight cuffs. "Has he hurt -you? I must get a bandage for you." -</p> -<p> -"A little," said Codd, looking at his hand, which was bleeding -profusely. "There's a little linen in the locker down below, if you -wouldn't mind tearing it up for me." -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Bunker, giving the dog a final slap, went below, and the two men -looked at each other and then at the dog, which was standing at the -stern, barking insultingly at a passing steamer. -</p> -<p> -"It's about time she came over," said the mate, throwing a glance at the -sail, then at the skipper, then at the dog. -</p> -<p> -"So it is," said the skipper, through his set teeth. -</p> -<p> -As he spoke he pushed the long tiller hastily from port to starboard, -and the dog finished his bark in the water; the huge sail reeled for a -moment, then swung violently over to the other side, and the barge was -on a fresh tack, with the dog twenty yards astern. He was wise in his -generation, and after one look at the barge, made for the distant shore. -</p> -<p> -"Murderers!" screamed a voice; "murderers! you've killed my dog." -</p> -<p> -"It was an accident; I didn't see him," stammered the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Don't tell me," stormed the lady; "I saw it all through the skylight." -</p> -<p> -"We had to shift the helm to get out of the way of a schooner," said -Codd. -</p> -<p> -"Where's the schooner?" demanded Mrs. Bunker; "where is it?" -</p> -<p> -The captain looked at the mate. "Where's the schooner?" said he. -</p> -<p> -"I b'leeve," said the mate, losing his head entirely at this question, -"I b'leeve we must have run her down. I don't see her nowhere about." -</p> -<p> -Mrs. Bunker stamped her foot, and, with a terrible glance at the men, -descended to the cabin. From this coign of vantage she obstinately -refused to budge, and sat in angry seclusion until the vessel reached -Ipswich late in the evening. Then she appeared on deck, dressed for -walking, and, utterly ignoring the woebegone Codd, stepped ashore, and, -obtaining a cab for her boxes, drove silently away. -</p> -<p> -An hour afterwards the mate went to his home, leaving the captain -sitting on the lonely deck striving to realise the bitter fact that, -so far as the end he had in view was concerned, he had seen the last -of Mrs. Bunker and the small but happy home in which he had hoped to -install her. -</p> -<a name="2H_4_0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> - -<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> - -<h2> - A HARBOUR OF REFUGE -</h2> -<p> -A waterman's boat was lying in the river just below Greenwich, the -waterman resting on his oars, while his fare, a small, perturbed-looking -man in seaman's attire, gazed expectantly up the river. -</p> -<p> -"There she is!" he cried suddenly, as a small schooner came into view -from behind a big steamer. "Take me alongside." -</p> -<p> -"Nice little thing she is too," said the waterman, watching the other -out of the corner of his eye as he bent to his oars. "Rides the water -like a duck. Her cap'n knows a thing or two, I'll bet." -</p> -<p> -"He knows watermen's fares," replied the passenger coldly. -</p> -<p> -"Look out there!" cried a voice from the schooner, and the mate threw a -line which the passenger skilfully caught. -</p> -<p> -The waterman ceased rowing, and, as his boat came alongside the -schooner, held out his hand to his passenger, who had already commenced -to scramble up the side, and demanded his fare. It was handed down to -him. -</p> -<p> -"It's all right, then," said the fare, as he stood on the deck and -closed his eyes to the painful language in which the waterman was -addressing him. "Nobody been inquiring for me?" -</p> -<p> -"Not a soul," said the mate. "What's all the row about?" -</p> -<p> -"Well, you see, it's this way," said the master of the Frolic, dropping -his voice. "I've been taking a little too much notice of a little craft -down Battersea way—nice little thing, an' she thought I was a single -man, dy'e see?" -</p> -<p> -The mate sucked his teeth. -</p> -<p> -"She introduced me to her brother as a single man," continued the -skipper. "He asked me when the banns was to be put up, an' I didn't like -to tell him I was a married man with a family." -</p> -<p> -"Why not?" asked the mate. -</p> -<p> -"He's a prize-fighter," said the other, in awe-inspiring tones; "'the -Battersea Bruiser.' Consequently when he clapped me on the back, and -asked me when the banns was to be, I only smiled." -</p> -<p> -"What did he do?" inquired the mate, who was becoming interested. -</p> -<p> -"Put 'em up," groaned the skipper, "an' we all went to church to hear -'em. Talk o' people walking over your grave, George, it's nothing to -what I felt—nothing. I felt a hypocrite, almost. Somehow he found out -about me, and I've been hiding ever since I sent you that note. He told -a pal he was going to give me a licking, and come down to Fairhaven with -us and make mischief between me and the missis." -</p> -<p> -"That 'ud be worse than the licking," said the mate sagely. -</p> -<p> -"Ah! and she'd believe him afore she would me, too, an' we've been -married seventeen years," said the skipper mournfully. -</p> -<p> -"Perhaps that's"—began the mate, and stopped suddenly. -</p> -<p> -"Perhaps what?" inquired the other, after waiting a reasonable time for -him to finish. -</p> -<p> -"H'm, I forgot what I was going to say," said the mate. "Funny, it's -gone now. Well, you're all right now. You'd intended this to be the last -trip to London for some time." -</p> -<p> -"Yes, that's what made me a bit more loving than I should ha' been," -mused the skipper. "However, all's well that ends well. How did you get -on about the cook? Did you ship one?" -</p> -<p> -"Yes, I've got one, but he's only signed as far as Fairhaven," replied -the mate. "Fine strong chap he is. He's too good for a cook. I never saw -a better built man in my life. It'll do your eyes good to look at him. -Here, cook!" -</p> -<p> -At the summons a huge, close-cropped head was thrust out of the galley, -and a man of beautiful muscular development stepped out before the eyes -of the paralyzed skipper, and began to remove his coat. -</p> -<p> -"Ain't he a fine chap?" said the mate admiringly. "Show him your biceps, -cook." -</p> -<p> -With a leer at the captain the cook complied. He then doubled his fists, -and, ducking his head scientifically, danced all round the stupefied -master of the Frolic. -</p> -<p> -"Put your dooks up," he cried warningly. "I'm going to dot you!" -</p> -<p> -"What the deuce are you up to, cook?" demanded the mate, who had been -watching his proceedings in speechless amazement. -</p> -<p> -"Cook!" said the person addressed, with majestic scorn. "I'm no cook; -I'm Bill Simmons, the 'Battersea Bruiser,' an' I shipped on this ere -little tub all for your dear captin's sake. I'm going to put sich a -'ed on 'im that when he wants to blow his nose he'll have to get a -looking-glass to see where to go to. I'm going to give 'im a licking -every day, and when we get to Fairhaven I'm going to foller 'im 'ome and -tell his wife about 'im walking out with my sister." -</p> -<p> -"She walked me out," said the skipper, with dry lips. -</p> -<p> -"Put 'em up," vociferated the "Bruiser." -</p> -<p> -"Don't you touch me, my lad," said the skipper, dodging behind the -wheel. "Go an' see about your work—go an' peel the taters." -</p> -<p> -"Wot!" roared the "Bruiser." -</p> -<p> -"You've shipped as cook aboard my craft," said the skipper impressively. -"If you lay a finger on me it's mutiny, and you'll get twelve months." -</p> -<p> -"That's right," said the mate, as the pugilist (who had once had -fourteen days for bruising, and still held it in wholesome remembrance) -paused irresolute. "It's mutiny, and it'll also be my painful duty to -get up the shotgun and blow the top of your ugly 'ed off." -</p> -<p> -"Would it be mutiny if I was to dot YOU one?" inquired the "Bruiser," in -a voice husky with emotion, as he sidled up to the mate. -</p> -<p> -"It would," said the other hastily. -</p> -<p> -"Well, you're a nice lot," said the disgusted "Bruiser," "you and your -mutinies. Will any one of you have a go at me?" -</p> -<p> -There was no response from the crew, who had gathered round, and were -watching the proceedings with keen enjoyment. -</p> -<p> -"Or all of yer?" asked the "Bruiser," raising his eyebrows. -</p> -<p> -"I've got no quarrel with you, my lad," the boy remarked with dignity, -as he caught the new cook's eye. -</p> -<p> -"Go and cook the dinner,'" said the skipper; "and look sharp about it. -I don't want to have to find fault with a young beginner like you; but I -don't have no shirkers aboard—understand that." -</p> -<p> -For one moment of terrible suspense the skipper's life hung in the -balance, then the "Bruiser," restraining his natural instincts by a -mighty effort, retreated, growling, to the galley. -</p> -<p> -The skipper's breath came more freely. -</p> -<p> -"He don't know your address, I s'pose," said the mate. -</p> -<p> -"No, but he'll soon find it out when we get ashore," replied the other -dolefully. "When I think that I've got to take that brute to my home to -make mischief I feel tempted to chuck him overboard almost." -</p> -<p> -"It is a temptation," agreed the mate loyally, closing his eyes to his -chief's physical deficiencies. "I'll pass the word to the crew not to -let him know your address, anyhow." -</p> -<p> -The morning passed quietly, the skipper striving to look unconcerned -as the new cook grimly brought the dinner down to the cabin and set -it before him. After toying with it a little while, the master of the -Frolic dined off buttered biscuit. -</p> -<p> -It was a matter of much discomfort to the crew that the new cook took -his duties very seriously, and prided himself on his cooking. He was, -moreover, disposed to be inconveniently punctilious about the way in -which his efforts were regarded. For the first day the crew ate in -silence, but at dinner-time on the second the storm broke. -</p> -<p> -"What are yer looking at your vittles like that for?" inquired the -"Bruiser" of Sam Dowse, as that able-bodied seaman sat with his plate in -his lap, eyeing it with much disfavour. "That ain't the way to look at -your food, after I've been perspiring away all the morning cooking it." -</p> -<p> -"Yes, you've cooked yourself instead of the meat," said Sam warmly. -"It's a shame to spoil good food like that; it's quite raw." -</p> -<p> -"You eat it!" said the "Bruiser" fiercely; "that's wot you've go to do. -Eat it!" -</p> -<p> -For sole answer the indignant Sam threw a piece at him, and the rest -of the crew, snatching up their dinners, hurriedly clambered into their -bunks and viewed the fray from a safe distance. -</p> -<p> -"Have you 'ad enough?" inquired the "Bruiser," addressing the head of -Sam, which protruded from beneath his left arm. -</p> -<p> -"I 'ave," said Sam surlily. -</p> -<p> -"And you won't turn up your nose at good vittles any more?" inquired the -"Bruiser" severely. -</p> -<p> -"I won't turn it up at anything," said Sam earnestly, as he tenderly -felt the member in question. -</p> -<p> -"You're the only one as 'as complained," said the "Bruiser." "You're -dainty, that's wot you are. Look at the others—look how they're eating -theirs!" -</p> -<p> -At this hint the others came out of their bunks and fell to, and the -"Bruiser" became affable. -</p> -<p> -"It's wonderful wot I can turn my 'and to," he remarked pleasantly. -"Things come natural to me that other men have to learn. You 'd better -put a bit of raw beef on that eye o' yours, Sam." -</p> -<p> -The thoughtless Sam clapped on a piece from his plate, and it was only -by the active intercession of the rest of the crew that the sensitive -cook was prevented from inflicting more punishment. -</p> -<p> -From this time forth the "Bruiser" ruled the roost, and, his temper -soured by his trials, ruled it with a rod of iron. The crew, with the -exception of Dowse, were small men getting into years, and quite -unable to cope with him. His attitude with the skipper was dangerously -deferential, and the latter was sorely perplexed to think of a way out -of the mess in which he found himself. -</p> -<p> -"He means business, George," he said one day to the mate, as he saw the -"Bruiser" watching him intently from the galley. -</p> -<p> -"He looks at you worse an' worse," was the mate's cheering reply. -"The cooking's spoiling what little temper he's got left as fast as -possible." -</p> -<p> -"It's the scandal I'm thinking of," groaned the skipper; "all becos' I -like to be a bit pleasant to people." -</p> -<p> -"You mustn't look at the black side o' things," said the mate; "perhaps -you won't want to need to worry about that after he's hit you. I'd -sooner be kicked by a horse myself. He was telling them down for'ard the -other night that he killed a chap once." -</p> -<p> -The skipper turned green. "He ought to have been hung for it," he said -vehemently. "I wonder what juries think they're for in this country. -If I'd been on the jury I'd ha' had my way, if they'd starved me for a -month!" -</p> -<p> -"Look here!" said the mate suddenly; "I've got an idea. You go down -below and I'll call him up and start rating him. When I'm in the thick -of it you come and stick up for him." -</p> -<p> -"George," said the skipper, with glistening eyes, "you're a wonder. Lay -it on thick, and if he hits you I'll make it up to you in some way." -</p> -<p> -He went below, and the mate, after waiting for some time, leaned over -the wheel and shouted for the cook. -</p> -<p> -"What do you want?" growled the "Bruiser," as he thrust a visage all red -and streaky with his work from the galley. -</p> -<p> -"Why the devil don't you wash them saucepans up?" demanded the mate, -pointing to a row which stood on the deck. "Do you think we shipped you -becos we wanted a broken-nosed, tenth-rate prize-fighter to look at?" -</p> -<p> -"Tenth-rate!" roared the "Bruiser," coming out on to the deck. -</p> -<p> -"Don't you roar at your officer," said the mate sternly. "Your manners -is worse than your cooking. You'd better stay with us a few trips to -improve 'em." -</p> -<p> -The "Bruiser" turned purple, and shivered with impotent wrath. -</p> -<p> -"We get a parcel o' pot-house loafers aboard here," continued the mate, -airily addressing the atmosphere, "and, blank my eyes! if they don't -think they're here to be waited on. You'll want me to wash your face for -you next, and do all your other dirty work, you—" -</p> -<p> -"George!" said a sad, reproving voice. -</p> -<p> -The mate started dramatically as the skipper appeared at the companion, -and stopped abruptly. -</p> -<p> -"For shame, George!" said the skipper. "I never expected to hear you -talk to anybody like that, especially to my friend Mr. Simmons." -</p> -<p> -"Your WOT? demanded the friend hotly. -</p> -<p> -"My friend," repeated the other gently; "and as to tenth-rate -prize-fighters, George, the 'Battersea Bruiser' might be champion of -England, if he'd only take the trouble to train." -</p> -<p> -"Oh, you're always sticking up for him," said the artful mate. -</p> -<p> -"He deserves it," said the skipper warmly. "He's always run straight, -'as Bill Simmons, and when I hear 'im being talked at like that, it -makes me go 'ot all over." -</p> -<p> -"Don't you take the trouble to go 'ot all over on my account," said the -"Bruiser" politely. -</p> -<p> -"I can't help my feelings, Bill," said the skipper softly. -</p> -<p> -"And don't you call me Bill," roared the "Bruiser" with sudden ferocity. -"D'ye think I mind what you and your little tinpot crew say. You wait -till we get ashore, my friend, and the mate too. Both of you wait!" -</p> -<p> -He turned his back on them and walked off to the galley, from which, -with a view of giving them an object-lesson of an entertaining kind, he -presently emerged with a small sack of potatoes, which he slung from the -boom and used as a punching ball, dealing blows which made the master of -the Frolic sick with apprehension. -</p> -<p> -"It's no good," he said to the mate; "kindness is thrown away on that -man." -</p> -<p> -"Well, if he hits one, he's got to hit the lot," said the mate. "We'll -all stand by you." -</p> -<p> -"I can't always have the crew follering me about," said the skipper -dejectedly. "No, he'll wait his opportunity, and, after he's broke my -head, he'll go 'ome and break up my wife's 'art." -</p> -<p> -"She won't break 'er 'art," said the mate confidently. "She and you'll -have a rough time of it; p'raps it would be better for you if she did -break it a bit, but she's not that sort of woman. Well, those of us as -live longest'll see the most." -</p> -<p> -For the remainder of that day the cook maintained a sort of unnatural -calm. The Frolic rose and fell on the seas like a cork, and the -"Bruiser" took short unpremeditated little runs about the deck, which -aggravated him exceedingly. Between the runs he folded his arms on the -side, and languidly cursed the sea and all that belonged to it; and -finally, having lost all desire for food himself, went below and turned -in. -</p> -<p> -He stayed in his bunk the whole of the next day and night, awaking early -the following morning to the pleasant fact that the motion had ceased, -and that the sides and floor of the fo'c'sle were in the places where -people of regular habits would expect to find them. The other bunks were -empty, and, after a toilet hastened by a yearning for nourishment, he -ran up on deck. -</p> -<p> -Day had just broken, and he found to his surprise that the voyage was -over, and the schooner in a small harbour, lying alongside a stone quay. -A few unloaded trucks stood on a railway line which ran from the harbour -to the town clustered behind it, but there was no sign of work or life; -the good people of the place evidently being comfortably in their beds, -and in no hurry to quit them. -</p> -<p> -The "Bruiser," with a happy smile on his face, surveyed the scene, -sniffing with joy the smell of the land as it came fresh and sweet from -the hills at the back of the town. There was only one thing wanting to -complete his happiness—the skipper. -</p> -<p> -"Where's the cap'n?" he demanded of Dowse, who was methodically coiling -a line. -</p> -<p> -"Just gone 'ome," replied Dowse shortly. -</p> -<p> -In a great hurry the "Bruiser" sprang on to the side and stepped ashore, -glancing keenly in every direction for his prey. There was no sign of -it, and he ran a little way up the road until he saw the approaching -figure of a man, from whom he hoped to obtain information. Then, -happening to look back, he saw the masts of the schooner gliding by -the quay, and, retracing his steps a little, perceived, to his intense -surprise, the figure of the skipper standing by the wheel. -</p> -<p> -"Ta, ta, cookie!" cried the skipper cheerily. -</p> -<p> -Angry and puzzled the "Bruiser" ran back to the edge of the quay, and -stood owlishly regarding the schooner and the grinning faces of its -crew as they hoisted the sails and slowly swung around with their bow -pointing to the sea. -</p> -<p> -"Well, they ain't making a long stay, old man," said a voice at his -elbow, as the man for whom he had been waiting came up. "Why, they only -came in ten minutes ago. What did they come in for, do you know?" -</p> -<p> -"They belong here," said the "Bruiser"; "but me and the skipper's had -words, and I'm waiting for 'im." -</p> -<p> -"That craft don't belong here," said the stranger, as he eyed the -receding Frolic. -</p> -<p> -"Yes, it does," said the "Bruiser." -</p> -<p> -"I tell you it don't," said the other. "I ought to know." -</p> -<p> -"Look here, my friend," said the "Bruiser" grimly, "don't contradict me. -That's the Frolic of Fairhaven." -</p> -<p> -"Very likely," said the man. "I don't know where she's from, but she's -not from here." -</p> -<p> -"Why," said the "Bruiser," and his voice shook, "ain't this Fairhaven?" -</p> -<p> -"Lord love you, no!" said the stranger; "not by a couple o' hundred -miles it ain't. Wot put that idea into your silly fat head?" -</p> -<p> -The frantic "Bruiser" raised his fist at the description, but at that -moment the crew of the Frolic, which was just getting clear of the -harbour, hung over the stern and gave three hearty cheers. The stranger -was of a friendly and excitable disposition, and, his evil star being in -the ascendant that morning, he took off his hat and cheered wildly back. -Immediately afterwards he obtained unasked the post of whipping-boy to -the master of the Frolic, and entered upon his new duties at once. -</p> - - -<br><br><br><br> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Many Cargoes, by W.W. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/5758-2004-05-01.txt b/old/5758-2004-05-01.txt deleted file mode 100644 index cc9ad43..0000000 --- a/old/5758-2004-05-01.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9462 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Many Cargoes, by W.W. Jacobs - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Many Cargoes - -Author: W.W. Jacobs - -Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5758] -Posting Date: May 6, 2009 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MANY CARGOES *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team - - - - - - - - - -MANY CARGOES - -By W.W. Jacobs - -Second Edition - -New York 1894 - - - - - -CONTENTS - - - A CHANGE OF TREATMENT - A LOVE PASSAGE - THE CAPTAIN'S EXPLOIT - CONTRABAND OF WAR - A BLACK AFFAIR - THE SKIPPER OF THE "OSPREY" - IN BORROWED PLUMES - THE BOATSWAIN'S WATCH - LOW WATER - IN MID-ATLANTIC - AFTER THE INQUEST - IN LIMEHOUSE REACH - AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT - THE COOK OF THE "GANNET" - A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - A CASE OF DESERTION - OUTSAILED - MATED - THE RIVAL BEAUTIES - MRS. BUNKER'S CHAPERON - A HARBOUR OF REFUGE - - - - -A CHANGE OF TREATMENT - - -"Yes, I've sailed under some 'cute skippers in my time," said the -night-watchman; "them that go down in big ships see the wonders o' the -deep, you know," he added with a sudden chuckle, "but the one I'm going -to tell you about ought never to have been trusted out without 'is ma. -A good many o' my skippers had fads, but this one was the worst I ever -sailed under. - -"It's some few years ago now; I'd shipped on his barque, the John -Elliott, as slow-going an old tub as ever I was aboard of, when I wasn't -in quite a fit an' proper state to know what I was doing, an' I hadn't -been in her two days afore I found out his 'obby through overhearing a -few remarks made by the second mate, who came up from dinner in a hurry -to make 'em. 'I don't mind saws an' knives hung round the cabin,' he ses -to the fust mate, 'but when a chap has a 'uman 'and alongside 'is plate, -studying it while folks is at their food, it's more than a Christian man -can stand.' - -"'That's nothing,' ses the fust mate, who had sailed with the barque -afore. 'He's half crazy on doctoring. We nearly had a mutiny aboard once -owing to his wanting to hold a post-mortem on a man what fell from the -mast-head. Wanted to see what the poor feller died of.' - -"'I call it unwholesome,' ses the second mate very savage.' He offered -me a pill at breakfast the size of a small marble; quite put me off my -feed, it did.' - -"Of course, the skipper's fad soon got known for'ard. But I didn't think -much about it, till one day I seed old Dan'l Dennis sitting on a locker -reading. Every now and then he'd shut the book, an' look up, closing 'is -eyes, an' moving his lips like a hen drinking, an' then look down at the -book again. - -"'Why, Dan,' I ses, 'what's up? you ain't larning lessons at your time -o' life?' - -"'Yes, I am,' ses Dan very soft. 'You might hear me say it, it's this -one about heart disease.' - -"He hands over the book, which was stuck full o' all kinds o' diseases, -and winks at me 'ard. - -"'Picked it up on a book-stall,' he ses; then he shut 'is eyes an' said -his piece wonderful. It made me quite queer to listen to 'im. 'That's -how I feel,' ses he, when he'd finished. 'Just strength enough to get to -bed. Lend a hand, Bill, an' go an' fetch the doctor.' - -"Then I see his little game, but I wasn't going to run any risks, so I -just mentioned, permiscous like, to the cook as old Dan seemed rather -queer, an' went back an' tried to borrer the book, being always fond of -reading. Old Dan pretended he was too ill to hear what I was saying, -an' afore I could take it away from him, the skipper comes hurrying down -with a bag in his 'and. - -"'What's the matter, my man?' ses he, 'what's the matter?' - -"'I'm all right, sir,' ses old Dan, 'cept that I've been swoonding away -a little.' - -"'Tell me exactly how you feel,' ses the skipper, feeling his pulse. - -"Then old Dan said his piece over to him, an' the skipper shook his head -an' looked very solemn. - -"'How long have you been like this?' he ses. - -"'Four or five years, sir,' ses Dan. 'It ain't nothing serious, sir, is -it?' - -"'You lie quite still,' ses the skipper, putting a little trumpet thing -to his chest an' then listening. 'Um! there's serious mischief here I'm -afraid, the prognotice is very bad.' - -"'Prog what, sir?' ses Dan, staring. - -"'Prognotice,' ses the skipper, at least I think that's the word he -said. 'You keep perfectly still, an' I'll go an' mix you up a draught, -and tell the cook to get some strong beef-tea on.' - -"Well, the skipper 'ad no sooner gone, than Cornish Harry, a great big -lumbering chap o' six feet two, goes up to old Dan, an' he ses, 'Gimme -that book.' - -"'Go away,' says Dan, 'don't come worrying 'ere; you 'eard the skipper -say how bad my prognotice was.' - -"'You lend me the book,' ses Harry, ketching hold of him, 'or else I'll -bang you first, and split to the skipper arterwards. I believe I'm a bit -consumptive. Anyway, I'm going to see.' - -"He dragged the book away from the old man, and began to study. There -was so many complaints in it he was almost tempted to have something -else instead of consumption, but he decided on that at last, an' he got -a cough what worried the fo'c'sle all night long, an' the next day, when -the skipper came down to see Dan, he could 'ardly 'ear hisself speak. - -"'That's a nasty cough you've got, my man,' ses he, looking at Harry. - -"'Oh, it's nothing, sir,' ses Harry, careless like. 'I've 'ad it for -months now off and on. I think it's perspiring so of a night does it." - -"'What?' ses the skipper. 'Do you perspire of a night?' - -"'Dredful,' ses Harry. 'You could wring the clo'es out. I s'pose it's -healthy for me, ain't it, sir?' - -"'Undo your shirt,' ses the skipper, going over to him, an' sticking the -trumpet agin him. 'Now take a deep breath. Don't cough.' - -"'I can't help it, sir,' ses Harry, 'it will come. Seems to tear me to -pieces.' - -"'You get to bed at once," says the skipper, taking away the trumpet, -an' shaking his 'ed. 'It's a fortunate thing for you, my lad, you're in -skilled hands. With care, I believe I can pull you round. How does that -medicine suit you, Dan?' - -"'Beautiful, sir,' says Dan. 'It's wonderful soothing, I slep' like a -new-born babe arter it.' - -"'I'll send you some more,' ses the skipper. 'You're not to get up mind, -either of you.' - -"'All right, sir,' ses the two in very faint voices, an' the skipper -went away arter telling us to be careful not to make a noise. - -"We all thought it a fine joke at first, but the airs them two chaps -give themselves was something sickening. Being in bed all day, they was -naturally wakeful of a night, and they used to call across the fo'c'sle -inquiring arter each other's healths, an' waking us other chaps up. An' -they'd swop beef-tea an' jellies with each other, an' Dan 'ud try an' -coax a little port wine out o' Harry, which he 'ad to make blood with, -but Harry 'ud say he hadn't made enough that day, an' he'd drink to the -better health of old Dan's prognotice, an' smack his lips until it drove -us a'most crazy to 'ear him. - -"Arter these chaps had been ill two days, the other fellers began to put -their heads together, being maddened by the smell o' beef-tea an' the -like, an' said they was going to be ill too, and both the invalids got -into a fearful state of excitement. - -"'You'll only spoil it for all of us,' ses Harry, 'and you don't know -what to have without the book.' - -"'It's all very well doing your work as well as our own,' ses one of the -men. 'It's our turn now. It's time you two got well.' - -"'WELL? ses Harry, 'well? Why you silly iggernerant chaps, we shan't -never get well, people with our complaints never do. You ought to know -that.' - -"'Well, I shall split, 'ses one of them. "'You do!' ses Harry, 'you -do, an' I'll put a 'ed on you that all the port wine and jellies in the -world wouldn't cure. 'Sides, don't you think the skipper knows what's -the matter with us?' - -"'Afore the other chap could reply, the skipper hisself comes down, -accompanied by the fust mate, with a look on his face which made Harry -give the deepest and hollowest cough he'd ever done. - -"'What they reely want,' ses the skipper, turning to the mate, 'is -keerful nussing.' - -"'I wish you'd let me nuss 'em,' ses the fust mate, 'only ten -minutes--I'd put 'em both on their legs, an' running for their lives -into the bargain, in ten minutes.' - -"'Hold your tongue, sir,' ses the skipper; 'what you say is unfeeling, -besides being an insult to me. Do you think I studied medicine all these -years without knowing when a man's ill?' - -"The fust mate growled something and went on deck, and the skipper -started examining of 'em again. He said they was wonderfully patient -lying in bed so long, an' he had 'em wrapped up in bedclo'es and carried -on deck, so as the pure air could have a go at 'em. WE had to do the -carrying, an' there they sat, breathing the pure air, and looking at the -fust mate out of the corners of their eyes. If they wanted anything from -below one of us had to go an' fetch it, an' by the time they was taken -down to bed again, we all resolved to be took ill too. - -"Only two of 'em did it though, for Harry, who was a powerful, -ugly-tempered chap, swore he'd do all sorts o' dreadful things to us if -we didn't keep well and hearty, an' all 'cept these two did. One of 'em, -Mike Rafferty, laid up with a swelling on his ribs, which I knew myself -he 'ad 'ad for fifteen years, and the other chap had paralysis. I never -saw a man so reely happy as the skipper was. He was up an down with his -medicines and his instruments all day long, and used to make notes -of the cases in a big pocket-book, and read 'em to the second mate at -mealtimes. - -"The fo'c'sle had been turned into hospital about a week, an' I was -on deck doing some odd job or the other, when the cook comes up to me -pulling a face as long as a fiddle. - -"'Nother invalid,' ses he; 'fust mate's gone stark, staring mad!' - -"'Mad?' ses I. - -"'Yes,' ses he. 'He's got a big basin in the galley, an' he's laughing -like a hyener an' mixing bilge-water an' ink, an' paraffin an' butter -an' soap an' all sorts o' things up together. The smell's enough to kill -a man; I've had to come away.' - -"Curious-like, I jest walked up to the galley an' puts my 'ed in, an' -there was the mate as the cook said, smiling all over his face, and -ladling some thick sticky stuff into a stone bottle. - -"'How's the pore sufferers, sir?' ses he, stepping out of the galley -jest as the skipper was going by. - -"'They're very bad; but I hope for the best," ses the skipper, looking -at him hard. 'I'm glad to see you've turned a bit more feeling.' - -"'Yes, sir,' ses the mate. 'I didn't think so at fust, but I can see -now them chaps is all very ill. You'll s'cuse me saying it, but I don't -quite approve of your treatment.' - -"I thought the skipper would ha' bust. - -"'My treatment?' ses he. 'My treatment? What do you know about it?' - -"'You're treating 'em wrong, sir,' ses the mate. 'I have here' (patting -the jar) 'a remedy which 'ud cure them all if you'd only let me try it.' - -"'Pooh!' ses the skipper. 'One medicine cure all diseases! The old -story. What is it? Where'd you get it from?' ses he. - -"'I brought the ingredients aboard with me,' ses the mate. 'It's a -wonderful medicine discovered by my grandmother, an' if I might only try -it I'd thoroughly cure them pore chaps.' - -"'Rubbish!' ses the skipper. - -"'Very well, sir,' ses the mate, shrugging his shoulders. 'O' course, -if you won't let me you won't. Still I tell you, if you'd let me try I'd -cure 'em all in two days. That's a fair challenge.' - -"Well, they talked, and talked, and talked, until at last the skipper -give way and went down below with the mate, and told the chaps they was -to take the new medicine for two days, jest to prove the mate was wrong. - -"'Let pore old Dan try it first, sir,' ses Harry, starting up, an' -sniffing as the mate took the cork out; 'he's been awful bad since -you've been away.' - -"'Harry's worse than I am, sir,' ses Dan; 'it's only his kind heart that -makes him say that.' - -"'It don't matter which is fust,' ses the mate, filling a tablespoon -with it, 'there's plenty for all. Now, Harry.' - -"'Take it,' ses the skipper. - -"Harry took it, an' the fuss he made you'd ha' thought he was swallering -a football. It stuck all round his mouth, and he carried on so dredful -that the other invalids was half sick afore it came to them. - -"By the time the other three 'ad 'ad theirs it was as good as a -pantermime, an' the mate corked the bottle up, and went an' sat down on -a locker while they tried to rinse their mouths out with the luxuries -which had been given 'em. - -"'How do you feel?' ses the skipper. - -"'I'm dying,' ses Dan. - -"'So'm I,' ses Harry; 'I b'leeve the mate's pisoned us." - -"The skipper looks over at the mate very stern an' shakes his 'ed -slowly. - -"'It's all right,' ses the mate. 'It's always like that the first dozen -or so doses.' - -"'Dozen or so doses!' ses old Dan, in a far-away voice. - -"'It has to be taken every twenty minutes,' ses the mate, pulling out -his pipe and lighting it; an' the four men groaned all together. - -"'I can't allow it,' ses the skipper, 'I can't allow it. Men's lives -mustn't be sacrificed for an experiment.' - -"''T ain't a experiment,' ses the mate very indignant, 'it's an old -family medicine.' - -"'Well, they shan't have any more,' ses the skipper firmly. - -"'Look here,' ses the mate. 'If I kill any one o' these men I'll give -you twenty pound. Honour bright, I will.' - -"'Make it twenty-five,' ses the skipper, considering. - -"'Very good,' ses the mate. 'Twenty-five; I can't say no fairer than -that, can I? It's about time for another dose now.' - -"He gave 'em another tablespoonful all round as the skipper left, an' -the chaps what wasn't invalids nearly bust with joy. He wouldn't let -'em have anything to take the taste out, 'cos he said it didn't give the -medicine a chance, an' he told us other chaps to remove the temptation, -an' you bet we did. - -"After the fifth dose, the invalids began to get desperate, an' when -they heard they'd got to be woke up every twenty minutes through the -night to take the stuff, they sort o' give up. Old Dan said he felt a -gentle glow stealing over him and strengthening him, and Harry said that -it felt like a healing balm to his lungs. All of 'em agreed it was -a wonderful sort o' medicine, an' arter the sixth dose the man with -paralysis dashed up on deck, and ran up the rigging like a cat. He sat -there for hours spitting, an' swore he'd brain anybody who interrupted -him, an' arter a little while Mike Rafferty went up and j'ined him, an' -it the fust mate's ears didn't burn by reason of the things them two -pore sufferers said about 'im, they ought to. - -"They was all doing full work next day, an' though, o'course, the -skipper saw how he'd been done, he didn't allude to it. Not in words, -that is; but when a man tries to make four chaps do the work of eight, -an' hits 'em when they don't, it's a easy job to see where the shoe -pinches." - - - - -A LOVE PASSAGE - - -The mate was leaning against the side of the schooner, idly watching -a few red-coated linesmen lounging on the Tower Quay. Careful mariners -were getting out their side-lights, and careless lightermen were -progressing by easy bumps from craft to craft on their way up the river. -A tug, half burying itself in its own swell, rushed panting by, and a -faint scream came from aboard an approaching skiff as it tossed in the -wash. - -"JESSICA ahoy!" bawled a voice from the skiff as she came rapidly -alongside. - -The mate, roused from his reverie, mechanically caught the line and made -it fast, moving with alacrity as he saw that the captain's daughter was -one of the occupants. Before he had got over his surprise she was on -deck with her boxes, and the captain was paying off the watermen. - -"You've seen my daughter Hetty afore, haven't you?" said the skipper. -"She's coming with us this trip. You'd better go down and make up her -bed, Jack, in that spare bunk." - -"Ay, ay," said the mate dutifully, moving off. - -"Thank you, I'll do it myself," said the scandalised Hetty, stepping -forward hastily. - -"As you please," said the skipper, leading the way below. "Let's have a -light on, Jack." - -The mate struck a match on his boot, and lit the lamp. - -"There's a few things in there'll want moving," said the skipper, as -he opened the door. "I don't know where we're to keep the onions now, -Jack." - -"We'll find a place for 'em," said the mate confidently, as he drew out -a sack and placed it on the table. - -"I'm not going to sleep in there," said the visitor decidedly, as she -peered in. "Ugh! there's a beetle. Ugh!" - -"It's quite dead," said the mate reassuringly. "I've never seen a live -beetle on this ship." - -"I want to go home," said the girl. "You've no business to make me come -when I don't want to." - -"You should behave yourself then," said her father magisterially. "What -about sheets, Jack; and pillers?" - -The mate sat on the table, and, grasping his chin, pondered. Then as his -gaze fell upon the pretty, indignant face of the passenger, he lost the -thread of his ideas. - -"She'll have to have some o' my things for the present," said the -skipper. - -"Why not," said the mate, looking up again--"why not let her have your -state-room?" - -"'Cos I want it myself," replied the other calmly. - -The mate blushed for him, and, the girl leaving them to arrange matters -as they pleased, the two men, by borrowing here and contriving there, -made up the bunk. The girl was standing by the galley when they went on -deck again, an object of curious and respectful admiration to the crew, -who had come on board in the meantime. She stayed on deck until the -air began to blow fresher in the wider reaches, and then, with a brief -good-night to her father, retired below. - -"She made up her mind to come with us rather suddenly, didn't she?" -inquired the mate after she had gone. - -"She didn't make up her mind at all," said the skipper; "we did it for -her, me an' the missus. It's a plan on our part." - -"Wants strengthening?" said the mate suggestively. - -"Well, the fact is," said the skipper, "it's like this, Jack; there's a -friend o' mine, a provision dealer in a large way o' business, wants -to marry my girl, and me an' the missus want him to marry her, so, o' -course, she wants to marry someone else. Me an' 'er mother we put our -'eads together and decided for her to come away. When she's at 'ome, -instead o' being out with Towson, direckly her mother's back's turned -she's out with that young sprig of a clerk." - -"Nice-looking young feller, I s'pose?" said the mate somewhat anxiously. - -"Not a bit of it," said the other firmly. "Looks as though he had never -had a good meal in his life. Now my friend Towson, he's all right; he's -a man of about my own figger." - -"She'll marry the clerk," said the mate, with conviction. - -"I'll bet you she don't," said the skipper. "I'm an artful man, Jack, -an' I, generally speaking, get my own way. I couldn't live with my -missus peaceable if it wasn't for management." - -The mate smiled safely in the darkness, the skipper's management -consisting chiefly of slavish obedience. - -"I've got a cabinet fortygraph of him for the cabin mantel-piece, Jack," -continued the wily father. "He gave it to me o' purpose. She'll see that -when she won't see the clerk, an' by-and-bye she'll fall into our way of -thinking. Anyway, she's going to stay here till she does." - -"You know your way about, cap'n," said the mate, in pretended -admiration. - -The skipper laid his finger on his nose, and winked at the mainmast. -"There's few can show me the way, Jack," he answered softly; "very few. -Now I want you to help me too; I want you to talk to her a great deal." - -"Ay, ay," said the mate, winking at the mast in his turn. - -"Admire the fortygraph on the mantel-piece," said the skipper. - -"I will," said the other. - -"Tell her about a lot o' young girls you know as married young -middle-aged men, an' loved 'em more an' more every day of their lives," -continued the skipper. - -"Not another word," said the mate. "I know just what you want. She -shan't marry the clerk if I can help it." - -The other turned and gripped him warmly by the hand. "If ever you are a -father your elf, Jack," he said with emotion, "I hope as how somebody'll -stand by you as you're standing by me." - -The mate was relieved the next day when he saw the portrait of Towson. -He stroked his moustache, and felt that he gained in good looks every -time he glanced at it. - -Breakfast finished, the skipper, who had been on deck all night, retired -to his bunk. The mate went on deck and took charge, watching with great -interest the movements of the passenger as she peered into the galley -and hotly assailed the cook's method of washing up. - -"Don't you like the sea?" he inquired politely, as she came and sat on -the cabin skylight. - -Miss Alsen shook her head dismally. "I've got to it," she remarked. - -"Your father was saying something to me about it," said the mate -guardedly. - -"Did he tell the cook and the cabin boy too?" inquired Miss Alsen, -flushing somewhat. "What did he tell you?" - -"Told me about a man named Towson," said the mate, becoming intent on -the sails, "and--another fellow." - -"I took a little notice of HIM just to spoil the other," said the girl, -"not that I cared for him. I can't understand a girl caring for any man. -Great, clumsy, ugly things." - -"You don't like him then?" said the mate. - -"Of course not," said the girl, tossing her head. - -"And yet they 've sent you to sea to get out of his way," said the mate -meditatively. "Well, the best thing you can do"--His hardihood failed -him at the pitch. - -"Go on," said the girl. - -"Well, it's this way," said the mate, coughing; "they've sent you to -sea to get you out of this fellow's way, so if you fall in love with -somebody on the ship they'll send you home again." - -"So they will," said the girl eagerly. "I'll pretend to fall in love -with that nice-looking sailor you call Harry. What a lark!" - -"I shouldn't do that," said the mate gravely. - -"Why not?" said the girl. - -"'Tisn't discipline," said the mate very firmly; "it wouldn't do at all. -He's before the mast." - -"Oh, I see," remarked Miss Alsen, smiling scornfully. - -"I only mean pretend, of course," said the mate, colouring. "Just to -oblige you." - -"Of course," said the girl calmly. "Well, how are we to be in love?" - -The mate flushed darkly. "I don't know much about such things," he said -at length; "but we'll have to look at each other, and all that sort of -thing, you know." - -"I don't mind that," said the girl. - -"Then we'll get on by degrees," said the other. "I expect we shall both -find it come easier after a time." - -"Anything to get home again," said the girl, rising and walking slowly -away. - -The mate began his part of the love-making at once, and, fixing a gaze -of concentrated love on the object of his regard, nearly ran down -a smack. As he had prognosticated, it came easy to him, and other -well-marked symptoms, such as loss of appetite and a partiality for -bright colours, developed during the day. Between breakfast and tea -he washed five times, and raised the ire of the skipper to a dangerous -pitch by using the ship's butter to remove tar from his fingers. - -By ten o'clock that night he was far advanced in a profound melancholy. -All the looking had been on his side, and, as he stood at the wheel -keeping the schooner to her course, he felt a fellow-feeling for the -hapless Towson, His meditations were interrupted by a slight figure -which emerged from the companion, and, after a moment's hesitation, came -and took its old seat on the skylight. - -"Calm and peaceful up here, isn't it?" said he, after waiting some time -for her to speak. "Stars are very bright to-night." - -"Don't talk to me," said Miss Alsen snappishly. - -"Why doesn't this nasty little ship keep still? I believe it's you -making her jump about like this." - -"Me?" said the mate in amazement. - -"Yes, with that wheel." - -"I can assure you "--began the mate. - -"Yes, I knew you'd say so," said the girl. - -"Come and steer yourself," said the mate; "then you'll see." - -Much to his surprise she came, and, leaning limply against the wheel, -put her little hands on the spokes, while the mate explained the -mysteries of the compass. As he warmed with his subject he ventured -to put his hands on the same spokes, and, gradually becoming more -venturesome, boldly supported her with his arm every time the schooner -gave a lurch. - -"Thank you," said Miss Alsen, coldly extricating herself, as the male -fancied another lurch was coming. "Good-night." - -She retired to the cabin as a dark figure, which was manfully knuckling -the last remnant of sleep from its eyelids, stood before the mate, -chuckling softly. - -"Clear night," said the seaman, as he took the wheel in his great paws. - -"Beastly," said the mate absently, and, stifling a sigh, went below and -turned in. - -He lay awake for a few minutes, and then, well satisfied with the day's -proceedings, turned over and fell asleep. He was pleased to discover, -when he awoke, that the slight roll of the night before had disappeared, -and that there was hardly any motion on the schooner. The passenger -herself was already at the breakfast-table. - -"Cap'n's on deck, I s'pose?" said the mate, preparing to resume -negotiations where they were broken off the night before. "I hope you -feel better than you did last night." - -"Yes, thank you," said she. - -"You'll make a good sailor in time," said the mate. - -"I hope not," said Miss Alsen, who thought it time to quell a gleam of -peculiar tenderness plainly apparent in the mate's eyes. "I shouldn't -like to be a sailor even if I were a man." - -"Why not?" inquired the other. - -"I don't know," said the girl meditatively; "but sailors are generally -such scrubby little men, aren't they?" - -"SCUBBY?" repeated the mate, in a dazed voice. - -"I'd sooner be a soldier," she continued; "I like soldiers--they're so -manly. I wish there was one here now." - -"What for?" inquired the mate, in the manner of a sulky schoolboy. - -"If there was a man like that here now," said Miss Alsen thoughtfully, -"I'd dare him to mustard old Towson's nose." - -"Do what?" inquired the astonished mate. - -"Mustard old Towson's nose," said Miss Alsen, glancing lightly from the -cruet-stand to the portrait. - -The infatuated man hesitated a moment, and then, reaching over to the -cruet, took out the spoon, and with a pale, determined face, indignantly -daubed the classic features of the provision dealer. His indignation was -not lessened by the behaviour of the temptress, who, instead of fawning -upon him for his bravery, crammed her handkerchief to her mouth and -giggled foolishly. - -"Where's father," she said suddenly, as a step sounded above. "Oh, you -will get it!" - -She rose from her seat, and, standing aside to let her father pass, -went on deck. The skipper sank on to a locker, and, raising the tea-pot, -poured himself out a cup of tea, which he afterwards decanted into a -saucer. He had just raised it to his lips, when he saw something over -the rim of it which made him put it down again untasted, and stare -blankly at the mantel-piece. - -"Who the--what the--who the devil's done this?" he inquired in a -strangulated voice, as he rose and regarded the portrait. - -"I did," said the mate. - -"You did?" roared the other. "You? What for?" - -"I don't know," said the mate awkwardly. "Something seemed to come over -me all of a sudden, and I felt as though I MUST do it." - -"But what for? Where's the sense of it?" said the skipper. - -The mate shook his head sheepishly. - -"But what did you want to do such a monkey-trick FOR?" roared the -skipper. - -"I don't know," said the mate doggedly; "but it's done, ain't it? and -it's no good talking about it." - -The skipper looked at him in wrathful perplexity. "You'd better have -advice when we get to port, Jack," he said at length; "the last few -weeks I've noticed you've been a bit strange in your manner. You go an' -show that 'ed of yours to a doctor." - -The mate grunted, and went on deck for sympathy, but, finding Miss Alsen -in a mood far removed from sentiment, and not at all grateful, drew off -whistling. Matters were in this state when the skipper appeared, wiping -his mouth. - -"I've put another portrait on the mantel-piece, Jack," he said -menacingly; "it's the only other one I've got, an' I wish you to -understand that if that only smells mustard, there'll be such a row in -this 'ere ship that you won't be able to 'ear yourself speak for the -noise." - -He moved off with dignity as his daughter, who had overheard the remark, -came sidling up to the mate and smiled on him agreeably. - -"He's put another portrait there," she said softly. - -"You'll find the mustard-pot in the cruet," said the mate coldly. - -Miss Alsen turned and watched her father as he went forward, and then, -to the mate's surprise, went below without another word. A prey to -curiosity, but too proud to make any overture, he compromised matters by -going and standing near the companion. - -"Mate!" said a stealthy whisper at the foot of the ladder. - -The mate gazed calmly out to sea. - -"Jack!" said the girl again, in a lower whisper than before. - -The mate went hot all over, and at once descended. He found Miss Alsen, -her eyes sparkling, with the mustard-pot in her left hand and the spoon -in her right, executing a war-dance in front of the second portrait. - -"Don't do it," said the mate, in alarm. - -"Why not?" she inquired, going within an inch of it. - -"He'll think it's me," said the mate. - -"That's why I called you down here," said she; "you don't think I wanted -you, do you?" - -"You put that spoon down," said the mate, who was by no means desirous -of another interview with the skipper. - -"Shan't!" said Miss Alsen. - -The mate sprang at her, but she dodged round the table. He leaned over, -and, catching her by the left arm, drew her towards him; then, with -her flushed, laughing face close to his, he forgot everything else, and -kissed her. - -"Oh!" said Hetty indignantly. - -"Will you give it to me now?" said the mate, trembling at his boldness. - -"Take it," said she. She leaned across the table, and, as the mate -advanced, dabbed viciously at him with the spoon. Then she suddenly -dropped both articles on the table and moved away, as the mate, startled -by a footstep at the door, turned a flushed visage, ornamented with -three streaks of mustard, on to the dumbfounded skipper. - -"Sakes alive!" said that astonished mariner, as soon as he could speak; -"if he ain't a-mustarding his own face now--I never 'card of such a -thing in all my life. Don't go near 'im, Hetty. Jack!" - -"Well," said the mate, wiping his smarting face with his handkerchief. - -"You've never been took like this before?" queried the skipper -anxiously. - -"O'course not," said the mortified mate. - -"Don't you say o'course not to me," said the other warmly, "after -behaving like this. A straight weskit's what you want. I'll go an' see -old Ben about it. He's got an uncle in a 'sylum. You come up too, my -girl." - -He went in search of Ben, oblivious of the fact that his daughter, -instead of following him, came no farther than the door, where she stood -and regarded her victim compassionately. - -"I'm so sorry," she said "Does it smart?" - -"A little," said the mate; "don't you trouble about me." - -"You see what you get for behaving badly," said Miss Alsen judicially. - -"It's worth it," said the mate, brightening. - -"I'm afraid it'll blister," said she. She crossed over to him, and -putting her head on one side, eyed the traces wisely. "Three marks," she -said. - -"I only had one," suggested the mate. - -"One what?" enquired Hetty. - -"Those," said the mate. - -In full view of the horrified skipper, who was cautiously peeping at the -supposed lunatic through the skylight, he kissed her again. - -"You can go away, Ben," said the skipper huskily to the expert. "D'ye -hear, you can go AWAY, and not a word about this, mind." - -The expert went away grumbling, and the father, after another glance, -which showed him his daughter nestling comfortably on the mate's right -shoulder, stole away and brooded darkly over this crowning complication. -An ordinary man would have run down and interrupted them; the master -of the Jessica thought he could attain his ends more certainly by -diplomacy, and so careful was his demeanour that the couple in the cabin -had no idea that they had been observed--the mate listening calmly to -a lecture on incipient idiocy which the skipper thought it advisable to -bestow. - -Until the mid-day meal on the day following he made no sign. If anything -he was even more affable than usual, though his wrath rose at the -glances which were being exchanged across the table. - -"By the way, Jack," he said at length, "what's become of Kitty Loney?" - -"Who?" inquired the mate. "Who's Kitty Loney?" - -It was now the skipper's turn to stare, and he did it admirably. - -"Kitty Loney," he said in surprise, "the little girl you are going to -marry." - -"Who are you getting at?" said the mate, going scarlet as he met the -gaze opposite. - -"I don't know what you mean," said the skipper with dignity. "I'm -allooding to Kitty Loney, the little girl in the red hat and white -feathers you introduced to me as your future." - -The mate sank back in his seat, and regarded him with open-mouthed, -horrified astonishment. - -"You don't mean to say you've chucked 'er," pursued the heartless -skipper, "after getting an advance from me to buy the ring with, too? -Didn't you buy the ring with the money?" - -"No," said the mate, "I--oh, no--of course--what on earth are you -talking about?" - -The skipper rose from his seat and regarded him sorrowfully but -severely. "I'm sorry, Jack," he said stiffly, "if I've said anything to -annoy you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O' course it's your business, -not mine. P'raps you'll say you never heard o' Kitty Loney?" - -"I do say so," said the bewildered mate; "I do say so." - -The skipper eyed him sternly, and without another word left the cabin. -"If she's like her mother," he said to himself, chuckling as he went up -the companion-ladder, "I think that'll do." - -There was an awkward pause after his departure. "I'm sure I don't know -what you must think of me," said the mate at length, "but I don't know -what your father's talking about." - -"I don't think anything," said Hetty calmly. "Pass the potatoes, -please." - -"I suppose it's a joke of his," said the mate, complying. - -"And the salt," said she; "thank you." - -"But you don't believe it?" said the mate pathetically. - -"Oh, don't be silly," said the girl calmly. "What does it matter whether -I do or not?" - -"It matters a great deal," said the mate gloomily. "It's life or death -to me." - -"Oh, nonsense," said Hetty. "She won't know of your foolishness. I won't -tell her." - -"I tell you," said the mate desperately, "there never was a Kitty Loney. -What do you think of that?" - -"I think you are very mean," said the girl scornfully; "don't talk to me -any more, please." - -"Just as you like," said the mate, beginning to lose his temper. - -He pushed his plate from him and departed, while the girl, angry and -resentful, put the potatoes back as being too floury for consumption in -the circumstances. - -For the remainder of the passage she treated him with a politeness and -good humour through which he strove in vain to break. To her surprise -her father made no objection, at the end of the voyage, when she -coaxingly suggested going back by train; and the mate, as they sat -at dummy-whist on the evening before her departure, tried in vain to -discuss the journey in an unconcerned fashion. - -"It'll be a long journey," said Hetty, who still liked him well enough -to make him smart a bit, "What's trumps?" - -"You'll be all right," said her father. "Spades." - -He won for the third time that evening, and, feeling wonderfully well -satisfied with the way in which he had played his cards generally, could -not resist another gibe at the crestfallen mate. - -"You'll have to give up playing cards and all that sort o' thing when -you're married, Jack," said he. - -"Ay, ay," said the mate recklessly, "Kitty don't like cards." - -"I thought there was no Kitty," said the girl, looking up, scornfully. - -"She don't like cards," repeated the mate. "Lord, what a spree we had. -Cap'n, when we went to the Crystal Palace with her that night." - -"Ay, that we did," said the skipper. - -"Remember the roundabouts?" said the mate. - -"I do," said the skipper merrily. "I'll never forget 'em." - -"You and that friend of hers, Bessie Watson, lord how you did go on!" -continued the mate, in a sort of ecstasy. The skipper stiffened suddenly -in his chair. "What on earth are you talking about?" he inquired -gruffly. - -"Bessie Watson," said the mate, in tones of innocent surprise. "Little -girl in a blue hat with white feathers, and a blue frock, that came with -us." - -"You're drunk," said the skipper, grinding his teeth, as he saw the trap -into which he had walked. - -"Don't you remember when you two got lost, an' me and Kitty were looking -all over the place for you?" demanded the mate, still in the same tones -of pleasant reminiscence. - -He caught Hetty's eye, and noticed with a thrill that it beamed with -soft and respectful admiration. - -"You've been drinking," repeated the skipper, breathing hard. "How dare -you talk like that afore my daughter?" - -"It's only right I should know," said Hetty, drawing herself up. "I -wonder what mother'll say to it all?" - -"You say anything to your mother if you dare," said the now maddened -skipper. "You know what she is. It's all the mate's nonsense." - -"I'm very sorry, cap'n," said the mate, "if I've said anything to annoy -you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O' course it's your business, not -mine. Perhaps you'll say you never heard o' Bessie Watson?" - -"Mother shall hear of her," said Hetty, while her helpless sire was -struggling for breath. - -"Perhaps you'll tell us who this Bessie Watson is, and where she lives?" -he said at length. - -"She lives with Kitty Loney," said the mate simply. - -The skipper rose, and his demeanour was so alarming that Hetty shrank -instinctively to the mate for protection. In full view of his captain, -the mate placed his arm about her waist, and in this position they -confronted each other for some time in silence. Then Hetty looked up and -spoke. - -"I'm going home by water," she said briefly. - - - - -THE CAPTAIN'S EXPLOIT - - -It was a wet, dreary night in that cheerless part of the great -metropolis known as Wapping. The rain, which had been falling heavily -for hours, still fell steadily on to the sloppy pavements and roads, and -joining forces in the gutter, rushed impetuously to the nearest sewer. -The two or three streets which had wedged themselves in between the -docks and the river, and which, as a matter of fact, really comprise the -beginning and end of Wapping, were deserted, except for a belated van -crashing over the granite roads, or the chance form of a dock-labourer -plodding doggedly along, with head bent in distaste for the rain, and -hands sunk in trouser-pockets. - -"Beastly night," said Captain Bing, as he rolled out of the private bar -of the "Sailor's Friend," and, ignoring the presence of the step, took -a little hurried run across the pavement. "Not fit for a dog to be out -in." - -He kicked, as he spoke, at a shivering cur which was looking in at the -crack of the bar-door, with a hazy view of calling its attention to the -matter, and then, pulling up the collar of his rough pea-jacket, stepped -boldly out into the rain. Three or four minutes' walk, or rather roll, -brought him to a dark narrow passage, which ran between two houses to -the water-side. By a slight tack to starboard at a critical moment he -struck the channel safely, and followed it until it ended in a flight of -old stone steps, half of which were under water. - -"Where for?" inquired a man, starting up from a small penthouse formed -of rough pieces of board. - -"Schooner in the tier, Smiling Jane," said the captain gruffly, as he -stumbled clumsily into a boat and sat down in the stern. "Why don't you -have better seats in this 'ere boat?" - -"They're there, if you'll look for them," said the waterman; "and you'll -find 'em easier sitting than that bucket." - -"Why don't you put 'em where a man can see 'em?" inquired the captain, -raising his voice a little. - -The other opened his mouth to reply, but realising that it would lead -to a long and utterly futile argument, contented himself with asking his -fare to trim the boat better; and, pushing off from the steps, pulled -strongly through the dark lumpy water. The tide was strong, so that they -made but slow progress. - -"When I was a young man," said the fare with severity, "I'd ha' pulled -this boat across and back afore now." - -"When you was a young man," said the man at the oars, who had a local -reputation as a wit, "there wasn't no boats; they was all Noah's arks -then." - -"Stow your gab," said the captain, after a pause of deep thought. - -The other, whose besetting sin was certainly not loquacity, ejected -a thin stream of tobacco-juice over the side, spat on his hands, and -continued his laborious work until a crowd of dark shapes, surmounted by -a network of rigging, loomed up before them. - -"Now, which is your little barge?" he inquired, tugging strongly to -maintain his position against the fast-flowing tide. - -"Smiling Jane" said his fare. - -"Ah," said the waterman, "Smiling Jane, is it? You sit there, cap'n, an' -I'll row round all their sterns while you strike matches and look at the -names. We'll have quite a nice little evening." - -"There she is," cried the captain, who was too muddled to notice the -sarcasm; "there's the little beauty. Steady, my lad." - -He reached out his hand as he spoke, and as the boat jarred violently -against a small schooner, seized a rope which hung over the side, and, -swaying to and fro, fumbled in his pocket for the fare. - -"Steady, old boy," said the waterman affectionately. He had just -received twopence-halfpenny and a shilling by mistake for threepence. -"Easy up the side. You ain't such a pretty figger as you was when your -old woman made such a bad bargain." - -The captain paused in his climb, and poising himself on one foot, -gingerly felt for his tormentor's head with the other Not finding it, he -flung his leg over the bulwark, and gained the deck of the vessel as the -boat swung round with the tide and disappeared in the darkness. - -"All turned in," said the captain, gazing owlishly at the deserted deck. -"Well, there's a good hour an' a half afore we start; I'll turn in too." - -He walked slowly aft, and sliding back the companion-hatch, descended -into a small evil-smelling cabin, and stood feeling in the darkness for -the matches. They were not to be found, and, growling profanely, he felt -his way to the state-room, and turned in all standing. - -It was still dark when he awoke, and hanging over the edge of the bunk, -cautiously felt for the floor with his feet, and having found it, -stood thoughtfully scratching his head, which seemed to have swollen to -abnormal proportions. - -"Time they were getting under weigh," he said at length, and groping his -way to the foot of the steps, he opened the door of what looked like a -small pantry, but which was really the mate's boudoir. - -"Jem," said the captain gruffly. - -There was no reply, and jumping to the conclusion that he was above, the -captain tumbled up the steps and gained the deck, which, as far as -he could see, was in the same deserted condition as when he left it. -Anxious to get some idea of the time, he staggered to the side and -looked over. The tide was almost at the turn, and the steady clank, -clank of neighbouring windlasses showed that other craft were just -getting under weigh. A barge, its red light turning the water to blood, -with a huge wall of dark sail, passed noiselessly by, the indistinct -figure of a man leaning skilfully upon the tiller. - -As these various signs of life and activity obtruded themselves upon -the skipper of the Smiling Jane, his wrath rose higher and higher as he -looked around the wet, deserted deck of his own little craft. Then he -walked forward and thrust his head down the forecastle hatchway. - -As he expected, there was a complete sleeping chorus below; the deep -satisfied snoring of half-a-dozen seamen, who, regardless of the tide -and their captain's feelings, were slumbering sweetly, in blissful -ignorance of all that the Lancet might say upon the twin subjects of -overcrowding and ventilation. - -"Below there, you lazy thieves!" roared the captain; "tumble up, tumble -up!" - -The snores stopped. "Ay, ay!" said a sleepy voice. "What's the matter, -master?" - -"Matter!" repeated the other, choking violently. "Ain't you going to -sail to-night?" - -"To-night!" said another voice, in surprise. "Why, I thought we wasn't -going to sail till Wen'sday." - -Not trusting himself to reply, so careful was he of the morals of his -men, the skipper went and leaned over the side and communed with the -silent water. In an incredibly short space of time five or six dusky -figures pattered up on to the deck, and a minute or two later the harsh -clank of the windlass echoed far and wide. - -The captain took the wheel. A fat and very sleepy seaman put up the -side-lights, and the little schooner, detaching itself by the aid of -boat-hooks and fenders from the neighbouring craft, moved slowly down -with the tide. The men, in response to the captain's fervent orders, -climbed aloft, and sail after sail was spread to the gentle breeze. - -"Hi! you there," cried the captain to one of the men who stood near him, -coiling up some loose line. - -"Sir?" said the man. - -"Where is the mate?" inquired the captain. - -"Man with red whiskers and pimply nose?" said the man interrogatively. - -"That's him to a hair," answered the other. - -"Ain't seen him since he took me on at eleven," said the man. "How many -new hands are there?" - -"I b'leeve we're all fresh," was the reply. "I don't believe some of 'em -have ever smelt salt water afore." - -"The mate's been at it again," said the captain warmly, "that's what -he has. He's done it afore and got left behind. Them what can't stand -drink, my man, shouldn't take it, remember that." - -"He said we wasn't going to sail till Wen'sday," remarked the man, who -found the captain's attitude rather trying. - -"He'll get sacked, that's what he'll get," said the captain warmly. "I -shall report him as soon as I get ashore." - -The subject exhausted, the seaman returned to his work, and the captain -continued steering in moody silence. - -Slowly, slowly darkness gave way to light. The different portions of -the craft, instead of all being blurred into one, took upon themselves -shape, and stood out wet and distinct in the cold grey of the breaking -day. But the lighter it became, the harder the skipper stared and rubbed -his eyes, and looked from the deck to the flat marshy shore, and from -the shore back to the deck again. - -"Here, come here," he cried, beckoning to one of the crew. - -"Yessir," said the man, advancing. - -"There's something in one of my eyes," faltered the skipper. "I can't -see straight; everything seems mixed up. Now, speaking deliberate and -without any hurry, which side o' the ship do you say the cook's galley's -on?" - -"Starboard," said the man promptly, eyeing him with astonishment. - -"Starboard," repeated the other softly. "He says starboard, and that's -what it seems to me. My lad, yesterday morning it was on the port side." - -The seaman received this astounding communication with calmness, but, as -a slight concession to appearances, said "Lor!" - -"And the water-cask," said the skipper; "what colour is it?" - -"Green," said the man. - -"Not white?" inquired the skipper, leaning heavily upon the wheel. - -"Whitish-green," said the man, who always believed in keeping in with -his superior officers. - -The captain swore at him. - -By this time two or three of the crew who had over-heard part of the -conversation had collected aft, and now stood in a small wondering knot -before their strange captain. - -"My lads," said the latter, moistening his dry lips with his tongue, -"I name no names--I don't know 'em yet--and I cast no suspicions, but -somebody has been painting up and altering this 'ere craft, and twisting -things about until a man 'ud hardly know her. Now what's the little -game?" - -There was no answer, and the captain, who was seeing things clearer and -clearer in the growing light, got paler and paler. - -"I must be going crazy," he muttered. "Is this the SMILING JANE, or am I -dreaming?" - -"It ain't the SMILING JANE," said one of the seamen; "leastways," he -added cautiously, "it wasn't when I came aboard." - -"Not the SMILING JANE!" roared the skipper; "what is it, then?" - -"Why, the MARY ANN," chorused the astonished crew. - -"My lads," faltered the agonised captain after a long pause. "My lads--" -He stopped and swallowed something in his throat. "I've been and brought -away the wrong ship," he continued with an effort; "that's what I've -done. I must have been bewitched." - -"Well, who's having the little game now?" inquired a voice. - -"Somebody else'll be sacked as well as the mate," said another. - -"We must take her back," said the captain, raising his voice to drown -these mutterings. "Stand by there!" - -The bewildered crew went to their posts, the captain gave his orders in -a voice which had never been so subdued and mellow since it broke at -the age of fourteen, and the Mary Ann took in sail, and, dropping her -anchor, waited patiently for the turning of the tide. - - * * * * * * * - -The church bells in Wapping and Rotherhithe were just striking the hour -of mid-day, though they were heard by few above the noisy din of workers -on wharves and ships, as a short stout captain, and a mate with red -whiskers and a pimply nose, stood up in a waterman's boat in the centre -of the river, and gazed at each other in blank astonishment. - -"She's gone, clean gone!" murmured the bewildered captain. - -"Clean as a whistle," said the mate. "The new hands must ha' run away -with her." - -Then the bereaved captain raised his voice, and pronounced a pathetic -and beautiful eulogy upon the departed vessel, somewhat marred by -an appendix in which he consigned the new hands, their heirs, and -descendants, to everlasting perdition. - -"Ahoy!" said the waterman, who was getting tired of the business, -addressing a grimy-looking seaman hanging meditatively over the side of -a schooner. "Where's the Mary Ann?" - -"Went away at half-past one this morning," was the reply. - -"'Cos here's the cap'n an' the mate," said the waterman, indicating the -forlorn couple with a bob of his head. - -"My eyes!" said the man, "I s'pose the cook's in charge then. We was to -have gone too, but our old man hasn't turned up." - -Quickly the news spread amongst the craft in the tier, and many and -various were the suggestions shouted to the bewildered couple from the -different decks. At last, just as the captain had ordered the waterman -to return to the shore, he was startled by a loud cry from the mate. - -"Look there!" he shouted. - -The captain looked. Fifty or sixty yards away, a small -shamefaced-looking schooner, so it appeared to his excited imagination, -was slowly approaching them. A minute later a shout went up from the -other craft as she took in sail and bore slowly down upon them. Then a -small boat put off to the buoy, and the Mary Ann was slowly warped into -the place she had left ten hours before. - -But while all this was going on, she was boarded by her captain and -mate. They were met by Captain Bing, supported by his mate, who had -hastily pushed off from the Smiling Jane to the assistance of his chief. -In the two leading features before mentioned he was not unlike the -mate of the Mary Ann, and much stress was laid upon this fact by the -unfortunate Bing in his explanation. So much so, in fact, that both -the mates got restless; the skipper, who was a plain man, and given to -calling a spade a spade, using the word "pimply" with what seemed to -them unnecessary iteration. - -It is possible that the interview might have lasted for hours had not -Bing suddenly changed his tactics and begun to throw out dark hints -about standing a dinner ashore, and settling it over a friendly -glass. The face of the Mary Ann's captain began to clear, and, as Bing -proceeded from generalities to details, a soft smile played over his -expressive features. It was reflected in the faces of the mates, who by -these means showed clearly that they understood the table was to be laid -for four. - -At this happy turn of affairs Bing himself smiled, and a little while -later a ship's boat containing four boon companions put off from the -Mary Ann and made for the shore. Of what afterwards ensued there is -no distinct record, beyond what may be gleaned from the fact that the -quartette turned up at midnight arm-in-arm, and affectionately refused -to be separated--even to enter the ship's boat, which was waiting for -them. The sailors were at first rather nonplussed, but by dint of -much coaxing and argument broke up the party, and rowing them to their -respective vessels, put them carefully to bed. - - - - -CONTRABAND OF WAR - - -A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo'c'sle of the schooner -Greyhound, by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedate -appearance sat crocheting an antimacassar. Two other men were snoring -with deep content in their bunks, while a small, bright-eyed boy sat up -in his, reading adventurous fiction. - -"Here comes old Dan," said the man with the anti-macassar warningly, as -a pair of sea boots appeared at the top of the companion-ladder; "better -not let him see you with that paper, Billee." - -The boy thrust it beneath his blankets, and, lying down, closed his eyes -as the new-comer stepped on to the floor. - -"All asleep?" inquired the latter. - -The other man nodded, and Dan, without any further parley, crossed over -to the sleepers and shook them roughly. - -"Eh! wha's matter?" inquired the sleepers plaintively. - -"Git up," said Dan impressively, "I want to speak to you. Something -important." - -With sundry growls the men complied, and, thrusting their legs out -of their bunks, rolled on to the locker, and sat crossly waiting for -information. - -"I want to do a pore chap a good turn," said Dan, watching them narrowly -out of his little black eyes, "an' I want you to help me; an' the boy -too. It's never too young to do good to your fellow-creatures, Billy." - -"I know it ain't," said Billy, taking this as permission to join the -group; "I helped a drunken man home once when I was only ten years old, -an' when I was only--" - -The speaker stopped, not because he had come to the end of his remarks, -but because one of the seamen had passed his arm around his neck and was -choking him. - -"Go on," said the man calmly; "I've got him. Spit it out, Dan, and none -of your sermonising." - -"Well, it's like this, Joe," said the old man; "here's a pore chap, -a young sojer from the depot here, an' he's cut an' run. He's been in -hiding in a cottage up the road two days, and he wants to git to London, -and git honest work and employment, not shooting, an' stabbing, an' -bayoneting--" - -"Stow it," said Joe impatiently. - -"He daren't go to the railway station, and he dursen't go outside in his -uniform," continued Dan. "My 'art bled for the pore young feller, an' -I've promised to give 'im a little trip to London with us. The people -he's staying with won't have him no longer. They've only got one bed, -and directly he sees any sojers coming he goes an' gits into it, whether -he's got his boots on or not." - -"Have you told the skipper?" inquired Joe sardonically. - -"I won't deceive you, Joe, I 'ave not," replied the old man. "He'll have -to stay down here of a daytime, an' only come on deck of a night when -it's our watch. I told 'im what a lot of good-'arted chaps you was, and -how--" - -"How much is he going to give you?" inquired Joe impatiently. - -"It's only fit and proper he should pay a little for the passage," said -Dan. - -"How MUCH?" demanded Joe, banging the little triangular table with his -fist, and thereby causing the man with the antimacassar to drop a couple -of stitches. - -"Twenty-five shillings," said old Dan reluctantly; "an' I'll spend the -odd five shillings on you chaps when we git to Limehouse." - -"I don't want your money," said Joe; "there's a empty bunk he can have; -and mind, you take all the responsibility--I won't have nothing to do -with it." - -"Thanks, Joe," said the old man, with a sigh of relief; "he's a nice -young chap, you're sure to take to him. I'll go and give him the tip to -come aboard at once." - -He ran up on deck again and whistled softly, and a figure, which had -been hiding behind a pile of empties, came out, and, after looking -cautiously around, dropped noiselessly on to the schooner's deck, and -followed its protector below. - -"Good evening, mates," said the linesman, gazing curiously and anxiously -round him as he deposited a bundle on the table, and laid his swagger -cane beside it. - -"What's your height?" inquired Joe abruptly. "Seven foot?" - -"No, only six foot four," said the new arrival, modestly. "I'm not proud -of it. It's much easier for a small man to slip off than a big one." - -"It licks me," said Joe thoughtfully, "what they want 'em back for--I -should think they'd be glad to git rid o' such"--he paused a moment -while politeness struggled with feeling, and added, "skunks." - -"P'raps I've a reason for being a skunk, p'raps I haven't," retorted -Private Smith, as his face fell. - -"This'll be your bunk," interposed Dan hastily; "put your things in -there, and when you are in yourself you'll be as comfortable as a oyster -in its shell." - -The visitor complied, and, first extracting from the bundle some tins of -meat and a bottle of whiskey, which he placed upon the table, nervously -requested the honour of the present company to supper. With the -exception of Joe, who churlishly climbed back into his bunk, the men -complied, all agreeing that boys of Billy's age should be reared on -strong teetotal principles. - -Supper over, Private Smith and his protectors retired to their couches, -where the former lay in much anxiety until two in the morning, when they -got under way. - -"It's all right, my lad," said Dan, after the watch had been set, as he -came and stood by the deserter's bunk; "I 've saved you--I've saved you -for twenty-five shillings." - -"I wish it was more," said Private Smith politely. - -The old man sighed--and waited. - -"I'm quite cleaned out, though," continued the deserter, "except -fi'pence ha'penny. I shall have to risk going home in my uniform as it -is." - -"Ah, you'll get there all right," said Dan cheerfully; "and when you get -home no doubt you 've got friends, and if it seems to you as you 'd like -to give a little more to them as assisted you in the hour of need, you -won't be ungrateful, my lad, I know. You ain't the sort." - -With these words old Dan, patting him affectionately, retired, and the -soldier lay trying to sleep in his narrow quarters until he was aroused -by a grip on his arm. - -"If you want a mouthful of fresh air you 'd better come on deck now," -said the voice of Joe; "it's my watch. You can get all the sleep you -want in the daytime." - -Glad to escape from such stuffy quarters, Private Smith clambered out of -his bunk and followed the other on deck. It was a fine clear night, and -the schooner was going along under a light breeze; the seaman took the -wheel, and, turning to his companion, abruptly inquired what he meant by -deserting and worrying them with six foot four of underdone lobster. - -"It's all through my girl," said Private Smith meekly; "first she jilted -me, and made me join the army; now she's chucked the other fellow, and -wrote to me to go back." - -"An' now I s'pose the other chap'll take your place in the army," said -Joe. "Why, a gal like that could fill a regiment, if she liked. Pah! -They'll nab you too, in that uniform, and you'll get six months, and -have to finish your time as well." - -"It's more than likely," said the soldier gloomily. "I've got to tramp -to Manchester in these clothes, as far as I can see." - -"What did you give old Dan all your money for?" inquired Joe. - -"I was only thinking of getting away at first," said Smith, "and I had -to take what was offered." - -"Well, I'll do what I can for you," said the seaman. "If you're in love, -you ain't responsible for your actions. I remember the first time I got -the chuck. I went into a public-house bar, and smashed all the glass -and bottles I could get at. I felt as though I must do something. If you -were only shorter, I'd lend you some clothes." - -"You're a brick," said the soldier gratefully. - -"I haven't got any money I could lend you either," said Joe. "I never do -have any, somehow. But clothes you must have." - -He fell into deep thought, and cocked his eye aloft as though -contemplating a cutting-out expedition on the sails, while the soldier, -sitting on the side of the ship, waited hopefully for a miracle. - -"You'd better get below again," said Joe presently. - -"There seems to be somebody moving below; and if the skipper sees you, -you're done. He's a regular Tartar, and he's got a brother what's a -sergeant-major in the army. He'd give you up d'rectly if he spotted -you." - -"I'm off," said Smith; and with long, cat-like strides he disappeared -swiftly below. - -For two days all went well, and Dan was beginning to congratulate -himself upon his little venture, when his peace of mind was rudely -disturbed. The crew were down below, having their tea, when Billy, who -had been to the galley for hot water, came down, white and scared. - -"Look here," he said nervously, "I've not had anything to do with this -chap being aboard, have I?" - -"What's the matter?" inquired Dan quickly. - -"It's all found out," said Billy. - -"WHAT!" cried the crew simultaneously. - -"Leastways, it will be," said the youth, correcting himself. "You'd -better chuck him overboard while you've got time. I heard the cap'n tell -the mate as he was coming down in the fo'c'sle to-morrow morning to look -round. He's going to have it painted." - -"This," said Dan, in the midst of a painful pause, "this is what comes -of helping a fellow-creature. What's to be done?" - -"Tell the skipper the fo'c'sle don't want painting," suggested Billy. - -The agonised old seaman, carefully putting down his saucer of tea, -cuffed his head spitefully. - -"It's a smooth sea," said he, looking at the perturbed countenance -of Private Smith, "'an there's a lot of shipping about. If I was a -deserter, sooner than be caught, I would slip overboard to-night with a -lifebelt and take my chance." - -"I wouldn't," said Mr. Smith, with much decision. - -"You wouldn't? Not if you was quite near another ship?" cooed Dan. - -"Not if I was near fifty blooming ships, all trying to see which could -pick me up first," replied Mr. Smith, with some heat. - -"Then we shall have to leave you to your fate," said Dan solemnly. "If a -man's unreasonable, his best friends can do nothing for him." - -"Chuck all his clothes overboard, anyway," said Billy. - -"That's a good idea o' the boy's. You leave his ears alone," said Joe, -stopping the ready hand of the exasperated Dan. "He's got more sense -than any of us. Can you think of anything else, Billy? What shall we do -then?" - -The eyes of all were turned upon their youthful deliverer, those of Mr. -Smith being painfully prominent. It was a proud moment for Billy, and -he sat silent for some time, with a look of ineffable wisdom and thought -upon his face. At length he spoke. - -"Let somebody else have a turn," he said generously. - -The voice of the antimacassar worker broke the silence. - -"Paint him all over with stripes of different-coloured paint, and let -him pretend he's mad, and didn't know how he got here," he said, with -an uncontrollable ring of pride at the idea, which was very coldly -received, Private Smith being noticeably hard on it. - -"I know," said Billy shrilly, clapping his hands. "I've got it, I 've -got it. After he's chucked his clothes overboard to-night, let him go -overboard too, with a line." - -"And tow him the rest o' the way, and chuck biscuits to him, I suppose," -snarled Dan. - -"No," said the youthful genius scornfully; "pretend he's been upset from -a boat, and has been swimming about, and we heard him cry out for help -and rescued him." - -"It's about the best way out of it," said Joe, after some deliberation; -"it's warm weather, and you won't take no harm, mate. Do it in my watch, -and I'll pull you out directly." - -"Wouldn't it do if you just chucked a bucket of water over me and SAID -you'd pulled me out," suggested the victim. "The other thing seems a -downright LIE." - -"No," said Billy authoritatively, "you've got to look half-drowned, and -swallow a lot of water, and your eyes be all bloodshot." - -Everybody being eager for the adventure, except Private Smith, -the arrangements were at once concluded, and the approach of night -impatiently awaited. It was just before midnight when Smith, who -had forgotten for the time his troubles in sleep, was shaken into -wakefulness. - -"Cold water, sir?" said Billy gleefully. - -In no mood for frivolity, Private Smith rose and followed the youth on -deck. The air struck him as chill as he stood there; but, for all that, -it was with a sense of relief that he saw Her Majesty's uniform go over -the side and sink into the dark water. - -"He don't look much with his padding off, does he?" said Billy, who had -been eyeing him critically. - -"You go below," said Dan sharply. - -"Garn," said Billy indignantly; "I want to see the fun as well as you -do. I thought of it." - -"Fun?" said the old man severely. "Fun? To see a feller creature -suffering, and perhaps drowned--" - -"I don't think I had better go," said the victim; "it seems rather -underhand." - -"Yes, you will," said Joe. "Wind this line round an' round your arm, and -just swim about gently till I pull you in." - -Sorely against his inclination Private Smith took hold of the line, and, -hanging over the side of the schooner, felt the temperature with his -foot, and, slowly and tenderly, with many little gasps, committed his -body to the deep. Joe paid out the line and waited, letting out more -line, when the man in the water, who was getting anxious, started to -come in hand over hand. - -"That'll do," said Dan at length. - -"I think it will," said Joe, and, putting his hand to his mouth, gave a -mighty shout. It was answered almost directly by startled roars from the -cabin, and the skipper and mate came rushing hastily upon deck, to see -the crew, in their sleeping gear, forming an excited group round Joe, -and peering eagerly over the side. - -"What's the matter?" demanded the skipper. - -"Somebody in the water, sir," said Joe, relinquishing the wheel to one -of the other seamen, and hauling in the line. "I heard a cry from the -water and threw a line, and, by gum, I've hooked it!" - -He hauled in, lustily aided by the skipper, until the long white body -of Private Smith, blanched with the cold, came bumping against the -schooner's side. - -"It's a mermaid," said the mate, who was inclined to be superstitious, -as he peered doubtfully down at it. "Let it go, Joe." - -"Haul it in, boys," said the skipper impatiently; and two of the men -clambered over the side and, stooping down, raised it from the water. - -In the midst of a puddle, which he brought with him, Private Smith was -laid on the deck, and, waving his arms about, fought wildly for his -breath. - -"Fetch one of them empties," said the skipper quickly, as he pointed to -some barrels ranged along the side. - -The men rolled one over, and then aided the skipper in placing the long -fair form of their visitor across it, and to trundle it lustily up and -down the deck, his legs forming convenient handles for the energetic -operators. - -"He's coming round," said the mate, checking them; "he's speaking. How -do you feel, my poor fellow?" - -He put his ear down, but the action was unnecessary. Private Smith felt -bad, and, in the plainest English he could think of at the moment, said -so distinctly. - -"He's swearing," said the mate. "He ought to be ashamed of himself." - -"Yes," said the skipper austerely; "and him so near death too. How did -you get in the water?" - -"Went for a--swim," panted Smith surlily. - -"SWIM?" echoed the skipper. "Why, we're ten miles from land!" - -"His mind's wandering, pore feller," interrupted Joe hurriedly. "What -boat did you fall out of, matey?" - -"A row-boat," said Smith, trying to roll out of reach of the skipper, -who was down on his knees flaying him alive with a roller-towel. "I had -to undress in the water to keep afloat. I've lost all my clothes." - -"Pore feller," said Dan. - -"A gold watch and chain, my purse, and three of the nicest fellers that -ever breathed," continued Smith, who was now entering into the spirit of -the thing. - -"Poor chaps," said the skipper solemnly. "Any of 'em leave any family?" - -"Four," said Smith sadly. - -"Children?" queried the mate. - -"Families," said Smith. - -"Look here," said the mate, but the watchful Joe interrupted him. - -"His mind's wandering," said he hastily. "He can't count, pore chap. We -'d better git him to bed." - -"Ah, do," said the skipper, and, assisted by his friends, the rescued -man was half led, half carried below and put between the blankets, where -he lay luxuriously sipping a glass of brandy and water, sent from the -cabin. - -"How'd I do it?" he inquired, with a satisfied air. - -"There was no need to tell all them lies about it," said Dan sharply; -"instead of one little lie you told half-a-dozen. I don't want nothing -more to do with you. You start afresh now, like a new-born babe." - -"All right," said Smith shortly; and, being very much fatigued with -his exertions, and much refreshed by the brandy, fell into a deep and -peaceful sleep. - -The morning was well advanced when he awoke, and the fo'c'sle empty -except for the faithful Joe, who was standing by his side, with a heap -of clothing under his arm. - -"Try these on," said he, as Smith stared at him half awake; "they'll be -better than nothing, at any rate." - -The soldier leaped from his bunk and gratefully proceeded to dress -himself, Joe eyeing him critically as the trousers climbed up his -long legs, and the sleeves of the jacket did their best to conceal his -elbows. - -"What do I look like?" he inquired anxiously, as he finished. - -"Six foot an' a half o' misery," piped the shrill voice of Billy -promptly, as he thrust his head in at the fo'c'sle. "You can't go to -church in those clothes." - -"Well, they'll do for the ship, but you can't go ashore in 'em," said -Joe, as he edged towards the ladder, and suddenly sprang up a step or -two to let fly at the boy, "The old man wants to see you; be careful -what you say to him." - -With a very unsuccessful attempt to appear unconscious of the figure he -cut, Smith went up on deck for the interview. - -"We can't do anything until we get to London," said the skipper, as he -made copious notes of Smith's adventures. "As soon as we get there, I'll -lend you the money to telegraph to your friends to tell 'em you're safe -and to send you some clothes, and of course you'll have free board -and lodging till it comes, and I'll write out an account of it for the -newspapers." - -"You're very good," said Smith blankly. - -"And I don't know what you are," said the skipper, interrogatively; "but -you ought to go in for swimming as a profession--six hours' swimming -about like that is wonderful." - -"You don't know what you can do till you have to," said Smith modestly, -as he backed slowly away; "but I never want to see the water again as -long as I live." - -The two remaining days of their passage passed all too quickly for the -men, who were casting about for some way out of the difficulty which -they foresaw would arise when they reached London. - -"If you'd only got decent clothes," said Joe, as they passed Gravesend, -"you could go off and send a telegram, and not come back; but you -couldn't go five yards in them things without having a crowd after you." - -"I shall have to be taken I s'pose," said Smith moodily. - -"An' poor old Dan'll get six months hard for helping you off," said Joe -sympathetically, as a bright idea occurred to him. - -"Rubbish!" said Dan uneasily. "He can stick to his tale of being upset; -anyway, the skipper saw him pulled out of the water. He's too honest a -chap to get an old man into trouble for trying to help him." - -"He must have a new rig out, Dan," said Joe softly. "You an' me'll go -an' buy 'em. I'll do the choosing, and you'll do the paying. Why, it'll -be a reg'lar treat for you to lay out a little money, Dan. We'll have -quite an evening's shopping, everything of the best." - -The infuriated Dan gasped for breath, and looked helplessly at the -grinning crew. - -"I'll see him--overboard first," he said furiously. - -"Please yourself," said Joe shortly, "If he's caught you'll get six -months. As it is, you've got a chance of doing a nice, kind little -Christian act, becos, o' course, that twenty-five bob you got out of him -won't anything like pay for his toggery." - -Almost beside himself with indignation, the old man moved off, and said -not another word until they were made fast to the wharf at Limehouse. -He did not even break silence when Joe, taking him affectionately by the -arm, led him aft to the skipper. - -"Me an' Dan, sir," said Joe very respectfully, "would like to go ashore -for a little shopping. Dan has very kindly offered to lend that pore -chap the money for some clothes, and he wants me to go with him to help -carry them." - -"Ay, ay," said the skipper, with a benevolent smile at the aged -philanthropist. "You'd better go at once, afore the shops shut." - -"We'll run, sir," said Joe, and taking Dan by the arm, dragged him into -the street at a trot. - -Nearly a couple of hours passed before they returned, and no child -watched with greater eagerness the opening of a birthday present than -Smith watched the undoing of the numerous parcels with which they were -laden. - -"He's a reg'lar fairy godmother, ain't he?" said Joe, as Smith joyously -dressed himself in a very presentable tweed suit, serviceable boots, and -a bowler hat. "We had a dreadful job to get a suit big enough, an' the -only one we could get was rather more money than we wanted to give, -wasn't it, Dan?" - -The fairy godmother strove manfully with his feelings. - -"You'll do now," said Joe. "I ain't got much, but what I have you're -welcome to." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out some loose -coin. "What have you got, mates?" - -With decent good will the other men turned out their pockets, and, -adding to the store, heartily pressed it upon the reluctant Smith, who, -after shaking hands gratefully, followed Joe on deck. - -"You've got enough to pay your fare," said the latter; "an' I've told -the skipper you are going ashore to send off telegrams. If you send the -money back to Dan, I'll never forgive you." - -"I won't, then," said Smith firmly; "but I'll send theirs back to the -other chaps. Good-bye." - -Joe shook him by the hand again, and bade him go while the coast was -clear, advice which Smith hastened to follow, though he turned and -looked back to wave his hand to the crew, who had come up on deck -silently to see him off; all but the philanthropist, who was down below -with a stump of lead-pencil and a piece of paper doing sums. - - - - -A BLACK AFFAIR - - -"I didn't want to bring it," said Captain Gubson, regarding somewhat -unfavourably a grey parrot whose cage was hanging against the mainmast, -"but my old uncle was so set on it I had to. He said a sea-voyage would -set its 'elth up." - -"It seems to be all right at present," said the mate, who was tenderly -sucking his forefinger; "best of spirits, I should say." - -"It's playful," assented the skipper. "The old man thinks a rare lot of -it. I think I shall have a little bit in that quarter, so keep your eye -on the beggar." - -"Scratch Poll!" said the parrot, giving its bill a preliminary strop on -its perch. "Scratch poor Polly!" - -It bent its head against the bars, and waited patiently to play off -what it had always regarded as the most consummate practical joke in -existence. The first doubt it had ever had about it occurred when the -mate came forward and obligingly scratched it with the stem of his pipe. -It was a wholly unforeseen development, and the parrot, ruffling its -feathers, edged along its perch and brooded darkly at the other end of -it. - -Opinion before the mast was also against the new arrival, the general -view being that the wild jealousy which raged in the bosom of the ship's -cat would sooner or later lead to mischief. - -"Old Satan don't like it," said the cook, shaking his head. "The blessed -bird hadn't been aboard ten minutes before Satan was prowling around. -The blooming image waited till he was about a foot off the cage, and -then he did the perlite and asked him whether he'd like a glass o' beer. -_I_ never see a cat so took aback in all my life. Never." - -"There'll be trouble between 'em," said old Sam, who was the cat's -special protector, "mark my words." - -"I'd put my money on the parrot," said one of the men confidently. "It's -'ad a crool bit out of the mate's finger. Where 'ud the cat be agin that -beak?" - -"Well, you'd lose your money," said Sam. "If you want to do the cat a -kindness, every time you see him near that cage cuff his 'ed." - -The crew being much attached to the cat, which had been presented to -them when a kitten by the mate's wife, acted upon the advice with so -much zest that for the next two days the indignant animal was like to -have been killed with kindness. On the third day, however, the parrot's -cage being on the cabin table, the cat stole furtively down, and, at the -pressing request of the occupant itself, scratched its head for it. - -The skipper was the first to discover the mischief, and he came on deck -and published the news in a voice which struck a chill to all hearts. - -"Where's that black devil got to?" he yelled. - -"Anything wrong, sir?" asked Sam anxiously. - -"Come and look here," said the skipper. He led the way to the cabin, -where the mate and one of the crew were already standing, shaking their -heads over the parrot. - -"What do you make of that?" demanded the skipper fiercely. - -"Too much dry food, sir," said Sam, after due deliberation. - -"Too much what?" bellowed the skipper. - -"Too much dry food," repeated Sam firmly. "A parrot--a grey -parrot--wants plenty o' sop. If it don't get it, it moults." - -"It's had too much CAT" said the skipper fiercely, "and you know it, and -overboard it goes." - -"I don't believe it was the cat, sir," interposed the other man; "it's -too soft-hearted to do a thing like that." - -"You can shut your jaw," said the skipper, reddening. "Who asked you to -come down here at all?" - -"Nobody saw the cat do it," urged the mate. - -The skipper said nothing, but, stooping down, picked up a tail feather -from the floor, and laid it on the table. He then went on deck, followed -by the others, and began calling, in seductive tones, for the cat. -No reply forth coming from the sagacious animal, which had gone into -hiding, he turned to Sam, and bade him call it. - -"No, sir, I won't 'ave no 'and in it," said the old man. "Putting aside -my liking for the animal, _I'M_ not going to 'ave anything to do with -the killing of a black cat." - -"Rubbish!" said the skipper. - -"Very good, sir," said Sam, shrugging his shoulders, "you know best, o' -course. You're eddicated and I'm not, an' p'raps you can afford to make -a laugh o' such things. I knew one man who killed a black cat an' he -went mad. There's something very pecooliar about that cat o' ours." - -"It knows more than we do," said one of the crew, shaking his head. -"That time you--I mean we--ran the smack down, that cat was expecting of -it 'ours before. It was like a wild thing." - -"Look at the weather we've 'ad--look at the trips we've made since he's -been aboard," said the old man. "Tell me it's chance if you like, but I -KNOW better." - -The skipper hesitated. He was a superstitious man even for a sailor, -and his weakness was so well known that he had become a sympathetic -receptacle for every ghost story which, by reason of its crudeness or -lack of corroboration, had been rejected by other experts. He was a -perfect reference library for omens, and his interpretations of dreams -had gained for him a widespread reputation. - -"That's all nonsense," he said, pausing uneasily; "still, I only want to -be just. There's nothing vindictive about me, and I'll have no hand -in it myself. Joe, just tie a lump of coal to that cat and heave it -overboard." - -"Not me," said the cook, following Sam's lead, and working up a shudder. -"Not for fifty pun in gold. I don't want to be haunted." - -"The parrot's a little better now, sir," said one of the men, taking -advantage of his hesitation, "he's opened one eye." - -"Well, I only want to be just," repeated the skipper. "I won't do -anything in a hurry, but, mark my words, if the parrot dies that cat -goes overboard." - -Contrary to expectations, the bird was still alive when London was -reached, though the cook, who from his connection with the cabin had -suddenly reached a position of unusual importance, reported great loss -of strength and irritability of temper. It was still alive, but failing -fast on the day they were to put to sea again; and the fo'c'sle, in -preparation for the worst, stowed their pet away in the paint-locker, -and discussed the situation. - -Their council was interrupted by the mysterious behaviour of the cook, -who, having gone out to lay in a stock of bread, suddenly broke in upon -them more in the manner of a member of a secret society than a humble -but useful unit of a ship's company. - -"Where's the cap'n?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, as he took a seat on -the locker with the sack of bread between his knees. - -"In the cabin," said Sam, regarding his antics with some disfavour. -"What's wrong, cookie?" - -"What d' yer think I've got in here?" asked the cook, patting the bag. - -The obvious reply to this question was, of course, bread; but as it -was known that the cook had departed specially to buy some, and that he -could hardly ask a question involving such a simple answer, nobody gave -it. - -"It come to me all of a sudden," said the cook, in a thrilling whisper. -"I'd just bought the bread and left the shop, when I see a big black -cat, the very image of ours, sitting on a doorstep. I just stooped down -to stroke its 'ed, when it come to me." - -"They will sometimes," said one of the seamen. - -"I don't mean that," said the cook, with the contempt of genius. "I mean -the idea did. Ses I to myself, 'You might be old Satan's brother by the -look of you; an' if the cap'n wants to kill a cat, let it be you,' I -ses. And with that, before it could say Jack Robinson, I picked it up by -the scruff o' the neck and shoved it in the bag." - -"What, all in along of our bread?" said the previous interrupter, in a -pained voice. - -"Some of yer are 'ard ter please," said the cook, deeply offended. - -"Don't mind him, cook," said the admiring Sam. "You're a masterpiece, -that's what you are." - -"Of course, if any of you've got a better plan"--said the cook -generously. - -"Don't talk rubbish, cook," said Sam; "fetch the two cats out and put -'em together." - -"Don't mix 'em," said the cook warningly; "for you'll never know which -is which agin if you do." - -He cautiously opened the top of the sack and produced his captive, -and Satan, having been relieved from his prison, the two animals were -carefully compared. - -"They're as like as two lumps o' coal," said Sam slowly. "Lord, what a -joke on the old man. I must tell the mate o' this; he'll enjoy it." - -"It'll be all right if the parrot don't die," said the dainty pessimist, -still harping on his pet theme. "All that bread spoilt, and two cats -aboard." - -"Don't mind what he ses," said Sam; "you're a brick, that's what you -are. I'll just make a few holes in the lid o' the boy's chest, and pop -old Satan in. You don't mind, do you, Billy?" - -"Of course he don't," said the other men indignantly. - -Matters being thus agreeably arranged, Sam got a gimlet, and prepared -the chest for the reception of its tenant, who, convinced that he was -being put out of the way to make room for a rival, made a frantic fight -for freedom. - -"Now get something 'eavy and put on the top of it," said Sam, having -convinced himself that the lock was broken; "and, Billy, put the noo cat -in the paint-locker till we start; it's home-sick." - -The boy obeyed, and the understudy was kept in durance vile until they -were off Limehouse, when he came on deck and nearly ended his career -there and then by attempting to jump over the bulwark into the next -garden. For some time he paced the deck in a perturbed fashion, and -then, leaping on the stern, mewed plaintively as his native city receded -farther and farther from his view. - -"What's the matter with old Satan?" said the mate, who had been let into -the secret. "He seems to have something on his mind." - -"He'll have something round his neck presently," said the skipper -grimly. - -The prophecy was fulfilled some three hours later, when he came up on -deck ruefully regarding the remains of a bird whose vocabulary had once -been the pride of its native town. He threw it overboard without a -word, and then, seizing the innocent cat, who had followed him under the -impression that it was about to lunch, produced half a brick attached -to a string, and tied it round his neck. The crew, who were enjoying the -joke immensely, raised a howl of protest. - -"The Skylark'll never have another like it, sir," said Sam solemnly. -"That cat was the luck of the ship." - -"I don't want any of your old woman's yarns," said the skipper brutally. -"If you want the cat, go and fetch it." - -He stepped aft as he spoke, and sent the gentle stranger hurtling -through the air. There was a "plomp" as it reached the water, a bubble -or two came to the surface, and all was over. - -"That's the last o' that," he said, turning away. - -The old man shook his head. "You can't kill a black cat for nothing," -said he, "mark my words!" - -The skipper, who was in a temper at the time, thought little of them, -but they recurred to him vividly the next day. The wind had freshened -during the night, and rain was falling heavily. On deck the crew stood -about in oilskins, while below, the boy, in his new capacity of gaoler, -was ministering to the wants of an ungrateful prisoner, when the cook, -happening to glance that way, was horrified to see the animal emerge -from the fo'c'sle. It eluded easily the frantic clutch of the boy as he -sprang up the ladder after it, and walked leisurely along the deck in -the direction of the cabin. Just as the crew had given it up for lost it -encountered Sam, and the next moment, despite its cries, was caught up -and huddled away beneath his stiff clammy oilskins. At the noise the -skipper, who was talking to the mate, turned as though he had been shot, -and gazed wildly round him. - -"Dick," said he, "can you hear a cat?" - -"Cat!" said the mate, in accents of great astonishment. - -"I thought I heard it," said the puzzled skipper. - -"Fancy, sir," said Dick firmly, as a mewing, appalling in its wrath, -came from beneath Sam's coat. - -"Did you hear it, Sam?" called the skipper, as the old man was moving -off. - -"Hear what, sir?" inquired Sam respectfully, without turning round. - -"Nothing," said the skipper, collecting himself. "Nothing. All right." - -The old man, hardly able to believe in his good fortune, made his way -forward, and, seizing a favourable opportunity, handed his ungrateful -burden back to the boy. - -"Fancy you heard a cat just now?" inquired the mate casually. - -"Well, between you an' me, Dick," said the skipper, in a mysterious -voice, "I did, and it wasn't fancy neither. I heard that cat as plain as -if it was alive." - -"Well, I've heard of such things," said the other, "but I don't believe -'em. What a lark if the old cat comes back climbing up over the side out -of the sea to-night, with the brick hanging round its neck." - -The skipper stared at him for some time without speaking. "If that's -your idea of a lark," he said at length, in a voice which betrayed -traces of some emotion, "it ain't mine." - -"Well, if you hear it again," said the mate cordially, "you might let me -know. I'm rather interested in such things." - -The skipper, hearing no more of it that day, tried hard to persuade -himself that he was the victim of imagination, but, in spite of this, he -was pleased at night, as he stood at the wheel, to reflect on the sense -of companionship afforded by the look-out in the bows. On his part the -look-out was quite charmed with the unwonted affability of the skipper, -as he yelled out to him two or three times on matters only faintly -connected with the progress of the schooner. - -The night, which had been dirty, cleared somewhat, and the bright -crescent of the moon appeared above a heavy bank of clouds, as the cat, -which had by dint of using its back as a lever at length got free from -that cursed chest, licked its shapely limbs, and came up on deck. After -its stifling prison, the air was simply delicious. - -"Bob!" yelled the skipper suddenly. - -"Ay, ay, sir!" said the look-out, in a startled voice. - -"Did you mew?" inquired the skipper. - -"Did I WOT, sir?" cried the astonished Bob. - -"Mew," said the skipper sharply, "like a cat?" - -"No, sir," said the offended seaman. "What 'ud I want to do that for?" - -"I don't know what you want to for," said the skipper, looking round him -uneasily. "There's some more rain coming, Bob." - -"Ay, ay, sir," said Bob. - -"Lot o' rain we've had this summer," said the skipper, in a meditative -bawl. - -"Ay, ay, sir," said Bob. "Sailing-ship on the port bow, sir." - -The conversation dropped, the skipper, anxious to divert his thoughts, -watching the dark mass of sail as it came plunging out of the darkness -into the moonlight until it was abreast of his own craft. His eyes -followed it as it passed his quarter, so that he saw not the stealthy -approach of the cat which came from behind the companion, and sat down -close by him. For over thirty hours the animal had been subjected to the -grossest indignities at the hands of every man on board the ship except -one. That one was the skipper, and there is no doubt but that its -subsequent behaviour was a direct recognition of that fact. It rose to -its feet, and crossing over to the unconscious skipper, rubbed its head -affectionately and vigorously against his leg. - -From simple causes great events do spring. The skipper sprang four -yards, and let off a screech which was the subject of much comment on -the barque which had just passed. When Bob, who came shuffling up at -the double, reached him he was leaning against the side, incapable of -speech, and shaking all over. - -"Anything wrong, sir?" inquired the seaman anxiously, as he ran to the -wheel. - -The skipper pulled himself together a bit, and got closer to his -companion. - -"Believe me or not, Bob," he said at length, in trembling accents, "just -as you please, but the ghost of that--cat, I mean the ghost of that poor -affectionate animal which I drowned, and which I wish I hadn't, came and -rubbed itself up against my leg." - -"Which leg?" inquired Bob, who was ever careful about details. - -"What the blazes does it matter which leg?" demanded the skipper, whose -nerves were in a terrible state. "Ah, look--look there!" - -The seaman followed his outstretched finger, and his heart failed him as -he saw the cat, with its back arched, gingerly picking its way along the -side of the vessel. - -"I can't see nothing," he said doggedly. - -"I don't suppose you can, Bob," said the skipper in a melancholy voice, -as the cat vanished in the bows; "it's evidently only meant for me to -see. What it means I don't know. I'm going down to turn in. I ain't fit -for duty. You don't mind being left alone till the mate comes up, do -you?" - -"I ain't afraid," said Bob. - -His superior officer disappeared below, and, shaking the sleepy mate, -who protested strongly against the proceedings, narrated in trembling -tones his horrible experiences. - -"If I were you "--said the mate. - -"Yes?" said the skipper, waiting a bit. Then he shook him again, -roughly. - -"What were you going to say?" he inquired. - -"Say?" said the mate, rubbing his eyes. "Nothing." - -"About the cat?" suggested the skipper. - -"Cat?" said the mate, nestling lovingly down in the blankets again. -"Wha' ca'--goo' ni'"-- - -Then the skipper drew the blankets from the mate's sleepy clutches, and, -rolling him backwards and forwards in the bunk, patiently explained to -him that he was very unwell, that he was going to have a drop of whiskey -neat, and turn in, and that he, the mate, was to take the watch. From -this moment the joke lost much of its savour for the mate. - -"You can have a nip too, Dick," said the skipper, proffering him the -whiskey, as the other sullenly dressed himself. - -"It's all rot," said the mate, tossing the spirits down his throat, "and -it's no use either; you can't run away from a ghost; it's just as likely -to be in your bed as anywhere else. Good-night." - -He left the skipper pondering over his last words, and dubiously eyeing -the piece of furniture in question. Nor did he retire until he had -subjected it to an analysis of the most searching description, and then, -leaving the lamp burning, he sprang hastily in, and forgot his troubles -in sleep. - -It was day when he awoke, and went on deck to find a heavy sea running, -and just sufficient sail set to keep the schooner's head before the wind -as she bobbed about on the waters. An exclamation from the skipper, as a -wave broke against the side and flung a cloud of spray over him, brought -the mate's head round. - -"Why, you ain't going to get up?" he said, in tones of insincere -surprise. - -"Why not?" inquired the other gruffly. - -"You go and lay down agin," said the mate, "and have a cup o' nice hot -tea an' some toast." - -"Clear out," said the skipper, making a dash for the wheel, and reaching -it as the wet deck suddenly changed its angle. "I know you didn't like -being woke up, Dick; but I got the horrors last night. Go below and turn -in." - -"All right," said the mollified mate. - -"You didn't see anything?" inquired the skipper, as he took the wheel -from him. - -"Nothing at all," said the other. - -The skipper shook his head thoughtfully, then shook it again vigorously, -as another shower-bath put its head over the side and saluted him. - -"I wish I hadn't drowned that cat, Dick," he said. - -"You won't see it again," said Dick, with the confidence of a man who -had taken every possible precaution to render the prophecy a safe one. - -He went below, leaving the skipper at the wheel idly watching the cook -as he performed marvellous feats of jugglery, between the galley and the -fo'c'sle, with the men's breakfast. - -A little while later, leaving the wheel to Sam, he went below -himself and had his own, talking freely, to the discomfort of the -conscious-stricken cook, about his weird experiences of the night -before. - -"You won't see it no more, sir, I don't expect," he said faintly; "I -b'leeve it come and rubbed itself up agin your leg to show it forgave -you." - -"Well, I hope it knows it's understood," said the other. "I don't want -it to take any more trouble." - -He finished the breakfast in silence, and then went on deck again. It -was still blowing hard, and he went over to superintend the men who were -attempting to lash together some empties which were rolling about in -all directions amidships. A violent roll set them free again, and at the -same time separated two chests in the fo'c'sle, which were standing one -on top of the other. This enabled Satan, who was crouching in the lower -one, half crazed with terror, to come flying madly up on deck and -give his feelings full vent. Three times in full view of the horrified -skipper he circled the deck at racing speed, and had just started on the -fourth when a heavy packing-case, which had been temporarily set on end -and abandoned by the men at his sudden appearance, fell over and caught -him by the tail. Sam rushed to the rescue. - -"Stop!" yelled the skipper. - -"Won't I put it up, sir?" inquired Sam. - -"Do you see what's beneath it?" said the skipper, in a husky voice. - -"Beneath it, sir?" said Sam, whose ideas were in a whirl. - -"The cat, can't you see the cat?" said the skipper, whose eyes had been -riveted on the animal since its first appearance on deck. - -Sam hesitated a moment, and then shook his head. - -"The case has fallen on the cat," said the skipper. "I can see it -distinctly." - -He might have said heard it, too, for Satan was making frenzied appeals -to his sympathetic friends for assistance. - -"Let me put the case back, sir," said one of the men, "then p'raps the -vision 'll disappear." - -"No, stop where you are," said the skipper. "I can stand it better by -daylight. It's the most wonderful and extraordinary thing I've ever -seen. Do you mean to say you can't see anything, Sam?" - -"I can see a case, sir," said Sam, speaking slowly and carefully, -"with a bit of rusty iron band sticking out from it. That's what you're -mistaking for the cat, p'raps, sir." - -"Can't you see anything, cook?" demanded the skipper. - -"It may be fancy, sir," faltered the cook, lowering his eyes, "but it -does seem to me as though I can see a little misty sort o' thing there. -Ah, now it's gone." - -"No, it ain't," said the skipper. "The ghost of Satan's sitting there. -The case seems to have fallen on its tail. It appears to be howling -something dreadful." - -The men made a desperate effort to display the astonishment suitable to -such a marvel, whilst Satan, who was trying all he knew to get his tail -out, cursed freely. How long the superstitious captain of the Skylark -would have let him remain there will never be known, for just then the -mate came on deck and caught sight of it before he was quite aware of -the part he was expected to play. - -"Why the devil don't you lift the thing off the poor brute," he yelled, -hurrying up towards the case. - -"What, can YOU see it, Dick?" said the skipper impressively, laying his -hand on his arm. - -"SEE it?" retorted the mate. "D'ye think I'm blind. Listen to the poor -brute. I should--Oh!" - -He became conscious of the concentrated significant gaze of the crew. -Five pairs of eyes speaking as one, all saying "idiot" plainly, the -boy's eyes conveying an expression too great to be translated. - -Turning, the skipper saw the bye-play, and a light slowly dawned upon -him. But he wanted more, and he wheeled suddenly to the cook for the -required illumination. - -The cook said it was a lark. Then he corrected himself and said it -wasn't a lark, then he corrected himself again and became incoherent. -Meantime the skipper eyed him stonily, while the mate released the cat -and good-naturedly helped to straighten its tail. - -It took fully five minutes of unwilling explanation before the skipper -could grasp the situation. He did not appear to fairly understand -it until he was shown the chest with the ventilated lid; then his -countenance cleared, and, taking the unhappy Billy by the collar, he -called sternly for a piece of rope. - -By this statesmanlike handling of the subject a question of much -delicacy and difficulty was solved, discipline was preserved, and a -practical illustration of the perils of deceit afforded to a youngster -who was at an age best suited to receive such impressions. That he -should exhaust the resources of a youthful but powerful vocabulary upon -the crew in general, and Sam in particular, was only to be expected. -They bore him no malice for it, but, when he showed signs of going -beyond his years, held a hasty consultation, and then stopped his mouth -with sixpence-halfpenny and a broken jack-knife. - - - - -THE SKIPPER OF THE "OSPREY" - - -It was a quarter to six in the morning as the mate of the sailing-barge -Osprey came on deck and looked round for the master, who had been -sleeping ashore and was somewhat overdue. Ten minutes passed before -he appeared on the wharf, and the mate saw with surprise that he was -leaning on the arm of a pretty girl of twenty, as he hobbled painfully -down to the barge. - -"Here you are then," said the mate, his face clearing. "I began to think -you weren't coming." - -"I'm not," said the skipper; "I've got the gout crool bad. My darter -here's going to take my place, an' I'm going to take it easy in bed for -a bit." - -"I'll go an' make it for you," said the mate. - -"I mean my bed at home," said the skipper sharply. "I want good nursing -an' attention." - -The mate looked puzzled. - -"But you don't really mean to say this young lady is coming aboard -instead of you?" he said. - -"That's just what I do mean," said the skipper. "She knows as much about -it as I do. She lived aboard with me until she was quite a big girl. -You'll take your orders from her. What are you whistling about? Can't I -do as I like about my own ship?" - -"O' course you can," said the mate drily; "an' I s'pose I can whistle if -I like--I never heard no orders against it." - -"Gimme a kiss, Meg, an' git aboard," said the skipper, leaning on his -stick and turning his cheek to his daughter, who obediently gave him -a perfunctory kiss on the left eyebrow, and sprang lightly aboard the -barge. - -"Cast off," said she, in a business-like manner, as she seized a -boat-hook and pushed off from the jetty. "Ta ta, Dad, and go straight -home, mind; the cab's waiting." - -"Ay, ay, my dear," said the proud father, his eye moistening with -paternal pride as his daughter, throwing off her jacket, ran and -assisted the mate with the sail. "Lord, what a fine boy she would have -made!" - -He watched the barge until she was well under way, and then, waving his -hand to his daughter, crawled slowly back to the cab; and, being to a -certain extent a believer in homeopathy, treated his complaint with a -glass of rum. - -"I'm sorry your father's so bad, miss," said the mate, who was still -somewhat dazed by the recent proceedings, as the girl came up and took -the wheel from him. "He was complaining a goodish bit all the way up." - -"A wilful man must have his way," said Miss Cringle, with a shake of -her head. "It's no good me saying anything, because directly my back's -turned he has his own way again." - -The mate shook his head despondently. - -"You'd better get your bedding up and make your arrangements forward," -said the new skipper presently. There was a look of indulgent admiration -in the mate's eye, and she thought it necessary to check it. - -"All right," said the other, "plenty of time for that; the river's a -little bit thick just now." - -"What do you mean?" inquired the girl hastily. - -"Some o' these things are not so careful as they might be," said the -mate, noting the ominous sparkle of her eye, "an' they might scrape the -paint off." - -"Look here, my lad," said the new skipper grimly, "if you think you can -steer better than me, you'd better keep it to yourself, that's all. Now -suppose you see about your bedding, as I said." - -The mate went, albeit he was rather surprised at himself for doing -so, and hid his annoyance and confusion beneath the mattress which -he brought up on his head. His job completed, he came aft again, and, -sitting on the hatches, lit his pipe. - -"This is just the weather for a pleasant cruise," he said amiably, after -a few whiffs. "You've chose a nice time for it." - -"I don't mind the weather," said the girl, who fancied that there was -a little latent sarcasm somewhere. "I think you'd better wash the decks -now." - -"Washed 'em last night," said the mate, without moving. - -"Ah, after dark, perhaps," said the girl. "Well, I think I'll have them -done again." - -The mate sat pondering rebelliously for a few minutes, then he removed -his jacket, put on in honour of the new skipper, and, fetching the -bucket and mop, silently obeyed orders. - -"You seem to be very fond of sitting down," remarked the girl, after he -had finished; "can't you find something else to do?" - -"I don't know," replied the mate slowly; "I thought you were looking -after that." - -The girl bit her lip, and was looking carefully round her, when they -were both disturbed by the unseemly behaviour of the master of a passing -craft. - -"Jack!" he yelled in a tone of strong amazement, "Jack!" - -"Halloa!" cried the mate. - -"Why didn't you tell us?" yelled the other reproachfully. - -"Tell you what?" roared the mystified mate. - -The master of the other craft, holding on to the stays with one hand, -jerked his thumb expressively towards Miss Cringle, and waited. - -"When was it?" he screamed anxiously, as he realised that his craft was -rapidly carrying him out of earshot. - -The mate smiled feebly, and glanced uneasily at the girl, who, with a -fine colour and an air of vast unconcern, was looking straight in front -of her; and it was a relief to both of them when they found themselves -hesitating and dodging in front of a schooner which was coming up. - -"Do you want all the river?" demanded the exasperated master of the -latter vessel, running to the side as they passed. "Why don't you drop -anchor if you want to spoon?" - -"Perhaps you 'd better let me take the wheel a bit," said the mate, not -without a little malice in his voice. - -"No; you can go an' keep a look-out in the bows," said the girl -serenely. "It'll prevent misunderstandings, too. Better take the -potatoes with you and peel them for dinner." - -The mate complied, and the voyage proceeded in silence, the steering -being rendered a little nicer than usual by various nautical sparks -bringing their boats a bit closer than was necessary in order to obtain -a good view of the fair steersman. - -After dinner, the tide having turned and a stiff head-wind blowing, -they brought up off Sheppey. It began to rain hard, and the crew of the -Osprey, having made all snug above, retired to the cabin to resume their -quarrel. - -"Don't mind me," said Miss Cringle scathingly, as the mate lit his pipe. - -"Well, I didn't think you minded," replied the mate; "the old man"-- - -"Who?" interrupted Miss Cringle, in a tone of polite inquiry. - -"Captain Cringle," said the mate, correcting himself, "smokes a great -deal, and I've heard him say that you liked the smell of it." - -"There's pipes and pipes," said Miss Cringle oracularly. - -The mate flung his on the floor and crunched it beneath his heel, then -he thrust his hands in his pockets, and, leaning back, scowled darkly up -at the rain as it crackled on the skylight. - -"If you are going to show off your nasty temper," said the girl -severely, "you'd better go forward. It's not quite the thing after all -for you to be down here--not that I study appearances much." - -"I shouldn't think you did," retorted the mate, whose temper was rapidly -getting the better of him. "I can't think what your father was thinking -of to let a pret--to let a girl like you come away like this." - -"If you were going to say pretty girl," said Miss Cringle, with calm -self-abnegation, "don't mind me, say it. The captain knows what he's -about. He told me you were a milksop; he said you were a good young man -and a teetotaller." - -The mate, allowing the truth of the captain's statement as to his -abstinence, hotly denied the charge of goodness. "I can understand -your father's hurry to get rid of you for a spell," he concluded, being -goaded beyond all consideration of politeness. "His gout 'ud never get -well while you were with him. More than that, I shouldn't wonder if you -were the cause of it." - -With this parting shot he departed, before the girl could think of a -suitable reply, and went and sulked in the dingy little fo'c'sle. - -In the evening, the weather having moderated somewhat, and the tide -being on the ebb, they got under way again, the girl coming on deck -fully attired in an oilskin coat and sou'-wester to resume the command. -The rain fell steadily as they ploughed along their way, guided by the -bright eye of the "Mouse" as it shone across the darkening waters. The -mate, soaked to the skin, was at the wheel. - -"Why don't you go below and put your oilskins on?" inquired the girl, -when this fact dawned upon her. - -"Don't want 'em," said the mate. - -"I suppose you know best," said the girl, and said no more until nine -o'clock, when she paused at the companion to give her last orders for -the night. - -"I'm going to turn in," said she; "call me at two o'clock. Good-night." - -"Good-night," said the other, and the girl vanished. - -Left to himself, the mate, who began to feel chilly, felt in his pockets -for a pipe, and was in all the stress of getting a light, when he heard -a thin, almost mild voice behind him, and, looking round, saw the face -of the girl at the companion. - -"I say, are these your oilskins I've been wearing?" she demanded -awkwardly. - -"You're quite welcome," said the mate. - -"Why didn't you tell me?" said the girl indignantly. "I wouldn't have -worn them for anything if I had known it." - -"Well, they won't poison you," said the mate resentfully. "Your father -left his at Ipswich to have 'em cobbled up a bit." - -The girl passed them up on the deck, and, closing the companion with a -bang, disappeared. It is possible that the fatigues of the day had been -too much for her, for when she awoke, and consulted the little silver -watch that hung by her bunk, it was past five o'clock, and the red glow -of the sun was flooding the cabin as she arose and hastily dressed. - -The deck was drying in white patches as she went above, and the mate was -sitting yawning at the wheel, his eyelids red for want of sleep. - -"Didn't I tell you to call me at two o'clock?" she demanded, confronting -him. - -"It's all right," said the mate. "I thought when you woke would be soon -enough. You looked tired." - -"I think you'd better go when we get to Ipswich," said the girl, -tightening her lips. "I'll ship somebody who'll obey orders." - -"I'll go when we get back to London," said the mate. "I'll hand this -barge over to the cap'n, and nobody else." - -"Well, we'll see," said the girl, as she took the wheel, "_I_ think -you'll go at Ipswich." - -For the remainder of the voyage the subject was not alluded to; the -mate, in a spirit of sulky pride, kept to the fore part of the boat, -except when he was steering, and, as far as practicable, the girl -ignored his presence. In this spirit of mutual forbearance they entered -the Orwell, and ran swiftly up to Ipswich. - -It was late in the afternoon when they arrived there, and the new -skipper, waiting only until they were made fast, went ashore, leaving -the mate in charge. She had been gone about an hour when a small -telegraph boy appeared, and, after boarding the barge in the unsafest -manner possible, handed him a telegram. The mate read it and his face -flushed. With even more than the curtness customary in language at a -halfpenny a word, it contained his dismissal. - -"I've had a telegram from your father sacking me," he said to the girl, -as she returned soon after, laden with small parcels. - -"Yes, I wired him to," she replied calmly. "I suppose you'll go NOW?" - -"I'd rather go back to London with you," he said slowly. - -"I daresay," said the girl. "As a matter of fact I wasn't really meaning -for you to go, but when you said you wouldn't I thought we'd see who was -master. I've shipped another mate, so you see I haven't lost much time." - -"Who is he," inquired the mate. - -"Man named Charlie Lee," replied the girl; "the foreman here told me of -him." - -"He'd no business too," said the mate, frowning; "he's a loose fish; -take my advice now and ship somebody else. He's not at all the sort of -chap I'd choose for you to sail with." - -"You'd choose," said the girl scornfully; "dear me, what a pity you -didn't tell me before." - -"He's a public-house loafer," said the mate, meeting her eye angrily, -"and about as bad as they make 'em; but I s'pose you'll have your own -way." - -"He won't frighten me," said the girl. "I'm quite capable of taking care -of myself, thank you. Good evening." - -The mate stepped ashore with a small bundle, leaving the remainder of -his possessions to go back to London with the barge. The girl watched -his well-knit figure as it strode up the quay until it was out of sight, -and then, inwardly piqued because he had not turned round for a parting -glance, gave a little sigh, and went below to tea. - -The docile and respectful behaviour of the new-comer was a pleasant -change to the autocrat of the Osprey, and cargoes were worked out and in -without an unpleasant word. They laid at the quay for two days, the new -mate, whose home was at Ipswich, sleeping ashore, and on the morning of -the third he turned up punctually at six o'clock, and they started on -their return voyage. - -"Well, you do know how to handle a craft," said Lee admiringly, as they -passed down the river. "The old boat seems to know it's got a pretty -young lady in charge." - -"Don't talk rubbish," said the girl austerely. - -The new mate carefully adjusted his red necktie and smiled indulgently. - -"Well, you're the prettiest cap'n I've ever sailed under," he said. -"What do they call that red cap you've got on? Tam-o'-Shanter is it?" - -"I don't know," said the girl shortly. - -"You mean you won't tell me," said the other, with a look of anger in -his soft dark eyes. - -"Just as you like," said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his -heel and began to busy himself with some small matter forward. - -The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the -new mate's manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the Osprey -regret her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her -proud spirit quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the -barge merely crawled along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious -glances, took each other's measure. - -"This is the nicest trip I've ever had," said Lee, as he came up from an -unduly prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. "I've -brought your jacket up." - -"I don't want it, thank you," said the girl. - -"Better have it," said Lee, holding it up for her. - -"When I want my jacket I'll put it on myself," said the girl. - -"All right, no offence," said the other airily. "What an obstinate -little devil you are." - -"Have you got any drink down there?" inquired the girl, eyeing him -sternly. - -"Just a little drop o' whiskey, my dear, for the spasms," said Lee -facetiously. "Will you have a drop?" - -"I won't have any drinking here," said she sharply. "If you want to -drink, wait till you get ashore." - -"YOU won't have any drinking!" said the other, opening his eyes, and -with a quiet chuckle he dived below and brought up a bottle and a glass. -"Here's wishing a better temper to you, my dear," he said amiably, as he -tossed off a glass. "Come, you'd better have a drop. It'll put a little -colour in your cheeks." - -"Put it away now, there's a good fellow," said the captain timidly, as -she looked anxiously at the nearest sail, some two miles distant. - -"It's the only friend I've got," said Lee, sprawling gracefully on -the hatches, and replenishing his glass. "Look here. Are you on for a -bargain?" - -"What do you mean?" inquired the girl. - -"Give me a kiss, little spitfire, and I won't take another drop -to-night," said the new mate tenderly. "Come, I won't tell." - -"You may drink yourself to death before I'll do that," said the girl, -striving to speak calmly. "Don't talk that nonsense to me again." - -She stooped over as she spoke and made a sudden grab at the bottle, -but the new mate was too quick for her, and, snatching it up jeeringly, -dared her to come for it. - -"Come on, come and fight for it," said he; "hit me if you like, I don't -mind; your little fist won't hurt." - -No answer being vouchsafed to this invitation he applied himself to his -only friend again, while the girl, now thoroughly frightened, steered in -silence. - -"Better get the sidelights out," said she at length. - -"Plenty o' time," said Lee. - -"Take the helm, then, while I do it," said the girl, biting her lips. - -The fellow rose and came towards her, and, as she made way for him, -threw his arm round her waist and tried to detain her. Her heart beating -quickly, she walked forward, and, not without a hesitating glance at the -drunken figure at the wheel, descended into the fo'c'sle for the lamps. - -The next moment, with a gasping little cry, she sank down on a locker as -the dark figure of a man rose and stood by her. - -"Don't be frightened," it said quietly. - -"Jack?" said the girl. - -"That's me," said the figure. "You didn't expect to see me, did you? -I thought perhaps you didn't know what was good for you, so I stowed -myself away last night, and here I am." - -"Have you heard what that fellow has been saying to me?" demanded Miss -Cringle, with a spice of the old temper leavening her voice once more. - -"Every word," said the mate cheerfully. - -"Why didn't you come up and stand by me?" inquired the girl hotly. - -The mate hung his head. - -"Oh," said the girl, and her tones were those of acute disappointment, -"you're afraid." - -"I'm not," said the mate scornfully. - -"Why didn't you come up, then, instead of skulking down here?" inquired -the girl. - -The mate scratched the back of his neck and smiled, but weakly. "Well, -I--I thought"--he began, and stopped. - -"You thought"--prompted Miss Cringle coldly. - -"I thought a little fright would do you good," said the mate, speaking -quickly, "and that it would make you appreciate me a little more when I -did come." - -"Ahoy! MAGGIE! MAGGIE!" came the voice of the graceless varlet who was -steering. - -"I'll MAGGIE him," said the mate, grinding his teeth, "Why, what -the--why you 're crying." - -"I'm not," sobbed Miss Cringle scornfully. "I'm in a temper, that's -all." - -"I'll knock his head off," said the mate; "you stay down here." - -"Mag-GIE!" came the voice again, "MAG--HULLO!" - -"Were you calling me, my lad?" said the mate, with dangerous politeness, -as he stepped aft. "Ain't you afraid of straining that sweet voice o' -yours? Leave go o' that tiller." - -The other let go, and the mate's fist took him heavily in the face and -sent him sprawling on the deck. He rose with a scream of rage and rushed -at his opponent, but the mate's temper, which had suffered badly through -his treatment of the last few days, was up, and he sent him heavily down -again. - -"There's a little dark dingy hole forward," said the mate, after waiting -some time for him to rise again, "just the place for you to go and think -over your sins in. If I see you come out of it until we get to London, -I'll hurt you. Now clear." - -The other cleared, and, carefully avoiding the girl, who was standing -close by, disappeared below. - -"You've hurt him," said the girl, coming up to the mate and laying her -hand on his arm. "What a horrid temper you've got." - -"It was him asking you to kiss him that upset me," said the mate -apologetically. - -"He put his arm round my waist," said Miss Cringle, blushing. - -"WHAT!" said the mate, stuttering, "put his--put his arm--round--your -waist--like"-- - -His courage suddenly forsook him. - -"Like what?" inquired the girl, with superb innocence. - -"Like THAT," said the mate manfully. - -"That'll do," said Miss Cringle softly, "that'll do. You're as bad as he -is, only the worst of it is there is nobody here to prevent you." - - - - -IN BORROWED PLUMES - - -The master of the Sarah Jane had been missing for two days, and all on -board, with the exception of the boy, whom nobody troubled about, were -full of joy at the circumstance. Twice before had the skipper, whose -habits might, perhaps, be best described as irregular, missed his ship, -and word had gone forth that the third time would be the last. His berth -was a good one, and the mate wanted it in place of his own, which was -wanted by Ted Jones, A. B. - -"Two hours more," said the mate anxiously to the men, as they stood -leaning against the side, "and I take the ship out." - -"Under two hours'll do it," said Ted, peering over the side and watching -the water as it slowly rose over the mud. "What's got the old man, I -wonder?" - -"I don't know, and I don't care," said the mate. "You chaps stand by me -and it'll be good for all of us. Mr. Pearson said distinct the last time -that if the skipper ever missed his ship again it would be his last -trip in her, and he told me afore the old man that I wasn't to wait two -minutes at any time, but to bring her out right away." - -"He's an old fool," said Bill Loch, the other hand; "and nobody'll miss -him but the boy, and he's been looking reg'lar worried all the morning. -He looked so worried at dinner time that I give 'im a kick to cheer him -up a bit. Look at him now." - -The mate gave a supercilious glance in the direction of the boy, and -then turned away. The boy, who had no idea of courting observation, -stowed himself away behind the windlass; and, taking a letter from his -pocket, perused it for the fourth time. - -"Dear Tommy," it began. "I take my pen in and to inform you that I'm -stayin here and cant get away for the reason that I lorst my cloes at -cribage larst night, also my money, and everything beside. Don't speek to -a living sole about it as the mate wants my birth, but pack up sum cloes -and bring them to me without saying nuthing to noboddy. The mates cloths -will do becos I havent got enny other soot, dont tell 'im. You needen't -trouble about soks as I've got them left. My bed is so bad I must now -conclude. Your affecshunate uncle and captin Joe Bross. P.S. Dont let -the mate see you come, or else he wont let you go." - -"Two hours more," sighed Tommy, as he put the letter back in his pocket. -"How can I get any clothes when they're all locked up? And aunt said I -was to look after 'im and see he didn't get into no mischief." - -He sat thinking deeply, and then, as the crew of the Sarah Jane stepped -ashore to take advantage of a glass offered by the mate, he crept down -to the cabin again for another desperate look round. The only articles -of clothing visible belonged to Mrs. Bross, who up to this trip had -been sailing in the schooner to look after its master. At these he gazed -hard. - -"I'll take 'em and try an' swop 'em for some men's clothes," said he -suddenly, snatching the garments from the pegs. "She wouldn't mind"; -and hastily rolling them into a parcel, together with a pair of carpet -slippers of the captain's, he thrust the lot into an old biscuit bag. -Then he shouldered his burden, and, going cautiously on deck, gained the -shore, and set off at a trot to the address furnished in the letter. - -It was a long way, and the bag was heavy. His first attempt at barter -was alarming, for the pawnbroker, who had just been cautioned by the -police, was in such a severe and uncomfortable state of morals, that the -boy quickly snatched up his bundle again and left. Sorely troubled he -walked hastily along, until, in a small bye street, his glance fell upon -a baker of mild and benevolent aspect, standing behind the counter of -his shop. - -"If you please, sir," said Tommy, entering, and depositing his bag on -the counter, "have you got any cast-off clothes you don't want?" - -The baker turned to a shelf, and selecting a stale loaf cut it in -halves, one of which he placed before the boy. - -"I don't want bread," said Tommy desperately; "but mother has just died, -and father wants mourning for the funeral. He's only got a new suit with -him, and if he can change these things of mother's for an old suit, he'd -sell his best ones to bury her with." - -He shook the articles out on the counter, and the baker's wife, who had -just come into the shop, inspected them rather favourably. - -"Poor boy, so you've lost your mother," she said, turning the clothes -over. "It's a good skirt, Bill." - -"Yes, ma'am," said Tommy dolefully. - -"What did she die of?" inquired the baker. - -"Scarlet fever," said Tommy, tearfully, mentioning the only disease he -knew. - -"Scar--Take them things away," yelled the baker, pushing the clothes on -to the floor, and following his wife to the other end of the shop. "Take -'em away directly, you young villain." - -His voice was so loud, his manner so imperative, that the startled boy, -without stopping to argue, stuffed the clothes pell-mell into the bag -again and departed. A farewell glance at the clock made him look almost -as horrified as the baker. - -"There's no time to be lost," he muttered, as he began to run; "either -the old man'll have to come in these or else stay where he is." - -He reached the house breathless, and paused before an unshaven man in -time-worn greasy clothes, who was smoking a short clay pipe with much -enjoyment in front of the door. - -"Is Cap'n Bross here?" he panted. - -"He's upstairs," said the man, with a leer, "sitting in sackcloth and -ashes, more ashes than sackcloth. Have you got some clothes for him?" - -"Look here," said Tommy. He was down on his knees with the mouth of the -bag open again, quite in the style of the practised hawker. "Give me an -old suit of clothes for them. Hurry up. There's a lovely frock." - -"Blimey," said the man, staring, "I've only got these clothes. Wot d'yer -take me for? A dook?" - -"Well, get me some somewhere," said Tommy. "If you don't the cap'n 'll -have to come in these, and I'm sure he won't like it." - -"I wonder what he'd look like," said the man, with a grin. "Damme if I -don't come up and see." - -"Get me some clothes," pleaded Tommy. - -"I wouldn't get you clothes, no, not for fifty pun," said the man -severely. "Wot d'yer mean wanting to spoil people's pleasure in that -way? Come on, come and tell the cap'n what you've got for 'im, I want -to 'ear what he ses. He's been swearing 'ard since ten o'clock this -morning, but he ought to say something special over this." - -He led the way up the bare wooden stairs, followed by the harassed boy, -and entered a small dirty room at the top, in the centre of which the -master of the Sarah Jane sat to deny visitors, in a pair of socks and -last week's paper. - -"Here's a young gent come to bring you some clothes, cap'n," said the -man, taking the sack from the boy. - -"Why didn't you come before?" growled the captain, who was reading the -advertisements. - -The man put his hand in the sack, and pulled out the clothes. "What do -you think of 'em?" he asked expectantly. - -The captain strove vainly to tell him, but his tongue mercifully forsook -its office, and dried between his lips. His brain rang with sentences of -scorching iniquity, but they got no further. - -"Well, say thank you, if you can't say nothing else," suggested his -tormentor hopefully. - -"I couldn't bring nothing else," said Tommy hurriedly; "all the things -was locked up. I tried to swop 'em and nearly got locked up for it. Put -these on and hurry up." - -The captain moistened his lips with his tongue. - -"The mate'll get off directly she floats," continued Tommy. "Put these -on and spoil his little game. It's raining a little now. Nobody'll see -you, and as soon as you git aboard you can borrow some of the men's -clothes." - -"That's the ticket, cap'n," said the man. "Lord lumme, you'll 'ave -everybody falling in love with you." - -"Hurry up," said Tommy, dancing with impatience. "Hurry up." - -The skipper, dazed and wild-eyed, stood still while his two assistants -hastily dressed him, bickering somewhat about details as they did so. - -"He ought to be tight-laced, I tell you," said the man. - -"He can't be tight-laced without stays," said Tommy scornfully. "You -ought to know that." - -"Ho, can't he," said the other, discomfited. "You know too much for a -young-un. Well, put a bit o' line round 'im then." - -"We can't wait for a line," said Tommy, who was standing on tip-toe to -tie the skipper's bonnet on. "Now tie the scarf over his chin to -hide his beard, and put this veil on. It's a good job he ain't got a -moustache." - -The other complied, and then fell back a pace or two to gaze at his -handiwork. "Strewth, though I sees it as shouldn't, you look a treat!" -he remarked complacently. "Now, young-un, take 'old of his arm. Go up -the back streets, and if you see anybody looking at you, call 'im Mar." - -The two set off, after the man, who was a born realist, had tried to -snatch a kiss from the skipper on the threshold. Fortunately for the -success of the venture, it was pelting with rain, and, though a few -people gazed curiously at the couple as they went hastily along, they -were unmolested, and gained the wharf in safety, arriving just in time -to see the schooner shoving off from the side. - -At the sight the skipper held up his skirts and ran. "Ahoy!" he shouted. -"Wait a minute." - -The mate gave one look of blank astonishment at the extraordinary -figure, and then turned away; but at that moment the stern came within -jumping distance of the wharf, and uncle and nephew, moved with one -impulse leaped for it and gained the deck in safety. - -"Why didn't you wait when I hailed you?" demanded the skipper fiercely. - -"How was I to know it was you?" inquired the mate surlily, as he -realised his defeat. "I thought it was the Empress of Rooshia." - -The skipper stared at him dumbly. - -"An' if you take my advice," said the mate, with a sneer, "you'll keep -them things on. _I_ never see you look so well in anything afore." - -"I want to borrow some o' your clothes, Bob," said the skipper, eyeing -him steadily. - -"Where's your own?" asked the other. - -"I don't know," said the skipper. "I was took with a fit last night, -Bob, and when I woke up this morning they were gone. Somebody must have -took advantage of my helpless state and taken 'em." - -"Very likely," said the mate, turning away to shout an order to the -crew, who were busy setting sail. - -"Where are they, old man?" inquired the skipper. - -"How should I know?" asked the other, becoming interested in the men -again. - -"I mean YOUR clothes," said the skipper, who was fast losing his temper. - -"Oh, mine?" said the mate. "Well, as a matter o' fact, I don't like -lending my clothes. I'm rather pertickler. You might have a fit in -THEM." - -"You won't lend 'em to me?" asked the skipper. - -"I won't," said the mate, speaking loudly, and frowning significantly at -the crew, who were listening. - -"Very good," said the skipper. "Ted, come here. Where's your other -clothes?" - -"I'm very sorry, sir," said Ted, shifting uneasily from one leg to the -other, and glancing at the mate for support; "but they ain't fit for -the likes of you to wear, sir." "I'm the best judge of that," said the -skipper sharply. "Fetch 'em up." - -"Well, to tell the truth, sir," said Ted, "I'm like the mate. I'm only -a poor sailor-man, but I wouldn't lend my clothes to the Queen of -England." - -"You fetch up them clothes," roared the skipper snatching off his bonnet -and flinging it on the deck. "Fetch 'em up at once. D'ye think I'm going -about in these petticuts?" - -"They're my clothes," muttered Ted doggedly. - -"Very well, then, I'll have Bill's," said the skipper. "But mind you, -my lad, I'll make you pay for this afore I've done with you. Bill's the -only honest man aboard this ship. Gimme your hand, Bill, old man." - -"I'm with them two," said Bill gruffly, as he turned away. - -The skipper, biting his lips with fury, turned from one to the other, -and then, with a big oath, walked forward. Before he could reach the -fo'c'sle Bill and Ted dived down before him, and, by the time he had -descended, sat on their chests side by side confronting him. To threats -and appeals alike they turned a deaf ear, and the frantic skipper was -compelled at last to go on deck again, still encumbered with the hated -skirts. - -"Why don't you go an' lay down," said the mate, "an' I'll send you down -a nice cup o' hot tea. You'll get histericks, if you go on like that." - -"I'll knock your 'ead off if you talk to me," said the skipper. - -"Not you," said the mate cheerfully; "you ain't big enough. Look at that -pore fellow over there." - -The skipper looked in the direction indicated, and, swelling with -impotent rage, shook his fist fiercely at a red-faced man with grey -whiskers, who was wafting innumerable tender kisses from the bridge of a -passing steamer. - -"That's right," said the mate approvingly; "don't give 'im no -encouragement. Love at first sight ain't worth having." - -The skipper, suffering severely from suppressed emotion, went below, -and the crew, after waiting a little while to make sure that he was not -coming up again, made their way quietly to the mate. - -"If we can only take him to Battlesea in this rig it'll be all right," -said the latter. "You chaps stand by me. His slippers and sou'-wester -is the only clothes he's got aboard. Chuck every needle you can lay your -hands on overboard, or else he'll git trying to make a suit out of a -piece of old sail or something. If we can only take him to Mr. Pearson -like this, it won't be so bad after all." - -While these arrangements were in hand above, the skipper and the boy -were busy over others below. Various startling schemes propounded by the -skipper for obtaining possession of his men's attire were rejected by -the youth as unlawful, and, what was worse, impracticable. For a couple -of hours they discussed ways and means, but only ended in diatribes -against the mean ways of the crew; and the skipper, whose head ached -still from his excesses, fell into a state of sullen despair at length, -and sat silent. - -"By Jove, Tommy, I've got it," he cried suddenly, starting up and -hitting the table with his fist. "Where's your other suit?" - -"That ain't no bigger that this one," said Tommy. - -"You git it out," said the skipper, with a knowing toss of his head. -"Ah, there we are. Now go in my state-room and take those off." - -The wondering Tommy, who thought that great grief had turned his -kinsman's brain, complied, and emerged shortly afterwards in a blanket, -bringing his clothes under his arm. - -"Now, do you know what I'm going to do?" inquired the skipper, with a -big smile. - -"No." - -"Fetch me the scissors, then. Now do you know what I'm going to do?" - -"Cut up the two suits and make 'em into one," hazarded the -horror-stricken Tommy. "Here, stop it! Leave off!" - -The skipper pushed him impatiently off, and, placing the clothes on the -table, took up the scissors, and, with a few slashing strokes, cut them -garments into their component parts. - -"What am _I_ to wear," said Tommy, beginning to blubber. "You didn't -think of that?" - -"What are you to wear, you selfish young pig?" said the skipper sternly. -"Always thinking about yourself. Go and git some needles and thread, -and if there's any left over, and you're a good boy, I'll see whether I -can't make something for you out of the leavings." - -"There ain't no needles here," whined Tommy, after a lengthened search. - -"Go down the fo'c'sle and git the case of sail-makers' needles, then," -said the skipper, "Don't let anyone see what you're after, an' some -thread." - -"Well, why couldn't you let me go in my clothes before you cut 'em up," -moaned Tommy. "I don't like going up in this blanket. They'll laugh at -me." - -"You go at once!" thundered the skipper, and, turning his back on him, -whistled softly, and began to arrange the pieces of cloth. - -"Laugh away, my lads," he said cheerfully, as an uproarious burst of -laughter greeted the appearance of Tommy on deck. "Wait a bit." - -He waited himself for nearly twenty minutes, at the end of which time -Tommy, treading on his blanket, came flying down the companion-ladder, -and rolled into the cabin. - -"There ain't a needle aboard the ship," he said solemnly, as he picked -himself up and rubbed his head. "I've looked everywhere." - -"What?" roared the skipper, hastily concealing the pieces of cloth. -"Here, Ted! Ted!" - -"Ay, ay, sir!" said Ted, as he came below. - -"I want a sail-maker's needle," said the skipper glibly. "I've got a -rent in this skirt." - -"I broke the last one yesterday," said Ted, with an evil grin. - -"Any other needle then," said the skipper, trying to conceal his -emotion. - -"I don't believe there's such a thing aboard the ship," said Ted, who -had obeyed the mate's thoughtful injunction. "NOR thread. I was only -saying so to the mate yesterday." - -The skipper sank again to the lowest depths, waved him away, and then, -getting on a corner of the locker, fell into a gloomy reverie. - -"It's a pity you do things in such a hurry," said Tommy, sniffing -vindictively. "You might have made sure of the needle before you spoiled -my clothes. There's two of us going about ridiculous now." - -The master of the Sarah Jane allowed this insolence to pass unheeded. It -is in moments of deep distress that the mind of man, naturally reverting -to solemn things, seeks to improve the occasion by a lecture. The -skipper, chastened by suffering and disappointment, stuck his right hand -in his pocket, after a lengthened search for it, and gently bidding the -blanketed urchin in front of him to sit down, began: - -"You see what comes of drink and cards," he said mournfully. "Instead of -being at the helm of my ship, racing all the other craft down the river, -I'm skulkin' down below here like--like"-- - -"Like an actress," suggested Tommy. - -The skipper eyed him all over. Tommy, unconscious of offence, met his -gaze serenely. - -"If," continued the skipper, "at any time you felt like taking too much, -and you stopped with the beer-mug half-way to your lips, and thought of -me sitting in this disgraceful state, what would you do?" - -"I dunno," replied Tommy, yawning. - -"What would you do?" persisted the skipper, with great expression. - -"Laugh, I s'pose," said Tommy, after a moment's thought. - -The sound of a well-boxed ear rang through the cabin. - -"You're an unnatural, ungrateful little toad," said the skipper -fiercely. "You don't deserve to have a good, kind uncle to look after -you." - -"Anybody can have him for me," sobbed the indignant Tommy, as he -tenderly felt his ear. "You look a precious sight more like an aunt than -an uncle." - -After firing this shot he vanished in a cloud of blanket, and the -skipper, reluctantly abandoning a hastily-formed resolve of first -flaying him alive and then flinging him overboard, sat down again and -lit his pipe. - -Once out of the river he came on deck again, and, ignoring by a great -effort the smiles of the crew and the jibes of the mate, took command. -The only alteration he made in his dress was to substitute his -sou'-wester for the bonnet, and in this guise he did his work, while the -aggrieved Tommy hopped it in blankets. The three days at sea passed like -a horrid dream. So covetous was his gaze, that the crew instinctively -clutched their nether garments and looked to the buttoning of their -coats as they passed him. He saw coats in the mainsail, and fashioned -phantom trousers out of the flying jib, and towards the end began -to babble of blue serges and mixed tweeds. Oblivious of fame, he had -resolved to enter the harbour of Battlesea by night; but it was not to -be. Near home the wind dropped, and the sun was well up before Battlesea -came into view, a grey bank on the starboard bow. - -Until within a mile of the harbour, the skipper held on, and then his -grasp on the wheel relaxed somewhat, and he looked round anxiously for -the mate. - -"Where's Bob?" he shouted. - -"He's very ill, sir," said Ted, shaking his head. - -"Ill?" gasped the startled skipper. "Here, take the wheel a minute." - -He handed it over, and grasping his skirts went hastily below. The mate -was half lying, half sitting, in his bunk, groaning dismally. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper. - -"I'm dying," said the mate. "I keep being tied up all in knots inside. I -can't hold myself straight." - -The other cleared his throat. "You'd better take off your clothes and -lie down a bit," he said kindly. "Let me help you off with them." - -"No--don't--trouble," panted the mate. - -"It ain't no trouble," said the skipper, in a trembling voice. - -"No, I'll keep 'em on," said the mate faintly. "I've always had an idea -I'd like to die in my clothes. It may be foolish, but I can't help it." - -"You'll have your wish some day, never fear, you infernal rascal," -shouted the overwrought skipper. "You're shamming sickness to make me -take the ship into port." - -"Why shouldn't you take her in," asked the mate, with an air of innocent -surprise. "It's your duty as cap'n. You'd better get above now. The bar -is always shifting." - -The skipper, restraining himself by a mighty effort, went on deck again, -and, taking the wheel, addressed the crew. He spoke feelingly of the -obedience men owed their superior officers, and the moral obligation -they were under to lend them their trousers when they required them. He -dwelt on the awful punishments awarded for mutiny, and proved clearly, -that to allow the master of a ship to enter port in petticoats was -mutiny of the worst type. He then sent them below for their clothing. -They were gone such a long time that it was palpable to the meanest -intellect that they did not intend to bring it. Meantime the harbour -widened out before him. - -There were two or three people on the quay as the Sarah Jane came within -hailing distance. By the time she had passed the lantern at the end -of it there were two or three dozen, and the numbers were steadily -increasing at the rate of three persons for every five yards she made. -Kind-hearted, humane men, anxious that their friends should not lose so -great and cheap a treat, bribed small and reluctant boys with pennies to -go in search of them, and by the time the schooner reached her berth, -a large proportion of the population of the port was looking over each -other's shoulders and shouting foolish and hilarious inquiries to the -skipper. The news reached the owner, and he came hurrying down to the -ship, just as the skipper, regardless of the heated remonstrances of the -sightseers, was preparing to go below. - -Mr. Pearson was a stout man, and he came down exploding with wrath. Then -he saw the apparition, and mirth overcame him. It became necessary for -three stout fellows to act as buttresses, and the more indignant the -skipper looked the harder their work became. Finally he was assisted, -in a weak state, and laughing hysterically, to the deck of the schooner, -where he followed the skipper below, and in a voice broken with emotion -demanded an explanation. - -"It's the finest sight I ever saw in my life, Bross," he said when the -other had finished. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I've been -feeling very low this last week, and it's done me good. Don't talk -nonsense about leaving the ship. I wouldn't lose you for anything after -this, but if you like to ship a fresh mate and crew you can please -yourself. If you'll only come up to the house and let Mrs. Pearson see -you--she's been ailing--I'll give you a couple of pounds. Now, get your -bonnet and come." - - - - -THE BOATSWAIN'S WATCH - - -Captain Polson sat in his comfortable parlour smiling benignly upon his -daughter and sister. His ship, after an absence of eighteen months, was -once more berthed in the small harbour of Barborough, and the captain -was sitting in that state of good-natured affability which invariably -characterised his first appearance after a long absence. - -"No news this end, I suppose," he inquired, after a lengthy recital of -most extraordinarily uninteresting adventures. - -"Not much," said his sister Jane, looking nervously at her niece. "Young -Metcalfe has gone into partnership with his father." - -"I don't want to hear about those sharks," said the captain, waxing red. -"Tell me about honest men." - -"Joe Lewis has had a month's imprisonment for stealing fowls," said Miss -Polson meekly. "Mrs. Purton has had twins--dear little fellows they are, -fat as butter!--she has named one of them Polson, after you. The greedy -one." - -"Any deaths?" inquired the captain snappishly, as he eyed the innocent -lady suspiciously. - -"Poor old Jasper Wheeler has gone," said his sister; "he was very -resigned. He borrowed enough money to get a big doctor from London, and -when he heard that there was no hope for him he said he was just longing -to go, and he was sorry he couldn't take all his dear ones with him. -Mary Hewson is married to Jack Draper, and young Metcalfe's banns go up -for the third time next Sunday." - -"I hope he gets a Tartar," said the vindictive captain. "Who's the girl? -Some silly little fool, I know. She ought to be warned!" - -"I don't believe in interfering in marriages," said his daughter -Chrissie, shaking her head sagely. - -"Oh!" said the captain, staring, "YOU don't! Now you've put your hair up -and taken to wearing long frocks, I suppose you're beginning to think of -it." - -"Yes; auntie wants to tell you something!" said his daughter, rising and -crossing the room. - -"No, I don't!" said Miss Polson hastily. - -"You'd better do it," said Chrissie, giving her a little push, "there's -a dear; I'll go upstairs and lock myself in my room." - -The face of the captain, whilst this conversation was passing, was a -study in suppressed emotions. He was a firm advocate for importing the -manners of the quarter-deck into private life, the only drawback being -that he had to leave behind him the language usual in that locality. To -this omission he usually ascribed his failures. - -"Sit down, Chrissie," he commanded; "sit down, Jane. Now, miss, what's -all this about?" - -"I don't like to tell you," said Chrissie, folding her hands in her lap. -"I know you'll be cross. You're so unreasonable." - -The captain stared--frightfully. - -"I'm going to be married," said Chrissie suddenly,--"there! To Jack -Metcalfe--there! So you'll have to learn to love him. He's going to try -and love you for my sake." To his sister's dismay the captain got up, -and brandishing his fists walked violently to and fro. By these simple -but unusual means decorum was preserved. - -"If you were only a boy," said the captain, when he had regained his -seat, "I should know what to do with you." - -"If I were a boy," said Chrissie, who, having braced herself up for -the fray, meant to go through with it, "I shouldn't want to marry Jack. -Don't be silly, father!" - -"Jane," said the captain, in a voice which made the lady addressed start -in her chair, "what do you mean by it?" - -"It isn't my fault," said Miss Polson feebly. "I told her how it would -be. And it was so gradual; he admired my geraniums at first, and, of -course, I was deceived. There are so many people admire my geraniums; -whether it is because the window has a south aspect"-- - -"Oh!" said the captain rudely, "that'll do, Jane. If he wasn't a lawyer, -I'd go round and break his neck. Chrissie is only nineteen, and she'll -come for a year's cruise with me. Perhaps the sea air'll strengthen her -head. We'll see who's master in this family." - -"I'm sure I don't want to be master," said his daughter, taking a weapon -of fine cambric out of her pocket, and getting ready for action. "I -can't help liking people. Auntie likes him too, don't you, auntie?" - -"Yes," said Miss Polson bravely. - -"Very good," said the autocrat promptly, "I'll take you both for a -cruise." - -"You're making me very un--unhappy," said Chrissie, burying her face in -her handkerchief. - -"You'll be more unhappy before I've done with you," said the captain -grimly. "And while I think of it, I'll step round and stop those banns." -His daughter caught him by the arm as he was passing, and laid her face -on his sleeve. "You'll make me look so foolish," she wailed. - -"That'll make it easier for you to come to sea with me," said her -father. "Don't cry all over my sleeve. I'm going to see a parson. Run -upstairs and play with your dolls, and if you're a good girl, I'll bring -you in some sweets." He put on his hat, and closing the front door with -a bang, went off to the new rector to knock two years off the age which -his daughter kept for purposes of matrimony. The rector, grieved at such -duplicity in one so young, met him more than half way, and he came out -from him smiling placidly, until his attention was attracted by a young -man on the other side of the road, who was regarding him with manifest -awkwardness. - -"Good evening, Captain Polson," he said, crossing the road. - -"Oh," said the captain, stopping, "I wanted to speak to you. I suppose -you wanted to marry my daughter while I was out of the way, to save -trouble. Just the manly thing I should have expected of you. I've -stopped the banns, and I'm going to take her for a voyage with me. -You'll have to look elsewhere, my lad." - -"The ill feeling is all on your side, captain," said Metcalfe, -reddening. - -"Ill feeling!" snorted the captain. "You put me in the witness-box, and -made me a laughing-stock in the place with your silly attempts at jokes, -lost me five hundred pounds, and then try and marry my daughter while -I'm at sea. Ill feeling be hanged!" - -"That was business," said the other. - -"It was," said the captain, "and this is business too. Mine. I'll look -after it, I'll promise you. I think I know who'll look silly this time. -I'd sooner see my girl in heaven than married to a rascal of a lawyer." - -"You'd want good glasses," retorted Metcalfe, who was becoming ruffled. - -"I don't want to bandy words with you," said the captain with dignity, -after a long pause, devoted to thinking of something worth bandying. -"You think you're a clever fellow, but I know a cleverer. You're quite -welcome to marry my daughter--if you can." - -He turned on his heel, and refusing to listen to any further remarks, -went on his way rejoicing. Arrived home, he lit his pipe, and throwing -himself into an armchair, related his exploits. Chrissie had recourse to -her handkerchief again, more for effect than use, but Miss Polson, who -was a tender soul, took hers out and wept unrestrainedly. At first the -captain took it well enough. It was a tribute to his power, but when -they took to sobbing one against the other, his temper rose, and he -sternly commanded silence. - -"I shall be like--this--every day at sea," sobbed Chrissie vindictively, -"only worse; making us all ridiculous." - -"Stop that noise directly!" vociferated the captain. - -"We c-c-can't," sobbed Miss Polson. - -"And we d-don't want to," said Chrissie. "It's all we can do, and we're -going to do it. You'd better g-go out and stop something else. You can't -stop us." - -The captain took the advice and went, and in the billiard-room of the -"George" heard some news which set him thinking, and which brought him -back somewhat earlier than he had at first intended. A small group at -his gate broke up into its elements at his approach, and the captain, -following his sister and daughter into the room, sat down and eyed them -severely. - -"So you're going to run off to London to get married, are you, miss?" he -said ferociously. "Well, we'll see. You don't go out of my sight until -we sail, and if I catch that pettifogging lawyer round at my gate again, -I'll break every bone in his body, mind that." - -For the next three days the captain kept his daughter under observation, -and never allowed her to stir abroad except in his company. The evening -of the third day, to his own great surprise, he spent at a Dorcas. The -company was not congenial, several of the ladies putting their work -away, and glaring frigidly at the intruder; and though they could see -clearly that he was suffering greatly, made no attempt to put him at his -ease. He was very thoughtful all the way home, and the next day took a -partner into the concern, in the shape of his boatswain. - -"You understand, Tucker," he concluded, as the hapless seaman stood in -a cringing attitude before Chrissie, "that you never let my daughter out -of your sight. When she goes out you go with her." - -"Yessir," said Tucker; "and suppose she tells me to go home, what am I -to do then?" - -"You're a fool," said the captain sharply. "It doesn't matter what she -says or does; unless you are in the same room, you are never to be more -than three yards from her." - -"Make it four, cap'n," said the boatswain, in a broken voice. - -"Three," said the captain; "and mind, she's artful. All girls are, and -she'll try and give you the slip. I've had information given me as to -what's going on. Whatever happens, you are not to leave her." - -"I wish you'd get somebody else, sir," said Tucker, very respectfully. -"There's a lot of chaps aboard that'd like the job." - -"You're the only man I can trust," said the captain shortly. "When I -give you orders I know they'll be obeyed; it's your watch now." - -He went out humming. Chrissie took up a book and sat down, utterly -ignoring the woebegone figure which stood the regulation three yards -from her, twisting its cap in its hands. - -"I hope, miss," said the boatswain, after standing patiently for -three-quarters of an hour, "as 'ow you won't think I sought arter this -'ere little job." - -"No," said Chrissie, without looking up. - -"I'm just obeying orders," continued the boatswain. "I always git let in -for these 'ere little jobs, somehow. The monkeys I've had to look arter -aboard ship would frighten you. There never was a monkey on the Monarch -but what I was in charge of. That's what a man gets through being -trustworthy." - -"Just so," said Chrissie, putting down her book. "Well, I'm going into -the kitchen now; come along, nursie." - -"'Ere, I say, miss!" remonstrated Tucker, flushing. - -"I don't know how Susan will like you going in her kitchen," said -Chrissie thoughtfully; "however, that's your business." - -The unfortunate seaman followed his fair charge into the kitchen, and, -leaning against the door-post, doubled up like a limp rag before the -terrible glance of its mistress. - -"Ho!" said Susan, who took the state of affairs as an insult to the sex -in general; "and what might you be wanting?" - -"Cap'n's orders," murmured Tucker feebly. - -"I'm captain here," said Susan, confronting him with her bare arms -akimbo. - -"And credit it does you," said the boatswain, looking round admiringly. - -"Is it your wish, Miss Chrissie, that this image comes and stalks into -my kitchen as if the place belongs to him?" demanded the irate Susan. - -"I didn't mean to come in in that way," said the astonished Tucker. "I -can't help being big." - -"I don't want him here," said her mistress; "what do you think I want -him for?" - -"You hear that?" said Susan, pointing to the door; "now go. I don't want -people to say that you come into this kitchen after me." - -"I'm here by the cap'n's orders," said Tucker faintly. "I don't want to -be here--far from it. As for people saying that I come here after you, -them as knows me would laugh at the idea." - -"If I had my way," said Susan, in a hard rasping voice, "I'd box your -ears for you. That's what I'd do to you, and you can go and tell the -cap'n I said so. Spy!" - -This was the first verse of the first watch, and there were many verses. -To add to his discomfort he was confined to the house, as his charge -manifested no desire to go outside, and as neither she nor her aunt -cared about the trouble of bringing him to a fit and proper state of -subjection, the task became a labour of love for the energetic Susan. -In spite of everything, however, he stuck to his guns, and the indignant -Chrissie, who was in almost hourly communication with Metcalfe through -the medium of her faithful handmaiden, was rapidly becoming desperate. - -On the fourth day, time getting short, Chrissie went on a new tack with -her keeper, and Susan, sorely against her will, had to follow suit. -Chrissie smiled at him, Susan called him Mr. Tucker, and Miss Polson -gave him a glass of her best wine. From the position of an outcast, he -jumped in one bound to that of confidential adviser. Miss Polson -told him many items of family interest, and later on in the afternoon -actually consulted him as to a bad cold which Chrissie had developed. - -He prescribed half-a-pint of linseed oil hot, but Miss Polson favoured -chlorodyne. The conversation then turned on the deadly qualities of that -drug when taken in excess, of the fatal sleep in which it lulled its -victims. So disastrous were the incidents cited, that half an hour -later, when, her aunt and Susan being out, Chrissie took a small bottle -of chlorodyne from the mantel-piece, the boatswain implored her to try -his nastier but safer remedy instead. - -"Nonsense!" said Chrissie, "I'm only going to take twenty -drops--one--two--three--" - -The drug suddenly poured out in a little stream. - -"I should think that's about it," said Chrissie, holding the tumbler up -to the light. - -"It's about five hundred!" said the horrified Tucker. "Don't take that, -miss, whatever you do; let me measure it for you." - -The girl waved him away, and, before he could interfere, drank off the -contents of the glass and resumed her seat. The boatswain watched her -uneasily, and taking up the phial carefully read through the directions. -After that he was not at all surprised to see the book fall from his -charge's hand on to the floor, and her eyes close. - -"I knowed it," said Tucker, in a profuse perspiration, "I knowed it. -Them blamed gals are all alike. Always knows what's best. Miss Polson! -Miss Polson!" - -He shook her roughly, but to no purpose, and then running to the door, -shouted eagerly for Susan. No reply forthcoming he ran to the window, -but there was nobody in sight, and he came back and stood in front of -the girl, wringing his huge hands helplessly. It was a great question -for a poor sailor-man. If he went for the doctor he deserted his post; -if he didn't go his charge might die. He made one more attempt to awaken -her, and, seizing a flower-glass, splashed her freely with cold water. -She did not even wince. - -"It's no use fooling with it," murmured Tucker; "I must get the doctor, -that's all." - -He quitted the room, and, dashing hastily downstairs, had already -opened the hall door when a thought struck him, and he came back again. -Chrissie was still asleep in the chair, and, with a smile at the clever -way in which he had solved a difficulty, he stooped down, and, raising -her in his strong arms, bore her from the room and downstairs. Then a -hitch occurred. The triumphant progress was marred by the behaviour of -the hall door, which, despite his efforts, refused to be opened, and, -encumbered by his fair burden, he could not for some time ascertain the -reason. Then, full of shame that so much deceit could exist in so -fair and frail a habitation, he discovered that Miss Polson's foot was -pressing firmly against it. Her eyes were still closed and her head -heavy, but the fact remained that one foot was acting in a manner that -was full of intelligence and guile, and when he took it away from the -door the other one took its place. By a sudden manoeuvre the wily Tucker -turned his back on the door, and opened it, and, at the same moment, a -hand came to life again and dealt him a stinging slap on the face. - -"Idiot!" said the indignant Chrissie, slipping from his arms and -confronting him. "How dare you take such a liberty?" - -The astonished boatswain felt his face, and regarded her open-mouthed. - -"Don't you ever dare to speak to me again," said the offended maiden, -drawing herself up with irreproachable dignity. "I am disgusted with -your conduct. Most unbearable!" - -"I was carrying you off to the doctor," said the boatswain. "How was I -to know you was only shamming?" - -"SHAMMING?" said Chrissie, in tones of incredulous horror. "I was -asleep. I often go to sleep in the afternoon." - -The boatswain made no reply, except to grin with great intelligence as -he followed his charge upstairs again. He grinned at intervals until the -return of Susan and Miss Polson, who, trying to look unconcerned, came -in later on, both apparently suffering from temper, Susan especially. -Amid the sympathetic interruptions of these listeners Chrissie recounted -her experiences, while the boatswain, despite his better sense, felt -like the greatest scoundrel unhung, a feeling which was fostered by the -remarks of Susan and the chilling regards of Miss Poison. - -"I shall inform the captain," said Miss Polson, bridling. "It's my -duty." - -"Oh, I shall tell him," said Chrissie. "I shall tell him the moment he -comes in at the door." - -"So shall I," said Susan; "the idea of taking such liberties!" - -Having fired this broadside, the trio watched the enemy narrowly and -anxiously. - -"If I've done anything wrong, ladies," said the unhappy boatswain, "I am -sorry for it. I can't say anything fairer than that, and I'll tell the -cap'n myself exactly how I came to do it when he comes in." - -"Pah! tell-tale!" said Susan. - -"Of course, if you are here to fetch and carry," said Miss Polson, with -withering emphasis. - -"The idea of a grown man telling tales," said Chrissie scornfully. -"Baby!" - -"Why, just now you were all going to tell him yourselves," said the -bewildered boatswain. - -The two elder women rose and regarded him with looks of pitying disdain. -Miss Polson's glance said "Fool!" plainly; Susan, a simple child of -nature, given to expressing her mind freely, said "Blockhead!" with -conviction. - -"I see 'ow it is," said the boatswain, after ruminating deeply. "Well, -I won't split, ladies. I can see now you was all in it, and it was a -little job to get me out of the house." - -"What a head he has got," said the irritated Susan; "isn't it wonderful -how he thinks of it all! Nobody would think he was so clever to look at -him." - -"Still waters run deep," said the boatswain, who was beginning to have a -high opinion of himself. - -"And pride goes before a fall," said Chrissie; "remember that, Mr. -Tucker." - -Mr. Tucker grinned, but, remembering the fable of the pitcher and the -well, pressed his superior officer that evening to relieve him from his -duties. He stated that the strain was slowly undermining a constitution -which was not so strong as appearances would warrant, and that his -knowledge of female nature was lamentably deficient on many important -points. "You're doing very well," said the captain, who had no intention -of attending any more Dorcases, "very well indeed; I am proud of you." - -"It isn't a man's work," objected the boatswain. "Besides, if anything -happens you'll blame me for it." - -"Nothing can happen," declared the captain confidently. "We shall make a -start in about four days now. You're the only man I can trust with such -a difficult job, Tucker, and I shan't forget you." - -"Very good," said the other dejectedly. "I obey orders, then." - -The next day passed quietly, the members of the household making a great -fuss of Tucker, and thereby filling him with forebodings of the worst -possible nature. On the day after, when the captain, having business at -a neighbouring town, left him in sole charge, his uneasiness could not -be concealed. - -"I'm going for a walk," said Chrissie, as he sat by himself, working out -dangerous moves and the best means of checking them; "would you care to -come with me, Tucker?" - -"I wish you wouldn't put it that way, miss," said the boatswain, as he -reached for his hat. - -"I want exercise," said Chrissie; "I've been cooped up long enough." - -She set off at a good pace up the High Street, attended by her faithful -follower, and passing through the small suburbs, struck out into the -country beyond. After four miles the boatswain, who was no walker, -reminded her that they had got to go back. - -"Plenty of time," said Chrissie, "we have got the day before us. Isn't -it glorious? Do you see that milestone, Tucker? I'll race you to it; -come along." - -She was off on the instant, with the boatswain, who suspected treachery, -after her. - -"You CAN run," she panted, thoughtfully, as she came in second; "we'll -have another one presently. You don't know how good it is for you, -Tucker." - -The boatswain grinned sourly and looked at her from the corner of his -eye. The next three miles passed like a horrible nightmare; his charge -making a race for every milestone, in which the labouring boatswain, -despite his want of practice, came in the winner. The fourth ended -disastrously, Chrissie limping the last ten yards, and seating herself -with a very woebegone face on the stone itself. - -"You did very well, miss," said the boatswain, who thought he could -afford to be generous. "You needn't be offended about it." - -"It's my ankle," said Chrissie with a little whimper. "Oh! I twisted it -right round." - -The boatswain stood regarding her in silent consternation - -"It's no use looking like that," said Chrissie sharply, "you great -clumsy thing. If you hadn't have run so hard it wouldn't have happened. -It's all your fault." - -"If you don't mind leaning on me a bit," said Tucker, "we might get -along." - -Chrissie took his arm petulantly, and they started on their return -journey, at the rate of about four hours a mile, with little cries and -gasps at every other yard. - -"It's no use," said Chrissie as she relinquished his arm, and, limping -to the side of the road, sat down. The boatswain pricked up his ears -hopefully at the sound of approaching wheels. - -"What's the matter with the young lady?" inquired a groom who was -driving a little trap, as he pulled up and regarded with interest a -grimace of extraordinary intensity on the young lady's face. - -"Broke her ankle, I think," said the boatswain glibly. "Which way are -you going?" - -"Well, I'm going to Barborough," said the groom; "but my guvnor's rather -pertickler." - -"I'll make it all right with you," said the boatswain. - -The groom hesitated a minute, and then made way for Chrissie as the -boatswain assisted her to get up beside him; then Tucker, with a grin of -satisfaction at getting a seat once more, clambered up behind, and they -started. - -"Have a rug, mate," said the groom, handing the reins to Chrissie and -passing it over; "put it round your knees and tuck the ends under you." - -"Ay, ay, mate," said the boatswain as he obeyed the instructions. - -"Are you sure you are quite comfortable?" said the groom affectionately. - -"Quite," said the other. - -The groom said no more, but in a quiet business-like fashion placed his -hands on the seaman's broad back, and shot him out into the road. Then -he snatched up the reins and drove off at a gallop. - -Without the faintest hope of winning, Mr. Tucker, who realised clearly, -appearances notwithstanding, that he had fallen into a trap, rose after -a hurried rest and started on his fifth race that morning. The prize -was only a second-rate groom with plated buttons, who was waving cheery -farewells to him with a dingy top hat; but the boatswain would have -sooner had it than a silver tea-service. - -He ran as he had never ran before in his life, but all to no purpose, -the trap stopping calmly a little further on to take up another -passenger, in whose favour the groom retired to the back seat; then, -with a final wave of the hand to him, they took a road to the left and -drove rapidly out of sight. The boatswain's watch was over. - - - - -LOW WATER - - -It was a calm, clear evening in late summer as the Elizabeth Ann, of -Pembray, scorning the expensive aid of a tug, threaded her way down the -London river under canvas. The crew were busy forward, and the master -and part-owner--a fussy little man, deeply imbued with a sense of his -own importance and cleverness--was at the wheel chatting with the mate. -While waiting for a portion of his cargo, he had passed the previous -week pleasantly enough with some relatives in Exeter, and was now in a -masterful fashion receiving a report from the mate. - -"There's one other thing," said the mate. "I dessay you've noticed how -sober old Dick is to-night." - -"I kept him short o' purpose," said the skipper, with a satisfied air. - -"Tain't that," said the mate. "You'll be pleased to hear that 'im an' -Sam has been talked over by the other two, and that all your crew now, -'cept the cook, who's still Roman Catholic, has j'ined the Salvation -Army." - -"Salvation Army!" repeated the skipper in dazed tones. "I don't want -none o' your gammon, Bob." - -"It's quite right," said the other. "You can take it from me. How it was -done I don't know, but what I do know is, none of 'em has touched licker -for five days. They've all got red jerseys, an' I hear as old Dick -preaches a hexcellent sermon. He's red-hot on it, and t'others follow -'im like sheep." - -"The drink's got to his brain," said the skipper sagely, after due -reflection. "Well, I don't mind, so long as they behave theirselves." - -He kept silence until Woolwich was passed, and they were running along -with all sails set, and then, his curiosity being somewhat excited, he -called old Dick to him, with the amiable intention of a little banter. - -"What's this I hear about you j'ining the Salvation Army?" he asked. - -"It's quite true, sir," said Dick. "I feel so happy, you can't think--we -all do." - -"Glory!" said one of the other men, with enthusiastic corroboration. - -"Seems like the measles," said the skipper facetiously. "Four of you -down with it at one time!" - -"It IS like the measles, sir," said the old man impressively, "an' I -only hope as you'll catch it yourself, bad." - -"Hallelujah!" bawled the other man suddenly. "He'll catch it." - -"Hold that noise, you, Joe!" shouted the skipper sternly. "How dare you -make that noise aboard ship?" - -"He's excited, sir," said Dick. "It's love for you in 'is 'eart as does -it." - -"Let him keep his love to hisself," said the skipper churlishly. - -"Ah! that's just what we can't do," said Dick in high-pitched tones, -which the skipper rightly concluded to be his preaching voice. "We can't -do it--an' why can't we do it? Becos we feel good, an' we want you to -feel good too. We want to share it with you. Oh, dear friend--" - -"That's enough," said the master of the Elizabeth Ann, sharply. "Don't -you go 'dear friending' me. Go for'ard! Go for'ard at once!" - -With a melancholy shake of his head the old man complied, and the -startled skipper turned to the mate, who was at the wheel, and expressed -his firm intention of at once stopping such behaviour on his ship. - -"You can't do it," said the mate firmly. - -"Can't do it?" queried the skipper. - -"Not a bit of it," said the other. "They've all got it bad, an' the more -you get at 'em the wuss they'll be. Mark my words, best let 'em alone." - -"I'll hold my hand a bit and watch 'em," was the reply; "but I've always -been cap'n on my own ship, and I always will." - -For the next twenty-four hours he retained his sovereignty undisputed, -but on Sunday morning, after breakfast, when he was at the wheel, and -the crew below, the mate, who had been forward, came aft with a strange -grin struggling for development at the corners of his mouth. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper, regarding him with some -disfavour. - -"They're all down below with their red jerseys on," replied the mate, -still struggling, "and they're holding a sort o' consultation about the -lost lamb, an' the best way o' reaching 'is 'ard 'eart." - -"Lost lamb!" repeated the skipper unconcernedly, but carefully avoiding -the other's eye. - -"You're the lost lamb," said the mate, who always went straight to the -point. - -"I won't have it," said the skipper excitably. "How dare they go on in -this way? Go and send 'em up directly." - -The mate, whistling cheerily, complied, and the four men, neatly attired -in scarlet, came on deck. - -"Now, what's all this nonsense about?" demanded the incensed man. "What -do you want?" - -"We want your pore sinful soul," said Dick with ecstasy. - -"Ay, an' we'll have it," said Joe, with deep conviction. - -"So we will," said the other two, closing their eyes and smiling -rapturously; "so we will." - -The skipper, alarmed, despite himself, at their confidence, turned a -startled face to the mate. - -"If you could see it now," continued Dick impressively, "you'd be -frightened at it. If you could--" - -"Get to your own end of the ship," spluttered the indignant skipper. -"Get, before I kick you there!" - -"Better let Sam have a try," said one of the other men, calmly ignoring -the fury of the master; "his efforts have been wonderfully blessed. Come -here, Sam." - -"There's a time for everything" said Sam cautiously. "Let's go for'ard -and do what we can for him among ourselves." - -They moved off reluctantly, Dick throwing such affectionate glances at -the skipper over his shoulders that he nearly choked with rage. - -"I won't have it!" he said fiercely; "I'll knock it out of 'em." - -"You can't," said the mate. "You can't knock sailor men about nowadays. -The only thing you can do is to get rid of 'em." - -"I don't want to do that," was the growling reply. "They've been with me -a long time, and they're all good men. Why don't they have a go at you, -I wonder?" - -"ME?" said the mate, in indignant surprise. "Why, I'm a Seventh Day -Baptist! They don't want to waste their time over me. I'm all right." - -"You're a pretty Seventh Day Baptist, you are!" replied the skipper. -"Fust I've heard of it." - -"You don't understand about such things," said the mate. - -"It must be a very easy religion," continued the skipper. - -"I don't make a show of it, if that's what you mean," rejoined the other -warmly. "I'm one o' them as believe in 'iding my light under a bushel." - -"A pint pot'ud do easy," sneered the skipper. "It's more in your line, -too." - -"Anyway, the men reckernise it," said the mate loftily. "They don't go -an' sit in their red jerseys an' hold mothers' meetings over me." - -"I'll knock their blessed heads off!" growled the skipper. "I'll learn -'em to insult me!" - -"It's all for your own good," said the other. "They mean it kindly. -Well, I wish 'em luck." - -With these hardy words he retired, leaving a seething volcano to pace -the deck, and think over ways and means of once more reducing his crew -to what he considered a fit and proper state of obedience and respect. - -The climax was reached at tea-time, when an anonymous hand was thrust -beneath the skylight, and a full-bodied tract fluttered wildly down and -upset his tea. - -"That's the last straw!" he roared, fishing out the tract and throwing -it on the floor. "I'll read them chaps a lesson they won't forget in a -hurry, and put a little money in my pocket at the same time. I've got a -little plan in my 'ed as come to me quite sudden this afternoon. Come on -deck, Bob." - -Bob obeyed, grinning, and the skipper, taking the wheel from Sam, sent -him for the others. - -"Did you ever know me break my word, Dick?" he inquired abruptly, as -they shuffled up. - -"Never," said Dick. - -"Cap'n Bowers' word is better than another man's oath," asseverated Joe. - -"Well," said Captain Bowers, with a wink at the mate, "I'm going to give -you chaps a little self-denial week all to yourselves. If you all live -on biscuit and water till we get to port, and don't touch nothing else, -I'll jine you and become a Salvationist." - -"Biscuit and water," said Dick doubtfully, scratching a beard strong -enough to scratch back. - -"It wouldn't be right to play with our constitooshuns in that way, sir," -objected Joe, shaking his head. - -"There you are," said Bowers, turning to the mate with a wave of his -hand. "They're precious anxious about me so long as it's confined to -jawing, and dropping tracts into my tea, but when it comes to a little -hardship on their part, see how they back out of it." - -"We ain't backing out of it," said Dick cautiously; "but s'pose we do, -how are we to be certain as you'll jine us?" - -"You 've got my word for it," said the other, "an' the mate an' cook -witness it." - -"O' course, you jine the Army for good, sir," said Dick, still -doubtfully. - -"O' course." - -"Then it's a bargain, sir," said Dick, beaming; "ain't it, chaps?" - -"Ay, ay," said the others, but not beaming quite so much. "Oh, what a -joyful day this is!" said the old man. "A Salvation crew an' a Salvation -cap'n! We'll have the cook next, bad as he is." - -"You'll have biskit an' water," said the cook icily, as they moved off, -"an' nothing else, I'll take care." - -"They must be uncommon fond o' me," said the skipper meditatively. - -"Uncommon fond o' having their own way," growled the mate. "Nice thing -you've let yourself in for." - -"I know what I 'm about," was the confident reply. - -"You ain't going to let them idiots fast for a week an' then break your -word?" said the mate in surprise. - -"Certainly not," said the other wrathfully; "I'd sooner jine three -armies than do that, and you know it." - -"They'll keep to the grub, don't you fear," said the mate. "I can't -understand how you are going to manage it." - -"That's where the brains come in," retorted the skipper, somewhat -arrogantly. - -"Fust time I've heard of 'em," murmured the mate softly; "but I s'pose -you've been using pint pots too." - -The skipper glared at him scornfully, but, being unprovided with a -retort, forbore to reply, and going below again mixed himself a stiff -glass of grog, and drank success to his scheme. - -Three days passed, and the men stood firm, and, realising that they were -slowly undermining the skipper's convictions, made no effort to carry -him by direct assault. The mate made no attempt to conceal his opinion -of his superior's peril, and in gloomy terms strove to put the full -horror of his position before him. - -"What your missis'll say the first time she sees you prancing up an' -down the road tapping a tambourine, I can't think," said he. - -"I shan't have no tambourine," said Captain Bowers cheerfully. - -"It'll also be your painful dooty to stand outside your father-in-law's -pub and try and persuade customers not to go in," continued Bob. "Nice -thing that for a quiet family!" - -The skipper smiled knowingly, and, rolling a cigar in his mouth, leaned -back in his seat and cocked his eye at the skylight. - -"Don't you worry, my lad," said he; "don't you worry. I'm in this job, -an' I'm coming out on top. When men forget what's due to their betters, -and preach to 'em, they've got to be taught what's what. If the wind -keeps fair we ought to be home by Sunday night or Monday morning." - -The other nodded. - -"Now, you keep your eyes open," said the skipper; and, going to his -state-room, he returned with three bottles of rum and a corkscrew, all -of which, with an air of great mystery, he placed on the table, and then -smiled at the mate. The mate smiled too. - -"What's this?" inquired the skipper, drawing the cork, and holding a -bottle under the other's nose. - -"It smells like rum," said the mate, glancing round, possibly for a -glass. - -"It's for the men," said the skipper, "but you may take a drop." - -The mate, taking down a glass, helped himself liberally, and, having -made sure of it, sympathetically, but politely, expressed his firm -opinion that the men would not touch it under any conditions whatever. - -"You don't quite understand how firm they are," said he; "you think it's -just a new fad with 'em, but it ain't." - -"They'll drink it," said the skipper, taking up two of the bottles. -"Bring the other on deck for me." - -The mate complied, wonderingly, and, laden with prime old Jamaica, -ascended the steps. - -"What's this?" inquired the skipper, crossing over to Dick, and holding -out a bottle. - -"Pison, sir," said Dick promptly. - -"Have a drop," said the skipper jovially. - -"Not for twenty pounds," said the old man, with a look of horror. - -"Not for two million pounds," said Sam, with financial precision. - -"Will anybody have a drop?" asked the owner, waving the bottle to and -fro. - -As he spoke a grimy paw shot out from behind him, and, before he quite -realised the situation, the cook had accepted the invitation, and was -hurriedly making the most of it. - -"Not you," growled the skipper, snatching the bottle from him; "I didn't -mean you. Well, my lads, if you won't have it neat you shall have it -watered." - -Before anybody could guess his intention he walked to the water-cask, -and, removing the cover, poured in the rum. In the midst of a profound -silence he emptied the three bottles, and then, with a triumphant smile, -turned and confronted his astonished crew. - -"What's in that cask, Dick?" he asked quietly. - -"Rum and water," groaned Dick; "but that ain't fair play, sir. We've -kep' to our part o' the agreement, sir, an' you ought to ha' kep' to -yours." - -"So I have," was the quick reply; "so I have, an' I still keep to it. -Don't you see this, my lads; when you start playing antics with me -you're playing a fool's game, an' you're bound to come a cropper. Some -men would ha' waited longer afore they spiled their game, but I think -you've suffered enough. Now there's a lump of beef and some taters on, -an' you'd better go and make a good square meal, an' next time you -want to alter the religion of people as knows better than you do, think -twice." - -"We don't want no beef, sir; biskit'll do for us," said Dick firmly. - -"All right, please yourselves," said the skipper; "but mind, no -hanky-panky, no coming for drink when my back's turned; this cask'll be -watched; but if you do alter your mind about the beef you can tell the -cook to get it for you any time you like." - -He threw the bottles overboard, and, ignoring the groaning and -head-shaking of the men, walked away, listening with avidity to -the respectful tributes to his genius tendered by the mate and -cook--flattery so delicate and so genuine withal that he opened another -bottle. - -"There's just one thing," said the mate presently; "won't the rum affect -the cooking a good deal?" - -"I never thought o' that," admitted the skipper; "still, we musn't -expect to have everything our own way." - -"No, no," said the mate blankly, admiring the other's choice of -pronouns. - -Up to Friday afternoon the skipper went about with a smile of kindly -satisfaction on his face; but in the evening it weakened somewhat, and -by Saturday morning it had vanished altogether, and was replaced by -an expression of blank amazement and anxiety, for the crew shunned the -water cask as though it were poison, without appearing to suffer the -slightest inconvenience. A visible air of proprietorship appeared on -their faces whenever they looked at the skipper, and the now frightened -man inveighed fiercely to the mate against the improper methods of -conversion patronised by some religious bodies, and the aggravating -obstinacy of some of their followers. - -"It's wonderful what enthusiasm'll do for a man," said Bob reflectively; -"I knew a man once--" - -"I don't want none o' your lies," interposed the other rudely. - -"An' I don't want your blamed rum and water, if it comes to that," said -the mate, firing up. "When a man's tea is made with rum, an' his beef is -biled in it, he begins to wonder whether he's shipped with a seaman or -a--a--" - -"A what?" shouted the skipper. "Say it!" - -"I can't think o' nothing foolish enough," was the frank reply. "It's -all right for you, becos it's the last licker as you'll be allowed to -taste, but it's rough on me and the cook." - -"Damn you an' the cook," said the skipper, and went on deck to see -whether the men's tongues were hanging out. - -By Sunday morning he was frantic; the men were hale and well enough, -though, perhaps, a trifle thin, and he began to believe with the cook -that the age of miracles had not yet passed. - -It was a broiling hot day, and, to add to his discomfort, the mate, -who was consumed by a raging thirst, lay panting in the shade of the -mainsail, exchanging condolences of a most offensive nature with the -cook every time he looked his way. - -All the morning he grumbled incessantly, until at length, warned by an -offensive smell of rum that dinner was on the table, he got up and went -below. - -At the foot of the ladder he paused abruptly, for the skipper was -leaning back in his seat, gazing in a fascinated manner at some object -on the table. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the mate in alarm. - -The other, who did not appear to hear the question, made no answer, but -continued to stare in a most extraordinary fashion at a bottle which -graced the centre of the table. - -"What is it?" inquired the mate, not venturing to trust his eyes. -"WATER? Where did it come from?" - -"Cook!" roared the skipper, turning a bloodshot eye on that worthy, as -his pallid face showed behind the mate, "what's this? If you say it's -water I'll kill you." - -"I don't know what it is, sir," said the cook cautiously; "but Dick sent -it to you with his best respects, and I was to say as there's plenty -more where that came from. He's a nasty, under'anded, deceitful old man, -is Dick, sir, an' it seems he laid in a stock o' water in bottles an' -the like afore you doctored the cask, an' the men have had it locked up -in their chests ever since." - -"Dick's a very clever old man," remarked the mate, pouring himself out a -glass, and drinking it with infinite relish, "ain't he, cap'n? It'll be -a privilege to jine anything that man's connected with, won't it?" - -He paused for a reply, but none came, for the cap'n, with dim eyes, was -staring blankly into a future so lonely and uncongenial that he had -lost the power of speech--even of that which, at other crises, had -never failed to afford him relief. The mate gazed at him curiously for a -moment, and then, imitating the example of the cook, quitted the cabin. - - - - -IN MID-ATLANTIC - - -"No, sir," said the night-watchman, as he took a seat on a post at the -end of the jetty, and stowed a huge piece of tobacco in his cheek. "No, -man an' boy, I was at sea forty years afore I took on this job, but I -can't say as ever I saw a real, downright ghost." - -This was disappointing, and I said so. Previous experience of the power -of Bill's vision had led me to expect something very different. - -"Not but what I've known some queer things happen," said Bill, fixing -his eyes on the Surrey side, and going off into a kind of trance. "Queer -things." - -I waited patiently; Bill's eyes, after resting for some time on Surrey, -began to slowly cross the river, paused midway in reasonable hopes of a -collision between a tug with its flotilla of barges and a penny steamer, -and then came back to me. - -"You heard that yarn old Cap'n Harris was telling the other day about -the skipper he knew having a warning one night to alter his course, an' -doing so, picked up five live men and three dead skeletons in a open -boat?" he inquired. - -I nodded. - -"The yarn in various forms is an old one," said I. - -"It's all founded on something I told him once," said Bill. "I don't -wish to accuse Cap'n Harris of taking another man's true story an' -spoiling it; he's got a bad memory, that's all. Fust of all, he forgets -he ever heard the yarn; secondly, he goes and spoils it." - -I gave a sympathetic murmur. Harris was as truthful an old man as ever -breathed, but his tales were terribly restricted by this circumstance, -whereas Bill's were limited by nothing but his own imagination. - -"It was about fifteen years ago now," began Bill, getting the quid into -a bye-way of his cheek, where it would not impede his utterance "I was -A. B. on the Swallow, a barque, trading wherever we could pick up stuff. -On this v'y'ge we was bound from London to Jamaica with a general cargo. - -"The start of that v'y'ge was excellent. We was towed out of the St. -Katherine's Docks here, to the Nore, an' the tug left us to a stiff -breeze, which fairly raced us down Channel and out into the Atlantic. -Everybody was saying what a fine v'y'ge we was having, an' what quick -time we should make, an' the fust mate was in such a lovely temper that -you might do anything with him a'most. - -"We was about ten days out, an' still slipping along in this spanking -way, when all of a sudden things changed. I was at the wheel with the -second mate one night, when the skipper, whose name was Brown, came up -from below in a uneasy sort o' fashion, and stood looking at us for some -time without speaking. Then at last he sort o' makes up his mind, and -ses he-- - -"'Mr. McMillan, I've just had a most remarkable experience, an' I don't -know what to do about it.' - -"'Yes, sir?' ses Mr. McMillan. - -"'Three times I 've been woke up this night by something shouting in -my ear, "Steer nor'-nor'-west!"' ses the cap'n very solemnly, '"Steer -nor'-nor'-west!"' that's all it says. The first time I thought it was -somebody got into my cabin skylarking, and I laid for 'em with a stick -but I've heard it three times, an' there's nothing there.' - -"'It's a supernatural warning,' ses the second mate, who had a great -uncle once who had the second sight, and was the most unpopular man of -his family, because he always knew what to expect, and laid his plans -according. - -"'That's what I think,' ses the cap'n. 'There's some poor shipwrecked -fellow creatures in distress." - -"'It's a verra grave responsebeelity,' ses Mr. McMillan 'I should just -ca' up the fairst mate.' - -"'Bill,' ses the cap'n, 'just go down below, and tell Mr. Salmon I 'd -like a few words with him partikler.' - -"Well, I went down below, and called up the first mate, and as soon as -I'd explained to him what he was wanted for, he went right off into a -fit of outrageous bad language, an' hit me. He came right up on deck in -his pants an' socks. A most disrespekful way to come to the cap'n, but -he was that hot and excited he didn't care what he did. - -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses the cap'n gravely, 'I've just had a most solemn -warning, and I want to--' - -"'I know,' says the mate gruffly. - -"'What! have you heard it too?' ses the cap'n, in surprise. 'Three -times?' "I heard it from him,' ses the mate, pointing to me. 'Nightmare, -sir, nightmare.' - -"'It was not nightmare, sir,' ses the cap'n, very huffy, 'an if I hear -it again, I 'm going to alter this ship's course.' - -"Well, the fust mate was in a hole. He wanted to call the skipper -something which he knew wasn't discipline. I knew what it was, an' I -knew if the mate didn't do something he'd be ill, he was that sort of -man, everything flew to his head. He walked away, and put his head -over the side for a bit, an' at last, when he came back, he was, -comparatively speaking, calm. - -"'You mustn't hear them words again, sir,' ses he; 'don't go to sleep -again to-night. Stay up, an' we'll have a hand o' cards, and in the -morning you take a good stiff dose o' rhoobarb. Don't spoil one o' the -best trips we've ever had for the sake of a pennyworth of rhoobarb,' ses -he, pleading-like. - -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses the cap'n, very angry, 'I shall not fly in the face -o' Providence in any such way. I shall sleep as usual, an' as for your -rhoobarb,' ses the cap'n, working hisself up into a passion--'damme, -sir, I'll--I'll dose the whole crew with it, from first mate to -cabin-boy, if I have any impertinence.' - -"Well, Mr. Salmon, who was getting very mad, stalks down below, followed -by the cap'n, an' Mr. McMillan was that excited that he even started -talking to me about it. Half-an-hour arterwards the cap'n comes running -up on deck again. - -"'Mr. McMillan,' ses he excitedly, 'steer nor'-nor'-west until further -orders. I've heard it again, an' this time it nearly split the drum of -my ear.' - -"The ship's course was altered, an' after the old man was satisfied he -went back to bed again, an' almost directly arter eight bells went, an' -I was relieved. I wasn't on deck when the fust mate come up, but those -that were said he took it very calm. He didn't say a word. He just sat -down on the poop, and blew his cheeks out. - -"As soon as ever it was daylight the skipper was on deck with his -glasses. He sent men up to the masthead to keep a good look-out, an' he -was dancing about like a cat on hot bricks all the morning. - -"'How long are we to go on this course, sir?' asks Mr. Salmon, about ten -o'clock in the morning. - -"'I've not made up my mind, sir,' ses the cap'n, very stately; but I -could see he was looking a trifle foolish. - -"At twelve o'clock in the day, the fust mate got a cough, and every time -he coughed it seemed to act upon the skipper, and make him madder and -madder. Now that it was broad daylight, Mr. McMillan didn't seem to -be so creepy as the night before, an' I could see the cap'n was only -waiting for the slightest excuse to get into our proper course again. - -"'That's a nasty, bad cough o' yours, Mr. Salmon,' ses he, eyeing the -mate very hard. - -"'Yes, a nasty, irritating sort o' cough, sir,' ses the other; 'it -worries me a great deal. It's this going up nor'ards what's sticking in -my throat,' ses he. - -"The cap'n give a gulp, and walked off, but he comes back in a minute, -and ses he-- - -"'Mr. Salmon, I should think it a great pity to lose a valuable officer -like yourself, even to do good to others. There's a hard ring about -that cough I don't like, an' if you really think it's going up this bit -north, why, I don't mind putting the ship in her course again.' - -"Well, the mate thanked him kindly, and he was just about to give the -orders when one o' the men who was at the masthead suddenly shouts out-- - -"'Ahoy! Small boat on the port bow!' - -"The cap'n started as if he'd been shot, and ran up the rigging with his -glasses. He came down again almost direckly, and his face was all in a -glow with pleasure and excitement. - -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses he, 'here's a small boat with a lug sail in the -middle o' the Atlantic, with one pore man lying in the bottom of her. -What do you think o' my warning now?' - -"The mate didn't say anything at first, but he took the glasses and -had a look, an' when he came back anyone could see his opinion of the -skipper had gone up miles and miles. - -"'It's a wonderful thing, sir,' ses he, 'and one I'll remember all my -life. It's evident that you've been picked out as a instrument to do -this good work.' - -"I'd never heard the fust mate talk like that afore, 'cept once when he -fell overboard, when he was full, and stuck in the Thames mud. He -said it was Providence; though, as it was low water, according to the -tide-table, I couldn't see what Providence had to do with it myself. -He was as excited as anybody, and took the wheel himself, and put the -ship's head for the boat, and as she came closer, our boat was slung -out, and me and the second mate and three other men dropped into her, -an' pulled so as to meet the other. - -"'Never mind the boat; we don't want to be bothered with her,' shouts -out the cap'n as we pulled away--'Save the man!' - -"I'll say this for Mr. McMillan, he steered that boat beautifully, and -we ran alongside o' the other as clever as possible. Two of us shipped -our oars, and gripped her tight, and then we saw that she was just an -ordinary boat, partly decked in, with the head and shoulders of a man -showing in the opening, fast asleep, and snoring like thunder. - -"'Puir chap,' ses Mr. McMillan, standing up. 'Look how wasted he is.' - -"He laid hold o' the man by the neck of his coat an' his belt, an', -being a very powerful man, dragged him up and swung him into our boat, -which was bobbing up and down, and grating against the side of the -other. We let go then, an' the man we'd rescued opened his eyes as Mr. -McMillan tumbled over one of the thwarts with him, and, letting off a -roar like a bull, tried to jump back into his boat. - -"'Hold him!' shouted the second mate. 'Hold him tight! He's mad, puir -feller.' - -"By the way that man fought and yelled, we thought the mate was right, -too. He was a short, stiff chap, hard as iron, and he bit and kicked and -swore for all he was worth, until at last we tripped him up and tumbled -him into the bottom of the boat, and held him there with his head -hanging back over a thwart. - -"'It's all right, my puir feller,' ses the second mate; 'ye're in good -hands--ye're saved.' - -"'Damme!' ses the man; 'what's your little game? Where's my boat--eh? -Where's my boat?' - -"He wriggled a bit, and got his head up, and, when he saw it bowling -along two or three hundred yards away, his temper got the better of him, -and he swore that if Mr. McMillan didn't row after it he'd knife him. - -"'We can't bother about the boat,' ses the mate; 'we've had enough -bother to rescue you.' - -"'Who the devil wanted you to rescue me?' bellowed the man. 'I'll make -you pay for this, you miserable swabs. If there's any law in Amurrica, -you shall have it!' - -"By this time we had got to the ship, which had shortened sail, and the -cap'n was standing by the side, looking down upon the stranger with a -big, kind smile which nearly sent him crazy. - -"'Welcome aboard, my pore feller,' ses he, holding out his hand as the -chap got up the side. - -"'Are you the author of this outrage?' ses the man fiercely. "'I don't -understand you,' ses the cap'n, very dignified, and drawing himself up. - -"'Did you send your chaps to sneak me out o' my boat while I was having -forty winks?' roars the other. 'Damme! that's English, ain't it?' - -"'Surely,' ses the cap'n, 'surely you didn't wish to be left to perish -in that little craft. I had a supernatural warning to steer this course -on purpose to pick you up, and this is your gratitude.' - -"'Look here!' ses the other. 'My name's Cap'n Naskett, and I'm doing -a record trip from New York to Liverpool in the smallest boat that has -ever crossed the Atlantic, an' you go an' bust everything with your -cussed officiousness. If you think I'm going to be kidnapped just to -fulfil your beastly warnings, you've made a mistake. I'll have the law -on you, that's what I'll do. Kidnapping's a punishable offence.' - -"'What did you come here for, then?' ses the cap'n. - -"'Come!' howls Cap'n Naskett. 'Come! A feller sneaks up alongside o' me -with a boat-load of street-sweepings dressed as sailors, and snaps me up -while I'm asleep, and you ask me what I come for. Look here. You clap on -all sail and catch that boat o' mine, and put me back, and I'll call it -quits. If you don't, I'll bring a law-suit agin you, and make you the -laughing-stock of two continents into the bargain.' - -"Well, to make the best of a bad bargain, the cap'n sailed after the -cussed little boat, and Mr. Salmon, who thought more than enough time -had been lost already, fell foul o' Cap'n Naskett. They was both pretty -talkers, and the way they went on was a education for every sailorman -afloat. Every man aboard got as near as they durst to listen to them; -but I must say Cap'n Naskett had the best of it. He was a sarkastik -man, and pretended to think the ship was fitted out just to pick up -shipwrecked people, an' he also pretended to think we was castaways what -had been saved by it. He said o' course anybody could see at a glance we -wasn't sailormen, an' he supposed Mr. Salmon was a butcher what had been -carried out to sea while paddling at Margate to strengthen his ankles. -He said a lot more of this sort of thing, and all this time we was -chasing his miserable little boat, an' he was admiring the way she -sailed, while the fust mate was answering his reflexshuns, an' I'm -sure that not even our skipper was more pleased than Mr. Salmon when -we caught it at last, and shoved him back. He was ungrateful up to -the last, an', just before leaving the ship, actually went up to Cap'n -Brown, and advised him to shut his eyes an' turn round three times and -catch what he could. - -"I never saw the skipper so upset afore, but I heard him tell Mr. -McMillan that night that if he ever went out of his way again after a -craft, it would only be to run it down. Most people keep pretty quiet -about supernatural things that happen to them, but he was about the -quietest I ever heard of, an', what's more, he made everyone else keep -quiet about it, too. Even when he had to steer nor'-nor'-west arter -that in the way o' business he didn't like it, an' he was about the -most cruelly disappointed man you ever saw when he heard afterwards that -Cap'n Naskett got safe to Liverpool." - - - - -AFTER THE INQUEST - - -It was a still fair evening in late summer in the parish of Wapping. The -hands had long since left, and the night watchman having abandoned his -trust in favour of a neighbouring bar, the wharf was deserted. - -An elderly seaman came to the gate and paused irresolute, then, seeing -all was quiet, stole cautiously on to the jetty, and stood for some -time gazing curiously down on to the deck of the billy-boy PSYCHE lying -alongside. - -With the exception of the mate, who, since the lamented disappearance -of its late master and owner, was acting as captain, the deck was as -deserted as the wharf. He was smoking an evening pipe in all the pride -of a first command, his eye roving fondly from the blunt bows and untidy -deck of his craft to her clumsy stern, when a slight cough from the man -above attracted his attention. - -"How do, George?" said the man on the jetty, somewhat sheepishly, as the -other looked up. - -The mate opened his mouth, and his pipe fell from it and smashed to -pieces unnoticed. - -"Got much stuff in her this trip?" continued the man, with an obvious -attempt to appear at ease. - -"The mate, still looking up, backed slowly to the other side of the -deck, but made no reply. - -"What's the matter, man?" said the other testily. "You don't seem -overpleased to see me." - -He leaned over as he spoke, and, laying hold of the rigging, descended -to the deck, while the mate took his breath in short, exhilarating -gasps. - -"Here I am, George," said the intruder, "turned up like a bad penny, an' -glad to see your handsome face again, I can tell you." - -In response to this flattering remark George gurgled. - -"Why," said the other, with an uneasy laugh, "did you think I was dead, -George? Ha, ha! Feel that!" - -He fetched the horrified man a thump in the back, which stopped even his -gurgles. - -"That feel like a dead man?" asked the smiter, raising his hand again. -"Feel"-- - -The mate moved back hastily. "That'll do," said he fiercely; "ghost or -no ghost, don't you hit me like that again." - -"A' right, George," said the other, as he meditatively felt the stiff -grey whiskers which framed his red face. "What's the news?" - -"The news," said George, who was of slow habits and speech, "is that you -was found last Tuesday week off St. Katherine's Stairs, you was sat on -a Friday week at the Town o' Ramsgate public-house, and buried on Monday -afternoon at Lowestoft." - -"Buried?" gasped the other, "sat on? You've been drinking, George." - -"An' a pretty penny your funeral cost, I can tell you," continued the -mate. "There's a headstone being made now--'Lived lamented and died -respected,' I think it is, with 'Not lost, but gone before,' at the -bottom." - -"Lived respected and died lamented, you mean," growled the old man; -"well, a nice muddle you have made of it between you. Things always go -wrong when I'm not here to look after them." - -"You ain't dead, then?" said the mate, taking no notice of this -unreasonable remark, "Where've you been all this long time?" - -"No more than you're master o' this 'ere ship," replied Mr. Harbolt -grimly. "I--I've been a bit queer in the stomach, an' I took a little -drink to correct it. Foolish like, I took the wrong drink, and it must -have got into my head." - -"That's the worst of not being used to it," said the mate, without -moving a muscle. - -The skipper eyed him solemnly, but the mate stood firm. - -"Arter that," continued the skipper, still watching him suspiciously, -"I remember no more distinctly until this morning, when I found myself -sitting on a step down Poplar way and shiverin', with the morning -newspaper and a crowd round me." - -"Morning newspaper!" repeated the mystified mate. "What was that for?" - -"Decency. I was wrapped up in it," replied the skipper. "Where I came -from or how I got there I don't know more than Adam. I s'pose I must -have been ill; I seem to remember taking something out of a bottle -pretty often. Some old gentleman in the crowd took me into a shop and -bought me these clothes, an' here I am. My own clo'es and thirty pounds -o' freight money I had in my pocket is all gone." - -"Well, I'm hearty glad to see you back," said the mate. "It's quite a -home-coming for you, too. Your missis is down aft." - -"My missis? What the devil's she aboard for?" growled the skipper, -successfully controlling his natural gratification at the news. - -"She's been with us these last two trips," replied the mate. "She's had -business to settle in London, and she's been going through your lockers -to clear up, like." - -"My lockers!" groaned the skipper. "Good heavens! there's things in them -lockers I wouldn't have her see for the world; women are so fussy an' so -fond o' making something out o' nothing. There's a pore female touched -a bit in the upper storey, what's been writing love letters to me, -George." - -"Three pore females," said the precise mate; "the missis has got all -the letters tied up with blue ribbon. Very far gone they was, too, poor -creeters." - -"George," said the skipper in a broken voice, "I'm a ruined man. I'll -never hear the end o' this. I guess I'll go an' sleep for'ard this -voyage, and lie low. Be keerful you don't let on I'm aboard, an' after -she's home I'll take the ship again, and let the thing leak out gradual. -Come to life bit by bit, so to speak. It wouldn't do to scare her, -George, an' in the meantime I'll try an' think o' some explanation to -tell her. You might be thinking too." - -"I'll do what I can," said the mate. - -"Crack me up to the old girl all you can; tell her I used to write to -all sorts o' people when I got a drop of drink in me; say how thoughtful -I always was of her. You might tell her about that gold locket I bought -for her an' got robbed of." - -"Gold locket?" said the mate in tones of great surprise. "What gold -locket? Fust I've heard of it." - -"Any gold locket," said the skipper irritably; "anything you can think -of; you needn't be pertikler. Arter that you can drop little hints about -people being buried in mistake for others, so as to prepare her a bit--I -don't want to scare her." - -"Leave it to me," said the mate. - -"I'll go an' turn in now, I'm dead tired," said the skipper. "I s'pose -Joe and the boy's asleep?" - -George nodded, and meditatively watched the other as he pushed back -the fore-scuttle and drew it after him as he descended. Then a thought -struck the mate, and he ran hastily forward and threw his weight on the -scuttle just in time to frustrate the efforts of Joe and the boy, who -were coming on deck to tell him a new ghost story. The confusion below -was frightful, the skipper's cry of "It's only me, Joe," not possessing -the soothing effect which he intended. They calmed down at length, after -their visitor had convinced them that he really was flesh and blood -and fists, and the boy's attention being directed to a small rug in -the corner of the foc's'le, the skipper took his bunk and was soon fast -asleep. - -He slept so soundly that the noise of the vessel getting under way -failed to rouse him, and she was well out in the open river when he -awoke, and after cautiously protruding his head through the scuttle, -ventured on deck. For some time he stood eagerly sniffing the cool, -sweet air, and then, after a look round, gingerly approached the mate, -who was at the helm. - -"Give me a hold on her," said he. - -"You had better get below again, if you don't want the missis to see -you," said the mate. "She's gettin' up--nasty temper she's in too." - -The skipper went forward grumbling. "Send down a good breakfast, -George," said he. - -To his great discomfort the mate suddenly gave a low whistle, and -regarded him with a look of blank dismay. - -"Good gracious!" he cried, "I forgot all about it. Here's a pretty -kettle of fish--well, well." - -"Forgot about what?" asked the skipper uneasily. - -"The crew take their meals in the cabin now," replied the mate, "'cos -the missis says it's more cheerful for 'em, and she's l'arning 'em to -eat their wittles properly." - -The skipper looked at him aghast. "You'll have to smuggle me up some -grub," he said at length. "I'm not going to starve for nobody." - -"Easier said than done," said the mate. "The missis has got eyes like -needles; still, I'll do the best I can for you. Look out! Here she -comes." - -The skipper fled hastily, and, safe down below, explained to the crew -how they were to secrete portions of their breakfast for his benefit. -The amount of explanation required for so simple a matter was -remarkable, the crew manifesting a denseness which irritated him almost -beyond endurance. They promised, however, to do the best they could for -him, and returned in triumph after a hearty meal, and presented their -enraged commander with a few greasy crumbs and the tail of a bloater. - -For the next two days the wind was against them, and they made but -little progress. Mrs. Harbolt spent most of her time on deck, thereby -confining her husband to his evil-smelling quarters below. Matters were -not improved for him by his treatment of the crew, who, resenting -his rough treatment of them, were doing their best to starve him into -civility. Most of the time he kept in his bunk--or rather Jemmy's -bunk--a prey to despondency and hunger of an acute type, venturing on -deck only at night to prowl uneasily about and bemoan his condition. - -On the third night Mrs. Harbolt was later in retiring than usual, and it -was nearly midnight before the skipper, who had been indignantly waiting -for her to go, was able to get on deck and hold counsel with the mate. - -"I've done what I could for you," said the latter, fishing a crust from -his pocket, which Harbolt took thankfully. "I've told her all the yarns -I could think of about people turning up after they was buried and the -like." - -"What'd she say?" queried the skipper eagerly, between his bites. - -"Told me not to talk like that," said the mate; "said it showed a want -o' trust in Providence to hint at such things. Then I told her what you -asked me about the locket, only I made it a bracelet worth ten pounds." - -"That pleased her?" suggested the other hopefully. - -The mate shook his head. "She said I was a born fool to believe you'd -been robbed of it," he replied. "She said what you'd done was to give it -to one o' them pore females. She's been going on frightful about it all -the afternoon--won't talk o' nothing else." - -"I don't know what's to be done," groaned the skipper despondently. "I -shall be dead afore we get to port this wind holds. Go down and get me -something to eat George; I'm starving." - -"Everything's locked up, as I told you afore," said the mate. - -"As the master of this ship," said the skipper, drawing himself up, -"I order you to go down and get me something to eat. You can tell the -missus it's for you if she says anything." - -"I'm hanged if I will," said the mate sturdily. "Why don't you go down -and have it out with her like a man? She can't eat you." - -"I'm not going to," said the other shortly. "I'm a determined man, and -when I say a thing I mean it. It's going to be broken to her gradual, as -I said; I don't want her to be scared, poor thing." - -"I know who'd be scared the most," murmured the mate. - -The skipper looked at him fiercely, and then sat down wearily on the -hatches with his hands between his knees, rising, after a time, to get -the dipper and drink copiously from the water-cask. Then, replacing it -with a sigh, he bade the mate a surly good-night and went below. - -To his dismay he found when he awoke in the morning that what little -wind there was had dropped in the night, and the billy-boy was just -rising and falling lazily on the water in a fashion most objectionable -to an empty stomach. It was the last straw, and he made things so -uncomfortable below that the crew were glad to escape on deck, where -they squatted down in the bows, and proceeded to review a situation -which was rapidly becoming unbearable. - -"I've 'ad enough of it, Joe," grumbled the boy. "I'm sore all over with -sleeping on the floor, and the old man's temper gets wuss and wuss. I'm -going to be ill." - -"Whaffor?" queried Joe dully. - -"You tell the missus I'm down below ill. Say you think I'm dying," -responded the infant Machiavelli, "then you'll see somethink if you keep -your eyes open." - -He went below again, not without a little nervousness, and, clambering -into Joe's bunk, rolled over on his back and gave a deep groan. - -"What's the matter with YOU!" growled the skipper, who was lying in the -other bunk staving off the pangs of hunger with a pipe. - -"I'm very ill--dying," said Jemmy, with another groan. - -"You'd better stay in bed and have your breakfast brought down here, -then," said the skipper kindly. - -"I don't want no breakfast," said Jem faintly. - -"That's no reason why you shouldn't have it sent down, you unfeeling -little brute," said the skipper indignantly. "You tell Joe to bring you -down a great plate o' cold meat and pickles, and some coffee; that's -what you want." - -"All right, sir," said Jemmy. "I hope they won't let the missus come -down here, in case it's something catching. I wouldn't like her to be -took bad." - -"Eh?" said the skipper, in alarm. "Certainly not. Here, you go up and -die on deck. Hurry up with you." - -"I can't; I'm too weak," said Jemmy. - -"You get up on deck at once; d'ye hear me?" hissed the skipper, in -alarm. - -"I c-c-c-can't help it," sobbed Jemmy, who was enjoying the situation -amazingly. "I b'lieve it's sleeping on the hard floor's snapped -something inside me." - -"If you don't go I'll take you," said the skipper, and he was about -to rise to put his threat into execution when a shadow fell across -the opening, and a voice, which thrilled him to the core, said softly, -"Jemmy!" - -"Yes 'm?" said Jemmy languidly, as the skipper flattened himself in his -bunk and drew the clothes over him. - -"How do you feel?" inquired Mrs. Harbolt. - -"Bad all over," said Jemmy. "Oh, don't come down, mum--please don't." - -"Rubbish!" said Mrs. Harbolt tartly, as she came slowly and carefully -down backwards. "What a dark hole this is, Jemmy. No wonder you're ill. -Put your tongue out." - -Jemmy complied. - -"I can't see properly here," murmured the lady, "but it looks very -large. S'pose you go in the other bunk, Jemmy. It's a good bit higher -than this, and you'd get more air and be more comfortable altogether." - -"Joe wouldn't like it, mum," said the boy anxiously. The last glimpse -he had had of the skipper's face did not make him yearn to share his bed -with him. - -"Stuff an' nonsense!" said Mrs. Harbolt hotly. "Who's Joe, I'd like to -know? Out you come." - -"I can't move, mum," said Jemmy firmly. - -"Nonsense!" said the lady. "I'll just put it straight for you first, -then in it you go." - -"No, don't, mum," shouted Jemmy, now thoroughly alarmed at the success -of his plot. "There, there's a gentleman in that bunk. A gentleman we -brought from London for a change of sea air." - -"My goodness gracious!" ejaculated the surprised Mrs. Harbolt. "I never -did. Why, what's he had to eat?" - -"He--he--didn't want nothing to eat," said Jemmy, with a woeful -disregard for facts. - -"What's the matter with him?" inquired Mrs. Harbolt, eyeing the bunk -curiously. "What's his name? Who is he?" - -"He's been lost a long time," said Jemmy, "and he's forgotten who he -is--he's a oldish man with a red face an' a little white whisker all -round it--a very nice-looking man, I mean," he interposed hurriedly. "I -don't think he's quite right in his head, 'cos he says he ought to have -been buried instead of someone else. Oh!" - -The last word was almost a scream, for Mrs. Harbolt, staggering back, -pinched him convulsively. - -"Jemmy!" she gasped, in a trembling voice, as she suddenly remembered -certain mysterious hints thrown out by the mate. "Who is it?" - -"The CAPTAIN!" said Jemmy, and, breaking from her clasp, slipped from -his bed and darted hastily on deck, just as the pallid face of his -commander broke through the blankets and beamed anxiously on his wife. - - * * * * * * * * - -Five minutes later, as the crew gathered aft were curiously eyeing -the foc's'le, Mrs. Harbolt and the skipper came on deck. To the great -astonishment of the mate, the eyes of the redoubtable woman were -slightly wet, and, regardless of the presence of the men, she clung -fondly to her husband as they walked slowly to the cabin. Ere they -went below, however, she called the grinning Jemmy to her, and, to his -private grief and public shame, tucked his head under her arm and kissed -him fondly. - - - - -IN LIMEHOUSE REACH - - -It was the mate's affair all through. He began by leaving the end of -a line dangling over the stern, and the propeller, though quite -unaccustomed to that sort of work, wound it up until only a few fathoms -remained. It then stopped, and the mischief was not discovered until -the skipper had called the engineer everything that he and the mate and -three men and a boy could think of. The skipper did the interpreting -through the tube which afforded the sole means of communication between -the wheel and the engine-room, and the indignant engineer did the -listening. - -The Gem was just off Limehouse at the time, and it was evident she was -going to stay there. The skipper ran her ashore and made her fast to a -roomy old schooner which was lying alongside a wharf. He was then able -to give a little attention to the real offender, and the unfortunate -mate, who had been the most inventive of them all, realised to the -full the old saying of curses coming home to roost. They brought some -strangers with them, too. - -"I'm going ashore," said the skipper at last. "We won't get off till -next tide now. When it's low water you'll have to get down and cut the -line away. A new line too! I'm ashamed o' you, Harry." - -"I'm not surprised," said the engineer, who was a vindictive man. - -"What do you mean by that?" demanded the mate fiercely. - -"We don't want any of your bad temper," interposed the skipper severely. -"NOR bad language. The men can go ashore, and the engineer too, provided -he keeps steam up. But be ready for a start about five. You'll have to -mind the ship." - -He looked over the stern again, shook his head sadly, and, after a visit -to the cabin, clambered over the schooner's side and got ashore. The -men, after looking at the propeller and shaking their heads, went ashore -too, and the boy, after looking at the propeller and getting ready to -shake his, caught the mate's eye and omitted that part of the ceremony, -from a sudden conviction that it was unhealthy. - -Left alone, the mate, who was of a sensitive disposition, after a curt -nod to Captain Jansell of the schooner Aquila, who had heard of the -disaster, and was disposed to be sympathetically inquisitive, lit his -pipe and began moodily to smoke. - -When he next looked up the old man had disappeared, and a girl in a -print dress and a large straw hat sat in a wicker chair reading. She was -such a pretty girl that the mate forgot his troubles at once, and, after -carefully putting his cap on straight, strolled casually up and down the -deck. - -To his mortification, the girl seemed unaware of his presence, and read -steadily, occasionally looking up and chirping with a pair of ravishing -lips at a blackbird, which hung in a wicker cage from the mainmast. - -"That's a nice bird," said the mate, leaning against the side, and -turning a look of great admiration upon it. - -"Yes," said the girl, raising a pair of dark blue eyes to the bold brown -ones, and taking him in at a glance. - -"Does it sing?" inquired the mate, with a show of great interest. - -"It does sometimes, when we are alone," was the reply. - -"I should have thought the sea air would have affected its throat," said -the mate, reddening. "Are you often in the London river, miss? I don't -remember seeing your craft before." - -"Not often," said the girl. - -"You've got a fine schooner here," said the mate, eyeing it critically. -"For my part, I prefer a sailer to a steamer." - -"I should think you would," said the girl. - -"Why?" inquired the mate tenderly, pleased at this show of interest. - -"No propeller," said the girl quietly, and she left her seat and -disappeared below, leaving the mate gasping painfully. - -Left to himself, he became melancholy, as he realised that the great -passion of his life had commenced, and would probably end within a few -hours. The engineer came aboard to look at the fires, and, the steamer -being now on the soft mud, good-naturedly went down and assisted him -to free the propeller before going ashore again. Then he was alone once -more, gazing ruefully at the bare deck of the Aquila. - -It was past two o'clock in the afternoon before any signs of life other -than the blackbird appeared there. Then the girl came on deck again, -accompanied by a stout woman of middle age, and an appearance so affable -that the mate commenced at once. - -"Fine day," he said pleasantly, as he brought up in front of them. - -"Lovely weather," said the mother, settling herself in her chair and -putting down her work ready for a chat. "I hope the wind lasts; we start -to-morrow morning's tide. You'll get off this afternoon, I s'pose." - -"About five o'clock," said the mate. - -"I should like to try a steamer for a change," said the mother, and -waxed garrulous on sailing craft generally, and her own in particular. - -"There's five of us down there, with my husband and the two boys," said -she, indicating the cabin with her thumb; "naturally it gets rather -stuffy." - -The mate sighed. He was thinking that under some conditions there were -worse things than stuffy cabins. - -"And Nancy's so discontented," said the mother, looking at the girl who -was reading quietly by her side. "She doesn't like ships or sailors. She -gets her head turned reading those penny novelettes." - -"You look after your own head," said Nancy elegantly, without looking -up. - -"Girls in those novels don't talk to their mothers like that," said the -elder woman severely. - -"They have different sorts of mothers," said Nancy, serenely turning -over a page. "I hate little pokey ships and sailors smelling of tar. I -never saw a sailor I liked yet." - -The mate's face fell. "There's sailors and sailors," he suggested -humbly. - -"It's no good talking to her," said the mother, with a look of fat -resignation on her face, "we can only let her go her own way; if you -talked to her twenty-four hours right off it wouldn't do her any good." - -"I'd like to try," said the mate, plucking up spirit. - -"Would you?" said the girl, for the first time raising her head and -looking him full in the face. "Impudence!" - -"Perhaps you haven't seen many ships," said the impressionable mate, his -eyes devouring her face. "Would you like to come and have a look at our -cabin?" - -"No, thanks!" said the girl sharply. Then she smiled maliciously. "I -daresay mother would, though; she's fond of poking her nose into other -people's business." - -The mother regarded her irreverent offspring fixedly for a few moments. -The mate interposed. - -"I should be very pleased to show you over, ma'am," he said politely. - -The mother hesitated; then she rose, and accepting the mate's -assistance, clambered on to the side of the steamer, and, supported by -his arms, sprang to the deck and followed him below. - -"Very nice," she said, nodding approvingly, as the mate did the honours. -"Very nice." - -"It's nice and roomy for a little craft like ours," said the mate, as he -drew a stone bottle from a locker and poured out a couple of glasses of -stout. "Try a little beer, ma'am." - -"What you must think o' that girl o' mine I can't think," murmured the -lady, taking a modest draught. - -"The young," said the mate, who had not quite reached his twenty-fifth -year, "are often like that." - -"It spoils her," said her mother. "She's a good-looking girl, too, in -her way." - -"I don't see how she can help being that," said the mate. - -"Oh, get away with you," said the lady pleasantly. "She'll get fat like -me as she gets older." - -"She couldn't do better," said the mate tenderly. - -"Nonsense," said the lady, smiling. - -"You're as like as two peas," persisted the mate. "I made sure you were -sisters when I saw you first." - -"You ain't the first that's thought that," said the other, laughing -softly; "not by a lot." - -"I like to see ladies about," said the mate, who was trying desperately -for a return invitation. "I wish you could always sit there. You quite -brighten the cabin up." - -"You're a flatterer," said his visitor, as he replenished her glass, and -showed so little signs of making a move that the mate, making a pretext -of seeing the engineer, hurried up on deck to singe his wings once more. - -"Still reading?" he said softly, as he came abreast of the girl. "All -about love, I s'pose." - -"Have you left my mother down there all by herself?" inquired the girl -abruptly. - -"Just a minute," said the mate, somewhat crestfallen. "I just came up to -see the engineer." - -"Well, he isn't here," was the discouraging reply. - -The mate waited a minute or two, the girl still reading quietly, and -then walked back to the cabin. The sound of gentle regular breathing -reached his ears, and, stepping softly, he saw to his joy that his -visitor slept. - -"She's asleep," said he, going back, "and she looks so comfortable I -don't think I'll wake her." - -"I shouldn't advise you to," said the girl; "she always wakes up cross." - -"How strange we should run up against each other like this," said the -mate sentimentally; "it looks like Providence, doesn't it?" - -"Looks like carelessness," said the girl. - -"I don't care," replied the mate. "I'm glad I did let that line go -overboard. Best day's work I ever did. I shouldn't have seen you if I -hadn't." - -"And I don't suppose you'll ever see me again," said the girl -comfortably, "so I don't see what good you've done yourself." - -"I shall run down to Limehouse every time we're in port, anyway," said -the mate; "it'll be odd if I don't see you sometimes. I daresay our -craft'll pass each other sometimes. Perhaps in the night," he added -gloomily. - -"I shall sit up all night watching for you," declared Miss Jansell -untruthfully. - -In this cheerful fashion the conversation proceeded, the girl, who was -by no means insensible to his bright eager face and well-knit figure, -dividing her time in the ratio of three parts to her book and one to -him. Time passed all too soon for the mate, when they were interrupted -by a series of hoarse unintelligible roars proceeding from the -schooner's cabin. - -"That's father," said Miss Jansell, rising with a celerity which spoke -well for the discipline maintained on the Aquila; "he wants me to mend -his waistcoat for him." - -She put down her book and left, the mate watching her until she -disappeared down the companion-way. Then he sat down and waited. - -One by one the crew returned to the steamer, but the schooner's deck -showed no signs of life. Then the skipper came, and, having peered -critically over his vessel's side, gave orders to get under way. - -"If she'd only come up," said the miserable mate to himself, "I'd risk -it, and ask whether I might write to her." - -This chance of imperilling a promising career did not occur, however; -the steamer slowly edged away from the schooner, and, picking her way -between a tier of lighters, steamed slowly into clearer water. - -"Full speed ahead!" roared the skipper down the tube. The engineer -responded, and the mate gazed in a melancholy fashion at the water as -it rapidly widened between the two vessels. Then his face brightened up -suddenly as the girl ran up on deck and waved her hand. Hardly able to -believe his eyes, he waved his back. The girl gesticulated violently, -now pointing to the steamer, and then to the schooner. - -"By Jove, that girl's taken a fancy to you," said the skipper. "She -wants you to go back." - -The mate sighed. "Seems like it," he said modestly. - -To his astonishment the girl was now joined by her men folk, who -also waved hearty farewells, and, throwing their arms about, shouted -incoherently. - -"Blamed if they haven't all took a fancy to you," said the puzzled -skipper; "the old man's got the speaking-trumpet now. What does he say?" - -"Something about life, I think," said the mate. - -"They're more like jumping-jacks than anything else," said the skipper. -"Just look at 'em." - -The mate looked, and, as the distance increased, sprang on to the side, -and, his eyes dim with emotion, waved tender farewells. If it had -not been for the presence of the skipper--a tremendous stickler for -decorum--he would have kissed his hand. - -It was not until Gravesend was passed, and the side-lights of the -shipping were trying to show in the gathering dusk, that he awoke from -his tender apathy. It is probable that it would have lasted longer than -that but for a sudden wail of anguish and terror which proceeded from -the cabin and rang out on the still warm air. - -"Sakes alive!" said the skipper, starting; "what's that?" - -Before the mate could reply, the companion was pushed back, and a -middle-aged woman, labouring under strong excitement, appeared on deck. - -"You villain!" she screamed excitably, rushing up to the mate. "Take me -back; take me back!" - -"What's all this, Harry?" demanded the skipper sternly. - -"He--he--he--asked me to go into the cab--cabin," sobbed Mrs. Jansell, -"and sent me to sleep, and too--too--took me away. My husband'll kill -me; I know he will. Take me back." - -"What do you want to be took back to be killed for?" interposed one of -the men judicially. - -"I might ha' known what he meant when he said I brightened the cabin -up," said Mrs. Jansell; "and when he said he thought me and my daughter -were sisters. He said he'd like me to sit there always, the wretch!" - -"Did you say that?" inquired the skipper fiercely. - -"Well, I did," said the miserable mate; "but I didn't mean her to take -it that way. She went to sleep, and I forgot all about her." - -"What did you say such silly lies for, then?" demanded the skipper. - -The mate hung his head. - -"Old enough to be your mother too," said the skipper severely. "Here's a -nice thing to happen aboard my ship, and afore the boy too!" - -"Blast the boy!" said the goaded mate. - -"Take me back," wailed Mrs. Jansell; "you don't know how jealous my -husband is." - -"He won't hurt you," said the skipper kindly "he won't be jealous of a -woman your time o' life; that is, not if he's got any sense. You'll have -to go as far as Boston with us now. I've lost too much time already to -go back." - -"You must take me back," said Mrs. Jansell passionately. - -"I'm not going back for anybody," said the skipper. "But you can make -your mind quite easy: you're as safe aboard my ship as what you would be -alone on a raft in the middle of the Atlantic; and as for the mate, he -was only chaffing you. Wasn't you, Harry?" - -The mate made some reply, but neither Mrs. Jansell, the skipper, nor -the men, who were all listening eagerly, caught it, and his unfortunate -victim, accepting the inevitable, walked to the side of the ship and -gazed disconsolately astern. - -It was not until the following morning that the mate, who had received -orders to mess for'ard, saw her, and ignoring the fact that everybody -suspended work to listen, walked up and bade her good morning. - -"Harry," said the skipper warningly. - -"All right," said the mate shortly. "I want to speak to you very -particularly," he said nervously, and led his listener aft, followed -by three of the crew who came to clean the brasswork, and who listened -mutinously when they were ordered to defer unwonted industry to a more -fitting time. The deck clear, the mate began, and in a long rambling -statement, which Mrs. Jansell at first thought the ravings of lunacy, -acquainted her with the real state of his feelings. - -"I never did!" said she, when he had finished. "Never! Why, you hadn't -seen her before yesterday." - -"Of course I shall take you back by train," said the mate, "and tell -your husband how sorry I am." - -"I might have suspected something when you said all those nice things to -me," said the mollified lady. "Well, you must take your chance, like -all the rest of them. She can only say 'No,' again. It'll explain this -affair better, that's one thing; but I expect they'll laugh at you." - -"I don't care," said the mate stoutly. "You're on my side, ain't you?" - -Mrs. Jansell laughed, and the mate, having succeeded beyond his hopes -in the establishment of amicable relations, went about his duties with a -light heart. - -By the time they reached Boston the morning was far advanced, and after -the Gem was comfortably berthed he obtained permission of the skipper -to accompany the fair passenger to London, beguiling the long railway -journey by every means in his power. Despite his efforts, however, the -journey began to pall upon his companion, and it was not until evening -was well advanced that they found themselves in the narrow streets of -Limehouse. - -"We'll see how the land lies first," said he, as they approached the -wharf and made their way cautiously on to the quay. - -The Aquila was still alongside, and the mate's heart thumped violently -as he saw the cause of all the trouble sitting alone on the deck. She -rose with a little start as her mother stepped carefully aboard, and, -running to her, kissed her affectionately, and sat her down on the -hatches. - -"Poor mother," she said caressingly. "What did you bring that lunatic -back with you for?" - -"He would come," said Mrs. Jansell. "Hush! here comes your father." - -The master of the Aquila came on deck as she spoke, and walking slowly -up to the group, stood sternly regarding them. Under his gaze the mate -breathlessly reeled off his tale, noticing with somewhat mixed feelings -the widening grin of his listener as he proceeded. - -"Well, you're a lively sort o' man," said the skipper as he finished. -"In one day you tie up your own ship, run off with my wife, and lose us -a tide. Are you always like that?" - -"I want somebody to look after me, I s'pose," said the mate, with a side -glance at Nancy. - -"Well, we'd put you up for the night," said the skipper, with his arm -round his wife's shoulders; "but you're such a chap. I'm afraid you'd -burn the ship down, or something. What do you think, old girl?" - -"I think we'll try him this once," said his wife. "And now I'll go down -and see about supper; I want it." - -The old couple went below, and the young one remained on deck. Nancy -went and leaned against the side; and as she appeared to have quite -forgotten his presence, the mate, after some hesitation, joined her. - -"Hadn't you better go down and get some supper?" she asked. - -"I'd sooner stay here, if yon don't mind," said the mate. "I like -watching the lights going up and down; I could stay here for hours." - -"I'll leave you, then," said the girl; "I'm hungry." - -She tripped lightly off with a smothered laugh, leaving the -fairly-trapped man gazing indignantly at the lights which had lured him -to destruction. - -From below he heard the cheerful clatter of crockery, accompanied by a -savoury incense, and talk and laughter. He imagined the girl making fun -of his sentimental reasons for staying on deck; but, too proud to meet -her ironical glances, stayed doggedly where he was, resolving to be off -by the first train in the morning. He was roused from his gloom by a -slight touch on his arm, and, turning sharply, saw the girl by his side. - -"Supper's quite ready," said she soberly. "And if you want to admire the -lights very much, come up and see them when I do--after supper." - - - - -AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT - - -I have always had a slight suspicion that the following narrative is -not quite true. It was related to me by an old seaman who, among other -incidents of a somewhat adventurous career, claimed to have received -Napoleon's sword at the battle of Trafalgar, and a wound in the back at -Waterloo. I prefer to tell it in my own way, his being so garnished with -nautical terms and expletives as to be half unintelligible and somewhat -horrifying. Our talk had been of love and courtship, and after making -me a present of several tips, invented by himself, and considered -invaluable by his friends, he related this story of the courtship of a -chum of his as illustrating the great lengths to which young bloods were -prepared to go in his days to attain their ends. - -It was a fine clear day in June when Hezekiah Lewis, captain and part -owner of the schooner Thames, bound from London to Aberdeen, anchored -off the little out-of-the-way town of Orford in Suffolk. Among other -antiquities, the town possessed Hezekiah's widowed mother, and when -there was no very great hurry--the world went slower in those days--the -dutiful son used to go ashore in the ship's boat, and after a filial tap -at his mother's window, which often startled the old woman considerably, -pass on his way to see a young lady to whom he had already proposed five -times without effect. - -The mate and crew of the schooner, seven all told, drew up in a little -knot as the skipper, in his shore-going clothes, appeared on deck, and -regarded him with an air of grinning, mysterious interest. - -"Now you all know what you have got to do?" queried the skipper. - -"Ay, ay," replied the crew, grinning still more deeply. - -Hezekiah regarded them closely, and then ordering the boat to be -lowered, scrambled over the side, and was pulled swiftly towards the -shore. - -A sharp scream, and a breathless "Lawk-a-mussy me!" as he tapped at his -mother's window, assured him that the old lady was alive and well, and -he continued on his way until he brought up at a small but pretty house -in the next road. - -"Morning, Mr. Rumbolt," said he heartily to a stout, red-faced man, who -sat smoking in the doorway. - -"Morning, cap'n, morning," said the red-faced man. - -"Is the rheumatism any better?" inquired Hezekiah anxiously, as he -grasped the other's huge hand. - -"So, so," said the other. "But it ain't the rheumatism so much what -troubles me," he resumed, lowering his voice, and looking round -cautiously. "It's Kate." - -"What?" said the skipper. - -"You've heard of a man being henpecked?" continued Mr. Rumbolt, in tones -of husky confidence. - -The captain nodded. - -"I'm CHICK-PECKED" murmured the other. - -"What?" inquired the astonished mariner again. - -"Chick-pecked," repeated Mr. Rumbolt firmly. "CHIK-PEKED. D'ye -understand me?" - -The captain said that he did, and stood silent awhile, with the air of -a man who wants to say something, but is half afraid to. At last, with a -desperate appearance of resolution, he bent down to the old man's ear. - -"That's the deaf 'un," said Mr. Rumbolt promptly. - -Hezekiah changed ears, speaking at first slowly and awkwardly, but -becoming more fluent as he warmed with his subject; while the expression -of his listener's face gradually changed from incredulous bewilderment -to one of uncontrollable mirth. He became so uproarious that he was fain -to push the captain away from him, and lean back in his chair and choke -and laugh until he nearly lost his breath, at which crisis a remarkably -pretty girl appeared from the back of the house, and patted him with -hearty good will. - -"That'll do, my dear," said the choking Mr. Rumbolt. "Here's Captain -Lewis." - -"I can see him," said his daughter calmly. "What's he standing on one -leg for?" - -The skipper, who really was standing in a somewhat constrained attitude, -coloured violently, and planted both feet firmly on the ground. - -"Being as I was passing close in, Miss Rumbolt," said he, "and coming -ashore to see mother"-- - -To the captain's discomfort, manifestations of a further attack on the -part of Mr. Rumbolt appeared, but were promptly quelled by the daughter. - -"Mother?" she repeated encouragingly, - -"I thought I'd come on and ask you just to pay a sort o' flying visit -to the Thames." "Thank you, I'm comfortable enough where I am," said the -girl. - -"I've got a couple of monkeys and a bear aboard, which I 'm taking to a -menagerie in Aberdeen," continued the captain, "and the thought struck -me you might possibly like to see 'em." "Well, I don't know," said the -damsel in a flutter. "Is it a big bear?" - -"Have you ever seen an elephant?" inquired Hezekiah cautiously. - -"Only in pictures," replied the girl. - -"Well, it's as big as that, nearly," said he. - -The temptation was irresistible, and Miss Rumbolt, telling her father -that she should not be long, disappeared into the house in search of -her hat and jacket, and ten minutes later the brawny rowers were gazing -their fill into her deep blue eyes as she sat in the stern of the boat, -and told Lewis to behave himself. - -It was but a short pull out to the schooner, and Miss Rumbolt was soon -on the deck, lavishing endearments on the monkey, and energetically -prodding the bear with a handspike to make him growl. The noise of the -offended animal as he strove to get through the bars of his cage was -terrific, and the girl was in the full enjoyment of it, when she became -aware of a louder noise still, and, turning round, saw the seamen at the -windlass. - -"Why, what are they doing?" she demanded, "getting up anchor?" - -"Ahoy, there!" shouted Hezekiah sternly. "What are you doing with that -windlass?" - -As he spoke, the anchor peeped over the edge of the bows, and one of the -seamen running past them took the helm. - -"Now then," shouted the fellow, "stand by. Look lively there with them -sails." - -Obeying a light touch of the helm, the schooner's bow-sprit slowly swung -round from the land, and the crew, hauling lustily on the ropes, began -to hoist the sails. - -"What the devil are you up to?" thundered the skipper. "Have you all -gone mad? What does it all mean?" - -"It means," said one of the seamen, whose fat, amiable face was marred -by a fearful scowl, "that we've got a new skipper." - -"Good heavens, a mutiny!" exclaimed the skipper, starting -melodramatically against the cage, and starting hastily away again. -"Where's the mate?" - -"He's with us," said another seaman, brandishing his sheath knife, and -scowling fearfully. "He's our new captain." - -In confirmation of this the mate now appeared from below with an axe in -his hand, and, approaching his captain, roughly ordered him below. - -"I'll defend this lady with my life," cried Hezekiah, taking the -handspike from Kate, and raising it above his head. - -"Nobody'll hurt a hair of her beautiful head," said the mate, with a -tender smile. - -"Then I yield," said the skipper, drawing himself up, and delivering the -handspike with the air of a defeated admiral tendering his sword. - -"Good," said the mate briefly, as one of the men took it. - -"What!" demanded Miss Rumbolt excitedly, "aren't you going to fight -them? Here, give me the handspike." - -Before the mate could interfere, the sailor, with thoughtless obedience, -handed it over, and Miss Rumbolt at once tried to knock him over the -head. Being thwarted in this design by the man taking flight, she lost -her temper entirely, and bore down like a hurricane on the remaining -members of the crew who were just approaching. - -They scattered at once, and ran up the rigging like cats, and for a few -moments the girl held the deck; then the mate crept up behind her, and -with the air of a man whose job exactly suited him, clasped her tightly -round the waist, while one of the seamen disarmed her. - -"You must both go below till we've settled what to do with you," said -the mate, reluctantly releasing her. - -With a wistful glance at the handspike, the girl walked to the cabin, -followed slowly by the skipper. - -"This is a bad business," said the latter, shaking his head solemnly, as -the indignant Miss Rumbolt seated herself. - -"Don't talk to me, you coward!" said the girl energetically. - -The skipper started. - -"_I_ made three of 'em run," said Miss Rumbolt, "and you did nothing. -You just stood still, and let them take the ship. I'm ashamed of you." - -The skipper's defence was interrupted by a hoarse voice shouting to them -to come on deck, where they found the mutinous crew gathered aft round -the mate. The girl cast a look at the shore, which was now dim and -indistinct, and turned somewhat pale as the serious nature of her -position forced itself upon her. - -"Lewis," said the mate. - -"Well," growled the skipper. - -"This ship's going in the lace and brandy trade, and if so be as you're -sensible you can go with it as mate, d'ye hear?" - -"An' s'pose I do; what about the lady?" inquired the captain. - -"You and the lady'll have to get spliced," said the mate sternly. "Then -there'll be no tales told. A Scotch marriage is as good as any, and -we'll just lay off and put you ashore, and you can get tied up as right -as ninepence." - -"Marry a coward like that?" demanded Miss Rumbolt, with spirit; "not if -I know it. Why, I'd sooner marry that old man at the helm." - -"Old Bill's got three wives a'ready to my sartin knowledge," spoke up -one of the sailors. "The lady's got to marry Cap'n Lewis, so don't let's -have no fuss about it." - -"I won't," said the lady, stamping violently. - -The mutineers appeared to be in a dilemma, and, following the example of -the mate, scratched their heads thoughtfully. - -"We thought you liked him," said the mate, at last, feebly. - -"You had no business to think," said Miss Rumbolt. "You are bad men, -and you'll all be hung, every one of you; I shall come and see it." "The -cap'n's welcome to her for me," murmured the helmsman in a husky whisper -to the man next to him. "The vixen!" - -"Very good," said the mate. "If you won't, you won't. This end of the -ship'll belong to you after eight o'clock of a night. Lewis, you must go -for'ard with the men." - -"And what are you going to do with me after?" inquired the fair -prisoner. - -The seven men shrugged their shoulders helplessly, and Hezekiah, looking -depressed, lit his pipe, and went and leaned over the side. - -The day passed quietly. The orders were given by the mate, and Hezekiah -lounged moodily about, a prisoner at large. At eight o'clock Miss -Rumbolt was given the key of the state-room, and the men who were not in -the watch went below. - -The morning broke fine and clear with a light breeze, which, towards -mid-day, dropped entirely, and the schooner lay rocking lazily on a sea -of glassy smoothness. The sun beat fiercely down, bringing the fresh -paint on the taffrail up in blisters, and sorely trying the tempers of -the men who were doing odd jobs on deck. - -The cabin, where the two victims of a mutinous crew had retired for -coolness, got more and more stuffy, until at length even the scorching -deck seemed preferable, and the girl, with a faint hope of finding a -shady corner, went languidly up the companion-ladder. - -For some time the skipper sat alone, pondering gloomily over the state -of affairs as he smoked his short pipe. He was aroused at length from -his apathy by the sound of the companion being noisily closed, while -loud frightened cries and hurrying footsteps on deck announced that -something extraordinary was happening. As he rose to his feet he was -confronted by Kate Rumbolt, who, panting and excited, waved a big key -before him. - -"I've done it," she cried, her eyes sparkling. - -"Done what?" shouted the mystified skipper. - -"Let the bear loose," said the girl. "Ha, ha! you should have seen them -run. You should have seen the fat sailor!" - -"Let the--phew--let the-- Good heavens! here's a pretty kettle of fish!" -he choked. - -"Listen to them shouting," cried the exultant Kate, clapping her hands. -"Just listen." - -"Those shouts are from aloft," said Hezekiah sternly, "where you and I -ought to be." - -"I've closed the companion," said the girl reassuringly. - -"Closed the companion!" repeated Hezekiah, as he drew his knife. "He can -smash it like cardboard, if the fit takes him. Go in here." - -He opened the door of his state-room. - -"Shan't!" said Miss Rumbolt politely. - -"Go in at once!" cried the skipper. "Quick with you." - -"Sha--" began Miss Rumbolt again. Then she caught his eye, and went in -like a lamb. "You come too," she said prettily. - -"I've got to look after my ship and my men," said the skipper. "I -suppose you thought the ship would steer itself, didn't you?" - -"Mutineers deserve to be eaten," whimpered Miss Rumbolt piously, -somewhat taken aback by the skipper's demeanour. - -Hezekiah looked at her. - -"They're not mutineers, Kate," he said quietly. "It was just a piece -of mad folly of mine. They're as honest a set of old sea dogs as ever -breathed, and I only hope they are all safe up aloft. I'm going to lock -you in; but don't be frightened, it shan't hurt you." - -He slammed the door on her protests, and locked it, and, slipping the -key of the cage in his pocket, took a firm grip of his knife, and, -running up the steps, gained the deck. Then his breath came more freely, -for the mate, who was standing a little way up the fore rigging, after -tempting the bear with his foot, had succeeded in dropping a noose over -its head. The brute made a furious attempt to extricate itself, but the -men hurried down with other lines, and in a short space of time the bear -presented much the same appearance as the lion in Aesop's Fables, and -was dragged and pushed, a heated and indignant mass of fur, back to its -cage. - -Having locked up one prisoner the skipper went below and released the -other, who passed quickly from a somewhat hysterical condition to one -of such haughty disdain that the captain was thoroughly cowed, and stood -humbly aside to let her pass. - -The fat seaman was standing in front of the cage as she reached it, and -regarding the bear with much satisfaction until Kate sidled up to him, -and begged him, as a personal favour, to go in the cage and undo it. - -"Undo it! Why he'd kill me!" gasped the fat seaman, aghast at such -simplicity. - -"I don't think he would," said his tormenter, with a bewitching smile; -"and I'll wear a lock of your hair all my life if you do. But you'd -better give it to me before you go in." - -"I ain't going in," said the fat sailor shortly. - -"Not for me?" queried Kate archly. - -"Not for fifty like you," replied the old man firmly. "He nearly had me -when he was loose. I can't think how he got out." - -"Why, I let him out," said Miss Rumbolt airily. "Just for a little run. -How would you like to be shut up all day?" - -The sailor was just going to tell her with more fluency than politeness -when he was interrupted. "That'll do," said the skipper, who had come -behind them. "Go for'ard, you. There's been enough of this fooling; -the lady thought you had taken the ship. Thompson, I'll take the helm; -there's a little wind coming. Stand by there." - -He walked aft and relieved the steersman, awkwardly conscious that the -men were becoming more and more interested in the situation, and also -that Kate could hear some of their remarks. As he pondered over the -subject, and tried to think of a way out of it, the cause of all the -trouble came and stood by him. - -"Did my father know of this?" she inquired. - -"I don't know that he did exactly," said the skipper uneasily. "I just -told him not to expect you back that night." - -"And what did he say?" said she. - -"Said he wouldn't sit up," said the skipper, grinning, despite himself. - -Kate drew a breath the length of which boded no good to her parent, and -looked over the side. - -"I was afraid of that traveller chap from Ipswich," said Hezekiah, -after a pause. "Your father told me he was hanging round you again, so I -thought I--well, I was a blamed fool anyway." - -"See how ridiculous you have made me look before all these men," said -the girl angrily. - -"They've been with me for years," said Hezekiah apologetically, "and the -mate said it was a magnificent idea. He quite raved about it, he did. -I wouldn't have done it with some crews, but we've had some dirty times -together, and they've stood by me well. But of course that's nothing to -do with you. It's been an adventure I'm very sorry for, very." - -"A pretty safe adventure for YOU," said the girl scornfully. "YOU didn't -risk much. Look here, I like brave men. If you go in the cage and undo -that bear, I'll marry you. That's what _I_ call an adventure." - -"Smith," called the skipper quietly, "come and take the helm a bit." - -The seaman obeyed, and Lewis, accompanied by the girl, walked forward. - -At the bear's cage he stopped, and, fumbling in his pocket for the key, -steadily regarded the brute as it lay gnashing its teeth, and trying in -vain to bite the ropes which bound it. - -"You're afraid," said the girl tauntingly; "you're quite white." - -The captain made no reply, but eyed her so steadily that her gaze fell. -He drew the key from his pocket and inserted it in the huge lock, and -was just turning it, when a soft arm was drawn through his, and a soft -voice murmured sweetly in his ear, "Never mind about the old bear." - -And he did not mind. - - - - -THE COOK OF THE "GANNET" - - -"All ready for sea, and no cook," said the mate of the schooner Gannet, -gloomily. "What's become of all the cooks I can't think." - -"They most on 'em ship as mates now," said the skipper, grinning. "But -you needn't worry about that; I've got one coming aboard to-night. I'm -trying a new experiment, George." - -"I once knew a chemist who tried one," said George, "an' it blew him out -of the winder; but I never heard o' shipmasters trying 'em." - -"There's all kinds of experiments," rejoined the other, "What do you say -to a lady cook, George?" - -"A WHAT?" asked the mate in tones of strong amazement. "What, aboard a -schooner?" - -"Why not?" inquired the skipper warmly; "why not? There's plenty of 'em -ashore--why not aboard ship?" - -"'Tain't proper, for one thing," said the mate virtuously. - -"I shouldn't have expected you to have thought o' that," said the other -unkindly. "Besides, they have stewardesses on big ships, an' what's the -difference? She's a sort o' relation o' mine, too--cousin o' my wife's, -a widder woman, and a good sensible age, an' as the doctor told her to -take a sea voyage for the benefit of her 'elth, she's coming with me for -six months as cook. She'll take her meals with us; but, o' course, the -men are not to know of the relationship." - -"What about sleeping accommodation?" inquired the mate, with the air of -a man putting a poser. - -"I've thought o' that," replied the other; "it's all arranged." - -The mate, with an uncompromising air, waited for information. - -"She--she's to have your berth, George," continued the skipper, without -looking at him. "You can have that nice, large, airy locker." - -"One what the biscuit and onions kep' in?" inquired George. - -The skipper nodded. - -"I think, if it's all the same to you," said the mate, with laboured -politeness, "I'll wait till the butter keg's empty, and crowd into -that." - -"It's no use your making yourself unpleasant about it," said the -skipper, "not a bit. The arrangements are made now, and here she comes." - -Following his gaze, the mate looked up as a stout, comely-looking woman -of middle age came along the jetty, followed by the watchman staggering -under a box of enormous proportions. - -"Jim!" cried the lady. - -"Halloa!" cried the skipper, starting uneasily at the title. "We've been -expecting you for some time." - -"There's a row on with the cabman," said the lady calmly. "This silly -old man"--the watchman snorted fiercely--"let the box go through the -window getting it off the top, and the cabman wants ME to pay. He's out -there using language, and he keeps calling me grandma--I want you to -have him locked up." - -"Come down below now," said the skipper; "we'll see about the cab. Mrs. -Blossom--my mate. George, go and send that cab away." - -Mrs. Blossom, briefly acknowledging the introduction, followed the -skipper to the cabin, while the mate, growling under his breath, went -out to enter into a verbal contest in which he was from the first -hopelessly overmatched. - -The new cook, being somewhat fatigued with her journey, withdrew at -an early hour, and the sun was well up when she appeared on deck next -morning. The wharves and warehouses of the night before had disappeared, -and the schooner, under a fine spread of canvas, was just passing -Tilbury. - -"There's one thing I must put a stop to," said the skipper, as he and -the mate, after an admirably-cooked breakfast, stood together talking. -"The men seem to be hanging round that galley too much." - -"What can you expect?" demanded the mate. "They've all got their Sunday -clothes on too, pretty dears." - -"Hi, you Bill!" cried the skipper. "What are you doing there?" - -"Lending cook a hand with the saucepans, sir," said Bill, an -oakum-bearded man of sixty. - -"There ain't no call for 'im to come 'ere at all, sir," shouted another -seaman, putting his head out of the galley. "Me an' cook's lifting 'em -beautiful." - -"Come out, both of you, or I'll start you with a rope!" roared the -irritated commander. - -"What's the matter?" inquired Mrs. Blossom. "They're not doing any -harm." - -"I can't have 'em there," said the skipper gruffly. "They've got other -things to do." - -"I must have some assistance with that boiler and the saucepans," said -Mrs. Blossom decidedly, "so don't you interfere with what don't concern -you, Jimmy." - -"That's mutiny," whispered the horrified mate. "Sheer, rank mutiny." - -"She don't know no better," whispered the other back. "Cook, you mustn't -talk like that to the cap'n--what me and the mate tell you you must do. -You don't understand yet, but it'll come easier by-and-bye." - -"WILL it," demanded Mrs. Blossom loudly; "WILL it? I don't think it -will. How dare you talk to me like that, Jim Harris? You ought to be -ashamed of yourself!" - -"My name's Cap'n Harris," said the skipper stiffly. - -"Well, CAPTAIN Harris," said Mrs. Blossom scornfully; "and what'll -happen if I don't do as you and that other shamefaced-looking man tell -me?" - -"We hope it won't come to that," said Harris, with quiet dignity, as he -paused at the companion. "But the mate's in charge just now, and I warn -you he's a very severe man. Don't stand no nonsense, George." - -With these brave words the skipper disappeared below, and the mate, -after one glance at the dauntless and imposing attitude of Mrs. Blossom, -walked to the side and became engrossed in a passing steamer. A hum -of wondering admiration arose from the crew, and the cook, thoroughly -satisfied with her victory, returned to the scene of her labours. - -For the next twenty-four hours Mrs. Blossom reigned supreme, and -performed the cooking for the vessel, assisted by five ministering -seamen. The weather was fine, and the wind light, and the two officers -were at their wits' end to find jobs for the men. - -"Why don't you put your foot down," grumbled the mate, as a burst of -happy laughter came from the direction of the galley. "The idea of men -laughing like that aboard ship; they're carrying on just as though we -wasn't here." - -"Will you stand by me?" demanded the skipper, pale but determined. - -"Of course I will," said the other indignantly. - -"Now, my lads," said Harris, stepping forward, "I can't have you chaps -hanging round the galley all day; you're getting in cook's way and -hindering her. Just get your knives out; I'll have the masts scraped." - -"You just stay where you are," said Mrs. Blossom. "When they're in my -way, I'll soon let 'em know." - -"Did you hear what I said?" thundered the skipper, as the men hesitated. - -"Aye, aye, sir," muttered the crew, moving off. - -"How dare you interfere with me?" said Mrs. Blossom hotly, as she -realised the defeat. "Ever since I've been on this ship you've been -trying to aggravate me. I wonder the men don't hit you, you nasty, -ginger-whiskered little man." - -"Go on with your work," said the skipper, fondly stroking the maligned -whiskers. - -"Don't you talk to me, Jim Harris," said Mrs. Blossom, quivering with -wrath. "Don't you give ME none of your airs. WHO BORROWED FIVE POUNDS -FROM MY POOR DEAD HUSBAND JUST BEFORE HE DIED, AND NEVER PAID IT BACK?" - -"Go on with your work," repeated the skipper, with pale lips. - -"WHOSE UNCLE BENJAMIN HAD THREE WEEKS?" demanded Mrs. Blossom darkly. -"WHOSE UNCLE JOSEPH HAD TO GO ABROAD WITHOUT STOPPING TO PACK UP?" - -The skipper made no reply, but the anxiety of the crew to have these -vital problems solved was so manifest that he turned his back on the -virago and went towards the mate, who at that moment dipped hurriedly -to escape a wet dish-clout. The two men regarded each other, pale with -anxiety. - -"Now, you just move off," said Mrs. Blossom, shaking another clout at -them. "I won't have you hanging about my galley. Keep to your own end of -the ship." - -The skipper drew himself up haughtily, but the effect was somewhat -marred by one eye, which dwelt persistently on the clout, and after a -short inward struggle he moved off, accompanied by the mate. Wellington -himself would have been nonplussed by a wet cloth in the hands of a -fearless woman. - -"She'll just have to have her own way till we get to Llanelly," said -the indignant skipper, "and then I'll send her home by train and ship -another cook. I knew she'd got a temper, but I didn't know it was like -this. She's the last woman that sets foot on my ship--that's all she's -done for her sex." - -In happy ignorance of her impending doom Mrs. Blossom went blithely -about her duties, assisted by a crew whose admiration for her increased -by leaps and bounds; and the only thing which ventured to interfere with -her was a stiff Atlantic roll, which they encountered upon rounding the -Land's End. - -The first intimation Mrs. Blossom had of it was the falling of small -utensils in the galley. After she had picked them up and replaced them -several times, she went out to investigate, and discovered that the -schooner was dipping her bows to big green waves, and rolling, with much -straining and creaking, from side to side. A fine spray, which broke -over the bows and flew over the vessel, drove her back into the galley, -which had suddenly developed an unaccountable stuffiness; but, though -the crew to a man advised her to lie down and have a cup of tea, she -repelled them with scorn, and with pale face and compressed lips stuck -to her post. - -Two days later they made fast to the quay at Llanelly, and half-an-hour -later the skipper called the mate down to the cabin, and, handing him -some money, told him to pay the cook off and ship another. The mate -declined. - -"You obey orders," said the skipper fiercely, "else you an' me'll -quarrel." - -"I've got a wife an' family," urged the mate. - -"Pooh!" said the skipper. "Rubbish!" - -"And uncles," added the mate rebelliously. - -"Very good," said the skipper, glaring. "We'll ship the other cook first -and let him settle it. After all, I don't see why we should fight his -battles for him." - -The mate, being agreeable, went off at once; and when Mrs. Blossom, -after a little shopping ashore, returned to the Gannet she found the -galley in the possession of one of the fattest cooks that ever broke -ship's biscuit. - -"Hullo!" said she, realising the situation at a glance, "what are you -doing here?" - -"Cooking," said the other gruffly. Then, catching sight of his -questioner, he smiled amorously and winked at her. - -"Don't you wink at me," said Mrs. Blossom wrathfully. "Come out of that -galley." - -"There's room for both," said the new cook persuasively. "Come in an' -put your 'ed on my shoulder." - -Utterly unprepared for this mode of attack, Mrs. Blossom lost her nerve, -and, instead of storming the galley, as she had fully intended, drew -back and retired to the cabin, where she found a short note from the -skipper, enclosing her pay, and requesting her to take the train home. -After reading this she went ashore again, returning presently with a big -bundle, which she placed on the cabin table in front of Harris and the -mate, who had just begun tea. - -"I'm not going home by train," said she, opening the bundle, which -contained a spirit kettle and provisions. "I'm going back with you; but -I am not going to be beholden to you for anything--I 'm going to board -myself." - -After this declaration she made herself tea and sat down. The meal -proceeded in silence, though occasionally she astonished her companions -by little mysterious laughs, which caused them slight uneasiness. As -she made no hostile demonstration, however, they became reassured, and -congratulated themselves upon the success of their manoeuvre. - -"How long shall we be getting back to London, do you think?" inquired -Mrs. Blossom at last. - -"We shall probably sail Tuesday night, and it may be anything from six -days upwards," answered the skipper. "If this wind holds it'll probably -be upwards." - -To his great concern Mrs. Blossom put her handkerchief over her face, -and, shaking with suppressed laughter, rose from the table and left the -cabin. - -The couple left eyed each other wonderingly. - -"Did I say anything pertickler funny, George?" inquired the skipper, -after some deliberation. - -"Didn't strike me so," said the mate carelessly; "I expect she's -thought o' something else to say about your family. She wouldn't be so -good-tempered as all that for nothing. I feel cur'ous to know what it -is." - -"If you paid more attention to your own business," said the skipper, -his choler rising, "you'd get on better. A mate who was a good seaman -wouldn't ha' let a cook go on like this--it's not discipline." - -He went off in dudgeon, and a coolness sprang up between them, which -lasted until the bustle of starting in the small hours of Wednesday -morning. - -Once under way the day passed uneventfully, the schooner crawling -sluggishly down the coast of Wales, and, when the skipper turned in that -night, it was with the pleasant conviction that Mrs. Blossom had shot -her last bolt, and, like a sensible woman, was going to accept her -defeat. From this pleasing idea he was aroused suddenly by the watch -stamping heavily on the deck overhead. - -"What's up?" cried the skipper, darting up the companion-ladder, jostled -by the mate. - -"I dunno," said Bill, who was at the wheel, shakily. "Mrs. Blossom come -up on deck a little while ago, and since then there's been three or four -heavy splashes." - -"She can't have gone overboard," said the skipper, in tones to which -he manfully strove to impart a semblance of anxiety. "No, here she is. -Anything wrong, Mrs. Blossom?" - -"Not so far as I'm concerned," replied the lady, passing him and going -below. - -"You've been dreaming, Bill," said the skipper sharply. - -"I ain't," said Bill stoutly. "I tell you I heard splashes. It's my -belief she coaxed the cook up on deck, and then shoved him overboard. A -woman could do anything with a man like that cook." - -"I'll soon see," said the mate, and walking forward he put his head down -the fore-scuttle and yelled for the cook. - -"Aye, aye, sir," answered a voice sleepily, while the other men started -up in their bunks. "Do you want me?" - -"Bill thinks somebody has gone overboard," said the mate. "Are you all -here?" - -In answer to this the mystified men turned out all standing, and came -on deck yawning and rubbing their eyes, while the mate explained the -situation. Before he had finished the cook suddenly darted off to the -galley, and the next moment the forlorn cry of a bereaved soul broke on -their startled ears. - -"What is it?" cried the mate. - -"Come here!" shouted the cook, "look at this!" - -He struck a match and held it aloft in his shaking fingers, and the men, -who were worked up to a great pitch of excitement and expected to see -something ghastly, after staring hard for some time in vain, profanely -requested him to be more explicit. - -"She's thrown all the saucepans and things overboard," said the cook -with desperate calmness. "This lid of a tea kettle is all that's left -for me to do the cooking in." - - * * * * * - -The Gannet, manned by seven famine-stricken misogynists, reached -London six days later, the skipper obstinately refusing to put in at an -intermediate port to replenish his stock of hardware. The most he would -consent to do was to try and borrow from a passing vessel, but the -unseemly behaviour of the master of a brig, who lost two hours owing -to their efforts to obtain a saucepan of him, utterly discouraged any -further attempts in that direction, and they settled down to a diet of -biscuits and water, and salt beef scorched on the stove. - -Mrs. Blossom, unwilling perhaps to witness their sufferings, remained -below, and when they reached London, only consented to land under the -supervision of a guard of honour, composed of all the able-bodied men on -the wharf. - - - - -A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - - -In the small front parlour of No. 3, Mermaid Passage, Sunset Bay, -Jackson Pepper, ex-pilot, sat in a state of indignant collapse, tenderly -feeling a cheek on which the print of hasty fingers still lingered. - -The room, which was in excellent order, showed no signs of the tornado -which had passed through it, and Jackson Pepper, looking vaguely round, -was dimly reminded of those tropical hurricanes he had read about -which would strike only the objects in the path, and leave all others -undisturbed. - -In this instance he had been the object, and the tornado, after -obliterating him, had passed up the small staircase which led from the -room, leaving him listening anxiously to its distant mutterings. - -To his great discomfort the storm showed signs of coming up again, and -he had barely time to effect an appearance of easy unconcern, which -accorded but ill with the flush afore-mentioned, when a big, red-faced -woman came heavily downstairs and burst into the room. - -"You have made me ill again," she said severely, "and now I hope you are -satisfied with your work. You'll kill me before you have done with me!" - -The ex-pilot shifted on his chair. - -"You're not fit to have a wife," continued Mrs. Pepper, "aggravating -them and upsetting them! Any other woman would have left you long ago!" - -"We've only been married three months," Pepper reminded her. - -"Don't talk to me!" said his wife; "it seems more like a lifetime!" - -"It seems a long time to ME" said the ex-pilot, plucking up a little -courage. - -"That's right!" said his wife, striding over to where he sat. "Say -you're tired of me; say you wish you hadn't married me! You coward! Ah! -if my poor first husband was only alive and sitting in that chair now -instead of you, how happy I would be!" - -"If he likes to come and take it he's welcome!" said Pepper; "it's my -chair, and it was my father's before me, but there's no man living I -would sooner give it to than your first. Ah! he knew what he was about -when the Dolphin went down, he did. I don't blame him, though." - -"What do you mean?" demanded his wife. - -"It's my belief that he didn't go down with her," said Pepper, crossing -over to the staircase and standing with his hand on the door. - -"Didn't go down with her?" repeated his wife scornfully. "What became of -him, then? Where's he been this thirty years?" - -"In hiding!" said Pepper spitefully, and passed hastily upstairs. - -The room above was charged with memories of the late lamented. -His portrait in oils hung above the mantel-piece, smaller -portraits--specimens of the photographer's want of art--were scattered -about the room, while various personal effects, including a mammoth -pair of sea-boots, stood in a corner. On all these articles the eye of -Jackson Pepper dwelt with an air of chastened regret. - -"It 'ud be a rum go if he did turn up after all," he said to himself -softly, as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I've heard of such things -in books. I dessay she'd be disappointed if she did see him now. Thirty -years makes a bit of difference in a man." - -"Jackson!" cried his wife from below, "I'm going out. If you want any -dinner you can get it; if not, you can go without it!" - -The front door slammed violently, and Jackson, advancing cautiously -to the window, saw the form of his wife sailing majestically up the -passage. Then he sat down again and resumed his meditations. - -"If it wasn't for leaving all my property I'd go," he said gloomily. -"There's not a bit of comfort in the place! Nag, nag, nag, from morn -till night! Ah, Cap'n Budd, you let me in for a nice thing when you -went down with that boat of yours. Come back and fill them boots again; -they're too big for me." - -He rose suddenly and stood gaping in the centre of the room, as a mad, -hazy idea began to form in his brain. His eyes blinked and his face grew -white with excitement. He pushed open the little lattice window, and sat -looking abstractedly up the passage on to the bay beyond. Then he put on -his hat, and, deep in thought, went out. - -He was still thinking deeply as he boarded the train for London next -morning, and watched Sunset Bay from the window until it disappeared -round the curve. So many and various were the changes that flitted -over his face that an old lady, whose seat he had taken, gave up her -intention of apprising him of the fact, and indulged instead in a bitter -conversation with her daughter, of which the erring Pepper was the -unconscious object. - -In the same preoccupied fashion he got on a Bayswater omnibus, and -waited patiently for it to reach Poplar. Strange changes in the -landscape, not to be accounted for by the mere lapse of time, led to -explanations, and the conductor--a humane man, who said he had got an -idiot boy at home--personally laid down the lines of his tour. Two hours -later he stood in front of a small house painted in many colours, and, -ringing the bell, inquired for Cap'n Crippen. - -In response to his inquiry, a big man, with light blue eyes and a long -grey beard, appeared, and, recognising his visitor with a grunt of -surprise, drew him heartily into the passage and thrust him into the -parlour. He then shook hands with him, and, clapping him on the back, -bawled lustily for the small boy who had opened the door. - -"Pot o' stout, bottle o' gin, and two long pipes," said he, as the boy -came to the door and eyed the ex-pilot curiously. - -At all these honest preparations for his welcome the heart of Jackson -grew faint within him. - -"Well, I call it good of you to come all this way to see me," said -the captain, after the boy had disappeared; "but you always was -warm-hearted, Pepper. And how's the missis?" - -"Shocking!" said Pepper, with a groan. - -"Ill?" inquired the captain. - -"Ill-tempered," said Pepper. "In fact, cap'n, I don't mind telling you, -she's killing me--slowly killing me!" - -"Pooh!" said Crippen. "Nonsense! You don't know how to manage her!" - -"I thought perhaps you could advise me," said the artful Pepper. "I said -to myself yesterday, 'Pepper, go and see Cap'n Crippen. What he don't -know about wimmen and their management ain't worth knowing! If there's -anybody can get you out of a hole, it's him. He's got the power, and, -what's more, he's got the will!'" - -"What causes the temper?" inquired the captain, with his most judicial -air, as he took the liquor from his messenger and carefully filled a -couple of glasses. - -"It's natural!" said his friend ruefully. "She calls it having a high -spirit herself. And she's so generous. She's got a married niece living -in the place, and when that gal comes round and admires the things--my -things--she gives 'em to her! She gave her a sofa the other day, and, -what's more, she made me help the gal to carry it home!" - -"Have you tried being sarcastic?" inquired the captain thoughtfully. - -"I have," said Pepper, with a shiver. "The other day I said, very nasty, -'Is there anything else you'd like, my dear?' but she didn't understand -it." - -"No?" said the captain. - -"No," said Pepper. "She said I was very kind, and she'd like the clock; -and, what's more, she had it too! Red-'aired hussy!" - -The captain poured out some gin and drank it slowly. It was evident -he was thinking deeply, and that he was much affected by his friend's -troubles. - -"There is only one way for me to get clear," said Pepper, as he finished -a thrilling recital of his wrongs, "and that is, to find Cap'n Budd, her -first." - -"Why, he's dead!" said Crippen, staring hard. "Don't you waste your time -looking for him!" - -"I'm not going to," said Pepper; "but here's his portrait. He was a big -man like you; he had blue eyes and a straight handsome nose, like you. -If he'd lived to now he'd be almost your age, and very likely more like -you than ever. He was a sailor; you've been a sailor." - -The captain stared at him in bewilderment. - -"He had a wonderful way with wimmen," pursued Jackson hastily; "you've -got a wonderful way with wimmen. More than that, you've got the most -wonderful gift for acting I've ever seen. Ever since the time when you -acted in that barn at Bristol I've never seen any actor I can honestly -say I've liked--never! Look how you can imitate cats--better than Henry -Irving himself!" - -"I never had much chance, being at sea all my life," said Crippen -modestly. - -"You've got the gift," said Pepper impressively. "It was born in you, -and you'll never leave off acting till the day of your death. You -couldn't if you tried--you know you couldn't!" - -The captain smiled deprecatingly. - -"Now, I want you to do a performance for my benefit," continued Pepper. -"I want you to act Cap'n Budd, what was lost in the Dolphin thirty years -ago. There's only one man in England I'd trust with the part, and that's -you." - -"Act Cap'n Budd!" gasped the astonished Crippen, putting down his glass -and staring at his friend. - -"The part is written here," said the ex-pilot, producing a note-book -from his breast pocket and holding it out to his friend. "I've been -keeping a log day by day of all the things she said about him, in the -hopes of catching her tripping, but I never did. There's notes of his -family, his ships, and a lot of silly things he used to say, which she -thinks funny." - -"I couldn't do it!" said the captain seriously, as he took the book. - -"You could do it if you liked," said Pepper. "Besides, think what a -spree it'll be for you. Learn it by heart, then come down and claim her. -Her name's Martha." - -"What good 'ud it do you if I did?" inquired the captain. "She'd soon -find out!" - -"You come down to Sunset Bay," said Pepper, emphasising his remarks with -his forefinger; "you claim your wife; you allude carefully to the things -set down in this book; I give Martha back to you and bless you both. -Then"-- - -"Then what?" inquired Crippen anxiously. - -"You disappear!" concluded Pepper triumphantly; "and, of course, -believing her first husband is alive, she has to leave me. She's a very -particular woman; and, besides that, I'd take care to let the neighbours -know. I'm happy, you're happy, and, if she's not happy, why, she don't -deserve to be." - -"I'll think it over," said Crippen, "and write and let you know." - -"Make up your mind now," urged Pepper, reaching over and patting him -encouragingly upon the shoulder. "If you promise to do it, the thing's -as good as done. Lord! I think I see you now, coming in at that door and -surprising her. Talk about acting!" - -"Is she what you'd call a good-looking woman?" inquired Crippen. - -"Very handsome!" said Pepper, looking out of the window. - -"I couldn't do it!" said the captain. "It wouldn't be right and fair to -her." - -"I don't see that!" said Pepper. "I never ought to have married her -without being certain her first was dead. It ain't right, Crippen; say -what you like, it ain't right!" - -"If you put it that way," said the captain hesitatingly. - -"Have some more gin," said the artful pilot. - -The captain had some more, and, what with flattery and gin, combined -with the pleadings of his friend, began to consider the affair more -favourably. Pepper stuck to his guns, and used them so well that when -the captain saw him off that evening he was pledged up to the hilt -to come down to Sunset Bay and personate the late Captain Budd on the -following Thursday. - -The ex-pilot passed the intervening days in a sort of trance, from which -he only emerged to take nourishment, or answer the scoldings of his -wife. On the eventful Thursday, however, his mood changed, and he went -about in such a state of suppressed excitement that he could scarcely -keep still. - -"Lor' bless me!" snapped Mrs. Pepper, as he slowly perambulated the -parlour that afternoon. "What ails the man? Can't you keep still for -five minutes?" - -The ex-pilot stopped and eyed her solemnly, but, ere he could reply, his -heart gave a great bound, for, from behind the geraniums which filled -the window, he saw the face of Captain Crippen slowly rise and peer -cautiously into the room. Before his wife could follow the direction of -her husband's eyes it had disappeared. - -"Somebody looking in at the window," said Pepper, with forced calmness, -in reply to his wife's eyebrows. - -"Like their impudence!" said the unconscious woman, resuming her -knitting, while her husband waited in vain for the captain to enter. - -He waited some time, and then, half dead with excitement, sat down, and -with shaking fingers lit his pipe. As he looked up the stalwart figure -of the captain passed the window. During the next twenty minutes it -passed seven times, and Pepper, coming to the not unnatural conclusion -that his friend intended to pass the afternoon in the same unprofitable -fashion, resolved to force his hand. - -"Must be a tramp," he said aloud. - -"Who?" inquired his wife. "Man keeps looking in at the window," said -Pepper desperately. "Keeps looking in till he meets my eye, then he -disappears. Looks like an old sea-captain, something." - -"Old sea-captain?" said his wife, putting down her work and turning -round. There was a strange hesitating note in her voice. She looked -at the window, and at the same instant the head of the captain again -appeared above the geraniums, and, meeting her gaze, hastily vanished. -Martha Pepper sat still for a moment, and then, rising in a slow, dazed -fashion, crossed to the door and opened it. Mermaid Passage was empty! - -"See anybody?" quavered Pepper. - -His wife shook her head, but in a strangely quiet fashion, and, sitting -down, took up her knitting again. - -For some time the click of the needles and the tick of the clock were -the only sounds audible, and the ex-pilot had just arrived at the -conclusion that his friend had abandoned him to his fate, when there -came a low tapping at the door. - -"Come in!" cried Pepper, starting. - -The door opened slowly, and the tall figure of Captain Crippen entered -and stood there eyeing them nervously. A neat little speech he had -prepared failed him at the supreme moment. He leaned against the wall, -and in a clumsy, shamefaced fashion lowered his gaze, and stammered out -the one word--"Martha!" - -At that word Mrs. Pepper rose and stood with parted lips, eyeing him -wildly. - -"Jem!" she gasped, "Jem!" - -"Martha!" croaked the captain again. - -With a choking cry Mrs. Pepper ran towards him, and, to the huge -gratification of her lawful spouse, flung her arms about his neck and -kissed him violently. - -"Jem," she cried breathlessly, "is it really you? I can hardly believe -it. Where have you been all this long time? Where have you been?" - -"Lots of places," said the captain, who was not prepared to answer a -question like that offhand; "but wherever I've been"--he held up his -hand theatrically--"the image of my dear lost wife has been always in -front of me." - -"I knew you at once, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper fondly, smoothing the hair -back from his forehead. "Have I altered much?" - -"Not a bit," said Crippen, holding her at arm's length and carefully -regarding her. "You look just the same as the first time I set eyes on -you." - -"Where have you been?" wailed Martha Pepper, putting her head on his -shoulder. - -"When the Dolphin went down from under me, and left me fighting with the -waves for life and Martha, I was cast ashore on a desert island," began -Crippen fluently. "There I remained for nearly three years, when I was -rescued by a barque bound for New South Wales. There I met a man from -Poole who told me you were dead. Having no further interest in the land -of my birth, I sailed in Australian waters for many years, and it was -only lately that I heard how cruelly I had been deceived, and that my -little flower was still blooming." - -The little flower's head being well down on his shoulder again, the -celebrated actor exchanged glances with the worshipping Pepper. - -"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper. "Who was he? What -was his name?" - -"Smith," said the cautious captain. - -"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper, in a smothered -voice, "it would have been better. Only three months ago I married that -object over there." - -The captain attempted a melodramatic start with such success, that, -having somewhat underestimated the weight of his fair bride, he nearly -lost his balance. - -"It can't be helped, I suppose," he said reproachfully, "but you might -have waited a little longer, Martha." - -"Well, I'm your wife, anyhow," said Martha, "and I'll take care I never -lose you again. You shall never go out of my sight again till you die. -Never." - -"Nonsense, my pet," said the captain, exchanging uneasy glances with the -ex-pilot. "Nonsense." - -"It isn't nonsense, Jem," said the lady, as she drew him on to the sofa -and sat with her arms round his neck. "It may be true, all you've told -me, and it may not. For all I know, you may have been married to some -other woman; but I've got you now, and I intend to keep you." - -"There, there," said the captain, as soothingly as a strange sinking at -the heart would allow him. - -"As for that other little man, I only married him because he worried -me so," said Mrs. Pepper tearfully. "I never loved him, but he used -to follow me about and propose. Was it twelve or thirteen times you -proposed to me, Pepper?" - -"I forget," said the ex-pilot shortly. - -"But I never loved him," she continued. "I never loved you a bit, did I, -Pepper?" - -"Not a bit," said Pepper warmly. "No man could ever have a harder or -more unfeeling wife than you was. I'll say that for you, willing." - -As he bore this testimony to his wife's fidelity there was a knock at -the door, and, upon his opening it, the rector's daughter, a lady of -uncertain age, entered, and stood regarding with amazement the frantic -but ineffectual struggles of Captain Crippen to release himself from a -position as uncomfortable as it was ridiculous. - -"Mrs. Pepper!" said the lady, aghast. "Oh, Mrs. Pepper!" - -"It's all right, Miss Winthrop," said the lady addressed, calmly, as she -forced the captain's flushed face on to her ample shoulder again; "it's -my first husband, Jem Budd." - -"Good gracious!" said Miss Winthrop, starting. "Enoch Arden in the -flesh!" - -"Who?" inquired Pepper, with a show of polite interest. - -"Enoch Arden," said Miss Winthrop. "One of our great poets wrote a noble -poem about a sailor who came home and found that his wife had married -again; but, in the POEM, the first husband went away without making -himself known, and died of a broken heart." - -She looked at Captain Crippen as though he hadn't quite come up to her -expectations. - -"And now," said Pepper, speaking with great cheerfulness, "it's me -that's got to have the broken heart. Well, well." - -"It's a most interesting case," cried Miss Winthrop; "and, if you wait -till I fetch my camera, I'll take your portrait together just as you -are." - -"Do," said Mrs. Pepper cordially. - -"I won't have my portrait took," said the captain, with much acerbity. - -"Not if I wish it, dear?" inquired Mrs. Pepper tenderly. - -"Not if you keep a-wishing it all your life," replied the captain -sourly, making another attempt to get his head from her shoulder. - -"Don't you think they ought to have their portrait taken now?" asked -Miss Winthrop, turning to the ex-pilot. - -"I don't see no 'arm in it," said Pepper thoughtlessly. - -"You hear what Mr. Pepper says," said the lady, turning to the captain -again. "Surely if he doesn't mind, you ought not to." - -"I'll talk to him by-and-bye," said the captain, very grimly. - -"P'raps it would be better if we kept this affair to ourselves for the -present," said the ex-pilot, taking alarm at his friend's manner. - -"Well, I won't intrude on you any longer," said Miss Winthrop. "Oh! Look -there! How rude of them!" - -The others turned hastily in time to see several heads vanish from the -window. Captain Crippen was the first to speak. - -"Jem!" said Mrs. Pepper severely, before he had finished. - -"Captain Budd!" said Miss Winthrop, flushing. - -The incensed captain rose to his feet and paced up and down the room. He -looked at the ex-pilot, and that small schemer shivered. - -"Easy does it, cap'n," he murmured, with a wink which he meant to be -comforting. - -"I'm going out a little way," said the captain, after the rector's -daughter had gone. "Just to cool my head." - -Mrs. Pepper took her bonnet from its peg behind the door, and, surveying -herself in the glass, tied it beneath her chin. - -"Alone," said Crippen nervously. "I want to do a little thinking." - -"Never again, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper firmly. "My place is by your side. -If you're ashamed of people looking at you, I'm not. I'm proud of you. -Come along. Come and show yourself, and tell them who you are. You shall -never go out of my sight again as long as I live. Never." - -She began to whimper. - -"What's to be done?" inquired Crippen, turning desperately on the -bewildered pilot. - -"What's it got to do with him?" demanded Mrs. Pepper sharply. - -"He's got to be considered a little, I s'pose," said the captain, -dissembling. "Besides, I think I'd better do like the man in the poetry -did. Let me go away and die of a broken heart. Perhaps it's best." - -Mrs. Pepper looked at him with kindling eyes. - -"Let me go away and die of a broken heart," repeated the captain, with -real feeling. "I'd rather do it. I would indeed." - -Mrs. Pepper, bursting into angry tears, flung her arms round his neck -again, and sobbed on his shoulder. The pilot, obeying the frenzied -injunctions of his friend's eye, drew down the blind. - -"There's quite a crowd outside," he remarked. - -"I don't mind," said his wife amiably. "They'll soon know who he is." - -She stood holding the captain's hand and stroking it, and whenever his -feelings became too much for her put her head down on his waistcoat. At -such times the captain glared fiercely at the ex-pilot, who, being of -a weak nature, was unable, despite his anxiety, to give his risible -faculties that control which the solemnity of the occasion demanded. - -The afternoon wore slowly away. Miss Winthrop, who disliked scandal, -had allowed something of the affair to leak out, and several visitors, -including a local reporter, called, but were put off till the morrow, on -the not unnatural plea that the long-separated couple desired a little -privacy. The three sat silent, the ex-pilot, with wrinkled brows, trying -hard to decipher the lip-language in which the captain addressed him -whenever he had an opportunity, but could only dimly guess its purport, -when the captain pressed his huge fist into the service as well. - -Mrs. Pepper rose at length, and went into the back room to prepare tea. -As she left the door open, however, and took the captain's hat with her, -he built no hopes on her absence, but turned furiously to the ex-pilot. - -"What's to be done?" he inquired in a fierce whisper. "This can't go -on." - -"It'll have to," whispered the other. - -"Now, look here," said Crippen menacingly, "I'm going into the kitchen -to make a clean breast of it. I'm sorry for you, but I've done the best -I can. Come and help me to explain." - -He turned to the kitchen, but the other, with the strength born of -despair, seized him by the sleeve and held him back. - -"She'll kill me," he whispered breathlessly. - -"I can't help it," said Crippen, shaking him off. "Serve you right." - -"And she'll tell the folks outside, and they'll kill you," continued -Pepper. - -The captain sat down again, and confronted him with a face as pale as -his own. - -"The last train leaves at eight," whispered the pilot hurriedly. "It's -desperate, but it's the only thing you can do. Take her for a stroll up -by the fields near the railway station. You can see the train coming in -for a mile off nearly. Time yourself carefully, and make a bolt for it. -She can't run." - -The entrance of their victim with the tea-tray stopped the conversation; -but the captain nodded acceptance behind her back, and then, with a -forced gaiety, sat down to tea. - -For the first time since his successful appearance he became loquacious, -and spoke so freely of incidents in the life of the man he was -impersonating that the ex-pilot sat in a perfect fever lest he -should blunder. The meal finished, he proposed a stroll, and, as the -unsuspecting Mrs. Pepper tied on her bonnet, slapped his leg, and winked -confidently at his fellow-conspirator. - -"I'm not much of a walker," said the innocent Mrs. Pepper, "so you must -go slowly." - -The captain nodded, and at Pepper's suggestion left by the back way, to -avoid the gaze of the curious. - -For some time after their departure Pepper sat smoking, with his anxious -face turned to the clock, until at length, unable to endure the strain -any longer, and not without a sportsmanlike idea of being in at the -death, he made his way to the station, and placed himself behind a -convenient coal-truck. - -He waited impatiently, with his eyes fixed on the road up which he -expected the captain to come. He looked at his watch. Five minutes to -eight, and still no captain. The platform began to fill, a porter seized -the big bell and rang it lustily; in the distance a patch of white smoke -showed. Just as the watcher had given up all hope, the figure of the -captain came in sight. He was swaying from side to side, holding his hat -in his hand, but doggedly racing the train to the station. - -"He'll never do it!" groaned the pilot. Then he held his breath, for -three or four hundred yards behind the captain Mrs. Pepper pounded in -pursuit. - -The train rolled into the station; passengers stepped in and out; doors -slammed, and the guard had already placed the whistle in his mouth, when -Captain Crippen, breathing stentorously, came stumbling blindly on to -the platform, and was hustled into a third class carriage. - -"Close shave that, sir," said the station-master as he closed the door. - -The captain sank back in his seat, fighting for breath, and turning his -head, gave a last triumphant look up the road. - -"All right, sir," said the station-master kindly, as he followed the -direction of the other's eyes and caught sight of Mrs. Pepper. "We'll -wait for your lady." - - * * * * * - -Jackson Pepper came from behind the coal-truck and watched the train out -of sight, wondering in a dull, vague fashion what the conversation was -like. He stood so long that a tender hearted porter, who had heard the -news, made bold to come up and put a friendly hand on his shoulder. - -"You'll never see her again, Mr. Pepper," he said sympathetically. - -The ex-pilot turned and regarded him fixedly, and the last bit of spirit -he was ever known to show flashed up in his face as he spoke. - -"You're a blamed idiot!" he said rudely. - - - - -A CASE OF DESERTION - - -The sun was just rising as the small tub-like steamer, or, to be more -correct, steam-barge, the Bulldog, steamed past the sleeping town of -Gravesend at a good six knots per hour. - -There had been a little discussion on the way between her crew and the -engineer, who, down in his grimy little engine-room, did his own stoking -and everything else necessary. The crew, consisting of captain, -mate, and boy, who were doing their first trip on a steamer, had been -transferred at the last moment from their sailing-barge the Witch, and -found to their discomfort that the engineer, who had not expected to -sail so soon, was terribly and abusively drunk. Every moment he could -spare from his engines he thrust the upper part of his body through the -small hatchway, and rowed with his commander. - -"Ahoy, bargee!" he shouted, popping up like a jack-in-the-box, after a -brief cessation of hostilities. - -"Don't take no notice of 'im," said the mate. "'E's got a bottle of -brandy down there, an' he's 'alf mad." - -"If I knew anything o' them blessed engines," growled the skipper, "I'd -go and hit 'im over the head." - -"But you don't," said the mate, "and neither do I, so you'd better keep -quiet." - -"You think you're a fine feller," continued the engineer, "standing up -there an' playing with that little wheel. You think you're doing all the -work. What's the boy doing? Send him down to stoke." - -"Go down," said the skipper, grinning with fury, and the boy reluctantly -obeyed. - -"You think," said the engineer pathetically, after he had cuffed the -boy's head and dropped him down below by the scruff of his neck, "you -think because I've got a black face I'm not a man. There's many a hoily -face 'ides a good 'art." - -"I don't think nothing about it," grunted the skipper; "you do your -work, and I'll do mine." - -"Don't you give me none of your back answers," bellowed the engineer, -"'cos I won't have 'em." - -The skipper shrugged his shoulders and exchanged glances with his -sympathetic mate. "Wait till I get 'im ashore," he murmured. - -"The biler is wore out," said the engineer, re-appearing after a hasty -dive below. "It may bust at any moment." - -As though to confirm his words fearful sounds were heard proceeding from -below. - -"It's only the boy," said the mate, "he's scared--natural." - -"I thought it was the biler," said the skipper, with a sigh of relief. -"It was loud enough." - -As he spoke the boy got his head out of the hatchway, and, rendered -desperate with fear, fairly fought his way past the engineer and gained -the deck. - -"Very good," said the engineer, as he followed him on deck and staggered -to the side. "I've had enough o' you lot." - -"Hadn't you better go down to them engines?" shouted the skipper. - -"Am I your SLAVE?" demanded the engineer tearfully. "Tell me that. Am I -your slave?" - -"Go down and do your work like a sensible man," was the reply. - -At these words the engineer took umbrage at once, and, scowling -fiercely, removed his greasy jacket and flung his cap on the deck. He -then finished the brandy which he had brought up with him, and gazed -owlishly at the Kentish shore. - -"I'm going to have a wash," he said loudly, and, sitting down, removed -his boots. - -"Go down to the engines first," said the skipper, "and I'll send the boy -to you with a bucket and some soap." - -"Bucket!" replied the engineer scornfully, as he moved to the side. "I'm -going to have a proper wash." - -"Hold him!" roared the skipper suddenly. "Hold him!" - -The mate, realising the situation, rushed to seize him, but the -engineer, with a mad laugh, put his hands on the side and vaulted into -the water. When he rose the steamer was twenty yards ahead. - -"Go astarn!" yelled the mate. - -"How can I go astarn when there's nobody at the engines?" shouted the -skipper, as he hung on to the wheel and brought the boat's head sharply -round. "Git a line ready." - -The mate, with a coil of rope in his hand, rushed to the side, but his -benevolent efforts were frustrated by the engineer, who, seeing the -boat's head making straight for him, saved his life by an opportune -dive. The steamer rushed by. - -"Turn 'er agin!" screamed the mate. - -The captain was already doing so, and in a remarkably short space of -time the boat, which had described a complete circle, was making again -for the engineer. - -"Look out for the line!" shouted the mate warningly. - -"I don't want your line," yelled the engineer. "I'm going ashore." - -"Come aboard!" shouted the captain imploringly, as they swept past -again. "We can't manage the engines." - -"Put her round again," said the mate. "I'll go for him with the boat. -Haul her in, boy." - -The boat, which was dragging astern, was hauled close, and the mate -tumbled into her, followed by the boy, just as the captain was in the -middle of another circle?-to the intense indignation of a crowd of -shipping, large and small, which was trying to get by. - -"Ahoy!" yelled the master of a tug which was towing a large ship. "Take -that steam roundabout out of the way. What the thunder are you doing?" - -"Picking up my engineer," replied the captain, as he steamed right -across the other's bows, and nearly ran down a sailing-barge, the -skipper of which, a Salvation Army man, was nobly fighting with his -feelings. - -"Why don't you stop?" he yelled. - -"'Cos I can't," wailed the skipper of the Bulldog, as he threaded his -way between a huge steamer and a schooner, who, in avoiding him, were -getting up a little collision on their own account. - -"Ahoy, Bulldog! Ahoy!" called the mate. "Stand by to pick us up. We've -got him." - -The skipper smiled in an agonised fashion as he shot past, hotly pursued -by his boat. The feeling on board the other craft as they got out of the -way of the Bulldog, and nearly ran down her boat, and then, in avoiding -that, nearly ran down something else, cannot be put into plain English, -but several captains ventured into the domains of the ornamental with -marked success. - -"Shut off steam!" yelled the engineer, as the Bulldog went by again. -"Draw the fires, then." - -"Who's going to steer while I do it?" bellowed the skipper, as he left -the wheel for a few seconds to try and get a line to throw them. - -By this time the commotion in the river was frightful, and the captain's -steering, as he went on his round again, something marvellous to behold. -A strange lack of sympathy on the part of brother captains added to his -troubles. Every craft he passed had something to say to him, busy as -they were, and the remarks were as monotonous as they were insulting. At -last, just as he was resolving to run his boat straight down the river -until he came to a halt for want of steam, the mate caught the rope he -flung, and the Bulldog went down the river with her boat made fast to -her stern. - -"Come aboard, you--you lunatic!" he shouted. - -"Not afore I knows 'ow I stand," said the engineer, who was now -beautifully sober, and in full possession of a somewhat acute intellect. - -"What do you mean?" demanded the skipper. - -"I don't come aboard," shouted the engineer, "until you and the mate and -the bye all swear as you won't say nothing about this little game." - -"I'll report you the moment I get ashore," roared the skipper. "I'll -give you in charge for desertion. I'll"-- - -With a supreme gesture the engineer prepared to dive, but the watchful -mate fell on his neck and tripped him over a seat. - -"Come aboard!" cried the skipper, aghast at such determination. "Come -aboard, and I'll give you a licking when we get ashore instead." - -"Honour bright?" inquired the engineer. - -"Honour bright," chorused the three. - -The engineer, with all the honours of war, came on board, and, after -remarking that he felt chilly bathing on an empty stomach, went down -below and began to stoke. In the course of the voyage he said that -it was worth while making such a fool of himself if only to see the -skipper's beautiful steering, warmly asseverating that there was not -another man on the river that could have done it. Before this insidious -flattery the skipper's wrath melted like snow before the sun, and by the -time they reached port he would as soon have thought of hitting his own -father as his smooth-tongued engineer. - - - - -OUTSAILED - - -It was a momentous occasion. The two skippers sat in the private bar of -the "Old Ship," in High Street, Wapping, solemnly sipping cold gin and -smoking cigars, whose sole merit consisted in the fact that they had -been smuggled. It is well known all along the waterside that this -greatly improves their flavour. - -"Draw all right?" queried Captain Berrow?-a short, fat man of few ideas, -who was the exulting owner of a bundle of them. - -"Beautiful," replied Captain Tucker, who had just made an excursion into -the interior of his with the small blade of his penknife. "Why don't you -keep smokes like these, landlord?" - -"He can't," chuckled Captain Berrow fatuously. "They're not to be -'ad--money couldn't buy 'em." - -The landlord grunted. "Why don't you settle about that race o' yours an' -ha' done with it," he cried, as he wiped down his counter. "Seems to me, -Cap'n Tucker's hanging fire." - -"I'm ready when he is," said Tucker, somewhat shortly. - -"It's taking your money," said Berrow slowly; "the Thistle can't hold -a candle to the Good Intent, and you know it. Many a time that little -schooner o' mine has kept up with a steamer." - -"Wher'd you ha' been if the tow rope had parted, though?" said the -master of the Thistle, with a wink at the landlord. - -At this remark Captain Berrow took fire, and, with his temper rapidly -rising to fever heat, wrathfully repelled the scurvy insinuation in -language which compelled the respectful attention of all the other -customers and the hasty intervention of the landlord. - -"Put up the stakes," he cried impatiently. "Put up the stakes, and don't -have so much jaw about it." - -"Here's mine," said Berrow, sturdily handing over a greasy fiver. "Now, -Cap'n Tucker, cover that." - -"Come on," said the landlord encouragingly; "don't let him take the wind -out of your sails like that." - -Tucker handed over five sovereigns. - -"High water's at 12.13," said the landlord, pocketing the stakes. "You -understand the conditions?-each of you does the best he can for hisself -after eleven, an' the one what gets to Poole first has the ten quid. -Understand?" - -Both gamblers breathed hard, and, fully realising the desperate nature -of the enterprise upon which they had embarked, ordered some more gin. A -rivalry of long standing as to the merits of their respective schooners -had led to them calling in the landlord to arbitrate, and this was the -result. Berrow, vaguely feeling that it would be advisable to keep on -good terms with the stakeholder, offered him one of the famous cigars. -The stakeholder, anxious to keep on good terms with his stomach, -declined it. - -"You've both got your moorings up, I s'pose?" he inquired. - -"Got 'em up this evening," replied Tucker. "We're just made fast one on -each side of the Dolphin now." - -"The wind's light, but it's from the right quarter," said Captain -Berrow, "an' I only hope as 'ow the best ship'll win. I'd like to win -myself, but, if not, I can only say as there's no man breathing I'd -sooner have lick me than Cap'n Tucker. He's as smart a seaman as ever -comes into the London river, an' he's got a schooner angels would be -proud of." - -"Glasses o' gin round," said Tucker promptly. "Cap'n Berrow, here's your -very good health, an' a fair field an' no favour." - -With these praiseworthy sentiments the master of the Thistle finished -his liquor, and, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, nodded -farewell to the twain and departed. Once in the High Street he walked -slowly, as one in deep thought, then, with a sudden resolution, turned -up Nightingale Lane, and made for a small, unsavoury thoroughfare -leading out of Ratcliff Highway. A quarter of an hour later he emerged -into that famous thoroughfare again, smiling incoherently, and, -retracing his steps to the waterside, jumped into a boat, and was pulled -off to his ship. - -"Comes off to-night, Joe," said he, as he descended to the cabin, "an' -it's arf a quid to you if the old gal wins." - -"What's the bet?" inquired the mate, looking up from his task of -shredding tobacco. - -"Five quid," replied the skipper. - -"Well, we ought to do it," said the mate slowly; "'t wont be my fault if -we don't." - -"Mine neither," said the skipper. "As a matter o' fact, Joe, I reckon -I've about made sure of it. All's fair in love and war and racing, Joe." - -"Ay, ay," said the mate, more slowly than before, as he revolved this -addition to the proverb. - -"I just nipped round and saw a chap I used to know named Dibbs," said -the skipper. "Keeps a boarding-house for sailors. Wonderful sharp little -chap he is. Needles ain't nothing to him. There's heaps of needles, -but only one Dibbs. He's going to make old Berrow's chaps as drunk as -lords." - -"Does he know 'em?" inquired the mate. - -"He knows where to find 'em," said the other. "I told him they'd either -be in the 'Duke's Head' or the 'Town o' Berwick.' But he'd find 'em -wherever they was. Ah, even if they was in a coffee pallis, I b'leeve -that man 'ud find 'em." - -"They're steady chaps," objected the mate, but in a weak fashion, being -somewhat staggered by this tribute to Mr. Dibbs' remarkable powers. - -"My lad," said the skipper, "it's Dibbs' business to mix sailors' -liquors so's they don't know whether they're standing on their heads -or their heels. He's the most wonderful mixer in Christendom; takes a -reg'lar pride in it. Many a sailorman has got up a ship's side, thinking -it was stairs, and gone off half acrost the world instead of going to -bed, through him." - -"We'll have a easy job of it, then," said the mate. "I b'leeve we could -ha' managed it without that, though. 'Tain't quite what you'd call -sport, is it?" - -"There's nothing like making sure of a thing," said the skipper -placidly. "What time's our chaps coming aboard?" - -"Ten thirty, the latest," replied the mate. "Old Sam's with 'em, so -they'll be all right." - -"I'll turn in for a couple of hours," said the skipper, going towards -his berth. "Lord! I'd give something to see old Berrow's face as his -chaps come up the side." - -"P'raps they won't git as far as that," remarked the mate. - -"Oh, yes they will," said the skipper. "Dibbs is going to see to that. -I don't want any chance of the race being scratched. Turn me out in a -couple of hours." - -He closed the door behind him, and the mate, having stuffed his clay -with the coarse tobacco, took some pink note-paper with scalloped edges -from his drawer, and, placing the paper at his right side, and squaring -his shoulders, began some private correspondence. - -For some time he smoked and wrote in silence, until the increasing -darkness warned him to finish his task. He signed the note, and, having -put a few marks of a tender nature below his signature, sealed it ready -for the post, and sat with half-closed eyes, finishing his pipe. Then -his head nodded, and, placing his arms on the table, he too slept. - -It seemed but a minute since he had closed his eyes when he was awakened -by the entrance of the skipper, who came blundering into the darkness -from his stateroom, vociferating loudly and nervously. - -"Ay, ay!" said Joe, starting up. - -"Where's the lights?" said the skipper. "What's the time? I dreamt I'd -overslept myself. What's the time?" - -"Plenty o' time," said the mate vaguely, as he stifled a yawn. - -"Ha'-past ten," said the skipper, as he struck a match, "You've been -asleep," he added severely. - -"I ain't," said the mate stoutly, as he followed the other on deck. -"I've been thinking. I think better in the dark." - -"It's about time our chaps was aboard," said the skipper, as he looked -round the deserted deck. "I hope they won't be late." - -"Sam's with 'em," said the mate confidently, as he went on to the side; -"there ain't no festivities going on aboard the Good Intent, neither." - -"There will be," said his worthy skipper, with a grin, as he looked -across the intervening brig at the rival craft; "there will be." - -He walked round the deck to see that everything was snug and ship-shape, -and got back to the mate just as a howl of surprising weirdness was -heard proceeding from the neighbouring stairs. - -"I'm s'prised at Berrow allowing his men to make that noise," said the -skipper waggishly. "Our chaps are there too, I think. I can hear Sam's -voice." - -"So can I," said the mate, with emphasis. - -"Seems to be talking rather loud," said the master of the Thistle, -knitting his brows. - -"Sounds as though he's trying to sing," said the mate, as, after some -delay, a heavily-laden boat put off from the stairs and made slowly for -them. "No, he ain't; he's screaming." - -There was no longer any doubt about it. The respectable and -greatly-trusted Sam was letting off a series of wild howls which would -have done credit to a penny-gaff Zulu, and was evidently very much out -of temper about something. - -"Ahoy, Thistle! Ahoy!" bellowed the waterman, as he neared the schooner. -"Chuck us a rope?-quick!" - -The mate threw him one, and the boat came alongside. It was then seen -that another waterman, using impatient and deplorable language, was -forcibly holding Sam down in the boat. - -"What's he done? What's the row?" demanded the mate. - -"Done?" said the waterman, in disgust. "Done? He's 'ad a small lemon, -an' it's got into his silly old head. He's making all this fuss 'cos -he wanted to set the pub on fire, an' they wouldn't let him. Man ashore -told us they belonged to the Good Intent, but I know they're your men." - -"Sam!" roared the skipper, with a sinking heart, as his glance fell on -the recumbent figures in the boat; "come aboard at once, you drunken -disgrace! D'ye hear?" - -"I can't leave him," said Sam, whimpering. - -"Leave who?" growled the skipper. - -"Him," said Sam, placing his arms round the waterman's neck. "Him an' -me's like brothers." - -"Get up, you old loonatic!" snarled the waterman, extricating himself -with difficulty, and forcing the other towards the side. "Now, up you -go!" - -Aided by the shoulders of the waterman and the hands of his superior -officers, Sam went up, and then the waterman turned his attention to the -remainder of his fares, who were snoring contentedly in the bottom of -the boat. - -"Now, then!" he cried; "look alive with you! D'ye hear? Wake up! Wake -up! Kick 'em, Bill!" - -"I can't kick no 'arder," grumbled the other waterman. - -"What the devil's the matter with 'em?" stormed the master of the -Thistle, "Chuck a pail of water over 'em, Joe!" - -Joe obeyed with gusto; and, as he never had much of a head for details, -bestowed most of it upon the watermen. Through the row which ensued the -Thistle's crew snored peacefully, and at last were handed up over the -sides like sacks of potatoes, and the indignant watermen pulled back to -the stairs. - -"Here's a nice crew to win a race with!" wailed the skipper, almost -crying with rage. "Chuck the water over 'em, Joe! Chuck the water over -'em!" - -Joe obeyed willingly, until at length, to the skipper's great relief, -one man stirred, and, sitting up on the deck, sleepily expressed his -firm conviction that it was raining. For a moment they both had hopes -of him, but as Joe went to the side for another bucketful, he evidently -came to the conclusion that he had been dreaming, and, lying down again, -resumed his nap. As he did so the first stroke of Big Ben came booming -down the river. - -"Eleven o'clock!" shouted the excited skipper. - -It was too true. Before Big Ben had finished, the neighbouring church -clocks commenced striking with feverish haste, and hurrying feet and -hoarse cries were heard proceeding from the deck of the GOOD INTENT. - -"Loose the sails!" yelled the furious Tucker. "Loose the sails! Damme, -we'll get under way by ourselves!" - -He ran forward, and, assisted by the mate, hoisted the jibs, and then, -running back, cast off from the brig, and began to hoist the mainsail. -As they disengaged themselves from the tier, there was just sufficient -sail for them to advance against the tide; while in front of them the -Good Intent, shaking out sail after sail, stood boldly down the river. - - * * * * * - -"This was the way of it," said Sam, as he stood before the grim Tucker -at six o'clock the next morning, surrounded by his mates. "He came into -the 'Town o' Berwick,' where we was, as nice a spoken little chap as -ever you'd wish to see. He said he'd been a-looking at the GOOD INTENT, -and he thought it was the prettiest little craft 'e ever seed, and the -exact image of one his dear brother, which was a missionary, 'ad, and -he'd like to stand a drink to every man of her crew. Of course, we all -said we was the crew direckly, an' all I can remember after that is -two coppers an' a little boy trying to giv' me the frog's march, an' -somebody chucking pails o' water over me. It's crool 'ard losing a -race, what we didn't know nothink about, in this way; but it warn't -our fault?-it warn't, indeed. It's my belief that the little man was a -missionary of some sort hisself, and wanted to convert us, an' that was -his way of starting on the job. It's all very well for the mate to have -highstirriks; but it's quite true, every word of it, an' if you go an' -ask at the pub they'll tell you the same." - - - - -MATED - - -The schooner Falcon was ready for sea. The last bale of general cargo -had just been shipped, and a few hairy, unkempt seamen were busy putting -on the hatches under the able profanity of the mate. - -"All clear?" inquired the master, a short, ruddy-faced man of about -thirty-five. "Cast off there!" - -"Ain't you going to wait for the passengers, then?" inquired the mate. - -"No, no," replied the skipper, whose features were working with -excitement. "They won't come now, I'm sure they won't. We'll lose the -tide if we don't look sharp." - -He turned aside to give an order just as a buxom young woman, -accompanied by a loutish boy, a band-box, and several other bundles, -came hurrying on to the jetty. - -"Well, here we are, Cap'n Evans," said the girl, springing lightly on to -the deck. "I thought we should never get here; the cabman didn't seem to -know the way; but I knew you wouldn't go without us." - -"Here you are," said the skipper, with attempted cheerfulness, as he -gave the girl his right hand, while his left strayed vaguely in the -direction of the boy's ear, which was coldly withheld from him. "Go down -below, and the mate'll show you your cabin. Bill, this is Miss Cooper, a -lady friend o' mine, and her brother." - -The mate, acknowledging the introduction, led the way to the cabin, -where they remained so long that by the time they came on deck again the -schooner was off Limehouse, slipping along well under a light wind. - -"How do you like the state-room?" inquired the skipper, who was at the -wheel. - -"Pretty fair," replied Miss Cooper. "It's a big name for it though, -ain't it? Oh, what a large ship!" - -She ran to the side to gaze at a big liner, and as far as Gravesend -besieged the skipper and mate with questions concerning the various -craft. At the mate's suggestion they had tea on deck, at which meal -William Henry Cooper became a source of much discomfort to his host -by his remarkable discoveries anent the fauna of lettuce. Despite -his efforts, however, and the cloud under which Evans seemed to be -labouring, the meal was voted a big success; and after it was over they -sat laughing and chatting until the air got chilly, and the banks of the -river were lost in the gathering darkness. At ten o'clock they retired -for the night, leaving Evans and the mate on deck. - -"Nice gal, that," said the mate, looking at the skipper, who was leaning -moodily on the wheel. - -"Ay, ay," replied he. "Bill," he continued, turning suddenly towards the -mate. "I'm in a deuce of a mess. You've got a good square head on your -shoulders. Now, what on earth am I to do? Of course you can see how the -land lays?" - -"Of course," said the mate, who was not going to lose his reputation by -any display of ignorance. "Anyone could see it," he added. - -"The question is what's to be done?" said the skipper. - -"That's the question," said the mate guardedly. - -"I feel that worried," said Evans, "that I've actually thought of -getting into collision, or running the ship ashore. Fancy them two women -meeting at Llandalock." - -Such a sudden light broke in upon the square head of the mate, that he -nearly whistled with the brightness of it. - -"But you ain't engaged to this one?" he cried. - -"We're to be married in August," said the skipper desperately. "That's -my ring on her finger." - -"But you're going to marry Mary Jones in September," expostulated the -mate. "You can't marry both of 'em." - -"That's what I say," replied Evans; "that's what I keep telling myself, -but it don't seem to bring much comfort. I'm too soft-'earted where -wimmen is concerned, Bill, an' that's the truth of it. D'reckly I get -alongside of a nice gal my arm goes creeping round her before I know -what it's doing." - -"What on earth made you bring the girl on the ship?" inquired the mate. -"The other one's sure to be on the quay to meet you as usual." - -"I couldn't help it," groaned the skipper; "she would come; she can be -very determined when she likes. She's awful gone on me, Bill." - -"So's the other one apparently," said the mate. - -"I can't think what it is the gals see in me," said the other -mournfully. "Can you?" - -"No, I'm blamed if I can," replied the mate frankly. - -"I don't take no credit for it, Bill," said the skipper, "not a bit. My -father was like it before me. The worry's killing me." - -"Well, which are you going to have?" inquired the mate. "Which do you -like the best?" - -"I don't know, an' that's a fact," said the skipper. "They 've both got -money coming to 'em; when I'm in Wales I like Mary Jones best, and when -I'm in London it's Janey Cooper. It's dreadful to be like that, Bill." - -"It is," said the mate drily. "I wouldn't be in your shoes when those -two gals meet for a fortune. Then you'll have old Jones and her brothers -to tackle, too. Seems to me things'll be a bit lively." - -"I hev thought of being took sick, and staying in my bunk, Bill," -suggested Evans anxiously. - -"An' having the two of 'em to nurse you," retorted Bill. "Nice quiet -time for an invalid." - -Evans made a gesture of despair. - -"How would it be," said the mate, after a long pause, and speaking very -slowly; "how would it be if I took this one off your hands." - -"You couldn't do it, Bill," said the skipper decidedly. "Not while she -knew I was above ground." "Well, I can try," returned the mate shortly. -"I've took rather a fancy to the girl. Is it a bargain?" - -"It is," said the skipper, shaking hands upon it. "If you git me out of -this hole, Bill, I'll remember it the longest day I live." - -With these words he went below, and, after cautiously undoing W. -H. Cooper, who had slept himself into a knot that a professional -contortionist would have envied, tumbled in beside him and went to -sleep. - -His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at -breakfast in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong -effort; and after the meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on -deck, he laid hold of the mate, who was following, and drew him into the -cabin. - -"You haven't washed yourself this morning," he said, eyeing him closely. -"How do you s'pose you are going to make an impression if you don't look -smart?" - -"Well, I look tidier than you do," growled the mate. - -"Of course you do," said the wily Evans. "I'm going to give you all the -chances I can. Now you go and shave yourself, and here--take it." - -He passed the surprised mate a brilliant red silk tie, embellished with -green spots. - -"No, no," said the mate deprecatingly. - -"Take it," repeated Evans; "if anything'll fetch her it'll be that tie; -and here's a couple of collars for you; they're a new shape, quite the -rage down Poplar way just now." - -"It's robbing you," said the mate, "and it's no good either. I ain't got -a decent suit of clothes to my back." - -Evans looked up, and their eyes met; then, with a catch in his breath, -he turned away, and after some hesitation went to his locker, and -bringing out a new suit, bought for the edification of Miss Jones, -handed it silently to the mate. - -"I can't take all these things without giving you something for 'em," -said the mate. "Here, wait a bit." - -He dived into his cabin, and, after a hasty search, brought out some -garments which he placed on the table before his commander. - -"I wouldn't wear 'em, no, not to drown myself in," declared Evans after -a brief glance; "they ain't even decent." - -"So much the better," said the mate; "it'll be more of a contrast with -me." - -After a slight contest the skipper gave way, and the mate, after an -elaborate toilette, went on deck and began to make himself agreeable, -while his chief skulked below trying to muster up courage to put in an -appearance. - -"Where's the captain?" inquired Miss Cooper, after his absence had been -so prolonged as to become noticeable. - -"He's below, dressin', I b'leeve," replied the mate simply. - -Miss Cooper, glancing at his attire, smiled softly to herself, and -prepared for something startling, and she got it; for a more forlorn, -sulky-looking object than the skipper, when he did appear, had never -been seen on the deck of the Falcon, and his London betrothed glanced at -him hot with shame and indignation. - -"Whatever have you got those things on for?" she whispered. - -"Work, my dear--work," replied the skipper. - -"Well, mind you don't lose any of the pieces," said the dear suavely; -"you mightn't be able to match that cloth." - -"I'll look after that," said the skipper, reddening. "You must excuse me -talkin' to you now. I'm busy." - -Miss Cooper looked at him indignantly, and, biting her lip, turned away, -and started a desperate flirtation with the mate, to punish him. Evans -watched them with mingled feelings as he busied himself with various -small jobs on the deck, his wrath being raised to boiling point by -the behaviour of the cook, who, being a poor hand at disguising his -feelings, came out of the galley several times to look at him. - -From this incident a coolness sprang up between the skipper and the -girl, which increased hourly. At times the skipper weakened, but the -watchful mate was always on hand to prevent mischief. Owing to his -fostering care Evans was generally busy, and always gruff; and Miss -Cooper, who was used to the most assiduous attentions from him, knew not -whether to be most bewildered or most indignant. Four times in one day -did he remark in her hearing that a sailor's ship was his sweetheart, -while his treatment of his small prospective brother in-law, when he -expostulated with him on the state of his wardrobe, filled that hitherto -pampered youth with amazement. At last, on the fourth night out, as the -little schooner was passing the coast of Cornwall, the mate came up to -him as he was steering, and patted him heavily on the back. - -"It's all right, cap'n," said he. "You've lost the prettiest little girl -in England." - -"What?" said the skipper, in incredulous tones. - -"Fact," replied the other. "Here's your ring back. I wouldn't let her -wear it any longer." - -"However did you do it?" inquired Evans, taking the ring in a dazed -fashion. - -"Oh, easy as possible," said the mate. "She liked me best, that's all." - -"But what did you say to her?" persisted Evans. - -The other reflected. - -"I can't call to mind exactly," he said at length. "But, you may rely -upon it, I said everything I could against you. But she never did care -much for you. She told me so herself." - -"I wish you joy of your bargain," said Evans solemnly, after a long -pause. - -"What do you mean?" demanded the mate sharply. - -"A girl like that," said the skipper, with a lump in his throat, "who -can carry on with two men at once ain't worth having. She's not my -money, that's all." - -The mate looked at him in honest bewilderment. - -"Mark my words," continued the skipper loftily, "you'll live to regret -it. A girl like that's got no ballast. She'll always be running after -fresh neckties." - -"You put it down to the necktie, do you?" sneered the mate wrathfully. - -"That and the clothes, cert'nly," replied the skipper. - -"Well, you're wrong," said the mate. "A lot you know about girls. It -wasn't your old clothes, and it wasn't all your bad behaviour to -her since she's been aboard. You may as well know first as last. She -wouldn't have nothing to do with me at first, so I told her all about -Mary Jones." - -"You told her THAT?" cried the skipper fiercely. - -"I did," replied the other. "She was pretty wild at first; but then the -comic side of it struck her--you wearing them old clothes, and going -about as you did. She used to watch you until she couldn't stand it any -longer, and then go down in the cabin and laugh. Wonderful spirits that -girl's got. Hush! Here she is!" - -As he spoke the girl came on deck, and, seeing the two men talking -together, remained at a short distance from them. - -"It's all right, Jane," said the mate; "I've told him." - -"Oh!" said Miss Cooper, with a little gasp. - -"I can't bear deceit," said the mate; "and now it's off his mind, he's -so happy he can't bear himself." - -The latter part of this assertion seemed to be more warranted by facts -than the former, but Evans made a choking noise, which he intended as a -sign of unbearable joy, and, relinquishing the wheel to the mate, walked -forward. The clear sky was thick with stars, and a mind at ease might -have found enjoyment in the quiet beauty of the night, but the skipper -was too interested in the behaviour of the young couple at the wheel to -give it a thought. Immersed in each other, they forgot him entirely, -and exchanged little playful slaps and pushes, which incensed him -beyond description. Several times he was on the point of exercising -his position as commander and ordering the mate below, but in the -circumstances interference was impossible, and, with a low-voiced -good-night, he went below. Here his gaze fell on William Henry, who was -slumbering peacefully, and, with a hazy idea of the eternal fitness -of things, he raised the youth in his arms, and, despite his sleepy -protests, deposited him in the mate's bunk. Then, with head and heart -both aching, he retired for the night. - -There was a little embarrassment next day, but it soon passed off, and -the three adult inmates of the cabin got on quite easy terms with each -other. The most worried person aft was the boy, who had not been taken -into their confidence, and whose face, when his sister sat with the -mate's arm around her waist, presented to the skipper a perfect study in -emotions. - -"I feel quite curious to see this Miss Jones," said Miss Cooper amiably, -as they sat at dinner. - -"She'll be on the quay, waving her handkerchief to him," said the mate. -"We'll be in to-morrow afternoon, and then you'll see her." - -As it happened, the mate was a few hours out in his reckoning, for by -the time the Falcon's bows were laid for the small harbour it was quite -dark, and the little schooner glided in, guided by the two lights which -marked the entrance. The quay, seen in the light of a few scattered -lamps, looked dreary enough, and, except for two or three indistinct -figures, appeared to be deserted. Beyond, the broken lights of the town -stood out more clearly as the schooner crept slowly over the dark water -towards her berth. - -"Fine night, cap'n," said the watchman, as the schooner came gently -alongside the quay. - -The skipper grunted assent. He was peering anxiously at the quay. - -"It's too late," said the mate. "You couldn't expect her this time -o'night. It's ten o'clock." - -"I'll go over in the morning," said Evans, who, now that things had been -adjusted, was secretly disappointed that Miss Cooper had not witnessed -the meeting. "If you're not going ashore, we might have a hand o' cards -as soon's we're made fast." - -The mate assenting, they went below, and were soon deep in the mysteries -of three-hand cribbage. Evans, who was a good player, surpassed himself, -and had just won the first game, the others being nowhere, when a head -was thrust down the companion-way, and a voice like a strained foghorn -called the captain by name. - -"Ay, ay!" yelled Evans, laying down his hand. - -"I'll come down, cap'n," said the voice, and the mate just had time to -whisper "Old Jones" to Miss Cooper, when a man of mighty bulk filled up -the doorway of the little cabin, and extended a huge paw to Evans and -the mate. He then looked at the lady, and, breathing hard, waited. - -"Young lady o' the mate's," said Evans breathlessly,--"Miss Cooper. Sit -down, cap'n. Get the gin out, Bill." - -"Not for me," said Captain Jones firmly, but with an obvious effort. - -The surprise of Evans and the mate admitted of no concealment; but it -passed unnoticed by their visitor, who, fidgeting in his seat, appeared -to be labouring with some mysterious problem. After a long pause, during -which all watched him anxiously, he reached over the table and shook -hands with Evans again. - -"Put it there, cap'n," said Evans, much affected by this token of -esteem. - -The old man rose and stood looking at him, with his hand on his -shoulder; he then shook hands for the third time, and patted him -encouragingly on the back. - -"Is anything the matter?" demanded the skipper of the Falcon as he rose -to his feet, alarmed by these manifestations of feeling. "Is Mary--is -she ill?" - -"Worse than that," said the other--"worse'n that, my poor boy; she's -married a lobster!" - -The effect of this communication upon Evans was tremendous; but it may -be doubted whether he was more surprised than Miss Cooper, who, utterly -unversed in military terms, strove in vain to realize the possibility of -such a mesalliance, as she gazed wildly at the speaker and squeaked with -astonishment. - -"When was it?" asked Evans at last, in a dull voice. - -"Thursday fortnight, at ha' past eleven," said the old man. "He's a -sergeant in the line. I would have written to you, but I thought it was -best to come and break it to you gently. Cheer up, my boy; there's more -than one Mary Jones in the world." - -With this undeniable fact, Captain Jones waved a farewell to the party -and went off, leaving them to digest his news. For some time they sat -still, the mate and Miss Cooper exchanging whispers, until at length, -the stillness becoming oppressive, they withdrew to their respective -berths, leaving the skipper sitting at the table, gazing hard at a knot -in the opposite locker. - -For long after their departure he sat thus, amid a deep silence, -broken only by an occasional giggle from the stateroom, or an idiotic -sniggering from the direction of the mate's bunk, until, recalled to -mundane affairs by the lamp burning itself out, he went, in befitting -gloom, to bed. - - - - -THE RIVAL BEAUTIES - - -"If you hadn't asked me," said the night watchman, "I should never have -told you; but, seeing as you've put the question point blank, I will -tell you my experience of it. You're the first person I've ever opened -my lips to upon the subject, for it was so eggstraordinary that all -our chaps swore as they'd keep it to theirselves for fear of being -disbelieved and jeered at. - -"It happened in '84, on board the steamer George Washington, bound from -Liverpool to New York. The first eight days passed without anything -unusual happening, but on the ninth I was standing aft with the first -mate, hauling in the log, when we hears a yell from aloft, an' a chap -what we called Stuttering Sam come down as if he was possessed, and -rushed up to the mate with his eyes nearly starting out of his 'ed. - -"'There's the s-s-s-s-s-s-sis-sis-sip!' ses he. - -"'The what?' ses the mate. - -"'The s-s-sea-sea-sssssip!' - -"'Look here, my lad,' ses the mate, taking out a pocket-hankerchief an' -wiping his face, 'you just tarn your 'ed away till you get your breath. -It's like opening a bottle o' soda water to stand talking to you. Now, -what is it?' - -"'It's the ssssssis-sea-sea-sea-sarpint!' ses Sam, with a bust. - -"'Rather a long un by your account of it,' ses the mate, with a grin. - -"'What's the matter?' ses the skipper, who just came up. - -"'This man has seen the sea-sarpint, sir, that's all,' ses the mate. - -"'Y-y-yes,' said Sam, with a sort o' sob. - -"'Well, there ain't much doing just now,' ses the skipper, 'so you'd -better get a slice o' bread and feed it.' - -"The mate bust out larfing, an' I could see by the way the skipper -smiled he was rather tickled at it himself. - -"The skipper an' the mate was still larfing very hearty when we heard a -dreadful 'owl from the bridge, an' one o' the chaps suddenly leaves -the wheel, jumps on to the deck, and bolts below as though he was mad. -T'other one follows 'm a'most d'reckly, and the second mate caught hold -o' the wheel as he left it, and called out something we couldn't catch -to the skipper. - -"'What the d----'s the matter?' yells the skipper. - -"The mate pointed to starboard, but as 'is 'and was shaking so that one -minute it was pointing to the sky an' the next to the bottom o' the sea, -it wasn't much of a guide to us. Even when he got it steady we couldn't -see anything, till all of a sudden, about two miles off, something like -a telegraph pole stuck up out of the water for a few seconds, and then -ducked down again and made straight for the ship. - -"Sam was the fust to speak, and, without wasting time stuttering or -stammering, he said he'd go down and see about that bit o' bread, an' he -went afore the skipper or the mate could stop 'im. - -"In less than 'arf a minute there was only the three officers an' me on -deck. The second mate was holding the wheel, the skipper was holding -his breath, and the first mate was holding me. It was one o' the most -exciting times I ever had. - -"'Better fire the gun at it,' ses the skipper, in a trembling voice, -looking at the little brass cannon we had for signalling. - -"'Better not give him any cause for offence,' ses the mate, shaking his -head. - -"'I wonder whether it eats men,' ses the skipper. 'Perhaps it'll come -for some of us.' - -"'There ain't many on deck for it to choose from,' ses the mate, looking -at 'im significant like. - -"'That's true,' ses the skipper, very thoughtful; 'I'll go an' send all -hands on deck. As captain, it's my duty not to leave the ship till the -LAST, if I can anyways help it.' - -"How he got them on deck has always been a wonder to me, but he did it. -He was a brutal sort o' a man at the best o' times, an' he carried on -so much that I s'pose they thought even the sarpint couldn't be worse. -Anyway, up they came, an' we all stood in a crowd watching the sarpint -as it came closer and closer. - -"We reckoned it to be about a hundred yards long, an' it was about the -most awful-looking creetur you could ever imagine. If you took all -the ugliest things in the earth and mixed 'em up--gorillas an' the -like--you'd only make a hangel compared to what that was. It just hung -off our quarter, keeping up with us, and every now and then it would -open its mouth and let us see about four yards down its throat. - -"'It seems peaceable,' whispers the fust mate, arter awhile. - -"'P'raps it ain't hungry,' ses the skipper. 'We'd better not let it get -peckish. Try it with a loaf o' bread.' - -"The cook went below and fetched up half-a-dozen, an' one o' the chaps, -plucking up courage, slung it over the side, an' afore you could say -'Jack Robinson' the sarpint had woffled it up an' was looking for more. -It stuck its head up and came close to the side just like the swans in -Victoria Park, an' it kept that game up until it had 'ad ten loaves an' -a hunk o' pork. - -"'I'm afraid we're encouraging it,' ses the skipper, looking at it as it -swam alongside with an eye as big as a saucer cocked on the ship. - -"'P'raps it'll go away soon if we don't take no more notice of it,' ses -the mate. 'Just pretend it isn't here.' - -"Well, we did pretend as well as we could; but everybody hugged the -port side o' the ship, and was ready to bolt down below at the shortest -notice; and at last, when the beast got craning its neck up over the -side as though it was looking for something, we gave it some more grub. -We thought if we didn't give it he might take it, and take it off the -wrong shelf, so to speak. But, as the mate said, it was encouraging -it, and long arter it was dark we could hear it snorting and splashing -behind us, until at last it 'ad such an effect on us the mate sent one -o' the chaps down to rouse the skipper. - -"'I don't think it'll do no 'arm,' ses the skipper, peering over the -side, and speaking as though he knew all about sea-sarpints and their -ways. - -"'S'pose it puts its 'ead over the side and takes one o' the men,' ses -the mate. - -"'Let me know at once,' ses the skipper firmly; an' he went below agin -and left us. - -"Well, I was jolly glad when eight bells struck, an' I went below; an' -if ever I hoped anything I hoped that when I go up that ugly brute would -have gone, but, instead o' that, when I went on deck it was playing -alongside like a kitten a'most, an' one o' the chaps told me as the -skipper had been feeding it agin. - -"'It's a wonderful animal,' ses the skipper, 'an' there's none of you -now but has seen the sea-sarpint; but I forbid any man here to say a -word about it when we get ashore.' - -"'Why not, sir?' ses the second mate. - -"'Becos you wouldn't be believed,' said the skipper sternly. 'You might -all go ashore and kiss the Book an' make affidavits an' not a soul 'ud -believe you. The comic papers 'ud make fun of it, and the respectable -papers 'ud say it was seaweed or gulls.' - -"Why not take it to New York with us?' ses the fust mate suddenly. - -"'What?' ses the skipper. - -"'Feed it every day,' ses the mate, getting excited, 'and bait a couple -of shark hooks and keep 'em ready, together with some wire rope. Git 'im -to foller us as far as he will, and then hook him. We might git him in -alive and show him at a sovereign a head. Anyway, we can take in his -carcase if we manage it properly.' - -"'By Jove! if we only could,' ses the skipper, getting excited too. - -"'We can try,' ses the mate. 'Why, we could have noosed it this mornin' -if we had liked; and if it breaks the lines we must blow its head to -pieces with the gun.' - -"It seemed a most eggstraordinary thing to try and catch it that way; -but the beast was so tame, and stuck so close to us, that it wasn't -quite so ridikilous as it seemed at fust. - -"Arter a couple o' days nobody minded the animal a bit, for it was about -the most nervous thing of its size you ever saw. It hadn't got the soul -of a mouse; and one day when the second mate, just for a lark, took the -line of the foghorn in his hand and tooted it a bit, it flung up its -'ead in a scared sort o' way, and, after backing a bit, turned clean -round and bolted. - -"I thought the skipper 'ud have gone mad. He chucked over loaves o' -bread, bits o' beef and pork, an' scores o' biskits, and by-and-bye, -when the brute plucked up heart an' came arter us again, he fairly -beamed with joy. Then he gave orders that nobody was to touch the horn -for any reason whatever, not even if there was a fog, or chance of -collision, or anything of the kind; an' he also gave orders that the -bells wasn't to be struck, but that the bosen was just to shove 'is 'ead -in the fo'c's'le and call 'em out instead. - -"Arter three days had passed, and the thing was still follering us, -everybody made certain of taking it to New York, an' I b'leeve if it -hadn't been for Joe Cooper the question about the sea-sarpint would ha' -been settled long ago. He was a most eggstraordinary ugly chap was Joe. -He had a perfic cartoon of a face, an' he was so delikit-minded and -sensitive about it that if a chap only stopped in the street and -whistled as he passed him, or pointed him out to a friend, he didn't -like it. He told me once when I was symperthizing with him, that the -only time a woman ever spoke civilly to him was one night down Poplar -way in a fog, an' he was so 'appy about it that they both walked into -the canal afore he knew where they was. - -"On the fourth morning, when we was only about three days from Sandy -Hook, the skipper got out o' bed wrong side, an' when he went on deck he -was ready to snap at anybody, an' as luck would have it, as he walked -a bit forrard, he sees Joe a-sticking his phiz over the side looking at -the sarpint. - -"'What the d---- are you doing?' shouts the skipper, 'What do you mean -by it?' - -"'Mean by what, sir?' asks Joe. - -"'Putting your black ugly face over the side o' the ship an' frightening -my sea-sarpint!' bellows the skipper, 'You know how easy it's skeered.' - -"'Frightening the sea-sarpint?' ses Joe, trembling all over, an' turning -very white. - -"'If I see that face o' yours over the side agin, my lad,' ses the -skipper very fierce, 'I'll give it a black eye. Now cut!' - -"Joe cut, an' the skipper, having worked off some of his ill-temper, -went aft again and began to chat with the mate quite pleasant like. I -was down below at the time, an' didn't know anything about it for hours -arter, and then I heard it from one o' the firemen. He comes up to me -very mysterious like, an' ses, 'Bill,' he ses, 'you're a pal o' Joe's; -come down here an' see what you can make of 'im.' - -"Not knowing what he meant, I follered 'im below to the engine-room, an' -there was Joe sitting on a bucket staring wildly in front of 'im, and -two or three of 'em standing round looking at 'im with their 'eads on -one side. - -"'He's been like that for three hours,' ses the second engineer in a -whisper, 'dazed like.' - -"As he spoke Joe gave a little shudder; 'Frighten the sea-sarpint!' ses -he, 'O Lord!' - -"'It's turned his brain,' ses one o' the firemen, 'he keeps saying -nothing but that.' - -"'If we could only make 'im cry,' ses the second engineer, who had a -brother what was a medical student, 'it might save his reason. But how -to do it, that's the question.' - -"'Speak kind to 'im, sir,' ses the fireman. 'I'll have a try if you -don't mind.' He cleared his throat first, an' then he walks over to Joe -and puts his hand on his shoulder an' ses very soft an' pitiful like: - -"'Don't take on, Joe, don't take on, there's many a ugly mug 'ides a -good 'art,' - -"Afore he could think o" anything else to say, Joe ups with his fist an' -gives 'im one in the ribs as nearly broke 'em. Then he turns away 'is -'ead an' shivers again, an' the old dazed look come back. - -"'Joe,' I ses, shaking him, 'Joe!' - -"'Frightened the sea-sarpint!' whispers Joe, staring. - -"'Joe,' I ses, 'Joe. You know me, I'm your pal, Bill.' - -"'Ay, ay,' ses Joe, coming round a bit. - -"'Come away,' I ses, 'come an' git to bed, that's the best place for -you.' - -"I took 'im by the sleeve, and he gets up quiet an' obedient and follers -me like a little child. I got 'im straight into 'is bunk, an' arter a -time he fell into a soft slumber, an' I thought the worst had passed, -but I was mistaken. He got up in three hours' time an' seemed all right, -'cept that he walked about as though he was thinking very hard about -something, an' before I could make out what it was he had a fit. - -"He was in that fit ten minutes, an' he was no sooner out o' that one -than he was in another. In twenty-four hours he had six full-sized fits, -and I'll allow I was fairly puzzled. What pleasure he could find in -tumbling down hard and stiff an' kicking at everybody an' everything I -couldn't see. He'd be standing quiet and peaceable like one minute, and -the next he'd catch hold o' the nearest thing to him and have a bad fit, -and lie on his back and kick us while we was trying to force open his -hands to pat 'em. - -"The other chaps said the skipper's insult had turned his brain, but I -wasn't quite so soft, an' one time when he was alone I put it to him. - -"'Joe, old man,' I ses, 'you an' me's been very good pals.' - -"'Ay, ay,' ses he, suspicious like. - -"'Joe,' I whispers, 'what's yer little game?' - -"'Wodyermean?' ses he, very short. - -"'I mean the fits,' ses I, looking at 'im very steady, 'It's no good -looking hinnercent like that, 'cos I see yer chewing soap with my own -eyes.' - -"'Soap,' ses Joe, in a nasty sneering way, 'you wouldn't reckernise a -piece if you saw it.' - -"Arter that I could see there was nothing to be got out of 'im, an' I -just kept my eyes open and watched. The skipper didn't worry about his -fits, 'cept that he said he wasn't to let the sarpint see his face when -he was in 'em for fear of scaring it; an' when the mate wanted to leave -him out o' the watch, he ses, 'No, he might as well have fits while at -work as well as anywhere else.' - -"We were about twenty-four hours from port, an' the sarpint was still -following us; and at six o'clock in the evening the officers puffected -all their arrangements for ketching the creetur at eight o'clock next -morning. To make quite sure of it an extra watch was kept on deck all -night to chuck it food every half-hour; an' when I turned in at ten -o'clock that night it was so close I could have reached it with a -clothes-prop. - -"I think I'd been abed about 'arf-an-hour when I was awoke by the most -infernal row I ever heard. The foghorn was going incessantly, an' there -was a lot o' shouting and running about on deck. It struck us all as -'ow the sarpint was gitting tired o' bread, and was misbehaving himself, -consequently we just shoved our 'eds out o' the fore-scuttle and -listened. All the hullaballoo seemed to be on the bridge, an' as we -didn't see the sarpint there we plucked up courage and went on deck. - -"Then we saw what had happened. Joe had 'ad another fit while at the -wheel, and, NOT KNOWING WHAT HE WAS DOING, had clutched the line of the -foghorn, and was holding on to it like grim death, and kicking right and -left. The skipper was in his bedclothes, raving worse than Joe; and just -as we got there Joe came round a bit, and, letting go o' the line, asked -in a faint voice what the foghorn was blowing for. I thought the skipper -'ud have killed him; but the second mate held him back, an', of course, -when things quieted down a bit, an' we went to the side, we found the -sea-sarpint had vanished. - -"We stayed there all that night, but it warn't no use. When day broke -there wasn't the slightest trace of it, an' I think the men was as sorry -to lose it as the officers. All 'cept Joe, that is, which shows how -people should never be rude, even to the humblest; for I'm sartin that -if the skipper hadn't hurt his feelings the way he did we should now -know as much about the sea-sarpint as we do about our own brothers." - - - - -MRS. BUNKER'S CHAPERON - - -Matilda stood at the open door of a house attached to a wharf situated -in that dreary district which bears the high-sounding name of "St. -Katharine's." - -Work was over for the day. A couple of unhorsed vans were pushed up -the gangway by the side of the house, and the big gate was closed. The -untidy office which occupied the ground-floor was deserted, except for -a grey-bearded "housemaid" of sixty, who was sweeping it through with a -broom, and indulging in a few sailorly oaths at the choking qualities of -the dust he was raising. - -The sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate, a small flap-door -let in it flew open, and Matilda Bunker's open countenance took a -pinkish hue, as a small man in jersey and blue coat, with a hard round -hat exceeding high in the crown, stepped inside. - -"Good evening, Mrs. Bunker, ma'am," said he, coming slowly up to her. - -"Good evening, captain," said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of -her age and presence. - -"Fresh breeze," said the man in the high round hat. "If this lasts we'll -be in Ipswich in no time." - -Mrs. Bunker assented. - -"Beautiful the river is at present," continued the captain. "Everything -growing splendid." - -"In the river?" asked the mystified Mrs. Bunker. - -"On the banks," said the captain; "the trees, by Sheppey, and all round -there. Now, why don't you say the word, and come? There's a cabin like -a new pin ready for you to sit in--for cleanness, I mean--and every -accommodation you could require. Sleep like a humming-top you will, if -you come." - -"Humming-top?" queried Mrs. Bunker archly. - -"Any top," said the captain. "Come, make up your mind. We shan't sail -afore nine." - -"It don't look right," said the lady, who was sorely tempted. "But the -missus says I may go if I like, so I'll just go and get my box ready. -I'll be down on the jetty at nine." - -"Ay, ay," said the skipper, smiling, "me and Bill'll just have a snooze -till then. So long." - -"So long," said Matilda. - -"So long," repeated the amorous skipper, and turning round to bestow -another ardent glance upon the fair one at the door, crashed into the -waggon. - -The neighbouring clocks were just striking nine in a sort of yelping -chorus to the heavy boom of Big Ben, which came floating down the -river, as Mrs. Bunker and the night watchman, staggering under a load of -luggage, slowly made their way on to the jetty. The barge, for such -was the craft in question, was almost level with the planks, while the -figures of two men darted to and fro in all the bustle of getting under -way. - -"Bill," said the watchman, addressing the mate, "bear a hand with this -box, and be careful, it's got the wedding clothes inside." - -The watchman was so particularly pleased with this little joke that in -place of giving the box to Bill he put it down and sat on it, shaking -convulsively with his hand over his mouth, while the blushing Matilda -and the discomfited captain strove in vain to appear unconcerned. - -The packages were rather a tight squeeze for the cabin, but they managed -to get them in, and the skipper, with a threatening look at his mate, -who was exchanging glances of exquisite humour with the watchman, gave -his hand to Mrs. Bunker and helped her aboard. - -"Welcome on the Sir Edmund Lyons, Mrs. Bunker," said he. "Bill, kick -that dawg back." - -"Stop!" said Mrs. Bunker hastily, "that's my chapperong." - -"Your what?" said the skipper. "It's a dawg, Mrs. Bunker, an' I won't -have no dawgs aboard my craft." - -"Bill," said Mrs. Bunker, "fetch my box up again." - -"Leastways," the captain hastened to add, "unless it's any friend of -yours, Mrs. Bunker." - -"It's chaperoning me," said Matilda; "it wouldn't be proper for a lady -to go a v'y'ge with two men without somebody to look after her." - -"That's right, Sam," said the watchman sententiously. "You ought to know -that at your age." - -"Why, we're looking after her," said the simple-minded captain. "Me an' -Bill." - -"Take care Bill don't cut you out," said the watchman in a hoarse -whisper, distinctly audible to all. "He's younger nor what you are, -Sam, an' the wimmen are just crazy arter young men. 'Sides which, he's a -finer man altogether. An' you've had ONE wife a'ready, Sam." - -"Cast off!" said the skipper impatiently. "Cast off! Stand by there, -Bill!" - -"Ay, ay!" said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and the lines fell into the -water with a splash as the barge was pushed out into the tide. - -Mrs. Bunker experienced the usual trouble of landsmen aboard ship, and -felt herself terribly in the way as the skipper divided his attentions -between the tiller and helping Bill with the sail. Meantime the barge -had bothered most of the traffic by laying across the river, and when -the sail was hoisted had got under the lee of a huge warehouse and -scarcely moved. - -"We'll feel the breeze directly," said Captain Codd. "Then you'll see -what she can do." - -As he spoke, the barge began to slip through the water as a light breeze -took her huge sail and carried her into the stream, where she fell into -line with other craft who were just making a start. - -At a pleasant pace, with wind and tide, the Sir Edmund Lyons proceeded -on its way, her skipper cocking his eye aloft and along her decks to -point out various beauties to his passenger which she might otherwise -have overlooked. A comfortable supper was spread on the deck, and Mrs. -Bunker began to think regretfully of the pleasure she had missed in -taking up barge-sailing so late in life. - -Greenwich, with its white-fronted hospital and background of trees, was -passed. The air got sensibly cooler, and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed that -the water was not only getting darker, but also lumpy, and she asked two -or three times whether there was any danger. - -The skipper laughed gaily, and diving down into the cabin fetched up a -shawl, which he placed carefully round his fair companion's shoulders. -His right hand grasped the tiller, his left stole softly and carefully -round her waist. - -"How enjoyable!" said Mrs. Bunker, referring to the evening. - -"Glad you like it," said the skipper, who wasn't. "Oh, how pleasant -to go sailing down the river of life like this, everything quiet and -peaceful, just driftin'"-- - -"Ahoy!" yelled the mate suddenly from the bows. "Who's steering? Starbud -your hellum." - -The skipper started guiltily, and put his helm to starboard as another -barge came up suddenly from the opposite direction and almost grazed -them. There were two men on board, and the skipper blushed for their -fluency as reflecting upon the order in general. - -It was some little time before they could settle down again after this, -but ultimately they got back in their old position, and the infatuated -Codd was just about to wax sentimental again, when he felt something -behind him. He turned with a start as a portly retriever inserted -his head under his left arm, and slowly but vigorously forced himself -between them; then he sat on his haunches and panted, while the -disconcerted Codd strove to realise the humour of the position. - -"I think I shall go to bed now," said Mrs. Bunker, after the position -had lasted long enough to be unendurable. "If anything happens, a -collision or anything, don't be afraid to let me know." - -The skipper promised, and, shaking hands, bade his passenger good-night. -She descended, somewhat clumsily, it is true, into the little cabin, -and the skipper, sitting by the helm, which he lazily manoeuvred as -required, smoked his short clay and fell into a lover's reverie. - -So he sat and smoked until the barge, which had, by the help of the -breeze, been making its way against the tide, began to realise that that -good friend had almost dropped, and at the same time bethought itself -of a small anchor which hung over the bows ready for emergencies such as -these. - -"We must bring up, Bill," said the skipper. - -"Ay, ay!" said Bill, sleepily raising himself from the hatchway. "Over -she goes." - -With no more ceremony than this he dropped the anchor; the sail, with -two strong men hauling on to it, creaked and rustled its way close to -the mast, and the Sir Edmund Lyons was ready for sleep. - -"I can do with a nap," said Bill. "I'm dog-tired." - -"So am I," said the other. "It'll be a tight fit down for'ard, but we -couldn't ask a lady to sleep there." - -Bill gave a non-committal grunt, and as the captain, after the manner -of his kind, took a last look round before retiring, placed his hands -on the hatch and lowered himself down. The next moment he came up with a -wild yell, and, sitting on the deck, rolled up his trousers and fondled -his leg. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper. - -"That blessed dog's down there, that's all," said the injured Bill. -"He's evidently mistook it for his kennel, and I don't wonder at it. I -thought he'd been wonderful quiet." - -"We must talk him over," said the skipper, advancing to the hatchway. -"Poor dog! Poor old chap! Come along, then! Come along!" He patted -his leg and whistled, and the dog, which wanted to get to sleep again, -growled like a small thunderstorm. - -"Come on, old fellow!" said the skipper enticingly. "Come along, come -on, then!" - -The dog came at last, and then the skipper, instead of staying to pat -him, raced Bill up the ropes, while the brute, in execrable taste, paced -up and down the deck daring them to come down. Coming to the conclusion, -at last, that they were settled for the night, he returned to the -forecastle and, after a warning bark or two, turned in again. Both men, -after waiting a few minutes, cautiously regained the deck. - -"You call him up again," said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and holding it -at the charge. - -"Certainly not," said the other. "I won't have no blood spilt aboard my -ship." - -"Who's going to spill blood?" asked the Jesuitical Bill; "but if he -likes to run hisself on to the boat-hook "-- - -"Put it down," said the skipper sternly, and Bill sullenly obeyed. - -"We'll have to snooze on deck," said Codd. - -"And mind we don't snore," said the sarcastic Bill, "'cos the dog -mightn't like it." - -Without noticing this remark the captain stretched himself on the -hatches, and Bill, after a few more grumbles, followed his example, and -both men were soon asleep. - -Day was breaking when they awoke and stretched their stiffened limbs, -for the air was fresh, with a suspicion of moisture in it. Two or three -small craft were, like them selves, riding at anchor, their decks wet -and deserted; others were getting under way to take advantage of the -tide, which had just turned. - -"Up with the anchor," said the skipper, seizing a handspike and -thrusting it into the windlass. - -As the rusty chain came in, an ominous growling came from below, and -Bill snatched his handspike out and raised it aloft. The skipper gazed -meditatively at the shore, and the dog, as it came bounding up, gazed -meditatively at the handspike. Then it yawned, an easy, unconcerned -yawn, and commenced to pace the deck, and coming to the conclusion that -the men were only engaged in necessary work, regarded their efforts with -a lenient eye, and barked encouragingly as they hoisted the sail. - -It was a beautiful morning. The miniature river waves broke against the -blunt bows of the barge, and passed by her sides rippling musically. -Over the flat Essex marshes a white mist was slowly dispersing before -the rays of the sun, and the trees on the Kentish hills were black and -drenched with moisture. - -A little later smoke issued from the tiny cowl over the fo'c'sle and -rolled in a little pungent cloud to the Kentish shore. Then a delicious -odour of frying steak rose from below, and fell like healing balm upon -the susceptible nostrils of the skipper as he stood at the helm. - -"Is Mrs. Bunker getting up?" inquired the mate, as he emerged from the -fo'c'sle and walked aft. - -"I believe so," said the skipper. "There's movements below." - -"'Cos the steak's ready and waiting," said the mate. "I've put it on a -dish in front of the fire." - -"Ay, ay!" said the skipper. - -The mate lit his pipe and sat down on the hatchway, slowly smoking. He -removed it a couple of minutes later, to stare in bewilderment at -the unwonted behaviour of the dog, which came up to the captain and -affectionately licked his hands. - -"He's took quite a fancy to me," said the delighted man. - -"Love me love my dog," quoted Bill waggishly, as he strolled forward -again. - -The skipper was fondly punching the dog, which was now on its back -with its four legs in the air, when he heard a terrible cry from the -fo'c'sle, and the mate came rushing wildly on deck. - -"Where's that -------- dog?" he cried. - -"Don't you talk like that aboard my ship. Where's your manners?" cried -the skipper hotly. - -"---- the manners!" said the mate, with tears in his eyes. "Where's that -dog's manners? He's eaten all that steak." - -Before the other could reply, the scuttle over the cabin was drawn, and -the radiant face of Mrs. Bunker appeared at the opening. - -"I can smell breakfast," she said archly. - -"No wonder, with that dog so close," said Bill grimly. Mrs. Bunker -looked at the captain for an explanation. - -"He's ate it," said that gentleman briefly. "A pound and a 'arf o' the -best rump steak in Wapping." - -"Never mind," said Mrs. Bunker sweetly, "cook some more. I can wait." - -"Cook some more," said the skipper to the mate, who still lingered. - -"I'll cook some bloaters. That's all we've got now," replied the mate -sulkily. - -"It's a lovely morning," said Mrs. Bunker, as the mate retired, "the air -is so fresh. I expect that's what has made Rover so hungry. He isn't a -greedy dog. Not at all." - -"Very likely," said Codd, as the dog rose, and, after sniffing the air, -gently wagged his tail and trotted forward. "Where' she off to now?" - -"He can smell the bloaters, I expect," said Mrs. Bunker, laughing. "It's -wonderful what intelligence he's got. Come here, Rover!" - -"Bill!" cried the skipper warningly, as the dog continued on his way. -"Look out! He's coming!" - -"Call him off!" yelled the mate anxiously. "Call him off!" - -Mrs. Bunker ran up, and, seizing her chaperon by the collar, hauled him -away. - -"It's the sea air," said she apologetically; "and he's been on short -commons lately, because he's not been well. Keep still, Rover!" - -"Keep still, Rover!" said the skipper, with an air of command. - -Under this joint control the dog sat down, his tongue lolling out, -and his eyes fixed on the fo'c'sle until the breakfast was spread. The -appearance of the mate with a dish of steaming fish excited him again, -and being chidden by his mistress, he sat down sulkily in the skipper's -plate, until pushed off by its indignant owner. - -"Soft roe, Bill?" inquired the skipper courteously, after he had served -his passenger. - -"That's not my plate," said the mate pointedly, as the skipper helped -him. - -"Oh! I wasn't noticing," said the other, reddening. - -"I was, though," said the mate rudely. "I thought you'd do that. I was -waiting for it. I'm not going to eat after animals, if you are." - -The skipper coughed, and, after effecting the desired exchange, -proceeded with his breakfast in sombre silence. - -The barge was slipping at an easy pace through the water, the sun was -bright, and the air cool, and everything pleasant and comfortable, until -the chaperon, who had been repeatedly pushed away, broke through the -charmed circle which surrounded the food and seized a fish. In the -confusion which ensued he fell foul of the tea-kettle, and, dropping his -prey, bit the skipper frantically, until driven off by his mistress. - -"Naughty boy!" said she, giving him a few slight cuffs. "Has he hurt -you? I must get a bandage for you." - -"A little," said Codd, looking at his hand, which was bleeding -profusely. "There's a little linen in the locker down below, if you -wouldn't mind tearing it up for me." - -Mrs. Bunker, giving the dog a final slap, went below, and the two men -looked at each other and then at the dog, which was standing at the -stern, barking insultingly at a passing steamer. - -"It's about time she came over," said the mate, throwing a glance at the -sail, then at the skipper, then at the dog. - -"So it is," said the skipper, through his set teeth. - -As he spoke he pushed the long tiller hastily from port to starboard, -and the dog finished his bark in the water; the huge sail reeled for a -moment, then swung violently over to the other side, and the barge was -on a fresh tack, with the dog twenty yards astern. He was wise in his -generation, and after one look at the barge, made for the distant shore. - -"Murderers!" screamed a voice; "murderers! you've killed my dog." - -"It was an accident; I didn't see him," stammered the skipper. - -"Don't tell me," stormed the lady; "I saw it all through the skylight." - -"We had to shift the helm to get out of the way of a schooner," said -Codd. - -"Where's the schooner?" demanded Mrs. Bunker; "where is it?" - -The captain looked at the mate. "Where's the schooner?" said he. - -"I b'leeve," said the mate, losing his head entirely at this question, -"I b'leeve we must have run her down. I don't see her nowhere about." - -Mrs. Bunker stamped her foot, and, with a terrible glance at the men, -descended to the cabin. From this coign of vantage she obstinately -refused to budge, and sat in angry seclusion until the vessel reached -Ipswich late in the evening. Then she appeared on deck, dressed for -walking, and, utterly ignoring the woebegone Codd, stepped ashore, and, -obtaining a cab for her boxes, drove silently away. - -An hour afterwards the mate went to his home, leaving the captain -sitting on the lonely deck striving to realise the bitter fact that, -so far as the end he had in view was concerned, he had seen the last -of Mrs. Bunker and the small but happy home in which he had hoped to -install her. - - - - -A HARBOUR OF REFUGE - - -A waterman's boat was lying in the river just below Greenwich, the -waterman resting on his oars, while his fare, a small, perturbed-looking -man in seaman's attire, gazed expectantly up the river. - -"There she is!" he cried suddenly, as a small schooner came into view -from behind a big steamer. "Take me alongside." - -"Nice little thing she is too," said the waterman, watching the other -out of the corner of his eye as he bent to his oars. "Rides the water -like a duck. Her cap'n knows a thing or two, I'll bet." - -"He knows watermen's fares," replied the passenger coldly. - -"Look out there!" cried a voice from the schooner, and the mate threw a -line which the passenger skilfully caught. - -The waterman ceased rowing, and, as his boat came alongside the -schooner, held out his hand to his passenger, who had already commenced -to scramble up the side, and demanded his fare. It was handed down to -him. - -"It's all right, then," said the fare, as he stood on the deck and -closed his eyes to the painful language in which the waterman was -addressing him. "Nobody been inquiring for me?" - -"Not a soul," said the mate. "What's all the row about?" - -"Well, you see, it's this way," said the master of the Frolic, dropping -his voice. "I've been taking a little too much notice of a little craft -down Battersea way--nice little thing, an' she thought I was a single -man, dy'e see?" - -The mate sucked his teeth. - -"She introduced me to her brother as a single man," continued the -skipper. "He asked me when the banns was to be put up, an' I didn't like -to tell him I was a married man with a family." - -"Why not?" asked the mate. - -"He's a prize-fighter," said the other, in awe-inspiring tones; "'the -Battersea Bruiser.' Consequently when he clapped me on the back, and -asked me when the banns was to be, I only smiled." - -"What did he do?" inquired the mate, who was becoming interested. - -"Put 'em up," groaned the skipper, "an' we all went to church to hear -'em. Talk o' people walking over your grave, George, it's nothing to -what I felt--nothing. I felt a hypocrite, almost. Somehow he found out -about me, and I've been hiding ever since I sent you that note. He told -a pal he was going to give me a licking, and come down to Fairhaven with -us and make mischief between me and the missis." - -"That 'ud be worse than the licking," said the mate sagely. - -"Ah! and she'd believe him afore she would me, too, an' we've been -married seventeen years," said the skipper mournfully. - -"Perhaps that's"--began the mate, and stopped suddenly. - -"Perhaps what?" inquired the other, after waiting a reasonable time for -him to finish. - -"H'm, I forgot what I was going to say," said the mate. "Funny, it's -gone now. Well, you're all right now. You'd intended this to be the last -trip to London for some time." - -"Yes, that's what made me a bit more loving than I should ha' been," -mused the skipper. "However, all's well that ends well. How did you get -on about the cook? Did you ship one?" - -"Yes, I've got one, but he's only signed as far as Fairhaven," replied -the mate. "Fine strong chap he is. He's too good for a cook. I never saw -a better built man in my life. It'll do your eyes good to look at him. -Here, cook!" - -At the summons a huge, close-cropped head was thrust out of the galley, -and a man of beautiful muscular development stepped out before the eyes -of the paralyzed skipper, and began to remove his coat. - -"Ain't he a fine chap?" said the mate admiringly. "Show him your biceps, -cook." - -With a leer at the captain the cook complied. He then doubled his fists, -and, ducking his head scientifically, danced all round the stupefied -master of the Frolic. - -"Put your dooks up," he cried warningly. "I'm going to dot you!" - -"What the deuce are you up to, cook?" demanded the mate, who had been -watching his proceedings in speechless amazement. - -"Cook!" said the person addressed, with majestic scorn. "I'm no cook; -I'm Bill Simmons, the 'Battersea Bruiser,' an' I shipped on this ere -little tub all for your dear captin's sake. I'm going to put sich a -'ed on 'im that when he wants to blow his nose he'll have to get a -looking-glass to see where to go to. I'm going to give 'im a licking -every day, and when we get to Fairhaven I'm going to foller 'im 'ome and -tell his wife about 'im walking out with my sister." - -"She walked me out," said the skipper, with dry lips. - -"Put 'em up," vociferated the "Bruiser." - -"Don't you touch me, my lad," said the skipper, dodging behind the -wheel. "Go an' see about your work--go an' peel the taters." - -"Wot!" roared the "Bruiser." - -"You've shipped as cook aboard my craft," said the skipper impressively. -"If you lay a finger on me it's mutiny, and you'll get twelve months." - -"That's right," said the mate, as the pugilist (who had once had -fourteen days for bruising, and still held it in wholesome remembrance) -paused irresolute. "It's mutiny, and it'll also be my painful duty to -get up the shotgun and blow the top of your ugly 'ed off." - -"Would it be mutiny if I was to dot YOU one?" inquired the "Bruiser," in -a voice husky with emotion, as he sidled up to the mate. - -"It would," said the other hastily. - -"Well, you're a nice lot," said the disgusted "Bruiser," "you and your -mutinies. Will any one of you have a go at me?" - -There was no response from the crew, who had gathered round, and were -watching the proceedings with keen enjoyment. - -"Or all of yer?" asked the "Bruiser," raising his eyebrows. - -"I've got no quarrel with you, my lad," the boy remarked with dignity, -as he caught the new cook's eye. - -"Go and cook the dinner,'" said the skipper; "and look sharp about it. -I don't want to have to find fault with a young beginner like you; but I -don't have no shirkers aboard--understand that." - -For one moment of terrible suspense the skipper's life hung in the -balance, then the "Bruiser," restraining his natural instincts by a -mighty effort, retreated, growling, to the galley. - -The skipper's breath came more freely. - -"He don't know your address, I s'pose," said the mate. - -"No, but he'll soon find it out when we get ashore," replied the other -dolefully. "When I think that I've got to take that brute to my home to -make mischief I feel tempted to chuck him overboard almost." - -"It is a temptation," agreed the mate loyally, closing his eyes to his -chief's physical deficiencies. "I'll pass the word to the crew not to -let him know your address, anyhow." - -The morning passed quietly, the skipper striving to look unconcerned -as the new cook grimly brought the dinner down to the cabin and set -it before him. After toying with it a little while, the master of the -Frolic dined off buttered biscuit. - -It was a matter of much discomfort to the crew that the new cook took -his duties very seriously, and prided himself on his cooking. He was, -moreover, disposed to be inconveniently punctilious about the way in -which his efforts were regarded. For the first day the crew ate in -silence, but at dinner-time on the second the storm broke. - -"What are yer looking at your vittles like that for?" inquired the -"Bruiser" of Sam Dowse, as that able-bodied seaman sat with his plate in -his lap, eyeing it with much disfavour. "That ain't the way to look at -your food, after I've been perspiring away all the morning cooking it." - -"Yes, you've cooked yourself instead of the meat," said Sam warmly. -"It's a shame to spoil good food like that; it's quite raw." - -"You eat it!" said the "Bruiser" fiercely; "that's wot you've go to do. -Eat it!" - -For sole answer the indignant Sam threw a piece at him, and the rest -of the crew, snatching up their dinners, hurriedly clambered into their -bunks and viewed the fray from a safe distance. - -"Have you 'ad enough?" inquired the "Bruiser," addressing the head of -Sam, which protruded from beneath his left arm. - -"I 'ave," said Sam surlily. - -"And you won't turn up your nose at good vittles any more?" inquired the -"Bruiser" severely. - -"I won't turn it up at anything," said Sam earnestly, as he tenderly -felt the member in question. - -"You're the only one as 'as complained," said the "Bruiser." "You're -dainty, that's wot you are. Look at the others--look how they're eating -theirs!" - -At this hint the others came out of their bunks and fell to, and the -"Bruiser" became affable. - -"It's wonderful wot I can turn my 'and to," he remarked pleasantly. -"Things come natural to me that other men have to learn. You 'd better -put a bit of raw beef on that eye o' yours, Sam." - -The thoughtless Sam clapped on a piece from his plate, and it was only -by the active intercession of the rest of the crew that the sensitive -cook was prevented from inflicting more punishment. - -From this time forth the "Bruiser" ruled the roost, and, his temper -soured by his trials, ruled it with a rod of iron. The crew, with the -exception of Dowse, were small men getting into years, and quite -unable to cope with him. His attitude with the skipper was dangerously -deferential, and the latter was sorely perplexed to think of a way out -of the mess in which he found himself. - -"He means business, George," he said one day to the mate, as he saw the -"Bruiser" watching him intently from the galley. - -"He looks at you worse an' worse," was the mate's cheering reply. -"The cooking's spoiling what little temper he's got left as fast as -possible." - -"It's the scandal I'm thinking of," groaned the skipper; "all becos' I -like to be a bit pleasant to people." - -"You mustn't look at the black side o' things," said the mate; "perhaps -you won't want to need to worry about that after he's hit you. I'd -sooner be kicked by a horse myself. He was telling them down for'ard the -other night that he killed a chap once." - -The skipper turned green. "He ought to have been hung for it," he said -vehemently. "I wonder what juries think they're for in this country. -If I'd been on the jury I'd ha' had my way, if they'd starved me for a -month!" - -"Look here!" said the mate suddenly; "I've got an idea. You go down -below and I'll call him up and start rating him. When I'm in the thick -of it you come and stick up for him." - -"George," said the skipper, with glistening eyes, "you're a wonder. Lay -it on thick, and if he hits you I'll make it up to you in some way." - -He went below, and the mate, after waiting for some time, leaned over -the wheel and shouted for the cook. - -"What do you want?" growled the "Bruiser," as he thrust a visage all red -and streaky with his work from the galley. - -"Why the devil don't you wash them saucepans up?" demanded the mate, -pointing to a row which stood on the deck. "Do you think we shipped you -becos we wanted a broken-nosed, tenth-rate prize-fighter to look at?" - -"Tenth-rate!" roared the "Bruiser," coming out on to the deck. - -"Don't you roar at your officer," said the mate sternly. "Your manners -is worse than your cooking. You'd better stay with us a few trips to -improve 'em." - -The "Bruiser" turned purple, and shivered with impotent wrath. - -"We get a parcel o' pot-house loafers aboard here," continued the mate, -airily addressing the atmosphere, "and, blank my eyes! if they don't -think they're here to be waited on. You'll want me to wash your face for -you next, and do all your other dirty work, you--" - -"George!" said a sad, reproving voice. - -The mate started dramatically as the skipper appeared at the companion, -and stopped abruptly. - -"For shame, George!" said the skipper. "I never expected to hear you -talk to anybody like that, especially to my friend Mr. Simmons." - -"Your WOT? demanded the friend hotly. - -"My friend," repeated the other gently; "and as to tenth-rate -prize-fighters, George, the 'Battersea Bruiser' might be champion of -England, if he'd only take the trouble to train." - -"Oh, you're always sticking up for him," said the artful mate. - -"He deserves it," said the skipper warmly. "He's always run straight, -'as Bill Simmons, and when I hear 'im being talked at like that, it -makes me go 'ot all over." - -"Don't you take the trouble to go 'ot all over on my account," said the -"Bruiser" politely. - -"I can't help my feelings, Bill," said the skipper softly. - -"And don't you call me Bill," roared the "Bruiser" with sudden ferocity. -"D'ye think I mind what you and your little tinpot crew say. You wait -till we get ashore, my friend, and the mate too. Both of you wait!" - -He turned his back on them and walked off to the galley, from which, -with a view of giving them an object-lesson of an entertaining kind, he -presently emerged with a small sack of potatoes, which he slung from the -boom and used as a punching ball, dealing blows which made the master of -the Frolic sick with apprehension. - -"It's no good," he said to the mate; "kindness is thrown away on that -man." - -"Well, if he hits one, he's got to hit the lot," said the mate. "We'll -all stand by you." - -"I can't always have the crew follering me about," said the skipper -dejectedly. "No, he'll wait his opportunity, and, after he's broke my -head, he'll go 'ome and break up my wife's 'art." - -"She won't break 'er 'art," said the mate confidently. "She and you'll -have a rough time of it; p'raps it would be better for you if she did -break it a bit, but she's not that sort of woman. Well, those of us as -live longest'll see the most." - -For the remainder of that day the cook maintained a sort of unnatural -calm. The Frolic rose and fell on the seas like a cork, and the -"Bruiser" took short unpremeditated little runs about the deck, which -aggravated him exceedingly. Between the runs he folded his arms on the -side, and languidly cursed the sea and all that belonged to it; and -finally, having lost all desire for food himself, went below and turned -in. - -He stayed in his bunk the whole of the next day and night, awaking early -the following morning to the pleasant fact that the motion had ceased, -and that the sides and floor of the fo'c'sle were in the places where -people of regular habits would expect to find them. The other bunks were -empty, and, after a toilet hastened by a yearning for nourishment, he -ran up on deck. - -Day had just broken, and he found to his surprise that the voyage was -over, and the schooner in a small harbour, lying alongside a stone quay. -A few unloaded trucks stood on a railway line which ran from the harbour -to the town clustered behind it, but there was no sign of work or life; -the good people of the place evidently being comfortably in their beds, -and in no hurry to quit them. - -The "Bruiser," with a happy smile on his face, surveyed the scene, -sniffing with joy the smell of the land as it came fresh and sweet from -the hills at the back of the town. There was only one thing wanting to -complete his happiness--the skipper. - -"Where's the cap'n?" he demanded of Dowse, who was methodically coiling -a line. - -"Just gone 'ome," replied Dowse shortly. - -In a great hurry the "Bruiser" sprang on to the side and stepped ashore, -glancing keenly in every direction for his prey. There was no sign of -it, and he ran a little way up the road until he saw the approaching -figure of a man, from whom he hoped to obtain information. Then, -happening to look back, he saw the masts of the schooner gliding by -the quay, and, retracing his steps a little, perceived, to his intense -surprise, the figure of the skipper standing by the wheel. - -"Ta, ta, cookie!" cried the skipper cheerily. - -Angry and puzzled the "Bruiser" ran back to the edge of the quay, and -stood owlishly regarding the schooner and the grinning faces of its -crew as they hoisted the sails and slowly swung around with their bow -pointing to the sea. - -"Well, they ain't making a long stay, old man," said a voice at his -elbow, as the man for whom he had been waiting came up. "Why, they only -came in ten minutes ago. What did they come in for, do you know?" - -"They belong here," said the "Bruiser"; "but me and the skipper's had -words, and I'm waiting for 'im." - -"That craft don't belong here," said the stranger, as he eyed the -receding Frolic. - -"Yes, it does," said the "Bruiser." - -"I tell you it don't," said the other. "I ought to know." - -"Look here, my friend," said the "Bruiser" grimly, "don't contradict me. -That's the Frolic of Fairhaven." - -"Very likely," said the man. "I don't know where she's from, but she's -not from here." - -"Why," said the "Bruiser," and his voice shook, "ain't this Fairhaven?" - -"Lord love you, no!" said the stranger; "not by a couple o' hundred -miles it ain't. Wot put that idea into your silly fat head?" - -The frantic "Bruiser" raised his fist at the description, but at that -moment the crew of the Frolic, which was just getting clear of the -harbour, hung over the stern and gave three hearty cheers. The stranger -was of a friendly and excitable disposition, and, his evil star being in -the ascendant that morning, he took off his hat and cheered wildly back. -Immediately afterwards he obtained unasked the post of whipping-boy to -the master of the Frolic, and entered upon his new duties at once. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Many Cargoes, by W.W. 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Do not change or edit the -header without written permission. - -Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the -eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is -important information about your specific rights and restrictions in -how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a -donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. - - -**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** - -**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** - -*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** - - -Title: Many Cargoes - -Author: W.W. Jacobs - -Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5758] -[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] -[This file was first posted on August 28, 2002] - -Edition: 10 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MANY CARGOES *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. - - - - -MANY CARGOES - -BY - -W.W. JACOBS - -Second Edition - -New York -1894 - - - - - -CONTENTS - - -A CHANGE OF TREATMENT -A LOVE PASSAGE -THE CAPTAIN'S EXPLOIT -CONTRABAND OF WAR -A BLACK AFFAIR -THE SKIPPER OF THE "OSPREY" -IN BORROWED PLUMES -THE BOATSWAIN'S WATCH -LOW WATER -IN MID-ATLANTIC -AFTER THE INQUEST -IN LIMEHOUSE REACH -AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT -THE COOK OF THE "GANNET" -A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE -A CASE OF DESERTION -OUTSAILED -MATED -THE RIVAL BEAUTIES -MRS. BUNKER'S CHAPERON -A HARBOUR OF REFUGE - - - - -A CHANGE OF TREATMENT - - -"Yes, I've sailed under some 'cute skippers in my time," said the night- -watchman; "them that go down in big ships see the wonders o' the deep, -you know," he added with a sudden chuckle, "but the one I'm going to -tell you about ought never to have been trusted out without 'is ma. A -good many o' my skippers had fads, but this one was the worst I ever -sailed under. - -"It's some few years ago now; I'd shipped on his barque, the John -Elliott, as slow-going an old tub as ever I was aboard of, when I wasn't -in quite a fit an' proper state to know what I was doing, an' I hadn't -been in her two days afore I found out his 'obby through overhearing a -few remarks made by the second mate, who came up from dinner in a hurry -to make 'em. 'I don't mind saws an' knives hung round the cabin,' he ses -to the fust mate, 'but when a chap has a 'uman 'and alongside 'is plate, -studying it while folks is at their food, it's more than a Christian man -can stand.' - -"'That's nothing,' ses the fust mate, who had sailed with the barque -afore. 'He's half crazy on doctoring. We nearly had a mutiny aboard once -owing to his wanting to hold a post-mortem on a man what fell from the -mast-head. Wanted to see what the poor feller died of.' - -"'I call it unwholesome,' ses the second mate very savage.' He offered -me a pill at breakfast the size of a small marble; quite put me off my -feed, it did.' - -"Of course, the skipper's fad soon got known for'ard. But I didn't think -much about it, till one day I seed old Dan'l Dennis sitting on a locker -reading. Every now and then he'd shut the book, an' look up, closing 'is -eyes, an' moving his lips like a hen drinking, an' then look down at the -book again. - -"'Why, Dan,' I ses, 'what's up? you ain't larning lessons at your time -o' life?' - -"'Yes, I am,' ses Dan very soft. 'You might hear me say it, it's this -one about heart disease.' - -"He hands over the book, which was stuck full o' all kinds o' diseases, -and winks at me 'ard. - -"'Picked it up on a book-stall,' he ses; then he shut 'is eyes an' said -his piece wonderful. It made me quite queer to listen to 'im. 'That's -how I feel,' ses he, when he'd finished. 'Just strength enough to get to -bed. Lend a hand, Bill, an' go an' fetch the doctor.' - -"Then I see his little game, but I wasn't going to run any risks, so I -just mentioned, permiscous like, to the cook as old Dan seemed rather -queer, an' went back an' tried to borrer the book, being always fond of -reading. Old Dan pretended he was too ill to hear what I was saying, an' -afore I could take it away from him, the skipper comes hurrying down -with a bag in his 'and. - -"'What's the matter, my man?' ses he, 'what's the matter?' - -"'I'm all right, sir,' ses old Dan, "cept that I've been swoonding away -a little.' - -"'Tell me exactly how you feel,' ses the skipper, feeling his pulse. - -"Then old Dan said his piece over to him, an' the skipper shook his head -an' looked very solemn. - -"'How long have you been like this?' he ses. - -"'Four or five years, sir,' ses Dan. 'It ain't nothing serious, sir, is -it?' - -"'You lie quite still,' ses the skipper, putting a little trumpet thing -to his chest an' then listening. 'Um! there's serious mischief here I'm -afraid, the prognotice is very bad.' - -"'Prog what, sir?' ses Dan, staring. - -"'Prognotice,' ses the skipper, at least I think that's the word he -said. 'You keep perfectly still, an' I'll go an' mix you up a draught, -and tell the cook to get some strong beef-tea on.' - -"Well, the skipper 'ad no sooner gone, than Cornish Harry, a great big -lumbering chap o' six feet two, goes up to old Dan, an' he ses, 'Gimme -that book.' - -"'Go away,' says Dan, 'don't come worrying 'ere; you 'eard the skipper -say how bad my prognotice was.' - -"'You lend me the book,' ses Harry, ketching hold of him, 'or else I'll -bang you first, and split to the skipper arterwards. I believe I'm a bit -consumptive. Anyway, I'm going to see.' - -"He dragged the book away from the old man, and began to study. There -was so many complaints in it he was almost tempted to have something -else instead of consumption, but he decided on that at last, an' he got -a cough what worried the fo'c'sle all night long, an' the next day, when -the skipper came down to see Dan, he could 'ardly 'ear hisself speak. - -"'That's a nasty cough you've got, my man,' ses he, looking at Harry. - -"'Oh, it's nothing, sir,' ses Harry, careless like. 'I've 'ad it for -months now off and on. I think it's perspiring so of a night does it." - -"'What?' ses the skipper. 'Do you perspire of a night?' - -"'Dredful,' ses Harry. 'You could wring the clo'es out. I s'pose it's -healthy for me, ain't it, sir?' - -"'Undo your shirt,' ses the skipper, going over to him, an' sticking the -trumpet agin him. 'Now take a deep breath. Don't cough.' - -"'I can't help it, sir,' ses Harry, 'it will come. Seems to tear me to -pieces.' - -"'You get to bed at once," says the skipper, taking away the trumpet, -an' shaking his 'ed. 'It's a fortunate thing for you, my lad, you're in -skilled hands. With care, I believe I can pull you round. How does that -medicine suit you, Dan?' - -"'Beautiful, sir,' says Dan. 'It's wonderful soothing, I slep' like a -new-born babe arter it.' - -'"I'll send you some more,' ses the skipper. 'You're not to get up mind, -either of you.' - -"'All right, sir,' ses the two in very faint voices, an' the skipper -went away arter telling us to be careful not to make a noise. - -"We all thought it a fine joke at first, but the airs them two chaps -give themselves was something sickening. Being in bed all day, they was -naturally wakeful of a night, and they used to call across the fo'c'sle -inquiring arter each other's healths, an' waking us other chaps up. An' -they'd swop beef-tea an' jellies with each other, an' Dan 'ud try an' -coax a little port wine out o' Harry, which he 'ad to make blood with, -but Harry 'ud say he hadn't made enough that day, an! he'd drink to the -better health of old Dan's prognotice, an' smack his lips until it drove -us a'most crazy to 'ear him. - -"Arter these chaps had been ill two days, the other fellers began to put -their heads together, being maddened by the smell o' beef-tea an' the -like, an' said they was going to be ill too, and both the invalids got -into a fearful state of excitement. - -"'You'll only spoil it for all of us,' ses Harry, 'and you don't know -what to have without the book.' - -"'It's all very well doing your work as well as our own,' ses one of the -men. 'It's our turn now. It's time you two got well.' - -"'WELL? ses Harry, 'well? Why you silly iggernerant chaps, we shan't -never get well, people with our complaints never do. You ought to know -that.' - -"'Well, I shall split, 'ses one of them. "'You do!' ses Harry, 'you do, -an' I'll put a 'ed on you that all the port wine and jellies in the -world wouldn't cure. 'Sides, don't you think the skipper knows what's -the matter with us?' - -"'Afore the other chap could reply, the skipper hisself comes down, -accompanied by the fust mate, with a look on his face which made Harry -give the deepest and hollowest cough he'd ever done. - -"'What they reely want,' ses the skipper, turning to the mate, 'is -keerful nussing.' - -"'I wish you'd let me nuss 'em,' ses the fust mate, 'only ten minutes-- -I'd put 'em both on their legs, an' running for their lives into the -bargain, in ten minutes.' - -"'Hold your tongue, sir,' ses the skipper; 'what you say is unfeeling, -besides being an insult to me. Do you think I studied medicine all these -years without knowing when a man's ill?' - -"The fust mate growled something and went on deck, and the skipper -started examining of 'em again. He said they was wonderfully patient -lying in bed so long, an' he had 'em wrapped up in bedclo'es and carried -on deck, so as the pure air could have a go at 'em. WE had to do the -carrying, an' there they sat, breathing the pure air, and looking at the -fust mate out of the corners of their eyes. If they wanted anything from -below one of us had to go an' fetch it, an' by the time they was taken -down to bed again, we all resolved to be took ill too. - -"Only two of 'em did it though, for Harry, who was a powerful, ugly- -tempered chap, swore he'd do all sorts o' dreadful things to us if we -didn't keep well and hearty, an' all 'cept these two did. One of 'em, -Mike Rafferty, laid up with a swelling on his ribs, which I knew myself -he 'ad 'ad for fifteen years, and the other chap had paralysis. I never -saw a man so reely happy as the skipper was. He was up an down with his -medicines and his instruments all day long, and used to make notes of -the cases in a big pocket-book, and read 'em to the second mate at -mealtimes. - -"The fo'c'sle had been turned into hospital about a week, an' I was on -deck doing some odd job or the other, when the cook comes up to me -pulling a face as long as a fiddle. - -"'Nother invalid,' ses he; 'fust mate's gone stark, staring mad!' - -"'Mad?' ses I. - -"'Yes,' ses he. 'He's got a big basin in the galley, an' he's laughing -like a hyener an' mixing bilge-water an' ink, an' paraffin an' butter -an' soap an' all sorts o' things up together. The smell's enough to kill -a man; I've had to come away.' - -"Curious-like, I jest walked up to the galley an' puts my 'ed in, an' -there was the mate as the cook said, smiling all over his face, and -ladling some thick sticky stuff into a stone bottle. - -"'How's the pore sufferers, sir?' ses he, stepping out of the galley -jest as the skipper was going by. - -"'They're very bad; but I hope for the best," ses the skipper, looking -at him hard. 'I'm glad to see you've turned a bit more feeling.' - -"'Yes, sir,' ses the mate. 'I didn't think so at fust, but I can see now -them chaps is all very ill. You'll s'cuse me saying it, but I don't -quite approve of your treatment.' - -"I thought the skipper would ha' bust. - -"'My treatment?' ses he. 'My treatment? What do you know about it ?' - -"'You're treating 'em wrong, sir,' ses the mate. 'I have here' (patting -the jar) 'a remedy which 'ud cure them all if you'd only let me try it.' - -"'Pooh!' ses the skipper. 'One medicine cure all diseases! The old -story. What is it? Where'd you get it from?' ses he. - -"'I brought the ingredients aboard with me,' ses the mate. 'It's a -wonderful medicine discovered by my grandmother, an' if I might only try -it I'd thoroughly cure them pore chaps.' - -"'Rubbish!' ses the skipper. - -"'Very well, sir,' ses the mate, shrugging his shoulders. "O' course, if -you won't let me you won't. Still I tell you, if you'd let me try I'd -cure 'em all in two days. That's a fair challenge.' - -"Well, they talked, and talked, and talked, until at last the skipper -give way and went down below with the mate, and told the chaps they was -to take the new medicine for two days, jest to prove the mate was wrong. - -"'Let pore old Dan try it first, sir,' ses Harry, starting up, an' -sniffing as the mate took the cork out; 'he's been awful bad since -you've been away.' - -"'Harry's worse than I am, sir,' ses Dan; 'it's only his kind heart that -makes him say that.' - -"'It don't matter which is fust,' ses the mate, filling a tablespoon -with it, 'there's plenty for all. Now, Harry.' - -"'Take it,' ses the skipper. - -"Harry took it, an' the fuss he made you'd ha' thought he was swallering -a football. It stuck all round his mouth, and he carried on so dredful -that the other invalids was half sick afore it came to them. - -"By the time the other three 'ad 'ad theirs it was as good as a -pantermime, an' the mate corked the bottle up, and went an' sat down on -a locker while they tried to rinse their mouths out with the luxuries -which had been given 'em. - -"'How do you feel?' ses the skipper. - -"'I'm dying,' ses Dan. - -"'So'm I,' ses Harry; 'I b'leeve the mate's pisoned us." - -"The skipper looks over at the mate very stern an' shakes his 'ed -slowly. - -"'It's all right,' ses the mate. 'It's always like that the first dozen -or so doses.' - -"'Dozen or so doses!' ses old Dan, in a far-away voice. - -"'It has to be taken every twenty minutes,' ses the mate, pulling out -his pipe and lighting it; an' the four men groaned all together. - -"'I can't allow it,' ses the skipper, 'I can't allow it. Men's lives -mustn't be sacrificed for an experiment.' - -"''T ain't a experiment,' ses the mate very indignant, 'it's an old -family medicine.' - -"'Well, they shan't have any more,' ses the skipper firmly. - -"'Look here,' ses the mate. 'If I kill any one o' these men I'll give -you twenty pound. Honour bright, I will.' - -"'Make it twenty-five,' ses the skipper, considering. - -"'Very good,' ses the mate. 'Twenty-five; I can't say no fairer than -that, can I? It's about time for another dose now.' - -"He gave 'em another tablespoonful all round as the skipper left, an' -the chaps what wasn't invalids nearly bust with joy. He wouldn't let 'em -have anything to take the taste out, 'cos he said it didn't give the -medicine a chance, an' he told us other chaps to remove the temptation, -an' you bet we did. - -"After the fifth dose, the invalids began to get desperate, an' when -they heard they'd got to be woke up every twenty minutes through the -night to take the stuff, they sort o' give up. Old Dan said he felt a -gentle glow stealing over him and strengthening him, and Harry said that -it felt like a healing balm to his lungs. All of 'em agreed it was a -wonderful sort o' medicine, an' arter the sixth dose the man with -paralysis dashed up on deck, and ran up the rigging like a cat. He sat -there for hours spitting, an' swore he'd brain anybody who interrupted -him, an' arter a little while Mike Rafferty went up and j'ined him, an' -it the fust mate's ears didn't burn by reason of the things them two -pore sufferers said about 'im, they ought to. - -"They was all doing full work next day, an' though, o'course, the -skipper saw how he'd been done, he didn't allude to it. Not in words, -that is; but when a man tries to make four chaps do the work of eight, -an' hits 'em when they don't, it's a easy job to see where the shoe -pinches." - - - - -A LOVE PASSAGE - - -The mate was leaning against the side of the schooner, idly watching a -few red-coated linesmen lounging on the Tower Quay. Careful mariners -were getting out their side-lights, and careless lightermen were -progressing by easy bumps from craft to craft on their way up the river. -A tug, half burying itself in its own swell, rushed panting by, and a -faint scream came from aboard an approaching skiff as it tossed in the -wash. - -"JESSICA ahoy!" bawled a voice from the skiff as she came rapidly -alongside. - -The mate, roused from his reverie, mechanically caught the line and made -it fast, moving with alacrity as he saw that the captain's daughter was -one of the occupants. Before he had got over his surprise she was on -deck with her boxes, and the captain was paying off the watermen. - -"You've seen my daughter Hetty afore, haven't you?" said the skipper. -"She's coming with us this trip. You'd better go down and make up her -bed, Jack, in that spare bunk." - -"Ay, ay," said the mate dutifully, moving off. - -"Thank you, I'll do it myself," said the scandalised Hetty, stepping -forward hastily. - -"As you please," said the skipper, leading the way below. "Let's have a -light on, Jack." - -The mate struck a match on his boot, and lit the lamp. - -"There's a few things in there'll want moving," said the skipper, as he -opened the door. "I don't know where we're to keep the onions now, -Jack." - -"We'll find a place for 'em," said the mate confidently, as he drew out -a sack and placed it on the table. - -"I'm not going to sleep in there," said the visitor decidedly, as she -peered in. "Ugh! there's a beetle. Ugh!" - -"It's quite dead," said the mate reassuringly. "I've never seen a live -beetle on this ship." - -"I want to go home," said the girl. "You've no business to make me come -when I don't want to." - -"You should behave yourself then," said her father magisterially. "What -about sheets, Jack; and pillers?" - -The mate sat on the table, and, grasping his chin, pondered. Then as his -gaze fell upon the pretty, indignant face of the passenger, he lost the -thread of his ideas. - -"She'll have to have some o' my things for the present," said the -skipper. - -"Why not," said the mate, looking up again--"why not let her have your -state-room?" - -"'Cos I want it myself," replied the other calmly. - -The mate blushed for him, and, the girl leaving them to arrange matters -as they pleased, the two men, by borrowing here and contriving there, -made up the bunk. The girl was standing by the galley when they went on -deck again, an object of curious and respectful admiration to the crew, -who had come on board in the meantime. She stayed on deck until the air -began to blow fresher in the wider reaches, and then, with a brief good- -night to her father, retired below. - -"She made up her mind to come with us rather suddenly, didn't she?" -inquired the mate after she had gone. - -"She didn't make up her mind at all," said the skipper; "we did it for -her, me an' the missus. It's a plan on our part." - -"Wants strengthening?" said the mate suggestively. - -"Well, the fact is," said the skipper, "it's like this, Jack; there's a -friend o' mine, a provision dealer in a large way o' business, wants to -marry my girl, and me an' the missus want him to marry her, so, o' -course, she wants to marry someone else. Me an' 'er mother we put our -'eads together and decided for her to come away. When she's at 'ome, -instead o' being out with Towson, direckly her mother's back's turned -she's out with that young sprig of a clerk." - -"Nice-looking young feller, I s'pose?" said the mate somewhat anxiously. - -"Not a bit of it," said the other firmly. "Looks as though he had never -had a good meal in his life. Now my friend Towson, he's all right; he's -a man of about my own figger." - -"She'll marry the clerk," said the mate, with conviction. - -"I'll bet you she don't," said the skipper. "I'm an artful man, Jack, -an' I, generally speaking, get my own way. I couldn't live with my -missus peaceable if it wasn't for management." - -The mate smiled safely in the darkness, the skipper's management -consisting chiefly of slavish obedience. - -"I've got a cabinet fortygraph of him for the cabin mantel-piece, Jack," -continued the wily father. "He gave it to me o' purpose. She'll see that -when she won't see the clerk, an' by-and-bye she'll fall into our way of -thinking. Anyway, she's going to stay here till she does." - -"You know your way about, cap'n," said the mate, in pretended -admiration. - -The skipper laid his finger on his nose, and winked at the mainmast. -"There's few can show me the way, Jack," he answered softly; "very few. -Now I want you to help me too; I want you to talk to her a great deal." - -"Ay, ay," said the mate, winking at the mast in his turn. - -"Admire the fortygraph on the mantel-piece," said the skipper. - -"I will," said the other. - -"Tell her about a lot o' young girls you know as married young middle- -aged men, an' loved 'em more an" more every day of their lives," -continued the skipper. - -"Not another word," said the mate. "I know just what you want. She -shan't marry the clerk if I can help it." - -The other turned and gripped him warmly by the hand. "If ever you are a -father your elf, Jack," he said with emotion, "I hope as how somebody'll -stand by you as you're standing by me." - -The mate was relieved the next day when he saw the portrait of Towson. -He stroked his moustache, and felt that he gained in good looks every -time he glanced at it. - -Breakfast finished, the skipper, who had been on deck all night, retired -to his bunk. The mate went on deck and took charge, watching with great -interest the movements of the passenger as she peered into the galley -and hotly assailed the cook's method of washing up. - -"Don't you like the sea?" he inquired politely, as she came and sat on -the cabin skylight. - -Miss Alsen shook her head dismally. "I've got to it," she remarked. - -"Your father was saying something to me about it," said the mate -guardedly. - -"Did he tell the cook and the cabin boy too?" inquired Miss Alsen, -flushing somewhat. "What did he tell you?" - -"Told me about a man named Towson," said the mate, becoming intent on -the sails, "and--another fellow." - -"I took a little notice of HIM just to spoil the other," said the girl, -"not that I cared for him. I can't understand a girl caring for any man. -Great, clumsy, ugly things." - -"You don't like him then?" said the mate. - -"Of course not," said the girl, tossing her head. - -"And yet they 've sent you to sea to get out of his way," said the mate -meditatively. "Well, the best thing you can do"--His hardihood failed -him at the pitch. - -"Go on," said the girl. - -"Well, it's this way," said the mate, coughing; "they've sent you to sea -to get you out of this fellow's way, so if you fall in love with -somebody on the ship they'll send you home again." - -"So they will," said the girl eagerly. "I'll pretend to fall in love -with that nice-looking sailor you call Harry. What a lark!" - -"I shouldn't do that," said the mate gravely. - -"Why not?" said the girl. - -"'Tisn't discipline," said the mate very firmly; "it wouldn't do at all. -He's before the mast." - -"Oh, I see," remarked Miss Alsen, smiling scornfully. - -"I only mean pretend, of course," said the mate, colouring. "Just to -oblige you." - -"Of course," said the girl calmly. "Well, how are we to be in love?" - -The mate flushed darkly. "I don't know much about such things," he said -at length; "but we'll have to look at each other, and all that sort of -thing, you know." - -"I don't mind that," said the girl. - -"Then we'll get on by degrees," said the other. "I expect we shall both -find it come easier after a time." - -"Anything to get home again," said the girl, rising and walking slowly -away. - -The mate began his part of the love-making at once, and, fixing a gaze -of concentrated love on the object of his regard, nearly ran down a -smack. As he had prognosticated, it came easy to him, and other well- -marked symptoms, such as loss of appetite and a partiality for bright -colours, developed during the day. Between breakfast and tea he washed -five times, and raised the ire of the skipper to a dangerous pitch by -using the ship's butter to remove tar from his fingers. - -By ten o'clock that night he was far advanced in a profound melancholy. -All the looking had been on his side, and, as he stood at the wheel -keeping the schooner to her course, he felt a fellow-feeling for the -hapless Towson, His meditations were interrupted by a slight figure -which emerged from the companion, and, after a moment's hesitation, came -and took its old seat on the skylight. - -"Calm and peaceful up here, isn't it?" said he, after waiting some time -for her to speak. "Stars are very bright to-night." - -"Don't talk to me," said Miss Alsen snappishly. - -"Why doesn't this nasty little ship keep still? I believe it's you -making her jump about like this." - -"Me?" said the mate in amazement. - -"Yes, with that wheel." - -"I can assure you "--began the mate. - -"Yes, I knew you'd say so," said the girl. - -"Come and steer yourself," said the mate; "then you'll see." - -Much to his surprise she came, and, leaning limply against the wheel, -put her little hands on the spokes, while the mate explained the -mysteries of the compass. As he warmed with his subject he ventured to -put his hands on the same spokes, and, gradually becoming more -venturesome, boldly supported her with his arm every time the schooner -gave a lurch. - -"Thank you," said Miss Alsen, coldly extricating herself, as the male -fancied another lurch was coming. "Good-night." - -She retired to the cabin as a dark figure, which was manfully knuckling -the last remnant of sleep from its eyelids, stood before the mate, -chuckling softly. - -"Clear night," said the seaman, as he took the wheel in his great paws. - -"Beastly," said the mate absently, and, stifling a sigh, went below and -turned in. - -He lay awake for a few minutes, and then, well satisfied with the day's -proceedings, turned over and fell asleep. He was pleased to discover, -when he awoke, that the slight roll of the night before had disappeared, -and that there was hardly any motion on the schooner. The passenger -herself was already at the breakfast-table. - -"Cap'n's on deck, I s'pose?" said the mate, preparing to resume -negotiations where they were broken off the night before. "I hope you -feel better than you did last night." - -"Yes, thank you," said she. - -"You'll make a good sailor in time," said the mate. - -"I hope not," said Miss Alsen, who thought it time to quell a gleam of -peculiar tenderness plainly apparent in the mate's eyes. "I shouldn't -like to be a sailor even if I were a man." - -"Why not?" inquired the other. - -"I don't know," said the girl meditatively; "but sailors are generally -such scrubby little men, aren't they?" - -"SCUBBY?" repeated the mate, in a dazed voice. - -"I'd sooner be a soldier," she continued; "I like soldiers--they're so -manly. I wish there was one here now." - -"What for?" inquired the mate, in the manner of a sulky schoolboy. - -"If there was a man like that here now," said Miss Alsen thoughtfully, -"I'd dare him to mustard old Towson's nose." - -"Do what?" inquired the astonished mate. - -"Mustard old Towson's nose," said Miss Alsen, glancing lightly from the -cruet-stand to the portrait. - -The infatuated man hesitated a moment, and then, reaching over to the -cruet, took out the spoon, and with a pale, determined face, indignantly -daubed the classic features of the provision dealer. His indignation was -not lessened by the behaviour of the temptress, who, instead of fawning -upon him for his bravery, crammed her handkerchief to her mouth and -giggled foolishly. - -"Where's father," she said suddenly, as a step sounded above. "Oh, you -will get it!" - -She rose from her seat, and, standing aside to let her father pass, went -on deck. The skipper sank on to a locker, and, raising the tea-pot, -poured himself out a cup of tea, which he afterwards decanted into a -saucer. He had just raised it to his lips, when he saw something over -the rim of it which made him put it down again untasted, and stare -blankly at the mantel-piece. - -"Who the--what the--who the devil's done this?" he inquired in a -strangulated voice, as he rose and regarded the portrait, - -"I did," said the mate. - -"You did?" roared the other. "You? What for?" - -"I don't know," said the mate awkwardly. "Something seemed to come over -me all of a sudden, and I felt as though I MUST do it." - -"But what for? Where's the sense of it?" said the skipper. - -The mate shook his head sheepishly. - -"But what did you want to do such a monkey-trick FOR?" roared the -skipper. - -"I don't know," said the mate doggedly; "but it's done, ain't it? and -it's no good talking about it." - -The skipper looked at him in wrathful perplexity. "You'd better have -advice when we get to port, Jack," he said at length; "the last few -weeks I've noticed you've been a bit strange in your manner. You go an' -show that 'ed of yours to a doctor." - -The mate grunted, and went on deck for sympathy, but, finding Miss Alsen -in a mood far removed from sentiment, and not at all grateful, drew off -whistling. Matters were in this state when the skipper appeared, wiping -his mouth. - -"I've put another portrait on the mantel-piece, Jack," he said -menacingly; "it's the only other one I've got, an' I wish you to -understand that if that only smells mustard, there'll be such a row in -this 'ere ship that you won't be able to 'ear yourself speak for the -noise." - -He moved off with dignity as his daughter, who had overheard the remark, -came sidling up to the mate and smiled on him agreeably. - -"He's put another portrait there," she said softly. - -"You'll find the mustard-pot in the cruet," said the mate coldly. - -Miss Alsen turned and watched her father as he went forward, and then, -to the mate's surprise, went below without another word. A prey to -curiosity, but too proud to make any overture, he compromised matters by -going and standing near the companion. - -"Mate!" said a stealthy whisper at the foot of the ladder. - -The mate gazed calmly out to sea. - -"Jack!" said the girl again, in a lower whisper than before. - -The mate went hot all over, and at once descended. He found Miss Alsen, -her eyes sparkling, with the mustard-pot in her left hand and the spoon -in her right, executing a war-dance in front of the second portrait. - -"Don't do it," said the mate, in alarm. - -"Why not?" she inquired, going within an inch of it. - -"He'll think it's me," said the mate. - -"That's why I called you down here," said she; "you don't think I wanted -you, do you?" - -"You put that spoon down," said the mate, who was by no means desirous -of another interview with the skipper. - -"Shan't!" said Miss Alsen. - -The mate sprang at her, but she dodged round the table. He leaned over, -and, catching her by the left arm, drew her towards him; then, with her -flushed, laughing face close to his, he forgot everything else, and -kissed her. - -"Oh!" said Hetty indignantly. - -"Will you give it to me now?" said the mate, trembling at his boldness. - -"Take it," said she. She leaned across the table, and, as the mate -advanced, dabbed viciously at him with the spoon. Then she suddenly -dropped both articles on the table and moved away, as the mate, startled -by a footstep at the door, turned a flushed visage, ornamented with -three streaks of mustard, on to the dumbfounded skipper. - -"Sakes alive!" said that astonished mariner, as soon as he could speak; -"if he ain't a-mustarding his own face now--I never 'card of such a thing -in all my life. Don't go near 'im, Hetty. Jack!" - -"Well," said the mate, wiping his smarting face with his handkerchief. - -"You've never been took like this before?" queried the skipper -anxiously. - -"O'course not," said the mortified mate. - -"Don't you say o'course not to me," said the other warmly, "after -behaving like this. A straight weskit's what you want. I'll go an' see -old Ben about it. He's got an uncle in a 'sylum. You come up too, my -girl." - -He went in search of Ben, oblivious of the fact that his daughter, -instead of following him, came no farther than the door, where she stood -and regarded her victim compassionately. - -"I'm so sorry," she said "Does it smart?" - -"A little," said the mate; "don't you trouble about me." - -"You see what you get for behaving badly," said Miss Alsen judicially. - -"It's worth it," said the mate, brightening. - -"I'm afraid it'll blister," said she. She crossed over to him, and -putting her head on one side, eyed the traces wisely. "Three marks," she -said. - -"I only had one," suggested the mate. - -"One what?" enquired Hetty. - -"Those," said the mate. - -In full view of the horrified skipper, who was cautiously peeping at the -supposed lunatic through the skylight, he kissed her again. - -"You can go away, Ben," said the skipper huskily to the expert. "D'ye -hear, you can go AWAY, and not a word about this, mind." - -The expert went away grumbling, and the father, after another glance, -which showed him his daughter nestling comfortably on the mate's right -shoulder, stole away and brooded darkly over this crowning complication. -An ordinary man would have run down and interrupted them; the master of -the Jessica thought he could attain his ends more certainly by -diplomacy, and so careful was his demeanour that the couple in the cabin -had no idea that they had been observed--the mate listening calmly to a -lecture on incipient idiocy which the skipper thought it advisable to -bestow. - -Until the mid-day meal on the day following he made no sign. If anything -he was even more affable than usual, though his wrath rose at the -glances which were being exchanged across the table. - -"By the way, Jack," he said at length, "what's become of Kitty Loney?" - -"Who?" inquired the mate. "Who's Kitty Loney?" - -It was now the skipper's turn to stare, and he did it admirably. - -"Kitty Loney," he said in surprise, "the little girl you are going to -marry." - -"Who are you getting at?" said the mate, going scarlet as he met the -gaze opposite. - -"I don't know what you mean," said the skipper with dignity. "I'm -allooding to Kitty Loney, the little girl in the red hat and white -feathers you introduced to me as your future." - -The mate sank back in his seat, and regarded him with open-mouthed, -horrified astonishment. - -"You don't mean to say you've chucked 'er," pursued the heartless -skipper, "after getting an advance from me to buy the ring with, too? -Didn't you buy the ring with the money?" - -"No," said the mate, "I--oh, no--of course--what on earth are you -talking about?" - -The skipper rose from his seat and regarded him sorrowfully but -severely. "I'm sorry, Jack," he said stiffly, "if I've said anything to -annoy you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O' course it's your business, -not mine. P'raps you'll say you never heard o' Kitty Loney?" - -"I do say so," said the bewildered mate; "I do say so." - -The skipper eyed him sternly, and without another word left the cabin. -"If she's like her mother," he said to himself, chuckling as he went up -the companion-ladder, "I think that'll do." - -There was an awkward pause after his departure. "I'm sure I don't know -what you must think of me," said the mate at length, "but I don't know -what your father's talking about." - -"I don't think anything," said Hetty calmly. "Pass the potatoes, -please." - -"I suppose it's a joke of his," said the mate, complying. - -"And the salt," said she; "thank you." - -"But you don't believe it?" said the mate pathetically. - -"Oh, don't be silly," said the girl calmly. "What does it matter whether -I do or not?" - -"It matters a great deal," said the mate gloomily. "It's life or death -to me." - -"Oh, nonsense," said Hetty. "She won't know of your foolishness. I won't -tell her." - -"I tell you," said the mate desperately, "there never was a Kitty Loney. -What do you think of that?" - -"I think you are very mean," said the girl scornfully; "don't talk to me -any more, please." - -"Just as you like," said the mate, beginning to lose his temper. - -He pushed his plate from him and departed, while the girl, angry and -resentful, put the potatoes back as being too floury for consumption in -the circumstances. - -For the remainder of the passage she treated him with a politeness and -good humour through which he strove in vain to break. To her surprise -her father made no objection, at the end of the voyage, when she -coaxingly suggested going back by train; and the mate, as they sat at -dummy-whist on the evening before her departure, tried in vain to -discuss the journey in an unconcerned fashion. - -"It'll be a long journey," said Hetty, who still liked him well enough -to make him smart a bit, "What's trumps?" - -"You'll be all right," said her father. "Spades." - -He won for the third time that evening, and, feeling wonderfully well -satisfied with the way in which he had played his cards generally, could -not resist another gibe at the crestfallen mate. - -"You'll have to give up playing cards and all that sort o' thing when -you're married, Jack," said he. - -"Ay, ay," said the mate recklessly, "Kitty don't like cards." - -"I thought there was no Kitty," said the girl, looking up, scornfully. - -"She don't like cards," repeated the mate. "Lord, what a spree we had. -Cap'n, when we went to the Crystal Palace with her that night." - -"Ay, that we did," said the skipper. - -"Remember the roundabouts?" said the mate. - -"I do," said the skipper merrily. "I'll never forget 'em." - -"You and that friend of hers, Bessie Watson, lord how you did go on!" -continued the mate, in a sort of ecstasy. The skipper stiffened suddenly -in his chair. "What on earth are you talking about?" he inquired -gruffly. - -"Bessie Watson," said the mate, in tones of innocent surprise. "Little -girl in a blue hat with white feathers, and a blue frock, that came with -us." - -"You're drunk," said the skipper, grinding his teeth, as he saw the trap -into which he had walked. - -"Don't you remember when you two got lost, an' me and Kitty were looking -all over the place for you?" demanded the mate, still in the same tones -of pleasant reminiscence. - -He caught Hetty's eye, and noticed with a thrill that it beamed with -soft and respectful admiration. - -"You've been drinking," repeated the skipper, breathing hard. "How dare -you talk like that afore my daughter?" - -"It's only right I should know," said Hetty, drawing herself up. "I -wonder what mother'll say to it all?" - -"You say anything to your mother if you dare," said the now maddened -skipper. "You know what she is. It's all the mate's nonsense." - -"I'm very sorry, cap'n," said the mate, "if I've said anything to annoy -you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O' course it's your business, not -mine. Perhaps you'll say you never heard o' Bessie Watson?" - -"Mother shall hear of her," said Hetty, while her helpless sire was -struggling for breath. - -"Perhaps you'll tell us who this Bessie Watson is, and where she lives?" -he said at length. - -"She lives with Kitty Loney," said the mate simply. - -The skipper rose, and his demeanour was so alarming that Hetty shrank -instinctively to the mate for protection. In full view of his captain, -the mate placed his arm about her waist, and in this position they -confronted each other for some time in silence. Then Hetty looked up and -spoke. - -"I'm going home by water," she said briefly. - - - - -THE CAPTAIN'S EXPLOIT - - -It was a wet, dreary night in that cheerless part of the great -metropolis known as Wapping. The rain, which had been falling heavily -for hours, still fell steadily on to the sloppy pavements and roads, and -joining forces in the gutter, rushed impetuously to the nearest sewer. -The two or three streets which had wedged themselves in between the -docks and the river, and which, as a matter of fact, really comprise the -beginning and end of Wapping, were deserted, except for a belated van -crashing over the granite roads, or the chance form of a dock-labourer -plodding doggedly along, with head bent in distaste for the rain, and -hands sunk in trouser-pockets. - -"Beastly night," said Captain Bing, as he rolled out of the private bar -of the "Sailor's Friend," and, ignoring the presence of the step, took a -little hurried run across the pavement. "Not fit for a dog to be out -in." - -He kicked, as he spoke, at a shivering cur which was looking in at the -crack of the bar-door, with a hazy view of calling its attention to the -matter, and then, pulling up the collar of his rough pea-jacket, stepped -boldly out into the rain. Three or four minutes' walk, or rather roll, -brought him to a dark narrow passage, which ran between two houses to -the water-side. By a slight tack to starboard at a critical moment he -struck the channel safely, and followed it until it ended in a flight of -old stone steps, half of which were under water. - -"Where for?" inquired a man, starting up from a small penthouse formed -of rough pieces of board. - -"Schooner in the tier, Smiling Jane," said the captain gruffly, as he -stumbled clumsily into a boat and sat down in the stern. "Why don't you -have better seats in this 'ere boat?" - -"They're there, if you'll look for them," said the waterman; "and you'll -find 'em easier sitting than that bucket." - -"Why don't you put 'em where a man can see 'em?" inquired the captain, -raising his voice a little. - -The other opened his mouth to reply, but realising that it would lead to -a long and utterly futile argument, contented himself with asking his -fare to trim the boat better; and, pushing off from the steps, pulled -strongly through the dark lumpy water. The tide was strong, so that they -made but slow progress. - -"When I was a young man," said the fare with severity, "I'd ha' pulled -this boat across and back afore now." - -"When you was a young man," said the man at the oars, who had a local -reputation as a wit, "there wasn't no boats; they was all Noah's arks -then." - -"Stow your gab," said the captain, after a pause of deep thought. - -The other, whose besetting sin was certainly not loquacity, ejected a -thin stream of tobacco-juice over the side, spat on his hands, and -continued his laborious work until a crowd of dark shapes, surmounted by -a network of rigging, loomed up before them. - -"Now, which is your little barge?" he inquired, tugging strongly to -maintain his position against the fast-flowing tide. - -"Smiling Jane" said his fare. - -"Ah," said the waterman, "Smiling Jane, is it? You sit there, cap'n, an' -I'll row round all their sterns while you strike matches and look at the -names. We'll have quite a nice little evening." - -"There she is," cried the captain, who was too muddled to notice the -sarcasm; "there's the little beauty. Steady, my lad." - -He reached out his hand as he spoke, and as the boat jarred violently -against a small schooner, seized a rope which hung over the side, and, -swaying to and fro, fumbled in his pocket for the fare. - -"Steady, old boy," said the waterman affectionately. He had just -received twopence-halfpenny and a shilling by mistake for threepence. -"Easy up the side. You ain't such a pretty figger as you was when your -old woman made such a bad bargain." - -The captain paused in his climb, and poising himself on one foot, -gingerly felt for his tormentor's head with the other Not finding it, he -flung his leg over the bulwark, and gained the deck of the vessel as the -boat swung round with the tide and disappeared in the darkness. - -"All turned in," said the captain, gazing owlishly at the deserted deck. -"Well, there's a good hour an' a half afore we start; I'll turn in too." - -He walked slowly aft, and sliding back the companion-hatch, descended -into a small evil-smelling cabin, and stood feeling in the darkness for -the matches. They were not to be found, and, growling profanely, he felt -his way to the state-room, and turned in all standing. - -It was still dark when he awoke, and hanging over the edge of the bunk, -cautiously felt for the floor with his feet, and having found it, stood -thoughtfully scratching his head, which seemed to have swollen to -abnormal proportions. - -"Time they were getting under weigh," he said at length, and groping his -way to the foot of the steps, he opened the door of what looked like a -small pantry, but which was really the mate's boudoir. - -"Jem," said the captain gruffly. - -There was no reply, and jumping to the conclusion that he was above, the -captain tumbled up the steps and gained the deck, which, as far as he -could see, was in the same deserted condition as when he left it. -Anxious to get some idea of the time, he staggered to the side and -looked over. The tide was almost at the turn, and the steady clank, -clank of neighbouring windlasses showed that other craft were just -getting under weigh. A barge, its red light turning the water to blood, -with a huge wall of dark sail, passed noiselessly by, the indistinct -figure of a man leaning skilfully upon the tiller. - -As these various signs of life and activity obtruded themselves upon the -skipper of the Smiling Jane, his wrath rose higher and higher as he -looked around the wet, deserted deck of his own little craft. Then he -walked forward and thrust his head down the forecastle hatchway. - -As he expected, there was a complete sleeping chorus below; the deep -satisfied snoring of half-a-dozen seamen, who, regardless of the tide -and their captain's feelings, were slumbering sweetly, in blissful -ignorance of all that the Lancet might say upon the twin subjects of -overcrowding and ventilation. - -"Below there, you lazy thieves!" roared the captain; "tumble up, tumble -up!" - -The snores stopped. "Ay, ay!" said a sleepy voice. "What's the matter, -master?" - -"Matter!" repeated the other, choking violently. "Ain't you going to -sail to-night?" - -"To-night!" said another voice, in surprise. "Why, I thought we wasn't -going to sail till Wen'sday." - -Not trusting himself to reply, so careful was he of the morals of his -men, the skipper went and leaned over the side and communed with the -silent water. In an incredibly short space of time five or six dusky -figures pattered up on to the deck, and a minute or two later the harsh -clank of the windlass echoed far and wide. - -The captain took the wheel. A fat and very sleepy seaman put up the -side-lights, and the little schooner, detaching itself by the aid of -boat-hooks and fenders from the neighbouring craft, moved slowly down -with the tide. The men, in response to the captain's fervent orders, -climbed aloft, and sail after sail was spread to the gentle breeze. - -"Hi! you there," cried the captain to one of the men who stood near him, -coiling up some loose line. - -"Sir?" said the man. - -"Where is the mate?" inquired the captain. - -"Man with red whiskers and pimply nose?" said the man interrogatively. - -"That's him to a hair," answered the other. - -"Ain't seen him since he took me on at eleven," said the man. "How many -new hands are there?" - -"I b'leeve we're all fresh," was the reply. "I don't believe some of 'em -have ever smelt salt water afore." - -"The mate's been at it again," said the captain warmly, "that's what he -has. He's done it afore and got left behind. Them what can't stand -drink, my man, shouldn't take it, remember that." - -"He said we wasn't going to sail till Wen'sday," remarked the man, who -found the captain's attitude rather trying. - -"He'll get sacked, that's what he'll get," said the captain warmly. "I -shall report him as soon as I get ashore." - -The subject exhausted, the seaman returned to his work, and the captain -continued steering in moody silence. - -Slowly, slowly darkness gave way to light. The different portions of the -craft, instead of all being blurred into one, took upon themselves -shape, and stood out wet and distinct in the cold grey of the breaking -day. But the lighter it became, the harder the skipper stared and rubbed -his eyes, and looked from the deck to the flat marshy shore, and from -the shore back to the deck again. - -"Here, come here," he cried, beckoning to one of the crew. - -"Yessir," said the man, advancing. - -"There's something in one of my eyes," faltered the skipper. "I can't -see straight; everything seems mixed up. Now, speaking deliberate and -without any hurry, which side o' the ship do you say the cook's galley's -on?" - -"Starboard," said the man promptly, eyeing him with astonishment. - -"Starboard," repeated the other softly. "He says starboard, and that's -what it seems to me. My lad, yesterday morning it was on the port side." - -The seaman received this astounding communication with calmness, but, as -a slight concession to appearances, said "Lor!" - -"And the water-cask," said the skipper; "what colour is it?" - -"Green," said the man. - -"Not white?" inquired the skipper, leaning heavily upon the wheel. - -"Whitish-green," said the man, who always believed in keeping in with -his superior officers. - -The captain swore at him. - -By this time two or three of the crew who had over-heard part of the -conversation had collected aft, and now stood in a small wondering knot -before their strange captain. - -"My lads," said the latter, moistening his dry lips with his tongue, "I -name no names--I don't know 'em yet--and I cast no suspicions, but -somebody has been painting up and altering this 'ere craft, and twisting -things about until a man 'ud hardly know her. Now what's the little -game" - -There was no answer, and the captain, who was seeing things clearer and -clearer in the growing light, got paler and paler. - -"I must be going crazy," he muttered. "Is this the SMILING JANE, or am I -dreaming?" - -"It ain't the SMILING JANE," said one of the seamen; "leastways," he -added cautiously, "it wasn't when I came aboard." - -"Not the SMILING JANE!" roared the skipper; "what is it, then?" - -"Why, the MARY ANN," chorused the astonished crew. - -"My lads," faltered the agonised captain after a long pause. "My lads--" -He stopped and swallowed something in his throat. "I've been and -brought away the wrong ship," he continued with an effort; "that's what -I've done. I must have been bewitched." - -"Well, who's having the little game now?" inquired a voice. - -"Somebody else'll be sacked as well as the mate," said another. - -"We must take her back," said the captain, raising his voice to drown -these mutterings. "Stand by there!" - -The bewildered crew went to their posts, the captain gave his orders in -a voice which had never been so subdued and mellow since it broke at the -age of fourteen, and the Mary Ann took in sail, and, dropping her -anchor, waited patiently for the turning of the tide. - - * * * * * * * - -The church bells in Wapping and Rotherhithe were just striking the hour -of mid-day, though they were heard by few above the noisy din of workers -on wharves and ships, as a short stout captain, and a mate with red -whiskers and a pimply nose, stood up in a waterman's boat in the centre -of the river, and gazed at each other in blank astonishment. - -"She's gone, clean gone!" murmured the bewildered captain. - -"Clean as a whistle," said the mate. "The new hands must ha' run away -with her." - -Then the bereaved captain raised his voice, and pronounced a pathetic -and beautiful eulogy upon the departed vessel, somewhat marred by an -appendix in which he consigned the new hands, their heirs, and -descendants, to everlasting perdition. - -"Ahoy!" said the waterman, who was getting tired of the business, -addressing a grimy-looking seaman hanging meditatively over the side of -a schooner. "Where's the Mary Ann?" - -"Went away at half-past one this morning," was the reply. - -"'Cos here's the cap'n an' the mate," said the waterman, indicating the -forlorn couple with a bob of his head. - -"My eyes!" said the man, "I s'pose the cook's in charge then. We was to -have gone too, but our old man hasn't turned up." - -Quickly the news spread amongst the craft in the tier, and many and -various were the suggestions shouted to the bewildered couple from the -different decks. At last, just as the captain had ordered the waterman -to return to the shore, he was startled by a loud cry from the mate. - -"Look there!" he shouted. - -The captain looked. Fifty or sixty yards away, a small shamefaced- -looking schooner, so it appeared to his excited imagination, was slowly -approaching them. A minute later a shout went up from the other craft as -she took in sail and bore slowly down upon them. Then a small boat put -off to the buoy, and the Mary Ann was slowly warped into the place she -had left ten hours before. - -But while all this was going on, she was boarded by her captain and -mate. They were met by Captain Bing, supported by his mate, who had -hastily pushed off from the Smiling Jane to the assistance of his chief. -In the two leading features before mentioned he was not unlike the mate -of the Mary Ann, and much stress was laid upon this fact by the -unfortunate Bing in his explanation. So much so, in fact, that both the -mates got restless; the skipper, who was a plain man, and given to -calling a spade a spade, using the word "pimply" with what seemed to -them unnecessary iteration. - -It is possible that the interview might have lasted for hours had not -Bing suddenly changed his tactics and begun to throw out dark hints -about standing a dinner ashore, and settling it over a friendly glass. -The face of the Mary Ann's captain began to clear, and, as Bing -proceeded from generalities to details, a soft smile played over his -expressive features. It was reflected in the faces of the mates, who by -these means showed clearly that they understood the table was to be laid -for four. - -At this happy turn of affairs Bing himself smiled, and a little while -later a ship's boat containing four boon companions put off from the -Mary Ann and made for the shore. Of what afterwards ensued there is no -distinct record, beyond what may be gleaned from the fact that the -quartette turned up at midnight arm-in-arm, and affectionately refused -to be separated--even to enter the ship's boat, which was waiting for -them. The sailors were at first rather nonplussed, but by dint of much -coaxing and argument broke up the party, and rowing them to their -respective vessels, put them carefully to bed. - - - - -CONTRABAND OF WAR - - -A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo'c'sle of the schooner -Greyhound, by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedate -appearance sat crocheting an antimacassar. Two other men were snoring -with deep content in their bunks, while a small, bright-eyed boy sat up -in his, reading adventurous fiction. - -"Here comes old Dan," said the man with the anti-macassar warningly, as -a pair of sea boots appeared at the top of the companion-ladder; "better -not let him see you with that paper, Billee." - -The boy thrust it beneath his blankets, and, lying down, closed his eyes -as the new comer stepped on to the floor. - -"All asleep?" inquired the latter. - -The other man nodded, and Dan, without any further parley, crossed over -to the sleepers and shook them roughly. - -"Eh! wha's matter?" inquired the sleepers plaintively. - -"Git up," said Dan impressively, "I want to speak to you. Something -important." - -With sundry growls the men complied, and, thrusting their legs out of -their bunks, rolled on to the locker, and sat crossly waiting for -information. - -"I want to do a pore chap a good turn," said Dan, watching them narrowly -out of his little black eyes, "an' I want you to help me; an' the boy -too. It's never too young to do good to your fellow-creatures, Billy." - -"I know it ain't," said Billy, taking this as permission to join the -group; "I helped a drunken man home once when I was only ten years old, -an' when I was only--" - -The speaker stopped, not because he had come to the end of his remarks, -but because one of the seamen had passed his arm around his neck and was -choking him. - -"Go on," said the man calmly; "I've got him. Spit it out, Dan, and none -of your sermonising." - -"Well, it's like this, Joe," said the old man; "here's a pore chap, a -young sojer from the depot here, an' he's cut an' run. He's been in -hiding in a cottage up the road two days, and he wants to git to London, -and git honest work and employment, not shooting, an' stabbing, an' -bayoneting--" - -"Stow it," said Joe impatiently. - -"He daren't go to the railway station, and he dursen't go outside in his -uniform," continued Dan. "My 'art bled for the pore young feller, an' -I've promised to give 'im a little trip to London with us. The people -he's staying with won't have him no longer. They've only got one bed, -and directly he sees any sojers coming he goes an' gits into it, whether -he's got his boots on or not." - -"Have you told the skipper?" inquired Joe sardonically. - -"I won't deceive you, Joe, I 'ave not," replied the old man. "He'll have -to stay down here of a daytime, an' only come on deck of a night when -it's our watch. I told 'im what a lot of good-'arted chaps you was, and -how--" - -"How much is he going to give you?" inquired Joe impatiently. - -"It's only fit and proper he should pay a little for the passage," said -Dan. - -"How MUCH?" demanded Joe, banging the little triangular table with his -fist, and thereby causing the man with the antimacassar to drop a couple -of stitches. - -"Twenty-five shillings," said old Dan reluctantly; "an' I'll spend the -odd five shillings on you chaps when we git to Limehouse." - -"I don't want your money," said Joe; "there's a empty bunk he can have; -and mind, you take all the responsibility--I won't have nothing to do -with it." - -"Thanks, Joe," said the old man, with a sigh of relief; "he's a nice -young chap, you're sure to take to him. I'll go and give him the tip to -come aboard at once." - -He ran up on deck again and whistled softly, and a figure, which had -been hiding behind a pile of empties, came out, and, after looking -cautiously around, dropped noiselessly on to the schooner's deck, and -followed its protector below. - -"Good evening, mates," said the linesman, gazing curiously and anxiously -round him as he deposited a bundle on the table, and laid his swagger -cane beside it. - -"What's your height?" inquired Joe abruptly. "Seven foot?" - -"No, only six foot four," said the new arrival, modestly. "I'm not proud -of it. It's much easier for a small man to slip off than a big one." - -"It licks me," said Joe thoughtfully, "what they want 'em back for--I -should think they'd be glad to git rid o' such"--he paused a moment -while politeness struggled with feeling, and added, "skunks." - -"P'raps I've a reason for being a skunk, p'raps I haven't," retorted -Private Smith, as his face fell. - -"This'll be your bunk," interposed Dan hastily; "put your things in -there, and when you are in yourself you'll be as comfortable as a oyster -in its shell." - -The visitor complied, and, first extracting from the bundle some tins of -meat and a bottle of whiskey, which he placed upon the table, nervously -requested the honour of the present company to supper. With the -exception of Joe, who churlishly climbed back into his bunk, the men -complied, all agreeing that boys of Billy's age should be reared on -strong teetotal principles. - -Supper over, Private Smith and his protectors retired to their couches, -where the former lay in much anxiety until two in the morning, when they -got under way. - -"It's all right, my lad," said Dan, after the watch had been set, as he -came and stood by the deserter's bunk; "I 've saved you--I've saved you -for twenty-five shillings." - -"I wish it was more," said Private Smith politely. - -The old man sighed--and waited. - -"I'm quite cleaned out, though," continued the deserter, "except -fi'pence ha'penny. I shall have to risk going home in my uniform as it -is." - -"Ah, you'll get there all right," said Dan cheerfully; "and when you -get home no doubt you 've got friends, and if it seems to you as you 'd -like to give a little more to them as assisted you in the hour of need, -you won't be ungrateful, my lad, I know. You ain't the sort." - -With these words old Dan, patting him affectionately, retired, and the -soldier lay trying to sleep in his narrow quarters until he was aroused -by a grip on his arm. - -"If you want a mouthful of fresh air you 'd better come on deck now," -said the voice of Joe; "it's my watch. You can get all the sleep you -want in the daytime." - -Glad to escape from such stuffy quarters, Private Smith clambered out of -his bunk and followed the other on deck. It was a fine clear night, and -the schooner was going along under a light breeze; the seaman took the -wheel, and, turning to his companion, abruptly inquired what he meant by -deserting and worrying them with six foot four of underdone lobster. - -"It's all through my girl," said Private Smith meekly; "first she jilted -me, and made me join the army; now she's chucked the other fellow, and -wrote to me to go back." - -"An' now I s'pose the other chap'll take your place in the army," said -Joe. "Why, a gal like that could fill a regiment, if she liked. Pah! -They'll nab you too, in that uniform, and you'll get six months, and -have to finish your time as well." - -"It's more than likely," said the soldier gloomily. "I've got to tramp -to Manchester in these clothes, as far as I can see." - -"What did you give old Dan all your money for?" inquired Joe. - -"I was only thinking of getting away at first," said Smith, "and I had -to take what was offered." - -"Well, I'll do what I can for you," said the seaman. "If you're in love, -you ain't responsible for your actions. I remember the first time I got -the chuck. I went into a public-house bar, and smashed all the glass and -bottles I could get at. I felt as though I must do something. If you -were only shorter, I'd lend you some clothes." - -"You're a brick," said the soldier gratefully. - -"I haven't got any money I could lend you either," said Joe. "I never do -have any, somehow. But clothes you must have." - -He fell into deep thought, and cocked his eye aloft as though -contemplating a cutting-out expedition on the sails, while the soldier, -sitting on the side of the ship, waited hopefully for a miracle. - -"You'd better get below again," said Joe presently. - -"There seems to be somebody moving below; and if the skipper sees you, -you're done. He's a regular Tartar, and he's got a brother what's a -sergeant-major in the army. He'd give you up d'rectly if he spotted -you." - -"I'm off," said Smith; and with long, cat-like strides he disappeared -swiftly below. - -For two days all went well, and Dan was beginning to congratulate -himself upon his little venture, when his peace of mind was rudely -disturbed. The crew were down below, having their tea, when Billy, who -had been to the galley for hot water, came down, white and scared. - -"Look here," he said nervously, "I've not had anything to do with this -chap being aboard, have I?" - -"What's the matter?" inquired Dan quickly. - -"It's all found out," said Billy. - -"WHAT!" cried the crew simultaneously. - -"Leastways, it will be," said the youth, correcting himself. "You'd -better chuck him overboard while you've got time. I heard the cap'n tell -the mate as he was coming down in the fo'c'sle to-morrow morning to look -round. He's going to have it painted." - -"This," said Dan, in the midst of a painful pause, "this is what comes -of helping a fellow-creature. What's to be done?" - -"Tell the skipper the fo'c'sle don't want painting," suggested Billy. - -The agonised old seaman, carefully putting down his saucer of tea, -cuffed his head spitefully. - -"It's a smooth sea," said he, looking at the perturbed countenance of -Private Smith, "'an there's a lot of shipping about. If I was a -deserter, sooner than be caught, I would slip overboard to-night with a -lifebelt and take my chance." - -"I wouldn't," said Mr. Smith, with much decision. - -"You wouldn't? Not if you was quite near another ship?" cooed Dan. - -"Not if I was near fifty blooming ships, all trying to see which could -pick me up first," replied Mr. Smith, with some heat. - -"Then we shall have to leave you to your fate," said Dan solemnly. "If a -man's unreasonable, his best friends can do nothing for him." - -"Chuck all his clothes overboard, anyway," said Billy. - -"That's a good idea o' the boy's. You leave his ears alone," said Joe, -stopping the ready hand of the exasperated Dan. "He's got more sense -than any of us. Can you think of anything else, Billy? What shall we do -then?" - -The eyes of all were turned upon their youthful deliverer, those of Mr. -Smith being painfully prominent. It was a proud moment for Billy, and he -sat silent for some time, with a look of ineffable wisdom and thought -upon his face. At length he spoke. - -"Let somebody else have a turn," he said generously. - -The voice of the antimacassar worker broke the silence. - -"Paint him all over with stripes of different-coloured paint, and let -him pretend he's mad, and didn't know how he got here," he said, with an -uncontrollable ring of pride at the idea, which was very coldly -received, Private Smith being noticeably hard on it. - -"I know," said Billy shrilly, clapping his hands. "I've got it, I 've -got it. After he's chucked his clothes overboard to-night, let him go -overboard too, with a line." - -"And tow him the rest o' the way, and chuck biscuits to him, I suppose," -snarled Dan. - -"No," said the youthful genius scornfully; "pretend he's been upset from -a boat, and has been swimming about, and we heard him cry out for help -and rescued him." - -"It's about the best way out of it," said Joe, after some deliberation; -"it's warm weather, and you won't take no harm, mate. Do it in my watch, -and I'll pull you out directly." - -"Wouldn't it do if you just chucked a bucket of water over me and SAID -you'd pulled me out," suggested the victim. "The other thing seems a -downright LIE." - -"No," said Billy authoritatively, "you've got to look half-drowned, and -swallow a lot of water, and your eyes be all bloodshot." - -Everybody being eager for the adventure, except Private Smith, the -arrangements were at once concluded, and the approach of night -impatiently awaited. It was just before midnight when Smith, who had -forgotten for the time his troubles in sleep, was shaken into -wakefulness. - -"Cold water, sir?" said Billy gleefully. - -In no mood for frivolity, Private Smith rose and followed the youth on -deck. The air struck him as chill as he stood there; but, for all that, -it was with a sense of relief that he saw Her Majesty's uniform go over -the side and sink into the dark water. - -"He don't look much with his padding off, does he?" said Billy, who had -been eyeing him critically. - -"You go below," said Dan sharply. - -"Garn," said Billy indignantly; "I want to see the fun as well as you -do. I thought of it." - -"Fun?" said the old man severely. "Fun? To see a feller creature -suffering, and perhaps drowned--" - -"I don't think I had better go," said the victim; "it seems rather -underhand." - -"Yes, you will," said Joe. "Wind this line round an' round your arm, and -just swim about gently till I pull you in." - -Sorely against his inclination Private Smith took hold of the line, and, -hanging over the side of the schooner, felt the temperature with his -foot, and, slowly and tenderly, with many little gasps, committed his -body to the deep. Joe paid out the line and waited, letting out more -line, when the man in the water, who was getting anxious, started to -come in hand over hand. - -"That'll do," said Dan at length. - -"I think it will," said Joe, and, putting his hand to his mouth, gave a -mighty shout. It was answered almost directly by startled roars from the -cabin, and the skipper and mate came rushing hastily upon deck, to see -the crew, in their sleeping gear, forming an excited group round Joe, -and peering eagerly over the side. - -"What's the matter?" demanded the skipper. - -"Somebody in the water, sir," said Joe, relinquishing the wheel to one -of the other seamen, and hauling in the line. "I heard a cry from the -water and threw a line, and, by gum, I've hooked it!" - -He hauled in, lustily aided by the skipper, until the long white body of -Private Smith, blanched with the cold, came bumping against the -schooner's side. - -"It's a mermaid," said the mate, who was inclined to be superstitious, -as he peered doubtfully down at it. "Let it go, Joe." - -"Haul it in, boys," said the skipper impatiently; and two of the men -clambered over the side and, stooping down, raised it from the water. - -In the midst of a puddle, which he brought with him, Private Smith was -laid on the deck, and, waving his arms about, fought wildly for his -breath. - -"Fetch one of them empties," said the skipper quickly, as he pointed to -some barrels ranged along the side. - -The men rolled one over, and then aided the skipper in placing the long -fair form of their visitor across it, and to trundle it lustily up and -down the deck, his legs forming convenient handles for the energetic -operators. - -"He's coming round," said the mate, checking them; "he's speaking. How -do you feel, my poor fellow?" - -He put his ear down, but the action was unnecessary. Private Smith felt -bad, and, in the plainest English he could think of at the moment, said -so distinctly. - -"He's swearing," said the mate. "He ought to be ashamed of himself." - -"Yes," said the skipper austerely; "and him so near death too. How did -you get in the water?" - -"Went for a--swim," panted Smith surlily. - -"SWIM?" echoed the skipper. "Why, we're ten miles from land!" - -"His mind's wandering, pore feller," interrupted Joe hurriedly. "What -boat did you fall out of, matey?" - -"A row-boat," said Smith, trying to roll out of reach of the skipper, -who was down on his knees flaying him alive with a roller-towel. "I had -to undress in the water to keep afloat. I've lost all my clothes." - -"Pore feller," said Dan. - -"A gold watch and chain, my purse, and three of the nicest fellers that -ever breathed," continued Smith, who was now entering into the spirit of -the thing. - -"Poor chaps," said the skipper solemnly. "Any of 'em leave any family?" - -"Four," said Smith sadly. - -"Children?" queried the mate. - -"Families," said Smith. - -"Look here," said the mate, but the watchful Joe interrupted him. - -"His mind's wandering," said he hastily. "He can't count, pore chap. We -'d better git him to bed." - -"Ah, do," said the skipper, and, assisted by his friends, the rescued -man was half led, half carried below and put between the blankets, where -he lay luxuriously sipping a glass of brandy and water, sent from the -cabin. - -"How'd I do it?" he inquired, with a satisfied air. - -"There was no need to tell all them lies about it," said Dan sharply; -"instead of one little lie you told half-a-dozen. I don't want nothing -more to do with you. You start afresh now, like a new-born babe." - -"All right," said Smith shortly; and, being very much fatigued with his -exertions, and much refreshed by the brandy, fell into a deep and -peaceful sleep. - -The morning was well advanced when he awoke, and the fo'c'sle empty -except for the faithful Joe, who was standing by his side, with a heap -of clothing under his arm. - -"Try these on," said he, as Smith stared at him half awake; "they'll be -better than nothing, at any rate." - -The soldier leaped from his bunk and gratefully proceeded to dress -himself, Joe eyeing him critically as the trousers climbed up his long -legs, and the sleeves of the jacket did their best to conceal his -elbows. - -"What do I look like?" he inquired anxiously, as he finished. - -"Six foot an' a half o' misery," piped the shrill voice of Billy -promptly, as he thrust his head in at the fo'c'sle. "You can't go to -church in those clothes." - -"Well, they'll do for the ship, but you can't go ashore in 'em," said -Joe, as he edged towards the ladder, and suddenly sprang up a step or -two to let fly at the boy, "The old man wants to see you; be careful -what you say to him." - -With a very unsuccessful attempt to appear unconscious of the figure he -cut, Smith went up on deck for the interview. - -"We can't do anything until we get to London," said the skipper, as he -made copious notes of Smith's adventures. "As soon as we get there, I'll -lend you the money to telegraph to your friends to tell 'em you're safe -and to send you some clothes, and of course you'll have free board and -lodging till it comes, and I'll write out an account of it for the -newspapers." - -"You're very good," said Smith blankly. - -"And I don't know what you are," said the skipper, interrogatively; "but -you ought to go in for swimming as a profession--six hours' swimming -about like that is wonderful." - -"You don't know what you can do till you have to," said Smith modestly, -as he backed slowly away; "but I never want to see the water again as -long as I live." - -The two remaining days of their passage passed all too quickly for the -men, who were casting about for some way out of the difficulty which -they foresaw would arise when they reached London. - -"If you'd only got decent clothes," said Joe, as they passed Gravesend, -"you could go off and send a telegram, and not come back; but you -couldn't go five yards in them things without having a crowd after you." - -"I shall have to be taken I s'pose," said Smith moodily. - -"An' poor old Dan'll get six months hard for helping you off," said Joe -sympathetically, as a bright idea occurred to him. - -"Rubbish!" said Dan uneasily. "He can stick to his tale of being upset; -anyway, the skipper saw him pulled out of the water. He's too honest a -chap to get an old man into trouble for trying to help him." - -"He must have a new rig out, Dan," said Joe softly. "You an' me'll go -an' buy 'em. I'll do the choosing, and you'll do the paying. Why, it'll -be a reg'lar treat for you to lay out a little money, Dan. We'll have -quite an evening's shopping, everything of the best." - -The infuriated Dan gasped for breath, and looked helplessly at the -grinning crew. - -"I'll see him--overboard first," he said furiously. - -"Please yourself," said Joe shortly, "If he's caught you'll get six -months. As it is, you've got a chance of doing a nice, kind little -Christian act, becos, o' course, that twenty-five bob you got out of him -won't anything like pay for his toggery." - -Almost beside himself with indignation, the old man moved off, and said -not another word until they were made fast to the wharf at Limehouse. He -did not even break silence when Joe, taking him affectionately by the -arm, led him aft to the skipper. - -"Me an' Dan, sir," said Joe very respectfully, "would like to go ashore -for a little shopping. Dan has very kindly offered to lend that pore -chap the money for some clothes, and he wants me to go with him to help -carry them." - -"Ay, ay," said the skipper, with a benevolent smile at the aged -philanthropist. "You'd better go at once, afore the shops shut." - -"We'll run, sir," said Joe, and taking Dan by the arm, dragged him into -the street at a trot. - -Nearly a couple of hours passed before they returned, and no child -watched with greater eagerness the opening of a birthday present than -Smith watched the undoing of the numerous parcels with which they were -laden. - -"He's a reg'lar fairy godmother, ain't he?" said Joe, as Smith joyously -dressed himself in a very presentable tweed suit, serviceable boots, and -a bowler hat. "We had a dreadful job to get a suit big enough, an' the -only one we could get was rather more money than we wanted to give, -wasn't it, Dan?" - -The fairy godmother strove manfully with his feelings. - -"You'll do now," said Joe. "I ain't got much, but what I have you're -welcome to." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out some loose -coin. "What have you got, mates?" - -With decent good will the other men turned out their pockets, and, -adding to the store, heartily pressed it upon the reluctant Smith, who, -after shaking hands gratefully, followed Joe on deck. - -"You've got enough to pay your fare," said the latter; "an' I've told -the skipper you are going ashore to send off telegrams. If you send the -money back to Dan, I'll never forgive you." - -"I won't, then," said Smith firmly; "but I'll send theirs back to the -other chaps. Good-bye." - -Joe shook him by the hand again, and bade him go while the coast was -clear, advice which Smith hastened to follow, though he turned and -looked back to wave his hand to the crew, who had come up on deck -silently to see him off; all but the philanthropist, who was down below -with a stump of lead-pencil and a piece of paper doing sums. - - - - -A BLACK AFFAIR - - -"I didn't want to bring it," said Captain Gubson, regarding somewhat -unfavourably a grey parrot whose cage was hanging against the mainmast, -"but my old uncle was so set on it I had to. He said a sea-voyage would -set its 'elth up." - -"It seems to be all right at present," said the mate, who was tenderly -sucking his forefinger; "best of spirits, I should say." - -"It's playful," assented the skipper. "The old man thinks a rare lot of -it. I think I shall have a little bit in that quarter, so keep your eye -on the beggar." - -"Scratch Poll!" said the parrot, giving its bill a preliminary strop on -its perch. "Scratch poor Polly!" - -It bent its head against the bars, and waited patiently to play off what -it had always regarded as the most consummate practical joke in -existence. The first doubt it had ever had about it occurred when the -mate came forward and obligingly scratched it with the stem of his pipe. -It was a wholly unforeseen development, and the parrot, ruffling its -feathers, edged along its perch and brooded darkly at the other end of -it. - -Opinion before the mast was also against the new arrival, the general -view being that the wild jealousy which raged in the bosom of the ship's -cat would sooner or later lead to mischief. - -"Old Satan don't like it," said the cook, shaking his head. "The blessed -bird hadn't been aboard ten minutes before Satan was prowling around. -The blooming image waited till he was about a foot off the cage, and -then he did the perlite and asked him whether he'd like a glass o' beer. -_I_ never see a cat so took aback in all my life. Never." - -"There'll be trouble between 'em," said old Sam, who was the cat's -special protector, "mark my words." - -"I'd put my money on the parrot," said one of the men confidently. "It's -'ad a crool bit out of the mate's finger. Where 'ud the cat be agin that -beak?" - -"Well, you'd lose your money," said Sam. "If you want to do the cat a -kindness, every time you see him near that cage cuff his 'ed." - -The crew being much attached to the cat, which had been presented to -them when a kitten by the mate's wife, acted upon the advice with so -much zest that for the next two days the indignant animal was like to -have been killed with kindness. On the third day, however, the parrot's -cage being on the cabin table, the cat stole furtively down, and, at the -pressing request of the occupant itself, scratched its head for it. - -The skipper was the first to discover the mischief, and he came on deck -and published the news in a voice which struck a chill to all hearts. - -"Where's that black devil got to?" he yelled. - -"Anything wrong, sir?" asked Sam anxiously. - -"Come and look here," said the skipper. He led the way to the cabin, -where the mate and one of the crew were already standing, shaking their -heads over the parrot. - -"What do you make of that?" demanded the skipper fiercely. - -"Too much dry food, sir," said Sam, after due deliberation. - -"Too much what?" bellowed the skipper. - -"Too much dry food," repeated Sam firmly. "A parrot--a grey parrot-- -wants plenty o' sop. If it don't get it, it moults." - -"It's had too much CAT" said the skipper fiercely, "and you know it, and -overboard it goes." - -"I don't believe it was the cat, sir," interposed the other man; "it's -too soft-hearted to do a thing like that." - -"You can shut your jaw," said the skipper, reddening. "Who asked you to -come down here at all?" - -"Nobody saw the cat do it," urged the mate. - -The skipper said nothing, but, stooping down, picked up a tail feather -from the floor, and laid it on the table. He then went on deck, followed -by the others, and began calling, in seductive tones, for the cat. No -reply forth coming from the sagacious animal, which had gone into -hiding, he turned to Sam, and bade him call it. - -"No, sir, I won't 'ave no 'and in it," said the old man. "Putting aside -my liking for the animal, _I'M_ not going to 'ave anything to do with -the killing of a black cat." - -"Rubbish!" said the skipper. - -"Very good, sir," said Sam, shrugging his shoulders, "you know best, o' -course. You're eddicated and I'm not, an' p'raps you can afford to make -a laugh o' such things. I knew one man who killed a black cat an' he -went mad. There's something very pecooliar about that cat o' ours." - -"It knows more than we do," said one of the crew, shaking his head. -"That time you--I mean we--ran the smack down, that cat was expecting of -it 'ours before. It was like a wild thing." - -"Look at the weather we've 'ad--look at the trips we've made since he's -been aboard," said the old man. "Tell me it's chance if you like, but I -KNOW better." - -The skipper hesitated. He was a superstitious man even for a sailor, and -his weakness was so well known that he had become a sympathetic -receptacle for every ghost story which, by reason of its crudeness or -lack of corroboration, had been rejected by other experts. He was a -perfect reference library for omens, and his interpretations of dreams -had gained for him a widespread reputation. - -"That's all nonsense," he said, pausing uneasily; "still, I only want to -be just. There's nothing vindictive about me, and I'll have no hand in -it myself. Joe, just tie a lump of coal to that cat and heave it -overboard." - -"Not me," said the cook, following Sam's lead, and working up a shudder. -"Not for fifty pun in gold. I don't want to be haunted." - -"The parrot's a little better now, sir," said one of the men, taking -advantage of his hesitation, "he's opened one eye." - -"Well, I only want to be just," repeated the skipper. "I won't do -anything in a hurry, but, mark my words, if the parrot dies that cat -goes overboard." - -Contrary to expectations, the bird was still alive when London was -reached, though the cook, who from his connection with the cabin had -suddenly reached a position of unusual importance, reported great loss -of strength and irritability of temper. It was still alive, but failing -fast on the day they were to put to sea again; and the fo'c'sle, in -preparation for the worst, stowed their pet away in the paint-locker, -and discussed the situation. - -Their council was interrupted by the mysterious behaviour of the cook, -who, having gone out to lay in a stock of bread, suddenly broke in upon -them more in the manner of a member of a secret society than a humble -but useful unit of a ship's company. - -"Where's the cap'n?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, as he took a seat on -the locker with the sack of bread between his knees. - -"In the cabin," said Sam, regarding his antics with some disfavour. -"What's wrong, cookie?" - -"What d' yer think I've got in here?" asked the cook, patting the bag. - -The obvious reply to this question was, of course, bread; but as it was -known that the cook had departed specially to buy some, and that he -could hardly ask a question involving such a simple answer, nobody gave -it. - -"It come to me all of a sudden," said the cook, in a thrilling whisper. -"I'd just bought the bread and left the shop, when I see a big black -cat, the very image of ours, sitting on a doorstep. I just stooped down -to stroke its 'ed, when it come to me." - -"They will sometimes," said one of the seamen. - -"I don't mean that," said the cook, with the contempt of genius. "I mean -the idea did. Ses I to myself, 'You might be old Satan's brother by the -look of you; an' if the cap'n wants to kill a cat, let it be you,' I -ses. And with that, before it could say Jack Robinson, I picked it up by -the scruff o' the neck and shoved it in the bag." - -"What, all in along of our bread?" said the previous interrupter, in a -pained voice. - -"Some of yer are 'ard ter please," said the cook, deeply offended. - -"Don't mind him, cook," said the admiring Sam. "You're a masterpiece, -that's what you are." - -"Of course, if any of you've got a better plan"--said the cook -generously. - -"Don't talk rubbish, cook," said Sam; "fetch the two cats out and put -'em together." - -"Don't mix 'em," said the cook warningly; "for you'll never know which -is which agin if you do." - -He cautiously opened the top of the sack and produced his captive, and -Satan, having been relieved from his prison, the two animals were -carefully compared. - -"They're as like as two lumps o' coal," said Sam slowly. "Lord, what a -joke on the old man. I must tell the mate o' this; he'll enjoy it." - -"It'll be all right if the parrot don't die," said the dainty pessimist, -still harping on his pet theme. "All that bread spoilt, and two cats -aboard." - -"Don't mind what he ses," said Sam; "you're a brick, that's what you -are. I'll just make a few holes in the lid o' the boy's chest, and pop -old Satan in. You don't mind, do you, Billy?" - -"Of course he don't," said the other men indignantly. - -Matters being thus agreeably arranged, Sam got a gimlet, and prepared -the chest for the reception of its tenant, who, convinced that he was -being put out of the way to make room for a rival, made a frantic fight -for freedom. - -"Now get something 'eavy and put on the top of it," said Sam, having -convinced himself that the lock was broken; "and, Billy, put the noo cat -in the paint-locker till we start; it's home-sick." - -The boy obeyed, and the understudy was kept in durance vile until they -were off Limehouse, when he came on deck and nearly ended his career -there and then by attempting to jump over the bulwark into the next -garden. For some time he paced the deck in a perturbed fashion, and -then, leaping on the stern, mewed plaintively as his native city receded -farther and farther from his view. - -"What's the matter with old Satan?" said the mate, who had been let into -the secret. "He seems to have something on his mind." - -"He'll have something round his neck presently," said the skipper -grimly. - -The prophecy was fulfilled some three hours later, when he came up on -deck ruefully regarding the remains of a bird whose vocabulary had once -been the pride of its native town. He threw it overboard without a word, -and then, seizing the innocent cat, who had followed him under the -impression that it was about to lunch, produced half a brick attached to -a string, and tied it round his neck. The crew, who were enjoying the -joke immensely, raised a howl of protest. - -"The Skylark'll never have another like it, sir," said Sam solemnly. -"That cat was the luck of the ship." - -"I don't want any of your old woman's yarns," said the skipper brutally. -"If you want the cat, go and fetch it." - -He stepped aft as he spoke, and sent the gentle stranger hurtling -through the air. There was a "plomp" as it reached the water, a bubble -or two came to the surface, and all was over. - -"That's the last o' that," he said, turning away. - -The old man shook his head. "You can't kill a black cat for nothing," -said he, "mark my words!" - -The skipper, who was in a temper at the time, thought little of them, -but they recurred to him vividly the next day. The wind had freshened -during the night, and rain was falling heavily. On deck the crew stood -about in oilskins, while below, the boy, in his new capacity of gaoler, -was ministering to the wants of an ungrateful prisoner, when the cook, -happening to glance that way, was horrified to see the animal emerge -from the fo'c'sle. It eluded easily the frantic clutch of the boy as he -sprang up the ladder after it, and walked leisurely along the deck in -the direction of the cabin. Just as the crew had given it up for lost it -encountered Sam, and the next moment, despite its cries, was caught up -and huddled away beneath his stiff clammy oilskins. At the noise the -skipper, who was talking to the mate, turned as though he had been shot, -and gazed wildly round him. - -"Dick," said he, "can you hear a cat?" - -"Cat!" said the mate, in accents of great astonishment. - -"I thought I heard it," said the puzzled skipper. - -"Fancy, sir," said Dick firmly, as a mewing, appalling in its wrath, -came from beneath Sam's coat. - -"Did you hear it, Sam?" called the skipper, as the old man was moving -off. - -"Hear what, sir?" inquired Sam respectfully, without turning round. - -"Nothing," said the skipper, collecting himself. "Nothing. All right." - -The old man, hardly able to believe in his good fortune, made his way -forward, and, seizing a favourable opportunity, handed his ungrateful -burden back to the boy. - -"Fancy you heard a cat just now?" inquired the mate casually. - -"Well, between you an' me, Dick," said the skipper, in a mysterious -voice, "I did, and it wasn't fancy neither. I heard that cat as plain as -if it was alive." - -"Well, I've heard of such things," said the other, "but I don't believe -'em. What a lark if the old cat comes back climbing up over the side out -of the sea to-night, with the brick hanging round its neck." - -The skipper stared at him for some time without speaking. "If that's -your idea of a lark," he said at length, in a voice which betrayed -traces of some emotion, "it ain't mine." - -"Well, if you hear it again," said the mate cordially, "you might let me -know. I'm rather interested in such things." - -The skipper, hearing no more of it that day, tried hard to persuade -himself that he was the victim of imagination, but, in spite of this, he -was pleased at night, as he stood at the wheel, to reflect on the sense -of companionship afforded by the look-out in the bows. On his part the -look-out was quite charmed with the unwonted affability of the skipper, -as he yelled out to him two or three times on matters only faintly -connected with the progress of the schooner. - -The night, which had been dirty, cleared somewhat, and the bright -crescent of the moon appeared above a heavy bank of clouds, as the cat, -which had by dint of using its back as a lever at length got free from -that cursed chest, licked its shapely limbs, and came up on deck. After -its stifling prison, the air was simply delicious. - -"Bob!" yelled the skipper suddenly. - -"Ay, ay, sir!" said the look-out, in a startled voice. - -"Did you mew?" inquired the skipper. - -"Did I WOT, sir?" cried the astonished Bob. - -"Mew," said the skipper sharply, "like a cat?" - -"No, sir," said the offended seaman. "What 'ud I want to do that for?" - -"I don't know what you want to for," said the skipper, looking round him -uneasily. "There's some more rain coming, Bob." - -"Ay, ay, sir," said Bob. - -"Lot o' rain we've had this summer," said the skipper, in a meditative -bawl. - -"Ay, ay, sir," said Bob. "Sailing-ship on the port bow, sir." - -The conversation dropped, the skipper, anxious to divert his thoughts, -watching the dark mass of sail as it came plunging out of the darkness -into the moonlight until it was abreast of his own craft. His eyes -followed it as it passed his quarter, so that he saw not the stealthy -approach of the cat which came from behind the companion, and sat down -close by him. For over thirty hours the animal had been subjected to the -grossest indignities at the hands of every man on board the ship except -one. That one was the skipper, and there is no doubt but that its -subsequent behaviour was a direct recognition of that fact. It rose to -its feet, and crossing over to the unconscious skipper, rubbed its head -affectionately and vigorously against his leg. - -From simple causes great events do spring. The skipper sprang four -yards, and let off a screech which was the subject of much comment on -the barque which had just passed. When Bob, who came shuffling up at the -double, reached him he was leaning against the side, incapable of -speech, and shaking all over. - -"Anything wrong, sir?" inquired the seaman anxiously, as he ran to the -wheel. - -The skipper pulled himself together a bit, and got closer to his -companion. - -"Believe me or not, Bob," he said at length, in trembling accents, "just -as you please, but the ghost of that--cat, I mean the ghost of that poor -affectionate animal which I drowned, and which I wish I hadn't, came and -rubbed itself up against my leg." - -"Which leg?" inquired Bob, who was ever careful about details. - -"What the blazes does it matter which leg?" demanded the skipper, whose -nerves were in a terrible state. "Ah, look--look there!" - -The seaman followed his outstretched finger, and his heart failed him as -he saw the cat, with its back arched, gingerly picking its way along the -side of the vessel. - -"I can't see nothing," he said doggedly. - -"I don't suppose you can, Bob," said the skipper in a melancholy voice, -as the cat vanished in the bows; "it's evidently only meant for me to -see. What it means I don't know. I'm going down to turn in. I ain't fit -for duty. You don't mind being left alone till the mate comes up, do -you?" - -"I ain't afraid," said Bob. - -His superior officer disappeared below, and, shaking the sleepy mate, -who protested strongly against the proceedings, narrated in trembling -tones his horrible experiences. - -"If I were you "--said the mate. - -"Yes?" said the skipper, waiting a bit. Then he shook him again, -roughly. - -"What were you going to say?" he inquired. - -"Say?" said the mate, rubbing his eyes. "Nothing." - -"About the cat?" suggested the skipper. - -"Cat?" said the mate, nestling lovingly down in the blankets again. -"Wha' ca'--goo' ni'"-- - -Then the skipper drew the blankets from the mate's sleepy clutches, and, -rolling him backwards and forwards in the bunk, patiently explained to -him that he was very unwell, that he was going to have a drop of whiskey -neat, and turn in, and that he, the mate, was to take the watch. From -this moment the joke lost much of its savour for the mate. - -"You can have a nip too, Dick," said the skipper, proffering him the -whiskey, as the other sullenly dressed himself. - -"It's all rot," said the mate, tossing the spirits down his throat, "and -it's no use either; you can't run away from a ghost; it's just as likely -to be in your bed as anywhere else. Good-night." - -He left the skipper pondering over his last words, and dubiously eyeing -the piece of furniture in question. Nor did he retire until he had -subjected it to an analysis of the most searching description, and then, -leaving the lamp burning, he sprang hastily in, and forgot his troubles -in sleep. - -It was day when he awoke, and went on deck to find a heavy sea running, -and just sufficient sail set to keep the schooner's head before the wind -as she bobbed about on the waters. An exclamation from the skipper, as a -wave broke against the side and flung a cloud of spray over him, brought -the mate's head round. - -"Why, you ain't going to get up?" he said, in tones of insincere -surprise. - -"Why not?" inquired the other gruffly. - -"You go and lay down agin," said the mate, "and have a cup o' nice hot -tea an' some toast." - -"Clear out," said the skipper, making a dash for the wheel, and reaching -it as the wet deck suddenly changed its angle. "I know you didn't like -being woke up, Dick; but I got the horrors last night. Go below and turn -in." - -"All right," said the mollified mate. - -"You didn't see anything?" inquired the skipper, as he took the wheel -from him. - -"Nothing at all," said the other. - -The skipper shook his head thoughtfully, then shook it again vigorously, -as another shower-bath put its head over the side and saluted him. - -"I wish I hadn't drowned that cat, Dick," he said. - -"You won't see it again," said Dick, with the confidence of a man who -had taken every possible precaution to render the prophecy a safe one. - -He went below, leaving the skipper at the wheel idly watching the cook -as he performed marvellous feats of jugglery, between the galley and the -fo'c'sle, with the men's breakfast. - -A little while later, leaving the wheel to Sam, he went below himself -and had his own, talking freely, to the discomfort of the conscious- -stricken cook, about his weird experiences of the night before. - -"You won't see it no more, sir, I don't expect," he said faintly; "I -b'leeve it come and rubbed itself up agin your leg to show it forgave -you." - -"Well, I hope it knows it's understood," said the other. "I don't want -it to take any more trouble." - -He finished the breakfast in silence, and then went on deck again. It -was still blowing hard, and he went over to superintend the men who were -attempting to lash together some empties which were rolling about in all -directions amidships. A violent roll set them free again, and at the -same time separated two chests in the fo'c'sle, which were standing one -on top of the other. This enabled Satan, who was crouching in the lower -one, half crazed with terror, to come flying madly up on deck and give -his feelings full vent. Three times in full view of the horrified -skipper he circled the deck at racing speed, and had just started on the -fourth when a heavy packing-case, which had been temporarily set on end -and abandoned by the men at his sudden appearance, fell over and caught -him by the tail. Sam rushed to the rescue. - -"Stop!" yelled the skipper. - -"Won't I put it up, sir?" inquired Sam. - -"Do you see what's beneath it?" said the skipper, in a husky voice. - -"Beneath it, sir?" said Sam, whose ideas were in a whirl. - -"The cat, can't you see the cat?" said the skipper, whose eyes had been -riveted on the animal since its first appearance on deck. - -Sam hesitated a moment, and then shook his head. - -"The case has fallen on the cat," said the skipper. "I can see it -distinctly." - -He might have said heard it, too, for Satan was making frenzied appeals -to his sympathetic friends for assistance. - -"Let me put the case back, sir," said one of the men, "then p'raps the -vision 'll disappear." - -"No, stop where you are," said the skipper. "I can stand it better by -daylight. It's the most wonderful and extraordinary thing I've ever -seen. Do you mean to say you can't see anything, Sam?" - -"I can see a case, sir," said Sam, speaking slowly and carefully," with -a bit of rusty iron band sticking out from it. That's what you're -mistaking for the cat, p'raps, sir." - -"Can't you see anything, cook?" demanded the skipper. - -"It may be fancy, sir," faltered the cook, lowering his eyes, "but it -does seem to me as though I can see a little misty sort o' thing there. -Ah, now it's gone." - -"No, it ain't," said the skipper. "The ghost of Satan's sitting there. -The case seems to have fallen on its tail. It appears to be howling -something dreadful." - -The men made a desperate effort to display the astonishment suitable to -such a marvel, whilst Satan, who was trying all he knew to get his tail -out, cursed freely. How long the superstitious captain of the Skylark -would have let him remain there will never be known, for just then the -mate came on deck and caught sight of it before he was quite aware of -the part he was expected to play. - -"Why the devil don't you lift the thing off the poor brute," he yelled, -hurrying up towards the case. - -"What, can YOU see it, Dick?" said the skipper impressively, laying his -hand on his arm. - -"SEE it?" retorted the mate. "D'ye think I'm blind. Listen to the poor -brute. I should--Oh!" - -He became conscious of the concentrated significant gaze of the crew. -Five pairs of eyes speaking as one, all saying "idiot" plainly, the -boy's eyes conveying an expression too great to be translated. - -Turning, the skipper saw the bye-play, and a light slowly dawned upon -him. But he wanted more, and he wheeled suddenly to the cook for the -required illumination. - -The cook said it was a lark. Then he corrected himself and said it -wasn't a lark, then he corrected himself again and became incoherent. -Meantime the skipper eyed him stonily, while the mate released the cat -and good-naturedly helped to straighten its tail. - -It took fully five minutes of unwilling explanation before the skipper -could grasp the situation. He did not appear to fairly understand it -until he was shown the chest with the ventilated lid; then his -countenance cleared, and, taking the unhappy Billy by the collar, he -called sternly for a piece of rope. - -By this statesmanlike handling of the subject a question of much -delicacy and difficulty was solved, discipline was preserved, and a -practical illustration of the perils of deceit afforded to a youngster -who was at an age best suited to receive such impressions. That he -should exhaust the resources of a youthful but powerful vocabulary upon -the crew in general, and Sam in particular, was only to be expected. -They bore him no malice for it, but, when he showed signs of going -beyond his years, held a hasty consultation, and then stopped his mouth -with sixpence-halfpenny and a broken jack-knife. - - - - -THE SKIPPER OF THE "OSPREY" - - -It was a quarter to six in the morning as the mate of the sailing-barge -Osprey came on deck and looked round for the master, who had been -sleeping ashore and was somewhat overdue. Ten minutes passed before he -appeared on the wharf, and the mate saw with surprise that he was -leaning on the arm of a pretty girl of twenty, as he hobbled painfully -down to the barge. - -"Here you are then," said the mate, his face clearing. "I began to think -you weren't coming." - -"I'm not," said the skipper; "I've got the gout crool bad. My darter -here's going to take my place, an' I'm going to take it easy in bed for -a bit." - -"I'll go an' make it for you," said the mate. - -"I mean my bed at home," said the skipper sharply. "I want good nursing -an' attention." - -The mate looked puzzled. - -"But you don't really mean to say this young lady is coming aboard -instead of you?" he said. - -"That's just what I do mean," said the skipper. "She knows as much about -it as I do. She lived aboard with me until she was quite a big girl. -You'll take your orders from her. What are you whistling about? Can't I -do as I like about my own ship?" - -"O' course you can," said the mate drily; "an' I s'pose I can whistle if -I like--I never heard no orders against it." - -"Gimme a kiss, Meg, an' git aboard," said the skipper, leaning on his -stick and turning his cheek to his daughter, who obediently gave him a -perfunctory kiss on the left eyebrow, and sprang lightly aboard the -barge. - -"Cast off," said she, in a business-like manner, as she seized a boat- -hook and pushed off from the jetty. "Ta ta, Dad, and go straight home, -mind; the cab's waiting." - -"Ay, ay, my dear," said the proud father, his eye moistening with -paternal pride as his daughter, throwing off her jacket, ran and -assisted the mate with the sail. "Lord, what a fine boy she would have -made!" - -He watched the barge until she was well under way, and then, waving his -hand to his daughter, crawled slowly back to the cab; and, being to a -certain extent a believer in homeopathy, treated his complaint with a -glass of rum. - -"I'm sorry your father's so bad, miss," said the mate, who was still -somewhat dazed by the recent proceedings, as the girl came up and took -the wheel from him. "He was complaining a goodish bit all the way up." - -"A wilful man must have his way," said Miss Cringle, with a shake of her -head. "It's no good me saying anything, because directly my back's -turned he has his own way again." - -The mate shook his head despondently. - -"You'd better get your bedding up and make your arrangements forward," -said the new skipper presently. There was a look of indulgent admiration -in the mate's eye, and she thought it necessary to check it. - -"All right," said the other, "plenty of time for that; the river's a -little bit thick just now." - -"What do you mean?" inquired the girl hastily. - -"Some o' these things are not so careful as they might be," said the -mate, noting the ominous sparkle of her eye, "an' they might scrape the -paint off." - -"Look here, my lad," said the new skipper grimly, "if you think you can -steer better than me, you'd better keep it to yourself, that's all. Now -suppose you see about your bedding, as I said." - -The mate went, albeit he was rather surprised at himself for doing so, -and hid his annoyance and confusion beneath the mattress which he -brought up on his head. His job completed, he came aft again, and, -sitting on the hatches, lit his pipe. - -"This is just the weather for a pleasant cruise," he said amiably, after -a few whiffs. "You've chose a nice time for it." - -"I don't mind the weather," said the girl, who fancied that there was a -little latent sarcasm somewhere. "I think you'd better wash the decks -now." - -"Washed 'em last night," said the mate, without moving. - -"Ah, after dark, perhaps," said the girl. "Well, I think I'll have them -done again." - -The mate sat pondering rebelliously for a few minutes, then he removed -his jacket, put on in honour of the new skipper, and, fetching the -bucket and mop, silently obeyed orders. - -"You seem to be very fond of sitting down," remarked the girl, after he -had finished; "can't you find something else to do?" - -"I don't know," replied the mate slowly; "I thought you were looking -after that." - -The girl bit her lip, and was looking carefully round her, when they -were both disturbed by the unseemly behaviour of the master of a passing -craft. - -"Jack!" he yelled in a tone of strong amazement, "Jack!" - -"Halloa!" cried the mate. - -"Why didn't you tell us?" yelled the other reproachfully. - -"Tell you what?" roared the mystified mate. - -The master of the other craft, holding on to the stays with one hand, -jerked his thumb expressively towards Miss Cringle, and waited. - -"When was it?" he screamed anxiously, as he realised that his craft was -rapidly carrying him out of earshot. - -The mate smiled feebly, and glanced uneasily at the girl, who, with a -fine colour and an air of vast unconcern, was looking straight in front -of her; and it was a relief to both of them when they found themselves -hesitating and dodging in front of a schooner which was coming up. - -"Do you want all the river?" demanded the exasperated master of the -latter vessel, running to the side as they passed. "Why don't you drop -anchor if you want to spoon?" - -"Perhaps you 'd better let me take the wheel a bit," said the mate, not -without a little malice in his voice. - -"No; you can go an' keep a look-out in the bows," said the girl -serenely. "It'll prevent misunderstandings, too. Better take the -potatoes with you and peel them for dinner." - -The mate complied, and the voyage proceeded in silence, the steering -being rendered a little nicer than usual by various nautical sparks -bringing their boats a bit closer than was necessary in order to obtain -a good view of the fair steersman. - -After dinner, the tide having turned and a stiff head-wind blowing, they -brought up off Sheppey. It began to rain hard, and the crew of the -Osprey, having made all snug above, retired to the cabin to resume their -quarrel. - -"Don't mind me," said Miss Cringle scathingly, as the mate lit his pipe. - -"Well, I didn't think you minded," replied the mate; "the old man"-- - -"Who?" interrupted Miss Cringle, in a tone of polite inquiry. - -"Captain Cringle," said the mate, correcting himself, "smokes a great -deal, and I've heard him say that you liked the smell of it," - -"There's pipes and pipes," said Miss Cringle oracularly. - -The mate flung his on the floor and crunched it beneath his heel, then -he thrust his hands in his pockets, and, leaning back, scowled darkly up -at the rain as it crackled on the skylight. - -"If you are going to show off your nasty temper," said the girl -severely, "you'd better go forward. It's not quite the thing after all -for you to be down here--not that I study appearances much." - -"I shouldn't think you did," retorted the mate, whose temper was rapidly -getting the better of him. "I can't think what your father was thinking -of to let a pret--to let a girl like you come away like this." - -"If you were going to say pretty girl," said Miss Cringle, with calm -self-abnegation, "don't mind me, say it. The captain knows what he's -about. He told me you were a milksop; he said you were a good young man -and a teetotaller." - -The mate, allowing the truth of the captain's statement as to his -abstinence, hotly denied the charge of goodness. "I can understand your -father's hurry to get rid of you for a spell," he concluded, being -goaded beyond all consideration of politeness. "His gout 'ud never get -well while you were with him. More than that, I shouldn't wonder if you -were the cause of it." - -With this parting shot he departed, before the girl could think of a -suitable reply, and went and sulked in the dingy little fo'c'sle. - -In the evening, the weather having moderated somewhat, and the tide -being on the ebb, they got under way again, the girl coming on deck -fully attired in an oilskin coat and sou'-wester to resume the command. -The rain fell steadily as they ploughed along their way, guided by the -bright eye of the "Mouse" as it shone across the darkening waters. The -mate, soaked to the skin, was at the wheel. - -"Why don't you go below and put your oilskins on?" inquired the girl, -when this fact dawned upon her. - -"Don't want 'em," said the mate. - -"I suppose you know best," said the girl, and said no more until nine -o'clock, when she paused at the companion to give her last orders for -the night. - -"I'm going to turn in," said she; "call me at two o'clock. Good-night." - -"Good-night," said the other, and the girl vanished. - -Left to himself, the mate, who began to feel chilly, felt in his pockets -for a pipe, and was in all the stress of getting a light, when he heard -a thin, almost mild voice behind him, and, looking round, saw the face -of the girl at the companion. - -"I say, are these your oilskins I've been wearing?" she demanded -awkwardly. - -"You're quite welcome," said the mate. - -"Why didn't you tell me?" said the girl indignantly. "I wouldn't have -worn them for anything if I had known it." - -"Well, they won't poison you," said the mate resentfully. "Your father -left his at Ipswich to have 'em cobbled up a bit." - -The girl passed them up on the deck, and, closing the companion with a -bang, disappeared. It is possible that the fatigues of the day had been -too much for her, for when she awoke, and consulted the little silver -watch that hung by her bunk, it was past five o'clock, and the red glow -of the sun was flooding the cabin as she arose and hastily dressed. - -The deck was drying in white patches as she went above, and the mate was -sitting yawning at the wheel, his eyelids red for want of sleep. - -"Didn't I tell you to call me at two o'clock?" she demanded, confronting -him. - -"It's all right," said the mate. "I thought when you woke would be soon -enough. You looked tired." - -"I think you'd better go when we get to Ipswich," said the girl, -tightening her lips. "I'll ship somebody who'll obey orders." - -"I'll go when we get back to London," said the mate. "I'll hand this -barge over to the cap'n, and nobody else." - -"Well, we'll see," said the girl, as she took the wheel, "_I_ think -you'll go at Ipswich." - -For the remainder of the voyage the subject was not alluded to; the -mate, in a spirit of sulky pride, kept to the fore part of the boat, -except when he was steering, and, as far as practicable, the girl -ignored his presence. In this spirit of mutual forbearance they entered -the Orwell, and ran swiftly up to Ipswich. - -It was late in the afternoon when they arrived there, and the new -skipper, waiting only until they were made fast, went ashore, leaving -the mate in charge. She had been gone about an hour when a small -telegraph boy appeared, and, after boarding the barge in the unsafest -manner possible, handed him a telegram. The mate read it and his face -flushed. With even more than the curtness customary in language at a -halfpenny a word, it contained his dismissal. - -"I've had a telegram from your father sacking me," he said to the girl, -as she returned soon after, laden with small parcels. - -"Yes, I wired him to," she replied calmly. "I suppose you'll go NOW?" - -"I'd rather go back to London with you," he said slowly. - -"I daresay," said the girl. "As a matter of fact I wasn't really meaning -for you to go, but when you said you wouldn't I thought we'd see who was -master. I've shipped another mate, so you see I haven't lost much time." - -"Who is he," inquired the mate. - -"Man named Charlie Lee," replied the girl; "the foreman here told me of -him." - -"He'd no business too," said the mate, frowning; "he's a loose fish; -take my advice now and ship somebody else. He's not at all the sort of -chap I'd choose for you to sail with." - -"You'd choose," said the girl scornfully; "dear me, what a pity you -didn't tell me before." - -"He's a public-house loafer," said the mate, meeting her eye angrily, -"and about as bad as they make 'em; but I s'pose you'll have your own -way." - -"He won't frighten me," said the girl. "I'm quite capable of taking care -of myself, thank you. Good evening." - -The mate stepped ashore with a small bundle, leaving the remainder of -his possessions to go back to London with the barge. The girl watched -his well-knit figure as it strode up the quay until it was out of sight, -and then, inwardly piqued because he had not turned round for a parting -glance, gave a little sigh, and went below to tea. - -The docile and respectful behaviour of the new-comer was a pleasant -change to the autocrat of the Osprey, and cargoes were worked out and in -without an unpleasant word. They laid at the quay for two days, the new -mate, whose home was at Ipswich, sleeping ashore, and on the morning of -the third he turned up punctually at six o'clock, and they started on -their return voyage. - -"Well, you do know how to handle a craft," said Lee admiringly, as they -passed down the river. "The old boat seems to know it's got a pretty -young lady in charge." - -"Don't talk rubbish," said the girl austerely. - -The new mate carefully adjusted his red necktie and smiled indulgently. - -"Well, you're the prettiest cap'n I've ever sailed under," he said. -"What do they call that red cap you've got on? Tam-o'-Shanter is it?" - -"I don't know," said the girl shortly. - -"You mean you won't tell me," said the other, with a look of anger in -his soft dark eyes. - -"Just as you like," said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his -heel and began to busy himself with some small matter forward. - -The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the -new mate's manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the Osprey -regret her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her -proud spirit quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the barge -merely crawled along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious -glances, took each other's measure. - -"This is the nicest trip I've ever had," said Lee, as he came up from an -unduly prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. "I've -brought your jacket up." - -"I don't want it, thank you," said the girl. - -"Better have it," said Lee, holding it up for her. - -"When I want my jacket I'll put it on myself," said the girl. - -"All right, no offence," said the other airily. "What an obstinate -little devil you are." - -"Have you got any drink down there?" inquired the girl, eyeing him -sternly. - -"Just a little drop o' whiskey, my dear, for the spasms," said Lee -facetiously. "Will you have a drop?" - -"I won't have any drinking here," said she sharply. "If you want to -drink, wait till you get ashore." - -"YOU won't have any drinking!" said the other, opening his eyes, and -with a quiet chuckle he dived below and brought up a bottle and a glass. -"Here's wishing a better temper to you, my dear," he said amiably, as he -tossed off a glass. "Come, you'd better have a drop. It'll put a little -colour in your cheeks." - -"Put it away now, there's a good fellow," said the captain timidly, as -she looked anxiously at the nearest sail, some two miles distant. - -"It's the only friend I've got," said Lee, sprawling gracefully on the -hatches, and replenishing his glass. "Look here. Are you on for a -bargain?" - -"What do you mean?" inquired the girl. - -"Give me a kiss, little spitfire, and I won't take another drop to- -night," said the new mate tenderly. "Come, I won't tell." - -"You may drink yourself to death before I'll do that," said the girl, -striving to speak calmly. "Don't talk that nonsense to me again." - -She stooped over as she spoke and made a sudden grab at the bottle, but -the new mate was too quick for her, and, snatching it up jeeringly, -dared her to come for it. - -"Come on, come and fight for it," said he; "hit me if you like, I don't -mind; your little fist won't hurt." - -No answer being vouchsafed to this invitation he applied himself to his -only friend again, while the girl, now thoroughly frightened, steered in -silence. - -"Better get the sidelights out," said she at length. - -"Plenty o' time," said Lee. - -"Take the helm, then, while I do it," said the girl, biting her lips. - -The fellow rose and came towards her, and, as she made way for him, -threw his arm round her waist and tried to detain her. Her heart beating -quickly, she walked forward, and, not without a hesitating glance at the -drunken figure at the wheel, descended into the fo'c'sle for the lamps. - -The next moment, with a gasping little cry, she sank down on a locker as -the dark figure of a man rose and stood by her. - -"Don't be frightened," it said quietly. - -"Jack?" said the girl. - -"That's me," said the figure. "You didn't expect to see me, did you? I -thought perhaps you didn't know what was good for you, so I stowed -myself away last night, and here I am." - -"Have you heard what that fellow has been saying to me?" demanded Miss -Cringle, with a spice of the old temper leavening her voice once more. - -"Every word," said the mate cheerfully. - -"Why didn't you come up and stand by me?" inquired the girl hotly. - -The mate hung his head. - -"Oh," said the girl, and her tones were those of acute disappointment, -"you're afraid." - -"I'm not," said the mate scornfully. - -"Why didn't you come up, then, instead of skulking down here?" inquired -the girl. - -"The mate scratched the back of his neck and smiled, but weakly. "Well, -I--I thought"--he began, and stopped. - -"You thought"--prompted Miss Cringle coldly. - -"I thought a little fright would do you good," said the mate, speaking -quickly, "and that it would make you appreciate me a little more when I -did come." - -"Ahoy! MAGGIE! MAGGIE!" came the voice of the graceless varlet who was -steering. - -"I'll MAGGIE him," said the mate, grinding his teeth, "Why, what the-- -why you 're crying." - -"I'm not," sobbed Miss Cringle scornfully. "I'm in a temper, that's -all." - -"I'll knock his head off," said the mate; "you stay down here." - -"Mag-GIE!" came the voice again, "MAG--HULLO!" - -"Were you calling me, my lad?" said the mate, with dangerous politeness, -as he stepped aft. "Ain't you afraid of straining that sweet voice o' -yours? Leave go o' that tiller." - -The other let go, and the mate's fist took him heavily in the face and -sent him sprawling on the deck. He rose with a scream of rage and rushed -at his opponent, but the mate's temper, which had suffered badly through -his treatment of the last few days, was up, and he sent him heavily down -again. - -"There's a little dark dingy hole forward," said the mate, after waiting -some time for him to rise again, "just the place for you to go and think -over your sins in. If I see you come out of it until we get to London, -I'll hurt you. Now clear." - -The other cleared, and, carefully avoiding the girl, who was standing -close by, disappeared below. - -"You've hurt him," said the girl, coming up to the mate and laying her -hand on his arm. "What a horrid temper you've got." - -"It was him asking you to kiss him that upset me," said the mate -apologetically. - -"He put his arm round my waist," said Miss Cringle, blushing. - -"WHAT!" said the mate, stuttering, "put his--put his arm--round--your -waist--like"-- - -His courage suddenly forsook him. - -"Like what?" inquired the girl, with superb innocence. - -"Like THAT," said the mate manfully. - -"That'll do," said Miss Cringle softly, "that'll do. You're as bad as he -is, only the worst of it is there is nobody here to prevent you." - - - - -IN BORROWED PLUMES - - -The master of the Sarah Jane had been missing for two days, and all on -board, with the exception of the boy, whom nobody troubled about, were -full of joy at the circumstance. Twice before had the skipper, whose -habits might, perhaps, be best described as irregular, missed his ship, -and word had gone forth that the third time would be the last. His berth -was a good one, and the mate wanted it in place of his own, which was -wanted by Ted Jones, A. B. - -"Two hours more," said the mate anxiously to the men, as they stood -leaning against the side, "and I take the ship out." - -"Under two hours'll do it," said Ted, peering over the side and watching -the water as it slowly rose over the mud. "What's got the old man, I -wonder?" - -"I don't know, and I don't care," said the mate. "You chaps stand by me -and it'll be good for all of us. Mr. Pearson said distinct the last time -that if the skipper ever missed his ship again it would be his last trip -in her, and he told me afore the old man that I wasn't to wait two -minutes at any time, but to bring her out right away." - -"He's an old fool," said Bill Loch, the other hand; "and nobody'll miss -him but the boy, and he's been looking reg'lar worried all the morning. -He looked so worried at dinner time that I give 'im a kick to cheer him -up a bit. Look at him now." - -The mate gave a supercilious glance in the direction of the boy, and -then turned away. The boy, who had no idea of courting observation, -stowed himself away behind the windlass; and, taking a letter from his -pocket, perused it for the fourth time. - -"Dear Tommy," it began. "I take my pen in and to inform you that I'm -stayin here and cant get away for the reason that I lorst my cloes at -cribage larst night, also my money, and everything beside. Dont speek to -a living sole about it as the mate wants my birth, but pack up sum cloes -and bring them to me without saying nuthing to noboddy. The mates cloths -will do becos I havent got enny other soot, dont tell 'im. You needen't -trouble about soks as I've got them left. My bed is so bad I must now -conclude. Your affecshunate uncle and captin Joe Bross. P.S. Dont let -the mate see you come, or else he wont let you go." - -"Two hours more," sighed Tommy, as he put the letter back in his pocket. -"How can I get any clothes when they're all locked up? And aunt said I -was to look after 'im and see he didn't get into no mischief." - -He sat thinking deeply, and then, as the crew of the Sarah Jane stepped -ashore to take advantage of a glass offered by the mate, he crept down -to the cabin again for another desperate look round. The only articles -of clothing visible belonged to Mrs. Bross, who up to this trip had been -sailing in the schooner to look after its master. At these he gazed -hard. - -"I'll take 'em and try an' swop 'em for some men's clothes," said he -suddenly, snatching the garments from the pegs. "She wouldn't mind"; and -hastily rolling them into a parcel, together with a pair of carpet -slippers of the captain's, he thrust the lot into an old biscuit bag. -Then he shouldered his burden, and, going cautiously on deck, gained the -shore, and set off at a trot to the address furnished in the letter. - -It was a long way, and the bag was heavy. His first attempt at barter -was alarming, for the pawnbroker, who had just been cautioned by the -police, was in such a severe and uncomfortable state of morals, that the -boy quickly snatched up his bundle again and left. Sorely troubled he -walked hastily along, until, in a small bye street, his glance fell upon -a baker of mild and benevolent aspect, standing behind the counter of -his shop. - -"If you please, sir," said Tommy, entering, and depositing his bag on -the counter, "have you got any cast-off clothes you don't want?" - -The baker turned to a shelf, and selecting a stale loaf cut it in -halves, one of which he placed before the boy. - -"I don't want bread," said Tommy desperately; "but mother has just died, -and father wants mourning for the funeral. He's only got a new suit with -him, and if he can change these things of mother's for an old suit, he'd -sell his best ones to bury her with." - -He shook the articles out on the counter, and the baker's wife, who had -just come into the shop, inspected them rather favourably. - -"Poor boy, so you've lost your mother," she said, turning the clothes -over. "It's a good skirt, Bill." - -"Yes, ma'am," said Tommy dolefully. - -"What did she die of?" inquired the baker. - -"Scarlet fever," said Tommy, tearfully, mentioning the only disease he -knew. - -"Scar--Take them things away," yelled the baker, pushing the clothes on -to the floor, and following his wife to the other end of the shop. "Take -'em away directly, you young villain." - -His voice was so loud, his manner so imperative, that the startled boy, -without stopping to argue, stuffed the clothes pell-mell into the bag -again and departed. A farewell glance at the clock made him look almost -as horrified as the baker. - -"There's no time to be lost," he muttered, as he began to run; "either -the old man'll have to come in these or else stay where he is." - -He reached the house breathless, and paused before an unshaven man in -time-worn greasy clothes, who was smoking a short clay pipe with much -enjoyment in front of the door. - -"Is Cap'n Bross here?" he panted. - -"He's upstairs," said the man, with a leer, "sitting in sackcloth and -ashes, more ashes than sackcloth. Have you got some clothes for him?" - -"Look here," said Tommy. He was down on his knees with the mouth of the -bag open again, quite in the style of the practised hawker. "Give me an -old suit of clothes for them. Hurry up. There's a lovely frock." - -"Blimey," said the man, staring, "I've only got these clothes. Wot d'yer -take me for? A dook?" - -"Well, get me some somewhere," said Tommy. "If you don't the cap'n 'll -have to come in these, and I'm sure he won't like it." - -"I wonder what he'd look like," said the man, with a grin. "Damme if I -don't come up and see." - -"Get me some clothes," pleaded Tommy. - -"I wouldn't get you clothes, no, not for fifty pun," said the man -severely. "Wot d'yer mean wanting to spoil people's pleasure in that -way? Come on, come and tell the cap'n what you've got for 'im, I want to -'ear what he ses. He's been swearing 'ard since ten o'clock this -morning, but he ought to say something special over this." - -He led the way up the bare wooden stairs, followed by the harassed boy, -and entered a small dirty room at the top, in the centre of which the -master of the Sarah Jane sat to deny visitors, in a pair of socks and -last week's paper. - -"Here's a young gent come to bring you some clothes, cap'n," said the -man, taking the sack from the boy. - -"Why didn't you come before?" growled the captain, who was reading the -advertisements. - -The man put his hand in the sack, and pulled out the clothes. "What do -you think of 'em?" he asked expectantly. - -The captain strove vainly to tell him, but his tongue mercifully forsook -its office, and dried between his lips. His brain rang with sentences of -scorching iniquity, but they got no further. - -"Well, say thank you, if you can't say nothing else," suggested his -tormentor hopefully. - -"I couldn't bring nothing else," said Tommy hurriedly; "all the things -was locked up. I tried to swop 'em and nearly got locked up for it. Put -these on and hurry up." - -The captain moistened his lips with his tongue. - -"The mate'll get off directly she floats," continued Tommy. "Put these -on and spoil his little game. It's raining a little now. Nobody'll see -you, and as soon as you git aboard you can borrow some of the men's -clothes." - -"That's the ticket, cap'n," said the man. "Lord lumme, you'll 'ave -everybody falling in love with you." - -"Hurry up," said Tommy, dancing with impatience. "Hurry up." - -The skipper, dazed and wild-eyed, stood still while his two assistants -hastily dressed him, bickering somewhat about details as they did so. - -"He ought to be tight-laced, I tell you," said the man. - -"He can't be tight-laced without stays," said Tommy scornfully. "You -ought to know that." - -"Ho, can't he," said the other, discomfited. "You know too much for a -young-un. Well, put a bit o' line round 'im then." - -"We can't wait for a line," said Tommy, who was standing on tip-toe to -tie the skipper's bonnet on. "Now tie the scarf over his chin to hide -his beard, and put this veil on. It's a good job he ain't got a -moustache." - -The other complied, and then fell back a pace or two to gaze at his -handiwork. "Strewth, though I sees it as shouldn't, you look a treat!" -he remarked complacently. "Now, young-un, take 'old of his arm. Go up -the back streets, and if you see anybody looking at you, call 'im Mar." - -The two set off, after the man, who was a born realist, had tried to -snatch a kiss from the skipper on the threshold. Fortunately for the -success of the venture, it was pelting with rain, and, though a few -people gazed curiously at the couple as they went hastily along, they -were unmolested, and gained the wharf in safety, arriving just in time -to see the schooner shoving off from the side. - -At the sight the skipper held up his skirts and ran. "Ahoy!" he shouted. -"Wait a minute." - -The mate gave one look of blank astonishment at the extraordinary -figure, and then turned away; but at that moment the stern came within -jumping distance of the wharf, and uncle and nephew, moved with one -impulse leaped for it and gained the deck in safety. - -"Why didn't you wait when I hailed you?" demanded the skipper fiercely. - -"How was I to know it was you?" inquired the mate surlily, as he -realised his defeat. "I thought it was the Empress of Rooshia." - -The skipper stared at him dumbly. - -"An' if you take my advice," said the mate, with a sneer, "you'll keep -them things on. _I_ never see you look so well in anything afore." - -"I want to borrow some o' your clothes, Bob," said the skipper, eyeing -him steadily. - -"Where's your own?" asked the other. - -"I don't know," said the skipper. "I was took with a fit last night, -Bob, and when I woke up this morning they were gone. Somebody must have -took advantage of my helpless state and taken 'em." - -"Very likely," said the mate, turning away to shout an order to the -crew, who were busy setting sail. - -"Where are they, old man?" inquired the skipper. - -"How should I know?" asked the other, becoming interested in the men -again. - -"I mean YOUR clothes," said the skipper, who was fast losing his temper. - -"Oh, mine?" said the mate. "Well, as a matter o' fact, I don't like -lending my clothes. I'm rather pertickler. You might have a fit in -THEM." - -"You won't lend 'em to me?" asked the skipper. - -"I won't," said the mate, speaking loudly, and frowning significantly at -the crew, who were listening. - -"Very good," said the skipper. "Ted, come here. Where's your other -clothes?" - -"I'm very sorry, sir," said Ted, shifting uneasily from one leg to the -other, and glancing at the mate for support; "but they ain't fit for the -likes of you to wear, sir." "I'm the best judge of that," said the -skipper sharply. "Fetch 'em up." - -"Well, to tell the truth, sir," said Ted, "I'm like the mate. I'm only a -poor sailor-man, but I wouldn't lend my clothes to the Queen of -England." - -"You fetch up them clothes," roared the skipper snatching off his bonnet -and flinging it on the deck. "Fetch 'em up at once. D'ye think I'm going -about in these petticuts?" - -"They're my clothes," muttered Ted doggedly. - -"Very well, then, I'll have Bill's," said the skipper. "But mind you, my -lad, I'll make you pay for this afore I've done with you. Bill's the -only honest man aboard this ship. Gimme your hand, Bill, old man." - -"I'm with them two," said Bill gruffly, as he turned away. - -The skipper, biting his lips with fury, turned from one to the other, -and then, with a big oath, walked forward. Before he could reach the -fo'c'sle Bill and Ted dived down before him, and, by the time he had -descended, sat on their chests side by side confronting him. To threats -and appeals alike they turned a deaf ear, and the frantic skipper was -compelled at last to go on deck again, still encumbered with the hated -skirts. - -"Why don't you go an' lay down," said the mate, "an' I'll send you down -a nice cup o' hot tea. You'll get histericks, if you go on like that." - -"I'll knock your 'ead off if you talk to me," said the skipper. - -"Not you," said the mate cheerfully; "you ain't big enough. Look at that -pore fellow over there." - -The skipper looked in the direction indicated, and, swelling with -impotent rage, shook his fist fiercely at a red-faced man with grey -whiskers, who was wafting innumerable tender kisses from the bridge of a -passing steamer. - -"That's right," said the mate approvingly; "don't give 'im no -encouragement. Love at first sight ain't worth having." - -The skipper, suffering severely from suppressed emotion, went below, and -the crew, after waiting a little while to make sure that he was not -coming up again, made their way quietly to the mate. - -"If we can only take him to Battlesea in this rig it'll be all right," -said the latter. "You chaps stand by me. His slippers and sou'-wester is -the only clothes he's got aboard. Chuck every needle you can lay your -hands on overboard, or else he'll git trying to make a suit out of a -piece of old sail or something. If we can only take him to Mr. Pearson -like this, it won't be so bad after all." - -While these arrangements were in hand above, the skipper and the boy -were busy over others below. Various startling schemes propounded by the -skipper for obtaining possession of his men's attire were rejected by -the youth as unlawful, and, what was worse, impracticable. For a couple -of hours they discussed ways and means, but only ended in diatribes -against the mean ways of the crew; and the skipper, whose head ached -still from his excesses, fell into a state of sullen despair at length, -and sat silent. - -"By Jove, Tommy, I've got it," he cried suddenly, starting up and -hitting the table with his fist. "Where's your other suit?" - -"That ain't no bigger that this one," said Tommy. - -"You git it out," said the skipper, with a knowing toss of his head. -"Ah, there we are. Now go in my state-room and take those off." - -The wondering Tommy, who thought that great grief had turned his -kinsman's brain, complied, and emerged shortly afterwards in a blanket, -bringing his clothes under his arm. - -"Now, do you know what I'm going to do?" inquired the skipper, with a -big smile. - -"No." - -"Fetch me the scissors, then. Now do you know what I'm going to do?" - -"Cut up the two suits and make 'em into one," hazarded the horror- -stricken Tommy. "Here, stop it! Leave off!" - -The skipper pushed him impatiently off, and, placing the clothes on the -table, took up the scissors, and, with a few slashing strokes, cut them -garments into their component parts. - -"What am _I_ to wear," said Tommy, beginning to blubber. "You didn't -think of that?" - -"What are you to wear, you selfish young pig?" said the skipper sternly. -"Always thinking about yourself. Go and git some needles and thread, and -if there's any left over, and you're a good boy, I'll see whether I -can't make something for you out of the leavings." - -"There ain't no needles here," whined Tommy, after a lengthened search. - -"Go down the fo'c'sle and git the case of sail-makers' needles, then," -said the skipper, "Don't let anyone see what you're after, an' some -thread." - -"Well, why couldn't you let me go in my clothes before you cut 'em up," -moaned Tommy. "I don't like going up in this blanket. They'll laugh at -me." - -"You go at once!" thundered the skipper, and, turning his back on him, -whistled softly, and began to arrange the pieces of cloth. - -"Laugh away, my lads," he said cheerfully, as an uproarious burst of -laughter greeted the appearance of Tommy on deck. "Wait a bit." - -He waited himself for nearly twenty minutes, at the end of which time -Tommy, treading on his blanket, came flying down the companion-ladder, -and rolled into the cabin. - -"There ain't a needle aboard the ship," he said solemnly, as he picked -himself up and rubbed his head. "I've looked everywhere." - -"What?" roared the skipper, hastily concealing the pieces of cloth. -"Here, Ted! Ted!" - -"Ay, ay, sir!" said Ted, as he came below. - -"I want a sail-maker's needle," said the skipper glibly. "I've got a -rent in this skirt." - -"I broke the last one yesterday," said Ted, with an evil grin. - -"Any other needle then," said the skipper, trying to conceal his -emotion. - -"I don't believe there's such a thing aboard the ship," said Ted, who -had obeyed the mate's thoughtful injunction. "NOR thread. I was only -saying so to the mate yesterday." - -The skipper sank again to the lowest depths, waved him away, and then, -getting on a corner of the locker, fell into a gloomy reverie. - -"It's a pity you do things in such a hurry," said Tommy, sniffing -vindictively. "You might have made sure of the needle before you spoiled -my clothes. There's two of us going about ridiculous now." - -The master of the Sarah Jane allowed this insolence to pass unheeded. It -is in moments of deep distress that the mind of man, naturally reverting -to solemn things, seeks to improve the occasion by a lecture. The -skipper, chastened by suffering and disappointment, stuck his right hand -in his pocket, after a lengthened search for it, and gently bidding the -blanketed urchin in front of him to sit down, began: - -"You see what comes of drink and cards," he said mournfully. "Instead of -being at the helm of my ship, racing all the other craft down the river, -I'm skulkin' down below here like--like"-- - -"Like an actress," suggested Tommy. - -The skipper eyed him all over. Tommy, unconscious of offence, met his -gaze serenely. - -"If," continued the skipper, "at any time you felt like taking too much, -and you stopped with the beer-mug half-way to your lips, and thought of -me sitting in this disgraceful state, what would you do?" - -"I dunno," replied Tommy, yawning. - -"What would you do?" persisted the skipper, with great expression. - -"Laugh, I s'pose," said Tommy, after a moment's thought. - -The sound of a well-boxed ear rang through the cabin. - -"You're an unnatural, ungrateful little toad," said the skipper -fiercely. "You don't deserve to have a good, kind uncle to look after -you." - -"Anybody can have him for me," sobbed the indignant Tommy, as he -tenderly felt his ear. "You look a precious sight more like an aunt than -an uncle." - -After firing this shot he vanished in a cloud of blanket, and the -skipper, reluctantly abandoning a hastily-formed resolve of first -flaying him alive and then flinging him overboard, sat down again and -lit his pipe. - -Once out of the river he came on deck again, and, ignoring by a great -effort the smiles of the crew and the jibes of the mate, took command. -The only alteration he made in his dress was to substitute his sou'- -wester for the bonnet, and in this guise he did his work, while the -aggrieved Tommy hopped it in blankets. The three days at sea passed like -a horrid dream. So covetous was his gaze, that the crew instinctively -clutched their nether garments and looked to the buttoning of their -coats as they passed him. He saw coats in the mainsail, and fashioned -phantom trousers out of the flying jib, and towards the end began to -babble of blue serges and mixed tweeds. Oblivious of fame, he had -resolved to enter the harbour of Battlesea by night; but it was not to -be. Near home the wind dropped, and the sun was well up before Battlesea -came into view, a grey bank on the starboard bow. - -Until within a mile of the harbour, the skipper held on, and then his -grasp on the wheel relaxed somewhat, and he looked round anxiously for -the mate. - -"Where's Bob?" he shouted. - -"He's very ill, sir," said Ted, shaking his head. - -"Ill?" gasped the startled skipper. "Here, take the wheel a minute." - -He handed it over, and grasping his skirts went hastily below. The mate -was half lying, half sitting, in his bunk, groaning dismally. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper. - -"I'm dying," said the mate. "I keep being tied up all in knots inside. I -can't hold myself straight." - -The other cleared his throat. "You'd better take off your clothes and -lie down a bit," he said kindly. "Let me help you off with them." - -"No--don't--trouble," panted the mate. - -"It ain't no trouble," said the skipper, in a trembling voice. - -"No, I'll keep 'em on," said the mate faintly. "I've always had an idea -I'd like to die in my clothes. It may be foolish, but I can't help it." - -"You'll have your wish some day, never fear, you infernal rascal," -shouted the overwrought skipper. "You're shamming sickness to make me -take the ship into port." - -"Why shouldn't you take her in," asked the mate, with an air of innocent -surprise. "It's your duty as cap'n. You'd better get above now. The bar -is always shifting." - -The skipper, restraining himself by a mighty effort, went on deck again, -and, taking the wheel, addressed the crew. He spoke feelingly of the -obedience men owed their superior officers, and the moral obligation -they were under to lend them their trousers when they required them. He -dwelt on the awful punishments awarded for mutiny, and proved clearly, -that to allow the master of a ship to enter port in petticoats was -mutiny of the worst type. He then sent them below for their clothing. -They were gone such a long time that it was palpable to the meanest -intellect that they did not intend to bring it. Meantime the harbour -widened out before him. - -There were two or three people on the quay as the Sarah Jane came within -hailing distance. By the time she had passed the lantern at the end of -it there were two or three dozen, and the numbers were steadily -increasing at the rate of three persons for every five yards she made. -Kind-hearted, humane men, anxious that their friends should not lose so -great and cheap a treat, bribed small and reluctant boys with pennies to -go in search of them, and by the time the schooner reached her berth, a -large proportion of the population of the port was looking over each -other's shoulders and shouting foolish and hilarious inquiries to the -skipper. The news reached the owner, and he came hurrying down to the -ship, just as the skipper, regardless of the heated remonstrances of the -sightseers, was preparing to go below. - -Mr. Pearson was a stout man, and he came down exploding with wrath. Then -he saw the apparition, and mirth overcame him. It became necessary for -three stout fellows to act as buttresses, and the more indignant the -skipper looked the harder their work became. Finally he was assisted, in -a weak state, and laughing hysterically, to the deck of the schooner, -where he followed the skipper below, and in a voice broken with emotion -demanded an explanation. - -"It's the finest sight I ever saw in my life, Bross," he said when the -other had finished. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I've been -feeling very low this last week, and it's done me good. Don't talk -nonsense about leaving the ship. I wouldn't lose you for anything after -this, but if you like to ship a fresh mate and crew you can please -yourself. If you'll only come up to the house and let Mrs. Pearson see -you--she's been ailing--I'll give you a couple of pounds. Now, get your -bonnet and come." - - - - -THE BOATSWAIN'S WATCH - - -Captain Polson sat in his comfortable parlour smiling benignly upon his -daughter and sister. His ship, after an absence of eighteen months, was -once more berthed in the small harbour of Barborough, and the captain -was sitting in that state of good-natured affability which invariably -characterised his first appearance after a long absence. - -"No news this end, I suppose," he inquired, after a lengthy recital of -most extraordinarily uninteresting adventures. - -"Not much," said his sister Jane, looking nervously at her niece. "Young -Metcalfe has gone into partnership with his father." - -"I don't want to hear about those sharks," said the captain, waxing red. -"Tell me about honest men." - -"Joe Lewis has had a month's imprisonment for stealing fowls," said Miss -Polson meekly. "Mrs. Purton has had twins--dear little fellows they are, -fat as butter!--she has named one of them Polson, after you. The greedy -one." - -"Any deaths?" inquired the captain snappishly, as he eyed the innocent -lady suspiciously. - -"Poor old Jasper Wheeler has gone," said his sister; "he was very -resigned. He borrowed enough money to get a big doctor from London, and -when he heard that there was no hope for him he said he was just longing -to go, and he was sorry he couldn't take all his dear ones with him. -Mary Hewson is married to Jack Draper, and young Metcalfe's banns go up -for the third time next Sunday." - -"I hope he gets a Tartar," said the vindictive captain. "Who's the girl? -Some silly little fool, I know. She ought to be warned!" - -"I don't believe in interfering in marriages," said his daughter -Chrissie, shaking her head sagely. - -"Oh!" said the captain, staring, "YOU don't! Now you've put your hair up -and taken to wearing long frocks, I suppose you're beginning to think of -it." - -"Yes; auntie wants to tell you something!" said his daughter, rising and -crossing the room. - -"No, I don't!" said Miss Polson hastily. - -"You'd better do it," said Chrissie, giving her a little push, "there's -a dear; I'll go upstairs and lock myself in my room." - -The face of the captain, whilst this conversation was passing, was a -study in suppressed emotions. He was a firm advocate for importing the -manners of the quarter-deck into private life, the only drawback being -that he had to leave behind him the language usual in that locality. To -this omission he usually ascribed his failures. - -"Sit down, Chrissie," he commanded; "sit down, Jane. Now, miss, what's -all this about?" - -"I don't like to tell you," said Chrissie, folding her hands in her lap. -"I know you'll be cross. You're so unreasonable." - -The captain stared--frightfully. - -"I'm going to be married," said Chrissie suddenly,--"there! To Jack -Metcalfe--there! So you'll have to learn to love him. He's going to try -and love you for my sake." To his sister's dismay the captain got up, -and brandishing his fists walked violently to and fro. By these simple -but unusual means decorum was preserved. - -"If you were only a boy," said the captain, when he had regained his -seat, "I should know what to do with you." - -"If I were a boy," said Chrissie, who, having braced herself up for the -fray, meant to go through with it, "I shouldn't want to marry Jack. -Don't be silly, father!" - -"Jane," said the captain, in a voice which made the lady addressed start -in her chair, "what do you mean by it?" - -"It isn't my fault," said Miss Polson feebly. "I told her how it would -be. And it was so gradual; he admired my geraniums at first, and, of -course, I was deceived. There are so many people admire my geraniums; -whether it is because the window has a south aspect"-- - -"Oh!" said the captain rudely, "that'll do, Jane. If he wasn't a lawyer, -I'd go round and break his neck. Chrissie is only nineteen, and she'll -come for a year's cruise with me. Perhaps the sea air'll strengthen her -head. We'll see who's master in this family." - -"I'm sure I don't want to be master," said his daughter, taking a weapon -of fine cambric out of her pocket, and getting ready for action. "I -can't help liking people. Auntie likes him too, don't you, auntie?" - -"Yes," said Miss Polson bravely. - -"Very good," said the autocrat promptly, "I'll take you both for a -cruise." - -"You're making me very un--unhappy," said Chrissie, burying her face in -her handkerchief. - -"You'll be more unhappy before I've done with you," said the captain -grimly. "And while I think of it, I'll step round and stop those banns." -His daughter caught him by the arm as he was passing, and laid her face -on his sleeve. "You'll make me look so foolish," she wailed. - -"That'll make it easier for you to come to sea with me," said her -father. "Don't cry all over my sleeve. I'm going to see a parson. Run -upstairs and play with your dolls, and if you're a good girl, I'll bring -you in some sweets." He put on his hat, and closing the front door with -a bang, went off to the new rector to knock two years off the age which -his daughter kept for purposes of matrimony. The rector, grieved at such -duplicity in one so young, met him more than half way, and he came out -from him smiling placidly, until his attention was attracted by a young -man on the other side of the road, who was regarding him with manifest -awkwardness. - -"Good evening, Captain Polson," he said, crossing the road. - -"Oh," said the captain, stopping, "I wanted to speak to you. I suppose -you wanted to marry my daughter while I was out of the way, to save -trouble. Just the manly thing I should have expected of you. I've -stopped the banns, and I'm going to take her for a voyage with me. -You'll have to look elsewhere, my lad." - -"The ill feeling is all on your side, captain," said Metcalfe, -reddening. - -"Ill feeling!" snorted the captain. "You put me in the witness-box, and -made me a laughing-stock in the place with your silly attempts at jokes, -lost me five hundred pounds, and then try and marry my daughter while -I'm at sea. Ill feeling be hanged!" - -"That was business," said the other. - -"It was," said the captain, "and this is business too. Mine. I'll look -after it, I'll promise you. I think I know who'll look silly this time. -I'd sooner see my girl in heaven than married to a rascal of a lawyer." - -"You'd want good glasses," retorted Metcalfe, who was becoming ruffled. - -"I don't want to bandy words with you," said the captain with dignity, -after a long pause, devoted to thinking of something worth bandying. -"You think you're a clever fellow, but I know a cleverer. You're quite -welcome to marry my daughter--if you can." - -He turned on his heel, and refusing to listen to any further remarks, -went on his way rejoicing. Arrived home, he lit his pipe, and throwing -himself into an armchair, related his exploits. Chrissie had recourse to -her handkerchief again, more for effect than use, but Miss Polson, who -was a tender soul, took hers out and wept unrestrainedly. At first the -captain took it well enough. It was a tribute to his power, but when -they took to sobbing one against the other, his temper rose, and he -sternly commanded silence. - -"I shall be like--this--every day at sea," sobbed Chrissie vindictively, -"only worse; making us all ridiculous." - -"Stop that noise directly!" vociferated the captain. - -"We c-c-can't," sobbed Miss Polson. - -"And we d-don't want to," said Chrissie. "It's all we can do, and we're -going to do it. You'd better g-go out and stop something else. You can't -stop us." - -The captain took the advice and went, and in the billiard-room of the -"George" heard some news which set him thinking, and which brought him -back somewhat earlier than he had at first intended. A small group at -his gate broke up into its elements at his approach, and the captain, -following his sister and daughter into the room, sat down and eyed them -severely. - -"So you're going to run off to London to get married, are you, miss?" he -said ferociously. "Well, we'll see. You don't go out of my sight until -we sail, and if I catch that pettifogging lawyer round at my gate again, -I'll break every bone in his body, mind that." - -For the next three days the captain kept his daughter under observation, -and never allowed her to stir abroad except in his company. The evening -of the third day, to his own great surprise, he spent at a Dorcas. The -company was not congenial, several of the ladies putting their work -away, and glaring frigidly at the intruder; and though they could see -clearly that he was suffering greatly, made no attempt to put him at his -ease. He was very thoughtful all the way home, and the next day took a -partner into the concern, in the shape of his boatswain. - -"You understand, Tucker," he concluded, as the hapless seaman stood in a -cringing attitude before Chrissie, "that you never let my daughter out -of your sight. When she goes out you go with her." - -"Yessir," said Tucker; "and suppose she tells me to go home, what am I -to do then?" - -"You're a fool," said the captain sharply. "It doesn't matter what she -says or does; unless you are in the same room, you are never to be more -than three yards from her." - -"Make it four, cap'n," said the boatswain, in a broken voice. - -"Three," said the captain; "and mind, she's artful. All girls are, and -she'll try and give you the slip. I've had information given me as to -what's going on. Whatever happens, you are not to leave her." - -"I wish you'd get somebody else, sir," said Tucker, very respectfully. -"There's a lot of chaps aboard that'd like the job." - -"You're the only man I can trust," said the captain shortly. "When I -give you orders I know they'll be obeyed; it's your watch now." - -He went out humming. Chrissie took up a book and sat down, utterly -ignoring the woebegone figure which stood the regulation three yards -from her, twisting its cap in its hands. - -"I hope, miss," said the boatswain, after standing patiently for three- -quarters of an hour, "as 'ow you won't think I sought arter this 'ere -little job." - -"No," said Chrissie, without looking up. - -"I'm just obeying orders," continued the boatswain. "I always git let in -for these 'ere little jobs, somehow. The monkeys I've had to look arter -aboard ship would frighten you. There never was a monkey on the Monarch -but what I was in charge of. That's what a man gets through being -trustworthy." - -"Just so," said Chrissie, putting down her book. "Well, I'm going into -the kitchen now; come along, nursie." - -"'Ere, I say, miss!" remonstrated Tucker, flushing. - -"I don't know how Susan will like you going in her kitchen," said -Chrissie thoughtfully; "however, that's your business." - -The unfortunate seaman followed his fair charge into the kitchen, and, -leaning against the door-post, doubled up like a limp rag before the -terrible glance of its mistress. - -"Ho!" said Susan, who took the state of affairs as an insult to the sex -in general; "and what might you be wanting?" - -"Cap'n's orders," murmured Tucker feebly. - -"I'm captain here," said Susan, confronting him with her bare arms -akimbo. - -"And credit it does you," said the boatswain, looking round admiringly. - -"Is it your wish, Miss Chrissie, that this image comes and stalks into -my kitchen as if the place belongs to him?" demanded the irate Susan. - -"I didn't mean to come in in that way," said the astonished Tucker. "I -can't help being big." - -"I don't want him here," said her mistress; "what do you think I want -him for?" - -"You hear that?" said Susan, pointing to the door; "now go. I don't want -people to say that you come into this kitchen after me." - -"I'm here by the cap'n's orders," said Tucker faintly. "I don't want to -be here--far from it. As for people saying that I come here after you, -them as knows me would laugh at the idea." - -"If I had my way," said Susan, in a hard rasping voice, "I'd box your -ears for you. That's what I'd do to you, and you can go and tell the -cap'n I said so. Spy!" - -This was the first verse of the first watch, and there were many verses. -To add to his discomfort he was confined to the house, as his charge -manifested no desire to go outside, and as neither she nor her aunt -cared about the trouble of bringing him to a fit and proper state of -subjection, the task became a labour of love for the energetic Susan. In -spite of everything, however, he stuck to his guns, and the indignant -Chrissie, who was in almost hourly communication with Metcalfe through -the medium of her faithful handmaiden, was rapidly becoming desperate. - -On the fourth day, time getting short, Chrissie went on a new tack with -her keeper, and Susan, sorely against her will, had to follow suit. -Chrissie smiled at him, Susan called him Mr. Tucker, and Miss Polson -gave him a glass of her best wine. From the position of an outcast, he -jumped in one bound to that of confidential adviser. Miss Polson told -him many items of family interest, and later on in the afternoon -actually consulted him as to a bad cold which Chrissie had developed. - -He prescribed half-a-pint of linseed oil hot, but Miss Polson favoured -chlorodyne. The conversation then turned on the deadly qualities of that -drug when taken in excess, of the fatal sleep in which it lulled its -victims. So disastrous were the incidents cited, that half an hour -later, when, her aunt and Susan being out, Chrissie took a small bottle -of chlorodyne from the mantel-piece, the boatswain implored her to try -his nastier but safer remedy instead. - -"Nonsense!" said Chrissie, "I'm only going to take twenty drops--one-- -two--three--" - -The drug suddenly poured out in a little stream. - -"I should think that's about it," said Chrissie, holding the tumbler up -to the light. - -"It's about five hundred!" said the horrified Tucker. "Don't take that, -miss, whatever you do; let me measure it for you." - -The girl waved him away, and, before he could interfere, drank off the -contents of the glass and resumed her seat. The boatswain watched her -uneasily, and taking up the phial carefully read through the directions. -After that he was not at all surprised to see the book fall from his -charge's hand on to the floor, and her eyes close. - -"I knowed it," said Tucker, in a profuse perspiration, "I knowed it. -Them blamed gals are all alike. Always knows what's best. Miss Polson! -Miss Polson!" - -He shook her roughly, but to no purpose, and then running to the door, -shouted eagerly for Susan. No reply forthcoming he ran to the window, -but there was nobody in sight, and he came back and stood in front of -the girl, wringing his huge hands helplessly. It was a great question -for a poor sailor-man. If he went for the doctor he deserted his post; -if he didn't go his charge might die. He made one more attempt to awaken -her, and, seizing a flower-glass, splashed her freely with cold water. -She did not even wince. - -"It's no use fooling with it," murmured Tucker; "I must get the doctor, -that's all." - -He quitted the room, and, dashing hastily downstairs, had already opened -the hall door when a thought struck him, and he came back again. -Chrissie was still asleep in the chair, and, with a smile at the clever -way in which he had solved a difficulty, he stooped down, and, raising -her in his strong arms, bore her from the room and downstairs. Then a -hitch occurred. The triumphant progress was marred by the behaviour of -the hall door, which, despite his efforts, refused to be opened, and, -encumbered by his fair burden, he could not for some time ascertain the -reason. Then, full of shame that so much deceit could exist in so fair -and frail a habitation, he discovered that Miss Polson's foot was -pressing firmly against it. Her eyes were still closed and her head -heavy, but the fact remained that one foot was acting in a manner that -was full of intelligence and guile, and when he took it away from the -door the other one took its place. By a sudden manoeuvre the wily Tucker -turned his back on the door, and opened it, and, at the same moment, a -hand came to life again and dealt him a stinging slap on the face. - -"Idiot!" said the indignant Chrissie, slipping from his arms and -confronting him. "How dare you take such a liberty?" - -The astonished boatswain felt his face, and regarded her open-mouthed. - -"Don't you ever dare to speak to me again," said the offended maiden, -drawing herself up with irreproachable dignity. "I am disgusted with -your conduct. Most unbearable!" - -"I was carrying you off to the doctor," said the boatswain." How was I -to know you was only shamming?" - -"SHAMMING?" said Chrissie, in tones of incredulous horror. "I was -asleep. I often go to sleep in the afternoon." - -The boatswain made no reply, except to grin with great intelligence as -he followed his charge upstairs again. He grinned at intervals until the -return of Susan and Miss Polson, who, trying to look unconcerned, came -in later on, both apparently suffering from temper, Susan especially. -Amid the sympathetic interruptions of these listeners Chrissie recounted -her experiences, while the boatswain, despite his better sense, felt -like the greatest scoundrel unhung, a feeling which was fostered by the -remarks of Susan and the chilling regards of Miss Poison. - -"I shall inform the captain," said Miss Polson, bridling. "It's my -duty." - -"Oh, I shall tell him," said Chrissie. "I shall tell him the moment he -comes in at the door." - -"So shall I," said Susan; "the idea of taking such liberties!" - -Having fired this broadside, the trio watched the enemy narrowly and -anxiously. - -"If I've done anything wrong, ladies," said the unhappy boatswain, "I am -sorry for it. I can't say anything fairer than that, and I'll tell the -cap'n myself exactly how I came to do it when he comes in." - -"Pah! tell-tale!" said Susan. - -"Of course, if you are here to fetch and carry," said Miss Polson, with -withering emphasis. - -"The idea of a grown man telling tales," said Chrissie scornfully. -"Baby!" - -"Why, just now you were all going to tell him yourselves," said the -bewildered boatswain. - -The two elder women rose and regarded him with looks of pitying disdain. -Miss Polson's glance said "Fool!' plainly; Susan, a simple child of -nature, given to expressing her mind freely, said "Blockhead!" with -conviction. - -"I see 'ow it is," said the boatswain, after ruminating deeply. "Well, I -won't split, ladies. I can see now you was all in it, and it was a -little job to get me out of the house." - -"What a head he has got," said the irritated Susan; "isn't it wonderful -how he thinks of it all! Nobody would think he was so clever to look at -him." - -"Still waters run deep," said the boatswain, who was beginning to have a -high opinion of himself. - -"And pride goes before a fall," said Chrissie; "remember that, Mr. -Tucker." - -Mr. Tucker grinned, but, remembering the fable of the pitcher and the -well, pressed his superior officer that evening to relieve him from his -duties. He stated that the strain was slowly undermining a constitution -which was not so strong as appearances would warrant, and that his -knowledge of female nature was lamentably deficient on many important -points. "You're doing very well," said the captain, who had no intention -of attending any more Dorcases, "very well indeed; I am proud of you." - -"It isn't a man's work," objected the boatswain. "Besides, if anything -happens you'll blame me for it." - -"Nothing can happen," declared the captain confidently. "We shall make a -start in about four days now. You're the only man I can trust with such -a difficult job, Tucker, and I shan't forget you," - -"Very good," said the other dejectedly. "I obey orders, then." - -The next day passed quietly, the members of the household making a great -fuss of Tucker, and thereby filling him with forebodings of the worst -possible nature. On the day after, when the captain, having business at -a neighbouring town, left him in sole charge, his uneasiness could not -be concealed. - -"I'm going for a walk," said Chrissie, as he sat by himself, working out -dangerous moves and the best means of checking them; "would you care to -come with me, Tucker?" - -"I wish you wouldn't put it that way, miss," said the boatswain, as he -reached for his hat. - -"I want exercise," said Chrissie; "I've been cooped up long enough." - -She set off at a good pace up the High Street, attended by her faithful -follower, and passing through the small suburbs, struck out into the -country beyond. After four miles the boatswain, who was no walker, -reminded her that they had got to go back. - -"Plenty of time," said Chrissie, "we have got the day before us. Isn't -it glorious? Do you see that milestone, Tucker? I'll race you to it; -come along." - -She was off on the instant, with the boatswain, who suspected treachery, -after her. - -"You CAN run," she panted, thoughtfully, as she came in second; "we'll -have another one presently. You don't know how good it is for you, -Tucker." - -The boatswain grinned sourly and looked at her from the corner of his -eye. The next three miles passed like a horrible nightmare; his charge -making a race for every milestone, in which the labouring boatswain, -despite his want of practice, came in the winner. The fourth ended -disastrously, Chrissie limping the last ten yards, and seating herself -with a very woebegone face on the stone itself. - -"You did very well, miss," said the boatswain, who thought he could -afford to be generous. "You needn't be offended about it." - -"It's my ankle," said Chrissie with a little whimper. "Oh! I twisted it -right round." - -The boatswain stood regarding her in silent consternation - -"It's no use looking like that," said Chrissie sharply, "you great -clumsy thing. If you hadn't have run so hard it wouldn't have happened. -It's all your fault." - -"If you don't mind leaning on me a bit," said Tucker, "we might get -along." - -Chrissie took his arm petulantly, and they started on their return -journey, at the rate of about four hours a mile, with little cries and -gasps at every other yard. - -"It's no use," said Chrissie as she relinquished his arm, and, limping -to the side of the road, sat down. The boatswain pricked up his ears -hopefully at the sound of approaching wheels. - -"What's the matter with the young lady?" inquired a groom who was -driving a little trap, as he pulled up and regarded with interest a -grimace of extraordinary intensity on the young lady's face. - -"Broke her ankle, I think," said the boatswain glibly. "Which way are -you going?" - -"Well, I'm going to Barborough," said the groom; "but my guvnor's rather -pertickler." - -"I'll make it all right with you," said the boatswain. - -The groom hesitated a minute, and then made way for Chrissie as the -boatswain assisted her to get up beside him; then Tucker, with a grin of -satisfaction at getting a seat once more, clambered up behind, and they -started. - -"Have a rug, mate," said the groom, handing the reins to Chrissie and -passing it over; "put it round your knees and tuck the ends under you." - -"Ay, ay, mate," said the boatswain as he obeyed the instructions. - -"Are you sure you are quite comfortable?" said the groom affectionately. - -"Quite," said the other. - -The groom said no more, but in a quiet business-like fashion placed his -hands on the seaman's broad back, and shot him out into the road. Then -he snatched up the reins and drove off at a gallop. - -Without the faintest hope of winning, Mr. Tucker, who realised clearly, -appearances notwithstanding, that he had fallen into a trap, rose after -a hurried rest and started on his fifth race that morning. The prize was -only a second-rate groom with plated buttons, who was waving cheery -farewells to him with a dingy top hat; but the boatswain would have -sooner had it than a silver tea-service. - -He ran as he had never ran before in his life, but all to no purpose, -the trap stopping calmly a little further on to take up another -passenger, in whose favour the groom retired to the back seat; then, -with a final wave of the hand to him, they took a road to the left and -drove rapidly out of sight. The boatswain's watch was over. - - - - -LOW WATER - - -It was a calm, clear evening in late summer as the Elizabeth Ann, of -Pembray, scorning the expensive aid of a tug, threaded her way down the -London river under canvas. The crew were busy forward, and the master -and part-owner--a fussy little man, deeply imbued with a sense of his -own importance and cleverness--was at the wheel chatting with the mate. -While waiting for a portion of his cargo, he had passed the previous -week pleasantly enough with some relatives in Exeter, and was now in a -masterful fashion receiving a report from the mate. - -"There's one other thing," said the mate. "I dessay you've noticed how -sober old Dick is to-night." - -"I kept him short o' purpose," said the skipper, with a satisfied air. - -"Tain't that," said the mate. "You'll be pleased to hear that 'im an' -Sam has been talked over by the other two, and that all your crew now, -'cept the cook, who's still Roman Catholic, has j'ined the Salvation -Army." - -"Salvation Army!" repeated the skipper in dazed tones. "I don't want -none o' your gammon, Bob." - -"It's quite right," said the other. "You can take it from me. How it was -done I don't know, but what I do know is, none of 'em has touched licker -for five days. They've all got red jerseys, an' I hear as old Dick -preaches a hexcellent sermon. He's red-hot on it, and t'others follow -'im like sheep." - -"The drink's got to his brain," said the skipper sagely, after due -reflection. "Well, I don't mind, so long as they behave theirselves." - -He kept silence until Woolwich was passed, and they were running along -with all sails set, and then, his curiosity being somewhat excited, he -called old Dick to him, with the amiable intention of a little banter. - -"What's this I hear about you j'ining the Salvation Army?" he asked. - -"It's quite true, sir," said Dick. "I feel so happy, you can't think--we -all do." - -"Glory!" said one of the other men, with enthusiastic corroboration. - -"Seems like the measles," said the skipper facetiously. "Four of you -down with it at one time!" - -"It IS like the measles, sir," said the old man impressively, "an' I -only hope as you'll catch it yourself, bad." - -"Hallelujah!" bawled the other man suddenly. "He'll catch it." - -"Hold that noise, you, Joe!" shouted the skipper sternly. "How dare you -make that noise aboard ship?" - -"He's excited, sir," said Dick. "It's love for you in 'is 'eart as does -it." - -"Let him keep his love to hisself," said the skipper churlishly. - -"Ah! that's just what we can't do," said Dick in high-pitched tones, -which the skipper rightly concluded to be his preaching voice. "We can't -do it--an' why can't we do it? Becos we feel good, an' we want you to -feel good too. We want to share it with you. Oh, dear friend--" - -"That's enough," said the master of the Elizabeth Ann, sharply. "Don't -you go 'dear friending' me. Go for'ard! Go for'ard at once!" - -With a melancholy shake of his head the old man complied, and the -startled skipper turned to the mate, who was at the wheel, and expressed -his firm intention of at once stopping such behaviour on his ship. - -"You can't do it," said the mate firmly. - -"Can't do it?" queried the skipper. - -"Not a bit of it," said the other. "They've all got it bad, an' the more -you get at 'em the wuss they'll be. Mark my words, best let 'em alone." - -"I'll hold my hand a bit and watch 'em," was the reply; "but I've always -been cap'n on my own ship, and I always will." - -For the next twenty-four hours he retained his sovereignty undisputed, -but on Sunday morning, after breakfast, when he was at the wheel, and -the crew below, the mate, who had been forward, came aft with a strange -grin struggling for development at the corners of his mouth. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper, regarding him with some -disfavour. - -"They're all down below with their red jerseys on," replied the mate, -still struggling, "and they're holding a sort o' consultation about the -lost lamb, an' the best way o' reaching 'is 'ard 'eart." - -"Lost lamb!" repeated the skipper unconcernedly, but carefully avoiding -the other's eye. - -"You're the lost lamb," said the mate, who always went straight to the -point. - -"I won't have it," said the skipper excitably. "How dare they go on in -this way? Go and send 'em up directly," - -The mate, whistling cheerily, complied, and the four men, neatly attired -in scarlet, came on deck. - -"Now, what's all this nonsense about?" demanded the incensed man. "What -do you want?" - -"We want your pore sinful soul," said Dick with ecstasy. - -"Ay, an' we'll have it," said Joe, with deep conviction. - -"So we will," said the other two, closing their eyes and smiling -rapturously; "so we will." - -The skipper, alarmed, despite himself, at their confidence, turned a -startled face to the mate. - -"If you could see it now," continued Dick impressively, "you'd be -frightened at it. If you could--" - -"Get to your own end of the ship," spluttered the indignant skipper. -"Get, before I kick you there!" - -"Better let Sam have a try," said one of the other men, calmly ignoring -the fury of the master; "his efforts have been wonderfully blessed. Come -here, Sam." - -"There's a time for everything" said Sam cautiously. "Let's go for'ard -and do what we can for him among ourselves." - -They moved off reluctantly, Dick throwing such affectionate glances at -the skipper over his shoulders that he nearly choked with rage. - -"I won't have it!" he said fiercely; "I'll knock it out of 'em." - -"You can't," said the mate. "You can't knock sailor men about nowadays. -The only thing you can do is to get rid of 'em." - -"I don't want to do that," was the growling reply. "They've been with me -a long time, and they're all good men. Why don't they have a go at you, -I wonder?" - -"ME?" said the mate, in indignant surprise. "Why, I'm a Seventh Day -Baptist! They don't want to waste their time over me. I'm all right." - -"You're a pretty Seventh Day Baptist, you are!" replied the skipper. -"Fust I've heard of it." - -"You don't understand about such things," said the mate. - -"It must be a very easy religion," continued the skipper. - -"I don't make a show of it, if that's what you mean," rejoined the other -warmly. "I'm one o' them as believe in 'iding my light under a bushel." - -"A pint pot'ud do easy," sneered the skipper. "It's more in your line, -too." - -"Anyway, the men reckernise it," said the mate loftily. "They don't go -an' sit in their red jerseys an' hold mothers' meetings over me." - -"I'll knock their blessed heads off!" growled the skipper. "I'll learn -'em to insult me!" - -"It's all for your own good," said the other. "They mean it kindly. -Well, I wish 'em luck." - -With these hardy words he retired, leaving a seething volcano to pace -the deck, and think over ways and means of once more reducing his crew -to what he considered a fit and proper state of obedience and respect. - -The climax was reached at tea-time, when an anonymous hand was thrust -beneath the skylight, and a full-bodied tract fluttered wildly down and -upset his tea. - -"That's the last straw!" he roared, fishing out the tract and throwing -it on the floor. "I'll read them chaps a lesson they won't forget in a -hurry, and put a little money in my pocket at the same time. I've got a -little plan in my 'ed as come to me quite sudden this afternoon. Come on -deck, Bob." - -Bob obeyed, grinning, and the skipper, taking the wheel from Sam, sent -him for the others. - -"Did you ever know me break my word, Dick?" he inquired abruptly, as -they shuffled up. - -"Never," said Dick. - -"Cap'n Bowers' word is better than another man's oath," asseverated Joe. - -"Well," said Captain Bowers, with a wink at the mate, "I'm going to give -you chaps a little self-denial week all to yourselves. If you all live -on biscuit and water till we get to port, and don't touch nothing else, -I'll jine you and become a Salvationist." - -"Biscuit and water," said Dick doubtfully, scratching a beard strong -enough to scratch back. - -"It wouldn't be right to play with our constitooshuns in that way, sir," -objected Joe, shaking his head. - -"There you are," said Bowers, turning to the mate with a wave of his -hand. "They're precious anxious about me so long as it's confined to -jawing, and dropping tracts into my tea, but when it comes to a little -hardship on their part, see how they back out of it." - -"We ain't backing out of it," said Dick cautiously; "but s'pose we do, -how are we to be certain as you'll jine us?" - -"You 've got my word for it," said the other, "an' the mate an' cook -witness it." - -"O' course, you jine the Army for good, sir," said Dick, still -doubtfully. - -"O' course." - -"Then it's a bargain, sir," said Dick, beaming; "ain't it, chaps?" - -"Ay, ay," said the others, but not beaming quite so much. "Oh, what a -joyful day this is!" said the old man. "A Salvation crew an' a Salvation -cap'n! We'll have the cook next, bad as he is." - -"You'll have biskit an' water," said the cook icily, as they moved off, -"an' nothing else, I'll take care." - -"They must be uncommon fond o' me," said the skipper meditatively. - -"Uncommon fond o' having their own way," growled the mate. "Nice thing -you've let yourself in for." - -"I know what I 'm about," was the confident reply. - -"You ain't going to let them idiots fast for a week an' then break your -word?" said the mate in surprise. - -"Certainly not," said the other wrathfully; "I'd sooner jine three -armies than do that, and you know it." - -"They'll keep to the grub, don't you fear," said the mate. "I can't -understand how you are going to manage it." - -"That's where the brains come in," retorted the skipper, somewhat -arrogantly. - -"Fust time I've heard of 'em," murmured the mate softly; "but I s'pose -you've been using pint pots too." - -The skipper glared at him scornfully, but, being unprovided with a -retort, forbore to reply, and going below again mixed himself a stiff -glass of grog, and drank success to his scheme. - -Three days passed, and the men stood firm, and, realising that they were -slowly undermining the skipper's convictions, made no effort to carry -him by direct assault. The mate made no attempt to conceal his opinion -of his superior's peril, and in gloomy terms strove to put the full -horror of his position before him. - -"What your missis'll say the first time she sees you prancing up an' -down the road tapping a tambourine, I can't think," said he. - -"I shan't have no tambourine," said Captain Bowers cheerfully. - -"It'll also be your painful dooty to stand outside your father-in-law's -pub and try and persuade customers not to go in," continued Bob. "Nice -thing that for a quiet family!" - -The skipper smiled knowingly, and, rolling a cigar in his mouth, leaned -back in his seat and cocked his eye at the skylight. - -"Don't you worry, my lad," said he; "don't you worry. I'm in this job, -an' I'm coming out on top. When men forget what's due to their betters, -and preach to 'em, they've got to be taught what's what. If the wind -keeps fair we ought to be home by Sunday night or Monday morning." - -The other nodded. - -"Now, you keep your eyes open," said the skipper; and, going to his -state-room, he returned with three bottles of rum and a corkscrew, all -of which, with an air of great mystery, he placed on the table, and then -smiled at the mate. The mate smiled too. - -"What's this?" inquired the skipper, drawing the cork, and holding a -bottle under the other's nose. - -"It smells like rum," said the mate, glancing round, possibly for a -glass. - -"It's for the men," said the skipper, "but you may take a drop." - -The mate, taking down a glass, helped himself liberally, and, having -made sure of it, sympathetically, but politely, expressed his firm -opinion that the men would not touch it under any conditions whatever. - -"You don't quite understand how firm they are," said he; you think it's -just a new fad with 'em, but it ain't." - -"They'll drink it," said the skipper, taking up two of the bottles. -"Bring the other on deck for me." - -The mate complied, wonderingly, and, laden with prime old Jamaica, -ascended the steps. - -"What's this?" inquired the skipper, crossing over to Dick, and holding -out a bottle. - -"Pison, sir," said Dick promptly. - -"Have a drop," said the skipper jovially. - -"Not for twenty pounds," said the old man, with a look of horror. - -"Not for two million pounds," said Sam, with financial precision. - -"Will anybody have a drop?" asked the owner, waving the bottle to and -fro. - -As he spoke a grimy paw shot out from behind him, and, before he quite -realised the situation, the cook had accepted the invitation, and was -hurriedly making the most of it. - -"Not you," growled the skipper, snatching the bottle from him; "I didn't -mean you. Well, my lads, if you won't have it neat you shall have it -watered." - -Before anybody could guess his intention he walked to the water-cask, -and, removing the cover, poured in the rum. In the midst of a profound -silence he emptied the three bottles, and then, with a triumphant smile, -turned and confronted his astonished crew. - -"What's in that cask, Dick?" he asked quietly. - -"Rum and water," groaned Dick; "but that ain't fair play, sir. We've -kep' to our part o' the agreement, sir, an' you ought to ha' kep' to -yours." - -"So I have," was the quick reply; "so I have, an' I still keep to it. -Don't you see this, my lads; when you start playing antics with me -you're playing a fool's game, an' you're bound to come a cropper. Some -men would ha' waited longer afore they spiled their game, but I think -you've suffered enough. Now there's a lump of beef and some taters on, -an' you'd better go and make a good square meal, an' next time you want -to alter the religion of people as knows better than you do, think -twice." - -"We don't want no beef, sir; biskit'll do for us," said Dick firmly. - -"All right, please yourselves," said the skipper; "but mind, no hanky- -panky, no coming for drink when my back's turned; this cask'll be -watched; but if you do alter your mind about the beef you can tell the -cook to get it for you any time you like." - -He threw the bottles overboard, and, ignoring the groaning and head- -shaking of the men, walked away, listening with avidity to the -respectful tributes to his genius tendered by the mate and cook-- -flattery so delicate and so genuine withal that he opened another -bottle. - -"There's just one thing," said the mate presently; "won't the rum affect -the cooking a good deal?" - -"I never thought o' that," admitted the skipper; "still, we musn't -expect to have everything our own way." - -"No, no," said the mate blankly, admiring the other's choice of -pronouns. - -Up to Friday afternoon the skipper went about with a smile of kindly -satisfaction on his face; but in the evening it weakened somewhat, and -by Saturday morning it had vanished altogether, and was replaced by an -expression of blank amazement and anxiety, for the crew shunned the -water cask as though it were poison, without appearing to suffer the -slightest inconvenience. A visible air of proprietorship appeared on -their faces whenever they looked at the skipper, and the now frightened -man inveighed fiercely to the mate against the improper methods of -conversion patronised by some religious bodies, and the aggravating -obstinacy of some of their followers. - -"It's wonderful what enthusiasm'll do for a man," said Bob reflectively; -"I knew a man once--" - -"I don't want none o' your lies," interposed the other rudely. - -"An' I don't want your blamed rum and water, if it comes to that," said -the mate, firing up. "When a man's tea is made with rum, an' his beef is -biled in it, he begins to wonder whether he's shipped with a seaman or -a--a--" - -"A what?" shouted the skipper. "Say it!" - -"I can't think o' nothing foolish enough," was the frank reply. "It's -all right for you, becos it's the last licker as you'll be allowed to -taste, but it's rough on me and the cook." - -"Damn you an' the cook," said the skipper, and went on deck to see -whether the men's tongues were hanging out. - -By Sunday morning he was frantic; the men were hale and well enough, -though, perhaps, a trifle thin, and he began to believe with the cook -that the age of miracles had not yet passed. - -It was a broiling hot day, and, to add to his discomfort, the mate, who -was consumed by a raging thirst, lay panting in the shade of the -mainsail, exchanging condolences of a most offensive nature with the -cook every time he looked his way. - -All the morning he grumbled incessantly, until at length, warned by an -offensive smell of rum that dinner was on the table, he got up and went -below. - -At the foot of the ladder he paused abruptly, for the skipper was -leaning back in his seat, gazing in a fascinated manner at some object -on the table. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the mate in alarm. - -The other, who did not appear to hear the question, made no answer, but -continued to stare in a most extraordinary fashion at a bottle which -graced the centre of the table. - -"What is it?" inquired the mate, not venturing to trust his eyes. -"WATER? Where did it come from?" - -"Cook!" roared the skipper, turning a bloodshot eye on that worthy, as -his pallid face showed behind the mate, "what's this? If you say it's -water I'll kill you." - -"I don't know what it is, sir," said the cook cautiously; "but Dick sent -it to you with his best respects, and I was to say as there's plenty -more where that came from. He's a nasty, under'anded, deceitful old man, -is Dick, sir, an' it seems he laid in a stock o' water in bottles an' -the like afore you doctored the cask, an' the men have had it locked up -in their chests ever since." - -"Dick's a very clever old man," remarked the mate, pouring himself out a -glass, and drinking it with infinite relish, "ain't he, cap'n? It'll be -a privilege to jine anything that man's connected with, won't it?" - -He paused for a reply, but none came, for the cap'n, with dim eyes, was -staring blankly into a future so lonely and uncongenial that he had lost -the power of speech--even of that which, at other crises, had never -failed to afford him relief. The mate gazed at him curiously for a -moment, and then, imitating the example of the cook, quitted the cabin. - - - - -IN MID-ATLANTIC - - -"No, sir," said the night-watchman, as he took a seat on a post at the -end of the jetty, and stowed a huge piece of tobacco in his cheek. "No, -man an' boy, I was at sea forty years afore I took on this job, but I -can't say as ever I saw a real, downright ghost." - -This was disappointing, and I said so. Previous experience of the power -of Bill's vision had led me to expect something very different. - -"Not but what I've known some queer things happen," said Bill, fixing -his eyes on the Surrey side, and going off into a kind of trance. "Queer -things." - -I waited patiently; Bill's eyes, after resting for some time on Surrey, -began to slowly cross the river, paused midway in reasonable hopes of a -collision between a tug with its flotilla of barges and a penny steamer, -and then came back to me. - -"You heard that yarn old Cap'n Harris was telling the other day about -the skipper he knew having a warning one night to alter his course, an' -doing so, picked up five live men and three dead skeletons in a open -boat?" he inquired. - -I nodded. - -"The yarn in various forms is an old one," said I. - -"It's all founded on something I told him once," said Bill. "I don't -wish to accuse Cap'n Harris of taking another man's true story an' -spoiling it; he's got a bad memory, that's all. Fust of all, he forgets -he ever heard the yarn; secondly, he goes and spoils it." - -I gave a sympathetic murmur. Harris was as truthful an old man as ever -breathed, but his tales were terribly restricted by this circumstance, -whereas Bill's were limited by nothing but his own imagination. - -"It was about fifteen years ago now," began Bill, getting the quid into -a bye-way of his cheek, where it would not impede his utterance "I was -A. B. on the Swallow, a barque, trading wherever we could pick up stuff. -On this v'y'ge we was bound from London to Jamaica with a general cargo. - -"The start of that v'y'ge was excellent. We was towed out of the St. -Katherine's Docks here, to the Nore, an' the tug left us to a stiff -breeze, which fairly raced us down Channel and out into the Atlantic. -Everybody was saying what a fine v'y'ge we was having, an' what quick -time we should make, an' the fust mate was in such a lovely temper that -you might do anything with him a'most. - -"We was about ten days out, an' still slipping along in this spanking -way, when all of a sudden things changed. I was at the wheel with the -second mate one night, when the skipper, whose name was Brown, came up -from below in a uneasy sort o' fashion, and stood looking at us for some -time without speaking. Then at last he sort o' makes up his mind, and -ses he-- - -"'Mr. McMillan, I've just had a most remarkable experience, an' I don't -know what to do about it.' - -"'Yes, sir?' ses Mr. McMillan. - -"'Three times I Ve been woke up this night by something shouting in my -ear, "Steer nor'-nor'-west!"' ses the cap'n very solemnly, '"Steer -nor'-nor'-west!" that's all it says. The first time I thought it was -somebody got into my cabin skylarking, and I laid for 'em with a stick -but I've heard it three times, an' there's nothing there.' - -"'It's a supernatural warning,' ses the second mate, who had a great -uncle once who had the second sight, and was the most unpopular man of -his family, because he always knew what to expect, and laid his plans -according. - -"'That's what I think,' ses the cap'n. 'There's some poor shipwrecked -fellow creatures in distress." - -"'It's a verra grave responsebeelity,' ses Mr. McMillan 'I should just -ca' up the fairst mate.' - -"'Bill,' ses the cap'n, 'just go down below, and tell Mr. Salmon I 'd -like a few words with him partikler.' - -"Well, I went down below, and called up the first mate, and as soon as -I'd explained to him what he was wanted for, he went right off into a -fit of outrageous bad language, an' hit me. He came right up on deck in -his pants an' socks. A most disrespekful way to come to the cap'n, but -he was that hot and excited he didn't care what he did. - -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses the cap'n gravely, 'I've just had a most solemn -warning, and I want to--' - -"'I know,' says the mate gruffly. - -"'What! have you heard it too?' ses the cap'n, in surprise. 'Three -times?' "I heard it from him,' ses the mate, pointing to me. 'Nightmare, -sir, nightmare.' - -"'It was not nightmare, sir,' ses the cap'n, very huffy, 'an if I hear -it again, I 'm going to alter this ship's course.' - -"Well, the fust mate was in a hole. He wanted to call the skipper -something which he knew wasn't discipline. I knew what it was, an' I -knew if the mate didn't do something he'd be ill, he was that sort of -man, everything flew to his head. He walked away, and put his head over -the side for a bit, an' at last, when he came back, he was, -comparatively speaking, calm. - -"'You mustn't hear them words again, sir,' ses he; 'don't go to sleep -again to-night. Stay up, an' we'll have a hand o' cards, and in the -morning you take a good stiff dose o' rhoobarb. Don't spoil one o' the -best trips we've ever had for the sake of a pennyworth of rhoobarb,' ses -he, pleading-like. - -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses the cap'n, very angry, 'I shall not fly in the face -o' Providence in any such way. I shall sleep as usual, an' as for your -rhoobarb,' ses the cap'n, working hisself up into a passion--'damme, -sir, I'll--I'll dose the whole crew with it, from first mate to cabin- -boy, if I have any impertinence.' - -"Well, Mr. Salmon, who was getting very mad, stalks down below, followed -by the cap'n, an' Mr. McMillan was that excited that he even started -talking to me about it. Half-an-hour arterwards the cap'n comes running -up on deck again. - -"'Mr. McMillan,' ses he excitedly, 'steer nor'-nor'-west until further -orders. I've heard it again, an' this time it nearly split the drum of -my ear.' - -"The ship's course was altered, an' after the old man was satisfied he -went back to bed again, an' almost directly arter eight bells went, an' -I was relieved. I wasn't on deck when the fust mate come up, but those -that were said he took it very calm. He didn't say a word. He just sat -down on the poop, and blew his cheeks out. - -"As soon as ever it was daylight the skipper was on deck with his -glasses. He sent men up to the masthead to keep a good look-out, an' he -was dancing about like a cat on hot bricks all the morning. - -"'How long are we to go on this course, sir?' asks Mr. Salmon, about ten -o'clock in the morning. - -"'I've not made up my mind, sir,' ses the cap'n, very stately; but I -could see he was looking a trifle foolish. - -"At twelve o'clock in the day, the fust mate got a cough, and every time -he coughed it seemed to act upon the skipper, and make him madder and -madder. Now that it was broad daylight, Mr. McMillan didn't seem to be -so creepy as the night before, an' I could see the cap'n was only -waiting for the slightest excuse to get into our proper course again. - -"'That's a nasty, bad cough o' yours, Mr. Salmon,' ses he, eyeing the -mate very hard. - -"'Yes, a nasty, irritating sort o' cough, sir,' ses the other; 'it -worries me a great deal. It's this going up nor'ards what's sticking in -my throat,' ses he. - -"The cap'n give a gulp, and walked off, but he comes back in a minute, -and ses he-- - -"'Mr. Salmon, I should think it a great pity to lose a valuable officer -like yourself, even to do good to others. There's a hard ring about that -cough I don't like, an' if you really think it's going up this bit -north, why, I don't mind putting the ship in her course again.' - -"Well, the mate thanked him kindly, and he was just about to give the -orders when one o' the men who was at the masthead suddenly shouts out-- - -"'Ahoy! Small boat on the port bow!' - -"The cap'n started as if he'd been shot, and ran up the rigging with his -glasses. He came down again almost direckly, and his face was all in a -glow with pleasure and excitement. - -"'Mr. Salmon,' ses he, 'here's a small boat with a lug sail in the -middle o' the Atlantic, with one pore man lying in the bottom of her. -What do you think o' my warning now?' - -"The mate didn't say anything at first, but he took the glasses and had -a look, an' when he came back anyone could see his opinion of the -skipper had gone up miles and miles. - -"'It's a wonderful thing, sir,' ses he, 'and one I'll remember all my -life. It's evident that you've been picked out as a instrument to do -this good work.' - -"I'd never heard the fust mate talk like that afore, 'cept once when he -fell overboard, when he was full, and stuck in the Thames mud. He said -it was Providence; though, as it was low water, according to the tide- -table, I couldn't see what Providence had to do with it myself. He was -as excited as anybody, and took the wheel himself, and put the ship's -head for the boat, and as she came closer, our boat was slung out, and -me and the second mate and three other men dropped into her, an' pulled -so as to meet the other. - -"'Never mind the boat; we don't want to be bothered with her,' shouts -out the cap'n as we pulled away--'Save the man!' - -"I'll say this for Mr. McMillan, he steered that boat beautifully, and -we ran alongside o' the other as clever as possible. Two of us shipped -our oars, and gripped her tight, and then we saw that she was just an -ordinary boat, partly decked in, with the head and shoulders of a man -showing in the opening, fast asleep, and snoring like thunder. - -"'Puir chap,' ses Mr. McMillan, standing up. 'Look how wasted he is.' - -"He laid hold o' the man by the neck of his coat an' his belt, an', -being a very powerful man, dragged him up and swung him into our boat, -which was bobbing up and down, and grating against the side of the -other. We let go then, an' the man we'd rescued opened his eyes as Mr. -McMillan tumbled over one of the thwarts with him, and, letting off a -roar like a bull, tried to jump back into his boat. - -"'Hold him!' shouted the second mate. 'Hold him tight! He's mad, puir -feller.' - -"By the way that man fought and yelled, we thought the mate was right, -too. He was a short, stiff chap, hard as iron, and he bit and kicked and -swore for all he was worth, until at last we tripped him up and tumbled -him into the bottom of the boat, and held him there with his head -hanging back over a thwart. - -"'It's all right, my puir feller,' ses the second mate; 'ye're in good -hands--ye're saved.' - -"'Damme!' ses the man; 'what's your little game? Where's my boat--eh? -Where's my boat?' - -"He wriggled a bit, and got his head up, and, when he saw it bowling -along two or three hundred yards away, his temper got the better of him, -and he swore that if Mr. McMillan didn't row after it he'd knife him. - -"'We can't bother about the boat,' ses the mate; 'we've had enough -bother to rescue you.' - -"'Who the devil wanted you to rescue me?' bellowed the man. 'I'll make -you pay for this, you miserable swabs. If there's any law in Amurrica, -you shall have it!' - -"By this time we had got to the ship, which had shortened sail, and the -cap'n was standing by the side, looking down upon the stranger with a -big, kind smile which nearly sent him crazy. - -"'Welcome aboard, my pore feller,' ses he, holding out his hand as the -chap got up the side. - -"'Are you the author of this outrage?' ses the man fiercely. "'I don't -understand you,' ses the cap'n, very dignified, and drawing himself up. - -"'Did you send your chaps to sneak me out o' my boat while I was having -forty winks?' roars the other. 'Damme! that's English, ain't it?' - -"'Surely,' ses the cap'n, 'surely you didn't wish to be left to perish -in that little craft. I had a supernatural warning to steer this course -on purpose to pick you up, and this is your gratitude.' - -"'Look here!' ses the other. 'My name's Cap'n Naskett, and I'm doing a -record trip from New York to Liverpool in the smallest boat that has -ever crossed the Atlantic, an' you go an' bust everything with your -cussed officiousness. If you think I'm going to be kidnapped just to -fulfil your beastly warnings, you've made a mistake. I'll have the law -on you, that's what I'll do. Kidnapping's a punishable offence.' - -"'What did you come here for, then?' ses the cap'n. - -"'Come!' howls Cap'n Naskett. 'Come! A feller sneaks up alongside o' me -with a boat-load of street-sweepings dressed as sailors, and snaps me up -while I'm asleep, and you ask me what I come for. Look here. You clap on -all sail and catch that boat o' mine, and put me back, and I'll call it -quits. If you don't, I'll bring a law-suit agin you, and make you the -laughing-stock of two continents into the bargain.' - -"Well, to make the best of a bad bargain, the cap'n sailed after the -cussed little boat, and Mr. Salmon, who thought more than enough time -had been lost already, fell foul o' Cap'n Naskett. They was both pretty -talkers, and the way they went on was a education for every sailorman -afloat. Every man aboard got as near as they durst to listen to them; -but I must say Cap'n Naskett had the best of it. He was a sarkastik man, -and pretended to think the ship was fitted out just to pick up -shipwrecked people, an' he also pretended to think we was castaways what -had been saved by it. He said o' course anybody could see at a glance we -wasn't sailormen, an' he supposed Mr. Salmon was a butcher what had been -carried out to sea while paddling at Margate to strengthen his ankles. -He said a lot more of this sort of thing, and all this time we was -chasing his miserable little boat, an' he was admiring the way she -sailed, while the fust mate was answering his reflexshuns, an' I'm sure -that not even our skipper was more pleased than Mr. Salmon when we -caught it at last, and shoved him back. He was ungrateful up to the -last, an', just before leaving the ship, actually went up to Cap'n -Brown, and advised him to shut his eyes an' turn round three times and -catch what he could. - -"I never saw the skipper so upset afore, but I heard him tell Mr. -McMillan that night that if he ever went out of his way again after a -craft, it would only be to run it down. Most people keep pretty quiet -about supernatural things that happen to them, but he was about the -quietest I ever heard of, an', what's more, he made everyone else keep -quiet about it, too. Even when he had to steer nor'-nor'-west arter that -in the way o' business he didn't like it, an' he was about the most -cruelly disappointed man you ever saw when he heard afterwards that -Cap'n Naskett got safe to Liverpool." - - - - -AFTER THE INQUEST - - -It was a still fair evening in late summer in the parish of Wapping. The -hands had long since left, and the night watchman having abandoned his -trust in favour of a neighbouring bar, the wharf was deserted. - -An elderly seaman came to the gate and paused irresolute, then, seeing -all was quiet, stole cautiously on to the jetty, and stood for some time -gazing curiously down on to the deck of the billy-boy PSYCHE lying -alongside. - -With the exception of the mate, who, since the lamented disappearance of -its late master and owner, was acting as captain, the deck was as -deserted as the wharf. He was smoking an evening pipe in all the pride -of a first command, his eye roving fondly from the blunt bows and untidy -deck of his craft to her clumsy stern, when a slight cough from the man -above attracted his attention. - -"How do, George?" said the man on the jetty, somewhat sheepishly, as the -other looked up. - -The mate opened his mouth, and his pipe fell from it and smashed to -pieces unnoticed. - -"Got much stuff in her this trip?" continued the man, with an obvious -attempt to appear at ease. - -"The mate, still looking up, backed slowly to the other side of the -deck, but made no reply. - -"What's the matter, man?" said the other testily. "You don't seem -overpleased to see me." - -He leaned over as he spoke, and, laying hold of the rigging, descended -to the deck, while the mate took his breath in short, exhilarating -gasps. - -"Here I am, George," said the intruder, "turned up like a bad penny, an' -glad to see your handsome face again, I can tell you." - -In response to this flattering remark George gurgled. - -"Why," said the other, with an uneasy laugh, "did you think I was dead, -George? Ha, ha! Feel that!" - -He fetched the horrified man a thump in the back, which stopped even his -gurgles. - -"That feel like a dead man?" asked the smiter, raising his hand again. -"Feel"-- - -The mate moved back hastily. "That'll do," said he fiercely; "ghost or -no ghost, don't you hit me like that again." - -"A' right, George," said the other, as he meditatively felt the stiff -grey whiskers which framed his red face. "What's the news?" - -"The news," said George, who was of slow habits and speech, "is that you -was found last Tuesday week off St. Katherine's Stairs, you was sat on a -Friday week at the Town o' Ramsgate public-house, and buried on Monday -afternoon at Lowestoft." - -"Buried?" gasped the other, "sat on? You've been drinking, George." - -"An' a pretty penny your funeral cost, I can tell you," continued the -mate. "There's a headstone being made now--'Lived lamented and died -respected,' I think it is, with 'Not lost, but gone before,' at the -bottom." - -"Lived respected and died lamented, you mean," growled the old man; -"well, a nice muddle you have made of it between you. Things always go -wrong when I'm not here to look after them." - -"You ain't dead, then?" said the mate, taking no notice of this -unreasonable remark, "Where've you been all this long time?" - -"No more than you're master o' this 'ere ship," replied Mr. Harbolt -grimly. "I--I've been a bit queer in the stomach, an' I took a little -drink to correct it. Foolish like, I took the wrong drink, and it must -have got into my head." - -"That's the worst of not being used to it," said the mate, without -moving a muscle. - -The skipper eyed him solemnly, but the mate stood firm. - -"Arter that," continued the skipper, still watching him suspiciously, "I -remember no more distinctly until this morning, when I found myself -sitting on a step down Poplar way and shiverin', with the morning -newspaper and a crowd round me." - -"Morning newspaper!" repeated the mystified mate. "What was that for?" - -"Decency. I was wrapped up in it," replied the skipper. "Where I came -from or how I got there I don't know more than Adam. I s'pose I must -have been ill; I seem to remember taking something out of a bottle -pretty often. Some old gentleman in the crowd took me into a shop and -bought me these clothes, an' here I am. My own clo'es and thirty pounds -o' freight money I had in my pocket is all gone." - -"Well, I'm hearty glad to see you back," said the mate. "It's quite a -home-coming for you, too. Your missis is down aft." - -"My missis? What the devil's she aboard for?" growled the skipper, -successfully controlling his natural gratification at the news. - -"She's been with us these last two trips," replied the mate. "She's had -business to settle in London, and she's been going through your lockers -to clear up, like." - -"My lockers!" groaned the skipper. "Good heavens! there's things in them -lockers I wouldn't have her see for the world; women are so fussy an' so -fond o' making something out o' nothing. There's a pore female touched a -bit in the upper storey, what's been writing love letters to me, -George." - -"Three pore females," said the precise mate; "the missis has got all the -letters tied up with blue ribbon. Very far gone they was, too, poor -creeters." - -"George," said the skipper in a broken voice, "I'm a ruined man. I'll -never hear the end o' this. I guess I'll go an' sleep for'ard this -voyage, and lie low. Be keerful you don't let on I'm aboard, an' after -she's home I'll take the ship again, and let the thing leak out gradual. -Come to life bit by bit, so to speak. It wouldn't do to scare her, -George, an' in the meantime I'll try an' think o' some explanation to -tell her. You might be thinking too." - -"I'll do what I can," said the mate. - -"Crack me up to the old girl all you can; tell her I used to write to -all sorts o' people when I got a drop of drink in me; say how thoughtful -I always was of her. You might tell her about that gold locket I bought -for her an' got robbed of." - -"Gold locket?" said the mate in tones of great surprise. "What gold -locket? Fust I've heard of it." - -"Any gold locket," said the skipper irritably; "anything you can think -of; you needn't be pertikler. Arter that you can drop little hints about -people being buried in mistake for others, so as to prepare her a bit--I -don't want to scare her." - -"Leave it to me," said the mate. - -"I'll go an' turn in now, I'm dead tired," said the skipper. "I s'pose -Joe and the boy's asleep?" - -George nodded, and meditatively watched the other as he pushed back the -fore-scuttle and drew it after him as he descended. Then a thought -struck the mate, and he ran hastily forward and threw his weight on the -scuttle just in time to frustrate the efforts of Joe and the boy, who -were coming on deck to tell him a new ghost story. The confusion below -was frightful, the skipper's cry of "It's only me, Joe," not possessing -the soothing effect which he intended. They calmed down at length, after -their visitor had convinced them that he really was flesh and blood and -fists, and the boy's attention being directed to a small rug in the -corner of the foc's'le, the skipper took his bunk and was soon fast -asleep. - -He slept so soundly that the noise of the vessel getting under way -failed to rouse him, and she was well out in the open river when he -awoke, and after cautiously protruding his head through the scuttle, -ventured on deck. For some time he stood eagerly sniffing the cool, -sweet air, and then, after a look round, gingerly approached the mate, -who was at the helm. - -"Give me a hold on her," said he. - -"You had better get below again, if you don't want the missis to see -you," said the mate. "She's gettin' up--nasty temper she's in too." - -The skipper went forward grumbling. "Send down a good breakfast, -George," said he. - -To his great discomfort the mate suddenly gave a low whistle, and -regarded him with a look of blank dismay. - -"Good gracious!" he cried, "I forgot all about it. Here's a pretty -kettle of fish--well, well." - -"Forgot about what?" asked the skipper uneasily. - -"The crew take their meals in the cabin now," replied the mate, "'cos -the missis says it's more cheerful for 'em, and she's l'arning 'em to -eat their wittles properly." - -The skipper looked at him aghast. "You'll have to smuggle me up some -grub," he said at length. "I'm not going to starve for nobody." - -"Easier said than done," said the mate. "The missis has got eyes like -needles; still, I'll do the best I can for you. Look out! Here she -comes." - -The skipper fled hastily, and, safe down below, explained to the crew -how they were to secrete portions of their breakfast for his benefit. -The amount of explanation required for so simple a matter was -remarkable, the crew manifesting a denseness which irritated him almost -beyond endurance. They promised, however, to do the best they could for -him, and returned in triumph after a hearty meal, and presented their -enraged commander with a few greasy crumbs and the tail of a bloater. - -For the next two days the wind was against them, and they made but -little progress. Mrs. Harbolt spent most of her time on deck, thereby -confining her husband to his evil-smelling quarters below. Matters were -not improved for him by his treatment of the crew, who, resenting his -rough treatment of them, were doing their best to starve him into -civility. Most of the time he kept in his bunk--or rather Jemmy's bunk-- -a prey to despondency and hunger of an acute type, venturing on deck -only at night to prowl uneasily about and bemoan his condition. - -On the third night Mrs. Harbolt was later in retiring than usual, and it -was nearly midnight before the skipper, who had been indignantly waiting -for her to go, was able to get on deck and hold counsel with the mate. - -"I've done what I could for you," said the latter, fishing a crust from -his pocket, which Harbolt took thankfully. "I've told her all the yarns -I could think of about people turning up after they was buried and the -like." - -"What'd she say?" queried the skipper eagerly, between his bites. - -"Told me not to talk like that," said the mate; "said it showed a want -o' trust in Providence to hint at such things. Then I told her what you -asked me about the locket, only I made it a bracelet worth ten pounds." - -"That pleased her?" suggested the other hopefully. - -The mate shook his head. "She said I was a born fool to believe you'd -been robbed of it," he replied. "She said what you'd done was to give it -to one o' them pore females. She's been going on frightful about it all -the afternoon--won't talk o' nothing else." - -"I don't know what's to be done," groaned the skipper despondently. "I -shall be dead afore we get to port this wind holds. Go down and get me -something to eat George; I'm starving." - -"Everything's locked up, as I told you afore," said the mate. - -"As the master of this ship," said the skipper, drawing himself up, "I -order you to go down and get me something to eat. You can tell the -missus it's for you if she says anything." - -"I'm hanged if I will," said the mate sturdily. "Why don't you go down -and have it out with her like a man? She can't eat you." - -"I'm not going to," said the other shortly. "I'm a determined man, and -when I say a thing I mean it. It's going to be broken to her gradual, as -I said; I don't want her to be scared, poor thing." - -"I know who'd be scared the most," murmured the mate. - -The skipper looked at him fiercely, and then sat down wearily on the -hatches with his hands between his knees, rising, after a time, to get -the dipper and drink copiously from the water-cask. Then, replacing it -with a sigh, he bade the mate a surly good-night and went below. - -To his dismay he found when he awoke in the morning that what little -wind there was had dropped in the night, and the billy-boy was just -rising and falling lazily on the water in a fashion most objectionable -to an empty stomach. It was the last straw, and he made things so -uncomfortable below that the crew were glad to escape on deck, where -they squatted down in the bows, and proceeded to review a situation -which was rapidly becoming unbearable. - -"I've 'ad enough of it, Joe," grumbled the boy. "I'm sore all over with -sleeping on the floor, and the old man's temper gets wuss and wuss. I'm -going to be ill." - -"Whaffor?" queried Joe dully. - -"You tell the missus I'm down below ill. Say you think I'm dying," -responded the infant Machiavelli, "then you'll see somethink if you keep -your eyes open." - -He went below again, not without a little nervousness, and, clambering -into Joe's bunk, rolled over on his back and gave a deep groan. - -"What's the matter with YOU!" growled the skipper, who was lying in the -other bunk staving off the pangs of hunger with a pipe. - -"I'm very ill--dying," said Jemmy, with another groan. - -"You'd better stay in bed and have your breakfast brought down here, -then," said the skipper kindly. - -"I don't want no breakfast," said Jem faintly. - -"That's no reason why you shouldn't have it sent down, you unfeeling -little brute," said the skipper indignantly. "You tell Joe to bring you -down a great plate o' cold meat and pickles, and some coffee; that's -what you want." - -"All right, sir," said Jemmy. "I hope they won't let the missus come -down here, in case it's something catching. I wouldn't like her to be -took bad." - -"Eh?" said the skipper, in alarm. "Certainly not. Here, you go up and -die on deck. Hurry up with you." - -"I can't; I'm too weak," said Jemmy. - -"You get up on deck at once; d'ye hear me?" hissed the skipper, in -alarm. - -"I c-c-c-can't help it," sobbed Jemmy, who was enjoying the situation -amazingly. "I b'lieve it's sleeping on the hard floor's snapped -something inside me." - -"If you don't go I'll take you," said the skipper, and he was about to -rise to put his threat into execution when a shadow fell across the -opening, and a voice, which thrilled him to the core, said softly, -"Jemmy!" - -"Yes 'm?" said Jemmy languidly, as the skipper flattened himself in his -bunk and drew the clothes over him. - -"How do you feel?" inquired Mrs. Harbolt. - -"Bad all over," said Jemmy. "Oh, don't come down, mum--please don't." - -"Rubbish!" said Mrs. Harbolt tartly, as she came slowly and carefully -down backwards. "What a dark hole this is, Jemmy. No wonder you're ill. -Put your tongue out." - -Jemmy complied. - -"I can't see properly here," murmured the lady, "but it looks very -large. S'pose you go in the other bunk, Jemmy. It's a good bit higher -than this, and you'd get more air and be more comfortable altogether." - -"Joe wouldn't like it, mum," said the boy anxiously. The last glimpse he -had had of the skipper's face did not make him yearn to share his bed -with him. - -"Stuff an' nonsense!" said Mrs. Harbolt hotly. "Who's Joe, I'd like to -know? Out you come." - -"I can't move, mum," said Jemmy firmly. - -"Nonsense!" said the lady. "I'll just put it straight for you first, -then in it you go." - -"No, don't, mum," shouted Jemmy, now thoroughly alarmed at the success -of his plot. "There, there's a gentleman in that bunk. A gentleman we -brought from London for a change of sea air." - -"My goodness gracious!" ejaculated the surprised Mrs. Harbolt. "I never -did. Why, what's he had to eat?" - -"He--he--didn't want nothing to eat," said Jemmy, with a woeful -disregard for facts. - -"What's the matter with him?" inquired Mrs. Harbolt, eyeing the bunk -curiously. "What's his name? Who is he?" - -"He's been lost a long time," said Jemmy, "and he's forgotten who he is-- -he's a oldish man with a red face an' a little white whisker all round -it--a very nice-looking man, I mean," he interposed hurriedly. "I don't -think he's quite right in his head, 'cos he says he ought to have been -buried instead of someone else. Oh!" - -The last word was almost a scream, for Mrs. Harbolt, staggering back, -pinched him convulsively. - -"Jemmy!" she gasped, in a trembling voice, as she suddenly remembered -certain mysterious hints thrown out by the mate. "Who is it?" - -"The CAPTAIN!" said Jemmy, and, breaking from her clasp, slipped from -his bed and darted hastily on deck, just as the pallid face of his -commander broke through the blankets and beamed anxiously on his wife. - - * * * * * * * * - -Five minutes later, as the crew gathered aft were curiously eyeing the -foc's'le, Mrs. Harbolt and the skipper came on deck. To the great -astonishment of the mate, the eyes of the redoubtable woman were -slightly wet, and, regardless of the presence of the men, she clung -fondly to her husband as they walked slowly to the cabin. Ere they went -below, however, she called the grinning Jemmy to her, and, to his -private grief and public shame, tucked his head under her arm and kissed -him fondly. - - - - -IN LIMEHOUSE REACH - - -It was the mate's affair all through. He began by leaving the end of a -line dangling over the stern, and the propeller, though quite -unaccustomed to that sort of work, wound it up until only a few fathoms -remained. It then stopped, and the mischief was not discovered until the -skipper had called the engineer everything that he and the mate and -three men and a boy could think of. The skipper did the interpreting -through the tube which afforded the sole means of communication between -the wheel and the engine-room, and the indignant engineer did the -listening. - -The Gem was just off Limehouse at the time, and it was evident she was -going to stay there. The skipper ran her ashore and made her fast to a -roomy old schooner which was lying alongside a wharf. He was then able -to give a little attention to the real offender, and the unfortunate -mate, who had been the most inventive of them all, realised to the full -the old saying of curses coming home to roost. They brought some -strangers with them, too. - -"I'm going ashore," said the skipper at last. "We won't get off till -next tide now. When it's low water you'll have to get down and cut the -line away. A new line too! I'm ashamed o' you, Harry." - -"I'm not surprised," said the engineer, who was a vindictive man. - -"What do you mean by that?" demanded the mate fiercely. - -"We don't want any of your bad temper," interposed the skipper severely. -"NOR bad language. The men can go ashore, and the engineer too, provided -he keeps steam up. But be ready for a start about five. You'll have to -mind the ship." - -He looked over the stern again, shook his head sadly, and, after a visit -to the cabin, clambered over the schooner's side and got ashore. The -men, after looking at the propeller and shaking their heads, went ashore -too, and the boy, after looking at the propeller and getting ready to -shake his, caught the mate's eye and omitted that part of the ceremony, -from a sudden conviction that it was unhealthy. - -Left alone, the mate, who was of a sensitive disposition, after a curt -nod to Captain Jansell of the schooner Aquila, who had heard of the -disaster, and was disposed to be sympathetically inquisitive, lit his -pipe and began moodily to smoke. - -When he next looked up the old man had disappeared, and a girl in a -print dress and a large straw hat sat in a wicker chair reading. She was -such a pretty girl that the mate forgot his troubles at once, and, after -carefully putting his cap on straight, strolled casually up and down the -deck. - -To his mortification, the girl seemed unaware of his presence, and read -steadily, occasionally looking up and chirping with a pair of ravishing -lips at a blackbird, which hung in a wicker cage from the mainmast. - -"That's a nice bird," said the mate, leaning against the side, and -turning a look of great admiration upon it. - -"Yes," said the girl, raising a pair of dark blue eyes to the bold brown -ones, and taking him in at a glance. - -"Does it sing?" inquired the mate, with a show of great interest. - -"It does sometimes, when we are alone," was the reply. - -"I should have thought the sea air would have affected its throat," said -the mate, reddening. "Are you often in the London river, miss? I don't -remember seeing your craft before." - -"Not often," said the girl. - -"You've got a fine schooner here," said the mate, eyeing it critically. -"For my part, I prefer a sailer to a steamer." - -"I should think you would," said the girl. - -"Why?" inquired the mate tenderly, pleased at this show of interest. - -"No propeller," said the girl quietly, and she left her seat and -disappeared below, leaving the mate gasping painfully. - -Left to himself, he became melancholy, as he realised that the great -passion of his life had commenced, and would probably end within a few -hours. The engineer came aboard to look at the fires, and, the steamer -being now on the soft mud, good-naturedly went down and assisted him to -free the propeller before going ashore again. Then he was alone once -more, gazing ruefully at the bare deck of the Aquila. - -It was past two o'clock in the afternoon before any signs of life other -than the blackbird appeared there. Then the girl came on deck again, -accompanied by a stout woman of middle age, and an appearance so affable -that the mate commenced at once. - -"Fine day," he said pleasantly, as he brought up in front of them. - -"Lovely weather," said the mother, settling herself in her chair and -putting down her work ready for a chat. "I hope the wind lasts; we start -to-morrow morning's tide. You'll get off this afternoon, I s'pose." - -"About five o'clock," said the mate. - -"I should like to try a steamer for a change," said the mother, and -waxed garrulous on sailing craft generally, and her own in particular. - -"There's five of us down there, with my husband and the two boys," said -she, indicating the cabin with her thumb; "naturally it gets rather -stuffy." - -The mate sighed. He was thinking that under some conditions there were -worse things than stuffy cabins. - -"And Nancy's so discontented," said the mother, looking at the girl who -was reading quietly by her side. "She doesn't like ships or sailors. She -gets her head turned reading those penny novelettes." - -"You look after your own head," said Nancy elegantly, without looking -up. - -"Girls in those novels don't talk to their mothers like that," said the -elder woman severely. - -"They have different sorts of mothers," said Nancy, serenely turning -over a page. "I hate little pokey ships and sailors smelling of tar. I -never saw a sailor I liked yet." - -The mate's face fell. "There's sailors and sailors," he suggested -humbly. - -"It's no good talking to her," said the mother, with a look of fat -resignation on her face, "we can only let her go her own way; if you -talked to her twenty-four hours right off it wouldn't do her any good." - -"I'd like to try," said the mate, plucking up spirit. - -"Would you?" said the girl, for the first time raising her head and -looking him full in the face. "Impudence!" - -"Perhaps you haven't seen many ships," said the impressionable mate, his -eyes devouring her face. "Would you like to come and have a look at our -cabin?" - -"No, thanks!" said the girl sharply. Then she smiled maliciously. "I -daresay mother would, though; she's fond of poking her nose into other -people's business." - -The mother regarded her irreverent offspring fixedly for a few moments. -The mate interposed. - -"I should be very pleased to show you over, ma'am," he said politely. - -The mother hesitated; then she rose, and accepting the mate's -assistance, clambered on to the side of the steamer, and, supported by -his arms, sprang to the deck and followed him below. - -"Very nice," she said, nodding approvingly, as the mate did the honours. -"Very nice." - -"It's nice and roomy for a little craft like ours," said the mate, as he -drew a stone bottle from a locker and poured out a couple of glasses of -stout. "Try a little beer, ma'am." - -"What you must think o' that girl o' mine I can't think," murmured the -lady, taking a modest draught. - -"The young," said the mate, who had not quite reached his twenty-fifth -year, "are often like that." - -"It spoils her," said her mother. "She's a good-looking girl, too, in -her way." - -"I don't see how she can help being that," said the mate. - -"Oh, get away with you," said the lady pleasantly. "She'll get fat like -me as she gets older." - -"She couldn't do better," said the mate tenderly. - -"Nonsense," said the lady, smiling. - -"You're as like as two peas," persisted the mate. "I made sure you were -sisters when I saw you first." - -"You ain't the first that's thought that," said the other, laughing -softly; "not by a lot." - -"I like to see ladies about," said the mate, who was trying desperately -for a return invitation. "I wish you could always sit there. You quite -brighten the cabin up." - -"You're a flatterer," said his visitor, as he replenished her glass, and -showed so little signs of making a move that the mate, making a pretext -of seeing the engineer, hurried up on deck to singe his wings once more. - -"Still reading?" he said softly, as he came abreast of the girl. "All -about love, I s'pose." - -"Have you left my mother down there all by herself?" inquired the girl -abruptly. - -"Just a minute," said the mate, somewhat crestfallen. "I just came up to -see the engineer." - -"Well, he isn't here," was the discouraging reply. - -The mate waited a minute or two, the girl still reading quietly, and -then walked back to the cabin. The sound of gentle regular breathing -reached his ears, and, stepping softly, he saw to his joy that his -visitor slept. - -"She's asleep," said he, going back, "and she looks so comfortable I -don't think I'll wake her." - -"I shouldn't advise you to," said the girl; "she always wakes up cross." - -"How strange we should run up against each other like this," said the -mate sentimentally; "it looks like Providence, doesn't it?" - -"Looks like carelessness," said the girl. - -"I don't care," replied the mate. "I'm glad I did let that line go -overboard. Best day's work I ever did. I shouldn't have seen you if I -hadn't." - -"And I don't suppose you'll ever see me again," said the girl -comfortably, "so I don't see what good you've done yourself." - -"I shall run down to Limehouse every time we're in port, anyway," said -the mate; "it'll be odd if I don't see you sometimes. I daresay our -craft'll pass each other sometimes. Perhaps in the night," he added -gloomily. - -"I shall sit up all night watching for you," declared Miss Jansell -untruthfully. - -In this cheerful fashion the conversation proceeded, the girl, who was -by no means insensible to his bright eager face and well-knit figure, -dividing her time in the ratio of three parts to her book and one to -him. Time passed all too soon for the mate, when they were interrupted -by a series of hoarse unintelligible roars proceeding from the -schooner's cabin. - -"That's father," said Miss Jansell, rising with a celerity which spoke -well for the discipline maintained on the Aquila; "he wants me to mend -his waistcoat for him." - -She put down her book and left, the mate watching her until she -disappeared down the companion-way. Then he sat down and waited. - -One by one the crew returned to the steamer, but the schooner's deck -showed no signs of life. Then the skipper came, and, having peered -critically over his vessel's side, gave orders to get under way. - -"If she'd only come up," said the miserable mate to himself, "I'd risk -it, and ask whether I might write to her." - -This chance of imperilling a promising career did not occur, however; -the steamer slowly edged away from the schooner, and, picking her way -between a tier of lighters, steamed slowly into clearer water. - -"Full speed ahead!" roared the skipper down the tube. The engineer -responded, and the mate gazed in a melancholy fashion at the water as it -rapidly widened between the two vessels. Then his face brightened up -suddenly as the girl ran up on deck and waved her hand. Hardly able to -believe his eyes, he waved his back. The girl gesticulated violently, -now pointing to the steamer, and then to the schooner. - -"By Jove, that girl's taken a fancy to you," said the skipper. "She -wants you to go back." - -The mate sighed. "Seems like it," he said modestly. - -To his astonishment the girl was now joined by her men folk, who also -waved hearty farewells, and, throwing their arms about, shouted -incoherently. - -"Blamed if they haven't all took a fancy to you," said the puzzled -skipper; "the old man's got the speaking-trumpet now. What does he say?" - -"Something about life, I think," said the mate. - -"They're more like jumping-jacks than anything else," said the skipper. -"Just look at 'em." - -The mate looked, and, as the distance increased, sprang on to the side, -and, his eyes dim with emotion, waved tender farewells. If it had not -been for the presence of the skipper--a tremendous stickler for decorum-- -he would have kissed his hand. - -It was not until Gravesend was passed, and the side-lights of the -shipping were trying to show in the gathering dusk, that he awoke from -his tender apathy. It is probable that it would have lasted longer than -that but for a sudden wail of anguish and terror which proceeded from -the cabin and rang out on the still warm air. - -"Sakes alive!" said the skipper, starting; "what's that?" - -Before the mate could reply, the companion was pushed back, and a -middle-aged woman, labouring under strong excitement, appeared on deck. - -"You villain!" she screamed excitably, rushing up to the mate. "Take me -back; take me back!" - -"What's all this, Harry?" demanded the skipper sternly. - -"He--he--he--asked me to go into the cab--cabin," sobbed Mrs. Jansell, -"and sent me to sleep, and too--too--took me away. My husband'll kill -me; I know he will. Take me back." - -"What do you want to be took back to be killed for?" interposed one of -the men judicially. - -"I might ha' known what he meant when he said I brightened the cabin -up," said Mrs. Jansell; "and when he said he thought me and my daughter -were sisters. He said he'd like me to sit there always, the wretch!" - -"Did you say that?" inquired the skipper fiercely. - -"Well, I did," said the miserable mate; "but I didn't mean her to take -it that way. She went to sleep, and I forgot all about her." - -"What did you say such silly lies for, then?" demanded the skipper. - -The mate hung his head. - -"Old enough to be your mother too," said the skipper severely. "Here's a -nice thing to happen aboard my ship, and afore the boy too!" - -"Blast the boy!" said the goaded mate. - -"Take me back," wailed Mrs. Jansell; "you don't know how jealous my -husband is." - -"He won't hurt you," said the skipper kindly "he won't be jealous of a -woman your time o' life; that is, not if he's got any sense. You'll have -to go as far as Boston with us now. I've lost too much time already to -go back." - -"You must take me back," said Mrs. Jansell passionately. - -"I'm not going back for anybody," said the skipper. "But you can make -your mind quite easy: you're as safe aboard my ship as what you would be -alone on a raft in the middle of the Atlantic; and as for the mate, he -was only chaffing you. Wasn't you, Harry?" - -The mate made some reply, but neither Mrs. Jansell, the skipper, nor the -men, who were all listening eagerly, caught it, and his unfortunate -victim, accepting the inevitable, walked to the side of the ship and -gazed disconsolately astern. - -It was not until the following morning that the mate, who had received -orders to mess for'ard, saw her, and ignoring the fact that everybody -suspended work to listen, walked up and bade her good morning. - -"Harry," said the skipper warningly. - -"All right," said the mate shortly. "I want to speak to you very -particularly," he said nervously, and led his listener aft, followed by -three of the crew who came to clean the brasswork, and who listened -mutinously when they were ordered to defer unwonted industry to a more -fitting time. The deck clear, the mate began, and in a long rambling -statement, which Mrs. Jansell at first thought the ravings of lunacy, -acquainted her with the real state of his feelings. - -"I never did!" said she, when he had finished. "Never! Why, you hadn't -seen her before yesterday." - -"Of course I shall take you back by train," said the mate, "and tell -your husband how sorry I am." - -"I might have suspected something when you said all those nice things to -me," said the mollified lady. "Well, you must take your chance, like all -the rest of them. She can only say 'No,' again. It'll explain this -affair better, that's one thing; but I expect they'll laugh at you." - -"I don't care," said the mate stoutly. "You're on my side, ain't you?" - -Mrs. Jansell laughed, and the mate, having succeeded beyond his hopes in -the establishment of amicable relations, went about his duties with a -light heart. - -By the time they reached Boston the morning was far advanced, and after -the Gem was comfortably berthed he obtained permission of the skipper to -accompany the fair passenger to London, beguiling the long railway -journey by every means in his power. Despite his efforts, however, the -journey began to pall upon his companion, and it was not until evening -was well advanced that they found themselves in the narrow streets of -Limehouse. - -"We'll see how the land lies first," said he, as they approached the -wharf and made their way cautiously on to the quay. - -The Aquila was still alongside, and the mate's heart thumped violently -as he saw the cause of all the trouble sitting alone on the deck. She -rose with a little start as her mother stepped carefully aboard, and, -running to her, kissed her affectionately, and sat her down on the -hatches. - -"Poor mother," she said caressingly. "What did you bring that lunatic -back with you for?" - -"He would come," said Mrs. Jansell. "Hush! here comes your father." - -The master of the Aquila came on deck as she spoke, and walking slowly -up to the group, stood sternly regarding them. Under his gaze the mate -breathlessly reeled off his tale, noticing with somewhat mixed feelings -the widening grin of his listener as he proceeded. - -"Well, you're a lively sort o' man," said the skipper as he finished. -"In one day you tie up your own ship, run off with my wife, and lose us -a tide. Are you always like that?" - -"I want somebody to look after me, I s'pose," said the mate, with a side -glance at Nancy. - -"Well, we'd put you up for the night," said the skipper, with his arm -round his wife's shoulders; "but you're such a chap. I'm afraid you'd -burn the ship down, or something. What do you think, old girl?" - -"I think we'll try him this once," said his wife. "And now I'll go down -and see about supper; I want it." - -The old couple went below, and the young one remained on deck. Nancy -went and leaned against the side; and as she appeared to have quite -forgotten his presence, the mate, after some hesitation, joined her. - -"Hadn't you better go down and get some supper?" she asked. - -"I'd sooner stay here, if yon don't mind," said the mate. "I like -watching the lights going up and down; I could stay here for hours." - -"I'll leave you, then," said the girl; "I'm hungry." - -She tripped lightly off with a smothered laugh, leaving the fairly- -trapped man gazing indignantly at the lights which had lured him to -destruction. - -From below he heard the cheerful clatter of crockery, accompanied by a -savoury incense, and talk and laughter. He imagined the girl making fun -of his sentimental reasons for staying on deck; but, too proud to meet -her ironical glances, stayed doggedly where he was, resolving to be off -by the first train in the morning. He was roused from his gloom by a -slight touch on his arm, and, turning sharply, saw the girl by his side. - -"Supper's quite ready," said she soberly. "And if you want to admire the -lights very much, come up and see them when I do--after supper." - - - - -AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT - - -I have always had a slight suspicion that the following narrative is not -quite true. It was related to me by an old seaman who, among other -incidents of a somewhat adventurous career, claimed to have received -Napoleon's sword at the battle of Trafalgar, and a wound in the back at -Waterloo. I prefer to tell it in my own way, his being so garnished with -nautical terms and expletives as to be half unintelligible and somewhat -horrifying. Our talk had been of love and courtship, and after making me -a present of several tips, invented by himself, and considered -invaluable by his friends, he related this story of the courtship of a -chum of his as illustrating the great lengths to which young bloods were -prepared to go in his days to attain their ends. - -It was a fine clear day in June when Hezekiah Lewis, captain and part -owner of the schooner Thames, bound from London to Aberdeen, anchored -off the little out-of-the-way town of Orford in Suffolk. Among other -antiquities, the town possessed Hezekiah's widowed mother, and when -there was no very great hurry--the world went slower in those days--the -dutiful son used to go ashore in the ship's boat, and after a filial tap -at his mother's window, which often startled the old woman considerably, -pass on his way to see a young lady to whom he had already proposed five -times without effect. - -The mate and crew of the schooner, seven all told, drew up in a little -knot as the skipper, in his shore-going clothes, appeared on deck, and -regarded him with an air of grinning, mysterious interest. - -"Now you all know what you have got to do?" queried the skipper. - -"Ay, ay," replied the crew, grinning still more deeply. - -Hezekiah regarded them closely, and then ordering the boat to be -lowered, scrambled over the side, and was pulled swiftly towards the -shore. - -A sharp scream, and a breathless "Lawk-a-mussy me!" as he tapped at his -mother's window, assured him that the old lady was alive and well, and -he continued on his way until he brought up at a small but pretty house -in the next road. - -"Morning, Mr. Rumbolt," said he heartily to a stout, red-faced man, who -sat smoking in the doorway. - -"Morning, cap'n, morning," said the red-faced man. - -"Is the rheumatism any better?" inquired Hezekiah anxiously, as he -grasped the other's huge hand. - -"So, so," said the other. "But it ain't the rheumatism so much what -troubles me," he resumed, lowering his voice, and looking round -cautiously. "It's Kate." - -"What?" said the skipper. - -"You've heard of a man being henpecked?" continued Mr. Rumbolt, in tones -of husky confidence. - -The captain nodded. - -"I'm CHICK-PECKED" murmured the other. - -"What?" inquired the astonished mariner again. - -"Chick-pecked," repeated Mr. Rumbolt firmly. "CHIK-PEKED. D'ye -understand me?" - -The captain said that he did, and stood silent awhile, with the air of a -man who wants to say something, but is half afraid to. At last, with a -desperate appearance of resolution, he bent down to the old man's ear. - -"That's the deaf 'un," said Mr. Rumbolt promptly. - -Hezekiah changed ears, speaking at first slowly and awkwardly, but -becoming more fluent as he warmed with his subject; while the expression -of his listener's face gradually changed from incredulous bewilderment -to one of uncontrollable mirth. He became so uproarious that he was fain -to push the captain away from him, and lean back in his chair and choke -and laugh until he nearly lost his breath, at which crisis a remarkably -pretty girl appeared from the back of the house, and patted him with -hearty good will. - -"That'll do, my dear," said the choking Mr. Rumbolt. "Here's Captain -Lewis." - -"I can see him," said his daughter calmly. "What's he standing on one -leg for?" - -The skipper, who really was standing in a somewhat constrained attitude, -coloured violently, and planted both feet firmly on the ground. - -"Being as I was passing close in, Miss Rumbolt," said he, "and coming -ashore to see mother"-- - -To the captain's discomfort, manifestations of a further attack on the -part of Mr. Rumbolt appeared, but were promptly quelled by the daughter. - -"Mother?" she repeated encouragingly, - -"I thought I'd come on and ask you just to pay a sort o' flying visit to -the Thames." "Thank you, I'm comfortable enough where I am," said the -girl. - -"I've got a couple of monkeys and a bear aboard, which I 'm taking to a -menagerie in Aberdeen," continued the captain, "and the thought struck -me you might possibly like to see 'em." "Well, I don't know," said the -damsel in a flutter. "Is it a big bear?" - -"Have you ever seen an elephant?" inquired Hezekiah cautiously. - -"Only in pictures," replied the girl. - -"Well, it's as big as that, nearly," said he. - -The temptation was irresistible, and Miss Rumbolt, telling her father -that she should not be long, disappeared into the house in search of her -hat and jacket, and ten minutes later the brawny rowers were gazing -their fill into her deep blue eyes as she sat in the stern of the boat, -and told Lewis to behave himself. - -It was but a short pull out to the schooner, and Miss Rumbolt was soon -on the deck, lavishing endearments on the monkey, and energetically -prodding the bear with a handspike to make him growl. The noise of the -offended animal as he strove to get through the bars of his cage was -terrific, and the girl was in the full enjoyment of it, when she became -aware of a louder noise still, and, turning round, saw the seamen at the -windlass. - -"Why, what are they doing?" she demanded, "getting up anchor?" - -"Ahoy, there!" shouted Hezekiah sternly. "What are you doing with that -windlass?" - -As he spoke, the anchor peeped over the edge of the bows, and one of the -seamen running past them took the helm. - -"Now then," shouted the fellow, "stand by. Look lively there with them -sails." - -Obeying a light touch of the helm, the schooner's bow-sprit slowly swung -round from the land, and the crew, hauling lustily on the ropes, began -to hoist the sails. - -"What the devil are you up to?" thundered the skipper. "Have you all -gone mad? What does it all mean?" - -"It means," said one of the seamen, whose fat, amiable face was marred -by a fearful scowl, "that we've got a new skipper." - -"Good heavens, a mutiny!" exclaimed the skipper, starting -melodramatically against the cage, and starting hastily away again. -"Where's the mate?" - -"He's with us," said another seaman, brandishing his sheath knife, and -scowling fearfully. "He's our new captain." - -In confirmation of this the mate now appeared from below with an axe in -his hand, and, approaching his captain, roughly ordered him below. - -"I'll defend this lady with my life," cried Hezekiah, taking the -handspike from Kate, and raising it above his head. - -"Nobody'll hurt a hair of her beautiful head," said the mate, with a -tender smile. - -"Then I yield," said the skipper, drawing himself up, and delivering the -handspike with the air of a defeated admiral tendering his sword. - -"Good," said the mate briefly, as one of the men took it. - -"What!" demanded Miss Rumbolt excitedly, "aren't you going to fight -them? Here, give me the handspike." - -Before the mate could interfere, the sailor, with thoughtless obedience, -handed it over, and Miss Rumbolt at once tried to knock him over the -head. Being thwarted in this design by the man taking flight, she lost -her temper entirely, and bore down like a hurricane on the remaining -members of the crew who were just approaching. - -They scattered at once, and ran up the rigging like cats, and for a few -moments the girl held the deck; then the mate crept up behind her, and -with the air of a man whose job exactly suited him, clasped her tightly -round the waist, while one of the seamen disarmed her. - -"You must both go below till we've settled what to do with you," said -the mate, reluctantly releasing her. - -With a wistful glance at the handspike, the girl walked to the cabin, -followed slowly by the skipper. - -"This is a bad business," said the latter, shaking his head solemnly, as -the indignant Miss Rumbolt seated herself. - -"Don't talk to me, you coward!" said the girl energetically. - -The skipper started. - -"_I_ made three of 'em run," said Miss Rumbolt, "and you did nothing. -You just stood still, and let them take the ship. I'm ashamed of you." - -The skipper's defence was interrupted by a hoarse voice shouting to them -to come on deck, where they found the mutinous crew gathered aft round -the mate. The girl cast a look at the shore, which was now dim and -indistinct, and turned somewhat pale as the serious nature of her -position forced itself upon her. - -"Lewis," said the mate. - -"Well," growled the skipper. - -"This ship's going in the lace and brandy trade, and if so be as you're -sensible you can go with it as mate, d'ye hear?" - -"An' s'pose I do; what about the lady?" inquired the captain. - -"You and the lady'll have to get spliced," said the mate sternly. "Then -there'll be no tales told. A Scotch marriage is as good as any, and -we'll just lay off and put you ashore, and you can get tied up as right -as ninepence." - -"Marry a coward like that?" demanded Miss Rumbolt, with spirit; "not if -I know it. Why, I'd sooner marry that old man at the helm." - -"Old Bill's got three wives a'ready to my sartin knowledge," spoke up -one of the sailors. "The lady's got to marry Cap'n Lewis, so don't let's -have no fuss about it." - -"I won't," said the lady, stamping violently. - -The mutineers appeared to be in a dilemma, and, following the example of -the mate, scratched their heads thoughtfully. - -"We thought you liked him," said the mate, at last, feebly. - -"You had no business to think," said Miss Rumbolt. "You are bad men, and -you'll all be hung, every one of you; I shall come and see it." "The -cap'n's welcome to her for me," murmured the helmsman in a husky whisper -to the man next to him. "The vixen!" - -"Very good," said the mate. "If you won't, you won't. This end of the -ship'll belong to you after eight o'clock of a night. Lewis, you must go -for'ard with the men." - -"And what are you going to do with me after?" inquired the fair -prisoner. - -The seven men shrugged their shoulders helplessly, and Hezekiah, looking -depressed, lit his pipe, and went and leaned over the side. - -The day passed quietly. The orders were given by the mate, and Hezekiah -lounged moodily about, a prisoner at large. At eight o'clock Miss -Rumbolt was given the key of the state-room, and the men who were not in -the watch went below. - -The morning broke fine and clear with a light breeze, which, towards -mid-day, dropped entirely, and the schooner lay rocking lazily on a sea -of glassy smoothness. The sun beat fiercely down, bringing the fresh -paint on the taffrail up in blisters, and sorely trying the tempers of -the men who were doing odd jobs on deck. - -The cabin, where the two victims of a mutinous crew had retired for -coolness, got more and more stuffy, until at length even the scorching -deck seemed preferable, and the girl, with a faint hope of finding a -shady corner, went languidly up the companion-ladder. - -For some time the skipper sat alone, pondering gloomily over the state -of affairs as he smoked his short pipe. He was aroused at length from -his apathy by the sound of the companion being noisily closed, while -loud frightened cries and hurrying footsteps on deck announced that -something extraordinary was happening. As he rose to his feet he was -confronted by Kate Rumbolt, who, panting and excited, waved a big key -before him. - -"I've done it," she cried, her eyes sparkling. - -"Done what?" shouted the mystified skipper. - -"Let the bear loose," said the girl. "Ha, ha! you should have seen them -run. You should have seen the fat sailor!" - -"Let the--phew--let the-- Good heavens! here's a pretty kettle of -fish!" he choked. - -"Listen to them shouting," cried the exultant Kate, clapping her hands. -"Just listen." - -"Those shouts are from aloft," said Hezekiah sternly, "where you and I -ought to be." - -"I've closed the companion," said the girl reassuringly. - -"Closed the companion!" repeated Hezekiah, as he drew his knife. "He can -smash it like cardboard, if the fit takes him. Go in here." - -He opened the door of his state-room. - -"Shan't!" said Miss Rumbolt politely. - -"Go in at once!" cried the skipper. "Quick with you." - -"Sha--" began Miss Rumbolt again. Then she caught his eye, and went in -like a lamb. "You come too," she said prettily. - -"I've got to look after my ship and my men," said the skipper. "I -suppose you thought the ship would steer itself, didn't you?" - -"Mutineers deserve to be eaten," whimpered Miss Rumbolt piously, -somewhat taken aback by the skipper's demeanour. - -Hezekiah looked at her. - -"They're not mutineers, Kate," he said quietly. "It was just a piece of -mad folly of mine. They're as honest a set of old sea dogs as ever -breathed, and I only hope they are all safe up aloft. I'm going to lock -you in; but don't be frightened, it shan't hurt you." - -He slammed the door on her protests, and locked it, and, slipping the -key of the cage in his pocket, took a firm grip of his knife, and, -running up the steps, gained the deck. Then his breath came more freely, -for the mate, who was standing a little way up the fore rigging, after -tempting the bear with his foot, had succeeded in dropping a noose over -its head. The brute made a furious attempt to extricate itself, but the -men hurried down with other lines, and in a short space of time the bear -presented much the same appearance as the lion in Aesop's Fables, and -was dragged and pushed, a heated and indignant mass of fur, back to its -cage. - -Having locked up one prisoner the skipper went below and released the -other, who passed quickly from a somewhat hysterical condition to one of -such haughty disdain that the captain was thoroughly cowed, and stood -humbly aside to let her pass. - -The fat seaman was standing in front of the cage as she reached it, and -regarding the bear with much satisfaction until Kate sidled up to him, -and begged him, as a personal favour, to go in the cage and undo it. - -"Undo it! Why he'd kill me!" gasped the fat seaman, aghast at such -simplicity. - -"I don't think he would," said his tormenter, with a bewitching smile; -"and I'll wear a lock of your hair all my life if you do. But you'd -better give it to me before you go in." - -"I ain't going in," said the fat sailor shortly. - -"Not for me?" queried Kate archly, - -"Not for fifty like you," replied the old man firmly. "He nearly had me -when he was loose. I can't think how he got out." - -"Why, I let him out," said Miss Rumbolt airily. "Just for a little run. -How would you like to be shut up all day?" - -The sailor was just going to tell her with more fluency than politeness -when he was interrupted. "That'll do," said the skipper, who had come -behind them. "Go for'ard, you. There's been enough of this fooling; the -lady thought you had taken the ship. Thompson, I'll take the helm; -there's a little wind coming. Stand by there." - -He walked aft and relieved the steersman, awkwardly conscious that the -men were becoming more and more interested in the situation, and also -that Kate could hear some of their remarks. As he pondered over the -subject, and tried to think of a way out of it, the cause of all the -trouble came and stood by him. - -"Did my father know of this?" she inquired. - -"I don't know that he did exactly," said the skipper uneasily. "I just -told him not to expect you back that night." - -"And what did he say?" said she. - -"Said he wouldn't sit up," said the skipper, grinning, despite himself. - -Kate drew a breath the length of which boded no good to her parent, and -looked over the side. - -"I was afraid of that traveller chap from Ipswich," said Hezekiah, after -a pause. "Your father told me he was hanging round you again, so I -thought I--well, I was a blamed fool anyway." - -"See how ridiculous you have made me look before all these men," said -the girl angrily. - -"They've been with me for years," said Hezekiah apologetically, "and the -mate said it was a magnificent idea. He quite raved about it, he did. I -wouldn't have done it with some crews, but we've had some dirty times -together, and they've stood by me well. But of course that's nothing to -do with you. It's been an adventure I'm very sorry for, very." - -"A pretty safe adventure for YOU," said the girl scornfully. "YOU didn't -risk much. Look here, I like brave men. If you go in the cage and undo -that bear, I'll marry you. That's what _I_ call an adventure." - -"Smith," called the skipper quietly, "come and take the helm a bit." - -The seaman obeyed, and Lewis, accompanied by the girl, walked forward. - -At the bear's cage he stopped, and, fumbling in his pocket for the key, -steadily regarded the brute as it lay gnashing its teeth, and trying in -vain to bite the ropes which bound it. - -"You're afraid," said the girl tauntingly; "you're quite white." - -The captain made no reply, but eyed her so steadily that her gaze fell. -He drew the key from his pocket and inserted it in the huge lock, and -was just turning it, when a soft arm was drawn through his, and a soft -voice murmured sweetly in his ear, "Never mind about the old bear." - -And he did not mind. - - - - -THE COOK OF THE "GANNET" - - -All ready for sea, and no cook," said the mate of the schooner Gannet, -gloomily. "What's become of all the cooks I can't think." - -"They most on 'em ship as mates now," said the skipper, grinning. "But -you needn't worry about that; I've got one coming aboard to-night. I'm -trying a new experiment, George." - -"I once knew a chemist who tried one," said George, "an' it blew him out -of the winder; but I never heard o' shipmasters trying 'em." - -"There's all kinds of experiments," rejoined the other, "What do you say -to a lady cook, George?" - -"A WHAT?" asked the mate in tones of strong amazement. "What, aboard a -schooner?" - -"Why not?" inquired the skipper warmly; "why not? There's plenty of 'em -ashore--why not aboard ship?" - -"'Tain't proper, for one thing," said the mate virtuously. - -"I shouldn't have expected you to have thought o' that," said the other -unkindly. "Besides, they have stewardesses on big ships, an' what's the -difference? She's a sort o' relation o' mine, too--cousin o' my wife's, -a widder woman, and a good sensible age, an' as the doctor told her to -take a sea voyage for the benefit of her 'elth, she's coming with me for -six months as cook. She'll take her meals with us; but, o' course, the -men are not to know of the relationship." - -"What about sleeping accommodation?" inquired the mate, with the air of -a man putting a poser. - -"I've thought o' that," replied the other; "it's all arranged." - -The mate, with an uncompromising air, waited for information. - -"She--she's to have your berth, George," continued the skipper, without -looking at him. "You can have that nice, large, airy locker." - -"One what the biscuit and onions kep' in?" inquired George. - -The skipper nodded. - -"I think, if it's all the same to you," said the mate, with laboured -politeness, "I'll wait till the butter keg's empty, and crowd into -that." - -"It's no use your making yourself unpleasant about it," said the -skipper, "not a bit. The arrangements are made now, and here she comes." - -Following his gaze, the mate looked up as a stout, comely-looking woman -of middle age came along the jetty, followed by the watchman staggering -under a box of enormous proportions. - -"Jim!" cried the lady. - -"Halloa!" cried the skipper, starting uneasily at the title. "We've been -expecting you for some time." - -"There's a row on with the cabman," said the lady calmly. "This silly -old man"--the watchman snorted fiercely--"let the box go through the -window getting it off the top, and the cabman wants ME to pay. He's out -there using language, and he keeps calling me grandma--I want you to -have him locked up." - -"Come down below now," said the skipper; "we'll see about the cab. Mrs. -Blossom--my mate. George, go and send that cab away." - -Mrs. Blossom, briefly acknowledging the introduction, followed the -skipper to the cabin, while the mate, growling under his breath, went -out to enter into a verbal contest in which he was from the first -hopelessly overmatched. - -The new cook, being somewhat fatigued with her journey, withdrew at an -early hour, and the sun was well up when she appeared on deck next -morning. The wharves and warehouses of the night before had disappeared, -and the schooner, under a fine spread of canvas, was just passing -Tilbury. - -"There's one thing I must put a stop to," said the skipper, as he and -the mate, after an admirably-cooked breakfast, stood together talking. -"The men seem to be hanging round that galley too much." - -"What can you expect?" demanded the mate. "They've all got their Sunday -clothes on too, pretty dears." - -"Hi, you Bill!" cried the skipper. "What are you doing there?" - -"Lending cook a hand with the saucepans, sir," said Bill, an oakum- -bearded man of sixty. - -"There ain't no call for 'im to come 'ere at all, sir," shouted another -seaman, putting his head out of the galley. "Me an' cook's lifting 'em -beautiful." - -"Come out, both of you, or I'll start you with a rope!" roared the -irritated commander. - -"What's the matter?" inquired Mrs. Blossom. "They're not doing any -harm." - -"I can't have 'em there," said the skipper gruffly. "They've got other -things to do." - -"I must have some assistance with that boiler and the saucepans," said -Mrs. Blossom decidedly, "so don't you interfere with what don't concern -you, Jimmy." - -"That's mutiny," whispered the horrified mate. "Sheer, rank mutiny." - -"She don't know no better," whispered the other back. "Cook, you mustn't -talk like that to the cap'n--what me and the mate tell you you must do. -You don't understand yet, but it'll come easier by-and-bye." - -"WILL it," demanded Mrs. Blossom loudly; "WILL it? I don't think it -will. How dare you talk to me like that, Jim Harris? You ought to be -ashamed of yourself!" - -"My name's Cap'n Harris," said the skipper stiffly. - -"Well, CAPTAIN Harris," said Mrs. Blossom scornfully; "and what'll -happen if I don't do as you and that other shamefaced-looking man tell -me?" - -"We hope it won't come to that," said Harris, with quiet dignity, as he -paused at the companion. "But the mate's in charge just now, and I warn -you he's a very severe man. Don't stand no nonsense, George." - -With these brave words the skipper disappeared below, and the mate, -after one glance at the dauntless and imposing attitude of Mrs. Blossom, -walked to the side and became engrossed in a passing steamer. A hum of -wondering admiration arose from the crew, and the cook, thoroughly -satisfied with her victory, returned to the scene of her labours. - -For the next twenty-four hours Mrs. Blossom reigned supreme, and -performed the cooking for the vessel, assisted by five ministering -seamen. The weather was fine, and the wind light, and the two officers -were at their wits' end to find jobs for the men. - -"Why don't you put your foot down," grumbled the mate, as a burst of -happy laughter came from the direction of the galley. "The idea of men -laughing like that aboard ship; they're carrying on just as though we -wasn't here." - -"Will you stand by me?" demanded the skipper, pale but determined. - -"Of course I will," said the other indignantly. - -"Now, my lads," said Harris, stepping forward, "I can't have you chaps -hanging round the galley all day; you're getting in cook's way and -hindering her. Just get your knives out; I'll have the masts scraped." - -"You just stay where you are," said Mrs. Blossom. "When they're in my -way, I'll soon let 'em know." - -"Did you hear what I said?" thundered the skipper, as the men hesitated. - -"Aye, aye, sir," muttered the crew, moving off. - -"How dare you interfere with me?" said Mrs. Blossom hotly, as she -realised the defeat. "Ever since I've been on this ship you've been -trying to aggravate me. I wonder the men don't hit you, you nasty, -ginger-whiskered little man." - -"Go on with your work," said the skipper, fondly stroking the maligned -whiskers. - -"Don't you talk to me, Jim Harris," said Mrs. Blossom, quivering with -wrath. "Don't you give ME none of your airs. WHO BORROWED FIVE POUNDS -FROM MY POOR DEAD HUSBAND JUST BEFORE HE DIED, AND NEVER PAID IT BACK?" - -"Go on with your work," repeated the skipper, with pale lips. - -"WHOSE UNCLE BENJAMIN HAD THREE WEEKS?" demanded Mrs. Blossom darkly. -"WHOSE UNCLE JOSEPH HAD TO GO ABROAD WITHOUT STOPPING TO PACK UP?" - -The skipper made no reply, but the anxiety of the crew to have these -vital problems solved was so manifest that he turned his back on the -virago and went towards the mate, who at that moment dipped hurriedly to -escape a wet dish-clout. The two men regarded each other, pale with -anxiety. - -"Now, you just move off," said Mrs. Blossom, shaking another clout at -them. "I won't have you hanging about my galley. Keep to your own end of -the ship." - -The skipper drew himself up haughtily, but the effect was somewhat -marred by one eye, which dwelt persistently on the clout, and after a -short inward struggle he moved off, accompanied by the mate. Wellington -himself would have been nonplussed by a wet cloth in the hands of a -fearless woman. - -"She'll just have to have her own way till we get to Llanelly," said the -indignant skipper, "and then I'll send her home by train and ship -another cook. I knew she'd got a temper, but I didn't know it was like -this. She's the last woman that sets foot on my ship--that's all she's -done for her sex." - -In happy ignorance of her impending doom Mrs. Blossom went blithely -about her duties, assisted by a crew whose admiration for her increased -by leaps and bounds; and the only thing which ventured to interfere with -her was a stiff Atlantic roll, which they encountered upon rounding the -Land's End. - -The first intimation Mrs. Blossom had of it was the falling of small -utensils in the galley. After she had picked them up and replaced them -several times, she went out to investigate, and discovered that the -schooner was dipping her bows to big green waves, and rolling, with much -straining and creaking, from side to side. A fine spray, which broke -over the bows and flew over the vessel, drove her back into the galley, -which had suddenly developed an unaccountable stuffiness; but, though -the crew to a man advised her to lie down and have a cup of tea, she -repelled them with scorn, and with pale face and compressed lips stuck -to her post. - -Two days later they made fast to the quay at Llanelly, and half-an-hour -later the skipper called the mate down to the cabin, and, handing him -some money, told him to pay the cook off and ship another. The mate -declined. - -"You obey orders," said the skipper fiercely, "else you an' me'll -quarrel." - -"I've got a wife an' family," urged the mate. - -"Pooh!" said the skipper. "Rubbish!" - -"And uncles," added the mate rebelliously. - -"Very good," said the skipper, glaring. "We'll ship the other cook first -and let him settle it. After all, I don't see why we should fight his -battles for him." - -The mate, being agreeable, went off at once; and when Mrs. Blossom, -after a little shopping ashore, returned to the Gannet she found the -galley in the possession of one of the fattest cooks that ever broke -ship's biscuit. - -"Hullo!" said she, realising the situation at a glance, "what are you -doing here?" - -"Cooking," said the other gruffly. Then, catching sight of his -questioner, he smiled amorously and winked at her. - -"Don't you wink at me," said Mrs. Blossom wrathfully. "Come out of that -galley." - -"There's room for both," said the new cook persuasively. "Come in an' -put your 'ed on my shoulder." - -Utterly unprepared for this mode of attack, Mrs. Blossom lost her nerve, -and, instead of storming the galley, as she had fully intended, drew -back and retired to the cabin, where she found a short note from the -skipper, enclosing her pay, and requesting her to take the train home. -After reading this she went ashore again, returning presently with a big -bundle, which she placed on the cabin table in front of Harris and the -mate, who had just begun tea. - -"I'm not going home by train," said she, opening the bundle, which -contained a spirit kettle and provisions. "I'm going back with you; but -I am not going to be beholden to you for anything--I 'm going to board -myself." - -After this declaration she made herself tea and sat down. The meal -proceeded in silence, though occasionally she astonished her companions -by little mysterious laughs, which caused them slight uneasiness. As she -made no hostile demonstration, however, they became reassured, and -congratulated themselves upon the success of their manoeuvre. - -"How long shall we be getting back to London, do you think?" inquired -Mrs. Blossom at last. - -"We shall probably sail Tuesday night, and it may be anything from six -days upwards," answered the skipper. "If this wind holds it'll probably -be upwards." - -To his great concern Mrs. Blossom put her handkerchief over her face, -and, shaking with suppressed laughter, rose from the table and left the -cabin. - -The couple left eyed each other wonderingly. - -"Did I say anything pertickler funny, George?" inquired the skipper, -after some deliberation. - -"Didn't strike me so," said the mate carelessly; "I expect she's thought -o' something else to say about your family. She wouldn't be so good- -tempered as all that for nothing. I feel cur'ous to know what it is." - -"If you paid more attention to your own business," said the skipper, his -choler rising, "you'd get on better. A mate who was a good seaman -wouldn't ha' let a cook go on like this--it's not discipline." - -He went off in dudgeon, and a coolness sprang up between them, which -lasted until the bustle of starting in the small hours of Wednesday -morning. - -Once under way the day passed uneventfully, the schooner crawling -sluggishly down the coast of Wales, and, when the skipper turned in that -night, it was with the pleasant conviction that Mrs. Blossom had shot -her last bolt, and, like a sensible woman, was going to accept her -defeat. From this pleasing idea he was aroused suddenly by the watch -stamping heavily on the deck overhead. - -"What's up?" cried the skipper, darting up the companion-ladder, jostled -by the mate. - -"I dunno," said Bill, who was at the wheel, shakily. "Mrs. Blossom come -up on deck a little while ago, and since then there's been three or four -heavy splashes." - -"She can't have gone overboard," said the skipper, in tones to which he -manfully strove to impart a semblance of anxiety. "No, here she is. -Anything wrong, Mrs. Blossom?" - -"Not so far as I'm concerned," replied the lady, passing him and going -below. - -"You've been dreaming, Bill," said the skipper sharply. - -"I ain't," said Bill stoutly. "I tell you I heard splashes. It's my -belief she coaxed the cook up on deck, and then shoved him overboard. A -woman could do anything with a man like that cook." - -"I'll soon see," said the mate, and walking forward he put his head down -the fore-scuttle and yelled for the cook. - -"Aye, aye, sir," answered a voice sleepily, while the other men started -up in their bunks. "Do you want me?" - -"Bill thinks somebody has gone overboard," said the mate. "Are you all -here?" - -In answer to this the mystified men turned out all standing, and came on -deck yawning and rubbing their eyes, while the mate explained the -situation. Before he had finished the cook suddenly darted off to the -galley, and the next moment the forlorn cry of a bereaved soul broke on -their startled ears. - -"What is it?" cried the mate. - -"Come here!" shouted the cook, "look at this!" - -He struck a match and held it aloft in his shaking fingers, and the men, -who were worked up to a great pitch of excitement and expected to see -something ghastly, after staring hard for some time in vain, profanely -requested him to be more explicit. - -"She's thrown all the saucepans and things overboard," said the cook -with desperate calmness. "This lid of a tea kettle is all that's left -for me to do the cooking in." - - * * * * * - -The Gannet, manned by seven famine-stricken misogynists, reached London -six days later, the skipper obstinately refusing to put in at an -intermediate port to replenish his stock of hardware. The most he would -consent to do was to try and borrow from a passing vessel, but the -unseemly behaviour of the master of a brig, who lost two hours owing to -their efforts to obtain a saucepan of him, utterly discouraged any -further attempts in that direction, and they settled down to a diet of -biscuits and water, and salt beef scorched on the stove. - -Mrs. Blossom, unwilling perhaps to witness their sufferings, remained -below, and when they reached London, only consented to land under the -supervision of a guard of honour, composed of all the able-bodied men on -the wharf. - - - - -A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - - -In the small front parlour of No. 3, Mermaid Passage, Sunset Bay, -Jackson Pepper, ex-pilot, sat in a state of indignant collapse, tenderly -feeling a cheek on which the print of hasty fingers still lingered. - -The room, which was in excellent order, showed no signs of the tornado -which had passed through it, and Jackson Pepper, looking vaguely round, -was dimly reminded of those tropical hurricanes he had read about which -would strike only the objects in the path, and leave all others -undisturbed. - -In this instance he had been the object, and the tornado, after -obliterating him, had passed up the small staircase which led from the -room, leaving him listening anxiously to its distant mutterings. - -To his great discomfort the storm showed signs of coming up again, and -he had barely time to effect an appearance of easy unconcern, which -accorded but ill with the flush afore-mentioned, when a big, red-faced -woman came heavily downstairs and burst into the room. - -"You have made me ill again," she said severely, "and now I hope you are -satisfied with your work. You'll kill me before you have done with me!" - -The ex-pilot shifted on his chair. - -"You're not fit to have a wife," continued Mrs. Pepper, "aggravating -them and upsetting them! Any other woman would have left you long ago!" - -"We've only been married three months," Pepper reminded her. - -"Don't talk to me!" said his wife; "it seems more like a lifetime!" - -"It seems a long time to ME" said the ex-pilot, plucking up a little -courage. - -"That's right!" said his wife, striding over to where he sat. "Say -you're tired of me; say you wish you hadn't married me! You coward! Ah! -if my poor first husband was only alive and sitting in that chair now -instead of you, how happy I would be!" - -"If he likes to come and take it he's welcome!" said Pepper; "it's my -chair, and it was my father's before me, but there's no man living I -would sooner give it to than your first. Ah! he knew what he was about -when the Dolphin went down, he did. I don't blame him, though." - -"What do you mean?" demanded his wife. - -"It's my belief that he didn't go down with her," said Pepper, crossing -over to the staircase and standing with his hand on the door. - -"Didn't go down with her?" repeated his wife scornfully. "What became of -him, then? Where's he been this thirty years?" - -"In hiding!" said Pepper spitefully, and passed hastily upstairs. - -The room above was charged with memories of the late lamented. His -portrait in oils hung above the mantel-piece, smaller portraits-- -specimens of the photographer's want of art--were scattered about the -room, while various personal effects, including a mammoth pair of sea- -boots, stood in a corner. On all these articles the eye of Jackson -Pepper dwelt with an air of chastened regret. - -"It 'ud be a rum go if he did turn up after all," he said to himself -softly, as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I've heard of such things in -books. I dessay she'd be disappointed if she did see him now. Thirty -years makes a bit of difference in a man." - -"Jackson!" cried his wife from below, "I'm going out. If you want any -dinner you can get it; if not, you can go without it!" - -The front door slammed violently, and Jackson, advancing cautiously to -the window, saw the form of his wife sailing majestically up the -passage. Then he sat down again and resumed his meditations. - -"If it wasn't for leaving all my property I'd go," he said gloomily. -"There's not a bit of comfort in the place! Nag, nag, nag, from morn -till night! Ah, Cap'n Budd, you let me in for a nice thing when you went -down with that boat of yours. Come back and fill them boots again; -they're too big for me." - -He rose suddenly and stood gaping in the centre of the room, as a mad, -hazy idea began to form in his brain. His eyes blinked and his face grew -white with excitement. He pushed open the little lattice window, and sat -looking abstractedly up the passage on to the bay beyond. Then he put on -his hat, and, deep in thought, went out. - -He was still thinking deeply as he boarded the train for London next -morning, and watched Sunset Bay from the window until it disappeared -round the curve. So many and various were the changes that flitted over -his face that an old lady, whose seat he had taken, gave up her -intention of apprising him of the fact, and indulged instead in a bitter -conversation with her daughter, of which the erring Pepper was the -unconscious object. - -In the same preoccupied fashion he got on a Bayswater omnibus, and -waited patiently for it to reach Poplar. Strange changes in the -landscape, not to be accounted for by the mere lapse of time, led to -explanations, and the conductor--a humane man, who said he had got an -idiot boy at home--personally laid down the lines of his tour. Two hours -later he stood in front of a small house painted in many colours, and, -ringing the bell, inquired for Cap'n Crippen. - -In response to his inquiry, a big man, with light blue eyes and a long -grey beard, appeared, and, recognising his visitor with a grunt of -surprise, drew him heartily into the passage and thrust him into the -parlour. He then shook hands with him, and, clapping him on the back, -bawled lustily for the small boy who had opened the door. - -"Pot o' stout, bottle o' gin, and two long pipes," said he, as the boy -came to the door and eyed the ex-pilot curiously. - -At all these honest preparations for his welcome the heart of Jackson -grew faint within him. - -"Well, I call it good of you to come all this way to see me," said the -captain, after the boy had disappeared; "but you always was warm- -hearted, Pepper. And how's the missis?" - -"Shocking!" said Pepper, with a groan. - -"Ill?" inquired the captain. - -"Ill-tempered," said Pepper. "In fact, cap'n, I don't mind telling you, -she's killing me--slowly killing me!" - -"Pooh!" said Crippen. "Nonsense! You don't know how to manage her!" - -"I thought perhaps you could advise me," said the artful Pepper. "I said -to myself yesterday, 'Pepper, go and see Cap'n Crippen. What he don't -know about wimmen and their management ain't worth knowing! If there's -anybody can get you out of a hole, it's him. He's got the power, and, -what's more, he's got the will!'" - -"What causes the temper?" inquired the captain, with his most judicial -air, as he took the liquor from his messenger and carefully filled a -couple of glasses. - -"It's natural!" said his friend ruefully. "She calls it having a high -spirit herself. And she's so generous. She's got a married niece living -in the place, and when that gal comes round and admires the things--my -things--she gives 'em to her! She gave her a sofa the other day, and, -what's more, she made me help the gal to carry it home!" - -"Have you tried being sarcastic?" inquired the captain thoughtfully. - -"I have," said Pepper, with a shiver. "The other day I said, very nasty, -'Is there anything else you'd like, my dear?' but she didn't understand -it." - -"No?" said the captain. - -"No," said Pepper. "She said I was very kind, and she'd like the clock; -and, what's more, she had it too! Red-'aired hussy!" - -The captain poured out some gin and drank it slowly. It was evident he -was thinking deeply, and that he was much affected by his friend's -troubles. - -"There is only one way for me to get clear," said Pepper, as he finished -a thrilling recital of his wrongs, "and that is, to find Cap'n Budd, her -first." - -"Why, he's dead!" said Crippen, staring hard. "Don't you waste your time -looking for him!" - -"I'm not going to," said Pepper; "but here's his portrait. He was a big -man like you; he had blue eyes and a straight handsome nose, like you. -If he'd lived to now he'd be almost your age, and very likely more like -you than ever. He was a sailor; you've been a sailor." - -The captain stared at him in bewilderment. - -"He had a wonderful way with wimmen," pursued Jackson hastily; "you've -got a wonderful way with wimmen. More than that, you've got the most -wonderful gift for acting I've ever seen. Ever since the time when you -acted in that barn at Bristol I've never seen any actor I can honestly -say I've liked--never! Look how you can imitate cats--better than Henry -Irving himself!" - -"I never had much chance, being at sea all my life," said Crippen -modestly. - -"You've got the gift," said Pepper impressively. "It was born in you, -and you'll never leave off acting till the day of your death. You -couldn't if you tried--you know you couldn't!" - -The captain smiled deprecatingly. - -"Now, I want you to do a performance for my benefit," continued Pepper. -"I want you to act Cap'n Budd, what was lost in the Dolphin thirty years -ago. There's only one man in England I'd trust with the part, and that's -you." - -"Act Cap'n Budd!" gasped the astonished Crippen, putting down his glass -and staring at his friend. - -"The part is written here," said the ex-pilot, producing a note-book -from his breast pocket and holding it out to his friend. I've been -keeping a log day by day of all the things she said about him, in the -hopes of catching her tripping, but I never did. There's notes of his -family, his ships, and a lot of silly things he used to say, which she -thinks funny." - -"I couldn't do it!" said the captain seriously, as he took the book. - -"You could do it if you liked," said Pepper. "Besides, think what a -spree it'll be for you. Learn it by heart, then come down and claim her. -Her name's Martha." - -"What good 'ud it do you if I did?" inquired the captain. "She'd soon -find out!" - -"You come down to Sunset Bay," said Pepper, emphasising his remarks with -his forefinger; "you claim your wife; you allude carefully to the things -set down in this book; I give Martha back to you and bless you both. -Then"-- - -"Then what?" inquired Crippen anxiously. - -"You disappear!" concluded Pepper triumphantly; "and, of course, -believing her first husband is alive, she has to leave me. She's a very -particular woman; and, besides that, I'd take care to let the neighbours -know. I'm happy, you're happy, and, if she's not happy, why, she don't -deserve to be." - -"I'll think it over," said Crippen, "and write and let you know." - -"Make up your mind now," urged Pepper, reaching over and patting him -encouragingly upon the shoulder. "If you promise to do it, the thing's -as good as done. Lord! I think I see you now, coming in at that door and -surprising her. Talk about acting!" - -"Is she what you'd call a good-looking woman?" inquired Crippen. - -"Very handsome!" said Pepper, looking out of the window. - -"I couldn't do it!" said the captain. "It wouldn't be right and fair to -her." - -"I don't see that!" said Pepper. "I never ought to have married her -without being certain her first was dead. It ain't right, Crippen; say -what you like, it ain't right!" - -"If you put it that way," said the captain hesitatingly. - -"Have some more gin," said the artful pilot. - -The captain had some more, and, what with flattery and gin, combined -with the pleadings of his friend, began to consider the affair more -favourably. Pepper stuck to his guns, and used them so well that when -the captain saw him off that evening he was pledged up to the hilt to -come down to Sunset Bay and personate the late Captain Budd on the -following Thursday. - -The ex-pilot passed the intervening days in a sort of trance, from which -he only emerged to take nourishment, or answer the scoldings of his -wife. On the eventful Thursday, however, his mood changed, and he went -about in such a state of suppressed excitement that he could scarcely -keep still. - -"Lor' bless me!" snapped Mrs. Pepper, as he slowly perambulated the -parlour that afternoon. "What ails the man? Can't you keep still for -five minutes?" - -The ex-pilot stopped and eyed her solemnly, but, ere he could reply, his -heart gave a great bound, for, from behind the geraniums which filled -the window, he saw the face of Captain Crippen slowly rise and peer -cautiously into the room. Before his wife could follow the direction of -her husband's eyes it had disappeared. - -"Somebody looking in at the window," said Pepper, with forced calmness, -in reply to his wife's eyebrows. - -"Like their impudence!" said the unconscious woman, resuming her -knitting, while her husband waited in vain for the captain to enter. - -He waited some time, and then, half dead with excitement, sat down, and -with shaking fingers lit his pipe. As he looked up the stalwart figure -of the captain passed the window. During the next twenty minutes it -passed seven times, and Pepper, coming to the not unnatural conclusion -that his friend intended to pass the afternoon in the same unprofitable -fashion, resolved to force his hand. - -"Must be a tramp," he said aloud. - -"Who?" inquired his wife. "Man keeps looking in at the window," said -Pepper desperately. "Keeps looking in till he meets my eye, then he -disappears. Looks like an old sea-captain, something." - -"Old sea-captain?" said his wife, putting down her work and turning -round. There was a strange hesitating note in her voice. She looked at -the window, and at the same instant the head of the captain again -appeared above the geraniums, and, meeting her gaze, hastily vanished. -Martha Pepper sat still for a moment, and then, rising in a slow, dazed -fashion, crossed to the door and opened it. Mermaid Passage was empty! - -"See anybody?" quavered Pepper. - -His wife shook her head, but in a strangely quiet fashion, and, sitting -down, took up her knitting again. - -For some time the click of the needles and the tick of the clock were -the only sounds audible, and the ex-pilot had just arrived at the -conclusion that his friend had abandoned him to his fate, when there -came a low tapping at the door. - -"Come in!" cried Pepper, starting. - -The door opened slowly, and the tall figure of Captain Crippen entered -and stood there eyeing them nervously. A neat little speech he had -prepared failed him at the supreme moment. He leaned against the wall, -and in a clumsy, shamefaced fashion lowered his gaze, and stammered out -the one word--"Martha!" - -At that word Mrs. Pepper rose and stood with parted lips, eyeing him -wildly. - -"Jem!" she gasped, "Jem!" - -"Martha!" croaked the captain again. - -With a choking cry Mrs. Pepper ran towards him, and, to the huge -gratification of her lawful spouse, flung her arms about his neck and -kissed him violently. - -"Jem," she cried breathlessly, "is it really you? I can hardly believe -it. Where have you been all this long time? Where have you been?" - -"Lots of places," said the captain, who was not prepared to answer a -question like that offhand; "but wherever I've been"--he held up his -hand theatrically--"the image of my dear lost wife has been always in -front of me." - -"I knew you at once, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper fondly, smoothing the hair -back from his forehead. "Have I altered much?" - -"Not a bit," said Crippen, holding her at arm's length and carefully -regarding her. "You look just the same as the first time I set eyes on -you." - -"Where have you been?" wailed Martha Pepper, putting her head on his -shoulder. - -"When the Dolphin went down from under me, and left me fighting with the -waves for life and Martha, I was cast ashore on a desert island," began -Crippen fluently. "There I remained for nearly three years, when I was -rescued by a barque bound for New South Wales. There I met a man from -Poole who told me you were dead. Having no further interest in the land -of my birth, I sailed in Australian waters for many years, and it was -only lately that I heard how cruelly I had been deceived, and that my -little flower was still blooming." - -The little flower's head being well down on his shoulder again, the -celebrated actor exchanged glances with the worshipping Pepper. - -"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper. "Who was he? What -was his name?" - -"Smith," said the cautious captain. - -"If you'd only come before, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper, in a smothered -voice, "it would have been better. Only three months ago I married that -object over there." - -The captain attempted a melodramatic start with such success, that, -having somewhat underestimated the weight of his fair bride, he nearly -lost his balance. - -"It can't be helped, I suppose," he said reproachfully, "but you might -have waited a little longer, Martha." - -"Well, I'm your wife, anyhow," said Martha, "and I'll take care I never -lose you again. You shall never go out of my sight again till you die. -Never." - -"Nonsense, my pet," said the captain, exchanging uneasy glances with the -ex-pilot. "Nonsense." - -"It isn't nonsense, Jem," said the lady, as she drew him on to the sofa -and sat with her arms round his neck. "It may be true, all you've told -me, and it may not. For all I know, you may have been married to some -other woman; but I've got you now, and I intend to keep you." - -"There, there," said the captain, as soothingly as a strange sinking at -the heart would allow him. - -"As for that other little man, I only married him because he worried me -so," said Mrs. Pepper tearfully. "I never loved him, but he used to -follow me about and propose. Was it twelve or thirteen times you -proposed to me, Pepper?" - -"I forget," said the ex-pilot shortly. - -"But I never loved him," she continued. "I never loved you a bit, did I, -Pepper?" - -"Not a bit," said Pepper warmly. "No man could ever have a harder or -more unfeeling wife than you was. I'll say that for you, willing." - -As he bore this testimony to his wife's fidelity there was a knock at -the door, and, upon his opening it, the rector's daughter, a lady of -uncertain age, entered, and stood regarding with amazement the frantic -but ineffectual struggles of Captain Crippen to release himself from a -position as uncomfortable as it was ridiculous. - -"Mrs. Pepper!" said the lady, aghast. "Oh, Mrs. Pepper!" - -"It's all right, Miss Winthrop," said the lady addressed, calmly, as she -forced the captain's flushed face on to her ample shoulder again; "it's -my first husband, Jem Budd." - -"Good gracious!" said Miss Winthrop, starting. "Enoch Arden in the -flesh!" - -"Who?" inquired Pepper, with a show of polite interest. - -"Enoch Arden," said Miss Winthrop. "One of our great poets wrote a noble -poem about a sailor who came home and found that his wife had married -again; but, in the POEM, the first husband went away without making -himself known, and died of a broken heart." - -She looked at Captain Crippen as though he hadn't quite come up to her -expectations. - -"And now," said Pepper, speaking with great cheerfulness, "it's me -that's got to have the broken heart. Well, well." - -"It's a most interesting case," cried Miss Winthrop; "and, if you wait -till I fetch my camera, I'll take your portrait together just as you -are." - -"Do," said Mrs. Pepper cordially. - -"I won't have my portrait took," said the captain, with much acerbity. - -"Not if I wish it, dear?" inquired Mrs. Pepper tenderly. - -"Not if you keep a-wishing it all your life," replied the captain -sourly, making another attempt to get his head from her shoulder. - -"Don't you think they ought to have their portrait taken now?" asked -Miss Winthrop, turning to the ex-pilot. - -"I don't see no 'arm in it," said Pepper thoughtlessly. - -"You hear what Mr. Pepper says," said the lady, turning to the captain -again. "Surely if he doesn't mind, you ought not to." - -"I'll talk to him by-and-bye," said the captain, very grimly. - -"P'raps it would be better if we kept this affair to ourselves for the -present," said the ex-pilot, taking alarm at his friend's manner. - -"Well, I won't intrude on you any longer," said Miss Winthrop. "Oh! Look -there! How rude of them!" - -The others turned hastily in time to see several heads vanish from the -window. Captain Crippen was the first to speak. - -"Jem!" said Mrs. Pepper severely, before he had finished. - -"Captain Budd!" said Miss Winthrop, flushing. - -The incensed captain rose to his feet and paced up and down the room. He -looked at the ex-pilot, and that small schemer shivered. - -"Easy does it, cap'n," he murmured, with a wink which he meant to be -comforting. - -"I'm going out a little way," said the captain, after the rector's -daughter had gone. "Just to cool my head." - -Mrs. Pepper took her bonnet from its peg behind the door, and, surveying -herself in the glass, tied it beneath her chin. - -"Alone," said Crippen nervously. "I want to do a little thinking." - -"Never again, Jem," said Mrs. Pepper firmly. "My place is by your side. -If you're ashamed of people looking at you, I'm not. I'm proud of you. -Come along. Come and show yourself, and tell them who you are. You shall -never go out of my sight again as long as I live. Never." - -She began to whimper. - -"What's to be done?" inquired Crippen, turning desperately on the -bewildered pilot. - -"What's it got to do with him?" demanded Mrs. Pepper sharply. - -"He's got to be considered a little, I s'pose," said the captain, -dissembling. "Besides, I think I'd better do like the man in the poetry -did. Let me go away and die of a broken heart. Perhaps it's best." - -Mrs. Pepper looked at him with kindling eyes. - -"Let me go away and die of a broken heart," repeated the captain, with -real feeling. "I'd rather do it. I would indeed." - -Mrs. Pepper, bursting into angry tears, flung her arms round his neck -again, and sobbed on his shoulder. The pilot, obeying the frenzied -injunctions of his friend's eye, drew down the blind. - -"There's quite a crowd outside," he remarked. - -"I don't mind," said his wife amiably. "They'll soon know who he is." - -She stood holding the captain's hand and stroking it, and whenever his -feelings became too much for her put her head down on his waistcoat. At -such times the captain glared fiercely at the ex-pilot, who, being of a -weak nature, was unable, despite his anxiety, to give his risible -faculties that control which the solemnity of the occasion demanded. - -The afternoon wore slowly away. Miss Winthrop, who disliked scandal, had -allowed something of the affair to leak out, and several visitors, -including a local reporter, called, but were put off till the morrow, on -the not unnatural plea that the long-separated couple desired a little -privacy. The three sat silent, the ex-pilot, with wrinkled brows, trying -hard to decipher the lip-language in which the captain addressed him -whenever he had an opportunity, but could only dimly guess its purport, -when the captain pressed his huge fist into the service as well. - -Mrs. Pepper rose at length, and went into the back room to prepare tea. -As she left the door open, however, and took the captain's hat with her, -he built no hopes on her absence, but turned furiously to the ex-pilot. - -"What's to be done?" he inquired in a fierce whisper. "This can't go -on." - -"It'll have to," whispered the other. - -"Now, look here," said Crippen menacingly, "I'm going into the kitchen -to make a clean breast of it. I'm sorry for you, but I've done the best -I can. Come and help me to explain." - -He turned to the kitchen, but the other, with the strength born of -despair, seized him by the sleeve and held him back. - -"She'll kill me," he whispered breathlessly. - -"I can't help it," said Crippen, shaking him off. "Serve you right." - -"And she'll tell the folks outside, and they'll kill you," continued -Pepper. - -The captain sat down again, and confronted him with a face as pale as -his own. - -"The last train leaves at eight," whispered the pilot hurriedly. "It's -desperate, but it's the only thing you can do. Take her for a stroll up -by the fields near the railway station. You can see the train coming in -for a mile off nearly. Time yourself carefully, and make a bolt for it. -She can't run." - -The entrance of their victim with the tea-tray stopped the conversation; -but the captain nodded acceptance behind her back, and then, with a -forced gaiety, sat down to tea. - -For the first time since his successful appearance he became loquacious, -and spoke so freely of incidents in the life of the man he was -impersonating that the ex-pilot sat in a perfect fever lest he should -blunder. The meal finished, he proposed a stroll, and, as the -unsuspecting Mrs. Pepper tied on her bonnet, slapped his leg, and winked -confidently at his fellow-conspirator. - -"I'm not much of a walker," said the innocent Mrs. Pepper, "so you must -go slowly." - -The captain nodded, and at Pepper's suggestion left by the back way, to -avoid the gaze of the curious. - -For some time after their departure Pepper sat smoking, with his anxious -face turned to the clock, until at length, unable to endure the strain -any longer, and not without a sportsmanlike idea of being in at the -death, he made his way to the station, and placed himself behind a -convenient coal-truck. - -He waited impatiently, with his eyes fixed on the road up which he -expected the captain to come. He looked at his watch. Five minutes to -eight, and still no captain. The platform began to fill, a porter seized -the big bell and rang it lustily; in the distance a patch of white smoke -showed. Just as the watcher had given up all hope, the figure of the -captain came in sight. He was swaying from side to side, holding his hat -in his hand, but doggedly racing the train to the station. - -"He'll never do it!" groaned the pilot. Then he held his breath, for -three or four hundred yards behind the captain Mrs. Pepper pounded in -pursuit. - -The train rolled into the station; passengers stepped in and out; doors -slammed, and the guard had already placed the whistle in his mouth, when -Captain Crippen, breathing stentorously, came stumbling blindly on to -the platform, and was hustled into a third class carriage. - -"Close shave that, sir," said the station-master as he closed the door. - -The captain sank back in his seat, fighting for breath, and turning his -head, gave a last triumphant look up the road. - -"All right, sir," said the station-master kindly, as he followed the -direction of the other's eyes and caught sight of Mrs. Pepper. "We'll -wait for your lady." - - * * * * * - -Jackson Pepper came from behind the coal-truck and watched the train out -of sight, wondering in a dull, vague fashion what the conversation was -like. He stood so long that a tender hearted porter, who had heard the -news, made bold to come up and put a friendly hand on his shoulder. - -"You'll never see her again, Mr. Pepper," he said sympathetically. - -The ex-pilot turned and regarded him fixedly, and the last bit of spirit -he was ever known to show flashed up in his face as he spoke. - -"You're a blamed idiot!" he said rudely. - - - - -A CASE OF DESERTION - - -The sun was just rising as the small tub-like steamer, or, to be more -correct, steam-barge, the Bulldog, steamed past the sleeping town of -Gravesend at a good six knots per hour. - -There had been a little discussion on the way between her crew and the -engineer, who, down in his grimy little engine-room, did his own stoking -and everything else necessary. The crew, consisting of captain, mate, -and boy, who were doing their first trip on a steamer, had been -transferred at the last moment from their sailing-barge the Witch, and -found to their discomfort that the engineer, who had not expected to -sail so soon, was terribly and abusively drunk. Every moment he could -spare from his engines he thrust the upper part of his body through the -small hatchway, and rowed with his commander. - -"Ahoy, bargee!" he shouted, popping up like a jack-in-the-box, after a -brief cessation of hostilities. - -"Don't take no notice of 'im," said the mate. "'E's got a bottle of -brandy down there, an' he's 'alf mad." - -"If I knew anything o' them blessed engines," growled the skipper, "I'd -go and hit 'im over the head." - -"But you don't," said the mate, "and neither do I, so you'd better keep -quiet." - -"You think you're a fine feller," continued the engineer, "standing up -there an' playing with that little wheel. You think you're doing all the -work. What's the boy doing? Send him down to stoke." - -"Go down," said the skipper, grinning with fury, and the boy reluctantly -obeyed. - -"You think," said the engineer pathetically, after he had cuffed the -boy's head and dropped him down below by the scruff of his neck, "you -think because I've got a black face I'm not a man. There's many a hoily -face 'ides a good 'art." - -"I don't think nothing about it," grunted the skipper; "you do your -work, and I'll do mine." - -"Don't you give me none of your back answers," bellowed the engineer, -"'cos I won't have 'em." - -The skipper shrugged his shoulders and exchanged glances with his -sympathetic mate. "Wait till I get 'im ashore," he murmured. - -"The biler is wore out," said the engineer, re-appearing after a hasty -dive below. "It may bust at any moment." - -As though to confirm his words fearful sounds were heard proceeding from -below. - -"It's only the boy," said the mate, "he's scared--natural." - -"I thought it was the biler," said the skipper, with a sigh of relief. -"It was loud enough." - -As he spoke the boy got his head out of the hatchway, and, rendered -desperate with fear, fairly fought his way past the engineer and gained -the deck. - -"Very good," said the engineer, as he followed him on deck and staggered -to the side. "I've had enough o' you lot." - -"Hadn't you better go down to them engines?" shouted the skipper. - -"Am I your SLAVE?" demanded the engineer tearfully. "Tell me that. Am I -your slave?" - -"Go down and do your work like a sensible man," was the reply. - -At these words the engineer took umbrage at once, and, scowling -fiercely, removed his greasy jacket and flung his cap on the deck. He -then finished the brandy which he had brought up with him, and gazed -owlishly at the Kentish shore. - -"I'm going to have a wash," he said loudly, and, sitting down, removed -his boots. - -"Go down to the engines first," said the skipper, "and I'll send the boy -to you with a bucket and some soap." - -"Bucket!" replied the engineer scornfully, as he moved to the side. "I'm -going to have a proper wash." - -"Hold him!" roared the skipper suddenly. "Hold him!" - -The mate, realising the situation, rushed to seize him, but the -engineer, with a mad laugh, put his hands on the side and vaulted into -the water. When he rose the steamer was twenty yards ahead. - -"Go astarn!" yelled the mate. - -"How can I go astarn when there's nobody at the engines?" shouted the -skipper, as he hung on to the wheel and brought the boat's head sharply -round. "Git a line ready." - -The mate, with a coil of rope in his hand, rushed to the side, but his -benevolent efforts were frustrated by the engineer, who, seeing the -boat's head making straight for him, saved his life by an opportune -dive. The steamer rushed by. - -"Turn 'er agin!" screamed the mate. - -The captain was already doing so, and in a remarkably short space of -time the boat, which had described a complete circle, was making again -for the engineer. - -"Look out for the line!" shouted the mate warningly. - -"I don't want your line," yelled the engineer. "I'm going ashore." - -"Come aboard!" shouted the captain imploringly, as they swept past -again. "We can't manage the engines." - -"Put her round again," said the mate. "I'll go for him with the boat. -Haul her in, boy." - -The boat, which was dragging astern, was hauled close, and the mate -tumbled into her, followed by the boy, just as the captain was in the -middle of another circle?-to the intense indignation of a crowd of -shipping, large and small, which was trying to get by. - -"Ahoy!" yelled the master of a tug which was towing a large ship." Take -that steam roundabout out of the way. What the thunder are you doing?" - -"Picking up my engineer," replied the captain, as he steamed right -across the other's bows, and nearly ran down a sailing-barge, the -skipper of which, a Salvation Army man, was nobly fighting with his -feelings. - -"Why don't you stop?" he yelled. - -"'Cos I can't," wailed the skipper of the Bulldog, as he threaded his -way between a huge steamer and a schooner, who, in avoiding him, were -getting up a little collision on their own account. - -"Ahoy, Bulldog! Ahoy!" called the mate. "Stand by to pick us up. We've -got him." - -The skipper smiled in an agonised fashion as he shot past, hotly pursued -by his boat. The feeling on board the other craft as they got out of the -way of the Bulldog, and nearly ran down her boat, and then, in avoiding -that, nearly ran down something else, cannot be put into plain English, -but several captains ventured into the domains of the ornamental with -marked success. - -"Shut off steam!" yelled the engineer, as the Bulldog went by again. -"Draw the fires, then." - -"Who's going to steer while I do it?" bellowed the skipper, as he left -the wheel for a few seconds to try and get a line to throw them. - -By this time the commotion in the river was frightful, and the captain's -steering, as he went on his round again, something marvellous to behold. -A strange lack of sympathy on the part of brother captains added to his -troubles. Every craft he passed had something to say to him, busy as -they were, and the remarks were as monotonous as they were insulting. At -last, just as he was resolving to run his boat straight down the river -until he came to a halt for want of steam, the mate caught the rope he -flung, and the Bulldog went down the river with her boat made fast to -her stern. - -"Come aboard, you--you lunatic!" he shouted. - -"Not afore I knows 'ow I stand," said the engineer, who was now -beautifully sober, and in full possession of a somewhat acute intellect. - -"What do you mean?" demanded the skipper. - -"I don't come aboard," shouted the engineer, "until you and the mate and -the bye all swear as you won't say nothing about this little game." - -"I'll report you the moment I get ashore," roared the skipper. "I'll -give you in charge for desertion. I'll"-- - -With a supreme gesture the engineer prepared to dive, but the watchful -mate fell on his neck and tripped him over a seat. - -"Come aboard!" cried the skipper, aghast at such determination. "Come -aboard, and I'll give you a licking when we get ashore instead." - -"Honour bright?" inquired the engineer. - -"Honour bright," chorused the three. - -The engineer, with all the honours of war, came on board, and, after -remarking that he felt chilly bathing on an empty stomach, went down -below and began to stoke. In the course of the voyage he said that it -was worth while making such a fool of himself if only to see the -skipper's beautiful steering, warmly asseverating that there was not -another man on the river that could have done it. Before this insidious -flattery the skipper's wrath melted like snow before the sun, and by the -time they reached port he would as soon have thought of hitting his own -father as his smooth-tongued engineer. - - - - -OUTSAILED - - -It was a momentous occasion. The two skippers sat in the private bar of -the "Old Ship," in High Street, Wapping, solemnly sipping cold gin and -smoking cigars, whose sole merit consisted in the fact that they had -been smuggled. It is well known all along the waterside that this -greatly improves their flavour. - -"Draw all right?" queried Captain Berrow?-a short, fat man of few ideas, -who was the exulting owner of a bundle of them. - -"Beautiful," replied Captain Tucker, who had just made an excursion into -the interior of his with the small blade of his penknife. "Why don't you -keep smokes like these, landlord?" - -"He can't," chuckled Captain Berrow fatuously. "They're not to be 'ad-- -money couldn't buy 'em." - -The landlord grunted. "Why don't you settle about that race o' yours an' -ha' done with it," he cried, as he wiped down his counter. "Seems to me, -Cap'n Tucker's hanging fire." - -"I'm ready when he is," said Tucker, somewhat shortly. - -"It's taking your money," said Berrow slowly; "the Thistle can't hold a -candle to the Good Intent, and you know it. Many a time that little -schooner o' mine has kept up with a steamer." - -"Wher'd you ha' been if the tow rope had parted, though?" said the -master of the Thistle, with a wink at the landlord. - -At this remark Captain Berrow took fire, and, with his temper rapidly -rising to fever heat, wrathfully repelled the scurvy insinuation in -language which compelled the respectful attention of all the other -customers and the hasty intervention of the landlord. - -"Put up the stakes," he cried impatiently. "Put up the stakes, and don't -have so much jaw about it." - -"Here's mine," said Berrow, sturdily handing over a greasy fiver. "Now, -Cap'n Tucker, cover that." - -"Come on," said the landlord encouragingly; "don't let him take the wind -out of your sails like that." - -Tucker handed over five sovereigns. - -"High water's at 12.13," said the landlord, pocketing the stakes. "You -understand the conditions?-each of you does the best he can for hisself -after eleven, an' the one what gets to Poole first has the ten quid. -Understand?" - -Both gamblers breathed hard, and, fully realising the desperate nature -of the enterprise upon which they had embarked, ordered some more gin. A -rivalry of long standing as to the merits of their respective schooners -had led to them calling in the landlord to arbitrate, and this was the -result. Berrow, vaguely feeling that it would be advisable to keep on -good terms with the stakeholder, offered him one of the famous cigars. -The stakeholder, anxious to keep on good terms with his stomach, -declined it. - -"You've both got your moorings up, I s'pose?" he inquired. - -"Got 'em up this evening," replied Tucker. "We're just made fast one on -each side of the Dolphin now." - -"The wind's light, but it's from the right quarter," said Captain -Berrow, "an' I only hope as 'ow the best ship'll win. I'd like to win -myself, but, if not, I can only say as there's no man breathing I'd -sooner have lick me than Cap'n Tucker. He's as smart a seaman as ever -comes into the London river, an' he's got a schooner angels would be -proud of." - -"Glasses o' gin round," said Tucker promptly. "Cap'n Berrow, here's your -very good health, an' a fair field an' no favour." - -With these praiseworthy sentiments the master of the Thistle finished -his liquor, and, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, nodded -farewell to the twain and departed. Once in the High Street he walked -slowly, as one in deep thought, then, with a sudden resolution, turned -up Nightingale Lane, and made for a small, unsavoury thoroughfare -leading out of Ratcliff Highway. A quarter of an hour later he emerged -into that famous thoroughfare again, smiling incoherently, and, -retracing his steps to the waterside, jumped into a boat, and was pulled -off to his ship. - -"Comes off to-night, Joe," said he, as he descended to the cabin, "an' -it's arf a quid to you if the old gal wins." - -"What's the bet?" inquired the mate, looking up from his task of -shredding tobacco. - -"Five quid," replied the skipper. - -"Well, we ought to do it," said the mate slowly; "'t wont be my fault if -we don't." - -"Mine neither," said the skipper. "As a matter o' fact, Joe, I reckon -I've about made sure of it. All's fair in love and war and racing, Joe." - -"Ay, ay," said the mate, more slowly than before, as he revolved this -addition to the proverb. - -"I just nipped round and saw a chap I used to know named Dibbs," said -the skipper. "Keeps a boarding-house for sailors. Wonderful sharp -little chap he is. Needles ain't nothing to him. There's heaps of -needles, but only one Dibbs. He's going to make old Berrow's chaps as -drunk as lords." - -"Does he know 'em?" inquired the mate. - -"He knows where to find 'em," said the other. "I told him they'd either -be in the 'Duke's Head' or the 'Town o' Berwick.' But he'd find 'em -wherever they was. Ah, even if they was in a coffee pallis, I b'leeve -that man 'ud find 'em." - -"They're steady chaps," objected the mate, but in a weak fashion, being -somewhat staggered by this tribute to Mr. Dibbs' remarkable powers. - -"My lad," said the skipper, "it's Dibbs' business to mix sailors' -liquors so's they don't know whether they're standing on their heads or -their heels. He's the most wonderful mixer in Christendom; takes a -reg'lar pride in it. Many a sailorman has got up a ship's side, thinking -it was stairs, and gone off half acrost the world instead of going to -bed, through him." - -"We'll have a easy job of it, then," said the mate. "I b'leeve we could -ha' managed it without that, though. 'Tain't quite what you'd call -sport, is it?" - -"There's nothing like making sure of a thing," said the skipper -placidly. "What time's our chaps coming aboard?" - -"Ten thirty, the latest," replied the mate. "Old Sam's with 'em, so -they'll be all right." - -"I'll turn in for a couple of hours," said the skipper, going towards -his berth. "Lord! I'd give something to see old Berrow's face as his -chaps come up the side." - -"P'raps they won't git as far as that," remarked the mate. - -"Oh, yes they will," said the skipper. "Dibbs is going to see to that. I -don't want any chance of the race being scratched. Turn me out in a -couple of hours." - -He closed the door behind him, and the mate, having stuffed his clay -with the coarse tobacco, took some pink note-paper with scalloped edges -from his drawer, and, placing the paper at his right side, and squaring -his shoulders, began some private correspondence. - -For some time he smoked and wrote in silence, until the increasing -darkness warned him to finish his task. He signed the note, and, having -put a few marks of a tender nature below his signature, sealed it ready -for the post, and sat with half-closed eyes, finishing his pipe. Then -his head nodded, and, placing his arms on the table, he too slept. - -It seemed but a minute since he had closed his eyes when he was awakened -by the entrance of the skipper, who came blundering into the darkness -from his stateroom, vociferating loudly and nervously. - -"Ay, ay!" said Joe, starting up. - -"Where's the lights?" said the skipper. "What's the time? I dreamt I'd -overslept myself. What's the time?" - -"Plenty o' time," said the mate vaguely, as he stifled a yawn. - -"Ha'-past ten," said the skipper, as he struck a match, "You've been -asleep," he added severely. - -"I ain't," said the mate stoutly, as he followed the other on deck. -"I've been thinking. I think better in the dark." - -"It's about time our chaps was aboard," said the skipper, as he looked -round the deserted deck. "I hope they won't be late." - -"Sam's with 'em," said the mate confidently, as he went on to the side; -"there ain't no festivities going on aboard the Good Intent, neither." - -"There will be," said his worthy skipper, with a grin, as he looked -across the intervening brig at the rival craft; "there will be." - -He walked round the deck to see that everything was snug and ship-shape, -and got back to the mate just as a howl of surprising weirdness was -heard proceeding from the neighbouring stairs. - -"I'm s'prised at Berrow allowing his men to make that noise," said the -skipper waggishly. "Our chaps are there too, I think. I can hear Sam's -voice." - -"So can I," said the mate, with emphasis. - -"Seems to be talking rather loud," said the master of the Thistle, -knitting his brows. - -"Sounds as though he's trying to sing," said the mate, as, after some -delay, a heavily-laden boat put off from the stairs and made slowly for -them. "No, he ain't; he's screaming." - -There was no longer any doubt about it. The respectable and greatly- -trusted Sam was letting off a series of wild howls which would have done -credit to a penny-gaff Zulu, and was evidently very much out of temper -about something. - -"Ahoy, Thistle! Ahoy!" bellowed the waterman, as he neared the schooner. -"Chuck us a rope?-quick!" - -The mate threw him one, and the boat came alongside. It was then seen -that another waterman, using impatient and deplorable language, was -forcibly holding Sam down in the boat. - -"What's he done? What's the row?" demanded the mate. - -"Done?" said the waterman, in disgust. "Done? He's 'ad a small lemon, -an' it's got into his silly old head. He's making all this fuss 'cos he -wanted to set the pub on fire, an' they wouldn't let him. Man ashore -told us they belonged to the Good Intent, but I know they're your men." - -"Sam!" roared the skipper, with a sinking heart, as his glance fell on -the recumbent figures in the boat; "come aboard at once, you drunken -disgrace! D'ye hear?" - -"I can't leave him," said Sam, whimpering. - -"Leave who?" growled the skipper. - -"Him," said Sam, placing his arms round the waterman's neck. "Him an' -me's like brothers." - -"Get up, you old loonatic!" snarled the waterman, extricating himself -with difficulty, and forcing the other towards the side. "Now, up you -go!" - -Aided by the shoulders of the waterman and the hands of his superior -officers, Sam went up, and then the waterman turned his attention to the -remainder of his fares, who were snoring contentedly in the bottom of -the boat. - -"Now, then!" he cried; "look alive with you! D'ye hear? Wake up! Wake -up! Kick 'em, Bill!" - -"I can't kick no 'arder," grumbled the other waterman. - -"What the devil's the matter with 'em?" stormed the master of the -Thistle, "Chuck a pail of water over 'em, Joe!" - -Joe obeyed with gusto; and, as he never had much of a head for details, -bestowed most of it upon the watermen. Through the row which ensued the -Thistle's crew snored peacefully, and at last were handed up over the -sides like sacks of potatoes, and the indignant watermen pulled back to -the stairs. - -"Here's a nice crew to win a race with!" wailed the skipper, almost -crying with rage. "Chuck the water over 'em, Joe! Chuck the water over -'em !" - -Joe obeyed willingly, until at length, to the skipper's great relief, -one man stirred, and, sitting up on the deck, sleepily expressed his -firm conviction that it was raining. For a moment they both had hopes of -him, but as Joe went to the side for another bucketful, he evidently -came to the conclusion that he had been dreaming, and, lying down again, -resumed his nap. As he did so the first stroke of Big Ben came booming -down the river. - -"Eleven o'clock!" shouted the excited skipper. - -It was too true. Before Big Ben had finished, the neighbouring church -clocks commenced striking with feverish haste, and hurrying feet and -hoarse cries were heard proceeding from the deck of the GOOD INTENT. - -"Loose the sails!" yelled the furious Tucker. "Loose the sails! Damme, -we'll get under way by ourselves!" - -He ran forward, and, assisted by the mate, hoisted the jibs, and then, -running back, cast off from the brig, and began to hoist the mainsail. -As they disengaged themselves from the tier, there was just sufficient -sail for them to advance against the tide; while in front of them the -Good Intent, shaking out sail after sail, stood boldly down the river. - - * * * * * - -"This was the way of it," said Sam, as he stood before the grim Tucker -at six o'clock the next morning, surrounded by his mates. "He came into -the 'Town o' Berwick,' where we was, as nice a spoken little chap as -ever you'd wish to see. He said he'd been a-looking at the GOOD INTENT, -and he thought it was the prettiest little craft 'e ever seed, and the -exact image of one his dear brother, which was a missionary, 'ad, and -he'd like to stand a drink to every man of her crew. Of course, we all -said we was the crew direckly, an' all I can remember after that is two -coppers an' a little boy trying to giv' me the frog's march, an' -somebody chucking pails o' water over me. It's crool 'ard losing a race, -what we didn't know nothink about, in this way; but it warn't our -fault?-it warn't, indeed. It's my belief that the little man was a -missionary of some sort hisself, and wanted to convert us, an' that was -his way of starting on the job. It's all very well for the mate to have -highstirriks; but it's quite true, every word of it, an' if you go an' -ask at the pub they'll tell you the same." - - - - -MATED - - -The schooner Falcon was ready for sea. The last bale of general cargo -had just been shipped, and a few hairy, unkempt seamen were busy putting -on the hatches under the able profanity of the mate. - -"All clear?" inquired the master, a short, ruddy-faced man of about -thirty-five. "Cast off there!" - -"Ain't you going to wait for the passengers, then?" inquired the mate. - -"No, no," replied the skipper, whose features were working with -excitement. "They won't come now, I'm sure they won't. We'll lose the -tide if we don't look sharp." - -He turned aside to give an order just as a buxom young woman, -accompanied by a loutish boy, a band-box, and several other bundles, -came hurrying on to the jetty. - -"Well, here we are, Cap'n Evans," said the girl, springing lightly on to -the deck. "I thought we should never get here; the cabman didn't seem to -know the way; but I knew you wouldn't go without us," - -"Here you are," said the skipper, with attempted cheerfulness, as he -gave the girl his right hand, while his left strayed vaguely in the -direction of the boy's ear, which was coldly withheld from him. "Go down -below, and the mate'll show you your cabin. Bill, this is Miss Cooper, a -lady friend o' mine, and her brother." - -The mate, acknowledging the introduction, led the way to the cabin, -where they remained so long that by the time they came on deck again the -schooner was off Limehouse, slipping along well under a light wind. - -"How do you like the state-room?" inquired the skipper, who was at the -wheel. - -"Pretty fair," replied Miss Cooper. "It's a big name for it though, -ain't it? Oh, what a large ship!" - -She ran to the side to gaze at a big liner, and as far as Gravesend -besieged the skipper and mate with questions concerning the various -craft. At the mate's suggestion they had tea on deck, at which meal -William Henry Cooper became a source of much discomfort to his host by -his remarkable discoveries anent the fauna of lettuce. Despite his -efforts, however, and the cloud under which Evans seemed to be -labouring, the meal was voted a big success; and after it was over they -sat laughing and chatting until the air got chilly, and the banks of the -river were lost in the gathering darkness. At ten o'clock they retired -for the night, leaving Evans and the mate on deck. - -"Nice gal, that," said the mate, looking at the skipper, who was leaning -moodily on the wheel. - -"Ay, ay," replied he. "Bill," he continued, turning suddenly towards -the mate. "I'm in a deuce of a mess. You've got a good square head on -your shoulders. Now, what on earth am I to do? Of course you can see how -the land lays?" - -"Of course," said the mate, who was not going to lose his reputation by -any display of ignorance. "Anyone could see it," he added. - -"The question is what's to be done?" said the skipper. - -"That's the question," said the mate guardedly. - -"I feel that worried," said Evans, "that I've actually thought of -getting into collision, or running the ship ashore. Fancy them two women -meeting at Llandalock." - -Such a sudden light broke in upon the square head of the mate, that he -nearly whistled with the brightness of it. - -"But you ain't engaged to this one?" he cried. - -"We're to be married in August," said the skipper desperately. "That's -my ring on her finger." - -"But you're going to marry Mary Jones in September," expostulated the -mate. "You can't marry both of 'em." - -"That's what I say," replied Evans; "that's what I keep telling myself, -but it don't seem to bring much comfort. I'm too soft-'earted where -wimmen is concerned, Bill, an' that's the truth of it. D'reckly I get -alongside of a nice gal my arm goes creeping round her before I know -what it's doing." - -"What on earth made you bring the girl on the ship?" inquired the mate. -"The other one's sure to be on the quay to meet you as usual." - -"I couldn't help it," groaned the skipper; "she would come; she can be -very determined when she likes. She's awful gone on me, Bill." - -"So's the other one apparently," said the mate. - -"I can't think what it is the gals see in me," said the other -mournfully. "Can you?" - -"No, I'm blamed if I can," replied the mate frankly. - -"I don't take no credit for it, Bill," said the skipper, "not a bit. My -father was like it before me. The worry's killing me." - -"Well, which are you going to have?" inquired the mate. "Which do you -like the best?" - -"I don't know, an' that's a fact," said the skipper. "They 've both got -money coming to 'em; when I'm in Wales I like Mary Jones best, and when -I'm in London it's Janey Cooper. It's dreadful to be like that, Bill." - -"It is," said the mate drily. "I wouldn't be in your shoes when those -two gals meet for a fortune. Then you'll have old Jones and her brothers -to tackle, too. Seems to me things'll be a bit lively." - -"I hev thought of being took sick, and staying in my bunk, Bill," -suggested Evans anxiously. - -"An' having the two of 'em to nurse you," retorted Bill. "Nice quiet -time for an invalid." - -Evans made a gesture of despair. - -"How would it be," said the mate, after a long pause, and speaking very -slowly; "how would it be if I took this one off your hands." - -"You couldn't do it, Bill," said the skipper decidedly. "Not while she -knew I was above ground." "Well, I can try," returned the mate shortly. -"I've took rather a fancy to the girl. Is it a bargain?" - -"It is," said the skipper, shaking hands upon it. "If you git me out of -this hole, Bill, I'll remember it the longest day I live." - -With these words he went below, and, after cautiously undoing W. H. -Cooper, who had slept himself into a knot that a professional -contortionist would have envied, tumbled in beside him and went to -sleep. - -His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at -breakfast in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong -effort; and after the meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on -deck, he laid hold of the mate, who was following, and drew him into the -cabin. - -"You haven't washed yourself this morning," he said, eyeing him closely. -"How do you s'pose you are going to make an impression if you don't look -smart?" - -"Well, I look tidier than you do," growled the mate. - -"Of course you do," said the wily Evans. "I'm going to give you all the -chances I can. Now you go and shave yourself, and here--take it." - -He passed the surprised mate a brilliant red silk tie, embellished with -green spots. - -"No, no," said the mate deprecatingly. - -"Take it," repeated Evans; "if anything'll fetch her it'll be that tie; -and here's a couple of collars for you; they're a new shape, quite the -rage down Poplar way just now." - -"It's robbing you," said the mate, "and it's no good either. I ain't got -a decent suit of clothes to my back." - -Evans looked up, and their eyes met; then, with a catch in his breath, -he turned away, and after some hesitation went to his locker, and -bringing out a new suit, bought for the edification of Miss Jones, -handed it silently to the mate. - -"I can't take all these things without giving you something for 'em," -said the mate. "Here, wait a bit." - -He dived into his cabin, and, after a hasty search, brought out some -garments which he placed on the table before his commander. - -"I wouldn't wear 'em, no, not to drown myself in," declared Evans after -a brief glance; "they ain't even decent." - -"So much the better," said the mate; "it'll be more of a contrast with -me." - -After a slight contest the skipper gave way, and the mate, after an -elaborate toilette, went on deck and began to make himself agreeable, -while his chief skulked below trying to muster up courage to put in an -appearance. - -"Where's the captain?" inquired Miss Cooper, after his absence had been -so prolonged as to become noticeable. - -"He's below, dressin', I b'leeve," replied the mate simply. - -Miss Cooper, glancing at his attire, smiled softly to herself, and -prepared for something startling, and she got it; for a more forlorn, -sulky-looking object than the skipper, when he did appear, had never -been seen on the deck of the Falcon, and his London betrothed glanced at -him hot with shame and indignation. - -"Whatever have you got those things on for?" she whispered. - -"Work, my dear--work," replied the skipper. - -"Well, mind you don't lose any of the pieces," said the dear suavely; -"you mightn't be able to match that cloth." - -"I'll look after that," said the skipper, reddening. "You must excuse me -talkin' to you now. I'm busy." - -Miss Cooper looked at him indignantly, and, biting her lip, turned away, -and started a desperate flirtation with the mate, to punish him. Evans -watched them with mingled feelings as he busied himself with various -small jobs on the deck, his wrath being raised to boiling point by the -behaviour of the cook, who, being a poor hand at disguising his -feelings, came out of the galley several times to look at him. - -From this incident a coolness sprang up between the skipper and the -girl, which increased hourly. At times the skipper weakened, but the -watchful mate was always on hand to prevent mischief. Owing to his -fostering care Evans was generally busy, and always gruff; and Miss -Cooper, who was used to the most assiduous attentions from him, knew not -whether to be most bewildered or most indignant. Four times in one day -did he remark in her hearing that a sailor's ship was his sweetheart, -while his treatment of his small prospective brother in-law, when he -expostulated with him on the state of his wardrobe, filled that hitherto -pampered youth with amazement. At last, on the fourth night out, as the -little schooner was passing the coast of Cornwall, the mate came up to -him as he was steering, and patted him heavily on the back. - -"It's all right, cap'n," said he. "You've lost the prettiest little girl -in England." - -"What?" said the skipper, in incredulous tones. - -"Fact," replied the other. "Here's your ring back. I wouldn't let her -wear it any longer." - -"However did you do it?" inquired Evans, taking the ring in a dazed -fashion. - -"Oh, easy as possible," said the mate. "She liked me best, that's all." - -"But what did you say to her?" persisted Evans. - -The other reflected. - -"I can't call to mind exactly," he said at length. "But, you may rely -upon it, I said everything I could against you. But she never did care -much for you. She told me so herself." - -"I wish you joy of your bargain," said Evans solemnly, after a long -pause. - -"What do you mean?" demanded the mate sharply. - -"A girl like that," said the skipper, with a lump in his throat, "who -can carry on with two men at once ain't worth having. She's not my -money, that's all." - -The mate looked at him in honest bewilderment. - -"Mark my words," continued the skipper loftily, "you'll live to regret -it. A girl like that's got no ballast. She'll always be running after -fresh neckties." - -"You put it down to the necktie, do you?" sneered the mate wrathfully. - -"That and the clothes, cert'nly," replied the skipper. - -"Well, you're wrong," said the mate. "A lot you know about girls. It -wasn't your old clothes, and it wasn't all your bad behaviour to her -since she's been aboard. You may as well know first as last. She -wouldn't have nothing to do with me at first, so I told her all about -Mary Jones." - -"You told her THAT?" cried the skipper fiercely. - -"I did," replied the other. "She was pretty wild at first; but then the -comic side of it struck her--you wearing them old clothes, and going -about as you did. She used to watch you until she couldn't stand it any -longer, and then go down in the cabin and laugh. Wonderful spirits that -girl's got. Hush! Here she is!" - -As he spoke the girl came on deck, and, seeing the two men talking -together, remained at a short distance from them. - -"It's all right, Jane," said the mate; "I've told him." - -"Oh!" said Miss Cooper, with a little gasp. - -"I can't bear deceit," said the mate; "and now it's off his mind, he's -so happy he can't bear himself." - -The latter part of this assertion seemed to be more warranted by facts -than the former, but Evans made a choking noise, which he intended as a -sign of unbearable joy, and, relinquishing the wheel to the mate, walked -forward. The clear sky was thick with stars, and a mind at ease might -have found enjoyment in the quiet beauty of the night, but the skipper -was too interested in the behaviour of the young couple at the wheel to -give it a thought. Immersed in each other, they forgot him entirely, and -exchanged little playful slaps and pushes, which incensed him beyond -description. Several times he was on the point of exercising his -position as commander and ordering the mate below, but in the -circumstances interference was impossible, and, with a low-voiced good- -night, he went below. Here his gaze fell on William Henry, who was -slumbering peacefully, and, with a hazy idea of the eternal fitness of -things, he raised the youth in his arms, and, despite his sleepy -protests, deposited him in the mate's bunk. Then, with head and heart -both aching, he retired for the night. - -There was a little embarrassment next day, but it soon passed off, and -the three adult inmates of the cabin got on quite easy terms with each -other. The most worried person aft was the boy, who had not been taken -into their confidence, and whose face, when his sister sat with the -mate's arm around her waist, presented to the skipper a perfect study in -emotions. - -"I feel quite curious to see this Miss Jones," said Miss Cooper amiably, -as they sat at dinner. - -"She'll be on the quay, waving her handkerchief to him," said the mate. -"We'll be in to-morrow afternoon, and then you'll see her." - -As it happened, the mate was a few hours out in his reckoning, for by -the time the Falcon's bows were laid for the small harbour it was quite -dark, and the little schooner glided in, guided by the two lights which -marked the entrance. The quay, seen in the light of a few scattered -lamps, looked dreary enough, and, except for two or three indistinct -figures, appeared to be deserted. Beyond, the broken lights of the town -stood out more clearly as the schooner crept slowly over the dark water -towards her berth. - -"Fine night, cap'n," said the watchman, as the schooner came gently -alongside the quay. - -The skipper grunted assent. He was peering anxiously at the quay. - -"It's too late," said the mate. "You couldn't expect her this time -o'night. It's ten o'clock." - -"I'll go over in the morning," said Evans, who, now that things had been -adjusted, was secretly disappointed that Miss Cooper had not witnessed -the meeting. "If you're not going ashore, we might have a hand o' cards -as soon's we're made fast." - -The mate assenting, they went below, and were soon deep in the mysteries -of three-hand cribbage. Evans, who was a good player, surpassed himself, -and had just won the first game, the others being nowhere, when a head -was thrust down the companion-way, and a voice like a strained foghorn -called the captain by name. - -"Ay, ay!" yelled Evans, laying down his hand. - -"I'll come down, cap'n," said the voice, and the mate just had time to -whisper "Old Jones" to Miss Cooper, when a man of mighty bulk filled up -the doorway of the little cabin, and extended a huge paw to Evans and -the mate. He then looked at the lady, and, breathing hard, waited. - -"Young lady o' the mate's," said Evans breathlessly,--"Miss Cooper. Sit -down, cap'n. Get the gin out, Bill." - -"Not for me," said Captain Jones firmly, but with an obvious effort. - -The surprise of Evans and the mate admitted of no concealment; but it -passed unnoticed by their visitor, who, fidgeting in his seat, appeared -to be labouring with some mysterious problem. After a long pause, during -which all watched him anxiously, he reached over the table and shook -hands with Evans again. - -"Put it there, cap'n," said Evans, much affected by this token of -esteem. - -The old man rose and stood looking at him, with his hand on his -shoulder; he then shook hands for the third time, and patted him -encouragingly on the back. - -"Is anything the matter?" demanded the skipper of the Falcon as he rose -to his feet, alarmed by these manifestations of feeling." Is Mary--is -she ill?" - -"Worse than that," said the other--"worse'n that, my poor boy; she's -married a lobster!" - -The effect of this communication upon Evans was tremendous; but it may -be doubted whether he was more surprised than Miss Cooper, who, utterly -unversed in military terms, strove in vain to realize the possibility of -such a mesalliance, as she gazed wildly at the speaker and squeaked with -astonishment. - -"When was it?" asked Evans at last, in a dull voice. - -"Thursday fortnight, at ha' past eleven," said the old man. "He's a -sergeant in the line. I would have written to you, but I thought it was -best to come and break it to you gently. Cheer up, my boy; there's more -than one Mary Jones in the world." - -With this undeniable fact, Captain Jones waved a farewell to the party -and went off, leaving them to digest his news. For some time they sat -still, the mate and Miss Cooper exchanging whispers, until at length, -the stillness becoming oppressive, they withdrew to their respective -berths, leaving the skipper sitting at the table, gazing hard at a knot -in the opposite locker. - -For long after their departure he sat thus, amid a deep silence, broken -only by an occasional giggle from the stateroom, or an idiotic -sniggering from the direction of the mate's bunk, until, recalled to -mundane affairs by the lamp burning itself out, he went, in befitting -gloom, to bed. - - - - -THE RIVAL BEAUTIES - - -"If you hadn't asked me," said the night watchman, "I should never have -told you; but, seeing as you've put the question point blank, I will -tell you my experience of it. You're the first person I've ever opened -my lips to upon the subject, for it was so eggstraordinary that all our -chaps swore as they'd keep it to theirselves for fear of being -disbelieved and jeered at. - -"It happened in '84, on board the steamer George Washington, bound from -Liverpool to New York. The first eight days passed without anything -unusual happening, but on the ninth I was standing aft with the first -mate, hauling in the log, when we hears a yell from aloft, an' a chap -what we called Stuttering Sam come down as if he was possessed, and -rushed up to the mate with his eyes nearly starting out of his 'ed. - -"'There's the s-s-s-s-s-s-sis-sis-sip!' ses he. - -"'The what?' ses the mate. - -"'The s-s-sea-sea-sssssip!' - -"'Look here, my lad,' ses the mate, taking out a pocket-hankerchief an' -wiping his face, 'you just tarn your 'ed away till you get your breath. -It's like opening a bottle o' soda water to stand talking to you. Now, -what is it?' - -"'It's the ssssssis-sea-sea-sea-sarpint!' ses Sam, with a bust. - -"'Rather a long un by your account of it,' ses the mate, with a grin. - -"'What's the matter?' ses the skipper, who just came up. - -"'This man has seen the sea-sarpint, sir, that's all,' ses the mate. - -"'Y-y-yes,' said Sam, with a sort o' sob. - -"'Well, there ain't much doing just now,' ses the skipper, 'so you'd -better get a slice o' bread and feed it.' - -"The mate bust out larfing, an' I could see by the way the skipper -smiled he was rather tickled at it himself. - -"The skipper an' the mate was still larfing very hearty when we heard a -dreadful 'owl from the bridge, an' one o' the chaps suddenly leaves the -wheel, jumps on to the deck, and bolts below as though he was mad. -T'other one follows 'm a'most d'reckly, and the second mate caught hold -o' the wheel as he left it, and called out something we couldn't catch -to the skipper. - -"'What the d----'s the matter?' yells the skipper. - -"The mate pointed to starboard, but as 'is 'and was shaking so that one -minute it was pointing to the sky an' the next to the bottom o' the sea, -it wasn't much of a guide to us. Even when he got it steady we couldn't -see anything, till all of a sudden, about two miles off, something like -a telegraph pole stuck up out of the water for a few seconds, and then -ducked down again and made straight for the ship. - -"Sam was the fust to speak, and, without wasting time stuttering or -stammering, he said he'd go down and see about that bit o' bread, an' he -went afore the skipper or the mate could stop 'im. - -"In less than 'arf a minute there was only the three officers an' me on -deck. The second mate was holding the wheel, the skipper was holding his -breath, and the first mate was holding me. It was one o' the most -exciting times I ever had. - -"'Better fire the gun at it,' ses the skipper, in a trembling voice, -looking at the little brass cannon we had for signalling. - -"'Better not give him any cause for offence,' ses the mate, shaking his -head. - -"'I wonder whether it eats men,' ses the skipper. 'Perhaps it'll come -for some of us.' - -"'There ain't many on deck for it to choose from,' ses the mate, looking -at 'im significant like. - -"'That's true,' ses the skipper, very thoughtful; 'I'll go an' send all -hands on deck. As captain, it's my duty not to leave the ship till the -LAST, if I can anyways help it.' - -"How he got them on deck has always been a wonder to me, but he did it. -He was a brutal sort o' a man at the best o' times, an' he carried on so -much that I s'pose they thought even the sarpint couldn't be worse. -Anyway, up they came, an' we all stood in a crowd watching the sarpint -as it came closer and closer. - -"We reckoned it to be about a hundred yards long, an' it was about the -most awful-looking creetur you could ever imagine. If you took all the -ugliest things in the earth and mixed 'em up--gorillas an' the like-- -you'd only make a hangel compared to what that was. It just hung off our -quarter, keeping up with us, and every now and then it would open its -mouth and let us see about four yards down its throat. - -"'It seems peaceable,' whispers the fust mate, arter awhile. - -"'P'raps it ain't hungry,' ses the skipper. 'We'd better not let it get -peckish. Try it with a loaf o' bread.' - -"The cook went below and fetched up half-a-dozen, an' one o' the chaps, -plucking up courage, slung it over the side, an' afore you could say -'Jack Robinson' the sarpint had woffled it up an' was looking for more. -It stuck its head up and came close to the side just like the swans in -Victoria Park, an' it kept that game up until it had 'ad ten loaves an' -a hunk o' pork. - -"'I'm afraid we're encouraging it,' ses the skipper, looking at it as it -swam alongside with an eye as big as a saucer cocked on the ship. - -"'P'raps it'll go away soon if we don't take no more notice of it,' ses -the mate. 'Just pretend it isn't here.' - -"Well, we did pretend as well as we could; but everybody hugged the port -side o' the ship, and was ready to bolt down below at the shortest -notice; and at last, when the beast got craning its neck up over the -side as though it was looking for something, we gave it some more grub. -We thought if we didn't give it he might take it, and take it off the -wrong shelf, so to speak. But, as the mate said, it was encouraging it, -and long arter it was dark we could hear it snorting and splashing -behind us, until at last it 'ad such an effect on us the mate sent one -o' the chaps down to rouse the skipper. - -"'I don't think it'll do no 'arm,' ses the skipper, peering over the -side, and speaking as though he knew all about sea-sarpints and their -ways. - -"'S'pose it puts its 'ead over the side and takes one o' the men,' ses -the mate. - -"'Let me know at once,' ses the skipper firmly; an' he went below agin -and left us. - -"Well, I was jolly glad when eight bells struck, an' I went below; an' -if ever I hoped anything I hoped that when I go up that ugly brute would -have gone, but, instead o' that, when I went on deck it was playing -alongside like a kitten a'most, an' one o' the chaps told me as the -skipper had been feeding it agin. - -"'It's a wonderful animal,' ses the skipper, 'an' there's none of you -now but has seen the sea-sarpint; but I forbid any man here to say a -word about it when we get ashore.' - -"'Why not, sir?' ses the second mate. - -"'Becos you wouldn't be believed,' said the skipper sternly. 'You might -all go ashore and kiss the Book an' make affidavits an' not a soul 'ud -believe you. The comic papers 'ud make fun of it, and the respectable -papers 'ud say it was seaweed or gulls.' - -"Why not take it to New York with us?' ses the fust mate suddenly. - -"'What?' ses the skipper. - -"'Feed it every day,' ses the mate, getting excited, 'and bait a couple -of shark hooks and keep 'em ready, together with some wire rope. Git 'im -to foller us as far as he will, and then hook him. We might git him in -alive and show him at a sovereign a head. Anyway, we can take in his -carcase if we manage it properly.' - -"'By Jove! if we only could,' ses the skipper, getting excited too. - -"'We can try,' ses the mate. 'Why, we could have noosed it this mornin' -if we had liked; and if it breaks the lines we must blow its head to -pieces with the gun.' - -"It seemed a most eggstraordinary thing to try and catch it that way; -but the beast was so tame, and stuck so close to us, that it wasn't -quite so ridikilous as it seemed at fust. - -"Arter a couple o' days nobody minded the animal a bit, for it was about -the most nervous thing of its size you ever saw. It hadn't got the soul -of a mouse; and one day when the second mate, just for a lark, took the -line of the foghorn in his hand and tooted it a bit, it flung up its -'ead in a scared sort o' way, and, after backing a bit, turned clean -round and bolted. - -"I thought the skipper 'ud have gone mad. He chucked over loaves o' -bread, bits o' beef and pork, an' scores o' biskits, and by-and-bye, -when the brute plucked up heart an' came arter us again, he fairly -beamed with joy. Then he gave orders that nobody was to touch the horn -for any reason whatever, not even if there was a fog, or chance of -collision, or anything of the kind; an' he also gave orders that the -bells wasn't to be struck, but that the bosen was just to shove 'is 'ead -in the fo'c's'le and call 'em out instead. - -"Arter three days had passed, and the thing was still follering us, -everybody made certain of taking it to New York, an' I b'leeve if it -hadn't been for Joe Cooper the question about the sea-sarpint would ha' -been settled long ago. He was a most eggstraordinary ugly chap was Joe. -He had a perfic cartoon of a face, an' he was so delikit-minded and -sensitive about it that if a chap only stopped in the street and -whistled as he passed him, or pointed him out to a friend, he didn't -like it. He told me once when I was symperthizing with him, that the -only time a woman ever spoke civilly to him was one night down Poplar -way in a fog, an' he was so 'appy about it that they both walked into -the canal afore he knew where they was. - -"On the fourth morning, when we was only about three days from Sandy -Hook, the skipper got out o' bed wrong side, an' when he went on deck he -was ready to snap at anybody, an' as luck would have it, as he walked a -bit forrard, he sees Joe a-sticking his phiz over the side looking at -the sarpint. - -"'What the d-- are you doing?' shouts the skipper, 'What do you mean by -it?' - -"'Mean by what, sir?' asks Joe. - -"'Putting your black ugly face over the side o' the ship an' frightening -my sea-sarpint!' bellows the skipper, 'You know how easy it's skeered.' - -"'Frightening the sea-sarpint?' ses Joe, trembling all over, an' turning -very white. - -"'If I see that face o' yours over the side agin, my lad,' ses the -skipper very fierce, 'I'll give it a black eye. Now cut!' - -"Joe cut, an' the skipper, having worked off some of his ill-temper, -went aft again and began to chat with the mate quite pleasant like. I -was down below at the time, an' didn't know anything about it for hours -arter, and then I heard it from one o' the firemen. He comes up to me -very mysterious like, an' ses, 'Bill,' he ses, 'you're a pal o' Joe's; -come down here an' see what you can make of 'im.' - -"Not knowing what he meant, I follered 'im below to the engine-room, an' -there was Joe sitting on a bucket staring wildly in front of 'im, and -two or three of 'em standing round looking at 'im with their 'eads on -one side. - -"'He's been like that for three hours,' ses the second engineer in a -whisper, 'dazed like.' - -"As he spoke Joe gave a little shudder; 'Frighten the sea-sarpint!' ses -he, 'O Lord!' - -"'It's turned his brain,' ses one o' the firemen, 'he keeps saying -nothing but that.' - -"'If we could only make 'im cry,' ses the second engineer, who had a -brother what was a medical student, 'it might save his reason. But how -to do it, that's the question.' - -"'Speak kind to 'im, sir,' ses the fireman. 'I'll have a try if you -don't mind.' He cleared his throat first, an' then he walks over to Joe -and puts his hand on his shoulder an' ses very soft an' pitiful like: - -"'Don't take on, Joe, don't take on, there's many a ugly mug 'ides a -good 'art,' - -"Afore he could think o" anything else to say, Joe ups with his fist an' -gives 'im one in the ribs as nearly broke 'em. Then he turns away 'is -'ead an' shivers again, an' the old dazed look come back. - -"'Joe,' I ses, shaking him, 'Joe!' - -"'Frightened the sea-sarpint!' whispers Joe, staring. - -"'Joe,' I ses, 'Joe. You know me, I'm your pal, Bill.' - -"'Ay, ay,' ses Joe, coming round a bit. - -"'Come away,' I ses, 'come an' git to bed, that's the best place for -you.' - -"I took 'im by the sleeve, and he gets up quiet an' obedient and follers -me like a little child. I got 'im straight into 'is bunk, an' arter a -time he fell into a soft slumber, an' I thought the worst had passed, -but I was mistaken. He got up in three hours' time an' seemed all right, -'cept that he walked about as though he was thinking very hard about -something, an' before I could make out what it was he had a fit. - -"He was in that fit ten minutes, an' he was no sooner out o' that one -than he was in another. In twenty-four hours he had six full-sized fits, -and I'll allow I was fairly puzzled. What pleasure he could find in -tumbling down hard and stiff an' kicking at everybody an' everything I -couldn't see. He'd be standing quiet and peaceable like one minute, and -the next he'd catch hold o' the nearest thing to him and have a bad fit, -and lie on his back and kick us while we was trying to force open his -hands to pat 'em. - -"The other chaps said the skipper's insult had turned his brain, but I -wasn't quite so soft, an' one time when he was alone I put it to him. - -"'Joe, old man,' I ses, 'you an' me's been very good pals.' - -"'Ay, ay,' ses he, suspicious like. - -"'Joe,' I whispers, 'what's yer little game?' - -"'Wodyermean?' ses he, very short. - -"'I mean the fits,' ses I, looking at 'im very steady, 'It's no good -looking hinnercent like that, 'cos I see yer chewing soap with my own -eyes.' - -"'Soap,' ses Joe, in a nasty sneering way, 'you wouldn't reckernise a -piece if you saw it.' - -"Arter that I could see there was nothing to be got out of 'im, an' I -just kept my eyes open and watched. The skipper didn't worry about his -fits, 'cept that he said he wasn't to let the sarpint see his face when -he was in 'em for fear of scaring it; an' when the mate wanted to leave -him out o' the watch, he ses, 'No, he might as well have fits while at -work as well as anywhere else.' - -"We were about twenty-four hours from port, an' the sarpint was still -following us; and at six o'clock in the evening the officers puffected -all their arrangements for ketching the creetur at eight o'clock next -morning. To make quite sure of it an extra watch was kept on deck all -night to chuck it food every half-hour; an' when I turned in at ten -o'clock that night it was so close I could have reached it with a -clothes-prop. - -"I think I'd been abed about 'arf-an-hour when I was awoke by the most -infernal row I ever heard. The foghorn was going incessantly, an' there -was a lot o' shouting and running about on deck. It struck us all as 'ow -the sarpint was gitting tired o' bread, and was misbehaving himself, -consequently we just shoved our 'eds out o' the fore-scuttle and -listened. All the hullaballoo seemed to be on the bridge, an' as we -didn't see the sarpint there we plucked up courage and went on deck. - -"Then we saw what had happened. Joe had 'ad another fit while at the -wheel, and, NOT KNOWING WHAT HE WAS DOING, had clutched the line of the -foghorn, and was holding on to it like grim death, and kicking right and -left. The skipper was in his bedclothes, raving worse than Joe; and just -as we got there Joe came round a bit, and, letting go o' the line, asked -in a faint voice what the foghorn was blowing for. I thought the skipper -'ud have killed him; but the second mate held him back, an', of course, -when things quieted down a bit, an' we went to the side, we found the -sea-sarpint had vanished. - -"We stayed there all that night, but it warn't no use. When day broke -there wasn't the slightest trace of it, an' I think the men was as sorry -to lose it as the officers. All 'cept Joe, that is, which shows how -people should never be rude, even to the humblest; for I'm sartin that -if the skipper hadn't hurt his feelings the way he did we should now -know as much about the sea-sarpint as we do about our own brothers." - - - - -MRS. BUNKER'S CHAPERON - - -Matilda stood at the open door of a house attached to a wharf situated -in that dreary district which bears the high-sounding name of "St. -Katharine's." - -Work was over for the day. A couple of unhorsed vans were pushed up the -gangway by the side of the house, and the big gate was closed. The -untidy office which occupied the ground-floor was deserted, except for a -grey-bearded "housemaid" of sixty, who was sweeping it through with a -broom, and indulging in a few sailorly oaths at the choking qualities of -the dust he was raising. - -The sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate, a small flap-door -let in it flew open, and Matilda Bunker's open countenance took a -pinkish hue, as a small man in jersey and blue coat, with a hard round -hat exceeding high in the crown, stepped inside. - -"Good evening, Mrs. Bunker, ma'am," said he, coming slowly up to her. - -"Good evening, captain," said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of -her age and presence. - -"Fresh breeze," said the man in the high round hat. "If this lasts we'll -be in Ipswich in no time." - -Mrs. Bunker assented. - -"Beautiful the river is at present," continued the captain. "Everything -growing splendid." - -"In the river?" asked the mystified Mrs. Bunker. - -"On the banks," said the captain; "the trees, by Sheppey, and all round -there. Now, why don't you say the word, and come? There's a cabin like a -new pin ready for you to sit in--for cleanness, I mean--and every -accommodation you could require. Sleep like a humming-top you will, if -you come." - -"Humming-top?" queried Mrs. Bunker archly. - -"Any top," said the captain. "Come, make up your mind. We shan't sail -afore nine." - -"It don't look right," said the lady, who was sorely tempted. "But the -missus says I may go if I like, so I'll just go and get my box ready. -I'll be down on the jetty at nine." - -"Ay, ay," said the skipper, smiling, "me and Bill'll just have a snooze -till then. So long." - -"So long," said Matilda. - -"So long," repeated the amorous skipper, and turning round to bestow -another ardent glance upon the fair one at the door, crashed into the -waggon. - -The neighbouring clocks were just striking nine in a sort of yelping -chorus to the heavy boom of Big Ben, which came floating down the river, -as Mrs. Bunker and the night watchman, staggering under a load of -luggage, slowly made their way on to the jetty. The barge, for such was -the craft in question, was almost level with the planks, while the -figures of two men darted to and fro in all the bustle of getting under -way. - -"Bill," said the watchman, addressing the mate, "bear a hand with this -box, and be careful, it's got the wedding clothes inside." - -The watchman was so particularly pleased with this little joke that in -place of giving the box to Bill he put it down and sat on it, shaking -convulsively with his hand over his mouth, while the blushing Matilda -and the discomfited captain strove in vain to appear unconcerned. - -The packages were rather a tight squeeze for the cabin, but they managed -to get them in, and the skipper, with a threatening look at his mate, -who was exchanging glances of exquisite humour with the watchman, gave -his hand to Mrs. Bunker and helped her aboard. - -"Welcome on the Sir Edmund Lyons, Mrs. Bunker," said he. "Bill, kick -that dawg back." - -"Stop!" said Mrs. Bunker hastily, "that's my chapperong." - -"Your what?" said the skipper. "It's a dawg, Mrs. Bunker, an' I won't -have no dawgs aboard my craft." - -"Bill," said Mrs. Bunker, "fetch my box up again." - -"Leastways," the captain hastened to add, "unless it's any friend of -yours, Mrs. Bunker." - -"It's chaperoning me," said Matilda; "it wouldn't be proper for a lady -to go a v'y'ge with two men without somebody to look after her." - -"That's right, Sam," said the watchman sententiously. "You ought to know -that at your age." - -"Why, we're looking after her," said the simple-minded captain. "Me an' -Bill." - -"Take care Bill don't cut you out," said the watchman in a hoarse -whisper, distinctly audible to all. "He's younger nor what you are, Sam, -an' the wimmen are just crazy arter young men. 'Sides which, he's a -finer man altogether. An' you've had ONE wife a'ready, Sam." - -"Cast off!" said the skipper impatiently. "Cast off! Stand by there, -Bill!" - -"Ay, ay!" said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and the lines fell into the -water with a splash as the barge was pushed out into the tide. - -Mrs. Bunker experienced the usual trouble of landsmen aboard ship, and -felt herself terribly in the way as the skipper divided his attentions -between the tiller and helping Bill with the sail. Meantime the barge -had bothered most of the traffic by laying across the river, and when -the sail was hoisted had got under the lee of a huge warehouse and -scarcely moved. - -"We'll feel the breeze directly," said Captain Codd. "Then you'll see -what she can do." - -As he spoke, the barge began to slip through the water as a light breeze -took her huge sail and carried her into the stream, where she fell into -line with other craft who were just making a start. - -At a pleasant pace, with wind and tide, the Sir Edmund Lyons proceeded -on its way, her skipper cocking his eye aloft and along her decks to -point out various beauties to his passenger which she might otherwise -have overlooked. A comfortable supper was spread on the deck, and Mrs. -Bunker began to think regretfully of the pleasure she had missed in -taking up barge-sailing so late in life. - -Greenwich, with its white-fronted hospital and background of trees, was -passed. The air got sensibly cooler, and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed that -the water was not only getting darker, but also lumpy, and she asked two -or three times whether there was any danger. - -The skipper laughed gaily, and diving down into the cabin fetched up a -shawl, which he placed carefully round his fair companion's shoulders. -His right hand grasped the tiller, his left stole softly and carefully -round her waist. - -"How enjoyable!" said Mrs. Bunker, referring to the evening. - -"Glad you like it," said the skipper, who wasn't. "Oh, how pleasant to -go sailing down the river of life like this, everything quiet and -peaceful, just driftin'"-- - -"Ahoy!" yelled the mate suddenly from the bows. "Who's steering? Starbud -your hellum." - -The skipper started guiltily, and put his helm to starboard as another -barge came up suddenly from the opposite direction and almost grazed -them. There were two men on board, and the skipper blushed for their -fluency as reflecting upon the order in general. - -It was some little time before they could settle down again after this, -but ultimately they got back in their old position, and the infatuated -Codd was just about to wax sentimental again, when he felt something -behind him. He turned with a start as a portly retriever inserted his -head under his left arm, and slowly but vigorously forced himself -between them; then he sat on his haunches and panted, while the -disconcerted Codd strove to realise the humour of the position. - -"I think I shall go to bed now," said Mrs. Bunker, after the position -had lasted long enough to be unendurable. "If anything happens, a -collision or anything, don't be afraid to let me know." - -The skipper promised, and, shaking hands, bade his passenger good-night. -She descended, somewhat clumsily, it is true, into the little cabin, and -the skipper, sitting by the helm, which he lazily manoeuvred as -required, smoked his short clay and fell into a lover's reverie. - -So he sat and smoked until the barge, which had, by the help of the -breeze, been making its way against the tide, began to realise that that -good friend had almost dropped, and at the same time bethought itself of -a small anchor which hung over the bows ready for emergencies such as -these. - -"We must bring up, Bill," said the skipper. - -"Ay, ay!" said Bill, sleepily raising himself from the hatchway. "Over -she goes." - -With no more ceremony than this he dropped the anchor; the sail, with -two strong men hauling on to it, creaked and rustled its way close to -the mast, and the Sir Edmund Lyons was ready for sleep. - -"I can do with a nap," said Bill. "I'm dog-tired." - -"So am I," said the other. "It'll be a tight fit down for'ard, but we -couldn't ask a lady to sleep there." - -Bill gave a non-committal grunt, and as the captain, after the manner of -his kind, took a last look round before retiring, placed his hands on -the hatch and lowered himself down. The next moment he came up with a -wild yell, and, sitting on the deck, rolled up his trousers and fondled -his leg. - -"What's the matter?" inquired the skipper. - -"That blessed dog's down there, that's all," said the injured Bill. -"He's evidently mistook it for his kennel, and I don't wonder at it. I -thought he'd been wonderful quiet." - -"We must talk him over," said the skipper, advancing to the hatchway. -"Poor dog! Poor old chap! Come along, then! Come along!" He patted his -leg and whistled, and the dog, which wanted to get to sleep again, -growled like a small thunderstorm. - -"Come on, old fellow!" said the skipper enticingly. "Come along, come -on, then!" - -The dog came at last, and then the skipper, instead of staying to pat -him, raced Bill up the ropes, while the brute, in execrable taste, paced -up and down the deck daring them to come down. Coming to the conclusion, -at last, that they were settled for the night, he returned to the -forecastle and, after a warning bark or two, turned in again. Both men, -after waiting a few minutes, cautiously regained the deck. - -"You call him up again," said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and holding it -at the charge. - -"Certainly not," said the other. "I won't have no blood spilt aboard my -ship." - -"Who's going to spill blood?" asked the Jesuitical Bill; "but if he -likes to run hisself on to the boat-hook "-- - -"Put it down," said the skipper sternly, and Bill sullenly obeyed. - -"We'll have to snooze on deck," said Codd. - -"And mind we don't snore," said the sarcastic Bill, "'cos the dog -mightn't like it." - -Without noticing this remark the captain stretched himself on the -hatches, and Bill, after a few more grumbles, followed his example, and -both men were soon asleep. - -Day was breaking when they awoke and stretched their stiffened limbs, -for the air was fresh, with a suspicion of moisture in it. Two or three -small craft were, like them selves, riding at anchor, their decks wet -and deserted; others were getting under way to take advantage of the -tide, which had just turned. - -"Up with the anchor," said the skipper, seizing a handspike and -thrusting it into the windlass. - -As the rusty chain came in, an ominous growling came from below, and -Bill snatched his handspike out and raised it aloft. The skipper gazed -meditatively at the shore, and the dog, as it came bounding up, gazed -meditatively at the handspike. Then it yawned, an easy, unconcerned -yawn, and commenced to pace the deck, and coming to the conclusion that -the men were only engaged in necessary work, regarded their efforts with -a lenient eye, and barked encouragingly as they hoisted the sail. - -It was a beautiful morning. The miniature river waves broke against the -blunt bows of the barge, and passed by her sides rippling musically. -Over the flat Essex marshes a white mist was slowly dispersing before -the rays of the sun, and the trees on the Kentish hills were black and -drenched with moisture. - -A little later smoke issued from the tiny cowl over the fo'c'sle and -rolled in a little pungent cloud to the Kentish shore. Then a delicious -odour of frying steak rose from below, and fell like healing balm upon -the susceptible nostrils of the skipper as he stood at the helm. - -"Is Mrs. Bunker getting up?" inquired the mate, as he emerged from the -fo'c'sle and walked aft. - -"I believe so," said the skipper. "There's movements below." - -"'Cos the steak's ready and waiting," said the mate. "I've put it on a -dish in front of the fire." - -"Ay, ay!" said the skipper. - -The mate lit his pipe and sat down on the hatchway, slowly smoking. He -removed it a couple of minutes later, to stare in bewilderment at the -unwonted behaviour of the dog, which came up to the captain and -affectionately licked his hands. - -"He's took quite a fancy to me," said the delighted man. - -"Love me love my dog," quoted Bill waggishly, as he strolled forward -again. - -The skipper was fondly punching the dog, which was now on its back with -its four legs in the air, when he heard a terrible cry from the -fo'c'sle, and the mate came rushing wildly on deck. - -"Where's that -------- dog?" he cried. - -"Don't you talk like that aboard my ship. Where's your manners?" cried -the skipper hotly. - -"---- the manners!" said the mate, with tears in his eyes. "Where's that -dog's manners? He's eaten all that steak." - -Before the other could reply, the scuttle over the cabin was drawn, and -the radiant face of Mrs. Bunker appeared at the opening. - -"I can smell breakfast," she said archly. - -"No wonder, with that dog so close," said Bill grimly. Mrs. Bunker -looked at the captain for an explanation. - -"He's ate it," said that gentleman briefly. "A pound and a 'arf o' the -best rump steak in Wapping." - -"Never mind," said Mrs. Bunker sweetly, "cook some more. I can wait." - -"Cook some more," said the skipper to the mate, who still lingered. - -"I'll cook some bloaters. That's all we've got now," replied the mate -sulkily. - -"It's a lovely morning," said Mrs. Bunker, as the mate retired, "the air -is so fresh. I expect that's what has made Rover so hungry. He isn't a -greedy dog. Not at all." - -"Very likely," said Codd, as the dog rose, and, after sniffing the air, -gently wagged his tail and trotted forward. "Where' she off to now?" - -"He can smell the bloaters, I expect," said Mrs. Bunker, laughing. "It's -wonderful what intelligence he's got. Come here, Rover!" - -"Bill!" cried the skipper warningly, as the dog continued on his way. -"Look out! He's coming!" - -"Call him off!" yelled the mate anxiously. "Call him off!" - -Mrs. Bunker ran up, and, seizing her chaperon by the collar, hauled him -away. - -"It's the sea air," said she apologetically; "and he's been on short -commons lately, because he's not been well. Keep still, Rover!" - -"Keep still, Rover!" said the skipper, with an air of command. - -Under this joint control the dog sat down, his tongue lolling out, and -his eyes fixed on the fo'c'sle until the breakfast was spread. The -appearance of the mate with a dish of steaming fish excited him again, -and being chidden by his mistress, he sat down sulkily in the skipper's -plate, until pushed off by its indignant owner. - -"Soft roe, Bill?" inquired the skipper courteously, after he had served -his passenger. - -"That's not my plate," said the mate pointedly, as the skipper helped -him. - -"Oh! I wasn't noticing," said the other, reddening. - -"I was, though," said the mate rudely. "I thought you'd do that. I was -waiting for it. I'm not going to eat after animals, if you are." - -The skipper coughed, and, after effecting the desired exchange, -proceeded with his breakfast in sombre silence. - -The barge was slipping at an easy pace through the water, the sun was -bright, and the air cool, and everything pleasant and comfortable, until -the chaperon, who had been repeatedly pushed away, broke through the -charmed circle which surrounded the food and seized a fish. In the -confusion which ensued he fell foul of the tea-kettle, and, dropping his -prey, bit the skipper frantically, until driven off by his mistress. - -"Naughty boy!" said she, giving him a few slight cuffs. "Has he hurt -you? I must get a bandage for you." - -"A little," said Codd, looking at his hand, which was bleeding -profusely. "There's a little linen in the locker down below, if you -wouldn't mind tearing it up for me." - -Mrs. Bunker, giving the dog a final slap, went below, and the two men -looked at each other and then at the dog, which was standing at the -stern, barking insultingly at a passing steamer. - -"It's about time she came over," said the mate, throwing a glance at the -sail, then at the skipper, then at the dog. - -"So it is," said the skipper, through his set teeth. - -As he spoke he pushed the long tiller hastily from port to starboard, -and the dog finished his bark in the water; the huge sail reeled for a -moment, then swung violently over to the other side, and the barge was -on a fresh tack, with the dog twenty yards astern. He was wise in his -generation, and after one look at the barge, made for the distant shore. - -"Murderers!" screamed a voice; "murderers! you've killed my dog." - -"It was an accident; I didn't see him," stammered the skipper. - -"Don't tell me," stormed the lady; "I saw it all through the skylight." - -"We had to shift the helm to get out of the way of a schooner," said -Codd. - -"Where's the schooner?" demanded Mrs. Bunker; "where is it?" - -The captain looked at the mate. "Where's the schooner?" said he. - -"I b'leeve," said the mate, losing his head entirely at this question, -"I b'leeve we must have run her down. I don't see her nowhere about." - -Mrs. Bunker stamped her foot, and, with a terrible glance at the men, -descended to the cabin. From this coign of vantage she obstinately -refused to budge, and sat in angry seclusion until the vessel reached -Ipswich late in the evening. Then she appeared on deck, dressed for -walking, and, utterly ignoring the woebegone Codd, stepped ashore, and, -obtaining a cab for her boxes, drove silently away. - -An hour afterwards the mate went to his home, leaving the captain -sitting on the lonely deck striving to realise the bitter fact that, so -far as the end he had in view was concerned, he had seen the last of -Mrs. Bunker and the small but happy home in which he had hoped to -install her. - - - - -A HARBOUR OF REFUGE - - -A waterman's boat was lying in the river just below Greenwich, the -waterman resting on his oars, while his fare, a small, perturbed-looking -man in seaman's attire, gazed expectantly up the river. - -"There she is!" he cried suddenly, as a small schooner came into view -from behind a big steamer. "Take me alongside." - -"Nice little thing she is too," said the waterman, watching the other -out of the corner of his eye as he bent to his oars. "Rides the water -like a duck. Her cap'n knows a thing or two, I'll bet." - -"He knows watermen's fares," replied the passenger coldly. - -"Look out there!" cried a voice from the schooner, and the mate threw a -line which the passenger skilfully caught. - -The waterman ceased rowing, and, as his boat came alongside the -schooner, held out his hand to his passenger, who had already commenced -to scramble up the side, and demanded his fare. It was handed down to -him. - -"It's all right, then," said the fare, as he stood on the deck and -closed his eyes to the painful language in which the waterman was -addressing him. "Nobody been inquiring for me?" - -"Not a soul," said the mate. "What's all the row about?" - -"Well, you see, it's this way," said the master of the Frolic, dropping -his voice. "I've been taking a little too much notice of a little craft -down Battersea way--nice little thing, an' she thought I was a single -man, dy'e see?" - -The mate sucked his teeth. - -"She introduced me to her brother as a single man," continued the -skipper. "He asked me when the banns was to be put up, an' I didn't like -to tell him I was a married man with a family." - -"Why not?" asked the mate. - -"He's a prize-fighter," said the other, in awe-inspiring tones; "'the -Battersea Bruiser.' Consequently when he clapped me on the back, and -asked me when the banns was to be, I only smiled." - -"What did he do?" inquired the mate, who was becoming interested. - -"Put 'em up," groaned the skipper, "an' we all went to church to hear -'em. Talk o' people walking over your grave, George, it's nothing to -what I felt--nothing. I felt a hypocrite, almost. Somehow he found out -about me, and I've been hiding ever since I sent you that note. He told -a pal he was going to give me a licking, and come down to Fairhaven with -us and make mischief between me and the missis." - -"That 'ud be worse than the licking," said the mate sagely. - -"Ah! and she'd believe him afore she would me, too, an' we've been -married seventeen years," said the skipper mournfully. - -"Perhaps that's"--began the mate, and stopped suddenly. - -"Perhaps what?" inquired the other, after waiting a reasonable time for -him to finish. - -"H'm, I forgot what I was going to say," said the mate. "Funny, it's -gone now. Well, you're all right now. You'd intended this to be the last -trip to London for some time." - -"Yes, that's what made me a bit more loving than I should ha' been," -mused the skipper. "However, all's well that ends well. How did you get -on about the cook? Did you ship one?" - -"Yes, I've got one, but he's only signed as far as Fairhaven," replied -the mate. "Fine strong chap he is. He's too good for a cook. I never saw -a better built man in my life. It'll do your eyes good to look at him. -Here, cook!" - -At the summons a huge, close-cropped head was thrust out of the galley, -and a man of beautiful muscular development stepped out before the eyes -of the paralyzed skipper, and began to remove his coat. - -"Ain't he a fine chap?" said the mate admiringly. "Show him your biceps, -cook." - -With a leer at the captain the cook complied. He then doubled his fists, -and, ducking his head scientifically, danced all round the stupefied -master of the Frolic. - -"Put your dooks up," he cried warningly. "I'm going to dot you!" - -"What the deuce are you up to, cook?" demanded the mate, who had been -watching his proceedings in speechless amazement. - -"Cook!" said the person addressed, with majestic scorn. "I'm no cook; -I'm Bill Simmons, the 'Battersea Bruiser,' an' I shipped on this ere -little tub all for your dear captin's sake. I'm going to put sich a 'ed -on 'im that when he wants to blow his nose he'll have to get a looking- -glass to see where to go to. I'm going to give 'im a licking every day, -and when we get to Fairhaven I'm going to foller 'im 'ome and tell his -wife about 'im walking out with my sister." - -"She walked me out," said the skipper, with dry lips. - -"Put 'em up," vociferated the "Bruiser." - -"Don't you touch me, my lad," said the skipper, dodging behind the -wheel. "Go an' see about your work--go an' peel the taters." - -"Wot!" roared the "Bruiser." - -"You've shipped as cook aboard my craft," said the skipper impressively. -"If you lay a finger on me it's mutiny, and you'll get twelve months." - -"That's right," said the mate, as the pugilist (who had once had -fourteen days for bruising, and still held it in wholesome remembrance) -paused irresolute. "It's mutiny, and it'll also be my painful duty to -get up the shotgun and blow the top of your ugly 'ed off." - -"Would it be mutiny if I was to dot YOU one?" inquired the "Bruiser," in -a voice husky with emotion, as he sidled up to the mate. - -"It would," said the other hastily. - -"Well, you're a nice lot," said the disgusted "Bruiser," "you and your -mutinies. Will any one of you have a go at me?" - -There was no response from the crew, who had gathered round, and were -watching the proceedings with keen enjoyment. - -"Or all of yer?" asked the "Bruiser," raising his eyebrows. - -"I've got no quarrel with you, my lad," the boy remarked with dignity, -as he caught the new cook's eye. - -"Go and cook the dinner,'" said the skipper; "and look sharp about it. I -don't want to have to find fault with a young beginner like you; but I -don't have no shirkers aboard--understand that." - -For one moment of terrible suspense the skipper's life hung in the -balance, then the "Bruiser," restraining his natural instincts by a -mighty effort, retreated, growling, to the galley. - -The skipper's breath came more freely. - -"He don't know your address, I s'pose," said the mate. - -"No, but he'll soon find it out when we get ashore," replied the other -dolefully. "When I think that I've got to take that brute to my home to -make mischief I feel tempted to chuck him overboard almost." - -"It is a temptation," agreed the mate loyally, closing his eyes to his -chief's physical deficiencies. "I'll pass the word to the crew not to -let him know your address, anyhow." - -The morning passed quietly, the skipper striving to look unconcerned as -the new cook grimly brought the dinner down to the cabin and set it -before him. After toying with it a little while, the master of the -Frolic dined off buttered biscuit. - -It was a matter of much discomfort to the crew that the new cook took -his duties very seriously, and prided himself on his cooking. He was, -moreover, disposed to be inconveniently punctilious about the way in -which his efforts were regarded. For the first day the crew ate in -silence, but at dinner-time on the second the storm broke. - -"What are yer looking at your vittles like that for?" inquired the -"Bruiser" of Sam Dowse, as that able-bodied seaman sat with his plate in -his lap, eyeing it with much disfavour. "That ain't the way to look at -your food, after I've been perspiring away all the morning cooking it." - -"Yes, you've cooked yourself instead of the meat," said Sam warmly. -"It's a shame to spoil good food like that; it's quite raw." - -"You eat it!" said the "Bruiser" fiercely; "that's wot you've go to do. -Eat it!" - -For sole answer the indignant Sam threw a piece at him, and the rest of -the crew, snatching up their dinners, hurriedly clambered into their -bunks and viewed the fray from a safe distance. - -"Have you 'ad enough?" inquired the "Bruiser," addressing the head of -Sam, which protruded from beneath his left arm. - -"I 'ave," said Sam surlily. - -"And you won't turn up your nose at good vittles any more?" inquired the -"Bruiser" severely. - -"I won't turn it up at anything," said Sam earnestly, as he tenderly -felt the member in question. - -"You're the only one as 'as complained," said the "Bruiser." "You're -dainty, that's wot you are. Look at the others--look how they're eating -theirs!" - -At this hint the others came out of their bunks and fell to, and the -"Bruiser" became affable. - -"It's wonderful wot I can turn my 'and to," he remarked pleasantly. -"Things come natural to me that other men have to learn. You 'd better -put a bit of raw beef on that eye o' yours, Sam." - -The thoughtless Sam clapped on a piece from his plate, and it was only -by the active intercession of the rest of the crew that the sensitive -cook was prevented from inflicting more punishment. - -From this time forth the "Bruiser" ruled the roost, and, his temper -soured by his trials, ruled it with a rod of iron. The crew, with the -exception of Dowse, were small men getting into years, and quite unable -to cope with him. His attitude with the skipper was dangerously -deferential, and the latter was sorely perplexed to think of a way out -of the mess in which he found himself. - -"He means business, George," he said one day to the mate, as he saw the -"Bruiser" watching him intently from the galley. - -"He looks at you worse an' worse," was the mate's cheering reply. "The -cooking's spoiling what little temper he's got left as fast as -possible." - -"It's the scandal I'm thinking of," groaned the skipper; "all becos' I -like to be a bit pleasant to people." - -"You mustn't look at the black side o' things," said the mate; "perhaps -you won't want to need to worry about that after he's hit you. I'd -sooner be kicked by a horse myself. He was telling them down for'ard the -other night that he killed a chap once." - -The skipper turned green. "He ought to have been hung for it," he said -vehemently. "I wonder what juries think they're for in this country. If -I'd been on the jury I'd ha' had my way, if they'd starved me for a -month!" - -"Look here!" said the mate suddenly; "I've got an idea. You go down -below and I'll call him up and start rating him. When I'm in the thick -of it you come and stick up for him." - -"George," said the skipper, with glistening eyes, "you're a wonder. Lay -it on thick, and if he hits you I'll make it up to you in some way." - -He went below, and the mate, after waiting for some time, leaned over -the wheel and shouted for the cook. - -"What do you want?" growled the "Bruiser," as he thrust a visage all red -and streaky with his work from the galley. - -"Why the devil don't you wash them saucepans up?" demanded the mate, -pointing to a row which stood on the deck. "Do you think we shipped you -becos we wanted a broken-nosed, tenth-rate prize-fighter to look at?" - -"Tenth-rate!" roared the "Bruiser," coming out on to the deck. - -"Don't you roar at your officer," said the mate sternly. "Your manners -is worse than your cooking. You'd better stay with us a few trips to -improve 'em." - -The "Bruiser" turned purple, and shivered with impotent wrath. - -"We get a parcel o' pot-house loafers aboard here," continued the mate, -airily addressing the atmosphere, "and, blank my eyes! if they don't -think they're here to be waited on. You'll want me to wash your face for -you next, and do all your other dirty work, you--" - -"George!" said a sad, reproving voice. - -The mate started dramatically as the skipper appeared at the companion, -and stopped abruptly. - -"For shame, George!" said the skipper. "I never expected to hear you -talk to anybody like that, especially to my friend Mr. Simmons." - -"Your WOT? demanded the friend hotly. - -"My friend," repeated the other gently; "and as to tenth-rate prize- -fighters, George, the 'Battersea Bruiser' might be champion of England, -if he'd only take the trouble to train." - -"Oh, you're always sticking up for him," said the artful mate. - -"He deserves it," said the skipper warmly. "He's always run straight, -'as Bill Simmons, and when I hear 'im being talked at like that, it -makes me go 'ot all over." - -"Don't you take the trouble to go 'ot all over on my account," said the -"Bruiser" politely. - -"I can't help my feelings, Bill," said the skipper softly. - -"And don't you call me Bill," roared the "Bruiser" with sudden ferocity. -"D'ye think I mind what you and your little tinpot crew say. You wait -till we get ashore, my friend, and the mate too. Both of you wait!" - -He turned his back on them and walked off to the galley, from which, -with a view of giving them an object-lesson of an entertaining kind, he -presently emerged with a small sack of potatoes, which he slung from the -boom and used as a punching ball, dealing blows which made the master of -the Frolic sick with apprehension. - -"It's no good," he said to the mate; "kindness is thrown away on that -man." - -"Well, if he hits one, he's got to hit the lot," said the mate. "We'll -all stand by you." - -"I can't always have the crew follering me about," said the skipper -dejectedly. "No, he'll wait his opportunity, and, after he's broke my -head, he'll go 'ome and break up my wife's 'art." - -"She won't break 'er 'art," said the mate confidently. "She and you'll -have a rough time of it; p'raps it would be better for you if she did -break it a bit, but she's not that sort of woman. Well, those of us as -live longest'll see the most." - -For the remainder of that day the cook maintained a sort of unnatural -calm. The Frolic rose and fell on the seas like a cork, and the -"Bruiser" took short unpremeditated little runs about the deck, which -aggravated him exceedingly. Between the runs he folded his arms on the -side, and languidly cursed the sea and all that belonged to it; and -finally, having lost all desire for food himself, went below and turned -in. - -He stayed in his bunk the whole of the next day and night, awaking early -the following morning to the pleasant fact that the motion had ceased, -and that the sides and floor of the fo'c'sle were in the places where -people of regular habits would expect to find them. The other bunks were -empty, and, after a toilet hastened by a yearning for nourishment, he -ran up on deck. - -Day had just broken, and he found to his surprise that the voyage was -over, and the schooner in a small harbour, lying alongside a stone quay. -A few unloaded trucks stood on a railway line which ran from the harbour -to the town clustered behind it, but there was no sign of work or life; -the good people of the place evidently being comfortably in their beds, -and in no hurry to quit them. - -The "Bruiser," with a happy smile on his face, surveyed the scene, -sniffing with joy the smell of the land as it came fresh and sweet from -the hills at the back of the town. There was only one thing wanting to -complete his happiness--the skipper. - -"Where's the cap'n?" he demanded of Dowse, who was methodically coiling -a line. - -"Just gone 'ome," replied Dowse shortly. - -In a great hurry the "Bruiser" sprang on to the side and stepped ashore, -glancing keenly in every direction for his prey. There was no sign of -it, and he ran a little way up the road until he saw the approaching -figure of a man, from whom he hoped to obtain information. Then, -happening to look back, he saw the masts of the schooner gliding by the -quay, and, retracing his steps a little, perceived, to his intense -surprise, the figure of the skipper standing by the wheel. - -"Ta, ta, cookie!" cried the skipper cheerily. - -Angry and puzzled the "Bruiser" ran back to the edge of the quay, and -stood owlishly regarding the schooner and the grinning faces of its crew -as they hoisted the sails and slowly swung around with their bow -pointing to the sea. - -"Well, they ain't making a long stay, old man," said a voice at his -elbow, as the man for whom he had been waiting came up. "Why, they only -came in ten minutes ago. What did they come in for, do you know?" - -"They belong here," said the "Bruiser"; "but me and the skipper's had -words, and I'm waiting for 'im." - -"That craft don't belong here," said the stranger, as he eyed the -receding Frolic. - -"Yes, it does," said the "Bruiser." - -"I tell you it don't," said the other. "I ought to know." - -"Look here, my friend," said the "Bruiser" grimly, "don't contradict me. -That's the Frolic of Fairhaven." - -"Very likely," said the man. "I don't know where she's from, but she's -not from here." - -"Why," said the "Bruiser," and his voice shook, "ain't this Fairhaven?" - -"Lord love you, no!" said the stranger; "not by a couple o' hundred -miles it ain't. Wot put that idea into your silly fat head?" - -The frantic "Bruiser" raised his fist at the description, but at that -moment the crew of the Frolic, which was just getting clear of the -harbour, hung over the stern and gave three hearty cheers. The stranger -was of a friendly and excitable disposition, and, his evil star being in -the ascendant that morning, he took off his hat and cheered wildly back. -Immediately afterwards he obtained unasked the post of whipping-boy to -the master of the Frolic, and entered upon his new duties at once. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Many Cargoes, by W.W. Jacobs - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MANY CARGOES *** - -This file should be named mncrg10.txt or mncrg10.zip -Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, mncrg11.txt -VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, mncrg10a.txt - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. - -Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US -unless a copyright notice is included. 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Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be -used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be -they hardware or software or any other related product without -express permission.] - -*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* - diff --git a/old/mncrg10.zip b/old/mncrg10.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c65c9dd..0000000 --- a/old/mncrg10.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-0.txt b/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4748cc3..0000000 --- a/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9128 +0,0 @@ -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5758 *** -MANY CARGOES - -by W. W. JACOBS - -Second Edition - -New York - -1894 - - - - -Contents - - A CHANGE OF TREATMENT - A LOVE PASSAGE - THE CAPTAIN’S EXPLOIT - CONTRABAND OF WAR - A BLACK AFFAIR - THE SKIPPER OF THE “OSPREY” - IN BORROWED PLUMES - THE BOATSWAIN’S WATCH - LOW WATER - IN MID-ATLANTIC - AFTER THE INQUEST - IN LIMEHOUSE REACH - AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT - THE COOK OF THE “GANNET” - A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - A CASE OF DESERTION - OUTSAILED - MATED - THE RIVAL BEAUTIES - MRS. BUNKER’S CHAPERON - A HARBOUR OF REFUGE - - - - -A CHANGE OF TREATMENT - - -Yes, I’ve sailed under some ’cute skippers in my time,” said the -night-watchman; “them that go down in big ships see the wonders o’ the -deep, you know,” he added with a sudden chuckle, “but the one I’m going -to tell you about ought never to have been trusted out without ’is ma. -A good many o’ my skippers had fads, but this one was the worst I ever -sailed under. - -“It’s some few years ago now; I’d shipped on his barque, the _John -Elliott_, as slow-going an old tub as ever I was aboard of, when I -wasn’t in quite a fit an’ proper state to know what I was doing, an’ I -hadn’t been in her two days afore I found out his ’obby through -overhearing a few remarks made by the second mate, who came up from -dinner in a hurry to make ’em. ‘I don’t mind saws an’ knives hung round -the cabin,’ he ses to the fust mate, ‘but when a chap has a ’uman ’and -alongside ’is plate, studying it while folks is at their food, it’s -more than a Christian man can stand.’ - -“‘That’s nothing,’ ses the fust mate, who had sailed with the barque -afore. ‘He’s half crazy on doctoring. We nearly had a mutiny aboard -once owing to his wanting to hold a _post-mortem_ on a man what fell -from the mast-head. Wanted to see what the poor feller died of.’ - -“‘I call it unwholesome,’ ses the second mate very savage.’ He offered -me a pill at breakfast the size of a small marble; quite put me off my -feed, it did.’ - -“Of course, the skipper’s fad soon got known for’ard. But I didn’t -think much about it, till one day I seed old Dan’l Dennis sitting on a -locker reading. Every now and then he’d shut the book, an’ look up, -closing ’is eyes, an’ moving his lips like a hen drinking, an’ then -look down at the book again. - -“‘Why, Dan,’ I ses, ‘what’s up? you ain’t larning lessons at your time -o’ life?’ - -“‘Yes, I am,’ ses Dan very soft. ‘You might hear me say it, it’s this -one about heart disease.’ - -“He hands over the book, which was stuck full o’ all kinds o’ diseases, -and winks at me ’ard. - -“‘Picked it up on a book-stall,’ he ses; then he shut ’is eyes an’ said -his piece wonderful. It made me quite queer to listen to ’im. ‘That’s -how I feel,’ ses he, when he’d finished. ‘Just strength enough to get -to bed. Lend a hand, Bill, an’ go an’ fetch the doctor.’ - -“Then I see his little game, but I wasn’t going to run any risks, so I -just mentioned, permiscous like, to the cook as old Dan seemed rather -queer, an’ went back an’ tried to borrer the book, being always fond of -reading. Old Dan pretended he was too ill to hear what I was saying, -an’ afore I could take it away from him, the skipper comes hurrying -down with a bag in his ’and. - -“‘What’s the matter, my man?’ ses he, ‘what’s the matter?’ - -“‘I’m all right, sir,’ ses old Dan, ’cept that I’ve been swoonding away -a little.’ - -“‘Tell me exactly how you feel,’ ses the skipper, feeling his pulse. - -“Then old Dan said his piece over to him, an’ the skipper shook his -head an’ looked very solemn. - -“‘How long have you been like this?’ he ses. - -“‘Four or five years, sir,’ ses Dan. ‘It ain’t nothing serious, sir, is -it?’ - -“‘You lie quite still,’ ses the skipper, putting a little trumpet thing -to his chest an’ then listening. ‘Um! there’s serious mischief here I’m -afraid, the prognotice is very bad.’ - -“‘Prog what, sir?’ ses Dan, staring. - -“‘Prognotice,’ ses the skipper, at least I think that’s the word he -said. ‘You keep perfectly still, an’ I’ll go an’ mix you up a draught, -and tell the cook to get some strong beef-tea on.’ - -“Well, the skipper ’ad no sooner gone, than Cornish Harry, a great big -lumbering chap o’ six feet two, goes up to old Dan, an’ he ses, ‘Gimme -that book.’ - -“‘Go away,’ says Dan, ‘don’t come worrying ’ere; you ’eard the skipper -say how bad my prognotice was.’ - -“‘You lend me the book,’ ses Harry, ketching hold of him, ‘or else I’ll -bang you first, and split to the skipper arterwards. I believe I’m a -bit consumptive. Anyway, I’m going to see.’ - -“He dragged the book away from the old man, and began to study. There -was so many complaints in it he was almost tempted to have something -else instead of consumption, but he decided on that at last, an’ he got -a cough what worried the fo’c’sle all night long, an’ the next day, -when the skipper came down to see Dan, he could ’ardly ’ear hisself -speak. - -“‘That’s a nasty cough you’ve got, my man,’ ses he, looking at Harry. - -“‘Oh, it’s nothing, sir,’ ses Harry, careless like. ‘I’ve ’ad it for -months now off and on. I think it’s perspiring so of a night does it.” - -“‘What?’ ses the skipper. ‘Do you perspire of a night?’ - -“‘Dredful,’ ses Harry. ‘You could wring the clo’es out. I s’pose it’s -healthy for me, ain’t it, sir?’ - -“‘Undo your shirt,’ ses the skipper, going over to him, an’ sticking -the trumpet agin him. ‘Now take a deep breath. Don’t cough.’ - -“‘I can’t help it, sir,’ ses Harry, ‘it will come. Seems to tear me to -pieces.’ - -“‘You get to bed at once,” says the skipper, taking away the trumpet, -an’ shaking his ’ed. ‘It’s a fortunate thing for you, my lad, you’re in -skilled hands. With care, I believe I can pull you round. How does that -medicine suit you, Dan?’ - -“‘Beautiful, sir,’ says Dan. ‘It’s wonderful soothing, I slep’ like a -new-born babe arter it.’ - -“‘I’ll send you some more,’ ses the skipper. ‘You’re not to get up -mind, either of you.’ - -“‘All right, sir,’ ses the two in very faint voices, an’ the skipper -went away arter telling us to be careful not to make a noise. - -“We all thought it a fine joke at first, but the airs them two chaps -give themselves was something sickening. Being in bed all day, they was -naturally wakeful of a night, and they used to call across the fo’c’sle -inquiring arter each other’s healths, an’ waking us other chaps up. An’ -they’d swop beef-tea an’ jellies with each other, an’ Dan ’ud try an’ -coax a little port wine out o’ Harry, which he ’ad to make blood with, -but Harry ’ud say he hadn’t made enough that day, an’ he’d drink to the -better health of old Dan’s prognotice, an’ smack his lips until it -drove us a’most crazy to ’ear him. - -“Arter these chaps had been ill two days, the other fellers began to -put their heads together, being maddened by the smell o’ beef-tea an’ -the like, an’ said they was going to be ill too, and both the invalids -got into a fearful state of excitement. - -“‘You’ll only spoil it for all of us,’ ses Harry, ‘and you don’t know -what to have without the book.’ - -“‘It’s all very well doing your work as well as our own,’ ses one of -the men. ‘It’s our turn now. It’s time you two got well.’ - -“‘_Well?_ ses Harry, ‘_well?_ Why you silly iggernerant chaps, we -shan’t never get well, people with our complaints never do. You ought -to know that.’ - -“‘Well, I shall split,’ ses one of them. “‘You do!’ ses Harry, ‘you do, -an’ I’ll put a ’ed on you that all the port wine and jellies in the -world wouldn’t cure. ’Sides, don’t you think the skipper knows what’s -the matter with us?’ - -“‘Afore the other chap could reply, the skipper hisself comes down, -accompanied by the fust mate, with a look on his face which made Harry -give the deepest and hollowest cough he’d ever done. - -“‘What they reely want,’ ses the skipper, turning to the mate, ‘is -keerful nussing.’ - -“‘I wish you’d let _me_ nuss ’em,’ ses the fust mate, ‘only ten -minutes—I’d put ’em both on their legs, an’ running for their lives -into the bargain, in ten minutes.’ - -“‘Hold your tongue, sir,’ ses the skipper; ‘what you say is unfeeling, -besides being an insult to me. Do you think I studied medicine all -these years without knowing when a man’s ill?’ - -“The fust mate growled something and went on deck, and the skipper -started examining of ’em again. He said they was wonderfully patient -lying in bed so long, an’ he had ’em wrapped up in bedclo’es and -carried on deck, so as the pure air could have a go at ’em. _We_ had to -do the carrying, an’ there they sat, breathing the pure air, and -looking at the fust mate out of the corners of their eyes. If they -wanted anything from below one of us had to go an’ fetch it, an’ by the -time they was taken down to bed again, we all resolved to be took ill -too. - -“Only two of ’em did it though, for Harry, who was a powerful, -ugly-tempered chap, swore he’d do all sorts o’ dreadful things to us if -we didn’t keep well and hearty, an’ all ’cept these two did. One of -’em, Mike Rafferty, laid up with a swelling on his ribs, which I knew -myself he ’ad ’ad for fifteen years, and the other chap had paralysis. -I never saw a man so reely happy as the skipper was. He was up an down -with his medicines and his instruments all day long, and used to make -notes of the cases in a big pocket-book, and read ’em to the second -mate at mealtimes. - -“The fo’c’sle had been turned into hospital about a week, an’ I was on -deck doing some odd job or the other, when the cook comes up to me -pulling a face as long as a fiddle. - -“‘Nother invalid,’ ses he; ‘fust mate’s gone stark, staring mad!’ - -“‘Mad?’ ses I. - -“‘Yes,’ ses he. ‘He’s got a big basin in the galley, an’ he’s laughing -like a hyener an’ mixing bilge-water an’ ink, an’ paraffin an’ butter -an’ soap an’ all sorts o’ things up together. The smell’s enough to -kill a man; I’ve had to come away.’ - -“Curious-like, I jest walked up to the galley an’ puts my ’ed in, an’ -there was the mate as the cook said, smiling all over his face, and -ladling some thick sticky stuff into a stone bottle. - -“‘How’s the pore sufferers, sir?’ ses he, stepping out of the galley -jest as the skipper was going by. - -“‘They’re very bad; but I hope for the best,” ses the skipper, looking -at him hard. ‘I’m glad to see you’ve turned a bit more feeling.’ - -“‘Yes, sir,’ ses the mate. ‘I didn’t think so at fust, but I can see -now them chaps is all very ill. You’ll s’cuse me saying it, but I don’t -quite approve of your treatment.’ - -“I thought the skipper would ha’ bust. - -“‘My treatment?’ ses he. ‘My treatment? What do you know about it?’ - -“‘You’re treating ’em wrong, sir,’ ses the mate. ‘I have here’ (patting -the jar) ‘a remedy which ’ud cure them all if you’d only let me try -it.’ - -“‘Pooh!’ ses the skipper. ‘One medicine cure all diseases! The old -story. What is it? Where’d you get it from?’ ses he. - -“‘I brought the ingredients aboard with me,’ ses the mate. ‘It’s a -wonderful medicine discovered by my grandmother, an’ if I might only -try it I’d thoroughly cure them pore chaps.’ - -“‘Rubbish!’ ses the skipper. - -“‘Very well, sir,’ ses the mate, shrugging his shoulders. ‘O’ course, -if you won’t let me you won’t. Still I tell you, if you’d let me try -I’d cure ’em all in two days. That’s a fair challenge.’ - -“Well, they talked, and talked, and talked, until at last the skipper -give way and went down below with the mate, and told the chaps they was -to take the new medicine for two days, jest to prove the mate was -wrong. - -“‘Let pore old Dan try it first, sir,’ ses Harry, starting up, an’ -sniffing as the mate took the cork out; ‘he’s been awful bad since -you’ve been away.’ - -“‘Harry’s worse than I am, sir,’ ses Dan; ‘it’s only his kind heart -that makes him say that.’ - -“‘It don’t matter which is fust,’ ses the mate, filling a tablespoon -with it, ‘there’s plenty for all. Now, Harry.’ - -“‘Take it,’ ses the skipper. - -“Harry took it, an’ the fuss he made you’d ha’ thought he was -swallering a football. It stuck all round his mouth, and he carried on -so dredful that the other invalids was half sick afore it came to them. - -“By the time the other three ’ad ’ad theirs it was as good as a -pantermime, an’ the mate corked the bottle up, and went an’ sat down on -a locker while they tried to rinse their mouths out with the luxuries -which had been given ’em. - -“‘How do you feel?’ ses the skipper. - -“‘I’m dying,’ ses Dan. - -“‘So’m I,’ ses Harry; ‘I b’leeve the mate’s pisoned us.” - -“The skipper looks over at the mate very stern an’ shakes his ’ed -slowly. - -“‘It’s all right,’ ses the mate. ‘It’s always like that the first dozen -or so doses.’ - -“‘Dozen or so doses!’ ses old Dan, in a far-away voice. - -“‘It has to be taken every twenty minutes,’ ses the mate, pulling out -his pipe and lighting it; an’ the four men groaned all together. - -“‘I can’t allow it,’ ses the skipper, ‘I can’t allow it. Men’s lives -mustn’t be sacrificed for an experiment.’ - -“‘’T ain’t a experiment,’ ses the mate very indignant, ‘it’s an old -family medicine.’ - -“‘Well, they shan’t have any more,’ ses the skipper firmly. - -“‘Look here,’ ses the mate. ‘If I kill any one o’ these men I’ll give -you twenty pound. Honour bright, I will.’ - -“‘Make it twenty-five,’ ses the skipper, considering. - -“‘Very good,’ ses the mate. ‘Twenty-five; I can’t say no fairer than -that, can I? It’s about time for another dose now.’ - -“He gave ’em another tablespoonful all round as the skipper left, an’ -the chaps what wasn’t invalids nearly bust with joy. He wouldn’t let -’em have anything to take the taste out, ’cos he said it didn’t give -the medicine a chance, an’ he told us other chaps to remove the -temptation, an’ you bet we did. - -“After the fifth dose, the invalids began to get desperate, an’ when -they heard they’d got to be woke up every twenty minutes through the -night to take the stuff, they sort o’ give up. Old Dan said he felt a -gentle glow stealing over him and strengthening him, and Harry said -that it felt like a healing balm to his lungs. All of ’em agreed it was -a wonderful sort o’ medicine, an’ arter the sixth dose the man with -paralysis dashed up on deck, and ran up the rigging like a cat. He sat -there for hours spitting, an’ swore he’d brain anybody who interrupted -him, an’ arter a little while Mike Rafferty went up and j’ined him, an’ -it the fust mate’s ears didn’t burn by reason of the things them two -pore sufferers said about ’im, they ought to. - -“They was all doing full work next day, an’ though, o’course, the -skipper saw how he’d been done, he didn’t allude to it. Not in words, -that is; but when a man tries to make four chaps do the work of eight, -an’ hits ’em when they don’t, it’s a easy job to see where the shoe -pinches.” - - - - -A LOVE PASSAGE - - -The mate was leaning against the side of the schooner, idly watching a -few red-coated linesmen lounging on the Tower Quay. Careful mariners -were getting out their side-lights, and careless lightermen were -progressing by easy bumps from craft to craft on their way up the -river. A tug, half burying itself in its own swell, rushed panting by, -and a faint scream came from aboard an approaching skiff as it tossed -in the wash. - -“_Jessica_ ahoy!” bawled a voice from the skiff as she came rapidly -alongside. - -The mate, roused from his reverie, mechanically caught the line and -made it fast, moving with alacrity as he saw that the captain’s -daughter was one of the occupants. Before he had got over his surprise -she was on deck with her boxes, and the captain was paying off the -watermen. - -“You’ve seen my daughter Hetty afore, haven’t you?” said the skipper. -“She’s coming with us this trip. You’d better go down and make up her -bed, Jack, in that spare bunk.” - -“Ay, ay,” said the mate dutifully, moving off. - -“Thank you, I’ll do it myself,” said the scandalised Hetty, stepping -forward hastily. - -“As you please,” said the skipper, leading the way below. “Let’s have a -light on, Jack.” - -The mate struck a match on his boot, and lit the lamp. - -“There’s a few things in there’ll want moving,” said the skipper, as he -opened the door. “I don’t know where we’re to keep the onions now, -Jack.” - -“We’ll find a place for ’em,” said the mate confidently, as he drew out -a sack and placed it on the table. - -“I’m not going to sleep in there,” said the visitor decidedly, as she -peered in. “Ugh! there’s a beetle. Ugh!” - -“It’s quite dead,” said the mate reassuringly. “I’ve never seen a live -beetle on this ship.” - -“I want to go home,” said the girl. “You’ve no business to make me come -when I don’t want to.” - -“You should behave yourself then,” said her father magisterially. “What -about sheets, Jack; and pillers?” - -The mate sat on the table, and, grasping his chin, pondered. Then as -his gaze fell upon the pretty, indignant face of the passenger, he lost -the thread of his ideas. - -“She’ll have to have some o’ my things for the present,” said the -skipper. - -“Why not,” said the mate, looking up again—“why not let her have your -state-room?” - -“’Cos I want it myself,” replied the other calmly. - -The mate blushed for him, and, the girl leaving them to arrange matters -as they pleased, the two men, by borrowing here and contriving there, -made up the bunk. The girl was standing by the galley when they went on -deck again, an object of curious and respectful admiration to the crew, -who had come on board in the meantime. She stayed on deck until the air -began to blow fresher in the wider reaches, and then, with a brief -good-night to her father, retired below. - -“She made up her mind to come with us rather suddenly, didn’t she?” -inquired the mate after she had gone. - -“She didn’t make up her mind at all,” said the skipper; “we did it for -her, me an’ the missus. It’s a plan on our part.” - -“Wants strengthening?” said the mate suggestively. - -“Well, the fact is,” said the skipper, “it’s like this, Jack; there’s a -friend o’ mine, a provision dealer in a large way o’ business, wants to -marry my girl, and me an’ the missus want him to marry her, so, o’ -course, she wants to marry someone else. Me an’ ’er mother we put our -’eads together and decided for her to come away. When she’s at ’ome, -instead o’ being out with Towson, direckly her mother’s back’s turned -she’s out with that young sprig of a clerk.” - -“Nice-looking young feller, I s’pose?” said the mate somewhat -anxiously. - -“Not a bit of it,” said the other firmly. “Looks as though he had never -had a good meal in his life. Now my friend Towson, he’s all right; he’s -a man of about my own figger.” - -“She’ll marry the clerk,” said the mate, with conviction. - -“I’ll bet you she don’t,” said the skipper. “I’m an artful man, Jack, -an’ I, generally speaking, get my own way. I couldn’t live with my -missus peaceable if it wasn’t for management.” - -The mate smiled safely in the darkness, the skipper’s management -consisting chiefly of slavish obedience. - -“I’ve got a cabinet fortygraph of him for the cabin mantel-piece, -Jack,” continued the wily father. “He gave it to me o’ purpose. She’ll -see that when she won’t see the clerk, an’ by-and-bye she’ll fall into -our way of thinking. Anyway, she’s going to stay here till she does.” - -“You know your way about, cap’n,” said the mate, in pretended -admiration. - -The skipper laid his finger on his nose, and winked at the mainmast. -“There’s few can show me the way, Jack,” he answered softly; “very few. -Now I want you to help me too; I want you to talk to her a great deal.” - -“Ay, ay,” said the mate, winking at the mast in his turn. - -“Admire the fortygraph on the mantel-piece,” said the skipper. - -“I will,” said the other. - -“Tell her about a lot o’ young girls you know as married young -middle-aged men, an’ loved ’em more an’ more every day of their lives,” -continued the skipper. - -“Not another word,” said the mate. “I know just what you want. She -shan’t marry the clerk if I can help it.” - -The other turned and gripped him warmly by the hand. “If ever you are a -father your elf, Jack,” he said with emotion, “I hope as how -somebody’ll stand by you as you’re standing by me.” - -The mate was relieved the next day when he saw the portrait of Towson. -He stroked his moustache, and felt that he gained in good looks every -time he glanced at it. - -Breakfast finished, the skipper, who had been on deck all night, -retired to his bunk. The mate went on deck and took charge, watching -with great interest the movements of the passenger as she peered into -the galley and hotly assailed the cook’s method of washing up. - -“Don’t you like the sea?” he inquired politely, as she came and sat on -the cabin skylight. - -Miss Alsen shook her head dismally. “I’ve got to it,” she remarked. - -“Your father was saying something to me about it,” said the mate -guardedly. - -“Did he tell the cook and the cabin boy too?” inquired Miss Alsen, -flushing somewhat. “What did he tell you?” - -“Told me about a man named Towson,” said the mate, becoming intent on -the sails, “and—another fellow.” - -“I took a little notice of _him_ just to spoil the other,” said the -girl, “not that I cared for him. I can’t understand a girl caring for -any man. Great, clumsy, ugly things.” - -“You don’t like him then?” said the mate. - -“Of course not,” said the girl, tossing her head. - -“And yet they’ve sent you to sea to get out of his way,” said the mate -meditatively. “Well, the best thing you can do”—His hardihood failed -him at the pitch. - -“Go on,” said the girl. - -“Well, it’s this way,” said the mate, coughing; “they’ve sent you to -sea to get you out of this fellow’s way, so if you fall in love with -somebody on the ship they’ll send you home again.” - -“So they will,” said the girl eagerly. “I’ll pretend to fall in love -with that nice-looking sailor you call Harry. What a lark!” - -“I shouldn’t do that,” said the mate gravely. - -“Why not?” said the girl. - -“’Tisn’t discipline,” said the mate very firmly; “it wouldn’t do at -all. He’s before the mast.” - -“Oh, I see,” remarked Miss Alsen, smiling scornfully. - -“I only mean pretend, of course,” said the mate, colouring. “Just to -oblige you.” - -“Of course,” said the girl calmly. “Well, how are we to be in love?” - -The mate flushed darkly. “I don’t know much about such things,” he said -at length; “but we’ll have to look at each other, and all that sort of -thing, you know.” - -“I don’t mind that,” said the girl. - -“Then we’ll get on by degrees,” said the other. “I expect we shall both -find it come easier after a time.” - -“Anything to get home again,” said the girl, rising and walking slowly -away. - -The mate began his part of the love-making at once, and, fixing a gaze -of concentrated love on the object of his regard, nearly ran down a -smack. As he had prognosticated, it came easy to him, and other -well-marked symptoms, such as loss of appetite and a partiality for -bright colours, developed during the day. Between breakfast and tea he -washed five times, and raised the ire of the skipper to a dangerous -pitch by using the ship’s butter to remove tar from his fingers. - -By ten o’clock that night he was far advanced in a profound melancholy. -All the looking had been on his side, and, as he stood at the wheel -keeping the schooner to her course, he felt a fellow-feeling for the -hapless Towson, His meditations were interrupted by a slight figure -which emerged from the companion, and, after a moment’s hesitation, -came and took its old seat on the skylight. - -“Calm and peaceful up here, isn’t it?” said he, after waiting some time -for her to speak. “Stars are very bright to-night.” - -“Don’t talk to me,” said Miss Alsen snappishly. - -“Why doesn’t this nasty little ship keep still? I believe it’s you -making her jump about like this.” - -“Me?” said the mate in amazement. - -“Yes, with that wheel.” - -“I can assure you “—began the mate. - -“Yes, I knew you’d say so,” said the girl. - -“Come and steer yourself,” said the mate; “then you’ll see.” - -Much to his surprise she came, and, leaning limply against the wheel, -put her little hands on the spokes, while the mate explained the -mysteries of the compass. As he warmed with his subject he ventured to -put his hands on the same spokes, and, gradually becoming more -venturesome, boldly supported her with his arm every time the schooner -gave a lurch. - -“Thank you,” said Miss Alsen, coldly extricating herself, as the male -fancied another lurch was coming. “Good-night.” - -She retired to the cabin as a dark figure, which was manfully knuckling -the last remnant of sleep from its eyelids, stood before the mate, -chuckling softly. - -“Clear night,” said the seaman, as he took the wheel in his great paws. - -“Beastly,” said the mate absently, and, stifling a sigh, went below and -turned in. - -He lay awake for a few minutes, and then, well satisfied with the day’s -proceedings, turned over and fell asleep. He was pleased to discover, -when he awoke, that the slight roll of the night before had -disappeared, and that there was hardly any motion on the schooner. The -passenger herself was already at the breakfast-table. - -“Cap’n’s on deck, I s’pose?” said the mate, preparing to resume -negotiations where they were broken off the night before. “I hope you -feel better than you did last night.” - -“Yes, thank you,” said she. - -“You’ll make a good sailor in time,” said the mate. - -“I hope not,” said Miss Alsen, who thought it time to quell a gleam of -peculiar tenderness plainly apparent in the mate’s eyes. “I shouldn’t -like to be a sailor even if I were a man.” - -“Why not?” inquired the other. - -“I don’t know,” said the girl meditatively; “but sailors are generally -such scrubby little men, aren’t they?” - -“_Scrubby?_” repeated the mate, in a dazed voice. - -“I’d sooner be a soldier,” she continued; “I like soldiers—they’re so -manly. I wish there was one here now.” - -“What for?” inquired the mate, in the manner of a sulky schoolboy. - -“If there was a man like that here now,” said Miss Alsen thoughtfully, -“I’d dare him to mustard old Towson’s nose.” - -“Do what?” inquired the astonished mate. - -“Mustard old Towson’s nose,” said Miss Alsen, glancing lightly from the -cruet-stand to the portrait. - -The infatuated man hesitated a moment, and then, reaching over to the -cruet, took out the spoon, and with a pale, determined face, -indignantly daubed the classic features of the provision dealer. His -indignation was not lessened by the behaviour of the temptress, who, -instead of fawning upon him for his bravery, crammed her handkerchief -to her mouth and giggled foolishly. - -“Where’s father,” she said suddenly, as a step sounded above. “Oh, you -will get it!” - -She rose from her seat, and, standing aside to let her father pass, -went on deck. The skipper sank on to a locker, and, raising the -tea-pot, poured himself out a cup of tea, which he afterwards decanted -into a saucer. He had just raised it to his lips, when he saw something -over the rim of it which made him put it down again untasted, and stare -blankly at the mantel-piece. - -“Who the—what the—who the devil’s done this?” he inquired in a -strangulated voice, as he rose and regarded the portrait. - -“I did,” said the mate. - -“You did?” roared the other. “You? What for?” - -“I don’t know,” said the mate awkwardly. “Something seemed to come over -me all of a sudden, and I felt as though I _must_ do it.” - -“But what for? Where’s the sense of it?” said the skipper. - -The mate shook his head sheepishly. - -“But what did you want to do such a monkey-trick _for?_” roared the -skipper. - -“I don’t know,” said the mate doggedly; “but it’s done, ain’t it? and -it’s no good talking about it.” - -The skipper looked at him in wrathful perplexity. “You’d better have -advice when we get to port, Jack,” he said at length; “the last few -weeks I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit strange in your manner. You go an’ -show that ’ed of yours to a doctor.” - -The mate grunted, and went on deck for sympathy, but, finding Miss -Alsen in a mood far removed from sentiment, and not at all grateful, -drew off whistling. Matters were in this state when the skipper -appeared, wiping his mouth. - -“I’ve put another portrait on the mantel-piece, Jack,” he said -menacingly; “it’s the only other one I’ve got, an’ I wish you to -understand that if that only _smells_ mustard, there’ll be such a row -in this ’ere ship that you won’t be able to ’ear yourself speak for the -noise.” - -He moved off with dignity as his daughter, who had overheard the -remark, came sidling up to the mate and smiled on him agreeably. - -“He’s put another portrait there,” she said softly. - -“You’ll find the mustard-pot in the cruet,” said the mate coldly. - -Miss Alsen turned and watched her father as he went forward, and then, -to the mate’s surprise, went below without another word. A prey to -curiosity, but too proud to make any overture, he compromised matters -by going and standing near the companion. - -“Mate!” said a stealthy whisper at the foot of the ladder. - -The mate gazed calmly out to sea. - -“Jack!” said the girl again, in a lower whisper than before. - -The mate went hot all over, and at once descended. He found Miss Alsen, -her eyes sparkling, with the mustard-pot in her left hand and the spoon -in her right, executing a war-dance in front of the second portrait. - -“Don’t do it,” said the mate, in alarm. - -“Why not?” she inquired, going within an inch of it. - -“He’ll think it’s me,” said the mate. - -“That’s why I called you down here,” said she; “you don’t think I -wanted you, do you?” - -“You put that spoon down,” said the mate, who was by no means desirous -of another interview with the skipper. - -“Shan’t!” said Miss Alsen. - -The mate sprang at her, but she dodged round the table. He leaned over, -and, catching her by the left arm, drew her towards him; then, with her -flushed, laughing face close to his, he forgot everything else, and -kissed her. - -“Oh!” said Hetty indignantly. - -“Will you give it to me now?” said the mate, trembling at his boldness. - -“Take it,” said she. She leaned across the table, and, as the mate -advanced, dabbed viciously at him with the spoon. Then she suddenly -dropped both articles on the table and moved away, as the mate, -startled by a footstep at the door, turned a flushed visage, ornamented -with three streaks of mustard, on to the dumbfounded skipper. - -“Sakes alive!” said that astonished mariner, as soon as he could speak; -“if he ain’t a-mustarding his own face now—I never ’card of such a -thing in all my life. Don’t go near ’im, Hetty. Jack!” - -“Well,” said the mate, wiping his smarting face with his handkerchief. - -“You’ve never been took like this before?” queried the skipper -anxiously. - -“O’course not,” said the mortified mate. - -“Don’t you say o’course not to me,” said the other warmly, “after -behaving like this. A straight weskit’s what you want. I’ll go an’ see -old Ben about it. He’s got an uncle in a ’sylum. You come up too, my -girl.” - -He went in search of Ben, oblivious of the fact that his daughter, -instead of following him, came no farther than the door, where she -stood and regarded her victim compassionately. - -“I’m so sorry,” she said “Does it smart?” - -“A little,” said the mate; “don’t you trouble about me.” - -“You see what you get for behaving badly,” said Miss Alsen judicially. - -“It’s worth it,” said the mate, brightening. - -“I’m afraid it’ll blister,” said she. She crossed over to him, and -putting her head on one side, eyed the traces wisely. “Three marks,” -she said. - -“I only had one,” suggested the mate. - -“One what?” enquired Hetty. - -“Those,” said the mate. - -In full view of the horrified skipper, who was cautiously peeping at -the supposed lunatic through the skylight, he kissed her again. - -“You can go away, Ben,” said the skipper huskily to the expert. “D’ye -hear, you can go _away_, and not a word about this, mind.” - -The expert went away grumbling, and the father, after another glance, -which showed him his daughter nestling comfortably on the mate’s right -shoulder, stole away and brooded darkly over this crowning -complication. An ordinary man would have run down and interrupted them; -the master of the _Jessica_ thought he could attain his ends more -certainly by diplomacy, and so careful was his demeanour that the -couple in the cabin had no idea that they had been observed—the mate -listening calmly to a lecture on incipient idiocy which the skipper -thought it advisable to bestow. - -Until the mid-day meal on the day following he made no sign. If -anything he was even more affable than usual, though his wrath rose at -the glances which were being exchanged across the table. - -“By the way, Jack,” he said at length, “what’s become of Kitty Loney?” - -“Who?” inquired the mate. “Who’s Kitty Loney?” - -It was now the skipper’s turn to stare, and he did it admirably. - -“Kitty Loney,” he said in surprise, “the little girl you are going to -marry.” - -“Who are you getting at?” said the mate, going scarlet as he met the -gaze opposite. - -“I don’t know what you mean,” said the skipper with dignity. “I’m -allooding to Kitty Loney, the little girl in the red hat and white -feathers you introduced to me as your future.” - -The mate sank back in his seat, and regarded him with open-mouthed, -horrified astonishment. - -“You don’t mean to say you’ve chucked ’er,” pursued the heartless -skipper, “after getting an advance from me to buy the ring with, too? -Didn’t you buy the ring with the money?” - -“No,” said the mate, “I—oh, no—of course—what on earth are you talking -about?” - -The skipper rose from his seat and regarded him sorrowfully but -severely. “I’m sorry, Jack,” he said stiffly, “if I’ve said anything to -annoy you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O’ course it’s your business, -not mine. P’raps you’ll say you never heard o’ Kitty Loney?” - -“I do say so,” said the bewildered mate; “I do say so.” - -The skipper eyed him sternly, and without another word left the cabin. -“If she’s like her mother,” he said to himself, chuckling as he went up -the companion-ladder, “I think that’ll do.” - -There was an awkward pause after his departure. “I’m sure I don’t know -what you must think of me,” said the mate at length, “but I don’t know -what your father’s talking about.” - -“I don’t think anything,” said Hetty calmly. “Pass the potatoes, -please.” - -“I suppose it’s a joke of his,” said the mate, complying. - -“And the salt,” said she; “thank you.” - -“But you don’t believe it?” said the mate pathetically. - -“Oh, don’t be silly,” said the girl calmly. “What does it matter -whether I do or not?” - -“It matters a great deal,” said the mate gloomily. “It’s life or death -to me.” - -“Oh, nonsense,” said Hetty. “She won’t know of your foolishness. I -won’t tell her.” - -“I tell you,” said the mate desperately, “there never was a Kitty -Loney. What do you think of that?” - -“I think you are very mean,” said the girl scornfully; “don’t talk to -me any more, please.” - -“Just as you like,” said the mate, beginning to lose his temper. - -He pushed his plate from him and departed, while the girl, angry and -resentful, put the potatoes back as being too floury for consumption in -the circumstances. - -For the remainder of the passage she treated him with a politeness and -good humour through which he strove in vain to break. To her surprise -her father made no objection, at the end of the voyage, when she -coaxingly suggested going back by train; and the mate, as they sat at -dummy-whist on the evening before her departure, tried in vain to -discuss the journey in an unconcerned fashion. - -“It’ll be a long journey,” said Hetty, who still liked him well enough -to make him smart a bit, “What’s trumps?” - -“You’ll be all right,” said her father. “Spades.” - -He won for the third time that evening, and, feeling wonderfully well -satisfied with the way in which he had played his cards generally, -could not resist another gibe at the crestfallen mate. - -“You’ll have to give up playing cards and all that sort o’ thing when -you’re married, Jack,” said he. - -“Ay, ay,” said the mate recklessly, “Kitty don’t like cards.” - -“I thought there was no Kitty,” said the girl, looking up, scornfully. - -“She don’t like cards,” repeated the mate. “Lord, what a spree we had. -Cap’n, when we went to the Crystal Palace with her that night.” - -“Ay, that we did,” said the skipper. - -“Remember the roundabouts?” said the mate. - -“I do,” said the skipper merrily. “I’ll never forget ’em.” - -“You and that friend of hers, Bessie Watson, lord how you did go on!” -continued the mate, in a sort of ecstasy. The skipper stiffened -suddenly in his chair. “What on earth are you talking about?” he -inquired gruffly. - -“Bessie Watson,” said the mate, in tones of innocent surprise. “Little -girl in a blue hat with white feathers, and a blue frock, that came -with us.” - -“You’re drunk,” said the skipper, grinding his teeth, as he saw the -trap into which he had walked. - -“Don’t you remember when you two got lost, an’ me and Kitty were -looking all over the place for you?” demanded the mate, still in the -same tones of pleasant reminiscence. - -He caught Hetty’s eye, and noticed with a thrill that it beamed with -soft and respectful admiration. - -“You’ve been drinking,” repeated the skipper, breathing hard. “How dare -you talk like that afore my daughter?” - -“It’s only right I should know,” said Hetty, drawing herself up. “I -wonder what mother’ll say to it all?” - -“You say anything to your mother if you dare,” said the now maddened -skipper. “You know what _she_ is. It’s all the mate’s nonsense.” - -“I’m very sorry, cap’n,” said the mate, “if I’ve said anything to annoy -you, or anyway hurt your feelings. O’ course it’s your business, not -mine. Perhaps you’ll say you never heard o’ Bessie Watson?” - -“Mother shall hear of her,” said Hetty, while her helpless sire was -struggling for breath. - -“Perhaps you’ll tell us who this Bessie Watson is, and where she -lives?” he said at length. - -“She lives with Kitty Loney,” said the mate simply. - -The skipper rose, and his demeanour was so alarming that Hetty shrank -instinctively to the mate for protection. In full view of his captain, -the mate placed his arm about her waist, and in this position they -confronted each other for some time in silence. Then Hetty looked up -and spoke. - -“I’m going home by water,” she said briefly. - - - - -THE CAPTAIN’S EXPLOIT - - -It was a wet, dreary night in that cheerless part of the great -metropolis known as Wapping. The rain, which had been falling heavily -for hours, still fell steadily on to the sloppy pavements and roads, -and joining forces in the gutter, rushed impetuously to the nearest -sewer. The two or three streets which had wedged themselves in between -the docks and the river, and which, as a matter of fact, really -comprise the beginning and end of Wapping, were deserted, except for a -belated van crashing over the granite roads, or the chance form of a -dock-labourer plodding doggedly along, with head bent in distaste for -the rain, and hands sunk in trouser-pockets. - -“Beastly night,” said Captain Bing, as he rolled out of the private bar -of the “Sailor’s Friend,” and, ignoring the presence of the step, took -a little hurried run across the pavement. “Not fit for a dog to be out -in.” - -He kicked, as he spoke, at a shivering cur which was looking in at the -crack of the bar-door, with a hazy view of calling its attention to the -matter, and then, pulling up the collar of his rough pea-jacket, -stepped boldly out into the rain. Three or four minutes’ walk, or -rather roll, brought him to a dark narrow passage, which ran between -two houses to the water-side. By a slight tack to starboard at a -critical moment he struck the channel safely, and followed it until it -ended in a flight of old stone steps, half of which were under water. - -“Where for?” inquired a man, starting up from a small penthouse formed -of rough pieces of board. - -“Schooner in the tier, _Smiling Jane_,” said the captain gruffly, as he -stumbled clumsily into a boat and sat down in the stern. “Why don’t you -have better seats in this ’ere boat?” - -“They’re there, if you’ll look for them,” said the waterman; “and -you’ll find ’em easier sitting than that bucket.” - -“Why don’t you put ’em where a man can see ’em?” inquired the captain, -raising his voice a little. - -The other opened his mouth to reply, but realising that it would lead -to a long and utterly futile argument, contented himself with asking -his fare to trim the boat better; and, pushing off from the steps, -pulled strongly through the dark lumpy water. The tide was strong, so -that they made but slow progress. - -“When I was a young man,” said the fare with severity, “I’d ha’ pulled -this boat across and back afore now.” - -“When you was a young man,” said the man at the oars, who had a local -reputation as a wit, “there wasn’t no boats; they was all Noah’s arks -then.” - -“Stow your gab,” said the captain, after a pause of deep thought. - -The other, whose besetting sin was certainly not loquacity, ejected a -thin stream of tobacco-juice over the side, spat on his hands, and -continued his laborious work until a crowd of dark shapes, surmounted -by a network of rigging, loomed up before them. - -“Now, which is your little barge?” he inquired, tugging strongly to -maintain his position against the fast-flowing tide. - -“_Smiling Jane_” said his fare. - -“Ah,” said the waterman, “_Smiling Jane_, is it? You sit there, cap’n, -an’ I’ll row round all their sterns while you strike matches and look -at the names. We’ll have quite a nice little evening.” - -“There she is,” cried the captain, who was too muddled to notice the -sarcasm; “there’s the little beauty. Steady, my lad.” - -He reached out his hand as he spoke, and as the boat jarred violently -against a small schooner, seized a rope which hung over the side, and, -swaying to and fro, fumbled in his pocket for the fare. - -“Steady, old boy,” said the waterman affectionately. He had just -received twopence-halfpenny and a shilling by mistake for threepence. -“Easy up the side. You ain’t such a pretty figger as you was when your -old woman made such a bad bargain.” - -The captain paused in his climb, and poising himself on one foot, -gingerly felt for his tormentor’s head with the other Not finding it, -he flung his leg over the bulwark, and gained the deck of the vessel as -the boat swung round with the tide and disappeared in the darkness. - -“All turned in,” said the captain, gazing owlishly at the deserted -deck. “Well, there’s a good hour an’ a half afore we start; I’ll turn -in too.” - -He walked slowly aft, and sliding back the companion-hatch, descended -into a small evil-smelling cabin, and stood feeling in the darkness for -the matches. They were not to be found, and, growling profanely, he -felt his way to the state-room, and turned in all standing. - -It was still dark when he awoke, and hanging over the edge of the bunk, -cautiously felt for the floor with his feet, and having found it, stood -thoughtfully scratching his head, which seemed to have swollen to -abnormal proportions. - -“Time they were getting under weigh,” he said at length, and groping -his way to the foot of the steps, he opened the door of what looked -like a small pantry, but which was really the mate’s boudoir. - -“Jem,” said the captain gruffly. - -There was no reply, and jumping to the conclusion that he was above, -the captain tumbled up the steps and gained the deck, which, as far as -he could see, was in the same deserted condition as when he left it. -Anxious to get some idea of the time, he staggered to the side and -looked over. The tide was almost at the turn, and the steady clank, -clank of neighbouring windlasses showed that other craft were just -getting under weigh. A barge, its red light turning the water to blood, -with a huge wall of dark sail, passed noiselessly by, the indistinct -figure of a man leaning skilfully upon the tiller. - -As these various signs of life and activity obtruded themselves upon -the skipper of the _Smiling Jane_, his wrath rose higher and higher as -he looked around the wet, deserted deck of his own little craft. Then -he walked forward and thrust his head down the forecastle hatchway. - -As he expected, there was a complete sleeping chorus below; the deep -satisfied snoring of half-a-dozen seamen, who, regardless of the tide -and their captain’s feelings, were slumbering sweetly, in blissful -ignorance of all that the _Lancet_ might say upon the twin subjects of -overcrowding and ventilation. - -“Below there, you lazy thieves!” roared the captain; “tumble up, tumble -up!” - -The snores stopped. “Ay, ay!” said a sleepy voice. “What’s the matter, -master?” - -“Matter!” repeated the other, choking violently. “Ain’t you going to -sail to-night?” - -“To-night!” said another voice, in surprise. “Why, I thought we wasn’t -going to sail till Wen’sday.” - -Not trusting himself to reply, so careful was he of the morals of his -men, the skipper went and leaned over the side and communed with the -silent water. In an incredibly short space of time five or six dusky -figures pattered up on to the deck, and a minute or two later the harsh -clank of the windlass echoed far and wide. - -The captain took the wheel. A fat and very sleepy seaman put up the -side-lights, and the little schooner, detaching itself by the aid of -boat-hooks and fenders from the neighbouring craft, moved slowly down -with the tide. The men, in response to the captain’s fervent orders, -climbed aloft, and sail after sail was spread to the gentle breeze. - -“Hi! you there,” cried the captain to one of the men who stood near -him, coiling up some loose line. - -“Sir?” said the man. - -“Where is the mate?” inquired the captain. - -“Man with red whiskers and pimply nose?” said the man interrogatively. - -“That’s him to a hair,” answered the other. - -“Ain’t seen him since he took me on at eleven,” said the man. “How many -new hands are there?” - -“I b’leeve we’re all fresh,” was the reply. “I don’t believe some of -’em have ever smelt salt water afore.” - -“The mate’s been at it again,” said the captain warmly, “that’s what he -has. He’s done it afore and got left behind. Them what can’t stand -drink, my man, shouldn’t take it, remember that.” - -“He said we wasn’t going to sail till Wen’sday,” remarked the man, who -found the captain’s attitude rather trying. - -“He’ll get sacked, that’s what he’ll get,” said the captain warmly. “I -shall report him as soon as I get ashore.” - -The subject exhausted, the seaman returned to his work, and the captain -continued steering in moody silence. - -Slowly, slowly darkness gave way to light. The different portions of -the craft, instead of all being blurred into one, took upon themselves -shape, and stood out wet and distinct in the cold grey of the breaking -day. But the lighter it became, the harder the skipper stared and -rubbed his eyes, and looked from the deck to the flat marshy shore, and -from the shore back to the deck again. - -“Here, come here,” he cried, beckoning to one of the crew. - -“Yessir,” said the man, advancing. - -“There’s something in one of my eyes,” faltered the skipper. “I can’t -see straight; everything seems mixed up. Now, speaking deliberate and -without any hurry, which side o’ the ship do you say the cook’s -galley’s on?” - -“Starboard,” said the man promptly, eyeing him with astonishment. - -“Starboard,” repeated the other softly. “He says starboard, and that’s -what it seems to me. My lad, yesterday morning it was on the port -side.” - -The seaman received this astounding communication with calmness, but, -as a slight concession to appearances, said “Lor!” - -“And the water-cask,” said the skipper; “what colour is it?” - -“Green,” said the man. - -“Not white?” inquired the skipper, leaning heavily upon the wheel. - -“Whitish-green,” said the man, who always believed in keeping in with -his superior officers. - -The captain swore at him. - -By this time two or three of the crew who had over-heard part of the -conversation had collected aft, and now stood in a small wondering knot -before their strange captain. - -“My lads,” said the latter, moistening his dry lips with his tongue, “I -name no names—I don’t know ’em yet—and I cast no suspicions, but -somebody has been painting up and altering this ’ere craft, and -twisting things about until a man ’ud hardly know her. Now what’s the -little game?” - -There was no answer, and the captain, who was seeing things clearer and -clearer in the growing light, got paler and paler. - -“I must be going crazy,” he muttered. “Is this the _Smiling Jane_, or -am I dreaming?” - -“It ain’t the _Smiling Jane_,” said one of the seamen; “leastways,” he -added cautiously, “it wasn’t when I came aboard.” - -“Not the _Smiling Jane!_” roared the skipper; “what is it, then?” - -“Why, the _Mary Ann_,” chorused the astonished crew. - -“My lads,” faltered the agonised captain after a long pause. “My lads—” -He stopped and swallowed something in his throat. “I’ve been and -brought away the wrong ship,” he continued with an effort; “that’s what -I’ve done. I must have been bewitched.” - -“Well, who’s having the little game now?” inquired a voice. - -“Somebody else’ll be sacked as well as the mate,” said another. - -“We must take her back,” said the captain, raising his voice to drown -these mutterings. “Stand by there!” - -The bewildered crew went to their posts, the captain gave his orders in -a voice which had never been so subdued and mellow since it broke at -the age of fourteen, and the _Mary Ann_ took in sail, and, dropping her -anchor, waited patiently for the turning of the tide. - - -The church bells in Wapping and Rotherhithe were just striking the hour -of mid-day, though they were heard by few above the noisy din of -workers on wharves and ships, as a short stout captain, and a mate with -red whiskers and a pimply nose, stood up in a waterman’s boat in the -centre of the river, and gazed at each other in blank astonishment. - -“She’s gone, clean gone!” murmured the bewildered captain. - -“Clean as a whistle,” said the mate. “The new hands must ha’ run away -with her.” - -Then the bereaved captain raised his voice, and pronounced a pathetic -and beautiful eulogy upon the departed vessel, somewhat marred by an -appendix in which he consigned the new hands, their heirs, and -descendants, to everlasting perdition. - -“Ahoy!” said the waterman, who was getting tired of the business, -addressing a grimy-looking seaman hanging meditatively over the side of -a schooner. “Where’s the _Mary Ann?_” - -“Went away at half-past one this morning,” was the reply. - -“’Cos here’s the cap’n an’ the mate,” said the waterman, indicating the -forlorn couple with a bob of his head. - -“My eyes!” said the man, “I s’pose the cook’s in charge then. We was to -have gone too, but our old man hasn’t turned up.” - -Quickly the news spread amongst the craft in the tier, and many and -various were the suggestions shouted to the bewildered couple from the -different decks. At last, just as the captain had ordered the waterman -to return to the shore, he was startled by a loud cry from the mate. - -“Look there!” he shouted. - -The captain looked. Fifty or sixty yards away, a small -shamefaced-looking schooner, so it appeared to his excited imagination, -was slowly approaching them. A minute later a shout went up from the -other craft as she took in sail and bore slowly down upon them. Then a -small boat put off to the buoy, and the _Mary Ann_ was slowly warped -into the place she had left ten hours before. - -But while all this was going on, she was boarded by her captain and -mate. They were met by Captain Bing, supported by _his_ mate, who had -hastily pushed off from the _Smiling Jane_ to the assistance of his -chief. In the two leading features before mentioned he was not unlike -the mate of the _Mary Ann_, and much stress was laid upon this fact by -the unfortunate Bing in his explanation. So much so, in fact, that both -the mates got restless; the skipper, who was a plain man, and given to -calling a spade a spade, using the word “pimply” with what seemed to -them unnecessary iteration. - -It is possible that the interview might have lasted for hours had not -Bing suddenly changed his tactics and begun to throw out dark hints -about standing a dinner ashore, and settling it over a friendly glass. -The face of the _Mary Ann’s_ captain began to clear, and, as Bing -proceeded from generalities to details, a soft smile played over his -expressive features. It was reflected in the faces of the mates, who by -these means showed clearly that they understood the table was to be -laid for four. - -At this happy turn of affairs Bing himself smiled, and a little while -later a ship’s boat containing four boon companions put off from the -_Mary Ann_and made for the shore. Of what afterwards ensued there is no -distinct record, beyond what may be gleaned from the fact that the -quartette turned up at midnight arm-in-arm, and affectionately refused -to be separated—even to enter the ship’s boat, which was waiting for -them. The sailors were at first rather nonplussed, but by dint of much -coaxing and argument broke up the party, and rowing them to their -respective vessels, put them carefully to bed. - - - - -CONTRABAND OF WAR - - -A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo’c’sle of the schooner -_Greyhound_, by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedate -appearance sat crocheting an antimacassar. Two other men were snoring -with deep content in their bunks, while a small, bright-eyed boy sat up -in his, reading adventurous fiction. - -“Here comes old Dan,” said the man with the anti-macassar warningly, as -a pair of sea boots appeared at the top of the companion-ladder; -“better not let him see you with that paper, Billee.” - -The boy thrust it beneath his blankets, and, lying down, closed his -eyes as the new-comer stepped on to the floor. - -“All asleep?” inquired the latter. - -The other man nodded, and Dan, without any further parley, crossed over -to the sleepers and shook them roughly. - -“Eh! wha’s matter?” inquired the sleepers plaintively. - -“Git up,” said Dan impressively, “I want to speak to you. Something -important.” - -With sundry growls the men complied, and, thrusting their legs out of -their bunks, rolled on to the locker, and sat crossly waiting for -information. - -“I want to do a pore chap a good turn,” said Dan, watching them -narrowly out of his little black eyes, “an’ I want you to help me; an’ -the boy too. It’s never too young to do good to your fellow-creatures, -Billy.” - -“I know it ain’t,” said Billy, taking this as permission to join the -group; “I helped a drunken man home once when I was only ten years old, -an’ when I was only—” - -The speaker stopped, not because he had come to the end of his remarks, -but because one of the seamen had passed his arm around his neck and -was choking him. - -“Go on,” said the man calmly; “I’ve got him. Spit it out, Dan, and none -of your sermonising.” - -“Well, it’s like this, Joe,” said the old man; “here’s a pore chap, a -young sojer from the depot here, an’ he’s cut an’ run. He’s been in -hiding in a cottage up the road two days, and he wants to git to -London, and git honest work and employment, not shooting, an’ stabbing, -an’ bayoneting—” - -“Stow it,” said Joe impatiently. - -“He daren’t go to the railway station, and he dursen’t go outside in -his uniform,” continued Dan. “My ’art bled for the pore young feller, -an’ I’ve promised to give ’im a little trip to London with us. The -people he’s staying with won’t have him no longer. They’ve only got one -bed, and directly he sees any sojers coming he goes an’ gits into it, -whether he’s got his boots on or not.” - -“Have you told the skipper?” inquired Joe sardonically. - -“I won’t deceive you, Joe, I ’ave not,” replied the old man. “He’ll -have to stay down here of a daytime, an’ only come on deck of a night -when it’s our watch. I told ’im what a lot of good-’arted chaps you -was, and how—” - -“How much is he going to give you?” inquired Joe impatiently. - -“It’s only fit and proper he should pay a little for the passage,” said -Dan. - -“How _much?_” demanded Joe, banging the little triangular table with -his fist, and thereby causing the man with the antimacassar to drop a -couple of stitches. - -“Twenty-five shillings,” said old Dan reluctantly; “an’ I’ll spend the -odd five shillings on you chaps when we git to Limehouse.” - -“I don’t want your money,” said Joe; “there’s a empty bunk he can have; -and mind, you take all the responsibility—I won’t have nothing to do -with it.” - -“Thanks, Joe,” said the old man, with a sigh of relief; “he’s a nice -young chap, you’re sure to take to him. I’ll go and give him the tip to -come aboard at once.” - -He ran up on deck again and whistled softly, and a figure, which had -been hiding behind a pile of empties, came out, and, after looking -cautiously around, dropped noiselessly on to the schooner’s deck, and -followed its protector below. - -“Good evening, mates,” said the linesman, gazing curiously and -anxiously round him as he deposited a bundle on the table, and laid his -swagger cane beside it. - -“What’s your height?” inquired Joe abruptly. “Seven foot?” - -“No, only six foot four,” said the new arrival, modestly. “I’m not -proud of it. It’s much easier for a small man to slip off than a big -one.” - -“It licks me,” said Joe thoughtfully, “what they want ’em back for—I -should think they’d be glad to git rid o’ such”—he paused a moment -while politeness struggled with feeling, and added, “skunks.” - -“P’raps I’ve a reason for being a skunk, p’raps I haven’t,” retorted -Private Smith, as his face fell. - -“This’ll be your bunk,” interposed Dan hastily; “put your things in -there, and when you are in yourself you’ll be as comfortable as a -oyster in its shell.” - -The visitor complied, and, first extracting from the bundle some tins -of meat and a bottle of whiskey, which he placed upon the table, -nervously requested the honour of the present company to supper. With -the exception of Joe, who churlishly climbed back into his bunk, the -men complied, all agreeing that boys of Billy’s age should be reared on -strong teetotal principles. - -Supper over, Private Smith and his protectors retired to their couches, -where the former lay in much anxiety until two in the morning, when -they got under way. - -“It’s all right, my lad,” said Dan, after the watch had been set, as he -came and stood by the deserter’s bunk; “I’ve saved you—I’ve saved you -for twenty-five shillings.” - -“I wish it was more,” said Private Smith politely. - -The old man sighed—and waited. - -“I’m quite cleaned out, though,” continued the deserter, “except -fi’pence ha’penny. I shall have to risk going home in my uniform as it -is.” - -“Ah, you’ll get there all right,” said Dan cheerfully; “and when you -get home no doubt you’ve got friends, and if it seems to you as you’d -like to give a little more to them as assisted you in the hour of need, -you won’t be ungrateful, my lad, I know. You ain’t the sort.” - -With these words old Dan, patting him affectionately, retired, and the -soldier lay trying to sleep in his narrow quarters until he was aroused -by a grip on his arm. - -“If you want a mouthful of fresh air you’d better come on deck now,” -said the voice of Joe; “it’s my watch. You can get all the sleep you -want in the daytime.” - -Glad to escape from such stuffy quarters, Private Smith clambered out -of his bunk and followed the other on deck. It was a fine clear night, -and the schooner was going along under a light breeze; the seaman took -the wheel, and, turning to his companion, abruptly inquired what he -meant by deserting and worrying them with six foot four of underdone -lobster. - -“It’s all through my girl,” said Private Smith meekly; “first she -jilted me, and made me join the army; now she’s chucked the other -fellow, and wrote to me to go back.” - -“An’ now I s’pose the other chap’ll take your place in the army,” said -Joe. “Why, a gal like that could fill a regiment, if she liked. Pah! -They’ll nab you too, in that uniform, and you’ll get six months, and -have to finish your time as well.” - -“It’s more than likely,” said the soldier gloomily. “I’ve got to tramp -to Manchester in these clothes, as far as I can see.” - -“What did you give old Dan all your money for?” inquired Joe. - -“I was only thinking of getting away at first,” said Smith, “and I had -to take what was offered.” - -“Well, I’ll do what I can for you,” said the seaman. “If you’re in -love, you ain’t responsible for your actions. I remember the first time -I got the chuck. I went into a public-house bar, and smashed all the -glass and bottles I could get at. I felt as though I must do something. -If you were only shorter, I’d lend you some clothes.” - -“You’re a brick,” said the soldier gratefully. - -“I haven’t got any money I could lend you either,” said Joe. “I never -do have any, somehow. But clothes you must have.” - -He fell into deep thought, and cocked his eye aloft as though -contemplating a cutting-out expedition on the sails, while the soldier, -sitting on the side of the ship, waited hopefully for a miracle. - -“You’d better get below again,” said Joe presently. - -“There seems to be somebody moving below; and if the skipper sees you, -you’re done. He’s a regular Tartar, and he’s got a brother what’s a -sergeant-major in the army. He’d give you up d’rectly if he spotted -you.” - -“I’m off,” said Smith; and with long, cat-like strides he disappeared -swiftly below. - -For two days all went well, and Dan was beginning to congratulate -himself upon his little venture, when his peace of mind was rudely -disturbed. The crew were down below, having their tea, when Billy, who -had been to the galley for hot water, came down, white and scared. - -“Look here,” he said nervously, “I’ve not had anything to do with this -chap being aboard, have I?” - -“What’s the matter?” inquired Dan quickly. - -“It’s all found out,” said Billy. - -“_What!_” cried the crew simultaneously. - -“Leastways, it will be,” said the youth, correcting himself. “You’d -better chuck him overboard while you’ve got time. I heard the cap’n -tell the mate as he was coming down in the fo’c’sle to-morrow morning -to look round. He’s going to have it painted.” - -“This,” said Dan, in the midst of a painful pause, “this is what comes -of helping a fellow-creature. What’s to be done?” - -“Tell the skipper the fo’c’sle don’t want painting,” suggested Billy. - -The agonised old seaman, carefully putting down his saucer of tea, -cuffed his head spitefully. - -“It’s a smooth sea,” said he, looking at the perturbed countenance of -Private Smith, “an there’s a lot of shipping about. If I was a -deserter, sooner than be caught, I would slip overboard to-night with a -lifebelt and take my chance.” - -“I wouldn’t,” said Mr. Smith, with much decision. - -“You wouldn’t? Not if you was quite near another ship?” cooed Dan. - -“Not if I was near fifty blooming ships, all trying to see which could -pick me up first,” replied Mr. Smith, with some heat. - -“Then we shall have to leave you to your fate,” said Dan solemnly. “If -a man’s unreasonable, his best friends can do nothing for him.” - -“Chuck all his clothes overboard, anyway,” said Billy. - -“That’s a good idea o’ the boy’s. You leave his ears alone,” said Joe, -stopping the ready hand of the exasperated Dan. “He’s got more sense -than any of us. Can you think of anything else, Billy? What shall we do -then?” - -The eyes of all were turned upon their youthful deliverer, those of Mr. -Smith being painfully prominent. It was a proud moment for Billy, and -he sat silent for some time, with a look of ineffable wisdom and -thought upon his face. At length he spoke. - -“Let somebody else have a turn,” he said generously. - -The voice of the antimacassar worker broke the silence. - -“Paint him all over with stripes of different-coloured paint, and let -him pretend he’s mad, and didn’t know how he got here,” he said, with -an uncontrollable ring of pride at the idea, which was very coldly -received, Private Smith being noticeably hard on it. - -“I know,” said Billy shrilly, clapping his hands. “I’ve got it, I’ve -got it. After he’s chucked his clothes overboard to-night, let him go -overboard too, with a line.” - -“And tow him the rest o’ the way, and chuck biscuits to him, I -suppose,” snarled Dan. - -“No,” said the youthful genius scornfully; “pretend he’s been upset -from a boat, and has been swimming about, and we heard him cry out for -help and rescued him.” - -“It’s about the best way out of it,” said Joe, after some deliberation; -“it’s warm weather, and you won’t take no harm, mate. Do it in my -watch, and I’ll pull you out directly.” - -“Wouldn’t it do if you just chucked a bucket of water over me and -_said_ you’d pulled me out,” suggested the victim. “The other thing -seems a downright _lie_.” - -“No,” said Billy authoritatively, “you’ve got to look half-drowned, and -swallow a lot of water, and your eyes be all bloodshot.” - -Everybody being eager for the adventure, except Private Smith, the -arrangements were at once concluded, and the approach of night -impatiently awaited. It was just before midnight when Smith, who had -forgotten for the time his troubles in sleep, was shaken into -wakefulness. - -“Cold water, sir?” said Billy gleefully. - -In no mood for frivolity, Private Smith rose and followed the youth on -deck. The air struck him as chill as he stood there; but, for all that, -it was with a sense of relief that he saw Her Majesty’s uniform go over -the side and sink into the dark water. - -“He don’t look much with his padding off, does he?” said Billy, who had -been eyeing him critically. - -“You go below,” said Dan sharply. - -“Garn,” said Billy indignantly; “I want to see the fun as well as you -do. I thought of it.” - -“Fun?” said the old man severely. “Fun? To see a feller creature -suffering, and perhaps drowned—” - -“I don’t think I had better go,” said the victim; “it seems rather -underhand.” - -“Yes, you will,” said Joe. “Wind this line round an’ round your arm, -and just swim about gently till I pull you in.” - -Sorely against his inclination Private Smith took hold of the line, -and, hanging over the side of the schooner, felt the temperature with -his foot, and, slowly and tenderly, with many little gasps, committed -his body to the deep. Joe paid out the line and waited, letting out -more line, when the man in the water, who was getting anxious, started -to come in hand over hand. - -“That’ll do,” said Dan at length. - -“I think it will,” said Joe, and, putting his hand to his mouth, gave a -mighty shout. It was answered almost directly by startled roars from -the cabin, and the skipper and mate came rushing hastily upon deck, to -see the crew, in their sleeping gear, forming an excited group round -Joe, and peering eagerly over the side. - -“What’s the matter?” demanded the skipper. - -“Somebody in the water, sir,” said Joe, relinquishing the wheel to one -of the other seamen, and hauling in the line. “I heard a cry from the -water and threw a line, and, by gum, I’ve hooked it!” - -He hauled in, lustily aided by the skipper, until the long white body -of Private Smith, blanched with the cold, came bumping against the -schooner’s side. - -“It’s a mermaid,” said the mate, who was inclined to be superstitious, -as he peered doubtfully down at it. “Let it go, Joe.” - -“Haul it in, boys,” said the skipper impatiently; and two of the men -clambered over the side and, stooping down, raised it from the water. - -In the midst of a puddle, which he brought with him, Private Smith was -laid on the deck, and, waving his arms about, fought wildly for his -breath. - -“Fetch one of them empties,” said the skipper quickly, as he pointed to -some barrels ranged along the side. - -The men rolled one over, and then aided the skipper in placing the long -fair form of their visitor across it, and to trundle it lustily up and -down the deck, his legs forming convenient handles for the energetic -operators. - -“He’s coming round,” said the mate, checking them; “he’s speaking. How -do you feel, my poor fellow?” - -He put his ear down, but the action was unnecessary. Private Smith felt -bad, and, in the plainest English he could think of at the moment, said -so distinctly. - -“He’s swearing,” said the mate. “He ought to be ashamed of himself.” - -“Yes,” said the skipper austerely; “and him so near death too. How did -you get in the water?” - -“Went for a—swim,” panted Smith surlily. - -“_Swim?_” echoed the skipper. “Why, we’re ten miles from land!” - -“His mind’s wandering, pore feller,” interrupted Joe hurriedly. “What -boat did you fall out of, matey?” - -“A row-boat,” said Smith, trying to roll out of reach of the skipper, -who was down on his knees flaying him alive with a roller-towel. “I had -to undress in the water to keep afloat. I’ve lost all my clothes.” - -“Pore feller,” said Dan. - -“A gold watch and chain, my purse, and three of the nicest fellers that -ever breathed,” continued Smith, who was now entering into the spirit -of the thing. - -“Poor chaps,” said the skipper solemnly. “Any of ’em leave any family?” - -“Four,” said Smith sadly. - -“Children?” queried the mate. - -“Families,” said Smith. - -“Look here,” said the mate, but the watchful Joe interrupted him. - -“His mind’s wandering,” said he hastily. “He can’t count, pore chap. -We’d better git him to bed.” - -“Ah, do,” said the skipper, and, assisted by his friends, the rescued -man was half led, half carried below and put between the blankets, -where he lay luxuriously sipping a glass of brandy and water, sent from -the cabin. - -“How’d I do it?” he inquired, with a satisfied air. - -“There was no need to tell all them lies about it,” said Dan sharply; -“instead of one little lie you told half-a-dozen. I don’t want nothing -more to do with you. You start afresh now, like a new-born babe.” - -“All right,” said Smith shortly; and, being very much fatigued with his -exertions, and much refreshed by the brandy, fell into a deep and -peaceful sleep. - -The morning was well advanced when he awoke, and the fo’c’sle empty -except for the faithful Joe, who was standing by his side, with a heap -of clothing under his arm. - -“Try these on,” said he, as Smith stared at him half awake; “they’ll be -better than nothing, at any rate.” - -The soldier leaped from his bunk and gratefully proceeded to dress -himself, Joe eyeing him critically as the trousers climbed up his long -legs, and the sleeves of the jacket did their best to conceal his -elbows. - -“What do I look like?” he inquired anxiously, as he finished. - -“Six foot an’ a half o’ misery,” piped the shrill voice of Billy -promptly, as he thrust his head in at the fo’c’sle. “You can’t go to -church in those clothes.” - -“Well, they’ll do for the ship, but you can’t go ashore in ’em,” said -Joe, as he edged towards the ladder, and suddenly sprang up a step or -two to let fly at the boy, “The old man wants to see you; be careful -what you say to him.” - -With a very unsuccessful attempt to appear unconscious of the figure he -cut, Smith went up on deck for the interview. - -“We can’t do anything until we get to London,” said the skipper, as he -made copious notes of Smith’s adventures. “As soon as we get there, -I’ll lend you the money to telegraph to your friends to tell ’em you’re -safe and to send you some clothes, and of course you’ll have free board -and lodging till it comes, and I’ll write out an account of it for the -newspapers.” - -“You’re very good,” said Smith blankly. - -“And I don’t know what you are,” said the skipper, interrogatively; -“but you ought to go in for swimming as a profession—six hours’ -swimming about like that is wonderful.” - -“You don’t know what you can do till you have to,” said Smith modestly, -as he backed slowly away; “but I never want to see the water again as -long as I live.” - -The two remaining days of their passage passed all too quickly for the -men, who were casting about for some way out of the difficulty which -they foresaw would arise when they reached London. - -“If you’d only got decent clothes,” said Joe, as they passed Gravesend, -“you could go off and send a telegram, and not come back; but you -couldn’t go five yards in them things without having a crowd after -you.” - -“I shall have to be taken I s’pose,” said Smith moodily. - -“An’ poor old Dan’ll get six months hard for helping you off,” said Joe -sympathetically, as a bright idea occurred to him. - -“Rubbish!” said Dan uneasily. “He can stick to his tale of being upset; -anyway, the skipper saw him pulled out of the water. He’s too honest a -chap to get an old man into trouble for trying to help him.” - -“He must have a new rig out, Dan,” said Joe softly. “You an’ me’ll go -an’ buy ’em. I’ll do the choosing, and you’ll do the paying. Why, it’ll -be a reg’lar treat for you to lay out a little money, Dan. We’ll have -quite an evening’s shopping, everything of the best.” - -The infuriated Dan gasped for breath, and looked helplessly at the -grinning crew. - -“I’ll see him—overboard first,” he said furiously. - -“Please yourself,” said Joe shortly, “If he’s caught you’ll get six -months. As it is, you’ve got a chance of doing a nice, kind little -Christian act, becos, o’ course, that twenty-five bob you got out of -him won’t anything like pay for his toggery.” - -Almost beside himself with indignation, the old man moved off, and said -not another word until they were made fast to the wharf at Limehouse. -He did not even break silence when Joe, taking him affectionately by -the arm, led him aft to the skipper. - -“Me an’ Dan, sir,” said Joe very respectfully, “would like to go ashore -for a little shopping. Dan has very kindly offered to lend that pore -chap the money for some clothes, and he wants me to go with him to help -carry them.” - -“Ay, ay,” said the skipper, with a benevolent smile at the aged -philanthropist. “You’d better go at once, afore the shops shut.” - -“We’ll run, sir,” said Joe, and taking Dan by the arm, dragged him into -the street at a trot. - -Nearly a couple of hours passed before they returned, and no child -watched with greater eagerness the opening of a birthday present than -Smith watched the undoing of the numerous parcels with which they were -laden. - -“He’s a reg’lar fairy godmother, ain’t he?” said Joe, as Smith joyously -dressed himself in a very presentable tweed suit, serviceable boots, -and a bowler hat. “We had a dreadful job to get a suit big enough, an’ -the only one we could get was rather more money than we wanted to give, -wasn’t it, Dan?” - -The fairy godmother strove manfully with his feelings. - -“You’ll do now,” said Joe. “I ain’t got much, but what I have you’re -welcome to.” He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out some loose -coin. “What have you got, mates?” - -With decent good will the other men turned out their pockets, and, -adding to the store, heartily pressed it upon the reluctant Smith, who, -after shaking hands gratefully, followed Joe on deck. - -“You’ve got enough to pay your fare,” said the latter; “an’ I’ve told -the skipper you are going ashore to send off telegrams. If you send the -money back to Dan, I’ll never forgive you.” - -“I won’t, then,” said Smith firmly; “but I’ll send theirs back to the -other chaps. Good-bye.” - -Joe shook him by the hand again, and bade him go while the coast was -clear, advice which Smith hastened to follow, though he turned and -looked back to wave his hand to the crew, who had come up on deck -silently to see him off; all but the philanthropist, who was down below -with a stump of lead-pencil and a piece of paper doing sums. - - - - -A BLACK AFFAIR - - -I didn’t want to bring it,” said Captain Gubson, regarding somewhat -unfavourably a grey parrot whose cage was hanging against the mainmast, -“but my old uncle was so set on it I had to. He said a sea-voyage would -set its ’elth up.” - -“It seems to be all right at present,” said the mate, who was tenderly -sucking his forefinger; “best of spirits, I should say.” - -“It’s playful,” assented the skipper. “The old man thinks a rare lot of -it. I think I shall have a little bit in that quarter, so keep your eye -on the beggar.” - -“Scratch Poll!” said the parrot, giving its bill a preliminary strop on -its perch. “Scratch poor Polly!” - -It bent its head against the bars, and waited patiently to play off -what it had always regarded as the most consummate practical joke in -existence. The first doubt it had ever had about it occurred when the -mate came forward and obligingly scratched it with the stem of his -pipe. It was a wholly unforeseen development, and the parrot, ruffling -its feathers, edged along its perch and brooded darkly at the other end -of it. - -Opinion before the mast was also against the new arrival, the general -view being that the wild jealousy which raged in the bosom of the -ship’s cat would sooner or later lead to mischief. - -“Old Satan don’t like it,” said the cook, shaking his head. “The -blessed bird hadn’t been aboard ten minutes before Satan was prowling -around. The blooming image waited till he was about a foot off the -cage, and then he did the perlite and asked him whether he’d like a -glass o’ beer. _I_ never see a cat so took aback in all my life. -Never.” - -“There’ll be trouble between ’em,” said old Sam, who was the cat’s -special protector, “mark my words.” - -“I’d put my money on the parrot,” said one of the men confidently. -“It’s ’ad a crool bit out of the mate’s finger. Where ’ud the cat be -agin that beak?” - -“Well, you’d lose your money,” said Sam. “If you want to do the cat a -kindness, every time you see him near that cage cuff his ’ed.” - -The crew being much attached to the cat, which had been presented to -them when a kitten by the mate’s wife, acted upon the advice with so -much zest that for the next two days the indignant animal was like to -have been killed with kindness. On the third day, however, the parrot’s -cage being on the cabin table, the cat stole furtively down, and, at -the pressing request of the occupant itself, scratched its head for it. - -The skipper was the first to discover the mischief, and he came on deck -and published the news in a voice which struck a chill to all hearts. - -“Where’s that black devil got to?” he yelled. - -“Anything wrong, sir?” asked Sam anxiously. - -“Come and look here,” said the skipper. He led the way to the cabin, -where the mate and one of the crew were already standing, shaking their -heads over the parrot. - -“What do you make of that?” demanded the skipper fiercely. - -“Too much dry food, sir,” said Sam, after due deliberation. - -“Too much what?” bellowed the skipper. - -“Too much dry food,” repeated Sam firmly. “A parrot—a grey parrot—wants -plenty o’ sop. If it don’t get it, it moults.” - -“It’s had too much _cat_,” said the skipper fiercely, “and you know it, -and overboard it goes.” - -“I don’t believe it was the cat, sir,” interposed the other man; “it’s -too soft-hearted to do a thing like that.” - -“You can shut your jaw,” said the skipper, reddening. “Who asked you to -come down here at all?” - -“Nobody saw the cat do it,” urged the mate. - -The skipper said nothing, but, stooping down, picked up a tail feather -from the floor, and laid it on the table. He then went on deck, -followed by the others, and began calling, in seductive tones, for the -cat. No reply forth coming from the sagacious animal, which had gone -into hiding, he turned to Sam, and bade him call it. - -“No, sir, I won’t ’ave no ’and in it,” said the old man. “Putting aside -my liking for the animal, _I’m_ not going to ’ave anything to do with -the killing of a black cat.” - -“Rubbish!” said the skipper. - -“Very good, sir,” said Sam, shrugging his shoulders, “you know best, o’ -course. You’re eddicated and I’m not, an’ p’raps you can afford to make -a laugh o’ such things. I knew one man who killed a black cat an’ he -went mad. There’s something very pecooliar about that cat o’ ours.” - -“It knows more than we do,” said one of the crew, shaking his head. -“That time you—I mean we—ran the smack down, that cat was expecting of -it ’ours before. It was like a wild thing.” - -“Look at the weather we’ve ’ad—look at the trips we’ve made since he’s -been aboard,” said the old man. “Tell me it’s chance if you like, but I -_know_ better.” - -The skipper hesitated. He was a superstitious man even for a sailor, -and his weakness was so well known that he had become a sympathetic -receptacle for every ghost story which, by reason of its crudeness or -lack of corroboration, had been rejected by other experts. He was a -perfect reference library for omens, and his interpretations of dreams -had gained for him a widespread reputation. - -“That’s all nonsense,” he said, pausing uneasily; “still, I only want -to be just. There’s nothing vindictive about me, and I’ll have no hand -in it myself. Joe, just tie a lump of coal to that cat and heave it -overboard.” - -“Not me,” said the cook, following Sam’s lead, and working up a -shudder. “Not for fifty pun in gold. I don’t want to be haunted.” - -“The parrot’s a little better now, sir,” said one of the men, taking -advantage of his hesitation, “he’s opened one eye.” - -“Well, I only want to be just,” repeated the skipper. “I won’t do -anything in a hurry, but, mark my words, if the parrot dies that cat -goes overboard.” - -Contrary to expectations, the bird was still alive when London was -reached, though the cook, who from his connection with the cabin had -suddenly reached a position of unusual importance, reported great loss -of strength and irritability of temper. It was still alive, but failing -fast on the day they were to put to sea again; and the fo’c’sle, in -preparation for the worst, stowed their pet away in the paint-locker, -and discussed the situation. - -Their council was interrupted by the mysterious behaviour of the cook, -who, having gone out to lay in a stock of bread, suddenly broke in upon -them more in the manner of a member of a secret society than a humble -but useful unit of a ship’s company. - -“Where’s the cap’n?” he asked in a hoarse whisper, as he took a seat on -the locker with the sack of bread between his knees. - -“In the cabin,” said Sam, regarding his antics with some disfavour. -“What’s wrong, cookie?” - -“What d’ yer think I’ve got in here?” asked the cook, patting the bag. - -The obvious reply to this question was, of course, bread; but as it was -known that the cook had departed specially to buy some, and that he -could hardly ask a question involving such a simple answer, nobody gave -it. - -“It come to me all of a sudden,” said the cook, in a thrilling whisper. -“I’d just bought the bread and left the shop, when I see a big black -cat, the very image of ours, sitting on a doorstep. I just stooped down -to stroke its ’ed, when it come to me.” - -“They will sometimes,” said one of the seamen. - -“I don’t mean that,” said the cook, with the contempt of genius. “I -mean the idea did. Ses I to myself, ‘You might be old Satan’s brother -by the look of you; an’ if the cap’n wants to kill a cat, let it be -you,’ I ses. And with that, before it could say Jack Robinson, I picked -it up by the scruff o’ the neck and shoved it in the bag.” - -“What, all in along of our bread?” said the previous interrupter, in a -pained voice. - -“Some of yer are ’ard ter please,” said the cook, deeply offended. - -“Don’t mind him, cook,” said the admiring Sam. “You’re a masterpiece, -that’s what you are.” - -“Of course, if any of you’ve got a better plan”—said the cook -generously. - -“Don’t talk rubbish, cook,” said Sam; “fetch the two cats out and put -’em together.” - -“Don’t mix ’em,” said the cook warningly; “for you’ll never know which -is which agin if you do.” - -He cautiously opened the top of the sack and produced his captive, and -Satan, having been relieved from his prison, the two animals were -carefully compared. - -“They’re as like as two lumps o’ coal,” said Sam slowly. “Lord, what a -joke on the old man. I must tell the mate o’ this; he’ll enjoy it.” - -“It’ll be all right if the parrot don’t die,” said the dainty -pessimist, still harping on his pet theme. “All that bread spoilt, and -two cats aboard.” - -“Don’t mind what he ses,” said Sam; “you’re a brick, that’s what you -are. I’ll just make a few holes in the lid o’ the boy’s chest, and pop -old Satan in. You don’t mind, do you, Billy?” - -“Of course he don’t,” said the other men indignantly. - -Matters being thus agreeably arranged, Sam got a gimlet, and prepared -the chest for the reception of its tenant, who, convinced that he was -being put out of the way to make room for a rival, made a frantic fight -for freedom. - -“Now get something ’eavy and put on the top of it,” said Sam, having -convinced himself that the lock was broken; “and, Billy, put the noo -cat in the paint-locker till we start; it’s home-sick.” - -The boy obeyed, and the understudy was kept in durance vile until they -were off Limehouse, when he came on deck and nearly ended his career -there and then by attempting to jump over the bulwark into the next -garden. For some time he paced the deck in a perturbed fashion, and -then, leaping on the stern, mewed plaintively as his native city -receded farther and farther from his view. - -“What’s the matter with old Satan?” said the mate, who had been let -into the secret. “He seems to have something on his mind.” - -“He’ll have something round his neck presently,” said the skipper -grimly. - -The prophecy was fulfilled some three hours later, when he came up on -deck ruefully regarding the remains of a bird whose vocabulary had once -been the pride of its native town. He threw it overboard without a -word, and then, seizing the innocent cat, who had followed him under -the impression that it was about to lunch, produced half a brick -attached to a string, and tied it round his neck. The crew, who were -enjoying the joke immensely, raised a howl of protest. - -“The _Skylark_’ll never have another like it, sir,” said Sam solemnly. -“That cat was the luck of the ship.” - -“I don’t want any of your old woman’s yarns,” said the skipper -brutally. “If you want the cat, go and fetch it.” - -He stepped aft as he spoke, and sent the gentle stranger hurtling -through the air. There was a “plomp” as it reached the water, a bubble -or two came to the surface, and all was over. - -“That’s the last o’ that,” he said, turning away. - -The old man shook his head. “You can’t kill a black cat for nothing,” -said he, “mark my words!” - -The skipper, who was in a temper at the time, thought little of them, -but they recurred to him vividly the next day. The wind had freshened -during the night, and rain was falling heavily. On deck the crew stood -about in oilskins, while below, the boy, in his new capacity of gaoler, -was ministering to the wants of an ungrateful prisoner, when the cook, -happening to glance that way, was horrified to see the animal emerge -from the fo’c’sle. It eluded easily the frantic clutch of the boy as he -sprang up the ladder after it, and walked leisurely along the deck in -the direction of the cabin. Just as the crew had given it up for lost -it encountered Sam, and the next moment, despite its cries, was caught -up and huddled away beneath his stiff clammy oilskins. At the noise the -skipper, who was talking to the mate, turned as though he had been -shot, and gazed wildly round him. - -“Dick,” said he, “can you hear a cat?” - -“Cat!” said the mate, in accents of great astonishment. - -“I thought I heard it,” said the puzzled skipper. - -“Fancy, sir,” said Dick firmly, as a mewing, appalling in its wrath, -came from beneath Sam’s coat. - -“Did you hear it, Sam?” called the skipper, as the old man was moving -off. - -“Hear what, sir?” inquired Sam respectfully, without turning round. - -“Nothing,” said the skipper, collecting himself. “Nothing. All right.” - -The old man, hardly able to believe in his good fortune, made his way -forward, and, seizing a favourable opportunity, handed his ungrateful -burden back to the boy. - -“Fancy you heard a cat just now?” inquired the mate casually. - -“Well, between you an’ me, Dick,” said the skipper, in a mysterious -voice, “I did, and it wasn’t fancy neither. I heard that cat as plain -as if it was alive.” - -“Well, I’ve heard of such things,” said the other, “but I don’t believe -’em. What a lark if the old cat comes back climbing up over the side -out of the sea to-night, with the brick hanging round its neck.” - -The skipper stared at him for some time without speaking. “If that’s -your idea of a lark,” he said at length, in a voice which betrayed -traces of some emotion, “it ain’t mine.” - -“Well, if you hear it again,” said the mate cordially, “you might let -me know. I’m rather interested in such things.” - -The skipper, hearing no more of it that day, tried hard to persuade -himself that he was the victim of imagination, but, in spite of this, -he was pleased at night, as he stood at the wheel, to reflect on the -sense of companionship afforded by the look-out in the bows. On his -part the look-out was quite charmed with the unwonted affability of the -skipper, as he yelled out to him two or three times on matters only -faintly connected with the progress of the schooner. - -The night, which had been dirty, cleared somewhat, and the bright -crescent of the moon appeared above a heavy bank of clouds, as the cat, -which had by dint of using its back as a lever at length got free from -that cursed chest, licked its shapely limbs, and came up on deck. After -its stifling prison, the air was simply delicious. - -“Bob!” yelled the skipper suddenly. - -“Ay, ay, sir!” said the look-out, in a startled voice. - -“Did you mew?” inquired the skipper. - -“Did I _wot_, sir?” cried the astonished Bob. - -“Mew,” said the skipper sharply, “like a cat?” - -“No, sir,” said the offended seaman. “What ’ud I want to do that for?” - -“I don’t know what you want to for,” said the skipper, looking round -him uneasily. “There’s some more rain coming, Bob.” - -“Ay, ay, sir,” said Bob. - -“Lot o’ rain we’ve had this summer,” said the skipper, in a meditative -bawl. - -“Ay, ay, sir,” said Bob. “Sailing-ship on the port bow, sir.” - -The conversation dropped, the skipper, anxious to divert his thoughts, -watching the dark mass of sail as it came plunging out of the darkness -into the moonlight until it was abreast of his own craft. His eyes -followed it as it passed his quarter, so that he saw not the stealthy -approach of the cat which came from behind the companion, and sat down -close by him. For over thirty hours the animal had been subjected to -the grossest indignities at the hands of every man on board the ship -except one. That one was the skipper, and there is no doubt but that -its subsequent behaviour was a direct recognition of that fact. It rose -to its feet, and crossing over to the unconscious skipper, rubbed its -head affectionately and vigorously against his leg. - -From simple causes great events do spring. The skipper sprang four -yards, and let off a screech which was the subject of much comment on -the barque which had just passed. When Bob, who came shuffling up at -the double, reached him he was leaning against the side, incapable of -speech, and shaking all over. - -“Anything wrong, sir?” inquired the seaman anxiously, as he ran to the -wheel. - -The skipper pulled himself together a bit, and got closer to his -companion. - -“Believe me or not, Bob,” he said at length, in trembling accents, -“just as you please, but the ghost of that—cat, I mean the ghost of -that poor affectionate animal which I drowned, and which I wish I -hadn’t, came and rubbed itself up against my leg.” - -“Which leg?” inquired Bob, who was ever careful about details. - -“What the blazes does it matter which leg?” demanded the skipper, whose -nerves were in a terrible state. “Ah, look—look there!” - -The seaman followed his outstretched finger, and his heart failed him -as he saw the cat, with its back arched, gingerly picking its way along -the side of the vessel. - -“I can’t see nothing,” he said doggedly. - -“I don’t suppose you can, Bob,” said the skipper in a melancholy voice, -as the cat vanished in the bows; “it’s evidently only meant for me to -see. What it means I don’t know. I’m going down to turn in. I ain’t fit -for duty. You don’t mind being left alone till the mate comes up, do -you?” - -“I ain’t afraid,” said Bob. - -His superior officer disappeared below, and, shaking the sleepy mate, -who protested strongly against the proceedings, narrated in trembling -tones his horrible experiences. - -“If I were you “—said the mate. - -“Yes?” said the skipper, waiting a bit. Then he shook him again, -roughly. - -“What were you going to say?” he inquired. - -“Say?” said the mate, rubbing his eyes. “Nothing.” - -“About the cat?” suggested the skipper. - -“Cat?” said the mate, nestling lovingly down in the blankets again. -“Wha’ ca’—goo’ ni’”— - -Then the skipper drew the blankets from the mate’s sleepy clutches, -and, rolling him backwards and forwards in the bunk, patiently -explained to him that he was very unwell, that he was going to have a -drop of whiskey neat, and turn in, and that he, the mate, was to take -the watch. From this moment the joke lost much of its savour for the -mate. - -“You can have a nip too, Dick,” said the skipper, proffering him the -whiskey, as the other sullenly dressed himself. - -“It’s all rot,” said the mate, tossing the spirits down his throat, -“and it’s no use either; you can’t run away from a ghost; it’s just as -likely to be in your bed as anywhere else. Good-night.” - -He left the skipper pondering over his last words, and dubiously eyeing -the piece of furniture in question. Nor did he retire until he had -subjected it to an analysis of the most searching description, and -then, leaving the lamp burning, he sprang hastily in, and forgot his -troubles in sleep. - -It was day when he awoke, and went on deck to find a heavy sea running, -and just sufficient sail set to keep the schooner’s head before the -wind as she bobbed about on the waters. An exclamation from the -skipper, as a wave broke against the side and flung a cloud of spray -over him, brought the mate’s head round. - -“Why, you ain’t going to get up?” he said, in tones of insincere -surprise. - -“Why not?” inquired the other gruffly. - -“You go and lay down agin,” said the mate, “and have a cup o’ nice hot -tea an’ some toast.” - -“Clear out,” said the skipper, making a dash for the wheel, and -reaching it as the wet deck suddenly changed its angle. “I know you -didn’t like being woke up, Dick; but I got the horrors last night. Go -below and turn in.” - -“All right,” said the mollified mate. - -“You didn’t see anything?” inquired the skipper, as he took the wheel -from him. - -“Nothing at all,” said the other. - -The skipper shook his head thoughtfully, then shook it again -vigorously, as another shower-bath put its head over the side and -saluted him. - -“I wish I hadn’t drowned that cat, Dick,” he said. - -“You won’t see it again,” said Dick, with the confidence of a man who -had taken every possible precaution to render the prophecy a safe one. - -He went below, leaving the skipper at the wheel idly watching the cook -as he performed marvellous feats of jugglery, between the galley and -the fo’c’sle, with the men’s breakfast. - -A little while later, leaving the wheel to Sam, he went below himself -and had his own, talking freely, to the discomfort of the -conscious-stricken cook, about his weird experiences of the night -before. - -“You won’t see it no more, sir, I don’t expect,” he said faintly; “I -b’leeve it come and rubbed itself up agin your leg to show it forgave -you.” - -“Well, I hope it knows it’s understood,” said the other. “I don’t want -it to take any more trouble.” - -He finished the breakfast in silence, and then went on deck again. It -was still blowing hard, and he went over to superintend the men who -were attempting to lash together some empties which were rolling about -in all directions amidships. A violent roll set them free again, and at -the same time separated two chests in the fo’c’sle, which were standing -one on top of the other. This enabled Satan, who was crouching in the -lower one, half crazed with terror, to come flying madly up on deck and -give his feelings full vent. Three times in full view of the horrified -skipper he circled the deck at racing speed, and had just started on -the fourth when a heavy packing-case, which had been temporarily set on -end and abandoned by the men at his sudden appearance, fell over and -caught him by the tail. Sam rushed to the rescue. - -“Stop!” yelled the skipper. - -“Won’t I put it up, sir?” inquired Sam. - -“Do you see what’s beneath it?” said the skipper, in a husky voice. - -“Beneath it, sir?” said Sam, whose ideas were in a whirl. - -“The cat, can’t you see the cat?” said the skipper, whose eyes had been -riveted on the animal since its first appearance on deck. - -Sam hesitated a moment, and then shook his head. - -“The case has fallen on the cat,” said the skipper. “I can see it -distinctly.” - -He might have said heard it, too, for Satan was making frenzied appeals -to his sympathetic friends for assistance. - -“Let me put the case back, sir,” said one of the men, “then p’raps the -vision ’ll disappear.” - -“No, stop where you are,” said the skipper. “I can stand it better by -daylight. It’s the most wonderful and extraordinary thing I’ve ever -seen. Do you mean to say you can’t see anything, Sam?” - -“I can see a case, sir,” said Sam, speaking slowly and carefully, “with -a bit of rusty iron band sticking out from it. That’s what you’re -mistaking for the cat, p’raps, sir.” - -“Can’t you see anything, cook?” demanded the skipper. - -“It may be fancy, sir,” faltered the cook, lowering his eyes, “but it -does seem to me as though I can see a little misty sort o’ thing there. -Ah, now it’s gone.” - -“No, it ain’t,” said the skipper. “The ghost of Satan’s sitting there. -The case seems to have fallen on its tail. It appears to be howling -something dreadful.” - -The men made a desperate effort to display the astonishment suitable to -such a marvel, whilst Satan, who was trying all he knew to get his tail -out, cursed freely. How long the superstitious captain of the _Skylark_ -would have let him remain there will never be known, for just then the -mate came on deck and caught sight of it before he was quite aware of -the part he was expected to play. - -“Why the devil don’t you lift the thing off the poor brute,” he yelled, -hurrying up towards the case. - -“What, can _you_ see it, Dick?” said the skipper impressively, laying -his hand on his arm. - -“_See_ it?” retorted the mate. “D’ye think I’m blind. Listen to the -poor brute. I should—Oh!” - -He became conscious of the concentrated significant gaze of the crew. -Five pairs of eyes speaking as one, all saying “idiot” plainly, the -boy’s eyes conveying an expression too great to be translated. - -Turning, the skipper saw the bye-play, and a light slowly dawned upon -him. But he wanted more, and he wheeled suddenly to the cook for the -required illumination. - -The cook said it was a lark. Then he corrected himself and said it -wasn’t a lark, then he corrected himself again and became incoherent. -Meantime the skipper eyed him stonily, while the mate released the cat -and good-naturedly helped to straighten its tail. - -It took fully five minutes of unwilling explanation before the skipper -could grasp the situation. He did not appear to fairly understand it -until he was shown the chest with the ventilated lid; then his -countenance cleared, and, taking the unhappy Billy by the collar, he -called sternly for a piece of rope. - -By this statesmanlike handling of the subject a question of much -delicacy and difficulty was solved, discipline was preserved, and a -practical illustration of the perils of deceit afforded to a youngster -who was at an age best suited to receive such impressions. That he -should exhaust the resources of a youthful but powerful vocabulary upon -the crew in general, and Sam in particular, was only to be expected. -They bore him no malice for it, but, when he showed signs of going -beyond his years, held a hasty consultation, and then stopped his mouth -with sixpence-halfpenny and a broken jack-knife. - - - - -THE SKIPPER OF THE “OSPREY” - - -It was a quarter to six in the morning as the mate of the sailing-barge -_Osprey_ came on deck and looked round for the master, who had been -sleeping ashore and was somewhat overdue. Ten minutes passed before he -appeared on the wharf, and the mate saw with surprise that he was -leaning on the arm of a pretty girl of twenty, as he hobbled painfully -down to the barge. - -“Here you are then,” said the mate, his face clearing. “I began to -think you weren’t coming.” - -“I’m not,” said the skipper; “I’ve got the gout crool bad. My darter -here’s going to take my place, an’ I’m going to take it easy in bed for -a bit.” - -“I’ll go an’ make it for you,” said the mate. - -“I mean my bed at home,” said the skipper sharply. “I want good nursing -an’ attention.” - -The mate looked puzzled. - -“But you don’t really mean to say this young lady is coming aboard -instead of you?” he said. - -“That’s just what I do mean,” said the skipper. “She knows as much -about it as I do. She lived aboard with me until she was quite a big -girl. You’ll take your orders from her. What are you whistling about? -Can’t I do as I like about my own ship?” - -“O’ course you can,” said the mate drily; “an’ I s’pose I can whistle -if I like—I never heard no orders against it.” - -“Gimme a kiss, Meg, an’ git aboard,” said the skipper, leaning on his -stick and turning his cheek to his daughter, who obediently gave him a -perfunctory kiss on the left eyebrow, and sprang lightly aboard the -barge. - -“Cast off,” said she, in a business-like manner, as she seized a -boat-hook and pushed off from the jetty. “Ta ta, Dad, and go straight -home, mind; the cab’s waiting.” - -“Ay, ay, my dear,” said the proud father, his eye moistening with -paternal pride as his daughter, throwing off her jacket, ran and -assisted the mate with the sail. “Lord, what a fine boy she would have -made!” - -He watched the barge until she was well under way, and then, waving his -hand to his daughter, crawled slowly back to the cab; and, being to a -certain extent a believer in homeopathy, treated his complaint with a -glass of rum. - -“I’m sorry your father’s so bad, miss,” said the mate, who was still -somewhat dazed by the recent proceedings, as the girl came up and took -the wheel from him. “He was complaining a goodish bit all the way up.” - -“A wilful man must have his way,” said Miss Cringle, with a shake of -her head. “It’s no good me saying anything, because directly my back’s -turned he has his own way again.” - -The mate shook his head despondently. - -“You’d better get your bedding up and make your arrangements forward,” -said the new skipper presently. There was a look of indulgent -admiration in the mate’s eye, and she thought it necessary to check it. - -“All right,” said the other, “plenty of time for that; the river’s a -little bit thick just now.” - -“What do you mean?” inquired the girl hastily. - -“Some o’ these things are not so careful as they might be,” said the -mate, noting the ominous sparkle of her eye, “an’ they might scrape the -paint off.” - -“Look here, my lad,” said the new skipper grimly, “if you think you can -steer better than me, you’d better keep it to yourself, that’s all. Now -suppose you see about your bedding, as I said.” - -The mate went, albeit he was rather surprised at himself for doing so, -and hid his annoyance and confusion beneath the mattress which he -brought up on his head. His job completed, he came aft again, and, -sitting on the hatches, lit his pipe. - -“This is just the weather for a pleasant cruise,” he said amiably, -after a few whiffs. “You’ve chose a nice time for it.” - -“I don’t mind the weather,” said the girl, who fancied that there was a -little latent sarcasm somewhere. “I think you’d better wash the decks -now.” - -“Washed ’em last night,” said the mate, without moving. - -“Ah, after dark, perhaps,” said the girl. “Well, I think I’ll have them -done again.” - -The mate sat pondering rebelliously for a few minutes, then he removed -his jacket, put on in honour of the new skipper, and, fetching the -bucket and mop, silently obeyed orders. - -“You seem to be very fond of sitting down,” remarked the girl, after he -had finished; “can’t you find something else to do?” - -“I don’t know,” replied the mate slowly; “I thought you were looking -after that.” - -The girl bit her lip, and was looking carefully round her, when they -were both disturbed by the unseemly behaviour of the master of a -passing craft. - -“Jack!” he yelled in a tone of strong amazement, “Jack!” - -“Halloa!” cried the mate. - -“Why didn’t you tell us?” yelled the other reproachfully. - -“Tell you what?” roared the mystified mate. - -The master of the other craft, holding on to the stays with one hand, -jerked his thumb expressively towards Miss Cringle, and waited. - -“When was it?” he screamed anxiously, as he realised that his craft was -rapidly carrying him out of earshot. - -The mate smiled feebly, and glanced uneasily at the girl, who, with a -fine colour and an air of vast unconcern, was looking straight in front -of her; and it was a relief to both of them when they found themselves -hesitating and dodging in front of a schooner which was coming up. - -“Do you want all the river?” demanded the exasperated master of the -latter vessel, running to the side as they passed. “Why don’t you drop -anchor if you want to spoon?” - -“Perhaps you’d better let me take the wheel a bit,” said the mate, not -without a little malice in his voice. - -“No; you can go an’ keep a look-out in the bows,” said the girl -serenely. “It’ll prevent misunderstandings, too. Better take the -potatoes with you and peel them for dinner.” - -The mate complied, and the voyage proceeded in silence, the steering -being rendered a little nicer than usual by various nautical sparks -bringing their boats a bit closer than was necessary in order to obtain -a good view of the fair steersman. - -After dinner, the tide having turned and a stiff head-wind blowing, -they brought up off Sheppey. It began to rain hard, and the crew of the -_Osprey_, having made all snug above, retired to the cabin to resume -their quarrel. - -“Don’t mind me,” said Miss Cringle scathingly, as the mate lit his -pipe. - -“Well, I didn’t think you minded,” replied the mate; “the old man”— - -“Who?” interrupted Miss Cringle, in a tone of polite inquiry. - -“Captain Cringle,” said the mate, correcting himself, “smokes a great -deal, and I’ve heard him say that you liked the smell of it.” - -“There’s pipes and pipes,” said Miss Cringle oracularly. - -The mate flung his on the floor and crunched it beneath his heel, then -he thrust his hands in his pockets, and, leaning back, scowled darkly -up at the rain as it crackled on the skylight. - -“If you are going to show off your nasty temper,” said the girl -severely, “you’d better go forward. It’s not quite the thing after all -for you to be down here—not that I study appearances much.” - -“I shouldn’t think you did,” retorted the mate, whose temper was -rapidly getting the better of him. “I can’t think what your father was -thinking of to let a pret—to let a girl like you come away like this.” - -“If you were going to say pretty girl,” said Miss Cringle, with calm -self-abnegation, “don’t mind me, say it. The captain knows what he’s -about. He told me you were a milksop; he said you were a good young man -and a teetotaller.” - -The mate, allowing the truth of the captain’s statement as to his -abstinence, hotly denied the charge of goodness. “I can understand your -father’s hurry to get rid of you for a spell,” he concluded, being -goaded beyond all consideration of politeness. “His gout ’ud never get -well while you were with him. More than that, I shouldn’t wonder if you -were the cause of it.” - -With this parting shot he departed, before the girl could think of a -suitable reply, and went and sulked in the dingy little fo’c’sle. - -In the evening, the weather having moderated somewhat, and the tide -being on the ebb, they got under way again, the girl coming on deck -fully attired in an oilskin coat and sou’-wester to resume the command. -The rain fell steadily as they ploughed along their way, guided by the -bright eye of the “Mouse” as it shone across the darkening waters. The -mate, soaked to the skin, was at the wheel. - -“Why don’t you go below and put your oilskins on?” inquired the girl, -when this fact dawned upon her. - -“Don’t want ’em,” said the mate. - -“I suppose you know best,” said the girl, and said no more until nine -o’clock, when she paused at the companion to give her last orders for -the night. - -“I’m going to turn in,” said she; “call me at two o’clock. Good-night.” - -“Good-night,” said the other, and the girl vanished. - -Left to himself, the mate, who began to feel chilly, felt in his -pockets for a pipe, and was in all the stress of getting a light, when -he heard a thin, almost mild voice behind him, and, looking round, saw -the face of the girl at the companion. - -“I say, are these your oilskins I’ve been wearing?” she demanded -awkwardly. - -“You’re quite welcome,” said the mate. - -“Why didn’t you tell me?” said the girl indignantly. “I wouldn’t have -worn them for anything if I had known it.” - -“Well, they won’t poison you,” said the mate resentfully. “Your father -left his at Ipswich to have ’em cobbled up a bit.” - -The girl passed them up on the deck, and, closing the companion with a -bang, disappeared. It is possible that the fatigues of the day had been -too much for her, for when she awoke, and consulted the little silver -watch that hung by her bunk, it was past five o’clock, and the red glow -of the sun was flooding the cabin as she arose and hastily dressed. - -The deck was drying in white patches as she went above, and the mate -was sitting yawning at the wheel, his eyelids red for want of sleep. - -“Didn’t I tell you to call me at two o’clock?” she demanded, -confronting him. - -“It’s all right,” said the mate. “I thought when you woke would be soon -enough. You looked tired.” - -“I think you’d better go when we get to Ipswich,” said the girl, -tightening her lips. “I’ll ship somebody who’ll obey orders.” - -“I’ll go when we get back to London,” said the mate. “I’ll hand this -barge over to the cap’n, and nobody else.” - -“Well, we’ll see,” said the girl, as she took the wheel, “_I_ think -you’ll go at Ipswich.” - -For the remainder of the voyage the subject was not alluded to; the -mate, in a spirit of sulky pride, kept to the fore part of the boat, -except when he was steering, and, as far as practicable, the girl -ignored his presence. In this spirit of mutual forbearance they entered -the Orwell, and ran swiftly up to Ipswich. - -It was late in the afternoon when they arrived there, and the new -skipper, waiting only until they were made fast, went ashore, leaving -the mate in charge. She had been gone about an hour when a small -telegraph boy appeared, and, after boarding the barge in the unsafest -manner possible, handed him a telegram. The mate read it and his face -flushed. With even more than the curtness customary in language at a -halfpenny a word, it contained his dismissal. - -“I’ve had a telegram from your father sacking me,” he said to the girl, -as she returned soon after, laden with small parcels. - -“Yes, I wired him to,” she replied calmly. “I suppose you’ll go _now?_” - -“I’d rather go back to London with you,” he said slowly. - -“I daresay,” said the girl. “As a matter of fact I wasn’t really -meaning for you to go, but when you said you wouldn’t I thought we’d -see who was master. I’ve shipped another mate, so you see I haven’t -lost much time.” - -“Who is he,” inquired the mate. - -“Man named Charlie Lee,” replied the girl; “the foreman here told me of -him.” - -“He’d no business too,” said the mate, frowning; “he’s a loose fish; -take my advice now and ship somebody else. He’s not at all the sort of -chap I’d choose for you to sail with.” - -“You’d choose,” said the girl scornfully; “dear me, what a pity you -didn’t tell me before.” - -“He’s a public-house loafer,” said the mate, meeting her eye angrily, -“and about as bad as they make ’em; but I s’pose you’ll have your own -way.” - -“He won’t frighten me,” said the girl. “I’m quite capable of taking -care of myself, thank you. Good evening.” - -The mate stepped ashore with a small bundle, leaving the remainder of -his possessions to go back to London with the barge. The girl watched -his well-knit figure as it strode up the quay until it was out of -sight, and then, inwardly piqued because he had not turned round for a -parting glance, gave a little sigh, and went below to tea. - -The docile and respectful behaviour of the new-comer was a pleasant -change to the autocrat of the _Osprey_, and cargoes were worked out and -in without an unpleasant word. They laid at the quay for two days, the -new mate, whose home was at Ipswich, sleeping ashore, and on the -morning of the third he turned up punctually at six o’clock, and they -started on their return voyage. - -“Well, you do know how to handle a craft,” said Lee admiringly, as they -passed down the river. “The old boat seems to know it’s got a pretty -young lady in charge.” - -“Don’t talk rubbish,” said the girl austerely. - -The new mate carefully adjusted his red necktie and smiled indulgently. - -“Well, you’re the prettiest cap’n I’ve ever sailed under,” he said. -“What do they call that red cap you’ve got on? Tam-o’-Shanter is it?” - -“I don’t know,” said the girl shortly. - -“You mean you won’t tell me,” said the other, with a look of anger in -his soft dark eyes. - -“Just as you like,” said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his -heel and began to busy himself with some small matter forward. - -The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the -new mate’s manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the _Osprey_ -regret her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her -proud spirit quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the -barge merely crawled along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious -glances, took each other’s measure. - -“This is the nicest trip I’ve ever had,” said Lee, as he came up from -an unduly prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. -“I’ve brought your jacket up.” - -“I don’t want it, thank you,” said the girl. - -“Better have it,” said Lee, holding it up for her. - -“When I want my jacket I’ll put it on myself,” said the girl. - -“All right, no offence,” said the other airily. “What an obstinate -little devil you are.” - -“Have you got any drink down there?” inquired the girl, eyeing him -sternly. - -“Just a little drop o’ whiskey, my dear, for the spasms,” said Lee -facetiously. “Will you have a drop?” - -“I won’t have any drinking here,” said she sharply. “If you want to -drink, wait till you get ashore.” - -“_You_ won’t have any drinking!” said the other, opening his eyes, and -with a quiet chuckle he dived below and brought up a bottle and a -glass. “Here’s wishing a better temper to you, my dear,” he said -amiably, as he tossed off a glass. “Come, you’d better have a drop. -It’ll put a little colour in your cheeks.” - -“Put it away now, there’s a good fellow,” said the captain timidly, as -she looked anxiously at the nearest sail, some two miles distant. - -“It’s the only friend I’ve got,” said Lee, sprawling gracefully on the -hatches, and replenishing his glass. “Look here. Are you on for a -bargain?” - -“What do you mean?” inquired the girl. - -“Give me a kiss, little spitfire, and I won’t take another drop -to-night,” said the new mate tenderly. “Come, I won’t tell.” - -“You may drink yourself to death before I’ll do that,” said the girl, -striving to speak calmly. “Don’t talk that nonsense to me again.” - -She stooped over as she spoke and made a sudden grab at the bottle, but -the new mate was too quick for her, and, snatching it up jeeringly, -dared her to come for it. - -“Come on, come and fight for it,” said he; “hit me if you like, I don’t -mind; your little fist won’t hurt.” - -No answer being vouchsafed to this invitation he applied himself to his -only friend again, while the girl, now thoroughly frightened, steered -in silence. - -“Better get the sidelights out,” said she at length. - -“Plenty o’ time,” said Lee. - -“Take the helm, then, while I do it,” said the girl, biting her lips. - -The fellow rose and came towards her, and, as she made way for him, -threw his arm round her waist and tried to detain her. Her heart -beating quickly, she walked forward, and, not without a hesitating -glance at the drunken figure at the wheel, descended into the fo’c’sle -for the lamps. - -The next moment, with a gasping little cry, she sank down on a locker -as the dark figure of a man rose and stood by her. - -“Don’t be frightened,” it said quietly. - -“Jack?” said the girl. - -“That’s me,” said the figure. “You didn’t expect to see me, did you? I -thought perhaps you didn’t know what was good for you, so I stowed -myself away last night, and here I am.” - -“Have you heard what that fellow has been saying to me?” demanded Miss -Cringle, with a spice of the old temper leavening her voice once more. - -“Every word,” said the mate cheerfully. - -“Why didn’t you come up and stand by me?” inquired the girl hotly. - -The mate hung his head. - -“Oh,” said the girl, and her tones were those of acute disappointment, -“you’re afraid.” - -“I’m not,” said the mate scornfully. - -“Why didn’t you come up, then, instead of skulking down here?” inquired -the girl. - -The mate scratched the back of his neck and smiled, but weakly. “Well, -I—I thought”—he began, and stopped. - -“You thought”—prompted Miss Cringle coldly. - -“I thought a little fright would do you good,” said the mate, speaking -quickly, “and that it would make you appreciate me a little more when I -did come.” - -“Ahoy! _Maggie! Maggie!_” came the voice of the graceless varlet who -was steering. - -“I’ll _Maggie_ him,” said the mate, grinding his teeth, “Why, what -the—why you’re crying.” - -“I’m not,” sobbed Miss Cringle scornfully. “I’m in a temper, that’s -all.” - -“I’ll knock his head off,” said the mate; “you stay down here.” - -“Mag-_gie!_” came the voice again, “_Mag_—HULLO!” - -“Were you calling me, my lad?” said the mate, with dangerous -politeness, as he stepped aft. “Ain’t you afraid of straining that -sweet voice o’ yours? Leave go o’ that tiller.” - -The other let go, and the mate’s fist took him heavily in the face and -sent him sprawling on the deck. He rose with a scream of rage and -rushed at his opponent, but the mate’s temper, which had suffered badly -through his treatment of the last few days, was up, and he sent him -heavily down again. - -“There’s a little dark dingy hole forward,” said the mate, after -waiting some time for him to rise again, “just the place for you to go -and think over your sins in. If I see you come out of it until we get -to London, I’ll hurt you. Now clear.” - -The other cleared, and, carefully avoiding the girl, who was standing -close by, disappeared below. - -“You’ve hurt him,” said the girl, coming up to the mate and laying her -hand on his arm. “What a horrid temper you’ve got.” - -“It was him asking you to kiss him that upset me,” said the mate -apologetically. - -“He put his arm round my waist,” said Miss Cringle, blushing. - -“_What!_” said the mate, stuttering, “put his—put his arm—round—your -waist—like”— - -His courage suddenly forsook him. - -“Like what?” inquired the girl, with superb innocence. - -“Like _that_,” said the mate manfully. - -“That’ll do,” said Miss Cringle softly, “that’ll do. You’re as bad as -he is, only the worst of it is there is nobody here to prevent you.” - - - - -IN BORROWED PLUMES - - -The master of the _Sarah Jane_ had been missing for two days, and all -on board, with the exception of the boy, whom nobody troubled about, -were full of joy at the circumstance. Twice before had the skipper, -whose habits might, perhaps, be best described as irregular, missed his -ship, and word had gone forth that the third time would be the last. -His berth was a good one, and the mate wanted it in place of his own, -which was wanted by Ted Jones, A. B. - -“Two hours more,” said the mate anxiously to the men, as they stood -leaning against the side, “and I take the ship out.” - -“Under two hours’ll do it,” said Ted, peering over the side and -watching the water as it slowly rose over the mud. “What’s got the old -man, I wonder?” - -“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” said the mate. “You chaps stand by me -and it’ll be good for all of us. Mr. Pearson said distinct the last -time that if the skipper ever missed his ship again it would be his -last trip in her, and he told me afore the old man that I wasn’t to -wait two minutes at any time, but to bring her out right away.” - -“He’s an old fool,” said Bill Loch, the other hand; “and nobody’ll miss -him but the boy, and he’s been looking reg’lar worried all the morning. -He looked so worried at dinner time that I give ’im a kick to cheer him -up a bit. Look at him now.” - -The mate gave a supercilious glance in the direction of the boy, and -then turned away. The boy, who had no idea of courting observation, -stowed himself away behind the windlass; and, taking a letter from his -pocket, perused it for the fourth time. - -“Dear Tommy,” it began. “I take my pen in and to inform you that I’m -stayin here and cant get away for the reason that I lorst my cloes at -cribage larst night, also my money, and everything beside. Don’t speek -to a living sole about it as the mate wants my birth, but pack up sum -cloes and bring them to me without saying nuthing to noboddy. The mates -cloths will do becos I havent got enny other soot, dont tell ’im. You -needen’t trouble about soks as I’ve got them left. My bed is so bad I -must now conclude. Your affecshunate uncle and captin Joe Bross. P.S. -Dont let the mate see you come, or else he wont let you go.” - -“Two hours more,” sighed Tommy, as he put the letter back in his -pocket. “How can I get any clothes when they’re all locked up? And aunt -said I was to look after ’im and see he didn’t get into no mischief.” - -He sat thinking deeply, and then, as the crew of the _Sarah Jane_ -stepped ashore to take advantage of a glass offered by the mate, he -crept down to the cabin again for another desperate look round. The -only articles of clothing visible belonged to Mrs. Bross, who up to -this trip had been sailing in the schooner to look after its master. At -these he gazed hard. - -“I’ll take ’em and try an’ swop ’em for some men’s clothes,” said he -suddenly, snatching the garments from the pegs. “She wouldn’t mind”; -and hastily rolling them into a parcel, together with a pair of carpet -slippers of the captain’s, he thrust the lot into an old biscuit bag. -Then he shouldered his burden, and, going cautiously on deck, gained -the shore, and set off at a trot to the address furnished in the -letter. - -It was a long way, and the bag was heavy. His first attempt at barter -was alarming, for the pawnbroker, who had just been cautioned by the -police, was in such a severe and uncomfortable state of morals, that -the boy quickly snatched up his bundle again and left. Sorely troubled -he walked hastily along, until, in a small bye street, his glance fell -upon a baker of mild and benevolent aspect, standing behind the counter -of his shop. - -“If you please, sir,” said Tommy, entering, and depositing his bag on -the counter, “have you got any cast-off clothes you don’t want?” - -The baker turned to a shelf, and selecting a stale loaf cut it in -halves, one of which he placed before the boy. - -“I don’t want bread,” said Tommy desperately; “but mother has just -died, and father wants mourning for the funeral. He’s only got a new -suit with him, and if he can change these things of mother’s for an old -suit, he’d sell his best ones to bury her with.” - -He shook the articles out on the counter, and the baker’s wife, who had -just come into the shop, inspected them rather favourably. - -“Poor boy, so you’ve lost your mother,” she said, turning the clothes -over. “It’s a good skirt, Bill.” - -“Yes, ma’am,” said Tommy dolefully. - -“What did she die of?” inquired the baker. - -“Scarlet fever,” said Tommy, tearfully, mentioning the only disease he -knew. - -“Scar—Take them things away,” yelled the baker, pushing the clothes on -to the floor, and following his wife to the other end of the shop. -“Take ’em away directly, you young villain.” - -His voice was so loud, his manner so imperative, that the startled boy, -without stopping to argue, stuffed the clothes pell-mell into the bag -again and departed. A farewell glance at the clock made him look almost -as horrified as the baker. - -“There’s no time to be lost,” he muttered, as he began to run; “either -the old man’ll have to come in these or else stay where he is.” - -He reached the house breathless, and paused before an unshaven man in -time-worn greasy clothes, who was smoking a short clay pipe with much -enjoyment in front of the door. - -“Is Cap’n Bross here?” he panted. - -“He’s upstairs,” said the man, with a leer, “sitting in sackcloth and -ashes, more ashes than sackcloth. Have you got some clothes for him?” - -“Look here,” said Tommy. He was down on his knees with the mouth of the -bag open again, quite in the style of the practised hawker. “Give me an -old suit of clothes for them. Hurry up. There’s a lovely frock.” - -“Blimey,” said the man, staring, “I’ve only got these clothes. Wot -d’yer take me for? A dook?” - -“Well, get me some somewhere,” said Tommy. “If you don’t the cap’n ’ll -have to come in these, and I’m sure he won’t like it.” - -“I wonder what he’d look like,” said the man, with a grin. “Damme if I -don’t come up and see.” - -“Get me some clothes,” pleaded Tommy. - -“I wouldn’t get you clothes, no, not for fifty pun,” said the man -severely. “Wot d’yer mean wanting to spoil people’s pleasure in that -way? Come on, come and tell the cap’n what you’ve got for ’im, I want -to ’ear what he ses. He’s been swearing ’ard since ten o’clock this -morning, but he ought to say something special over this.” - -He led the way up the bare wooden stairs, followed by the harassed boy, -and entered a small dirty room at the top, in the centre of which the -master of the _Sarah Jane_ sat to deny visitors, in a pair of socks and -last week’s paper. - -“Here’s a young gent come to bring you some clothes, cap’n,” said the -man, taking the sack from the boy. - -“Why didn’t you come before?” growled the captain, who was reading the -advertisements. - -The man put his hand in the sack, and pulled out the clothes. “What do -you think of ’em?” he asked expectantly. - -The captain strove vainly to tell him, but his tongue mercifully -forsook its office, and dried between his lips. His brain rang with -sentences of scorching iniquity, but they got no further. - -“Well, say thank you, if you can’t say nothing else,” suggested his -tormentor hopefully. - -“I couldn’t bring nothing else,” said Tommy hurriedly; “all the things -was locked up. I tried to swop ’em and nearly got locked up for it. Put -these on and hurry up.” - -The captain moistened his lips with his tongue. - -“The mate’ll get off directly she floats,” continued Tommy. “Put these -on and spoil his little game. It’s raining a little now. Nobody’ll see -you, and as soon as you git aboard you can borrow some of the men’s -clothes.” - -“That’s the ticket, cap’n,” said the man. “Lord lumme, you’ll ’ave -everybody falling in love with you.” - -“Hurry up,” said Tommy, dancing with impatience. “Hurry up.” - -The skipper, dazed and wild-eyed, stood still while his two assistants -hastily dressed him, bickering somewhat about details as they did so. - -“He ought to be tight-laced, I tell you,” said the man. - -“He can’t be tight-laced without stays,” said Tommy scornfully. “You -ought to know that.” - -“Ho, can’t he,” said the other, discomfited. “You know too much for a -young-un. Well, put a bit o’ line round ’im then.” - -“We can’t wait for a line,” said Tommy, who was standing on tip-toe to -tie the skipper’s bonnet on. “Now tie the scarf over his chin to hide -his beard, and put this veil on. It’s a good job he ain’t got a -moustache.” - -The other complied, and then fell back a pace or two to gaze at his -handiwork. “Strewth, though I sees it as shouldn’t, you look a treat!” -he remarked complacently. “Now, young-un, take ’old of his arm. Go up -the back streets, and if you see anybody looking at you, call ’im Mar.” - -The two set off, after the man, who was a born realist, had tried to -snatch a kiss from the skipper on the threshold. Fortunately for the -success of the venture, it was pelting with rain, and, though a few -people gazed curiously at the couple as they went hastily along, they -were unmolested, and gained the wharf in safety, arriving just in time -to see the schooner shoving off from the side. - -At the sight the skipper held up his skirts and ran. “Ahoy!” he -shouted. “Wait a minute.” - -The mate gave one look of blank astonishment at the extraordinary -figure, and then turned away; but at that moment the stern came within -jumping distance of the wharf, and uncle and nephew, moved with one -impulse leaped for it and gained the deck in safety. - -“Why didn’t you wait when I hailed you?” demanded the skipper fiercely. - -“How was I to know it was you?” inquired the mate surlily, as he -realised his defeat. “I thought it was the Empress of Rooshia.” - -The skipper stared at him dumbly. - -“An’ if you take my advice,” said the mate, with a sneer, “you’ll keep -them things on. _I_ never see you look so well in anything afore.” - -“I want to borrow some o’ your clothes, Bob,” said the skipper, eyeing -him steadily. - -“Where’s your own?” asked the other. - -“I don’t know,” said the skipper. “I was took with a fit last night, -Bob, and when I woke up this morning they were gone. Somebody must have -took advantage of my helpless state and taken ’em.” - -“Very likely,” said the mate, turning away to shout an order to the -crew, who were busy setting sail. - -“Where are they, old man?” inquired the skipper. - -“How should I know?” asked the other, becoming interested in the men -again. - -“I mean _your_ clothes,” said the skipper, who was fast losing his -temper. - -“Oh, mine?” said the mate. “Well, as a matter o’ fact, I don’t like -lending my clothes. I’m rather pertickler. You might have a fit in -_them_.” - -“You won’t lend ’em to me?” asked the skipper. - -“I won’t,” said the mate, speaking loudly, and frowning significantly -at the crew, who were listening. - -“Very good,” said the skipper. “Ted, come here. Where’s your other -clothes?” - -“I’m very sorry, sir,” said Ted, shifting uneasily from one leg to the -other, and glancing at the mate for support; “but they ain’t fit for -the likes of you to wear, sir.” - -“I’m the best judge of that,” said the skipper sharply. “Fetch ’em up.” - -“Well, to tell the truth, sir,” said Ted, “I’m like the mate. I’m only -a poor sailor-man, but I wouldn’t lend my clothes to the Queen of -England.” - -“You fetch up them clothes,” roared the skipper snatching off his -bonnet and flinging it on the deck. “Fetch ’em up at once. D’ye think -I’m going about in these petticuts?” - -“They’re my clothes,” muttered Ted doggedly. - -“Very well, then, I’ll have Bill’s,” said the skipper. “But mind you, -my lad, I’ll make you pay for this afore I’ve done with you. Bill’s the -only honest man aboard this ship. Gimme your hand, Bill, old man.” - -“I’m with them two,” said Bill gruffly, as he turned away. - -The skipper, biting his lips with fury, turned from one to the other, -and then, with a big oath, walked forward. Before he could reach the -fo’c’sle Bill and Ted dived down before him, and, by the time he had -descended, sat on their chests side by side confronting him. To threats -and appeals alike they turned a deaf ear, and the frantic skipper was -compelled at last to go on deck again, still encumbered with the hated -skirts. - -“Why don’t you go an’ lay down,” said the mate, “an’ I’ll send you down -a nice cup o’ hot tea. You’ll get histericks, if you go on like that.” - -“I’ll knock your ’ead off if you talk to me,” said the skipper. - -“Not you,” said the mate cheerfully; “you ain’t big enough. Look at -that pore fellow over there.” - -The skipper looked in the direction indicated, and, swelling with -impotent rage, shook his fist fiercely at a red-faced man with grey -whiskers, who was wafting innumerable tender kisses from the bridge of -a passing steamer. - -“That’s right,” said the mate approvingly; “don’t give ’im no -encouragement. Love at first sight ain’t worth having.” - -The skipper, suffering severely from suppressed emotion, went below, -and the crew, after waiting a little while to make sure that he was not -coming up again, made their way quietly to the mate. - -“If we can only take him to Battlesea in this rig it’ll be all right,” -said the latter. “You chaps stand by me. His slippers and sou’-wester -is the only clothes he’s got aboard. Chuck every needle you can lay -your hands on overboard, or else he’ll git trying to make a suit out of -a piece of old sail or something. If we can only take him to Mr. -Pearson like this, it won’t be so bad after all.” - -While these arrangements were in hand above, the skipper and the boy -were busy over others below. Various startling schemes propounded by -the skipper for obtaining possession of his men’s attire were rejected -by the youth as unlawful, and, what was worse, impracticable. For a -couple of hours they discussed ways and means, but only ended in -diatribes against the mean ways of the crew; and the skipper, whose -head ached still from his excesses, fell into a state of sullen despair -at length, and sat silent. - -“By Jove, Tommy, I’ve got it,” he cried suddenly, starting up and -hitting the table with his fist. “Where’s your other suit?” - -“That ain’t no bigger that this one,” said Tommy. - -“You git it out,” said the skipper, with a knowing toss of his head. -“Ah, there we are. Now go in my state-room and take those off.” - -The wondering Tommy, who thought that great grief had turned his -kinsman’s brain, complied, and emerged shortly afterwards in a blanket, -bringing his clothes under his arm. - -“Now, do you know what I’m going to do?” inquired the skipper, with a -big smile. - -“No.” - -“Fetch me the scissors, then. Now do you know what I’m going to do?” - -“Cut up the two suits and make ’em into one,” hazarded the -horror-stricken Tommy. “Here, stop it! Leave off!” - -The skipper pushed him impatiently off, and, placing the clothes on the -table, took up the scissors, and, with a few slashing strokes, cut them -garments into their component parts. - -“What am _I_ to wear,” said Tommy, beginning to blubber. “You didn’t -think of that?” - -“What are you to wear, you selfish young pig?” said the skipper -sternly. “Always thinking about yourself. Go and git some needles and -thread, and if there’s any left over, and you’re a good boy, I’ll see -whether I can’t make something for you out of the leavings.” - -“There ain’t no needles here,” whined Tommy, after a lengthened search. - -“Go down the fo’c’sle and git the case of sail-makers’ needles, then,” -said the skipper, “Don’t let anyone see what you’re after, an’ some -thread.” - -“Well, why couldn’t you let me go in my clothes before you cut ’em up,” -moaned Tommy. “I don’t like going up in this blanket. They’ll laugh at -me.” - -“You go at once!” thundered the skipper, and, turning his back on him, -whistled softly, and began to arrange the pieces of cloth. - -“Laugh away, my lads,” he said cheerfully, as an uproarious burst of -laughter greeted the appearance of Tommy on deck. “Wait a bit.” - -He waited himself for nearly twenty minutes, at the end of which time -Tommy, treading on his blanket, came flying down the companion-ladder, -and rolled into the cabin. - -“There ain’t a needle aboard the ship,” he said solemnly, as he picked -himself up and rubbed his head. “I’ve looked everywhere.” - -“What?” roared the skipper, hastily concealing the pieces of cloth. -“Here, Ted! Ted!” - -“Ay, ay, sir!” said Ted, as he came below. - -“I want a sail-maker’s needle,” said the skipper glibly. “I’ve got a -rent in this skirt.” - -“I broke the last one yesterday,” said Ted, with an evil grin. - -“Any other needle then,” said the skipper, trying to conceal his -emotion. - -“I don’t believe there’s such a thing aboard the ship,” said Ted, who -had obeyed the mate’s thoughtful injunction. “_Nor_ thread. I was only -saying so to the mate yesterday.” - -The skipper sank again to the lowest depths, waved him away, and then, -getting on a corner of the locker, fell into a gloomy reverie. - -“It’s a pity you do things in such a hurry,” said Tommy, sniffing -vindictively. “You might have made sure of the needle before you -spoiled my clothes. There’s two of us going about ridiculous now.” - -The master of the _Sarah Jane_ allowed this insolence to pass unheeded. -It is in moments of deep distress that the mind of man, naturally -reverting to solemn things, seeks to improve the occasion by a lecture. -The skipper, chastened by suffering and disappointment, stuck his right -hand in his pocket, after a lengthened search for it, and gently -bidding the blanketed urchin in front of him to sit down, began: - -“You see what comes of drink and cards,” he said mournfully. “Instead -of being at the helm of my ship, racing all the other craft down the -river, I’m skulkin’ down below here like—like”— - -“Like an actress,” suggested Tommy. - -The skipper eyed him all over. Tommy, unconscious of offence, met his -gaze serenely. - -“If,” continued the skipper, “at any time you felt like taking too -much, and you stopped with the beer-mug half-way to your lips, and -thought of me sitting in this disgraceful state, what would you do?” - -“I dunno,” replied Tommy, yawning. - -“What would you do?” persisted the skipper, with great expression. - -“Laugh, I s’pose,” said Tommy, after a moment’s thought. - -The sound of a well-boxed ear rang through the cabin. - -“You’re an unnatural, ungrateful little toad,” said the skipper -fiercely. “You don’t deserve to have a good, kind uncle to look after -you.” - -“Anybody can have him for me,” sobbed the indignant Tommy, as he -tenderly felt his ear. “You look a precious sight more like an aunt -than an uncle.” - -After firing this shot he vanished in a cloud of blanket, and the -skipper, reluctantly abandoning a hastily-formed resolve of first -flaying him alive and then flinging him overboard, sat down again and -lit his pipe. - -Once out of the river he came on deck again, and, ignoring by a great -effort the smiles of the crew and the jibes of the mate, took command. -The only alteration he made in his dress was to substitute his -sou’-wester for the bonnet, and in this guise he did his work, while -the aggrieved Tommy hopped it in blankets. The three days at sea passed -like a horrid dream. So covetous was his gaze, that the crew -instinctively clutched their nether garments and looked to the -buttoning of their coats as they passed him. He saw coats in the -mainsail, and fashioned phantom trousers out of the flying jib, and -towards the end began to babble of blue serges and mixed tweeds. -Oblivious of fame, he had resolved to enter the harbour of Battlesea by -night; but it was not to be. Near home the wind dropped, and the sun -was well up before Battlesea came into view, a grey bank on the -starboard bow. - -Until within a mile of the harbour, the skipper held on, and then his -grasp on the wheel relaxed somewhat, and he looked round anxiously for -the mate. - -“Where’s Bob?” he shouted. - -“He’s very ill, sir,” said Ted, shaking his head. - -“Ill?” gasped the startled skipper. “Here, take the wheel a minute.” - -He handed it over, and grasping his skirts went hastily below. The mate -was half lying, half sitting, in his bunk, groaning dismally. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired the skipper. - -“I’m dying,” said the mate. “I keep being tied up all in knots inside. -I can’t hold myself straight.” - -The other cleared his throat. “You’d better take off your clothes and -lie down a bit,” he said kindly. “Let me help you off with them.” - -“No—don’t—trouble,” panted the mate. - -“It ain’t no trouble,” said the skipper, in a trembling voice. - -“No, I’ll keep ’em on,” said the mate faintly. “I’ve always had an idea -I’d like to die in my clothes. It may be foolish, but I can’t help it.” - -“You’ll have your wish some day, never fear, you infernal rascal,” -shouted the overwrought skipper. “You’re shamming sickness to make me -take the ship into port.” - -“Why shouldn’t you take her in,” asked the mate, with an air of -innocent surprise. “It’s your duty as cap’n. You’d better get above -now. The bar is always shifting.” - -The skipper, restraining himself by a mighty effort, went on deck -again, and, taking the wheel, addressed the crew. He spoke feelingly of -the obedience men owed their superior officers, and the moral -obligation they were under to lend them their trousers when they -required them. He dwelt on the awful punishments awarded for mutiny, -and proved clearly, that to allow the master of a ship to enter port in -petticoats was mutiny of the worst type. He then sent them below for -their clothing. They were gone such a long time that it was palpable to -the meanest intellect that they did not intend to bring it. Meantime -the harbour widened out before him. - -There were two or three people on the quay as the _Sarah Jane_ came -within hailing distance. By the time she had passed the lantern at the -end of it there were two or three dozen, and the numbers were steadily -increasing at the rate of three persons for every five yards she made. -Kind-hearted, humane men, anxious that their friends should not lose so -great and cheap a treat, bribed small and reluctant boys with pennies -to go in search of them, and by the time the schooner reached her -berth, a large proportion of the population of the port was looking -over each other’s shoulders and shouting foolish and hilarious -inquiries to the skipper. The news reached the owner, and he came -hurrying down to the ship, just as the skipper, regardless of the -heated remonstrances of the sightseers, was preparing to go below. - -Mr. Pearson was a stout man, and he came down exploding with wrath. -Then he saw the apparition, and mirth overcame him. It became necessary -for three stout fellows to act as buttresses, and the more indignant -the skipper looked the harder their work became. Finally he was -assisted, in a weak state, and laughing hysterically, to the deck of -the schooner, where he followed the skipper below, and in a voice -broken with emotion demanded an explanation. - -“It’s the finest sight I ever saw in my life, Bross,” he said when the -other had finished. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I’ve been -feeling very low this last week, and it’s done me good. Don’t talk -nonsense about leaving the ship. I wouldn’t lose you for anything after -this, but if you like to ship a fresh mate and crew you can please -yourself. If you’ll only come up to the house and let Mrs. Pearson see -you—she’s been ailing—I’ll give you a couple of pounds. Now, get your -bonnet and come.” - - - - -THE BOATSWAIN’S WATCH - - -Captain Polson sat in his comfortable parlour smiling benignly upon his -daughter and sister. His ship, after an absence of eighteen months, was -once more berthed in the small harbour of Barborough, and the captain -was sitting in that state of good-natured affability which invariably -characterised his first appearance after a long absence. - -“No news this end, I suppose,” he inquired, after a lengthy recital of -most extraordinarily uninteresting adventures. - -“Not much,” said his sister Jane, looking nervously at her niece. -“Young Metcalfe has gone into partnership with his father.” - -“I don’t want to hear about those sharks,” said the captain, waxing -red. “Tell me about honest men.” - -“Joe Lewis has had a month’s imprisonment for stealing fowls,” said -Miss Polson meekly. “Mrs. Purton has had twins—dear little fellows they -are, fat as butter!—she has named one of them Polson, after you. The -greedy one.” - -“Any deaths?” inquired the captain snappishly, as he eyed the innocent -lady suspiciously. - -“Poor old Jasper Wheeler has gone,” said his sister; “he was very -resigned. He borrowed enough money to get a big doctor from London, and -when he heard that there was no hope for him he said he was just -longing to go, and he was sorry he couldn’t take all his dear ones with -him. Mary Hewson is married to Jack Draper, and young Metcalfe’s banns -go up for the third time next Sunday.” - -“I hope he gets a Tartar,” said the vindictive captain. “Who’s the -girl? Some silly little fool, I know. She ought to be warned!” - -“I don’t believe in interfering in marriages,” said his daughter -Chrissie, shaking her head sagely. - -“Oh!” said the captain, staring, “_you_ don’t! Now you’ve put your hair -up and taken to wearing long frocks, I suppose you’re beginning to -think of it.” - -“Yes; auntie wants to tell you something!” said his daughter, rising -and crossing the room. - -“No, I don’t!” said Miss Polson hastily. - -“You’d better do it,” said Chrissie, giving her a little push, “there’s -a dear; I’ll go upstairs and lock myself in my room.” - -The face of the captain, whilst this conversation was passing, was a -study in suppressed emotions. He was a firm advocate for importing the -manners of the quarter-deck into private life, the only drawback being -that he had to leave behind him the language usual in that locality. To -this omission he usually ascribed his failures. - -“Sit down, Chrissie,” he commanded; “sit down, Jane. Now, miss, what’s -all this about?” - -“I don’t like to tell you,” said Chrissie, folding her hands in her -lap. “I know you’ll be cross. You’re so unreasonable.” - -The captain stared—frightfully. - -“I’m going to be married,” said Chrissie suddenly,—“there! To Jack -Metcalfe—there! So you’ll have to learn to love him. He’s going to try -and love you for my sake.” To his sister’s dismay the captain got up, -and brandishing his fists walked violently to and fro. By these simple -but unusual means decorum was preserved. - -“If you were only a boy,” said the captain, when he had regained his -seat, “I should know what to do with you.” - -“If I were a boy,” said Chrissie, who, having braced herself up for the -fray, meant to go through with it, “I shouldn’t want to marry Jack. -Don’t be silly, father!” - -“Jane,” said the captain, in a voice which made the lady addressed -start in her chair, “what do you mean by it?” - -“It isn’t my fault,” said Miss Polson feebly. “I told her how it would -be. And it was so gradual; he admired my geraniums at first, and, of -course, I was deceived. There are so many people admire my geraniums; -whether it is because the window has a south aspect”— - -“Oh!” said the captain rudely, “that’ll do, Jane. If he wasn’t a -lawyer, I’d go round and break his neck. Chrissie is only nineteen, and -she’ll come for a year’s cruise with me. Perhaps the sea air’ll -strengthen her head. We’ll see who’s master in this family.” - -“I’m sure I don’t want to be master,” said his daughter, taking a -weapon of fine cambric out of her pocket, and getting ready for action. -“I can’t help liking people. Auntie likes him too, don’t you, auntie?” - -“Yes,” said Miss Polson bravely. - -“Very good,” said the autocrat promptly, “I’ll take you both for a -cruise.” - -“You’re making me very un—unhappy,” said Chrissie, burying her face in -her handkerchief. - -“You’ll be more unhappy before I’ve done with you,” said the captain -grimly. “And while I think of it, I’ll step round and stop those -banns.” His daughter caught him by the arm as he was passing, and laid -her face on his sleeve. “You’ll make me look so foolish,” she wailed. - -“That’ll make it easier for you to come to sea with me,” said her -father. “Don’t cry all over my sleeve. I’m going to see a parson. Run -upstairs and play with your dolls, and if you’re a good girl, I’ll -bring you in some sweets.” He put on his hat, and closing the front -door with a bang, went off to the new rector to knock two years off the -age which his daughter kept for purposes of matrimony. The rector, -grieved at such duplicity in one so young, met him more than half way, -and he came out from him smiling placidly, until his attention was -attracted by a young man on the other side of the road, who was -regarding him with manifest awkwardness. - -“Good evening, Captain Polson,” he said, crossing the road. - -“Oh,” said the captain, stopping, “I wanted to speak to you. I suppose -you wanted to marry my daughter while I was out of the way, to save -trouble. Just the manly thing I should have expected of you. I’ve -stopped the banns, and I’m going to take her for a voyage with me. -You’ll have to look elsewhere, my lad.” - -“The ill feeling is all on your side, captain,” said Metcalfe, -reddening. - -“Ill feeling!” snorted the captain. “You put me in the witness-box, and -made me a laughing-stock in the place with your silly attempts at -jokes, lost me five hundred pounds, and then try and marry my daughter -while I’m at sea. Ill feeling be hanged!” - -“That was business,” said the other. - -“It was,” said the captain, “and this is business too. Mine. I’ll look -after it, I’ll promise you. I think I know who’ll look silly this time. -I’d sooner see my girl in heaven than married to a rascal of a lawyer.” - -“You’d want good glasses,” retorted Metcalfe, who was becoming ruffled. - -“I don’t want to bandy words with you,” said the captain with dignity, -after a long pause, devoted to thinking of something worth bandying. -“You think you’re a clever fellow, but I know a cleverer. You’re quite -welcome to marry my daughter—if you can.” - -He turned on his heel, and refusing to listen to any further remarks, -went on his way rejoicing. Arrived home, he lit his pipe, and throwing -himself into an armchair, related his exploits. Chrissie had recourse -to her handkerchief again, more for effect than use, but Miss Polson, -who was a tender soul, took hers out and wept unrestrainedly. At first -the captain took it well enough. It was a tribute to his power, but -when they took to sobbing one against the other, his temper rose, and -he sternly commanded silence. - -“I shall be like—this—every day at sea,” sobbed Chrissie vindictively, -“only worse; making us all ridiculous.” - -“Stop that noise directly!” vociferated the captain. - -“We c-c-can’t,” sobbed Miss Polson. - -“And we d-don’t want to,” said Chrissie. “It’s all we can do, and we’re -going to do it. You’d better g-go out and stop something else. You -can’t stop us.” - -The captain took the advice and went, and in the billiard-room of the -“George” heard some news which set him thinking, and which brought him -back somewhat earlier than he had at first intended. A small group at -his gate broke up into its elements at his approach, and the captain, -following his sister and daughter into the room, sat down and eyed them -severely. - -“So you’re going to run off to London to get married, are you, miss?” -he said ferociously. “Well, we’ll see. You don’t go out of my sight -until we sail, and if I catch that pettifogging lawyer round at my gate -again, I’ll break every bone in his body, mind that.” - -For the next three days the captain kept his daughter under -observation, and never allowed her to stir abroad except in his -company. The evening of the third day, to his own great surprise, he -spent at a Dorcas. The company was not congenial, several of the ladies -putting their work away, and glaring frigidly at the intruder; and -though they could see clearly that he was suffering greatly, made no -attempt to put him at his ease. He was very thoughtful all the way -home, and the next day took a partner into the concern, in the shape of -his boatswain. - -“You understand, Tucker,” he concluded, as the hapless seaman stood in -a cringing attitude before Chrissie, “that you never let my daughter -out of your sight. When she goes out you go with her.” - -“Yessir,” said Tucker; “and suppose she tells me to go home, what am I -to do then?” - -“You’re a fool,” said the captain sharply. “It doesn’t matter what she -says or does; unless you are in the same room, you are never to be more -than three yards from her.” - -“Make it four, cap’n,” said the boatswain, in a broken voice. - -“Three,” said the captain; “and mind, she’s artful. All girls are, and -she’ll try and give you the slip. I’ve had information given me as to -what’s going on. Whatever happens, you are not to leave her.” - -“I wish you’d get somebody else, sir,” said Tucker, very respectfully. -“There’s a lot of chaps aboard that’d like the job.” - -“You’re the only man I can trust,” said the captain shortly. “When I -give you orders I know they’ll be obeyed; it’s your watch now.” - -He went out humming. Chrissie took up a book and sat down, utterly -ignoring the woebegone figure which stood the regulation three yards -from her, twisting its cap in its hands. - -“I hope, miss,” said the boatswain, after standing patiently for -three-quarters of an hour, “as ’ow you won’t think I sought arter this -’ere little job.” - -“No,” said Chrissie, without looking up. - -“I’m just obeying orders,” continued the boatswain. “I always git let -in for these ’ere little jobs, somehow. The monkeys I’ve had to look -arter aboard ship would frighten you. There never was a monkey on the -_Monarch_ but what I was in charge of. That’s what a man gets through -being trustworthy.” - -“Just so,” said Chrissie, putting down her book. “Well, I’m going into -the kitchen now; come along, nursie.” - -“’Ere, I say, miss!” remonstrated Tucker, flushing. - -“I don’t know how Susan will like you going in her kitchen,” said -Chrissie thoughtfully; “however, that’s your business.” - -The unfortunate seaman followed his fair charge into the kitchen, and, -leaning against the door-post, doubled up like a limp rag before the -terrible glance of its mistress. - -“Ho!” said Susan, who took the state of affairs as an insult to the sex -in general; “and what might you be wanting?” - -“Cap’n’s orders,” murmured Tucker feebly. - -“I’m captain here,” said Susan, confronting him with her bare arms -akimbo. - -“And credit it does you,” said the boatswain, looking round admiringly. - -“Is it your wish, Miss Chrissie, that this image comes and stalks into -my kitchen as if the place belongs to him?” demanded the irate Susan. - -“I didn’t mean to come in in that way,” said the astonished Tucker. “I -can’t help being big.” - -“I don’t want him here,” said her mistress; “what do you think I want -him for?” - -“You hear that?” said Susan, pointing to the door; “now go. I don’t -want people to say that you come into this kitchen after me.” - -“I’m here by the cap’n’s orders,” said Tucker faintly. “I don’t want to -be here—far from it. As for people saying that I come here after you, -them as knows me would laugh at the idea.” - -“If I had my way,” said Susan, in a hard rasping voice, “I’d box your -ears for you. That’s what I’d do to you, and you can go and tell the -cap’n I said so. Spy!” - -This was the first verse of the first watch, and there were many -verses. To add to his discomfort he was confined to the house, as his -charge manifested no desire to go outside, and as neither she nor her -aunt cared about the trouble of bringing him to a fit and proper state -of subjection, the task became a labour of love for the energetic -Susan. In spite of everything, however, he stuck to his guns, and the -indignant Chrissie, who was in almost hourly communication with -Metcalfe through the medium of her faithful handmaiden, was rapidly -becoming desperate. - -On the fourth day, time getting short, Chrissie went on a new tack with -her keeper, and Susan, sorely against her will, had to follow suit. -Chrissie smiled at him, Susan called him Mr. Tucker, and Miss Polson -gave him a glass of her best wine. From the position of an outcast, he -jumped in one bound to that of confidential adviser. Miss Polson told -him many items of family interest, and later on in the afternoon -actually consulted him as to a bad cold which Chrissie had developed. - -He prescribed half-a-pint of linseed oil hot, but Miss Polson favoured -chlorodyne. The conversation then turned on the deadly qualities of -that drug when taken in excess, of the fatal sleep in which it lulled -its victims. So disastrous were the incidents cited, that half an hour -later, when, her aunt and Susan being out, Chrissie took a small bottle -of chlorodyne from the mantel-piece, the boatswain implored her to try -his nastier but safer remedy instead. - -“Nonsense!” said Chrissie, “I’m only going to take twenty -drops—one—two—three—” - -The drug suddenly poured out in a little stream. - -“I should think that’s about it,” said Chrissie, holding the tumbler up -to the light. - -“It’s about five hundred!” said the horrified Tucker. “Don’t take that, -miss, whatever you do; let me measure it for you.” - -The girl waved him away, and, before he could interfere, drank off the -contents of the glass and resumed her seat. The boatswain watched her -uneasily, and taking up the phial carefully read through the -directions. After that he was not at all surprised to see the book fall -from his charge’s hand on to the floor, and her eyes close. - -“I knowed it,” said Tucker, in a profuse perspiration, “I knowed it. -Them blamed gals are all alike. Always knows what’s best. Miss Polson! -Miss Polson!” - -He shook her roughly, but to no purpose, and then running to the door, -shouted eagerly for Susan. No reply forthcoming he ran to the window, -but there was nobody in sight, and he came back and stood in front of -the girl, wringing his huge hands helplessly. It was a great question -for a poor sailor-man. If he went for the doctor he deserted his post; -if he didn’t go his charge might die. He made one more attempt to -awaken her, and, seizing a flower-glass, splashed her freely with cold -water. She did not even wince. - -“It’s no use fooling with it,” murmured Tucker; “I must get the doctor, -that’s all.” - -He quitted the room, and, dashing hastily downstairs, had already -opened the hall door when a thought struck him, and he came back again. -Chrissie was still asleep in the chair, and, with a smile at the clever -way in which he had solved a difficulty, he stooped down, and, raising -her in his strong arms, bore her from the room and downstairs. Then a -hitch occurred. The triumphant progress was marred by the behaviour of -the hall door, which, despite his efforts, refused to be opened, and, -encumbered by his fair burden, he could not for some time ascertain the -reason. Then, full of shame that so much deceit could exist in so fair -and frail a habitation, he discovered that Miss Polson’s foot was -pressing firmly against it. Her eyes were still closed and her head -heavy, but the fact remained that one foot was acting in a manner that -was full of intelligence and guile, and when he took it away from the -door the other one took its place. By a sudden manœuvre the wily Tucker -turned his back on the door, and opened it, and, at the same moment, a -hand came to life again and dealt him a stinging slap on the face. - -“Idiot!” said the indignant Chrissie, slipping from his arms and -confronting him. “How dare you take such a liberty?” - -The astonished boatswain felt his face, and regarded her open-mouthed. - -“Don’t you ever dare to speak to me again,” said the offended maiden, -drawing herself up with irreproachable dignity. “I am disgusted with -your conduct. Most unbearable!” - -“I was carrying you off to the doctor,” said the boatswain. “How was I -to know you was only shamming?” - -“_Shamming?_” said Chrissie, in tones of incredulous horror. “I was -asleep. I often go to sleep in the afternoon.” - -The boatswain made no reply, except to grin with great intelligence as -he followed his charge upstairs again. He grinned at intervals until -the return of Susan and Miss Polson, who, trying to look unconcerned, -came in later on, both apparently suffering from temper, Susan -especially. Amid the sympathetic interruptions of these listeners -Chrissie recounted her experiences, while the boatswain, despite his -better sense, felt like the greatest scoundrel unhung, a feeling which -was fostered by the remarks of Susan and the chilling regards of Miss -Poison. - -“I shall inform the captain,” said Miss Polson, bridling. “It’s my -duty.” - -“Oh, I shall tell him,” said Chrissie. “I shall tell him the moment he -comes in at the door.” - -“So shall I,” said Susan; “the idea of taking such liberties!” - -Having fired this broadside, the trio watched the enemy narrowly and -anxiously. - -“If I’ve done anything wrong, ladies,” said the unhappy boatswain, “I -am sorry for it. I can’t say anything fairer than that, and I’ll tell -the cap’n myself exactly how I came to do it when he comes in.” - -“Pah! tell-tale!” said Susan. - -“Of course, if you are here to fetch and carry,” said Miss Polson, with -withering emphasis. - -“The idea of a grown man telling tales,” said Chrissie scornfully. -“Baby!” - -“Why, just now you were all going to tell him yourselves,” said the -bewildered boatswain. - -The two elder women rose and regarded him with looks of pitying -disdain. Miss Polson’s glance said “Fool!” plainly; Susan, a simple -child of nature, given to expressing her mind freely, said “Blockhead!” -with conviction. - -“I see ’ow it is,” said the boatswain, after ruminating deeply. “Well, -I won’t split, ladies. I can see now you was all in it, and it was a -little job to get me out of the house.” - -“What a head he has got,” said the irritated Susan; “isn’t it wonderful -how he thinks of it all! Nobody would think he was so clever to look at -him.” - -“Still waters run deep,” said the boatswain, who was beginning to have -a high opinion of himself. - -“And pride goes before a fall,” said Chrissie; “remember that, Mr. -Tucker.” - -Mr. Tucker grinned, but, remembering the fable of the pitcher and the -well, pressed his superior officer that evening to relieve him from his -duties. He stated that the strain was slowly undermining a constitution -which was not so strong as appearances would warrant, and that his -knowledge of female nature was lamentably deficient on many important -points. “You’re doing very well,” said the captain, who had no -intention of attending any more Dorcases, “very well indeed; I am proud -of you.” - -“It isn’t a man’s work,” objected the boatswain. “Besides, if anything -happens you’ll blame me for it.” - -“Nothing can happen,” declared the captain confidently. “We shall make -a start in about four days now. You’re the only man I can trust with -such a difficult job, Tucker, and I shan’t forget you.” - -“Very good,” said the other dejectedly. “I obey orders, then.” - -The next day passed quietly, the members of the household making a -great fuss of Tucker, and thereby filling him with forebodings of the -worst possible nature. On the day after, when the captain, having -business at a neighbouring town, left him in sole charge, his -uneasiness could not be concealed. - -“I’m going for a walk,” said Chrissie, as he sat by himself, working -out dangerous moves and the best means of checking them; “would you -care to come with me, Tucker?” - -“I wish you wouldn’t put it that way, miss,” said the boatswain, as he -reached for his hat. - -“I want exercise,” said Chrissie; “I’ve been cooped up long enough.” - -She set off at a good pace up the High Street, attended by her faithful -follower, and passing through the small suburbs, struck out into the -country beyond. After four miles the boatswain, who was no walker, -reminded her that they had got to go back. - -“Plenty of time,” said Chrissie, “we have got the day before us. Isn’t -it glorious? Do you see that milestone, Tucker? I’ll race you to it; -come along.” - -She was off on the instant, with the boatswain, who suspected -treachery, after her. - -“You CAN run,” she panted, thoughtfully, as she came in second; “we’ll -have another one presently. You don’t know how good it is for you, -Tucker.” - -The boatswain grinned sourly and looked at her from the corner of his -eye. The next three miles passed like a horrible nightmare; his charge -making a race for every milestone, in which the labouring boatswain, -despite his want of practice, came in the winner. The fourth ended -disastrously, Chrissie limping the last ten yards, and seating herself -with a very woebegone face on the stone itself. - -“You did very well, miss,” said the boatswain, who thought he could -afford to be generous. “You needn’t be offended about it.” - -“It’s my ankle,” said Chrissie with a little whimper. “Oh! I twisted it -right round.” - -The boatswain stood regarding her in silent consternation - -“It’s no use looking like that,” said Chrissie sharply, “you great -clumsy thing. If you hadn’t have run so hard it wouldn’t have happened. -It’s all your fault.” - -“If you don’t mind leaning on me a bit,” said Tucker, “we might get -along.” - -Chrissie took his arm petulantly, and they started on their return -journey, at the rate of about four hours a mile, with little cries and -gasps at every other yard. - -“It’s no use,” said Chrissie as she relinquished his arm, and, limping -to the side of the road, sat down. The boatswain pricked up his ears -hopefully at the sound of approaching wheels. - -“What’s the matter with the young lady?” inquired a groom who was -driving a little trap, as he pulled up and regarded with interest a -grimace of extraordinary intensity on the young lady’s face. - -“Broke her ankle, I think,” said the boatswain glibly. “Which way are -you going?” - -“Well, I’m going to Barborough,” said the groom; “but my guvnor’s -rather pertickler.” - -“I’ll make it all right with you,” said the boatswain. - -The groom hesitated a minute, and then made way for Chrissie as the -boatswain assisted her to get up beside him; then Tucker, with a grin -of satisfaction at getting a seat once more, clambered up behind, and -they started. - -“Have a rug, mate,” said the groom, handing the reins to Chrissie and -passing it over; “put it round your knees and tuck the ends under you.” - -“Ay, ay, mate,” said the boatswain as he obeyed the instructions. - -“Are you sure you are quite comfortable?” said the groom -affectionately. - -“Quite,” said the other. - -The groom said no more, but in a quiet business-like fashion placed his -hands on the seaman’s broad back, and shot him out into the road. Then -he snatched up the reins and drove off at a gallop. - -Without the faintest hope of winning, Mr. Tucker, who realised clearly, -appearances notwithstanding, that he had fallen into a trap, rose after -a hurried rest and started on his fifth race that morning. The prize -was only a second-rate groom with plated buttons, who was waving cheery -farewells to him with a dingy top hat; but the boatswain would have -sooner had it than a silver tea-service. - -He ran as he had never ran before in his life, but all to no purpose, -the trap stopping calmly a little further on to take up another -passenger, in whose favour the groom retired to the back seat; then, -with a final wave of the hand to him, they took a road to the left and -drove rapidly out of sight. The boatswain’s watch was over. - - - - -LOW WATER - - -It was a calm, clear evening in late summer as the _Elizabeth Ann_, of -Pembray, scorning the expensive aid of a tug, threaded her way down the -London river under canvas. The crew were busy forward, and the master -and part-owner—a fussy little man, deeply imbued with a sense of his -own importance and cleverness—was at the wheel chatting with the mate. -While waiting for a portion of his cargo, he had passed the previous -week pleasantly enough with some relatives in Exeter, and was now in a -masterful fashion receiving a report from the mate. - -“There’s one other thing,” said the mate. “I dessay you’ve noticed how -sober old Dick is to-night.” - -“I kept him short o’ purpose,” said the skipper, with a satisfied air. - -“Tain’t that,” said the mate. “You’ll be pleased to hear that ’im an’ -Sam has been talked over by the other two, and that all your crew now, -’cept the cook, who’s still Roman Catholic, has j’ined the Salvation -Army.” - -“Salvation Army!” repeated the skipper in dazed tones. “I don’t want -none o’ your gammon, Bob.” - -“It’s quite right,” said the other. “You can take it from me. How it -was done I don’t know, but what I do know is, none of ’em has touched -licker for five days. They’ve all got red jerseys, an’ I hear as old -Dick preaches a hexcellent sermon. He’s red-hot on it, and t’others -follow ’im like sheep.” - -“The drink’s got to his brain,” said the skipper sagely, after due -reflection. “Well, I don’t mind, so long as they behave theirselves.” - -He kept silence until Woolwich was passed, and they were running along -with all sails set, and then, his curiosity being somewhat excited, he -called old Dick to him, with the amiable intention of a little banter. - -“What’s this I hear about you j’ining the Salvation Army?” he asked. - -“It’s quite true, sir,” said Dick. “I feel so happy, you can’t think—we -all do.” - -“Glory!” said one of the other men, with enthusiastic corroboration. - -“Seems like the measles,” said the skipper facetiously. “Four of you -down with it at one time!” - -“It _is_ like the measles, sir,” said the old man impressively, “an’ I -only hope as you’ll catch it yourself, bad.” - -“Hallelujah!” bawled the other man suddenly. “He’ll catch it.” - -“Hold that noise, you, Joe!” shouted the skipper sternly. “How dare you -make that noise aboard ship?” - -“He’s excited, sir,” said Dick. “It’s love for you in ’is ’eart as does -it.” - -“Let him keep his love to hisself,” said the skipper churlishly. - -“Ah! that’s just what we can’t do,” said Dick in high-pitched tones, -which the skipper rightly concluded to be his preaching voice. “We -can’t do it—an’ why can’t we do it? Becos we feel good, an’ we want you -to feel good too. We want to share it with you. Oh, dear friend—” - -“That’s enough,” said the master of the _Elizabeth Ann_, sharply. -“Don’t you go ‘dear friending’ me. Go for’ard! Go for’ard at once!” - -With a melancholy shake of his head the old man complied, and the -startled skipper turned to the mate, who was at the wheel, and -expressed his firm intention of at once stopping such behaviour on his -ship. - -“You can’t do it,” said the mate firmly. - -“Can’t do it?” queried the skipper. - -“Not a bit of it,” said the other. “They’ve all got it bad, an’ the -more you get at ’em the wuss they’ll be. Mark my words, best let ’em -alone.” - -“I’ll hold my hand a bit and watch ’em,” was the reply; “but I’ve -always been cap’n on my own ship, and I always will.” - -For the next twenty-four hours he retained his sovereignty undisputed, -but on Sunday morning, after breakfast, when he was at the wheel, and -the crew below, the mate, who had been forward, came aft with a strange -grin struggling for development at the corners of his mouth. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired the skipper, regarding him with some -disfavour. - -“They’re all down below with their red jerseys on,” replied the mate, -still struggling, “and they’re holding a sort o’ consultation about the -lost lamb, an’ the best way o’ reaching ’is ’ard ’eart.” - -“Lost lamb!” repeated the skipper unconcernedly, but carefully avoiding -the other’s eye. - -“You’re the lost lamb,” said the mate, who always went straight to the -point. - -“I won’t have it,” said the skipper excitably. “How dare they go on in -this way? Go and send ’em up directly.” - -The mate, whistling cheerily, complied, and the four men, neatly -attired in scarlet, came on deck. - -“Now, what’s all this nonsense about?” demanded the incensed man. “What -do you want?” - -“We want your pore sinful soul,” said Dick with ecstasy. - -“Ay, an’ we’ll have it,” said Joe, with deep conviction. - -“So we will,” said the other two, closing their eyes and smiling -rapturously; “so we will.” - -The skipper, alarmed, despite himself, at their confidence, turned a -startled face to the mate. - -“If you could see it now,” continued Dick impressively, “you’d be -frightened at it. If you could—” - -“Get to your own end of the ship,” spluttered the indignant skipper. -“Get, before I kick you there!” - -“Better let Sam have a try,” said one of the other men, calmly ignoring -the fury of the master; “his efforts have been wonderfully blessed. -Come here, Sam.” - -“There’s a time for everything” said Sam cautiously. “Let’s go for’ard -and do what we can for him among ourselves.” - -They moved off reluctantly, Dick throwing such affectionate glances at -the skipper over his shoulders that he nearly choked with rage. - -“I won’t have it!” he said fiercely; “I’ll knock it out of ’em.” - -“You can’t,” said the mate. “You can’t knock sailor men about nowadays. -The only thing you can do is to get rid of ’em.” - -“I don’t want to do that,” was the growling reply. “They’ve been with -me a long time, and they’re all good men. Why don’t they have a go at -you, I wonder?” - -“_Me?_” said the mate, in indignant surprise. “Why, I’m a Seventh Day -Baptist! They don’t want to waste their time over me. I’m all right.” - -“You’re a pretty Seventh Day Baptist, you are!” replied the skipper. -“Fust I’ve heard of it.” - -“You don’t understand about such things,” said the mate. - -“It must be a very easy religion,” continued the skipper. - -“I don’t make a show of it, if that’s what you mean,” rejoined the -other warmly. “I’m one o’ them as believe in ’iding my light under a -bushel.” - -“A pint pot’ud do easy,” sneered the skipper. “It’s more in your line, -too.” - -“Anyway, the men reckernise it,” said the mate loftily. “They don’t go -an’ sit in their red jerseys an’ hold mothers’ meetings over me.” - -“I’ll knock their blessed heads off!” growled the skipper. “I’ll learn -’em to insult me!” - -“It’s all for your own good,” said the other. “They mean it kindly. -Well, I wish ’em luck.” - -With these hardy words he retired, leaving a seething volcano to pace -the deck, and think over ways and means of once more reducing his crew -to what he considered a fit and proper state of obedience and respect. - -The climax was reached at tea-time, when an anonymous hand was thrust -beneath the skylight, and a full-bodied tract fluttered wildly down and -upset his tea. - -“That’s the last straw!” he roared, fishing out the tract and throwing -it on the floor. “I’ll read them chaps a lesson they won’t forget in a -hurry, and put a little money in my pocket at the same time. I’ve got a -little plan in my ’ed as come to me quite sudden this afternoon. Come -on deck, Bob.” - -Bob obeyed, grinning, and the skipper, taking the wheel from Sam, sent -him for the others. - -“Did you ever know me break my word, Dick?” he inquired abruptly, as -they shuffled up. - -“Never,” said Dick. - -“Cap’n Bowers’ word is better than another man’s oath,” asseverated -Joe. - -“Well,” said Captain Bowers, with a wink at the mate, “I’m going to -give you chaps a little self-denial week all to yourselves. If you all -live on biscuit and water till we get to port, and don’t touch nothing -else, I’ll jine you and become a Salvationist.” - -“Biscuit and water,” said Dick doubtfully, scratching a beard strong -enough to scratch back. - -“It wouldn’t be right to play with our constitooshuns in that way, -sir,” objected Joe, shaking his head. - -“There you are,” said Bowers, turning to the mate with a wave of his -hand. “They’re precious anxious about me so long as it’s confined to -jawing, and dropping tracts into my tea, but when it comes to a little -hardship on their part, see how they back out of it.” - -“We ain’t backing out of it,” said Dick cautiously; “but s’pose we do, -how are we to be certain as you’ll jine us?” - -“You’ve got my word for it,” said the other, “an’ the mate an’ cook -witness it.” - -“O’ course, you jine the Army for good, sir,” said Dick, still -doubtfully. - -“O’ course.” - -“Then it’s a bargain, sir,” said Dick, beaming; “ain’t it, chaps?” - -“Ay, ay,” said the others, but not beaming quite so much. “Oh, what a -joyful day this is!” said the old man. “A Salvation crew an’ a -Salvation cap’n! We’ll have the cook next, bad as he is.” - -“You’ll have biskit an’ water,” said the cook icily, as they moved off, -“an’ nothing else, I’ll take care.” - -“They must be uncommon fond o’ me,” said the skipper meditatively. - -“Uncommon fond o’ having their own way,” growled the mate. “Nice thing -you’ve let yourself in for.” - -“I know what I’m about,” was the confident reply. - -“You ain’t going to let them idiots fast for a week an’ then break your -word?” said the mate in surprise. - -“Certainly not,” said the other wrathfully; “I’d sooner jine three -armies than do that, and you know it.” - -“They’ll keep to the grub, don’t you fear,” said the mate. “I can’t -understand how you are going to manage it.” - -“That’s where the brains come in,” retorted the skipper, somewhat -arrogantly. - -“Fust time I’ve heard of ’em,” murmured the mate softly; “but I s’pose -you’ve been using pint pots too.” - -The skipper glared at him scornfully, but, being unprovided with a -retort, forbore to reply, and going below again mixed himself a stiff -glass of grog, and drank success to his scheme. - -Three days passed, and the men stood firm, and, realising that they -were slowly undermining the skipper’s convictions, made no effort to -carry him by direct assault. The mate made no attempt to conceal his -opinion of his superior’s peril, and in gloomy terms strove to put the -full horror of his position before him. - -“What your missis’ll say the first time she sees you prancing up an’ -down the road tapping a tambourine, I can’t think,” said he. - -“I shan’t have no tambourine,” said Captain Bowers cheerfully. - -“It’ll also be your painful dooty to stand outside your father-in-law’s -pub and try and persuade customers not to go in,” continued Bob. “Nice -thing that for a quiet family!” - -The skipper smiled knowingly, and, rolling a cigar in his mouth, leaned -back in his seat and cocked his eye at the skylight. - -“Don’t you worry, my lad,” said he; “don’t you worry. I’m in this job, -an’ I’m coming out on top. When men forget what’s due to their betters, -and preach to ’em, they’ve got to be taught what’s what. If the wind -keeps fair we ought to be home by Sunday night or Monday morning.” - -The other nodded. - -“Now, you keep your eyes open,” said the skipper; and, going to his -state-room, he returned with three bottles of rum and a corkscrew, all -of which, with an air of great mystery, he placed on the table, and -then smiled at the mate. The mate smiled too. - -“What’s this?” inquired the skipper, drawing the cork, and holding a -bottle under the other’s nose. - -“It smells like rum,” said the mate, glancing round, possibly for a -glass. - -“It’s for the men,” said the skipper, “but you may take a drop.” - -The mate, taking down a glass, helped himself liberally, and, having -made sure of it, sympathetically, but politely, expressed his firm -opinion that the men would not touch it under any conditions whatever. - -“You don’t quite understand how firm they are,” said he; “you think -it’s just a new fad with ’em, but it ain’t.” - -“They’ll drink it,” said the skipper, taking up two of the bottles. -“Bring the other on deck for me.” - -The mate complied, wonderingly, and, laden with prime old Jamaica, -ascended the steps. - -“What’s this?” inquired the skipper, crossing over to Dick, and holding -out a bottle. - -“Pison, sir,” said Dick promptly. - -“Have a drop,” said the skipper jovially. - -“Not for twenty pounds,” said the old man, with a look of horror. - -“Not for two million pounds,” said Sam, with financial precision. - -“Will anybody have a drop?” asked the owner, waving the bottle to and -fro. - -As he spoke a grimy paw shot out from behind him, and, before he quite -realised the situation, the cook had accepted the invitation, and was -hurriedly making the most of it. - -“Not you,” growled the skipper, snatching the bottle from him; “I -didn’t mean you. Well, my lads, if you won’t have it neat you shall -have it watered.” - -Before anybody could guess his intention he walked to the water-cask, -and, removing the cover, poured in the rum. In the midst of a profound -silence he emptied the three bottles, and then, with a triumphant -smile, turned and confronted his astonished crew. - -“What’s in that cask, Dick?” he asked quietly. - -“Rum and water,” groaned Dick; “but that ain’t fair play, sir. We’ve -kep’ to our part o’ the agreement, sir, an’ you ought to ha’ kep’ to -yours.” - -“So I have,” was the quick reply; “so I have, an’ I still keep to it. -Don’t you see this, my lads; when you start playing antics with me -you’re playing a fool’s game, an’ you’re bound to come a cropper. Some -men would ha’ waited longer afore they spiled their game, but I think -you’ve suffered enough. Now there’s a lump of beef and some taters on, -an’ you’d better go and make a good square meal, an’ next time you want -to alter the religion of people as knows better than you do, think -twice.” - -“We don’t want no beef, sir; biskit’ll do for us,” said Dick firmly. - -“All right, please yourselves,” said the skipper; “but mind, no -hanky-panky, no coming for drink when my back’s turned; this cask’ll be -watched; but if you do alter your mind about the beef you can tell the -cook to get it for you any time you like.” - -He threw the bottles overboard, and, ignoring the groaning and -head-shaking of the men, walked away, listening with avidity to the -respectful tributes to his genius tendered by the mate and -cook—flattery so delicate and so genuine withal that he opened another -bottle. - -“There’s just one thing,” said the mate presently; “won’t the rum -affect the cooking a good deal?” - -“I never thought o’ that,” admitted the skipper; “still, we musn’t -expect to have everything our own way.” - -“No, no,” said the mate blankly, admiring the other’s choice of -pronouns. - -Up to Friday afternoon the skipper went about with a smile of kindly -satisfaction on his face; but in the evening it weakened somewhat, and -by Saturday morning it had vanished altogether, and was replaced by an -expression of blank amazement and anxiety, for the crew shunned the -water cask as though it were poison, without appearing to suffer the -slightest inconvenience. A visible air of proprietorship appeared on -their faces whenever they looked at the skipper, and the now frightened -man inveighed fiercely to the mate against the improper methods of -conversion patronised by some religious bodies, and the aggravating -obstinacy of some of their followers. - -“It’s wonderful what enthusiasm’ll do for a man,” said Bob -reflectively; “I knew a man once—” - -“I don’t want none o’ your lies,” interposed the other rudely. - -“An’ I don’t want your blamed rum and water, if it comes to that,” said -the mate, firing up. “When a man’s tea is made with rum, an’ his beef -is biled in it, he begins to wonder whether he’s shipped with a seaman -or a—a—” - -“A what?” shouted the skipper. “Say it!” - -“I can’t think o’ nothing foolish enough,” was the frank reply. “It’s -all right for you, becos it’s the last licker as you’ll be allowed to -taste, but it’s rough on me and the cook.” - -“Damn you an’ the cook,” said the skipper, and went on deck to see -whether the men’s tongues were hanging out. - -By Sunday morning he was frantic; the men were hale and well enough, -though, perhaps, a trifle thin, and he began to believe with the cook -that the age of miracles had not yet passed. - -It was a broiling hot day, and, to add to his discomfort, the mate, who -was consumed by a raging thirst, lay panting in the shade of the -mainsail, exchanging condolences of a most offensive nature with the -cook every time he looked his way. - -All the morning he grumbled incessantly, until at length, warned by an -offensive smell of rum that dinner was on the table, he got up and went -below. - -At the foot of the ladder he paused abruptly, for the skipper was -leaning back in his seat, gazing in a fascinated manner at some object -on the table. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired the mate in alarm. - -The other, who did not appear to hear the question, made no answer, but -continued to stare in a most extraordinary fashion at a bottle which -graced the centre of the table. - -“What is it?” inquired the mate, not venturing to trust his eyes. -“_Water?_ Where did it come from?” - -“Cook!” roared the skipper, turning a bloodshot eye on that worthy, as -his pallid face showed behind the mate, “what’s this? If you say it’s -water I’ll kill you.” - -“I don’t know what it is, sir,” said the cook cautiously; “but Dick -sent it to you with his best respects, and I was to say as there’s -plenty more where that came from. He’s a nasty, under’anded, deceitful -old man, is Dick, sir, an’ it seems he laid in a stock o’ water in -bottles an’ the like afore you doctored the cask, an’ the men have had -it locked up in their chests ever since.” - -“Dick’s a very clever old man,” remarked the mate, pouring himself out -a glass, and drinking it with infinite relish, “ain’t he, cap’n? It’ll -be a privilege to jine anything that man’s connected with, won’t it?” - -He paused for a reply, but none came, for the cap’n, with dim eyes, was -staring blankly into a future so lonely and uncongenial that he had -lost the power of speech—even of that which, at other crises, had never -failed to afford him relief. The mate gazed at him curiously for a -moment, and then, imitating the example of the cook, quitted the cabin. - - - - -IN MID-ATLANTIC - - -No, sir,” said the night-watchman, as he took a seat on a post at the -end of the jetty, and stowed a huge piece of tobacco in his cheek. “No, -man an’ boy, I was at sea forty years afore I took on this job, but I -can’t say as ever I saw a real, downright ghost.” - -This was disappointing, and I said so. Previous experience of the power -of Bill’s vision had led me to expect something very different. - -“Not but what I’ve known some queer things happen,” said Bill, fixing -his eyes on the Surrey side, and going off into a kind of trance. -“Queer things.” - -I waited patiently; Bill’s eyes, after resting for some time on Surrey, -began to slowly cross the river, paused midway in reasonable hopes of a -collision between a tug with its flotilla of barges and a penny -steamer, and then came back to me. - -“You heard that yarn old Cap’n Harris was telling the other day about -the skipper he knew having a warning one night to alter his course, an’ -doing so, picked up five live men and three dead skeletons in a open -boat?” he inquired. - -I nodded. - -“The yarn in various forms is an old one,” said I. - -“It’s all founded on something I told him once,” said Bill. “I don’t -wish to accuse Cap’n Harris of taking another man’s true story an’ -spoiling it; he’s got a bad memory, that’s all. Fust of all, he forgets -he ever heard the yarn; secondly, he goes and spoils it.” - -I gave a sympathetic murmur. Harris was as truthful an old man as ever -breathed, but his tales were terribly restricted by this circumstance, -whereas Bill’s were limited by nothing but his own imagination. - -“It was about fifteen years ago now,” began Bill, getting the quid into -a bye-way of his cheek, where it would not impede his utterance “I was -A. B. on the _Swallow_, a barque, trading wherever we could pick up -stuff. On this v’y’ge we was bound from London to Jamaica with a -general cargo. - -“The start of that v’y’ge was excellent. We was towed out of the St. -Katherine’s Docks here, to the Nore, an’ the tug left us to a stiff -breeze, which fairly raced us down Channel and out into the Atlantic. -Everybody was saying what a fine v’y’ge we was having, an’ what quick -time we should make, an’ the fust mate was in such a lovely temper that -you might do anything with him a’most. - -“We was about ten days out, an’ still slipping along in this spanking -way, when all of a sudden things changed. I was at the wheel with the -second mate one night, when the skipper, whose name was Brown, came up -from below in a uneasy sort o’ fashion, and stood looking at us for -some time without speaking. Then at last he sort o’ makes up his mind, -and ses he— - -“‘Mr. McMillan, I’ve just had a most remarkable experience, an’ I don’t -know what to do about it.’ - -“‘Yes, sir?’ ses Mr. McMillan. - -“‘Three times I’ve been woke up this night by something shouting in my -ear, “Steer nor’-nor’-west!”’ ses the cap’n very solemnly, ‘“Steer -nor’-nor’-west!”’ that’s all it says. The first time I thought it was -somebody got into my cabin skylarking, and I laid for ’em with a stick -but I’ve heard it three times, an’ there’s nothing there.’ - -“‘It’s a supernatural warning,’ ses the second mate, who had a great -uncle once who had the second sight, and was the most unpopular man of -his family, because he always knew what to expect, and laid his plans -according. - -“‘That’s what I think,’ ses the cap’n. ‘There’s some poor shipwrecked -fellow creatures in distress.” - -“‘It’s a verra grave responsebeelity,’ ses Mr. McMillan ‘I should just -ca’ up the fairst mate.’ - -“‘Bill,’ ses the cap’n, ‘just go down below, and tell Mr. Salmon I’d -like a few words with him partikler.’ - -“Well, I went down below, and called up the first mate, and as soon as -I’d explained to him what he was wanted for, he went right off into a -fit of outrageous bad language, an’ hit me. He came right up on deck in -his pants an’ socks. A most disrespekful way to come to the cap’n, but -he was that hot and excited he didn’t care what he did. - -“‘Mr. Salmon,’ ses the cap’n gravely, ‘I’ve just had a most solemn -warning, and I want to—’ - -“‘I know,’ says the mate gruffly. - -“‘What! have you heard it too?’ ses the cap’n, in surprise. ‘Three -times?’ “I heard it from him,’ ses the mate, pointing to me. -‘Nightmare, sir, nightmare.’ - -“‘It was not nightmare, sir,’ ses the cap’n, very huffy, ‘an if I hear -it again, I’m going to alter this ship’s course.’ - -“Well, the fust mate was in a hole. He wanted to call the skipper -something which he knew wasn’t discipline. I knew what it was, an’ I -knew if the mate didn’t do something he’d be ill, he was that sort of -man, everything flew to his head. He walked away, and put his head over -the side for a bit, an’ at last, when he came back, he was, -comparatively speaking, calm. - -“‘You mustn’t hear them words again, sir,’ ses he; ‘don’t go to sleep -again to-night. Stay up, an’ we’ll have a hand o’ cards, and in the -morning you take a good stiff dose o’ rhoobarb. Don’t spoil one o’ the -best trips we’ve ever had for the sake of a pennyworth of rhoobarb,’ -ses he, pleading-like. - -“‘Mr. Salmon,’ ses the cap’n, very angry, ‘I shall not fly in the face -o’ Providence in any such way. I shall sleep as usual, an’ as for your -rhoobarb,’ ses the cap’n, working hisself up into a passion—’damme, -sir, I’ll—I’ll dose the whole crew with it, from first mate to -cabin-boy, if I have any impertinence.’ - -“Well, Mr. Salmon, who was getting very mad, stalks down below, -followed by the cap’n, an’ Mr. McMillan was that excited that he even -started talking to me about it. Half-an-hour arterwards the cap’n comes -running up on deck again. - -“‘Mr. McMillan,’ ses he excitedly, ‘steer nor’-nor’-west until further -orders. I’ve heard it again, an’ this time it nearly split the drum of -my ear.’ - -“The ship’s course was altered, an’ after the old man was satisfied he -went back to bed again, an’ almost directly arter eight bells went, an’ -I was relieved. I wasn’t on deck when the fust mate come up, but those -that were said he took it very calm. He didn’t say a word. He just sat -down on the poop, and blew his cheeks out. - -“As soon as ever it was daylight the skipper was on deck with his -glasses. He sent men up to the masthead to keep a good look-out, an’ he -was dancing about like a cat on hot bricks all the morning. - -“‘How long are we to go on this course, sir?’ asks Mr. Salmon, about -ten o’clock in the morning. - -“‘I’ve not made up my mind, sir,’ ses the cap’n, very stately; but I -could see he was looking a trifle foolish. - -“At twelve o’clock in the day, the fust mate got a cough, and every -time he coughed it seemed to act upon the skipper, and make him madder -and madder. Now that it was broad daylight, Mr. McMillan didn’t seem to -be so creepy as the night before, an’ I could see the cap’n was only -waiting for the slightest excuse to get into our proper course again. - -“‘That’s a nasty, bad cough o’ yours, Mr. Salmon,’ ses he, eyeing the -mate very hard. - -“‘Yes, a nasty, irritating sort o’ cough, sir,’ ses the other; ‘it -worries me a great deal. It’s this going up nor’ards what’s sticking in -my throat,’ ses he. - -“The cap’n give a gulp, and walked off, but he comes back in a minute, -and ses he— - -“‘Mr. Salmon, I should think it a great pity to lose a valuable officer -like yourself, even to do good to others. There’s a hard ring about -that cough I don’t like, an’ if you really think it’s going up this bit -north, why, I don’t mind putting the ship in her course again.’ - -“Well, the mate thanked him kindly, and he was just about to give the -orders when one o’ the men who was at the masthead suddenly shouts out— - -“‘Ahoy! Small boat on the port bow!’ - -“The cap’n started as if he’d been shot, and ran up the rigging with -his glasses. He came down again almost direckly, and his face was all -in a glow with pleasure and excitement. - -“‘Mr. Salmon,’ ses he, ‘here’s a small boat with a lug sail in the -middle o’ the Atlantic, with one pore man lying in the bottom of her. -What do you think o’ my warning now?’ - -“The mate didn’t say anything at first, but he took the glasses and had -a look, an’ when he came back anyone could see his opinion of the -skipper had gone up miles and miles. - -“‘It’s a wonderful thing, sir,’ ses he, ‘and one I’ll remember all my -life. It’s evident that you’ve been picked out as a instrument to do -this good work.’ - -“I’d never heard the fust mate talk like that afore, ’cept once when he -fell overboard, when he was full, and stuck in the Thames mud. He said -it was Providence; though, as it was low water, according to the -tide-table, I couldn’t see what Providence had to do with it myself. He -was as excited as anybody, and took the wheel himself, and put the -ship’s head for the boat, and as she came closer, our boat was slung -out, and me and the second mate and three other men dropped into her, -an’ pulled so as to meet the other. - -“‘Never mind the boat; we don’t want to be bothered with her,’ shouts -out the cap’n as we pulled away—‘Save the man!’ - -“I’ll say this for Mr. McMillan, he steered that boat beautifully, and -we ran alongside o’ the other as clever as possible. Two of us shipped -our oars, and gripped her tight, and then we saw that she was just an -ordinary boat, partly decked in, with the head and shoulders of a man -showing in the opening, fast asleep, and snoring like thunder. - -“‘Puir chap,’ ses Mr. McMillan, standing up. ‘Look how wasted he is.’ - -“He laid hold o’ the man by the neck of his coat an’ his belt, an’, -being a very powerful man, dragged him up and swung him into our boat, -which was bobbing up and down, and grating against the side of the -other. We let go then, an’ the man we’d rescued opened his eyes as Mr. -McMillan tumbled over one of the thwarts with him, and, letting off a -roar like a bull, tried to jump back into his boat. - -“‘Hold him!’ shouted the second mate. ‘Hold him tight! He’s mad, puir -feller.’ - -“By the way that man fought and yelled, we thought the mate was right, -too. He was a short, stiff chap, hard as iron, and he bit and kicked -and swore for all he was worth, until at last we tripped him up and -tumbled him into the bottom of the boat, and held him there with his -head hanging back over a thwart. - -“‘It’s all right, my puir feller,’ ses the second mate; ‘ye’re in good -hands—ye’re saved.’ - -“‘Damme!’ ses the man; ‘what’s your little game? Where’s my boat—eh? -Where’s my boat?’ - -“He wriggled a bit, and got his head up, and, when he saw it bowling -along two or three hundred yards away, his temper got the better of -him, and he swore that if Mr. McMillan didn’t row after it he’d knife -him. - -“‘We can’t bother about the boat,’ ses the mate; ‘we’ve had enough -bother to rescue you.’ - -“‘Who the devil wanted you to rescue me?’ bellowed the man. ‘I’ll make -you pay for this, you miserable swabs. If there’s any law in Amurrica, -you shall have it!’ - -“By this time we had got to the ship, which had shortened sail, and the -cap’n was standing by the side, looking down upon the stranger with a -big, kind smile which nearly sent him crazy. - -“‘Welcome aboard, my pore feller,’ ses he, holding out his hand as the -chap got up the side. - -“‘Are you the author of this outrage?’ ses the man fiercely. “‘I don’t -understand you,’ ses the cap’n, very dignified, and drawing himself up. - -“‘Did you send your chaps to sneak me out o’ my boat while I was having -forty winks?’ roars the other. ‘Damme! that’s English, ain’t it?’ - -“‘Surely,’ ses the cap’n, ‘surely you didn’t wish to be left to perish -in that little craft. I had a supernatural warning to steer this course -on purpose to pick you up, and this is your gratitude.’ - -“‘Look here!’ ses the other. ‘My name’s Cap’n Naskett, and I’m doing a -record trip from New York to Liverpool in the smallest boat that has -ever crossed the Atlantic, an’ you go an’ bust everything with your -cussed officiousness. If you think I’m going to be kidnapped just to -fulfil your beastly warnings, you’ve made a mistake. I’ll have the law -on you, that’s what I’ll do. Kidnapping’s a punishable offence.’ - -“‘What did you come here for, then?’ ses the cap’n. - -“‘Come!’ howls Cap’n Naskett. ‘Come! A feller sneaks up alongside o’ me -with a boat-load of street-sweepings dressed as sailors, and snaps me -up while I’m asleep, and you ask me what I come for. Look here. You -clap on all sail and catch that boat o’ mine, and put me back, and I’ll -call it quits. If you don’t, I’ll bring a law-suit agin you, and make -you the laughing-stock of two continents into the bargain.’ - -“Well, to make the best of a bad bargain, the cap’n sailed after the -cussed little boat, and Mr. Salmon, who thought more than enough time -had been lost already, fell foul o’ Cap’n Naskett. They was both pretty -talkers, and the way they went on was a education for every sailorman -afloat. Every man aboard got as near as they durst to listen to them; -but I must say Cap’n Naskett had the best of it. He was a sarkastik -man, and pretended to think the ship was fitted out just to pick up -shipwrecked people, an’ he also pretended to think we was castaways -what had been saved by it. He said o’ course anybody could see at a -glance we wasn’t sailormen, an’ he supposed Mr. Salmon was a butcher -what had been carried out to sea while paddling at Margate to -strengthen his ankles. He said a lot more of this sort of thing, and -all this time we was chasing his miserable little boat, an’ he was -admiring the way she sailed, while the fust mate was answering his -reflexshuns, an’ I’m sure that not even our skipper was more pleased -than Mr. Salmon when we caught it at last, and shoved him back. He was -ungrateful up to the last, an’, just before leaving the ship, actually -went up to Cap’n Brown, and advised him to shut his eyes an’ turn round -three times and catch what he could. - -“I never saw the skipper so upset afore, but I heard him tell Mr. -McMillan that night that if he ever went out of his way again after a -craft, it would only be to run it down. Most people keep pretty quiet -about supernatural things that happen to them, but he was about the -quietest I ever heard of, an’, what’s more, he made everyone else keep -quiet about it, too. Even when he had to steer nor’-nor’-west arter -that in the way o’ business he didn’t like it, an’ he was about the -most cruelly disappointed man you ever saw when he heard afterwards -that Cap’n Naskett got safe to Liverpool.” - - - - -AFTER THE INQUEST - - -It was a still fair evening in late summer in the parish of Wapping. -The hands had long since left, and the night watchman having abandoned -his trust in favour of a neighbouring bar, the wharf was deserted. - -An elderly seaman came to the gate and paused irresolute, then, seeing -all was quiet, stole cautiously on to the jetty, and stood for some -time gazing curiously down on to the deck of the billy-boy _Psyche_ -lying alongside. - -With the exception of the mate, who, since the lamented disappearance -of its late master and owner, was acting as captain, the deck was as -deserted as the wharf. He was smoking an evening pipe in all the pride -of a first command, his eye roving fondly from the blunt bows and -untidy deck of his craft to her clumsy stern, when a slight cough from -the man above attracted his attention. - -“How do, George?” said the man on the jetty, somewhat sheepishly, as -the other looked up. - -The mate opened his mouth, and his pipe fell from it and smashed to -pieces unnoticed. - -“Got much stuff in her this trip?” continued the man, with an obvious -attempt to appear at ease. - -“The mate, still looking up, backed slowly to the other side of the -deck, but made no reply. - -“What’s the matter, man?” said the other testily. “You don’t seem -overpleased to see me.” - -He leaned over as he spoke, and, laying hold of the rigging, descended -to the deck, while the mate took his breath in short, exhilarating -gasps. - -“Here I am, George,” said the intruder, “turned up like a bad penny, -an’ glad to see your handsome face again, I can tell you.” - -In response to this flattering remark George gurgled. - -“Why,” said the other, with an uneasy laugh, “did you think I was dead, -George? Ha, ha! Feel that!” - -He fetched the horrified man a thump in the back, which stopped even -his gurgles. - -“That feel like a dead man?” asked the smiter, raising his hand again. -“Feel”— - -The mate moved back hastily. “That’ll do,” said he fiercely; “ghost or -no ghost, don’t you hit me like that again.” - -“A’ right, George,” said the other, as he meditatively felt the stiff -grey whiskers which framed his red face. “What’s the news?” - -“The news,” said George, who was of slow habits and speech, “is that -you was found last Tuesday week off St. Katherine’s Stairs, you was sat -on a Friday week at the Town o’ Ramsgate public-house, and buried on -Monday afternoon at Lowestoft.” - -“Buried?” gasped the other, “sat on? You’ve been drinking, George.” - -“An’ a pretty penny your funeral cost, I can tell you,” continued the -mate. “There’s a headstone being made now—‘Lived lamented and died -respected,’ I think it is, with ‘Not lost, but gone before,’ at the -bottom.” - -“Lived respected and died lamented, you mean,” growled the old man; -“well, a nice muddle you have made of it between you. Things always go -wrong when I’m not here to look after them.” - -“You ain’t dead, then?” said the mate, taking no notice of this -unreasonable remark, “Where’ve you been all this long time?” - -“No more than you’re master o’ this ’ere ship,” replied Mr. Harbolt -grimly. “I—I’ve been a bit queer in the stomach, an’ I took a little -drink to correct it. Foolish like, I took the wrong drink, and it must -have got into my head.” - -“That’s the worst of not being used to it,” said the mate, without -moving a muscle. - -The skipper eyed him solemnly, but the mate stood firm. - -“Arter that,” continued the skipper, still watching him suspiciously, -“I remember no more distinctly until this morning, when I found myself -sitting on a step down Poplar way and shiverin’, with the morning -newspaper and a crowd round me.” - -“Morning newspaper!” repeated the mystified mate. “What was that for?” - -“Decency. I was wrapped up in it,” replied the skipper. “Where I came -from or how I got there I don’t know more than Adam. I s’pose I must -have been ill; I seem to remember taking something out of a bottle -pretty often. Some old gentleman in the crowd took me into a shop and -bought me these clothes, an’ here I am. My own clo’es and thirty pounds -o’ freight money I had in my pocket is all gone.” - -“Well, I’m hearty glad to see you back,” said the mate. “It’s quite a -home-coming for you, too. Your missis is down aft.” - -“My missis? What the devil’s she aboard for?” growled the skipper, -successfully controlling his natural gratification at the news. - -“She’s been with us these last two trips,” replied the mate. “She’s had -business to settle in London, and she’s been going through your lockers -to clear up, like.” - -“My lockers!” groaned the skipper. “Good heavens! there’s things in -them lockers I wouldn’t have her see for the world; women are so fussy -an’ so fond o’ making something out o’ nothing. There’s a pore female -touched a bit in the upper storey, what’s been writing love letters to -me, George.” - -“Three pore females,” said the precise mate; “the missis has got all -the letters tied up with blue ribbon. Very far gone they was, too, poor -creeters.” - -“George,” said the skipper in a broken voice, “I’m a ruined man. I’ll -never hear the end o’ this. I guess I’ll go an’ sleep for’ard this -voyage, and lie low. Be keerful you don’t let on I’m aboard, an’ after -she’s home I’ll take the ship again, and let the thing leak out -gradual. Come to life bit by bit, so to speak. It wouldn’t do to scare -her, George, an’ in the meantime I’ll try an’ think o’ some explanation -to tell her. You might be thinking too.” - -“I’ll do what I can,” said the mate. - -“Crack me up to the old girl all you can; tell her I used to write to -all sorts o’ people when I got a drop of drink in me; say how -thoughtful I always was of her. You might tell her about that gold -locket I bought for her an’ got robbed of.” - -“Gold locket?” said the mate in tones of great surprise. “What gold -locket? Fust I’ve heard of it.” - -“Any gold locket,” said the skipper irritably; “anything you can think -of; you needn’t be pertikler. Arter that you can drop little hints -about people being buried in mistake for others, so as to prepare her a -bit—I don’t want to scare her.” - -“Leave it to me,” said the mate. - -“I’ll go an’ turn in now, I’m dead tired,” said the skipper. “I s’pose -Joe and the boy’s asleep?” - -George nodded, and meditatively watched the other as he pushed back the -fore-scuttle and drew it after him as he descended. Then a thought -struck the mate, and he ran hastily forward and threw his weight on the -scuttle just in time to frustrate the efforts of Joe and the boy, who -were coming on deck to tell him a new ghost story. The confusion below -was frightful, the skipper’s cry of “It’s only me, Joe,” not possessing -the soothing effect which he intended. They calmed down at length, -after their visitor had convinced them that he really was flesh and -blood and fists, and the boy’s attention being directed to a small rug -in the corner of the foc’s’le, the skipper took his bunk and was soon -fast asleep. - -He slept so soundly that the noise of the vessel getting under way -failed to rouse him, and she was well out in the open river when he -awoke, and after cautiously protruding his head through the scuttle, -ventured on deck. For some time he stood eagerly sniffing the cool, -sweet air, and then, after a look round, gingerly approached the mate, -who was at the helm. - -“Give me a hold on her,” said he. - -“You had better get below again, if you don’t want the missis to see -you,” said the mate. “She’s gettin’ up—nasty temper she’s in too.” - -The skipper went forward grumbling. “Send down a good breakfast, -George,” said he. - -To his great discomfort the mate suddenly gave a low whistle, and -regarded him with a look of blank dismay. - -“Good gracious!” he cried, “I forgot all about it. Here’s a pretty -kettle of fish—well, well.” - -“Forgot about what?” asked the skipper uneasily. - -“The crew take their meals in the cabin now,” replied the mate, “’cos -the missis says it’s more cheerful for ’em, and she’s l’arning ’em to -eat their wittles properly.” - -The skipper looked at him aghast. “You’ll have to smuggle me up some -grub,” he said at length. “I’m not going to starve for nobody.” - -“Easier said than done,” said the mate. “The missis has got eyes like -needles; still, I’ll do the best I can for you. Look out! Here she -comes.” - -The skipper fled hastily, and, safe down below, explained to the crew -how they were to secrete portions of their breakfast for his benefit. -The amount of explanation required for so simple a matter was -remarkable, the crew manifesting a denseness which irritated him almost -beyond endurance. They promised, however, to do the best they could for -him, and returned in triumph after a hearty meal, and presented their -enraged commander with a few greasy crumbs and the tail of a bloater. - -For the next two days the wind was against them, and they made but -little progress. Mrs. Harbolt spent most of her time on deck, thereby -confining her husband to his evil-smelling quarters below. Matters were -not improved for him by his treatment of the crew, who, resenting his -rough treatment of them, were doing their best to starve him into -civility. Most of the time he kept in his bunk—or rather Jemmy’s bunk—a -prey to despondency and hunger of an acute type, venturing on deck only -at night to prowl uneasily about and bemoan his condition. - -On the third night Mrs. Harbolt was later in retiring than usual, and -it was nearly midnight before the skipper, who had been indignantly -waiting for her to go, was able to get on deck and hold counsel with -the mate. - -“I’ve done what I could for you,” said the latter, fishing a crust from -his pocket, which Harbolt took thankfully. “I’ve told her all the yarns -I could think of about people turning up after they was buried and the -like.” - -“What’d she say?” queried the skipper eagerly, between his bites. - -“Told me not to talk like that,” said the mate; “said it showed a want -o’ trust in Providence to hint at such things. Then I told her what you -asked me about the locket, only I made it a bracelet worth ten pounds.” - -“That pleased her?” suggested the other hopefully. - -The mate shook his head. “She said I was a born fool to believe you’d -been robbed of it,” he replied. “She said what you’d done was to give -it to one o’ them pore females. She’s been going on frightful about it -all the afternoon—won’t talk o’ nothing else.” - -“I don’t know what’s to be done,” groaned the skipper despondently. “I -shall be dead afore we get to port this wind holds. Go down and get me -something to eat George; I’m starving.” - -“Everything’s locked up, as I told you afore,” said the mate. - -“As the master of this ship,” said the skipper, drawing himself up, “I -order you to go down and get me something to eat. You can tell the -missus it’s for you if she says anything.” - -“I’m hanged if I will,” said the mate sturdily. “Why don’t you go down -and have it out with her like a man? She can’t eat you.” - -“I’m not going to,” said the other shortly. “I’m a determined man, and -when I say a thing I mean it. It’s going to be broken to her gradual, -as I said; I don’t want her to be scared, poor thing.” - -“I know who’d be scared the most,” murmured the mate. - -The skipper looked at him fiercely, and then sat down wearily on the -hatches with his hands between his knees, rising, after a time, to get -the dipper and drink copiously from the water-cask. Then, replacing it -with a sigh, he bade the mate a surly good-night and went below. - -To his dismay he found when he awoke in the morning that what little -wind there was had dropped in the night, and the billy-boy was just -rising and falling lazily on the water in a fashion most objectionable -to an empty stomach. It was the last straw, and he made things so -uncomfortable below that the crew were glad to escape on deck, where -they squatted down in the bows, and proceeded to review a situation -which was rapidly becoming unbearable. - -“I’ve ’ad enough of it, Joe,” grumbled the boy. “I’m sore all over with -sleeping on the floor, and the old man’s temper gets wuss and wuss. I’m -going to be ill.” - -“Whaffor?” queried Joe dully. - -“You tell the missus I’m down below ill. Say you think I’m dying,” -responded the infant Machiavelli, “then you’ll see somethink if you -keep your eyes open.” - -He went below again, not without a little nervousness, and, clambering -into Joe’s bunk, rolled over on his back and gave a deep groan. - -“What’s the matter with _you!_” growled the skipper, who was lying in -the other bunk staving off the pangs of hunger with a pipe. - -“I’m very ill—dying,” said Jemmy, with another groan. - -“You’d better stay in bed and have your breakfast brought down here, -then,” said the skipper kindly. - -“I don’t want no breakfast,” said Jem faintly. - -“That’s no reason why you shouldn’t have it sent down, you unfeeling -little brute,” said the skipper indignantly. “You tell Joe to bring you -down a great plate o’ cold meat and pickles, and some coffee; that’s -what you want.” - -“All right, sir,” said Jemmy. “I hope they won’t let the missus come -down here, in case it’s something catching. I wouldn’t like her to be -took bad.” - -“Eh?” said the skipper, in alarm. “Certainly not. Here, you go up and -die on deck. Hurry up with you.” - -“I can’t; I’m too weak,” said Jemmy. - -“You get up on deck at once; d’ye hear me?” hissed the skipper, in -alarm. - -“I c-c-c-can’t help it,” sobbed Jemmy, who was enjoying the situation -amazingly. “I b’lieve it’s sleeping on the hard floor’s snapped -something inside me.” - -“If you don’t go I’ll take you,” said the skipper, and he was about to -rise to put his threat into execution when a shadow fell across the -opening, and a voice, which thrilled him to the core, said softly, -“Jemmy!” - -“Yes ’m?” said Jemmy languidly, as the skipper flattened himself in his -bunk and drew the clothes over him. - -“How do you feel?” inquired Mrs. Harbolt. - -“Bad all over,” said Jemmy. “Oh, don’t come down, mum—please don’t.” - -“Rubbish!” said Mrs. Harbolt tartly, as she came slowly and carefully -down backwards. “What a dark hole this is, Jemmy. No wonder you’re ill. -Put your tongue out.” - -Jemmy complied. - -“I can’t see properly here,” murmured the lady, “but it looks very -large. S’pose you go in the other bunk, Jemmy. It’s a good bit higher -than this, and you’d get more air and be more comfortable altogether.” - -“Joe wouldn’t like it, mum,” said the boy anxiously. The last glimpse -he had had of the skipper’s face did not make him yearn to share his -bed with him. - -“Stuff an’ nonsense!” said Mrs. Harbolt hotly. “Who’s Joe, I’d like to -know? Out you come.” - -“I can’t move, mum,” said Jemmy firmly. - -“Nonsense!” said the lady. “I’ll just put it straight for you first, -then in it you go.” - -“No, don’t, mum,” shouted Jemmy, now thoroughly alarmed at the success -of his plot. “There, there’s a gentleman in that bunk. A gentleman we -brought from London for a change of sea air.” - -“My goodness gracious!” ejaculated the surprised Mrs. Harbolt. “I never -did. Why, what’s he had to eat?” - -“He—he—didn’t want nothing to eat,” said Jemmy, with a woeful disregard -for facts. - -“What’s the matter with him?” inquired Mrs. Harbolt, eyeing the bunk -curiously. “What’s his name? Who is he?” - -“He’s been lost a long time,” said Jemmy, “and he’s forgotten who he -is—he’s a oldish man with a red face an’ a little white whisker all -round it—a very nice-looking man, I mean,” he interposed hurriedly. “I -don’t think he’s quite right in his head, ’cos he says he ought to have -been buried instead of someone else. Oh!” - -The last word was almost a scream, for Mrs. Harbolt, staggering back, -pinched him convulsively. - -“Jemmy!” she gasped, in a trembling voice, as she suddenly remembered -certain mysterious hints thrown out by the mate. “Who is it?” - -“The _captain!_” said Jemmy, and, breaking from her clasp, slipped from -his bed and darted hastily on deck, just as the pallid face of his -commander broke through the blankets and beamed anxiously on his wife. - - -Five minutes later, as the crew gathered aft were curiously eyeing the -foc’s’le, Mrs. Harbolt and the skipper came on deck. To the great -astonishment of the mate, the eyes of the redoubtable woman were -slightly wet, and, regardless of the presence of the men, she clung -fondly to her husband as they walked slowly to the cabin. Ere they went -below, however, she called the grinning Jemmy to her, and, to his -private grief and public shame, tucked his head under her arm and -kissed him fondly. - - - - -IN LIMEHOUSE REACH - - -It was the mate’s affair all through. He began by leaving the end of a -line dangling over the stern, and the propeller, though quite -unaccustomed to that sort of work, wound it up until only a few fathoms -remained. It then stopped, and the mischief was not discovered until -the skipper had called the engineer everything that he and the mate and -three men and a boy could think of. The skipper did the interpreting -through the tube which afforded the sole means of communication between -the wheel and the engine-room, and the indignant engineer did the -listening. - -The _Gem_ was just off Limehouse at the time, and it was evident she -was going to stay there. The skipper ran her ashore and made her fast -to a roomy old schooner which was lying alongside a wharf. He was then -able to give a little attention to the real offender, and the -unfortunate mate, who had been the most inventive of them all, realised -to the full the old saying of curses coming home to roost. They brought -some strangers with them, too. - -“I’m going ashore,” said the skipper at last. “We won’t get off till -next tide now. When it’s low water you’ll have to get down and cut the -line away. A new line too! I’m ashamed o’ you, Harry.” - -“I’m not surprised,” said the engineer, who was a vindictive man. - -“What do you mean by that?” demanded the mate fiercely. - -“We don’t want any of your bad temper,” interposed the skipper -severely. “_Nor_ bad language. The men can go ashore, and the engineer -too, provided he keeps steam up. But be ready for a start about five. -You’ll have to mind the ship.” - -He looked over the stern again, shook his head sadly, and, after a -visit to the cabin, clambered over the schooner’s side and got ashore. -The men, after looking at the propeller and shaking their heads, went -ashore too, and the boy, after looking at the propeller and getting -ready to shake his, caught the mate’s eye and omitted that part of the -ceremony, from a sudden conviction that it was unhealthy. - -Left alone, the mate, who was of a sensitive disposition, after a curt -nod to Captain Jansell of the schooner _Aquila_, who had heard of the -disaster, and was disposed to be sympathetically inquisitive, lit his -pipe and began moodily to smoke. - -When he next looked up the old man had disappeared, and a girl in a -print dress and a large straw hat sat in a wicker chair reading. She -was such a pretty girl that the mate forgot his troubles at once, and, -after carefully putting his cap on straight, strolled casually up and -down the deck. - -To his mortification, the girl seemed unaware of his presence, and read -steadily, occasionally looking up and chirping with a pair of ravishing -lips at a blackbird, which hung in a wicker cage from the mainmast. - -“That’s a nice bird,” said the mate, leaning against the side, and -turning a look of great admiration upon it. - -“Yes,” said the girl, raising a pair of dark blue eyes to the bold -brown ones, and taking him in at a glance. - -“Does it sing?” inquired the mate, with a show of great interest. - -“It does sometimes, when we are alone,” was the reply. - -“I should have thought the sea air would have affected its throat,” -said the mate, reddening. “Are you often in the London river, miss? I -don’t remember seeing your craft before.” - -“Not often,” said the girl. - -“You’ve got a fine schooner here,” said the mate, eyeing it critically. -“For my part, I prefer a sailer to a steamer.” - -“I should think you would,” said the girl. - -“Why?” inquired the mate tenderly, pleased at this show of interest. - -“No propeller,” said the girl quietly, and she left her seat and -disappeared below, leaving the mate gasping painfully. - -Left to himself, he became melancholy, as he realised that the great -passion of his life had commenced, and would probably end within a few -hours. The engineer came aboard to look at the fires, and, the steamer -being now on the soft mud, good-naturedly went down and assisted him to -free the propeller before going ashore again. Then he was alone once -more, gazing ruefully at the bare deck of the _Aquila_. - -It was past two o’clock in the afternoon before any signs of life other -than the blackbird appeared there. Then the girl came on deck again, -accompanied by a stout woman of middle age, and an appearance so -affable that the mate commenced at once. - -“Fine day,” he said pleasantly, as he brought up in front of them. - -“Lovely weather,” said the mother, settling herself in her chair and -putting down her work ready for a chat. “I hope the wind lasts; we -start to-morrow morning’s tide. You’ll get off this afternoon, I -s’pose.” - -“About five o’clock,” said the mate. - -“I should like to try a steamer for a change,” said the mother, and -waxed garrulous on sailing craft generally, and her own in particular. - -“There’s five of us down there, with my husband and the two boys,” said -she, indicating the cabin with her thumb; “naturally it gets rather -stuffy.” - -The mate sighed. He was thinking that under some conditions there were -worse things than stuffy cabins. - -“And Nancy’s so discontented,” said the mother, looking at the girl who -was reading quietly by her side. “She doesn’t like ships or sailors. -She gets her head turned reading those penny novelettes.” - -“You look after your own head,” said Nancy elegantly, without looking -up. - -“Girls in those novels don’t talk to _their_ mothers like that,” said -the elder woman severely. - -“They have different sorts of mothers,” said Nancy, serenely turning -over a page. “I hate little pokey ships and sailors smelling of tar. I -never saw a sailor I liked yet.” - -The mate’s face fell. “There’s sailors and sailors,” he suggested -humbly. - -“It’s no good talking to her,” said the mother, with a look of fat -resignation on her face, “we can only let her go her own way; if you -talked to her twenty-four hours right off it wouldn’t do her any good.” - -“I’d like to try,” said the mate, plucking up spirit. - -“Would you?” said the girl, for the first time raising her head and -looking him full in the face. “Impudence!” - -“Perhaps you haven’t seen many ships,” said the impressionable mate, -his eyes devouring her face. “Would you like to come and have a look at -our cabin?” - -“No, thanks!” said the girl sharply. Then she smiled maliciously. “I -daresay mother would, though; she’s fond of poking her nose into other -people’s business.” - -The mother regarded her irreverent offspring fixedly for a few moments. -The mate interposed. - -“I should be very pleased to show you over, ma’am,” he said politely. - -The mother hesitated; then she rose, and accepting the mate’s -assistance, clambered on to the side of the steamer, and, supported by -his arms, sprang to the deck and followed him below. - -“Very nice,” she said, nodding approvingly, as the mate did the -honours. “Very nice.” - -“It’s nice and roomy for a little craft like ours,” said the mate, as -he drew a stone bottle from a locker and poured out a couple of glasses -of stout. “Try a little beer, ma’am.” - -“What you must think o’ that girl o’ mine I can’t think,” murmured the -lady, taking a modest draught. - -“The young,” said the mate, who had not quite reached his twenty-fifth -year, “are often like that.” - -“It spoils her,” said her mother. “She’s a good-looking girl, too, in -her way.” - -“I don’t see how she can help being that,” said the mate. - -“Oh, get away with you,” said the lady pleasantly. “She’ll get fat like -me as she gets older.” - -“She couldn’t do better,” said the mate tenderly. - -“Nonsense,” said the lady, smiling. - -“You’re as like as two peas,” persisted the mate. “I made sure you were -sisters when I saw you first.” - -“You ain’t the first that’s thought that,” said the other, laughing -softly; “not by a lot.” - -“I like to see ladies about,” said the mate, who was trying desperately -for a return invitation. “I wish you could always sit there. You quite -brighten the cabin up.” - -“You’re a flatterer,” said his visitor, as he replenished her glass, -and showed so little signs of making a move that the mate, making a -pretext of seeing the engineer, hurried up on deck to singe his wings -once more. - -“Still reading?” he said softly, as he came abreast of the girl. “All -about love, I s’pose.” - -“Have you left my mother down there all by herself?” inquired the girl -abruptly. - -“Just a minute,” said the mate, somewhat crestfallen. “I just came up -to see the engineer.” - -“Well, he isn’t here,” was the discouraging reply. - -The mate waited a minute or two, the girl still reading quietly, and -then walked back to the cabin. The sound of gentle regular breathing -reached his ears, and, stepping softly, he saw to his joy that his -visitor slept. - -“She’s asleep,” said he, going back, “and she looks so comfortable I -don’t think I’ll wake her.” - -“I shouldn’t advise you to,” said the girl; “she always wakes up -cross.” - -“How strange we should run up against each other like this,” said the -mate sentimentally; “it looks like Providence, doesn’t it?” - -“Looks like carelessness,” said the girl. - -“I don’t care,” replied the mate. “I’m glad I did let that line go -overboard. Best day’s work I ever did. I shouldn’t have seen you if I -hadn’t.” - -“And I don’t suppose you’ll ever see me again,” said the girl -comfortably, “so I don’t see what good you’ve done yourself.” - -“I shall run down to Limehouse every time we’re in port, anyway,” said -the mate; “it’ll be odd if I don’t see you sometimes. I daresay our -craft’ll pass each other sometimes. Perhaps in the night,” he added -gloomily. - -“I shall sit up all night watching for you,” declared Miss Jansell -untruthfully. - -In this cheerful fashion the conversation proceeded, the girl, who was -by no means insensible to his bright eager face and well-knit figure, -dividing her time in the ratio of three parts to her book and one to -him. Time passed all too soon for the mate, when they were interrupted -by a series of hoarse unintelligible roars proceeding from the -schooner’s cabin. - -“That’s father,” said Miss Jansell, rising with a celerity which spoke -well for the discipline maintained on the _Aquila;_ “he wants me to -mend his waistcoat for him.” - -She put down her book and left, the mate watching her until she -disappeared down the companion-way. Then he sat down and waited. - -One by one the crew returned to the steamer, but the schooner’s deck -showed no signs of life. Then the skipper came, and, having peered -critically over his vessel’s side, gave orders to get under way. - -“If she’d only come up,” said the miserable mate to himself, “I’d risk -it, and ask whether I might write to her.” - -This chance of imperilling a promising career did not occur, however; -the steamer slowly edged away from the schooner, and, picking her way -between a tier of lighters, steamed slowly into clearer water. - -“Full speed ahead!” roared the skipper down the tube. The engineer -responded, and the mate gazed in a melancholy fashion at the water as -it rapidly widened between the two vessels. Then his face brightened up -suddenly as the girl ran up on deck and waved her hand. Hardly able to -believe his eyes, he waved his back. The girl gesticulated violently, -now pointing to the steamer, and then to the schooner. - -“By Jove, that girl’s taken a fancy to you,” said the skipper. “She -wants you to go back.” - -The mate sighed. “Seems like it,” he said modestly. - -To his astonishment the girl was now joined by her men folk, who also -waved hearty farewells, and, throwing their arms about, shouted -incoherently. - -“Blamed if they haven’t all took a fancy to you,” said the puzzled -skipper; “the old man’s got the speaking-trumpet now. What does he -say?” - -“Something about life, I think,” said the mate. - -“They’re more like jumping-jacks than anything else,” said the skipper. -“Just look at ’em.” - -The mate looked, and, as the distance increased, sprang on to the side, -and, his eyes dim with emotion, waved tender farewells. If it had not -been for the presence of the skipper—a tremendous stickler for -decorum—he would have kissed his hand. - -It was not until Gravesend was passed, and the side-lights of the -shipping were trying to show in the gathering dusk, that he awoke from -his tender apathy. It is probable that it would have lasted longer than -that but for a sudden wail of anguish and terror which proceeded from -the cabin and rang out on the still warm air. - -“Sakes alive!” said the skipper, starting; “what’s that?” - -Before the mate could reply, the companion was pushed back, and a -middle-aged woman, labouring under strong excitement, appeared on deck. - -“You villain!” she screamed excitably, rushing up to the mate. “Take me -back; take me back!” - -“What’s all this, Harry?” demanded the skipper sternly. - -“He—he—he—asked me to go into the cab—cabin,” sobbed Mrs. Jansell, “and -sent me to sleep, and too—too—took me away. My husband’ll kill me; I -know he will. Take me back.” - -“What do you want to be took back to be killed for?” interposed one of -the men judicially. - -“I might ha’ known what he meant when he said I brightened the cabin -up,” said Mrs. Jansell; “and when he said he thought me and my daughter -were sisters. He said he’d like me to sit there always, the wretch!” - -“Did you say that?” inquired the skipper fiercely. - -“Well, I did,” said the miserable mate; “but I didn’t mean her to take -it that way. She went to sleep, and I forgot all about her.” - -“What did you say such silly lies for, then?” demanded the skipper. - -The mate hung his head. - -“Old enough to be your mother too,” said the skipper severely. “Here’s -a nice thing to happen aboard my ship, and afore the boy too!” - -“Blast the boy!” said the goaded mate. - -“Take me back,” wailed Mrs. Jansell; “you don’t know how jealous my -husband is.” - -“He won’t hurt you,” said the skipper kindly “he won’t be jealous of a -woman your time o’ life; that is, not if he’s got any sense. You’ll -have to go as far as Boston with us now. I’ve lost too much time -already to go back.” - -“You must take me back,” said Mrs. Jansell passionately. - -“I’m not going back for anybody,” said the skipper. “But you can make -your mind quite easy: you’re as safe aboard my ship as what you would -be alone on a raft in the middle of the Atlantic; and as for the mate, -he was only chaffing you. Wasn’t you, Harry?” - -The mate made some reply, but neither Mrs. Jansell, the skipper, nor -the men, who were all listening eagerly, caught it, and his unfortunate -victim, accepting the inevitable, walked to the side of the ship and -gazed disconsolately astern. - -It was not until the following morning that the mate, who had received -orders to mess for’ard, saw her, and ignoring the fact that everybody -suspended work to listen, walked up and bade her good morning. - -“Harry,” said the skipper warningly. - -“All right,” said the mate shortly. “I want to speak to you very -particularly,” he said nervously, and led his listener aft, followed by -three of the crew who came to clean the brasswork, and who listened -mutinously when they were ordered to defer unwonted industry to a more -fitting time. The deck clear, the mate began, and in a long rambling -statement, which Mrs. Jansell at first thought the ravings of lunacy, -acquainted her with the real state of his feelings. - -“I never did!” said she, when he had finished. “Never! Why, you hadn’t -seen her before yesterday.” - -“Of course I shall take you back by train,” said the mate, “and tell -your husband how sorry I am.” - -“I might have suspected something when you said all those nice things -to me,” said the mollified lady. “Well, you must take your chance, like -all the rest of them. She can only say ‘No,’ again. It’ll explain this -affair better, that’s one thing; but I expect they’ll laugh at you.” - -“I don’t care,” said the mate stoutly. “You’re on my side, ain’t you?” - -Mrs. Jansell laughed, and the mate, having succeeded beyond his hopes -in the establishment of amicable relations, went about his duties with -a light heart. - -By the time they reached Boston the morning was far advanced, and after -the _Gem_ was comfortably berthed he obtained permission of the skipper -to accompany the fair passenger to London, beguiling the long railway -journey by every means in his power. Despite his efforts, however, the -journey began to pall upon his companion, and it was not until evening -was well advanced that they found themselves in the narrow streets of -Limehouse. - -“We’ll see how the land lies first,” said he, as they approached the -wharf and made their way cautiously on to the quay. - -The _Aquila_ was still alongside, and the mate’s heart thumped -violently as he saw the cause of all the trouble sitting alone on the -deck. She rose with a little start as her mother stepped carefully -aboard, and, running to her, kissed her affectionately, and sat her -down on the hatches. - -“Poor mother,” she said caressingly. “What did you bring that lunatic -back with you for?” - -“He would come,” said Mrs. Jansell. “Hush! here comes your father.” - -The master of the _Aquila_ came on deck as she spoke, and walking -slowly up to the group, stood sternly regarding them. Under his gaze -the mate breathlessly reeled off his tale, noticing with somewhat mixed -feelings the widening grin of his listener as he proceeded. - -“Well, you’re a lively sort o’ man,” said the skipper as he finished. -“In one day you tie up your own ship, run off with my wife, and lose us -a tide. Are you always like that?” - -“I want somebody to look after me, I s’pose,” said the mate, with a -side glance at Nancy. - -“Well, we’d put you up for the night,” said the skipper, with his arm -round his wife’s shoulders; “but you’re such a chap. I’m afraid you’d -burn the ship down, or something. What do you think, old girl?” - -“I think we’ll try him this once,” said his wife. “And now I’ll go down -and see about supper; I want it.” - -The old couple went below, and the young one remained on deck. Nancy -went and leaned against the side; and as she appeared to have quite -forgotten his presence, the mate, after some hesitation, joined her. - -“Hadn’t you better go down and get some supper?” she asked. - -“I’d sooner stay here, if yon don’t mind,” said the mate. “I like -watching the lights going up and down; I could stay here for hours.” - -“I’ll leave you, then,” said the girl; “I’m hungry.” - -She tripped lightly off with a smothered laugh, leaving the -fairly-trapped man gazing indignantly at the lights which had lured him -to destruction. - -From below he heard the cheerful clatter of crockery, accompanied by a -savoury incense, and talk and laughter. He imagined the girl making fun -of his sentimental reasons for staying on deck; but, too proud to meet -her ironical glances, stayed doggedly where he was, resolving to be off -by the first train in the morning. He was roused from his gloom by a -slight touch on his arm, and, turning sharply, saw the girl by his -side. - -“Supper’s quite ready,” said she soberly. “And if you want to admire -the lights very much, come up and see them when I do—after supper.” - - - - -AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT - - -I have always had a slight suspicion that the following narrative is -not quite true. It was related to me by an old seaman who, among other -incidents of a somewhat adventurous career, claimed to have received -Napoleon’s sword at the battle of Trafalgar, and a wound in the back at -Waterloo. I prefer to tell it in my own way, his being so garnished -with nautical terms and expletives as to be half unintelligible and -somewhat horrifying. Our talk had been of love and courtship, and after -making me a present of several tips, invented by himself, and -considered invaluable by his friends, he related this story of the -courtship of a chum of his as illustrating the great lengths to which -young bloods were prepared to go in his days to attain their ends. - -It was a fine clear day in June when Hezekiah Lewis, captain and part -owner of the schooner _Thames_, bound from London to Aberdeen, anchored -off the little out-of-the-way town of Orford in Suffolk. Among other -antiquities, the town possessed Hezekiah’s widowed mother, and when -there was no very great hurry—the world went slower in those days—the -dutiful son used to go ashore in the ship’s boat, and after a filial -tap at his mother’s window, which often startled the old woman -considerably, pass on his way to see a young lady to whom he had -already proposed five times without effect. - -The mate and crew of the schooner, seven all told, drew up in a little -knot as the skipper, in his shore-going clothes, appeared on deck, and -regarded him with an air of grinning, mysterious interest. - -“Now you all know what you have got to do?” queried the skipper. - -“Ay, ay,” replied the crew, grinning still more deeply. - -Hezekiah regarded them closely, and then ordering the boat to be -lowered, scrambled over the side, and was pulled swiftly towards the -shore. - -A sharp scream, and a breathless “Lawk-a-mussy me!” as he tapped at his -mother’s window, assured him that the old lady was alive and well, and -he continued on his way until he brought up at a small but pretty house -in the next road. - -“Morning, Mr. Rumbolt,” said he heartily to a stout, red-faced man, who -sat smoking in the doorway. - -“Morning, cap’n, morning,” said the red-faced man. - -“Is the rheumatism any better?” inquired Hezekiah anxiously, as he -grasped the other’s huge hand. - -“So, so,” said the other. “But it ain’t the rheumatism so much what -troubles me,” he resumed, lowering his voice, and looking round -cautiously. “It’s Kate.” - -“What?” said the skipper. - -“You’ve heard of a man being henpecked?” continued Mr. Rumbolt, in -tones of husky confidence. - -The captain nodded. - -“I’m _chick-pecked_,” murmured the other. - -“What?” inquired the astonished mariner again. - -“Chick-pecked,” repeated Mr. Rumbolt firmly. “CHIK-PEKED. D’ye -understand me?” - -The captain said that he did, and stood silent awhile, with the air of -a man who wants to say something, but is half afraid to. At last, with -a desperate appearance of resolution, he bent down to the old man’s -ear. - -“That’s the deaf ’un,” said Mr. Rumbolt promptly. - -Hezekiah changed ears, speaking at first slowly and awkwardly, but -becoming more fluent as he warmed with his subject; while the -expression of his listener’s face gradually changed from incredulous -bewilderment to one of uncontrollable mirth. He became so uproarious -that he was fain to push the captain away from him, and lean back in -his chair and choke and laugh until he nearly lost his breath, at which -crisis a remarkably pretty girl appeared from the back of the house, -and patted him with hearty good will. - -“That’ll do, my dear,” said the choking Mr. Rumbolt. “Here’s Captain -Lewis.” - -“I can see him,” said his daughter calmly. “What’s he standing on one -leg for?” - -The skipper, who really was standing in a somewhat constrained -attitude, coloured violently, and planted both feet firmly on the -ground. - -“Being as I was passing close in, Miss Rumbolt,” said he, “and coming -ashore to see mother”— - -To the captain’s discomfort, manifestations of a further attack on the -part of Mr. Rumbolt appeared, but were promptly quelled by the -daughter. - -“Mother?” she repeated encouragingly, - -“I thought I’d come on and ask you just to pay a sort o’ flying visit -to the _Thames_.” - -“Thank you, I’m comfortable enough where I am,” said the girl. - -“I’ve got a couple of monkeys and a bear aboard, which I’m taking to a -menagerie in Aberdeen,” continued the captain, “and the thought struck -me you might possibly like to see ’em.” - -“Well, I don’t know,” said the damsel in a flutter. “Is it a big bear?” - -“Have you ever seen an elephant?” inquired Hezekiah cautiously. - -“Only in pictures,” replied the girl. - -“Well, it’s as big as that, nearly,” said he. - -The temptation was irresistible, and Miss Rumbolt, telling her father -that she should not be long, disappeared into the house in search of -her hat and jacket, and ten minutes later the brawny rowers were gazing -their fill into her deep blue eyes as she sat in the stern of the boat, -and told Lewis to behave himself. - -It was but a short pull out to the schooner, and Miss Rumbolt was soon -on the deck, lavishing endearments on the monkey, and energetically -prodding the bear with a handspike to make him growl. The noise of the -offended animal as he strove to get through the bars of his cage was -terrific, and the girl was in the full enjoyment of it, when she became -aware of a louder noise still, and, turning round, saw the seamen at -the windlass. - -“Why, what are they doing?” she demanded, “getting up anchor?” - -“Ahoy, there!” shouted Hezekiah sternly. “What are you doing with that -windlass?” - -As he spoke, the anchor peeped over the edge of the bows, and one of -the seamen running past them took the helm. - -“Now then,” shouted the fellow, “stand by. Look lively there with them -sails.” - -Obeying a light touch of the helm, the schooner’s bow-sprit slowly -swung round from the land, and the crew, hauling lustily on the ropes, -began to hoist the sails. - -“What the devil are you up to?” thundered the skipper. “Have you all -gone mad? What does it all mean?” - -“It means,” said one of the seamen, whose fat, amiable face was marred -by a fearful scowl, “that we’ve got a new skipper.” - -“Good heavens, a mutiny!” exclaimed the skipper, starting -melodramatically against the cage, and starting hastily away again. -“Where’s the mate?” - -“He’s with us,” said another seaman, brandishing his sheath knife, and -scowling fearfully. “He’s our new captain.” - -In confirmation of this the mate now appeared from below with an axe in -his hand, and, approaching his captain, roughly ordered him below. - -“I’ll defend this lady with my life,” cried Hezekiah, taking the -handspike from Kate, and raising it above his head. - -“Nobody’ll hurt a hair of her beautiful head,” said the mate, with a -tender smile. - -“Then I yield,” said the skipper, drawing himself up, and delivering -the handspike with the air of a defeated admiral tendering his sword. - -“Good,” said the mate briefly, as one of the men took it. - -“What!” demanded Miss Rumbolt excitedly, “aren’t you going to fight -them? Here, give me the handspike.” - -Before the mate could interfere, the sailor, with thoughtless -obedience, handed it over, and Miss Rumbolt at once tried to knock him -over the head. Being thwarted in this design by the man taking flight, -she lost her temper entirely, and bore down like a hurricane on the -remaining members of the crew who were just approaching. - -They scattered at once, and ran up the rigging like cats, and for a few -moments the girl held the deck; then the mate crept up behind her, and -with the air of a man whose job exactly suited him, clasped her tightly -round the waist, while one of the seamen disarmed her. - -“You must both go below till we’ve settled what to do with you,” said -the mate, reluctantly releasing her. - -With a wistful glance at the handspike, the girl walked to the cabin, -followed slowly by the skipper. - -“This is a bad business,” said the latter, shaking his head solemnly, -as the indignant Miss Rumbolt seated herself. - -“Don’t talk to me, you coward!” said the girl energetically. - -The skipper started. - -“_I_ made three of ’em run,” said Miss Rumbolt, “and you did nothing. -You just stood still, and let them take the ship. I’m ashamed of you.” - -The skipper’s defence was interrupted by a hoarse voice shouting to -them to come on deck, where they found the mutinous crew gathered aft -round the mate. The girl cast a look at the shore, which was now dim -and indistinct, and turned somewhat pale as the serious nature of her -position forced itself upon her. - -“Lewis,” said the mate. - -“Well,” growled the skipper. - -“This ship’s going in the lace and brandy trade, and if so be as you’re -sensible you can go with it as mate, d’ye hear?” - -“An’ s’pose I do; what about the lady?” inquired the captain. - -“You and the lady’ll have to get spliced,” said the mate sternly. “Then -there’ll be no tales told. A Scotch marriage is as good as any, and -we’ll just lay off and put you ashore, and you can get tied up as right -as ninepence.” - -“Marry a coward like that?” demanded Miss Rumbolt, with spirit; “not if -I know it. Why, I’d sooner marry that old man at the helm.” - -“Old Bill’s got three wives a’ready to my sartin knowledge,” spoke up -one of the sailors. “The lady’s got to marry Cap’n Lewis, so don’t -let’s have no fuss about it.” - -“I won’t,” said the lady, stamping violently. - -The mutineers appeared to be in a dilemma, and, following the example -of the mate, scratched their heads thoughtfully. - -“We thought you liked him,” said the mate, at last, feebly. - -“You had no business to think,” said Miss Rumbolt. “You are bad men, -and you’ll all be hung, every one of you; I shall come and see it.” - -“The cap’n’s welcome to her for me,” murmured the helmsman in a husky -whisper to the man next to him. “The vixen!” - -“Very good,” said the mate. “If you won’t, you won’t. This end of the -ship’ll belong to you after eight o’clock of a night. Lewis, you must -go for’ard with the men.” - -“And what are you going to do with me after?” inquired the fair -prisoner. - -The seven men shrugged their shoulders helplessly, and Hezekiah, -looking depressed, lit his pipe, and went and leaned over the side. - -The day passed quietly. The orders were given by the mate, and Hezekiah -lounged moodily about, a prisoner at large. At eight o’clock Miss -Rumbolt was given the key of the state-room, and the men who were not -in the watch went below. - -The morning broke fine and clear with a light breeze, which, towards -mid-day, dropped entirely, and the schooner lay rocking lazily on a sea -of glassy smoothness. The sun beat fiercely down, bringing the fresh -paint on the taffrail up in blisters, and sorely trying the tempers of -the men who were doing odd jobs on deck. - -The cabin, where the two victims of a mutinous crew had retired for -coolness, got more and more stuffy, until at length even the scorching -deck seemed preferable, and the girl, with a faint hope of finding a -shady corner, went languidly up the companion-ladder. - -For some time the skipper sat alone, pondering gloomily over the state -of affairs as he smoked his short pipe. He was aroused at length from -his apathy by the sound of the companion being noisily closed, while -loud frightened cries and hurrying footsteps on deck announced that -something extraordinary was happening. As he rose to his feet he was -confronted by Kate Rumbolt, who, panting and excited, waved a big key -before him. - -“I’ve done it,” she cried, her eyes sparkling. - -“Done what?” shouted the mystified skipper. - -“Let the bear loose,” said the girl. “Ha, ha! you should have seen them -run. You should have seen the fat sailor!” - -“Let the—phew—let the— Good heavens! here’s a pretty kettle of fish!” -he choked. - -“Listen to them shouting,” cried the exultant Kate, clapping her hands. -“Just listen.” - -“Those shouts are from aloft,” said Hezekiah sternly, “where you and I -ought to be.” - -“I’ve closed the companion,” said the girl reassuringly. - -“Closed the companion!” repeated Hezekiah, as he drew his knife. “He -can smash it like cardboard, if the fit takes him. Go in here.” - -He opened the door of his state-room. - -“Shan’t!” said Miss Rumbolt politely. - -“Go in at once!” cried the skipper. “Quick with you.” - -“Sha—” began Miss Rumbolt again. Then she caught his eye, and went in -like a lamb. “You come too,” she said prettily. - -“I’ve got to look after my ship and my men,” said the skipper. “I -suppose you thought the ship would steer itself, didn’t you?” - -“Mutineers deserve to be eaten,” whimpered Miss Rumbolt piously, -somewhat taken aback by the skipper’s demeanour. - -Hezekiah looked at her. - -“They’re not mutineers, Kate,” he said quietly. “It was just a piece of -mad folly of mine. They’re as honest a set of old sea dogs as ever -breathed, and I only hope they are all safe up aloft. I’m going to lock -you in; but don’t be frightened, it shan’t hurt you.” - -He slammed the door on her protests, and locked it, and, slipping the -key of the cage in his pocket, took a firm grip of his knife, and, -running up the steps, gained the deck. Then his breath came more -freely, for the mate, who was standing a little way up the fore -rigging, after tempting the bear with his foot, had succeeded in -dropping a noose over its head. The brute made a furious attempt to -extricate itself, but the men hurried down with other lines, and in a -short space of time the bear presented much the same appearance as the -lion in _Æsop’s Fables_, and was dragged and pushed, a heated and -indignant mass of fur, back to its cage. - -Having locked up one prisoner the skipper went below and released the -other, who passed quickly from a somewhat hysterical condition to one -of such haughty disdain that the captain was thoroughly cowed, and -stood humbly aside to let her pass. - -The fat seaman was standing in front of the cage as she reached it, and -regarding the bear with much satisfaction until Kate sidled up to him, -and begged him, as a personal favour, to go in the cage and undo it. - -“Undo it! Why he’d kill me!” gasped the fat seaman, aghast at such -simplicity. - -“I don’t think he would,” said his tormenter, with a bewitching smile; -“and I’ll wear a lock of your hair all my life if you do. But you’d -better give it to me before you go in.” - -“I ain’t going in,” said the fat sailor shortly. - -“Not for me?” queried Kate archly. - -“Not for fifty like you,” replied the old man firmly. “He nearly had me -when he was loose. I can’t think how he got out.” - -“Why, I let him out,” said Miss Rumbolt airily. “Just for a little run. -How would you like to be shut up all day?” - -The sailor was just going to tell her with more fluency than politeness -when he was interrupted. “That’ll do,” said the skipper, who had come -behind them. “Go for’ard, you. There’s been enough of this fooling; the -lady thought you had taken the ship. Thompson, I’ll take the helm; -there’s a little wind coming. Stand by there.” - -He walked aft and relieved the steersman, awkwardly conscious that the -men were becoming more and more interested in the situation, and also -that Kate could hear some of their remarks. As he pondered over the -subject, and tried to think of a way out of it, the cause of all the -trouble came and stood by him. - -“Did my father know of this?” she inquired. - -“I don’t know that he did exactly,” said the skipper uneasily. “I just -told him not to expect you back that night.” - -“And what did he say?” said she. - -“Said he wouldn’t sit up,” said the skipper, grinning, despite himself. - -Kate drew a breath the length of which boded no good to her parent, and -looked over the side. - -“I was afraid of that traveller chap from Ipswich,” said Hezekiah, -after a pause. “Your father told me he was hanging round you again, so -I thought I—well, I was a blamed fool anyway.” - -“See how ridiculous you have made me look before all these men,” said -the girl angrily. - -“They’ve been with me for years,” said Hezekiah apologetically, “and -the mate said it was a magnificent idea. He quite raved about it, he -did. I wouldn’t have done it with some crews, but we’ve had some dirty -times together, and they’ve stood by me well. But of course that’s -nothing to do with you. It’s been an adventure I’m very sorry for, -very.” - -“A pretty safe adventure for _you_,” said the girl scornfully. “_You_ -didn’t risk much. Look here, I like brave men. If you go in the cage -and undo that bear, I’ll marry you. That’s what _I_ call an adventure.” - -“Smith,” called the skipper quietly, “come and take the helm a bit.” - -The seaman obeyed, and Lewis, accompanied by the girl, walked forward. - -At the bear’s cage he stopped, and, fumbling in his pocket for the key, -steadily regarded the brute as it lay gnashing its teeth, and trying in -vain to bite the ropes which bound it. - -“You’re afraid,” said the girl tauntingly; “you’re quite white.” - -The captain made no reply, but eyed her so steadily that her gaze fell. -He drew the key from his pocket and inserted it in the huge lock, and -was just turning it, when a soft arm was drawn through his, and a soft -voice murmured sweetly in his ear, “Never mind about the old bear.” - -And he did not mind. - - - - -THE COOK OF THE “GANNET” - - -All ready for sea, and no cook,” said the mate of the schooner -_Gannet_, gloomily. “What’s become of all the cooks I can’t think.” - -“They most on ’em ship as mates now,” said the skipper, grinning. “But -you needn’t worry about that; I’ve got one coming aboard to-night. I’m -trying a new experiment, George.” - -“I once knew a chemist who tried one,” said George, “an’ it blew him -out of the winder; but I never heard o’ shipmasters trying ’em.” - -“There’s all kinds of experiments,” rejoined the other, “What do you -say to a lady cook, George?” - -“A _what?_” asked the mate in tones of strong amazement. “What, aboard -a schooner?” - -“Why not?” inquired the skipper warmly; “why not? There’s plenty of ’em -ashore—why not aboard ship?” - -“’Tain’t proper, for one thing,” said the mate virtuously. - -“I shouldn’t have expected you to have thought o’ that,” said the other -unkindly. “Besides, they have stewardesses on big ships, an’ what’s the -difference? She’s a sort o’ relation o’ mine, too—cousin o’ my wife’s, -a widder woman, and a good sensible age, an’ as the doctor told her to -take a sea voyage for the benefit of her ’elth, she’s coming with me -for six months as cook. She’ll take her meals with us; but, o’ course, -the men are not to know of the relationship.” - -“What about sleeping accommodation?” inquired the mate, with the air of -a man putting a poser. - -“I’ve thought o’ that,” replied the other; “it’s all arranged.” - -The mate, with an uncompromising air, waited for information. - -“She—she’s to have your berth, George,” continued the skipper, without -looking at him. “You can have that nice, large, airy locker.” - -“One what the biscuit and onions kep’ in?” inquired George. - -The skipper nodded. - -“I think, if it’s all the same to you,” said the mate, with laboured -politeness, “I’ll wait till the butter keg’s empty, and crowd into -that.” - -“It’s no use your making yourself unpleasant about it,” said the -skipper, “not a bit. The arrangements are made now, and here she -comes.” - -Following his gaze, the mate looked up as a stout, comely-looking woman -of middle age came along the jetty, followed by the watchman staggering -under a box of enormous proportions. - -“Jim!” cried the lady. - -“Halloa!” cried the skipper, starting uneasily at the title. “We’ve -been expecting you for some time.” - -“There’s a row on with the cabman,” said the lady calmly. “This silly -old man”—the watchman snorted fiercely—“let the box go through the -window getting it off the top, and the cabman wants _me_ to pay. He’s -out there using language, and he keeps calling me grandma—I want you to -have him locked up.” - -“Come down below now,” said the skipper; “we’ll see about the cab. Mrs. -Blossom—my mate. George, go and send that cab away.” - -Mrs. Blossom, briefly acknowledging the introduction, followed the -skipper to the cabin, while the mate, growling under his breath, went -out to enter into a verbal contest in which he was from the first -hopelessly overmatched. - -The new cook, being somewhat fatigued with her journey, withdrew at an -early hour, and the sun was well up when she appeared on deck next -morning. The wharves and warehouses of the night before had -disappeared, and the schooner, under a fine spread of canvas, was just -passing Tilbury. - -“There’s one thing I must put a stop to,” said the skipper, as he and -the mate, after an admirably-cooked breakfast, stood together talking. -“The men seem to be hanging round that galley too much.” - -“What can you expect?” demanded the mate. “They’ve all got their Sunday -clothes on too, pretty dears.” - -“Hi, you Bill!” cried the skipper. “What are you doing there?” - -“Lending cook a hand with the saucepans, sir,” said Bill, an -oakum-bearded man of sixty. - -“There ain’t no call for ’im to come ’ere at all, sir,” shouted another -seaman, putting his head out of the galley. “Me an’ cook’s lifting ’em -beautiful.” - -“Come out, both of you, or I’ll start you with a rope!” roared the -irritated commander. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired Mrs. Blossom. “They’re not doing any -harm.” - -“I can’t have ’em there,” said the skipper gruffly. “They’ve got other -things to do.” - -“I must have some assistance with that boiler and the saucepans,” said -Mrs. Blossom decidedly, “so don’t you interfere with what don’t concern -you, Jimmy.” - -“That’s mutiny,” whispered the horrified mate. “Sheer, rank mutiny.” - -“She don’t know no better,” whispered the other back. “Cook, you -mustn’t talk like that to the cap’n—what me and the mate tell you you -must do. You don’t understand yet, but it’ll come easier by-and-bye.” - -“_Will_ it,” demanded Mrs. Blossom loudly; “_will_ it? I don’t think it -will. How dare you talk to me like that, Jim Harris? You ought to be -ashamed of yourself!” - -“My name’s Cap’n Harris,” said the skipper stiffly. - -“Well, _Captain_ Harris,” said Mrs. Blossom scornfully; “and what’ll -happen if I don’t do as you and that other shamefaced-looking man tell -me?” - -“We hope it won’t come to that,” said Harris, with quiet dignity, as he -paused at the companion. “But the mate’s in charge just now, and I warn -you he’s a very severe man. Don’t stand no nonsense, George.” - -With these brave words the skipper disappeared below, and the mate, -after one glance at the dauntless and imposing attitude of Mrs. -Blossom, walked to the side and became engrossed in a passing steamer. -A hum of wondering admiration arose from the crew, and the cook, -thoroughly satisfied with her victory, returned to the scene of her -labours. - -For the next twenty-four hours Mrs. Blossom reigned supreme, and -performed the cooking for the vessel, assisted by five ministering -seamen. The weather was fine, and the wind light, and the two officers -were at their wits’ end to find jobs for the men. - -“Why don’t you put your foot down,” grumbled the mate, as a burst of -happy laughter came from the direction of the galley. “The idea of men -laughing like that aboard ship; they’re carrying on just as though we -wasn’t here.” - -“Will you stand by me?” demanded the skipper, pale but determined. - -“Of course I will,” said the other indignantly. - -“Now, my lads,” said Harris, stepping forward, “I can’t have you chaps -hanging round the galley all day; you’re getting in cook’s way and -hindering her. Just get your knives out; I’ll have the masts scraped.” - -“You just stay where you are,” said Mrs. Blossom. “When they’re in my -way, I’ll soon let ’em know.” - -“Did you hear what I said?” thundered the skipper, as the men -hesitated. - -“Aye, aye, sir,” muttered the crew, moving off. - -“How dare you interfere with me?” said Mrs. Blossom hotly, as she -realised the defeat. “Ever since I’ve been on this ship you’ve been -trying to aggravate me. I wonder the men don’t hit you, you nasty, -ginger-whiskered little man.” - -“Go on with your work,” said the skipper, fondly stroking the maligned -whiskers. - -“Don’t you talk to me, Jim Harris,” said Mrs. Blossom, quivering with -wrath. “Don’t you give _me_ none of your airs. _Who borrowed five -pounds from my poor dead husband just before he died, and never paid it -back?_” - -“Go on with your work,” repeated the skipper, with pale lips. - -“_Whose uncle Benjamin had three weeks?_” demanded Mrs. Blossom darkly. -“_Whose uncle Joseph had to go abroad without stopping to pack up?_” - -The skipper made no reply, but the anxiety of the crew to have these -vital problems solved was so manifest that he turned his back on the -virago and went towards the mate, who at that moment dipped hurriedly -to escape a wet dish-clout. The two men regarded each other, pale with -anxiety. - -“Now, you just move off,” said Mrs. Blossom, shaking another clout at -them. “I won’t have you hanging about my galley. Keep to your own end -of the ship.” - -The skipper drew himself up haughtily, but the effect was somewhat -marred by one eye, which dwelt persistently on the clout, and after a -short inward struggle he moved off, accompanied by the mate. Wellington -himself would have been nonplussed by a wet cloth in the hands of a -fearless woman. - -“She’ll just have to have her own way till we get to Llanelly,” said -the indignant skipper, “and then I’ll send her home by train and ship -another cook. I knew she’d got a temper, but I didn’t know it was like -this. She’s the last woman that sets foot on my ship—that’s all she’s -done for her sex.” - -In happy ignorance of her impending doom Mrs. Blossom went blithely -about her duties, assisted by a crew whose admiration for her increased -by leaps and bounds; and the only thing which ventured to interfere -with her was a stiff Atlantic roll, which they encountered upon -rounding the Land’s End. - -The first intimation Mrs. Blossom had of it was the falling of small -utensils in the galley. After she had picked them up and replaced them -several times, she went out to investigate, and discovered that the -schooner was dipping her bows to big green waves, and rolling, with -much straining and creaking, from side to side. A fine spray, which -broke over the bows and flew over the vessel, drove her back into the -galley, which had suddenly developed an unaccountable stuffiness; but, -though the crew to a man advised her to lie down and have a cup of tea, -she repelled them with scorn, and with pale face and compressed lips -stuck to her post. - -Two days later they made fast to the quay at Llanelly, and half-an-hour -later the skipper called the mate down to the cabin, and, handing him -some money, told him to pay the cook off and ship another. The mate -declined. - -“You obey orders,” said the skipper fiercely, “else you an’ me’ll -quarrel.” - -“I’ve got a wife an’ family,” urged the mate. - -“Pooh!” said the skipper. “Rubbish!” - -“And uncles,” added the mate rebelliously. - -“Very good,” said the skipper, glaring. “We’ll ship the other cook -first and let him settle it. After all, I don’t see why we should fight -his battles for him.” - -The mate, being agreeable, went off at once; and when Mrs. Blossom, -after a little shopping ashore, returned to the _Gannet_ she found the -galley in the possession of one of the fattest cooks that ever broke -ship’s biscuit. - -“Hullo!” said she, realising the situation at a glance, “what are you -doing here?” - -“Cooking,” said the other gruffly. Then, catching sight of his -questioner, he smiled amorously and winked at her. - -“Don’t you wink at me,” said Mrs. Blossom wrathfully. “Come out of that -galley.” - -“There’s room for both,” said the new cook persuasively. “Come in an’ -put your ’ed on my shoulder.” - -Utterly unprepared for this mode of attack, Mrs. Blossom lost her -nerve, and, instead of storming the galley, as she had fully intended, -drew back and retired to the cabin, where she found a short note from -the skipper, enclosing her pay, and requesting her to take the train -home. After reading this she went ashore again, returning presently -with a big bundle, which she placed on the cabin table in front of -Harris and the mate, who had just begun tea. - -“I’m not going home by train,” said she, opening the bundle, which -contained a spirit kettle and provisions. “I’m going back with you; but -I am not going to be beholden to you for anything—I’m going to board -myself.” - -After this declaration she made herself tea and sat down. The meal -proceeded in silence, though occasionally she astonished her companions -by little mysterious laughs, which caused them slight uneasiness. As -she made no hostile demonstration, however, they became reassured, and -congratulated themselves upon the success of their manœuvre. - -“How long shall we be getting back to London, do you think?” inquired -Mrs. Blossom at last. - -“We shall probably sail Tuesday night, and it may be anything from six -days upwards,” answered the skipper. “If this wind holds it’ll probably -be upwards.” - -To his great concern Mrs. Blossom put her handkerchief over her face, -and, shaking with suppressed laughter, rose from the table and left the -cabin. - -The couple left eyed each other wonderingly. - -“Did I say anything pertickler funny, George?” inquired the skipper, -after some deliberation. - -“Didn’t strike me so,” said the mate carelessly; “I expect she’s -thought o’ something else to say about your family. She wouldn’t be so -good-tempered as all that for nothing. I feel cur’ous to know what it -is.” - -“If you paid more attention to your own business,” said the skipper, -his choler rising, “you’d get on better. A mate who was a good seaman -wouldn’t ha’ let a cook go on like this—it’s not discipline.” - -He went off in dudgeon, and a coolness sprang up between them, which -lasted until the bustle of starting in the small hours of Wednesday -morning. - -Once under way the day passed uneventfully, the schooner crawling -sluggishly down the coast of Wales, and, when the skipper turned in -that night, it was with the pleasant conviction that Mrs. Blossom had -shot her last bolt, and, like a sensible woman, was going to accept her -defeat. From this pleasing idea he was aroused suddenly by the watch -stamping heavily on the deck overhead. - -“What’s up?” cried the skipper, darting up the companion-ladder, -jostled by the mate. - -“I dunno,” said Bill, who was at the wheel, shakily. “Mrs. Blossom come -up on deck a little while ago, and since then there’s been three or -four heavy splashes.” - -“She can’t have gone overboard,” said the skipper, in tones to which he -manfully strove to impart a semblance of anxiety. “No, here she is. -Anything wrong, Mrs. Blossom?” - -“Not so far as I’m concerned,” replied the lady, passing him and going -below. - -“You’ve been dreaming, Bill,” said the skipper sharply. - -“I ain’t,” said Bill stoutly. “I tell you I heard splashes. It’s my -belief she coaxed the cook up on deck, and then shoved him overboard. A -woman could do anything with a man like that cook.” - -“I’ll soon see,” said the mate, and walking forward he put his head -down the fore-scuttle and yelled for the cook. - -“Aye, aye, sir,” answered a voice sleepily, while the other men started -up in their bunks. “Do you want me?” - -“Bill thinks somebody has gone overboard,” said the mate. “Are you all -here?” - -In answer to this the mystified men turned out all standing, and came -on deck yawning and rubbing their eyes, while the mate explained the -situation. Before he had finished the cook suddenly darted off to the -galley, and the next moment the forlorn cry of a bereaved soul broke on -their startled ears. - -“What is it?” cried the mate. - -“Come here!” shouted the cook, “look at this!” - -He struck a match and held it aloft in his shaking fingers, and the -men, who were worked up to a great pitch of excitement and expected to -see something ghastly, after staring hard for some time in vain, -profanely requested him to be more explicit. - -“She’s thrown all the saucepans and things overboard,” said the cook -with desperate calmness. “This lid of a tea kettle is all that’s left -for me to do the cooking in.” - - -The _Gannet_, manned by seven famine-stricken misogynists, reached -London six days later, the skipper obstinately refusing to put in at an -intermediate port to replenish his stock of hardware. The most he would -consent to do was to try and borrow from a passing vessel, but the -unseemly behaviour of the master of a brig, who lost two hours owing to -their efforts to obtain a saucepan of him, utterly discouraged any -further attempts in that direction, and they settled down to a diet of -biscuits and water, and salt beef scorched on the stove. - -Mrs. Blossom, unwilling perhaps to witness their sufferings, remained -below, and when they reached London, only consented to land under the -supervision of a guard of honour, composed of all the able-bodied men -on the wharf. - - - - -A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE - - -In the small front parlour of No. 3, Mermaid Passage, Sunset Bay, -Jackson Pepper, ex-pilot, sat in a state of indignant collapse, -tenderly feeling a cheek on which the print of hasty fingers still -lingered. - -The room, which was in excellent order, showed no signs of the tornado -which had passed through it, and Jackson Pepper, looking vaguely round, -was dimly reminded of those tropical hurricanes he had read about which -would strike only the objects in the path, and leave all others -undisturbed. - -In this instance he had been the object, and the tornado, after -obliterating him, had passed up the small staircase which led from the -room, leaving him listening anxiously to its distant mutterings. - -To his great discomfort the storm showed signs of coming up again, and -he had barely time to effect an appearance of easy unconcern, which -accorded but ill with the flush afore-mentioned, when a big, red-faced -woman came heavily downstairs and burst into the room. - -“You have made me ill again,” she said severely, “and now I hope you -are satisfied with your work. You’ll kill me before you have done with -me!” - -The ex-pilot shifted on his chair. - -“You’re not fit to have a wife,” continued Mrs. Pepper, “aggravating -them and upsetting them! Any other woman would have left you long ago!” - -“We’ve only been married three months,” Pepper reminded her. - -“Don’t talk to me!” said his wife; “it seems more like a lifetime!” - -“It seems a long time to _me_,” said the ex-pilot, plucking up a little -courage. - -“That’s right!” said his wife, striding over to where he sat. “Say -you’re tired of me; say you wish you hadn’t married me! You coward! Ah! -if my poor first husband was only alive and sitting in that chair now -instead of you, how happy I would be!” - -“If he likes to come and take it he’s welcome!” said Pepper; “it’s my -chair, and it was my father’s before me, but there’s no man living I -would sooner give it to than your first. Ah! he knew what he was about -when the _Dolphin_ went down, he did. I don’t blame him, though.” - -“What do you mean?” demanded his wife. - -“It’s my belief that he didn’t go down with her,” said Pepper, crossing -over to the staircase and standing with his hand on the door. - -“Didn’t go down with her?” repeated his wife scornfully. “What became -of him, then? Where’s he been this thirty years?” - -“In hiding!” said Pepper spitefully, and passed hastily upstairs. - -The room above was charged with memories of the late lamented. His -portrait in oils hung above the mantel-piece, smaller -portraits—specimens of the photographer’s want of art—were scattered -about the room, while various personal effects, including a mammoth -pair of sea-boots, stood in a corner. On all these articles the eye of -Jackson Pepper dwelt with an air of chastened regret. - -“It ’ud be a rum go if he did turn up after all,” he said to himself -softly, as he sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve heard of such things in -books. I dessay she’d be disappointed if she did see him now. Thirty -years makes a bit of difference in a man.” - -“Jackson!” cried his wife from below, “I’m going out. If you want any -dinner you can get it; if not, you can go without it!” - -The front door slammed violently, and Jackson, advancing cautiously to -the window, saw the form of his wife sailing majestically up the -passage. Then he sat down again and resumed his meditations. - -“If it wasn’t for leaving all my property I’d go,” he said gloomily. -“There’s not a bit of comfort in the place! Nag, nag, nag, from morn -till night! Ah, Cap’n Budd, you let me in for a nice thing when you -went down with that boat of yours. Come back and fill them boots again; -they’re too big for me.” - -He rose suddenly and stood gaping in the centre of the room, as a mad, -hazy idea began to form in his brain. His eyes blinked and his face -grew white with excitement. He pushed open the little lattice window, -and sat looking abstractedly up the passage on to the bay beyond. Then -he put on his hat, and, deep in thought, went out. - -He was still thinking deeply as he boarded the train for London next -morning, and watched Sunset Bay from the window until it disappeared -round the curve. So many and various were the changes that flitted over -his face that an old lady, whose seat he had taken, gave up her -intention of apprising him of the fact, and indulged instead in a -bitter conversation with her daughter, of which the erring Pepper was -the unconscious object. - -In the same preoccupied fashion he got on a Bayswater omnibus, and -waited patiently for it to reach Poplar. Strange changes in the -landscape, not to be accounted for by the mere lapse of time, led to -explanations, and the conductor—a humane man, who said he had got an -idiot boy at home—personally laid down the lines of his tour. Two hours -later he stood in front of a small house painted in many colours, and, -ringing the bell, inquired for Cap’n Crippen. - -In response to his inquiry, a big man, with light blue eyes and a long -grey beard, appeared, and, recognising his visitor with a grunt of -surprise, drew him heartily into the passage and thrust him into the -parlour. He then shook hands with him, and, clapping him on the back, -bawled lustily for the small boy who had opened the door. - -“Pot o’ stout, bottle o’ gin, and two long pipes,” said he, as the boy -came to the door and eyed the ex-pilot curiously. - -At all these honest preparations for his welcome the heart of Jackson -grew faint within him. - -“Well, I call it good of you to come all this way to see me,” said the -captain, after the boy had disappeared; “but you always was -warm-hearted, Pepper. And how’s the missis?” - -“Shocking!” said Pepper, with a groan. - -“Ill?” inquired the captain. - -“Ill-tempered,” said Pepper. “In fact, cap’n, I don’t mind telling you, -she’s killing me—slowly killing me!” - -“Pooh!” said Crippen. “Nonsense! You don’t know how to manage her!” - -“I thought perhaps you could advise me,” said the artful Pepper. “I -said to myself yesterday, ‘Pepper, go and see Cap’n Crippen. What he -don’t know about wimmen and their management ain’t worth knowing! If -there’s anybody can get you out of a hole, it’s him. He’s got the -power, and, what’s more, he’s got the will!’” - -“What causes the temper?” inquired the captain, with his most judicial -air, as he took the liquor from his messenger and carefully filled a -couple of glasses. - -“It’s natural!” said his friend ruefully. “She calls it having a high -spirit herself. And she’s so generous. She’s got a married niece living -in the place, and when that gal comes round and admires the things—my -things—she gives ’em to her! She gave her a sofa the other day, and, -what’s more, she made me help the gal to carry it home!” - -“Have you tried being sarcastic?” inquired the captain thoughtfully. - -“I have,” said Pepper, with a shiver. “The other day I said, very -nasty, ‘Is there anything else you’d like, my dear?’ but she didn’t -understand it.” - -“No?” said the captain. - -“No,” said Pepper. “She said I was very kind, and she’d like the clock; -and, what’s more, she had it too! Red-’aired hussy!” - -The captain poured out some gin and drank it slowly. It was evident he -was thinking deeply, and that he was much affected by his friend’s -troubles. - -“There is only one way for me to get clear,” said Pepper, as he -finished a thrilling recital of his wrongs, “and that is, to find Cap’n -Budd, her first.” - -“Why, he’s dead!” said Crippen, staring hard. “Don’t you waste your -time looking for him!” - -“I’m not going to,” said Pepper; “but here’s his portrait. He was a big -man like you; he had blue eyes and a straight handsome nose, like you. -If he’d lived to now he’d be almost your age, and very likely more like -you than ever. He was a sailor; you’ve been a sailor.” - -The captain stared at him in bewilderment. - -“He had a wonderful way with wimmen,” pursued Jackson hastily; “you’ve -got a wonderful way with wimmen. More than that, you’ve got the most -wonderful gift for acting I’ve ever seen. Ever since the time when you -acted in that barn at Bristol I’ve never seen any actor I can honestly -say I’ve liked—never! Look how you can imitate cats—better than Henry -Irving himself!” - -“I never had much chance, being at sea all my life,” said Crippen -modestly. - -“You’ve got the gift,” said Pepper impressively. “It was born in you, -and you’ll never leave off acting till the day of your death. You -couldn’t if you tried—you know you couldn’t!” - -The captain smiled deprecatingly. - -“Now, I want you to do a performance for my benefit,” continued Pepper. -“I want you to act Cap’n Budd, what was lost in the _Dolphin_ thirty -years ago. There’s only one man in England I’d trust with the part, and -that’s you.” - -“Act Cap’n Budd!” gasped the astonished Crippen, putting down his glass -and staring at his friend. - -“The part is written here,” said the ex-pilot, producing a note-book -from his breast pocket and holding it out to his friend. “I’ve been -keeping a log day by day of all the things she said about him, in the -hopes of catching her tripping, but I never did. There’s notes of his -family, his ships, and a lot of silly things he used to say, which she -thinks funny.” - -“I couldn’t do it!” said the captain seriously, as he took the book. - -“You could do it if you liked,” said Pepper. “Besides, think what a -spree it’ll be for you. Learn it by heart, then come down and claim -her. Her name’s Martha.” - -“What good ’ud it do you if I did?” inquired the captain. “She’d soon -find out!” - -“You come down to Sunset Bay,” said Pepper, emphasising his remarks -with his forefinger; “you claim your wife; you allude carefully to the -things set down in this book; I give Martha back to you and bless you -both. Then”— - -“Then what?” inquired Crippen anxiously. - -“You disappear!” concluded Pepper triumphantly; “and, of course, -believing her first husband is alive, she has to leave me. She’s a very -particular woman; and, besides that, I’d take care to let the -neighbours know. I’m happy, you’re happy, and, if she’s not happy, why, -she don’t deserve to be.” - -“I’ll think it over,” said Crippen, “and write and let you know.” - -“Make up your mind now,” urged Pepper, reaching over and patting him -encouragingly upon the shoulder. “If you promise to do it, the thing’s -as good as done. Lord! I think I see you now, coming in at that door -and surprising her. Talk about acting!” - -“Is she what you’d call a good-looking woman?” inquired Crippen. - -“Very handsome!” said Pepper, looking out of the window. - -“I couldn’t do it!” said the captain. “It wouldn’t be right and fair to -her.” - -“I don’t see that!” said Pepper. “I never ought to have married her -without being certain her first was dead. It ain’t right, Crippen; say -what you like, it ain’t right!” - -“If you put it that way,” said the captain hesitatingly. - -“Have some more gin,” said the artful pilot. - -The captain had some more, and, what with flattery and gin, combined -with the pleadings of his friend, began to consider the affair more -favourably. Pepper stuck to his guns, and used them so well that when -the captain saw him off that evening he was pledged up to the hilt to -come down to Sunset Bay and personate the late Captain Budd on the -following Thursday. - -The ex-pilot passed the intervening days in a sort of trance, from -which he only emerged to take nourishment, or answer the scoldings of -his wife. On the eventful Thursday, however, his mood changed, and he -went about in such a state of suppressed excitement that he could -scarcely keep still. - -“Lor’ bless me!” snapped Mrs. Pepper, as he slowly perambulated the -parlour that afternoon. “What ails the man? Can’t you keep still for -five minutes?” - -The ex-pilot stopped and eyed her solemnly, but, ere he could reply, -his heart gave a great bound, for, from behind the geraniums which -filled the window, he saw the face of Captain Crippen slowly rise and -peer cautiously into the room. Before his wife could follow the -direction of her husband’s eyes it had disappeared. - -“Somebody looking in at the window,” said Pepper, with forced calmness, -in reply to his wife’s eyebrows. - -“Like their impudence!” said the unconscious woman, resuming her -knitting, while her husband waited in vain for the captain to enter. - -He waited some time, and then, half dead with excitement, sat down, and -with shaking fingers lit his pipe. As he looked up the stalwart figure -of the captain passed the window. During the next twenty minutes it -passed seven times, and Pepper, coming to the not unnatural conclusion -that his friend intended to pass the afternoon in the same unprofitable -fashion, resolved to force his hand. - -“Must be a tramp,” he said aloud. - -“Who?” inquired his wife. “Man keeps looking in at the window,” said -Pepper desperately. “Keeps looking in till he meets my eye, then he -disappears. Looks like an old sea-captain, something.” - -“Old sea-captain?” said his wife, putting down her work and turning -round. There was a strange hesitating note in her voice. She looked at -the window, and at the same instant the head of the captain again -appeared above the geraniums, and, meeting her gaze, hastily vanished. -Martha Pepper sat still for a moment, and then, rising in a slow, dazed -fashion, crossed to the door and opened it. Mermaid Passage was empty! - -“See anybody?” quavered Pepper. - -His wife shook her head, but in a strangely quiet fashion, and, sitting -down, took up her knitting again. - -For some time the click of the needles and the tick of the clock were -the only sounds audible, and the ex-pilot had just arrived at the -conclusion that his friend had abandoned him to his fate, when there -came a low tapping at the door. - -“Come in!” cried Pepper, starting. - -The door opened slowly, and the tall figure of Captain Crippen entered -and stood there eyeing them nervously. A neat little speech he had -prepared failed him at the supreme moment. He leaned against the wall, -and in a clumsy, shamefaced fashion lowered his gaze, and stammered out -the one word—“Martha!” - -At that word Mrs. Pepper rose and stood with parted lips, eyeing him -wildly. - -“Jem!” she gasped, “Jem!” - -“Martha!” croaked the captain again. - -With a choking cry Mrs. Pepper ran towards him, and, to the huge -gratification of her lawful spouse, flung her arms about his neck and -kissed him violently. - -“Jem,” she cried breathlessly, “is it really you? I can hardly believe -it. Where have you been all this long time? Where have you been?” - -“Lots of places,” said the captain, who was not prepared to answer a -question like that offhand; “but wherever I’ve been”—he held up his -hand theatrically—“the image of my dear lost wife has been always in -front of me.” - -“I knew you at once, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper fondly, smoothing the hair -back from his forehead. “Have I altered much?” - -“Not a bit,” said Crippen, holding her at arm’s length and carefully -regarding her. “You look just the same as the first time I set eyes on -you.” - -“Where have you been?” wailed Martha Pepper, putting her head on his -shoulder. - -“When the _Dolphin_ went down from under me, and left me fighting with -the waves for life and Martha, I was cast ashore on a desert island,” -began Crippen fluently. “There I remained for nearly three years, when -I was rescued by a barque bound for New South Wales. There I met a man -from Poole who told me you were dead. Having no further interest in the -land of my birth, I sailed in Australian waters for many years, and it -was only lately that I heard how cruelly I had been deceived, and that -my little flower was still blooming.” - -The little flower’s head being well down on his shoulder again, the -celebrated actor exchanged glances with the worshipping Pepper. - -“If you’d only come before, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper. “Who was he? What -was his name?” - -“Smith,” said the cautious captain. - -“If you’d only come before, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper, in a smothered -voice, “it would have been better. Only three months ago I married that -object over there.” - -The captain attempted a melodramatic start with such success, that, -having somewhat underestimated the weight of his fair bride, he nearly -lost his balance. - -“It can’t be helped, I suppose,” he said reproachfully, “but you might -have waited a little longer, Martha.” - -“Well, I’m your wife, anyhow,” said Martha, “and I’ll take care I never -lose you again. You shall never go out of my sight again till you die. -Never.” - -“Nonsense, my pet,” said the captain, exchanging uneasy glances with -the ex-pilot. “Nonsense.” - -“It isn’t nonsense, Jem,” said the lady, as she drew him on to the sofa -and sat with her arms round his neck. “It may be true, all you’ve told -me, and it may not. For all I know, you may have been married to some -other woman; but I’ve got you now, and I intend to keep you.” - -“There, there,” said the captain, as soothingly as a strange sinking at -the heart would allow him. - -“As for that other little man, I only married him because he worried me -so,” said Mrs. Pepper tearfully. “I never loved him, but he used to -follow me about and propose. Was it twelve or thirteen times you -proposed to me, Pepper?” - -“I forget,” said the ex-pilot shortly. - -“But I never loved him,” she continued. “I never loved you a bit, did -I, Pepper?” - -“Not a bit,” said Pepper warmly. “No man could ever have a harder or -more unfeeling wife than you was. I’ll say that for you, willing.” - -As he bore this testimony to his wife’s fidelity there was a knock at -the door, and, upon his opening it, the rector’s daughter, a lady of -uncertain age, entered, and stood regarding with amazement the frantic -but ineffectual struggles of Captain Crippen to release himself from a -position as uncomfortable as it was ridiculous. - -“Mrs. Pepper!” said the lady, aghast. “Oh, Mrs. Pepper!” - -“It’s all right, Miss Winthrop,” said the lady addressed, calmly, as -she forced the captain’s flushed face on to her ample shoulder again; -“it’s my first husband, Jem Budd.” - -“Good gracious!” said Miss Winthrop, starting. “Enoch Arden in the -flesh!” - -“Who?” inquired Pepper, with a show of polite interest. - -“Enoch Arden,” said Miss Winthrop. “One of our great poets wrote a -noble poem about a sailor who came home and found that his wife had -married again; but, in the _poem_, the first husband went away without -making himself known, and died of a broken heart.” - -She looked at Captain Crippen as though he hadn’t quite come up to her -expectations. - -“And now,” said Pepper, speaking with great cheerfulness, “it’s me -that’s got to have the broken heart. Well, well.” - -“It’s a most interesting case,” cried Miss Winthrop; “and, if you wait -till I fetch my camera, I’ll take your portrait together just as you -are.” - -“Do,” said Mrs. Pepper cordially. - -“I won’t have my portrait took,” said the captain, with much acerbity. - -“Not if I wish it, dear?” inquired Mrs. Pepper tenderly. - -“Not if you keep a-wishing it all your life,” replied the captain -sourly, making another attempt to get his head from her shoulder. - -“Don’t you think they ought to have their portrait taken now?” asked -Miss Winthrop, turning to the ex-pilot. - -“I don’t see no ’arm in it,” said Pepper thoughtlessly. - -“You hear what Mr. Pepper says,” said the lady, turning to the captain -again. “Surely if he doesn’t mind, you ought not to.” - -“I’ll talk to him by-and-bye,” said the captain, very grimly. - -“P’raps it would be better if we kept this affair to ourselves for the -present,” said the ex-pilot, taking alarm at his friend’s manner. - -“Well, I won’t intrude on you any longer,” said Miss Winthrop. “Oh! -Look there! How rude of them!” - -The others turned hastily in time to see several heads vanish from the -window. Captain Crippen was the first to speak. - -“Jem!” said Mrs. Pepper severely, before he had finished. - -“Captain Budd!” said Miss Winthrop, flushing. - -The incensed captain rose to his feet and paced up and down the room. -He looked at the ex-pilot, and that small schemer shivered. - -“Easy does it, cap’n,” he murmured, with a wink which he meant to be -comforting. - -“I’m going out a little way,” said the captain, after the rector’s -daughter had gone. “Just to cool my head.” - -Mrs. Pepper took her bonnet from its peg behind the door, and, -surveying herself in the glass, tied it beneath her chin. - -“Alone,” said Crippen nervously. “I want to do a little thinking.” - -“Never again, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper firmly. “My place is by your side. -If you’re ashamed of people looking at you, I’m not. I’m proud of you. -Come along. Come and show yourself, and tell them who you are. You -shall never go out of my sight again as long as I live. Never.” - -She began to whimper. - -“What’s to be done?” inquired Crippen, turning desperately on the -bewildered pilot. - -“What’s it got to do with him?” demanded Mrs. Pepper sharply. - -“He’s got to be considered a little, I s’pose,” said the captain, -dissembling. “Besides, I think I’d better do like the man in the poetry -did. Let me go away and die of a broken heart. Perhaps it’s best.” - -Mrs. Pepper looked at him with kindling eyes. - -“Let me go away and die of a broken heart,” repeated the captain, with -real feeling. “I’d rather do it. I would indeed.” - -Mrs. Pepper, bursting into angry tears, flung her arms round his neck -again, and sobbed on his shoulder. The pilot, obeying the frenzied -injunctions of his friend’s eye, drew down the blind. - -“There’s quite a crowd outside,” he remarked. - -“I don’t mind,” said his wife amiably. “They’ll soon know who he is.” - -She stood holding the captain’s hand and stroking it, and whenever his -feelings became too much for her put her head down on his waistcoat. At -such times the captain glared fiercely at the ex-pilot, who, being of a -weak nature, was unable, despite his anxiety, to give his risible -faculties that control which the solemnity of the occasion demanded. - -The afternoon wore slowly away. Miss Winthrop, who disliked scandal, -had allowed something of the affair to leak out, and several visitors, -including a local reporter, called, but were put off till the morrow, -on the not unnatural plea that the long-separated couple desired a -little privacy. The three sat silent, the ex-pilot, with wrinkled -brows, trying hard to decipher the lip-language in which the captain -addressed him whenever he had an opportunity, but could only dimly -guess its purport, when the captain pressed his huge fist into the -service as well. - -Mrs. Pepper rose at length, and went into the back room to prepare tea. -As she left the door open, however, and took the captain’s hat with -her, he built no hopes on her absence, but turned furiously to the -ex-pilot. - -“What’s to be done?” he inquired in a fierce whisper. “This can’t go -on.” - -“It’ll have to,” whispered the other. - -“Now, look here,” said Crippen menacingly, “I’m going into the kitchen -to make a clean breast of it. I’m sorry for you, but I’ve done the best -I can. Come and help me to explain.” - -He turned to the kitchen, but the other, with the strength born of -despair, seized him by the sleeve and held him back. - -“She’ll kill me,” he whispered breathlessly. - -“I can’t help it,” said Crippen, shaking him off. “Serve you right.” - -“And she’ll tell the folks outside, and they’ll kill you,” continued -Pepper. - -The captain sat down again, and confronted him with a face as pale as -his own. - -“The last train leaves at eight,” whispered the pilot hurriedly. “It’s -desperate, but it’s the only thing you can do. Take her for a stroll up -by the fields near the railway station. You can see the train coming in -for a mile off nearly. Time yourself carefully, and make a bolt for it. -She can’t run.” - -The entrance of their victim with the tea-tray stopped the -conversation; but the captain nodded acceptance behind her back, and -then, with a forced gaiety, sat down to tea. - -For the first time since his successful appearance he became -loquacious, and spoke so freely of incidents in the life of the man he -was impersonating that the ex-pilot sat in a perfect fever lest he -should blunder. The meal finished, he proposed a stroll, and, as the -unsuspecting Mrs. Pepper tied on her bonnet, slapped his leg, and -winked confidently at his fellow-conspirator. - -“I’m not much of a walker,” said the innocent Mrs. Pepper, “so you must -go slowly.” - -The captain nodded, and at Pepper’s suggestion left by the back way, to -avoid the gaze of the curious. - -For some time after their departure Pepper sat smoking, with his -anxious face turned to the clock, until at length, unable to endure the -strain any longer, and not without a sportsmanlike idea of being in at -the death, he made his way to the station, and placed himself behind a -convenient coal-truck. - -He waited impatiently, with his eyes fixed on the road up which he -expected the captain to come. He looked at his watch. Five minutes to -eight, and still no captain. The platform began to fill, a porter -seized the big bell and rang it lustily; in the distance a patch of -white smoke showed. Just as the watcher had given up all hope, the -figure of the captain came in sight. He was swaying from side to side, -holding his hat in his hand, but doggedly racing the train to the -station. - -“He’ll never do it!” groaned the pilot. Then he held his breath, for -three or four hundred yards behind the captain Mrs. Pepper pounded in -pursuit. - -The train rolled into the station; passengers stepped in and out; doors -slammed, and the guard had already placed the whistle in his mouth, -when Captain Crippen, breathing stentorously, came stumbling blindly on -to the platform, and was hustled into a third class carriage. - -“Close shave that, sir,” said the station-master as he closed the door. - -The captain sank back in his seat, fighting for breath, and turning his -head, gave a last triumphant look up the road. - -“All right, sir,” said the station-master kindly, as he followed the -direction of the other’s eyes and caught sight of Mrs. Pepper. “We’ll -wait for your lady.” - - -Jackson Pepper came from behind the coal-truck and watched the train -out of sight, wondering in a dull, vague fashion what the conversation -was like. He stood so long that a tender hearted porter, who had heard -the news, made bold to come up and put a friendly hand on his shoulder. - -“You’ll never see her again, Mr. Pepper,” he said sympathetically. - -The ex-pilot turned and regarded him fixedly, and the last bit of -spirit he was ever known to show flashed up in his face as he spoke. - -“You’re a blamed idiot!” he said rudely. - - - - -A CASE OF DESERTION - - -The sun was just rising as the small tub-like steamer, or, to be more -correct, steam-barge, the _Bulldog_, steamed past the sleeping town of -Gravesend at a good six knots per hour. - -There had been a little discussion on the way between her crew and the -engineer, who, down in his grimy little engine-room, did his own -stoking and everything else necessary. The crew, consisting of captain, -mate, and boy, who were doing their first trip on a steamer, had been -transferred at the last moment from their sailing-barge the _Witch_, -and found to their discomfort that the engineer, who had not expected -to sail so soon, was terribly and abusively drunk. Every moment he -could spare from his engines he thrust the upper part of his body -through the small hatchway, and rowed with his commander. - -“Ahoy, bargee!” he shouted, popping up like a jack-in-the-box, after a -brief cessation of hostilities. - -“Don’t take no notice of ’im,” said the mate. “’E’s got a bottle of -brandy down there, an’ he’s ’alf mad.” - -“If I knew anything o’ them blessed engines,” growled the skipper, “I’d -go and hit ’im over the head.” - -“But you don’t,” said the mate, “and neither do I, so you’d better keep -quiet.” - -“You think you’re a fine feller,” continued the engineer, “standing up -there an’ playing with that little wheel. You think you’re doing all -the work. What’s the boy doing? Send him down to stoke.” - -“Go down,” said the skipper, grinning with fury, and the boy -reluctantly obeyed. - -“You think,” said the engineer pathetically, after he had cuffed the -boy’s head and dropped him down below by the scruff of his neck, “you -think because I’ve got a black face I’m not a man. There’s many a hoily -face ’ides a good ’art.” - -“I don’t think nothing about it,” grunted the skipper; “you do your -work, and I’ll do mine.” - -“Don’t you give me none of your back answers,” bellowed the engineer, -“’cos I won’t have ’em.” - -The skipper shrugged his shoulders and exchanged glances with his -sympathetic mate. “Wait till I get ’im ashore,” he murmured. - -“The biler is wore out,” said the engineer, re-appearing after a hasty -dive below. “It may bust at any moment.” - -As though to confirm his words fearful sounds were heard proceeding -from below. - -“It’s only the boy,” said the mate, “he’s scared—natural.” - -“I thought it was the biler,” said the skipper, with a sigh of relief. -“It was loud enough.” - -As he spoke the boy got his head out of the hatchway, and, rendered -desperate with fear, fairly fought his way past the engineer and gained -the deck. - -“Very good,” said the engineer, as he followed him on deck and -staggered to the side. “I’ve had enough o’ you lot.” - -“Hadn’t you better go down to them engines?” shouted the skipper. - -“Am I your _slave?_” demanded the engineer tearfully. “Tell me that. Am -I your slave?” - -“Go down and do your work like a sensible man,” was the reply. - -At these words the engineer took umbrage at once, and, scowling -fiercely, removed his greasy jacket and flung his cap on the deck. He -then finished the brandy which he had brought up with him, and gazed -owlishly at the Kentish shore. - -“I’m going to have a wash,” he said loudly, and, sitting down, removed -his boots. - -“Go down to the engines first,” said the skipper, “and I’ll send the -boy to you with a bucket and some soap.” - -“Bucket!” replied the engineer scornfully, as he moved to the side. -“I’m going to have a proper wash.” - -“Hold him!” roared the skipper suddenly. “Hold him!” - -The mate, realising the situation, rushed to seize him, but the -engineer, with a mad laugh, put his hands on the side and vaulted into -the water. When he rose the steamer was twenty yards ahead. - -“Go astarn!” yelled the mate. - -“How can I go astarn when there’s nobody at the engines?” shouted the -skipper, as he hung on to the wheel and brought the boat’s head sharply -round. “Git a line ready.” - -The mate, with a coil of rope in his hand, rushed to the side, but his -benevolent efforts were frustrated by the engineer, who, seeing the -boat’s head making straight for him, saved his life by an opportune -dive. The steamer rushed by. - -“Turn ’er agin!” screamed the mate. - -The captain was already doing so, and in a remarkably short space of -time the boat, which had described a complete circle, was making again -for the engineer. - -“Look out for the line!” shouted the mate warningly. - -“I don’t want your line,” yelled the engineer. “I’m going ashore.” - -“Come aboard!” shouted the captain imploringly, as they swept past -again. “We can’t manage the engines.” - -“Put her round again,” said the mate. “I’ll go for him with the boat. -Haul her in, boy.” - -The boat, which was dragging astern, was hauled close, and the mate -tumbled into her, followed by the boy, just as the captain was in the -middle of another circle-to the intense indignation of a crowd of -shipping, large and small, which was trying to get by. - -“Ahoy!” yelled the master of a tug which was towing a large ship. “Take -that steam roundabout out of the way. What the thunder are you doing?” - -“Picking up my engineer,” replied the captain, as he steamed right -across the other’s bows, and nearly ran down a sailing-barge, the -skipper of which, a Salvation Army man, was nobly fighting with his -feelings. - -“Why don’t you stop?” he yelled. - -“’Cos I can’t,” wailed the skipper of the _Bulldog_, as he threaded his -way between a huge steamer and a schooner, who, in avoiding him, were -getting up a little collision on their own account. - -“Ahoy, _Bulldog!_ Ahoy!” called the mate. “Stand by to pick us up. -We’ve got him.” - -The skipper smiled in an agonised fashion as he shot past, hotly -pursued by his boat. The feeling on board the other craft as they got -out of the way of the _Bulldog_, and nearly ran down her boat, and -then, in avoiding that, nearly ran down something else, cannot be put -into plain English, but several captains ventured into the domains of -the ornamental with marked success. - -“Shut off steam!” yelled the engineer, as the _Bulldog_ went by again. -“Draw the fires, then.” - -“Who’s going to steer while I do it?” bellowed the skipper, as he left -the wheel for a few seconds to try and get a line to throw them. - -By this time the commotion in the river was frightful, and the -captain’s steering, as he went on his round again, something marvellous -to behold. A strange lack of sympathy on the part of brother captains -added to his troubles. Every craft he passed had something to say to -him, busy as they were, and the remarks were as monotonous as they were -insulting. At last, just as he was resolving to run his boat straight -down the river until he came to a halt for want of steam, the mate -caught the rope he flung, and the _Bulldog_ went down the river with -her boat made fast to her stern. - -“Come aboard, you—you lunatic!” he shouted. - -“Not afore I knows ’ow I stand,” said the engineer, who was now -beautifully sober, and in full possession of a somewhat acute -intellect. - -“What do you mean?” demanded the skipper. - -“I don’t come aboard,” shouted the engineer, “until you and the mate -and the bye all swear as you won’t say nothing about this little game.” - -“I’ll report you the moment I get ashore,” roared the skipper. “I’ll -give you in charge for desertion. I’ll”— - -With a supreme gesture the engineer prepared to dive, but the watchful -mate fell on his neck and tripped him over a seat. - -“Come aboard!” cried the skipper, aghast at such determination. “Come -aboard, and I’ll give you a licking when we get ashore instead.” - -“Honour bright?” inquired the engineer. - -“Honour bright,” chorused the three. - -The engineer, with all the honours of war, came on board, and, after -remarking that he felt chilly bathing on an empty stomach, went down -below and began to stoke. In the course of the voyage he said that it -was worth while making such a fool of himself if only to see the -skipper’s beautiful steering, warmly asseverating that there was not -another man on the river that could have done it. Before this insidious -flattery the skipper’s wrath melted like snow before the sun, and by -the time they reached port he would as soon have thought of hitting his -own father as his smooth-tongued engineer. - - - - -OUTSAILED - - -It was a momentous occasion. The two skippers sat in the private bar of -the “Old Ship,” in High Street, Wapping, solemnly sipping cold gin and -smoking cigars, whose sole merit consisted in the fact that they had -been smuggled. It is well known all along the waterside that this -greatly improves their flavour. - -“Draw all right?” queried Captain Berrow-a short, fat man of few ideas, -who was the exulting owner of a bundle of them. - -“Beautiful,” replied Captain Tucker, who had just made an excursion -into the interior of his with the small blade of his penknife. “Why -don’t you keep smokes like these, landlord?” - -“He can’t,” chuckled Captain Berrow fatuously. “They’re not to be -’ad—money couldn’t buy ’em.” - -The landlord grunted. “Why don’t you settle about that race o’ yours -an’ ha’ done with it,” he cried, as he wiped down his counter. “Seems -to me, Cap’n Tucker’s hanging fire.” - -“I’m ready when he is,” said Tucker, somewhat shortly. - -“It’s taking your money,” said Berrow slowly; “the _Thistle_ can’t hold -a candle to the _Good Intent_, and you know it. Many a time that little -schooner o’ mine has kept up with a steamer.” - -“Wher’d you ha’ been if the tow rope had parted, though?” said the -master of the _Thistle_, with a wink at the landlord. - -At this remark Captain Berrow took fire, and, with his temper rapidly -rising to fever heat, wrathfully repelled the scurvy insinuation in -language which compelled the respectful attention of all the other -customers and the hasty intervention of the landlord. - -“Put up the stakes,” he cried impatiently. “Put up the stakes, and -don’t have so much jaw about it.” - -“Here’s mine,” said Berrow, sturdily handing over a greasy fiver. “Now, -Cap’n Tucker, cover that.” - -“Come on,” said the landlord encouragingly; “don’t let him take the -wind out of your sails like that.” - -Tucker handed over five sovereigns. - -“High water’s at 12.13,” said the landlord, pocketing the stakes. “You -understand the conditions?-each of you does the best he can for hisself -after eleven, an’ the one what gets to Poole first has the ten quid. -Understand?” - -Both gamblers breathed hard, and, fully realising the desperate nature -of the enterprise upon which they had embarked, ordered some more gin. -A rivalry of long standing as to the merits of their respective -schooners had led to them calling in the landlord to arbitrate, and -this was the result. Berrow, vaguely feeling that it would be advisable -to keep on good terms with the stakeholder, offered him one of the -famous cigars. The stakeholder, anxious to keep on good terms with his -stomach, declined it. - -“You’ve both got your moorings up, I s’pose?” he inquired. - -“Got ’em up this evening,” replied Tucker. “We’re just made fast one on -each side of the _Dolphin_ now.” - -“The wind’s light, but it’s from the right quarter,” said Captain -Berrow, “an’ I only hope as ’ow the best ship’ll win. I’d like to win -myself, but, if not, I can only say as there’s no man breathing I’d -sooner have lick me than Cap’n Tucker. He’s as smart a seaman as ever -comes into the London river, an’ he’s got a schooner angels would be -proud of.” - -“Glasses o’ gin round,” said Tucker promptly. “Cap’n Berrow, here’s -your very good health, an’ a fair field an’ no favour.” - -With these praiseworthy sentiments the master of the _Thistle_ finished -his liquor, and, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, nodded -farewell to the twain and departed. Once in the High Street he walked -slowly, as one in deep thought, then, with a sudden resolution, turned -up Nightingale Lane, and made for a small, unsavoury thoroughfare -leading out of Ratcliff Highway. A quarter of an hour later he emerged -into that famous thoroughfare again, smiling incoherently, and, -retracing his steps to the waterside, jumped into a boat, and was -pulled off to his ship. - -“Comes off to-night, Joe,” said he, as he descended to the cabin, “an’ -it’s arf a quid to you if the old gal wins.” - -“What’s the bet?” inquired the mate, looking up from his task of -shredding tobacco. - -“Five quid,” replied the skipper. - -“Well, we ought to do it,” said the mate slowly; “’t wont be my fault -if we don’t.” - -“Mine neither,” said the skipper. “As a matter o’ fact, Joe, I reckon -I’ve about made sure of it. All’s fair in love and war and racing, -Joe.” - -“Ay, ay,” said the mate, more slowly than before, as he revolved this -addition to the proverb. - -“I just nipped round and saw a chap I used to know named Dibbs,” said -the skipper. “Keeps a boarding-house for sailors. Wonderful sharp -little chap he is. Needles ain’t nothing to him. There’s heaps of -needles, but only one Dibbs. He’s going to make old Berrow’s chaps as -drunk as lords.” - -“Does he know ’em?” inquired the mate. - -“He knows where to find ’em,” said the other. “I told him they’d either -be in the ‘Duke’s Head’ or the ‘Town o’ Berwick.’ But he’d find ’em -wherever they was. Ah, even if they was in a coffee pallis, I b’leeve -that man ’ud find ’em.” - -“They’re steady chaps,” objected the mate, but in a weak fashion, being -somewhat staggered by this tribute to Mr. Dibbs’ remarkable powers. - -“My lad,” said the skipper, “it’s Dibbs’ business to mix sailors’ -liquors so’s they don’t know whether they’re standing on their heads or -their heels. He’s the most wonderful mixer in Christendom; takes a -reg’lar pride in it. Many a sailorman has got up a ship’s side, -thinking it was stairs, and gone off half acrost the world instead of -going to bed, through him.” - -“We’ll have a easy job of it, then,” said the mate. “I b’leeve we could -ha’ managed it without that, though. ’Tain’t quite what you’d call -sport, is it?” - -“There’s nothing like making sure of a thing,” said the skipper -placidly. “What time’s our chaps coming aboard?” - -“Ten thirty, the latest,” replied the mate. “Old Sam’s with ’em, so -they’ll be all right.” - -“I’ll turn in for a couple of hours,” said the skipper, going towards -his berth. “Lord! I’d give something to see old Berrow’s face as his -chaps come up the side.” - -“P’raps they won’t git as far as that,” remarked the mate. - -“Oh, yes they will,” said the skipper. “Dibbs is going to see to that. -I don’t want any chance of the race being scratched. Turn me out in a -couple of hours.” - -He closed the door behind him, and the mate, having stuffed his clay -with the coarse tobacco, took some pink note-paper with scalloped edges -from his drawer, and, placing the paper at his right side, and squaring -his shoulders, began some private correspondence. - -For some time he smoked and wrote in silence, until the increasing -darkness warned him to finish his task. He signed the note, and, having -put a few marks of a tender nature below his signature, sealed it ready -for the post, and sat with half-closed eyes, finishing his pipe. Then -his head nodded, and, placing his arms on the table, he too slept. - -It seemed but a minute since he had closed his eyes when he was -awakened by the entrance of the skipper, who came blundering into the -darkness from his stateroom, vociferating loudly and nervously. - -“Ay, ay!” said Joe, starting up. - -“Where’s the lights?” said the skipper. “What’s the time? I dreamt I’d -overslept myself. What’s the time?” - -“Plenty o’ time,” said the mate vaguely, as he stifled a yawn. - -“Ha’-past ten,” said the skipper, as he struck a match, “You’ve been -asleep,” he added severely. - -“I ain’t,” said the mate stoutly, as he followed the other on deck. -“I’ve been thinking. I think better in the dark.” - -“It’s about time our chaps was aboard,” said the skipper, as he looked -round the deserted deck. “I hope they won’t be late.” - -“Sam’s with ’em,” said the mate confidently, as he went on to the side; -“there ain’t no festivities going on aboard the _Good Intent_, -neither.” - -“There will be,” said his worthy skipper, with a grin, as he looked -across the intervening brig at the rival craft; “there will be.” - -He walked round the deck to see that everything was snug and -ship-shape, and got back to the mate just as a howl of surprising -weirdness was heard proceeding from the neighbouring stairs. - -“I’m s’prised at Berrow allowing his men to make that noise,” said the -skipper waggishly. “Our chaps are there too, I think. I can hear Sam’s -voice.” - -“So can I,” said the mate, with emphasis. - -“Seems to be talking rather loud,” said the master of the _Thistle_, -knitting his brows. - -“Sounds as though he’s trying to sing,” said the mate, as, after some -delay, a heavily-laden boat put off from the stairs and made slowly for -them. “No, he ain’t; he’s screaming.” - -There was no longer any doubt about it. The respectable and -greatly-trusted Sam was letting off a series of wild howls which would -have done credit to a penny-gaff Zulu, and was evidently very much out -of temper about something. - -“Ahoy, _Thistle!_ Ahoy!” bellowed the waterman, as he neared the -schooner. “Chuck us a rope?-quick!” - -The mate threw him one, and the boat came alongside. It was then seen -that another waterman, using impatient and deplorable language, was -forcibly holding Sam down in the boat. - -“What’s he done? What’s the row?” demanded the mate. - -“Done?” said the waterman, in disgust. “Done? He’s ’ad a small lemon, -an’ it’s got into his silly old head. He’s making all this fuss ’cos he -wanted to set the pub on fire, an’ they wouldn’t let him. Man ashore -told us they belonged to the _Good Intent_, but I know they’re your -men.” - -“Sam!” roared the skipper, with a sinking heart, as his glance fell on -the recumbent figures in the boat; “come aboard at once, you drunken -disgrace! D’ye hear?” - -“I can’t leave him,” said Sam, whimpering. - -“Leave who?” growled the skipper. - -“Him,” said Sam, placing his arms round the waterman’s neck. “Him an’ -me’s like brothers.” - -“Get up, you old loonatic!” snarled the waterman, extricating himself -with difficulty, and forcing the other towards the side. “Now, up you -go!” - -Aided by the shoulders of the waterman and the hands of his superior -officers, Sam went up, and then the waterman turned his attention to -the remainder of his fares, who were snoring contentedly in the bottom -of the boat. - -“Now, then!” he cried; “look alive with you! D’ye hear? Wake up! Wake -up! Kick ’em, Bill!” - -“I can’t kick no ’arder,” grumbled the other waterman. - -“What the devil’s the matter with ’em?” stormed the master of the -_Thistle_. “Chuck a pail of water over ’em, Joe!” - -Joe obeyed with gusto; and, as he never had much of a head for details, -bestowed most of it upon the watermen. Through the row which ensued the -_Thistle’s_ crew snored peacefully, and at last were handed up over the -sides like sacks of potatoes, and the indignant watermen pulled back to -the stairs. - -“Here’s a nice crew to win a race with!” wailed the skipper, almost -crying with rage. “Chuck the water over ’em, Joe! Chuck the water over -’em!” - -Joe obeyed willingly, until at length, to the skipper’s great relief, -one man stirred, and, sitting up on the deck, sleepily expressed his -firm conviction that it was raining. For a moment they both had hopes -of him, but as Joe went to the side for another bucketful, he evidently -came to the conclusion that he had been dreaming, and, lying down -again, resumed his nap. As he did so the first stroke of Big Ben came -booming down the river. - -“Eleven o’clock!” shouted the excited skipper. - -It was too true. Before Big Ben had finished, the neighbouring church -clocks commenced striking with feverish haste, and hurrying feet and -hoarse cries were heard proceeding from the deck of the _Good Intent_. - -“Loose the sails!” yelled the furious Tucker. “Loose the sails! Damme, -we’ll get under way by ourselves!” - -He ran forward, and, assisted by the mate, hoisted the jibs, and then, -running back, cast off from the brig, and began to hoist the mainsail. -As they disengaged themselves from the tier, there was just sufficient -sail for them to advance against the tide; while in front of them the -_Good Intent_, shaking out sail after sail, stood boldly down the -river. - - -“This was the way of it,” said Sam, as he stood before the grim Tucker -at six o’clock the next morning, surrounded by his mates. “He came into -the ‘Town o’ Berwick,’ where we was, as nice a spoken little chap as -ever you’d wish to see. He said he’d been a-looking at the _Good -Intent_, and he thought it was the prettiest little craft ’e ever seed, -and the exact image of one his dear brother, which was a missionary, -’ad, and he’d like to stand a drink to every man of her crew. Of -course, we all said we was the crew direckly, an’ all I can remember -after that is two coppers an’ a little boy trying to giv’ me the frog’s -march, an’ somebody chucking pails o’ water over me. It’s crool ’ard -losing a race, what we didn’t know nothink about, in this way; but it -warn’t our fault?—it warn’t, indeed. It’s my belief that the little man -was a missionary of some sort hisself, and wanted to convert us, an’ -that was his way of starting on the job. It’s all very well for the -mate to have highstirriks; but it’s quite true, every word of it, an’ -if you go an’ ask at the pub they’ll tell you the same.” - - - - -MATED - - -The schooner _Falcon_ was ready for sea. The last bale of general cargo -had just been shipped, and a few hairy, unkempt seamen were busy -putting on the hatches under the able profanity of the mate. - -“All clear?” inquired the master, a short, ruddy-faced man of about -thirty-five. “Cast off there!” - -“Ain’t you going to wait for the passengers, then?” inquired the mate. - -“No, no,” replied the skipper, whose features were working with -excitement. “They won’t come now, I’m sure they won’t. We’ll lose the -tide if we don’t look sharp.” - -He turned aside to give an order just as a buxom young woman, -accompanied by a loutish boy, a band-box, and several other bundles, -came hurrying on to the jetty. - -“Well, here we are, Cap’n Evans,” said the girl, springing lightly on -to the deck. “I thought we should never get here; the cabman didn’t -seem to know the way; but I knew you wouldn’t go without us.” - -“Here you are,” said the skipper, with attempted cheerfulness, as he -gave the girl his right hand, while his left strayed vaguely in the -direction of the boy’s ear, which was coldly withheld from him. “Go -down below, and the mate’ll show you your cabin. Bill, this is Miss -Cooper, a lady friend o’ mine, and her brother.” - -The mate, acknowledging the introduction, led the way to the cabin, -where they remained so long that by the time they came on deck again -the schooner was off Limehouse, slipping along well under a light wind. - -“How do you like the state-room?” inquired the skipper, who was at the -wheel. - -“Pretty fair,” replied Miss Cooper. “It’s a big name for it though, -ain’t it? Oh, what a large ship!” - -She ran to the side to gaze at a big liner, and as far as Gravesend -besieged the skipper and mate with questions concerning the various -craft. At the mate’s suggestion they had tea on deck, at which meal -William Henry Cooper became a source of much discomfort to his host by -his remarkable discoveries anent the fauna of lettuce. Despite his -efforts, however, and the cloud under which Evans seemed to be -labouring, the meal was voted a big success; and after it was over they -sat laughing and chatting until the air got chilly, and the banks of -the river were lost in the gathering darkness. At ten o’clock they -retired for the night, leaving Evans and the mate on deck. - -“Nice gal, that,” said the mate, looking at the skipper, who was -leaning moodily on the wheel. - -“Ay, ay,” replied he. “Bill,” he continued, turning suddenly towards -the mate. “I’m in a deuce of a mess. You’ve got a good square head on -your shoulders. Now, what on earth am I to do? Of course you can see -how the land lays?” - -“Of course,” said the mate, who was not going to lose his reputation by -any display of ignorance. “Anyone could see it,” he added. - -“The question is what’s to be done?” said the skipper. - -“That’s the question,” said the mate guardedly. - -“I feel that worried,” said Evans, “that I’ve actually thought of -getting into collision, or running the ship ashore. Fancy them two -women meeting at Llandalock.” - -Such a sudden light broke in upon the square head of the mate, that he -nearly whistled with the brightness of it. - -“But you ain’t _engaged_ to this one?” he cried. - -“We’re to be married in August,” said the skipper desperately. “That’s -my ring on her finger.” - -“But you’re going to marry Mary Jones in September,” expostulated the -mate. “You can’t marry both of ’em.” - -“That’s what I say,” replied Evans; “that’s what I keep telling myself, -but it don’t seem to bring much comfort. I’m too soft-’earted where -wimmen is concerned, Bill, an’ that’s the truth of it. D’reckly I get -alongside of a nice gal my arm goes creeping round her before I know -what it’s doing.” - -“What on earth made you bring the girl on the ship?” inquired the mate. -“The other one’s sure to be on the quay to meet you as usual.” - -“I couldn’t help it,” groaned the skipper; “she would come; she can be -very determined when she likes. She’s awful gone on me, Bill.” - -“So’s the other one apparently,” said the mate. - -“I can’t think what it is the gals see in me,” said the other -mournfully. “Can you?” - -“No, I’m blamed if I can,” replied the mate frankly. - -“I don’t take no credit for it, Bill,” said the skipper, “not a bit. My -father was like it before me. The worry’s killing me.” - -“Well, which are you going to have?” inquired the mate. “Which do you -like the best?” - -“I don’t know, an’ that’s a fact,” said the skipper. “They’ve both got -money coming to ’em; when I’m in Wales I like Mary Jones best, and when -I’m in London it’s Janey Cooper. It’s dreadful to be like that, Bill.” - -“It is,” said the mate drily. “I wouldn’t be in your shoes when those -two gals meet for a fortune. Then you’ll have old Jones and her -brothers to tackle, too. Seems to me things’ll be a bit lively.” - -“I hev thought of being took sick, and staying in my bunk, Bill,” -suggested Evans anxiously. - -“An’ having the two of ’em to nurse you,” retorted Bill. “Nice quiet -time for an invalid.” - -Evans made a gesture of despair. - -“How would it be,” said the mate, after a long pause, and speaking very -slowly; “how would it be if I took this one off your hands.” - -“You couldn’t do it, Bill,” said the skipper decidedly. “Not while she -knew I was above ground.” - -“Well, I can try,” returned the mate shortly. “I’ve took rather a fancy -to the girl. Is it a bargain?” - -“It is,” said the skipper, shaking hands upon it. “If you git me out of -this hole, Bill, I’ll remember it the longest day I live.” - -With these words he went below, and, after cautiously undoing W. H. -Cooper, who had slept himself into a knot that a professional -contortionist would have envied, tumbled in beside him and went to -sleep. - -His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at -breakfast in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong -effort; and after the meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on -deck, he laid hold of the mate, who was following, and drew him into -the cabin. - -“You haven’t washed yourself this morning,” he said, eyeing him -closely. “How do you s’pose you are going to make an impression if you -don’t look smart?” - -“Well, I look tidier than you do,” growled the mate. - -“Of course you do,” said the wily Evans. “I’m going to give you all the -chances I can. Now you go and shave yourself, and here—take it.” - -He passed the surprised mate a brilliant red silk tie, embellished with -green spots. - -“No, no,” said the mate deprecatingly. - -“Take it,” repeated Evans; “if anything’ll fetch her it’ll be that tie; -and here’s a couple of collars for you; they’re a new shape, quite the -rage down Poplar way just now.” - -“It’s robbing you,” said the mate, “and it’s no good either. I ain’t -got a decent suit of clothes to my back.” - -Evans looked up, and their eyes met; then, with a catch in his breath, -he turned away, and after some hesitation went to his locker, and -bringing out a new suit, bought for the edification of Miss Jones, -handed it silently to the mate. - -“I can’t take all these things without giving you something for ’em,” -said the mate. “Here, wait a bit.” - -He dived into his cabin, and, after a hasty search, brought out some -garments which he placed on the table before his commander. - -“I wouldn’t wear ’em, no, not to drown myself in,” declared Evans after -a brief glance; “they ain’t even decent.” - -“So much the better,” said the mate; “it’ll be more of a contrast with -me.” - -After a slight contest the skipper gave way, and the mate, after an -elaborate toilette, went on deck and began to make himself agreeable, -while his chief skulked below trying to muster up courage to put in an -appearance. - -“Where’s the captain?” inquired Miss Cooper, after his absence had been -so prolonged as to become noticeable. - -“He’s below, dressin’, I b’leeve,” replied the mate simply. - -Miss Cooper, glancing at his attire, smiled softly to herself, and -prepared for something startling, and she got it; for a more forlorn, -sulky-looking object than the skipper, when he did appear, had never -been seen on the deck of the _Falcon_, and his London betrothed glanced -at him hot with shame and indignation. - -“Whatever have you got those things on for?” she whispered. - -“Work, my dear—work,” replied the skipper. - -“Well, mind you don’t lose any of the pieces,” said the dear suavely; -“you mightn’t be able to match that cloth.” - -“I’ll look after that,” said the skipper, reddening. “You must excuse -me talkin’ to you now. I’m busy.” - -Miss Cooper looked at him indignantly, and, biting her lip, turned -away, and started a desperate flirtation with the mate, to punish him. -Evans watched them with mingled feelings as he busied himself with -various small jobs on the deck, his wrath being raised to boiling point -by the behaviour of the cook, who, being a poor hand at disguising his -feelings, came out of the galley several times to look at him. - -From this incident a coolness sprang up between the skipper and the -girl, which increased hourly. At times the skipper weakened, but the -watchful mate was always on hand to prevent mischief. Owing to his -fostering care Evans was generally busy, and always gruff; and Miss -Cooper, who was used to the most assiduous attentions from him, knew -not whether to be most bewildered or most indignant. Four times in one -day did he remark in her hearing that a sailor’s ship was his -sweetheart, while his treatment of his small prospective brother -in-law, when he expostulated with him on the state of his wardrobe, -filled that hitherto pampered youth with amazement. At last, on the -fourth night out, as the little schooner was passing the coast of -Cornwall, the mate came up to him as he was steering, and patted him -heavily on the back. - -“It’s all right, cap’n,” said he. “You’ve lost the prettiest little -girl in England.” - -“What?” said the skipper, in incredulous tones. - -“Fact,” replied the other. “Here’s your ring back. I wouldn’t let her -wear it any longer.” - -“However did you do it?” inquired Evans, taking the ring in a dazed -fashion. - -“Oh, easy as possible,” said the mate. “She liked me best, that’s all.” - -“But what did you say to her?” persisted Evans. - -The other reflected. - -“I can’t call to mind exactly,” he said at length. “But, you may rely -upon it, I said everything I could against you. But she never did care -much for you. She told me so herself.” - -“I wish you joy of your bargain,” said Evans solemnly, after a long -pause. - -“What do you mean?” demanded the mate sharply. - -“A girl like that,” said the skipper, with a lump in his throat, “who -can carry on with two men at once ain’t worth having. She’s not my -money, that’s all.” - -The mate looked at him in honest bewilderment. - -“Mark my words,” continued the skipper loftily, “you’ll live to regret -it. A girl like that’s got no ballast. She’ll always be running after -fresh neckties.” - -“You put it down to the necktie, do you?” sneered the mate wrathfully. - -“That and the clothes, cert’nly,” replied the skipper. - -“Well, you’re wrong,” said the mate. “A lot you know about girls. It -wasn’t your old clothes, and it wasn’t all your bad behaviour to her -since she’s been aboard. You may as well know first as last. She -wouldn’t have nothing to do with me at first, so I told her all about -Mary Jones.” - -“You told her _that?_” cried the skipper fiercely. - -“I did,” replied the other. “She was pretty wild at first; but then the -comic side of it struck her—you wearing them old clothes, and going -about as you did. She used to watch you until she couldn’t stand it any -longer, and then go down in the cabin and laugh. Wonderful spirits that -girl’s got. Hush! Here she is!” - -As he spoke the girl came on deck, and, seeing the two men talking -together, remained at a short distance from them. - -“It’s all right, Jane,” said the mate; “I’ve told him.” - -“Oh!” said Miss Cooper, with a little gasp. - -“I can’t bear deceit,” said the mate; “and now it’s off his mind, he’s -so happy he can’t bear himself.” - -The latter part of this assertion seemed to be more warranted by facts -than the former, but Evans made a choking noise, which he intended as a -sign of unbearable joy, and, relinquishing the wheel to the mate, -walked forward. The clear sky was thick with stars, and a mind at ease -might have found enjoyment in the quiet beauty of the night, but the -skipper was too interested in the behaviour of the young couple at the -wheel to give it a thought. Immersed in each other, they forgot him -entirely, and exchanged little playful slaps and pushes, which incensed -him beyond description. Several times he was on the point of exercising -his position as commander and ordering the mate below, but in the -circumstances interference was impossible, and, with a low-voiced -good-night, he went below. Here his gaze fell on William Henry, who was -slumbering peacefully, and, with a hazy idea of the eternal fitness of -things, he raised the youth in his arms, and, despite his sleepy -protests, deposited him in the mate’s bunk. Then, with head and heart -both aching, he retired for the night. - -There was a little embarrassment next day, but it soon passed off, and -the three adult inmates of the cabin got on quite easy terms with each -other. The most worried person aft was the boy, who had not been taken -into their confidence, and whose face, when his sister sat with the -mate’s arm around her waist, presented to the skipper a perfect study -in emotions. - -“I feel quite curious to see this Miss Jones,” said Miss Cooper -amiably, as they sat at dinner. - -“She’ll be on the quay, waving her handkerchief to him,” said the mate. -“We’ll be in to-morrow afternoon, and then you’ll see her.” - -As it happened, the mate was a few hours out in his reckoning, for by -the time the _Falcon’s_ bows were laid for the small harbour it was -quite dark, and the little schooner glided in, guided by the two lights -which marked the entrance. The quay, seen in the light of a few -scattered lamps, looked dreary enough, and, except for two or three -indistinct figures, appeared to be deserted. Beyond, the broken lights -of the town stood out more clearly as the schooner crept slowly over -the dark water towards her berth. - -“Fine night, cap’n,” said the watchman, as the schooner came gently -alongside the quay. - -The skipper grunted assent. He was peering anxiously at the quay. - -“It’s too late,” said the mate. “You couldn’t expect her this time -o’night. It’s ten o’clock.” - -“I’ll go over in the morning,” said Evans, who, now that things had -been adjusted, was secretly disappointed that Miss Cooper had not -witnessed the meeting. “If you’re not going ashore, we might have a -hand o’ cards as soon’s we’re made fast.” - -The mate assenting, they went below, and were soon deep in the -mysteries of three-hand cribbage. Evans, who was a good player, -surpassed himself, and had just won the first game, the others being -nowhere, when a head was thrust down the companion-way, and a voice -like a strained foghorn called the captain by name. - -“Ay, ay!” yelled Evans, laying down his hand. - -“I’ll come down, cap’n,” said the voice, and the mate just had time to -whisper “Old Jones” to Miss Cooper, when a man of mighty bulk filled up -the doorway of the little cabin, and extended a huge paw to Evans and -the mate. He then looked at the lady, and, breathing hard, waited. - -“Young lady o’ the mate’s,” said Evans breathlessly,—“Miss Cooper. Sit -down, cap’n. Get the gin out, Bill.” - -“Not for me,” said Captain Jones firmly, but with an obvious effort. - -The surprise of Evans and the mate admitted of no concealment; but it -passed unnoticed by their visitor, who, fidgeting in his seat, appeared -to be labouring with some mysterious problem. After a long pause, -during which all watched him anxiously, he reached over the table and -shook hands with Evans again. - -“Put it there, cap’n,” said Evans, much affected by this token of -esteem. - -The old man rose and stood looking at him, with his hand on his -shoulder; he then shook hands for the third time, and patted him -encouragingly on the back. - -“Is anything the matter?” demanded the skipper of the _Falcon_ as he -rose to his feet, alarmed by these manifestations of feeling. “Is -Mary—is she ill?” - -“Worse than that,” said the other—“worse’n that, my poor boy; she’s -married a lobster!” - -The effect of this communication upon Evans was tremendous; but it may -be doubted whether he was more surprised than Miss Cooper, who, utterly -unversed in military terms, strove in vain to realize the possibility -of such a _mésalliance_, as she gazed wildly at the speaker and -squeaked with astonishment. - -“When was it?” asked Evans at last, in a dull voice. - -“Thursday fortnight, at ha’ past eleven,” said the old man. “He’s a -sergeant in the line. I would have written to you, but I thought it was -best to come and break it to you gently. Cheer up, my boy; there’s more -than one Mary Jones in the world.” - -With this undeniable fact, Captain Jones waved a farewell to the party -and went off, leaving them to digest his news. For some time they sat -still, the mate and Miss Cooper exchanging whispers, until at length, -the stillness becoming oppressive, they withdrew to their respective -berths, leaving the skipper sitting at the table, gazing hard at a knot -in the opposite locker. - -For long after their departure he sat thus, amid a deep silence, broken -only by an occasional giggle from the stateroom, or an idiotic -sniggering from the direction of the mate’s bunk, until, recalled to -mundane affairs by the lamp burning itself out, he went, in befitting -gloom, to bed. - - - - -THE RIVAL BEAUTIES - - -If you hadn’t asked me,” said the night watchman, “I should never have -told you; but, seeing as you’ve put the question point blank, I will -tell you my experience of it. You’re the first person I’ve ever opened -my lips to upon the subject, for it was so eggstraordinary that all our -chaps swore as they’d keep it to theirselves for fear of being -disbelieved and jeered at. - -“It happened in ’84, on board the steamer _George Washington_, bound -from Liverpool to New York. The first eight days passed without -anything unusual happening, but on the ninth I was standing aft with -the first mate, hauling in the log, when we hears a yell from aloft, -an’ a chap what we called Stuttering Sam come down as if he was -possessed, and rushed up to the mate with his eyes nearly starting out -of his ’ed. - -“‘There’s the s-s-s-s-s-s-sis-sis-sip!’ ses he. - -“‘The what?’ ses the mate. - -“‘The s-s-sea-sea-sssssip!’ - -“‘Look here, my lad,’ ses the mate, taking out a pocket-hankerchief an’ -wiping his face, ‘you just tarn your ’ed away till you get your breath. -It’s like opening a bottle o’ soda water to stand talking to you. Now, -what is it?’ - -“‘It’s the ssssssis-sea-sea-sea-sarpint!’ ses Sam, with a bust. - -“‘Rather a long un by your account of it,’ ses the mate, with a grin. - -“‘What’s the matter?’ ses the skipper, who just came up. - -“‘This man has seen the sea-sarpint, sir, that’s all,’ ses the mate. - -“‘Y-y-yes,’ said Sam, with a sort o’ sob. - -“‘Well, there ain’t much doing just now,’ ses the skipper, ‘so you’d -better get a slice o’ bread and feed it.’ - -“The mate bust out larfing, an’ I could see by the way the skipper -smiled he was rather tickled at it himself. - -“The skipper an’ the mate was still larfing very hearty when we heard a -dreadful ’owl from the bridge, an’ one o’ the chaps suddenly leaves the -wheel, jumps on to the deck, and bolts below as though he was mad. -T’other one follows ’m a’most d’reckly, and the second mate caught hold -o’ the wheel as he left it, and called out something we couldn’t catch -to the skipper. - -“‘What the d——’s the matter?’ yells the skipper. - -“The mate pointed to starboard, but as ’is ’and was shaking so that one -minute it was pointing to the sky an’ the next to the bottom o’ the -sea, it wasn’t much of a guide to us. Even when he got it steady we -couldn’t see anything, till all of a sudden, about two miles off, -something like a telegraph pole stuck up out of the water for a few -seconds, and then ducked down again and made straight for the ship. - -“Sam was the fust to speak, and, without wasting time stuttering or -stammering, he said he’d go down and see about that bit o’ bread, an’ -he went afore the skipper or the mate could stop ’im. - -“In less than ’arf a minute there was only the three officers an’ me on -deck. The second mate was holding the wheel, the skipper was holding -his breath, and the first mate was holding me. It was one o’ the most -exciting times I ever had. - -“‘Better fire the gun at it,’ ses the skipper, in a trembling voice, -looking at the little brass cannon we had for signalling. - -“‘Better not give him any cause for offence,’ ses the mate, shaking his -head. - -“‘I wonder whether it eats men,’ ses the skipper. ‘Perhaps it’ll come -for some of us.’ - -“‘There ain’t many on deck for it to choose from,’ ses the mate, -looking at ’im significant like. - -“‘That’s true,’ ses the skipper, very thoughtful; ‘I’ll go an’ send all -hands on deck. As captain, it’s my duty not to leave the ship till the -_last_, if I can anyways help it.’ - -“How he got them on deck has always been a wonder to me, but he did it. -He was a brutal sort o’ a man at the best o’ times, an’ he carried on -so much that I s’pose they thought even the sarpint couldn’t be worse. -Anyway, up they came, an’ we all stood in a crowd watching the sarpint -as it came closer and closer. - -“We reckoned it to be about a hundred yards long, an’ it was about the -most awful-looking creetur you could ever imagine. If you took all the -ugliest things in the earth and mixed ’em up—gorillas an’ the -like—you’d only make a hangel compared to what that was. It just hung -off our quarter, keeping up with us, and every now and then it would -open its mouth and let us see about four yards down its throat. - -“‘It seems peaceable,’ whispers the fust mate, arter awhile. - -“‘P’raps it ain’t hungry,’ ses the skipper. ‘We’d better not let it get -peckish. Try it with a loaf o’ bread.’ - -“The cook went below and fetched up half-a-dozen, an’ one o’ the chaps, -plucking up courage, slung it over the side, an’ afore you could say -‘Jack Robinson’ the sarpint had woffled it up an’ was looking for more. -It stuck its head up and came close to the side just like the swans in -Victoria Park, an’ it kept that game up until it had ’ad ten loaves an’ -a hunk o’ pork. - -“‘I’m afraid we’re encouraging it,’ ses the skipper, looking at it as -it swam alongside with an eye as big as a saucer cocked on the ship. - -“‘P’raps it’ll go away soon if we don’t take no more notice of it,’ ses -the mate. ‘Just pretend it isn’t here.’ - -“Well, we did pretend as well as we could; but everybody hugged the -port side o’ the ship, and was ready to bolt down below at the shortest -notice; and at last, when the beast got craning its neck up over the -side as though it was looking for something, we gave it some more grub. -We thought if we didn’t give it he might take it, and take it off the -wrong shelf, so to speak. But, as the mate said, it was encouraging it, -and long arter it was dark we could hear it snorting and splashing -behind us, until at last it ’ad such an effect on us the mate sent one -o’ the chaps down to rouse the skipper. - -“‘I don’t think it’ll do no ’arm,’ ses the skipper, peering over the -side, and speaking as though he knew all about sea-sarpints and their -ways. - -“‘S’pose it puts its ’ead over the side and takes one o’ the men,’ ses -the mate. - -“‘Let me know at once,’ ses the skipper firmly; an’ he went below agin -and left us. - -“Well, I was jolly glad when eight bells struck, an’ I went below; an’ -if ever I hoped anything I hoped that when I go up that ugly brute -would have gone, but, instead o’ that, when I went on deck it was -playing alongside like a kitten a’most, an’ one o’ the chaps told me as -the skipper had been feeding it agin. - -“‘It’s a wonderful animal,’ ses the skipper, ‘an’ there’s none of you -now but has seen the sea-sarpint; but I forbid any man here to say a -word about it when we get ashore.’ - -“‘Why not, sir?’ ses the second mate. - -“‘Becos you wouldn’t be believed,’ said the skipper sternly. ‘You might -all go ashore and kiss the Book an’ make affidavits an’ not a soul ’ud -believe you. The comic papers ’ud make fun of it, and the respectable -papers ’ud say it was seaweed or gulls.’ - -“Why not take it to New York with us?’ ses the fust mate suddenly. - -“‘What?’ ses the skipper. - -“‘Feed it every day,’ ses the mate, getting excited, ‘and bait a couple -of shark hooks and keep ’em ready, together with some wire rope. Git -’im to foller us as far as he will, and then hook him. We might git him -in alive and show him at a sovereign a head. Anyway, we can take in his -carcase if we manage it properly.’ - -“‘By Jove! if we only could,’ ses the skipper, getting excited too. - -“‘We can try,’ ses the mate. ‘Why, we could have noosed it this mornin’ -if we had liked; and if it breaks the lines we must blow its head to -pieces with the gun.’ - -“It seemed a most eggstraordinary thing to try and catch it that way; -but the beast was so tame, and stuck so close to us, that it wasn’t -quite so ridikilous as it seemed at fust. - -“Arter a couple o’ days nobody minded the animal a bit, for it was -about the most nervous thing of its size you ever saw. It hadn’t got -the soul of a mouse; and one day when the second mate, just for a lark, -took the line of the foghorn in his hand and tooted it a bit, it flung -up its ’ead in a scared sort o’ way, and, after backing a bit, turned -clean round and bolted. - -“I thought the skipper ’ud have gone mad. He chucked over loaves o’ -bread, bits o’ beef and pork, an’ scores o’ biskits, and by-and-bye, -when the brute plucked up heart an’ came arter us again, he fairly -beamed with joy. Then he gave orders that nobody was to touch the horn -for any reason whatever, not even if there was a fog, or chance of -collision, or anything of the kind; an’ he also gave orders that the -bells wasn’t to be struck, but that the bosen was just to shove ’is -’ead in the fo’c’s’le and call ’em out instead. - -“Arter three days had passed, and the thing was still follering us, -everybody made certain of taking it to New York, an’ I b’leeve if it -hadn’t been for Joe Cooper the question about the sea-sarpint would ha’ -been settled long ago. He was a most eggstraordinary ugly chap was Joe. -He had a perfic cartoon of a face, an’ he was so delikit-minded and -sensitive about it that if a chap only stopped in the street and -whistled as he passed him, or pointed him out to a friend, he didn’t -like it. He told me once when I was symperthizing with him, that the -only time a woman ever spoke civilly to him was one night down Poplar -way in a fog, an’ he was so ’appy about it that they both walked into -the canal afore he knew where they was. - -“On the fourth morning, when we was only about three days from Sandy -Hook, the skipper got out o’ bed wrong side, an’ when he went on deck -he was ready to snap at anybody, an’ as luck would have it, as he -walked a bit forrard, he sees Joe a-sticking his phiz over the side -looking at the sarpint. - -“‘What the d—— are you doing?’ shouts the skipper, ‘What do you mean by -it?’ - -“‘Mean by what, sir?’ asks Joe. - -“‘Putting your black ugly face over the side o’ the ship an’ -frightening my sea-sarpint!’ bellows the skipper, ‘You know how easy -it’s skeered.’ - -“‘Frightening the sea-sarpint?’ ses Joe, trembling all over, an’ -turning very white. - -“‘If I see that face o’ yours over the side agin, my lad,’ ses the -skipper very fierce, ‘I’ll give it a black eye. Now cut!’ - -“Joe cut, an’ the skipper, having worked off some of his ill-temper, -went aft again and began to chat with the mate quite pleasant like. I -was down below at the time, an’ didn’t know anything about it for hours -arter, and then I heard it from one o’ the firemen. He comes up to me -very mysterious like, an’ ses, ‘Bill,’ he ses, ‘you’re a pal o’ Joe’s; -come down here an’ see what you can make of ’im.’ - -“Not knowing what he meant, I follered ’im below to the engine-room, -an’ there was Joe sitting on a bucket staring wildly in front of ’im, -and two or three of ’em standing round looking at ’im with their ’eads -on one side. - -“‘He’s been like that for three hours,’ ses the second engineer in a -whisper, ‘dazed like.’ - -“As he spoke Joe gave a little shudder; ‘Frighten the sea-sarpint!’ ses -he, ‘O Lord!’ - -“‘It’s turned his brain,’ ses one o’ the firemen, ‘he keeps saying -nothing but that.’ - -“‘If we could only make ’im cry,’ ses the second engineer, who had a -brother what was a medical student, ‘it might save his reason. But how -to do it, that’s the question.’ - -“‘Speak kind to ’im, sir,’ ses the fireman. ‘I’ll have a try if you -don’t mind.’ He cleared his throat first, an’ then he walks over to Joe -and puts his hand on his shoulder an’ ses very soft an’ pitiful like: - -“‘Don’t take on, Joe, don’t take on, there’s many a ugly mug ’ides a -good ’art,’ - -“Afore he could think o” anything else to say, Joe ups with his fist -an’ gives ’im one in the ribs as nearly broke ’em. Then he turns away -’is ’ead an’ shivers again, an’ the old dazed look come back. - -“‘Joe,’ I ses, shaking him, ‘Joe!’ - -“‘Frightened the sea-sarpint!’ whispers Joe, staring. - -“‘Joe,’ I ses, ‘Joe. You know me, I’m your pal, Bill.’ - -“‘Ay, ay,’ ses Joe, coming round a bit. - -“‘Come away,’ I ses, ‘come an’ git to bed, that’s the best place for -you.’ - -“I took ’im by the sleeve, and he gets up quiet an’ obedient and -follers me like a little child. I got ’im straight into ’is bunk, an’ -arter a time he fell into a soft slumber, an’ I thought the worst had -passed, but I was mistaken. He got up in three hours’ time an’ seemed -all right, ’cept that he walked about as though he was thinking very -hard about something, an’ before I could make out what it was he had a -fit. - -“He was in that fit ten minutes, an’ he was no sooner out o’ that one -than he was in another. In twenty-four hours he had six full-sized -fits, and I’ll allow I was fairly puzzled. What pleasure he could find -in tumbling down hard and stiff an’ kicking at everybody an’ everything -I couldn’t see. He’d be standing quiet and peaceable like one minute, -and the next he’d catch hold o’ the nearest thing to him and have a bad -fit, and lie on his back and kick us while we was trying to force open -his hands to pat ’em. - -“The other chaps said the skipper’s insult had turned his brain, but I -wasn’t quite so soft, an’ one time when he was alone I put it to him. - -“‘Joe, old man,’ I ses, ‘you an’ me’s been very good pals.’ - -“‘Ay, ay,’ ses he, suspicious like. - -“‘Joe,’ I whispers, ‘what’s yer little game?’ - -“‘Wodyermean?’ ses he, very short. - -“‘I mean the fits,’ ses I, looking at ’im very steady, ‘It’s no good -looking hinnercent like that, ’cos I see yer chewing soap with my own -eyes.’ - -“‘Soap,’ ses Joe, in a nasty sneering way, ‘you wouldn’t reckernise a -piece if you saw it.’ - -“Arter that I could see there was nothing to be got out of ’im, an’ I -just kept my eyes open and watched. The skipper didn’t worry about his -fits, ’cept that he said he wasn’t to let the sarpint see his face when -he was in ’em for fear of scaring it; an’ when the mate wanted to leave -him out o’ the watch, he ses, ‘No, he might as well have fits while at -work as well as anywhere else.’ - -“We were about twenty-four hours from port, an’ the sarpint was still -following us; and at six o’clock in the evening the officers puffected -all their arrangements for ketching the creetur at eight o’clock next -morning. To make quite sure of it an extra watch was kept on deck all -night to chuck it food every half-hour; an’ when I turned in at ten -o’clock that night it was so close I could have reached it with a -clothes-prop. - -“I think I’d been abed about ’arf-an-hour when I was awoke by the most -infernal row I ever heard. The foghorn was going incessantly, an’ there -was a lot o’ shouting and running about on deck. It struck us all as -’ow the sarpint was gitting tired o’ bread, and was misbehaving -himself, consequently we just shoved our ’eds out o’ the fore-scuttle -and listened. All the hullaballoo seemed to be on the bridge, an’ as we -didn’t see the sarpint there we plucked up courage and went on deck. - -“Then we saw what had happened. Joe had ’ad another fit while at the -wheel, and, _not knowing what he was doing_, had clutched the line of -the foghorn, and was holding on to it like grim death, and kicking -right and left. The skipper was in his bedclothes, raving worse than -Joe; and just as we got there Joe came round a bit, and, letting go o’ -the line, asked in a faint voice what the foghorn was blowing for. I -thought the skipper ’ud have killed him; but the second mate held him -back, an’, of course, when things quieted down a bit, an’ we went to -the side, we found the sea-sarpint had vanished. - -“We stayed there all that night, but it warn’t no use. When day broke -there wasn’t the slightest trace of it, an’ I think the men was as -sorry to lose it as the officers. All ’cept Joe, that is, which shows -how people should never be rude, even to the humblest; for I’m sartin -that if the skipper hadn’t hurt his feelings the way he did we should -now know as much about the sea-sarpint as we do about our own -brothers.” - - - - -MRS. BUNKER’S CHAPERON - - -Matilda stood at the open door of a house attached to a wharf situated -in that dreary district which bears the high-sounding name of “St. -Katharine’s.” - -Work was over for the day. A couple of unhorsed vans were pushed up the -gangway by the side of the house, and the big gate was closed. The -untidy office which occupied the ground-floor was deserted, except for -a grey-bearded “housemaid” of sixty, who was sweeping it through with a -broom, and indulging in a few sailorly oaths at the choking qualities -of the dust he was raising. - -The sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate, a small flap-door -let in it flew open, and Matilda Bunker’s open countenance took a -pinkish hue, as a small man in jersey and blue coat, with a hard round -hat exceeding high in the crown, stepped inside. - -“Good evening, Mrs. Bunker, ma’am,” said he, coming slowly up to her. - -“Good evening, captain,” said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of -her age and presence. - -“Fresh breeze,” said the man in the high round hat. “If this lasts -we’ll be in Ipswich in no time.” - -Mrs. Bunker assented. - -“Beautiful the river is at present,” continued the captain. “Everything -growing splendid.” - -“In the river?” asked the mystified Mrs. Bunker. - -“On the banks,” said the captain; “the trees, by Sheppey, and all round -there. Now, why don’t you say the word, and come? There’s a cabin like -a new pin ready for you to sit in—for cleanness, I mean—and every -accommodation you could require. Sleep like a humming-top you will, if -you come.” - -“Humming-top?” queried Mrs. Bunker archly. - -“Any top,” said the captain. “Come, make up your mind. We shan’t sail -afore nine.” - -“It don’t look right,” said the lady, who was sorely tempted. “But the -missus says I may go if I like, so I’ll just go and get my box ready. -I’ll be down on the jetty at nine.” - -“Ay, ay,” said the skipper, smiling, “me and Bill’ll just have a snooze -till then. So long.” - -“So long,” said Matilda. - -“So long,” repeated the amorous skipper, and turning round to bestow -another ardent glance upon the fair one at the door, crashed into the -waggon. - -The neighbouring clocks were just striking nine in a sort of yelping -chorus to the heavy boom of Big Ben, which came floating down the -river, as Mrs. Bunker and the night watchman, staggering under a load -of luggage, slowly made their way on to the jetty. The barge, for such -was the craft in question, was almost level with the planks, while the -figures of two men darted to and fro in all the bustle of getting under -way. - -“Bill,” said the watchman, addressing the mate, “bear a hand with this -box, and be careful, it’s got the wedding clothes inside.” - -The watchman was so particularly pleased with this little joke that in -place of giving the box to Bill he put it down and sat on it, shaking -convulsively with his hand over his mouth, while the blushing Matilda -and the discomfited captain strove in vain to appear unconcerned. - -The packages were rather a tight squeeze for the cabin, but they -managed to get them in, and the skipper, with a threatening look at his -mate, who was exchanging glances of exquisite humour with the watchman, -gave his hand to Mrs. Bunker and helped her aboard. - -“Welcome on the _Sir Edmund Lyons_, Mrs. Bunker,” said he. “Bill, kick -that dawg back.” - -“Stop!” said Mrs. Bunker hastily, “that’s my chapperong.” - -“Your what?” said the skipper. “It’s a dawg, Mrs. Bunker, an’ I won’t -have no dawgs aboard my craft.” - -“Bill,” said Mrs. Bunker, “fetch my box up again.” - -“Leastways,” the captain hastened to add, “unless it’s any friend of -yours, Mrs. Bunker.” - -“It’s chaperoning me,” said Matilda; “it wouldn’t be proper for a lady -to go a v’y’ge with two men without somebody to look after her.” - -“That’s right, Sam,” said the watchman sententiously. “You ought to -know that at your age.” - -“Why, we’re looking after her,” said the simple-minded captain. “Me an’ -Bill.” - -“Take care Bill don’t cut you out,” said the watchman in a hoarse -whisper, distinctly audible to all. “He’s younger nor what you are, -Sam, an’ the wimmen are just crazy arter young men. ’Sides which, he’s -a finer man altogether. An’ you’ve had _one_ wife a’ready, Sam.” - -“Cast off!” said the skipper impatiently. “Cast off! Stand by there, -Bill!” - -“Ay, ay!” said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and the lines fell into the -water with a splash as the barge was pushed out into the tide. - -Mrs. Bunker experienced the usual trouble of landsmen aboard ship, and -felt herself terribly in the way as the skipper divided his attentions -between the tiller and helping Bill with the sail. Meantime the barge -had bothered most of the traffic by laying across the river, and when -the sail was hoisted had got under the lee of a huge warehouse and -scarcely moved. - -“We’ll feel the breeze directly,” said Captain Codd. “Then you’ll see -what she can do.” - -As he spoke, the barge began to slip through the water as a light -breeze took her huge sail and carried her into the stream, where she -fell into line with other craft who were just making a start. - -At a pleasant pace, with wind and tide, the _Sir Edmund Lyons_ -proceeded on its way, her skipper cocking his eye aloft and along her -decks to point out various beauties to his passenger which she might -otherwise have overlooked. A comfortable supper was spread on the deck, -and Mrs. Bunker began to think regretfully of the pleasure she had -missed in taking up barge-sailing so late in life. - -Greenwich, with its white-fronted hospital and background of trees, was -passed. The air got sensibly cooler, and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed that -the water was not only getting darker, but also lumpy, and she asked -two or three times whether there was any danger. - -The skipper laughed gaily, and diving down into the cabin fetched up a -shawl, which he placed carefully round his fair companion’s shoulders. -His right hand grasped the tiller, his left stole softly and carefully -round her waist. - -“How enjoyable!” said Mrs. Bunker, referring to the evening. - -“Glad you like it,” said the skipper, who wasn’t. “Oh, how pleasant to -go sailing down the river of life like this, everything quiet and -peaceful, just driftin’”— - -“Ahoy!” yelled the mate suddenly from the bows. “Who’s steering? -Starbud your hellum.” - -The skipper started guiltily, and put his helm to starboard as another -barge came up suddenly from the opposite direction and almost grazed -them. There were two men on board, and the skipper blushed for their -fluency as reflecting upon the order in general. - -It was some little time before they could settle down again after this, -but ultimately they got back in their old position, and the infatuated -Codd was just about to wax sentimental again, when he felt something -behind him. He turned with a start as a portly retriever inserted his -head under his left arm, and slowly but vigorously forced himself -between them; then he sat on his haunches and panted, while the -disconcerted Codd strove to realise the humour of the position. - -“I think I shall go to bed now,” said Mrs. Bunker, after the position -had lasted long enough to be unendurable. “If anything happens, a -collision or anything, don’t be afraid to let me know.” - -The skipper promised, and, shaking hands, bade his passenger -good-night. She descended, somewhat clumsily, it is true, into the -little cabin, and the skipper, sitting by the helm, which he lazily -manœuvred as required, smoked his short clay and fell into a lover’s -reverie. - -So he sat and smoked until the barge, which had, by the help of the -breeze, been making its way against the tide, began to realise that -that good friend had almost dropped, and at the same time bethought -itself of a small anchor which hung over the bows ready for emergencies -such as these. - -“We must bring up, Bill,” said the skipper. - -“Ay, ay!” said Bill, sleepily raising himself from the hatchway. “Over -she goes.” - -With no more ceremony than this he dropped the anchor; the sail, with -two strong men hauling on to it, creaked and rustled its way close to -the mast, and the _Sir Edmund Lyons_ was ready for sleep. - -“I can do with a nap,” said Bill. “I’m dog-tired.” - -“So am I,” said the other. “It’ll be a tight fit down for’ard, but we -couldn’t ask a lady to sleep there.” - -Bill gave a non-committal grunt, and as the captain, after the manner -of his kind, took a last look round before retiring, placed his hands -on the hatch and lowered himself down. The next moment he came up with -a wild yell, and, sitting on the deck, rolled up his trousers and -fondled his leg. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired the skipper. - -“That blessed dog’s down there, that’s all,” said the injured Bill. -“He’s evidently mistook it for his kennel, and I don’t wonder at it. I -thought he’d been wonderful quiet.” - -“We must talk him over,” said the skipper, advancing to the hatchway. -“Poor dog! Poor old chap! Come along, then! Come along!” He patted his -leg and whistled, and the dog, which wanted to get to sleep again, -growled like a small thunderstorm. - -“Come on, old fellow!” said the skipper enticingly. “Come along, come -on, then!” - -The dog came at last, and then the skipper, instead of staying to pat -him, raced Bill up the ropes, while the brute, in execrable taste, -paced up and down the deck daring them to come down. Coming to the -conclusion, at last, that they were settled for the night, he returned -to the forecastle and, after a warning bark or two, turned in again. -Both men, after waiting a few minutes, cautiously regained the deck. - -“You call him up again,” said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and holding it -at the charge. - -“Certainly not,” said the other. “I won’t have no blood spilt aboard my -ship.” - -“Who’s going to spill blood?” asked the Jesuitical Bill; “but if he -likes to run hisself on to the boat-hook “— - -“Put it down,” said the skipper sternly, and Bill sullenly obeyed. - -“We’ll have to snooze on deck,” said Codd. - -“And mind we don’t snore,” said the sarcastic Bill, “’cos the dog -mightn’t like it.” - -Without noticing this remark the captain stretched himself on the -hatches, and Bill, after a few more grumbles, followed his example, and -both men were soon asleep. - -Day was breaking when they awoke and stretched their stiffened limbs, -for the air was fresh, with a suspicion of moisture in it. Two or three -small craft were, like them selves, riding at anchor, their decks wet -and deserted; others were getting under way to take advantage of the -tide, which had just turned. - -“Up with the anchor,” said the skipper, seizing a handspike and -thrusting it into the windlass. - -As the rusty chain came in, an ominous growling came from below, and -Bill snatched his handspike out and raised it aloft. The skipper gazed -meditatively at the shore, and the dog, as it came bounding up, gazed -meditatively at the handspike. Then it yawned, an easy, unconcerned -yawn, and commenced to pace the deck, and coming to the conclusion that -the men were only engaged in necessary work, regarded their efforts -with a lenient eye, and barked encouragingly as they hoisted the sail. - -It was a beautiful morning. The miniature river waves broke against the -blunt bows of the barge, and passed by her sides rippling musically. -Over the flat Essex marshes a white mist was slowly dispersing before -the rays of the sun, and the trees on the Kentish hills were black and -drenched with moisture. - -A little later smoke issued from the tiny cowl over the fo’c’sle and -rolled in a little pungent cloud to the Kentish shore. Then a delicious -odour of frying steak rose from below, and fell like healing balm upon -the susceptible nostrils of the skipper as he stood at the helm. - -“Is Mrs. Bunker getting up?” inquired the mate, as he emerged from the -fo’c’sle and walked aft. - -“I believe so,” said the skipper. “There’s movements below.” - -“’Cos the steak’s ready and waiting,” said the mate. “I’ve put it on a -dish in front of the fire.” - -“Ay, ay!” said the skipper. - -The mate lit his pipe and sat down on the hatchway, slowly smoking. He -removed it a couple of minutes later, to stare in bewilderment at the -unwonted behaviour of the dog, which came up to the captain and -affectionately licked his hands. - -“He’s took quite a fancy to me,” said the delighted man. - -“Love me love my dog,” quoted Bill waggishly, as he strolled forward -again. - -The skipper was fondly punching the dog, which was now on its back with -its four legs in the air, when he heard a terrible cry from the -fo’c’sle, and the mate came rushing wildly on deck. - -“Where’s that ———— dog?” he cried. - -“Don’t you talk like that aboard my ship. Where’s your manners?” cried -the skipper hotly. - -“—— the manners!” said the mate, with tears in his eyes. “Where’s that -dog’s manners? He’s eaten all that steak.” - -Before the other could reply, the scuttle over the cabin was drawn, and -the radiant face of Mrs. Bunker appeared at the opening. - -“I can smell breakfast,” she said archly. - -“No wonder, with that dog so close,” said Bill grimly. Mrs. Bunker -looked at the captain for an explanation. - -“He’s ate it,” said that gentleman briefly. “A pound and a ’arf o’ the -best rump steak in Wapping.” - -“Never mind,” said Mrs. Bunker sweetly, “cook some more. I can wait.” - -“Cook some more,” said the skipper to the mate, who still lingered. - -“I’ll cook some bloaters. That’s all we’ve got now,” replied the mate -sulkily. - -“It’s a lovely morning,” said Mrs. Bunker, as the mate retired, “the -air is so fresh. I expect that’s what has made Rover so hungry. He -isn’t a greedy dog. Not at all.” - -“Very likely,” said Codd, as the dog rose, and, after sniffing the air, -gently wagged his tail and trotted forward. “Where’ she off to now?” - -“He can smell the bloaters, I expect,” said Mrs. Bunker, laughing. -“It’s wonderful what intelligence he’s got. Come here, Rover!” - -“Bill!” cried the skipper warningly, as the dog continued on his way. -“Look out! He’s coming!” - -“Call him off!” yelled the mate anxiously. “Call him off!” - -Mrs. Bunker ran up, and, seizing her chaperon by the collar, hauled him -away. - -“It’s the sea air,” said she apologetically; “and he’s been on short -commons lately, because he’s not been well. Keep still, Rover!” - -“Keep still, Rover!” said the skipper, with an air of command. - -Under this joint control the dog sat down, his tongue lolling out, and -his eyes fixed on the fo’c’sle until the breakfast was spread. The -appearance of the mate with a dish of steaming fish excited him again, -and being chidden by his mistress, he sat down sulkily in the skipper’s -place, until pushed off by its indignant owner. - -“Soft roe, Bill?” inquired the skipper courteously, after he had served -his passenger. - -“That’s not my plate,” said the mate pointedly, as the skipper helped -him. - -“Oh! I wasn’t noticing,” said the other, reddening. - -“I was, though,” said the mate rudely. “I thought you’d do that. I was -waiting for it. I’m not going to eat after animals, if you are.” - -The skipper coughed, and, after effecting the desired exchange, -proceeded with his breakfast in sombre silence. - -The barge was slipping at an easy pace through the water, the sun was -bright, and the air cool, and everything pleasant and comfortable, -until the chaperon, who had been repeatedly pushed away, broke through -the charmed circle which surrounded the food and seized a fish. In the -confusion which ensued he fell foul of the tea-kettle, and, dropping -his prey, bit the skipper frantically, until driven off by his -mistress. - -“Naughty boy!” said she, giving him a few slight cuffs. “Has he hurt -you? I must get a bandage for you.” - -“A little,” said Codd, looking at his hand, which was bleeding -profusely. “There’s a little linen in the locker down below, if you -wouldn’t mind tearing it up for me.” - -Mrs. Bunker, giving the dog a final slap, went below, and the two men -looked at each other and then at the dog, which was standing at the -stern, barking insultingly at a passing steamer. - -“It’s about time she came over,” said the mate, throwing a glance at -the sail, then at the skipper, then at the dog. - -“So it is,” said the skipper, through his set teeth. - -As he spoke he pushed the long tiller hastily from port to starboard, -and the dog finished his bark in the water; the huge sail reeled for a -moment, then swung violently over to the other side, and the barge was -on a fresh tack, with the dog twenty yards astern. He was wise in his -generation, and after one look at the barge, made for the distant -shore. - -“Murderers!” screamed a voice; “murderers! you’ve killed my dog.” - -“It was an accident; I didn’t see him,” stammered the skipper. - -“Don’t tell me,” stormed the lady; “I saw it all through the skylight.” - -“We had to shift the helm to get out of the way of a schooner,” said -Codd. - -“Where’s the schooner?” demanded Mrs. Bunker; “where is it?” - -The captain looked at the mate. “Where’s the schooner?” said he. - -“I b’leeve,” said the mate, losing his head entirely at this question, -“I b’leeve we must have run her down. I don’t see her nowhere about.” - -Mrs. Bunker stamped her foot, and, with a terrible glance at the men, -descended to the cabin. From this coign of vantage she obstinately -refused to budge, and sat in angry seclusion until the vessel reached -Ipswich late in the evening. Then she appeared on deck, dressed for -walking, and, utterly ignoring the woebegone Codd, stepped ashore, and, -obtaining a cab for her boxes, drove silently away. - -An hour afterwards the mate went to his home, leaving the captain -sitting on the lonely deck striving to realise the bitter fact that, so -far as the end he had in view was concerned, he had seen the last of -Mrs. Bunker and the small but happy home in which he had hoped to -install her. - - - - -A HARBOUR OF REFUGE - - -A waterman’s boat was lying in the river just below Greenwich, the -waterman resting on his oars, while his fare, a small, -perturbed-looking man in seaman’s attire, gazed expectantly up the -river. - -“There she is!” he cried suddenly, as a small schooner came into view -from behind a big steamer. “Take me alongside.” - -“Nice little thing she is too,” said the waterman, watching the other -out of the corner of his eye as he bent to his oars. “Rides the water -like a duck. Her cap’n knows a thing or two, I’ll bet.” - -“He knows watermen’s fares,” replied the passenger coldly. - -“Look out there!” cried a voice from the schooner, and the mate threw a -line which the passenger skilfully caught. - -The waterman ceased rowing, and, as his boat came alongside the -schooner, held out his hand to his passenger, who had already commenced -to scramble up the side, and demanded his fare. It was handed down to -him. - -“It’s all right, then,” said the fare, as he stood on the deck and -closed his eyes to the painful language in which the waterman was -addressing him. “Nobody been inquiring for me?” - -“Not a soul,” said the mate. “What’s all the row about?” - -“Well, you see, it’s this way,” said the master of the _Frolic_, -dropping his voice. “I’ve been taking a little too much notice of a -little craft down Battersea way—nice little thing, an’ she thought I -was a single man, dy’e see?” - -The mate sucked his teeth. - -“She introduced me to her brother as a single man,” continued the -skipper. “He asked me when the banns was to be put up, an’ I didn’t -like to tell him I was a married man with a family.” - -“Why not?” asked the mate. - -“He’s a prize-fighter,” said the other, in awe-inspiring tones; “‘the -Battersea Bruiser.’ Consequently when he clapped me on the back, and -asked me when the banns was to be, I only smiled.” - -“What did he do?” inquired the mate, who was becoming interested. - -“Put ’em up,” groaned the skipper, “an’ we all went to church to hear -’em. Talk o’ people walking over your grave, George, it’s nothing to -what I felt—nothing. I felt a hypocrite, almost. Somehow he found out -about me, and I’ve been hiding ever since I sent you that note. He told -a pal he was going to give me a licking, and come down to Fairhaven -with us and make mischief between me and the missis.” - -“That ’ud be worse than the licking,” said the mate sagely. - -“Ah! and she’d believe him afore she would me, too, an’ we’ve been -married seventeen years,” said the skipper mournfully. - -“Perhaps that’s”—began the mate, and stopped suddenly. - -“Perhaps what?” inquired the other, after waiting a reasonable time for -him to finish. - -“H’m, I forgot what I was going to say,” said the mate. “Funny, it’s -gone now. Well, you’re all right now. You’d intended this to be the -last trip to London for some time.” - -“Yes, that’s what made me a bit more loving than I should ha’ been,” -mused the skipper. “However, all’s well that ends well. How did you get -on about the cook? Did you ship one?” - -“Yes, I’ve got one, but he’s only signed as far as Fairhaven,” replied -the mate. “Fine strong chap he is. He’s too good for a cook. I never -saw a better built man in my life. It’ll do your eyes good to look at -him. Here, cook!” - -At the summons a huge, close-cropped head was thrust out of the galley, -and a man of beautiful muscular development stepped out before the eyes -of the paralyzed skipper, and began to remove his coat. - -“Ain’t he a fine chap?” said the mate admiringly. “Show him your -biceps, cook.” - -With a leer at the captain the cook complied. He then doubled his -fists, and, ducking his head scientifically, danced all round the -stupefied master of the _Frolic_. - -“Put your dooks up,” he cried warningly. “I’m going to dot you!” - -“What the deuce are you up to, cook?” demanded the mate, who had been -watching his proceedings in speechless amazement. - -“Cook!” said the person addressed, with majestic scorn. “I’m no cook; -I’m Bill Simmons, the ‘Battersea Bruiser,’ an’ I shipped on this ere -little tub all for your dear captin’s sake. I’m going to put sich a ’ed -on ’im that when he wants to blow his nose he’ll have to get a -looking-glass to see where to go to. I’m going to give ’im a licking -every day, and when we get to Fairhaven I’m going to foller ’im ’ome -and tell his wife about ’im walking out with my sister.” - -“She walked me out,” said the skipper, with dry lips. - -“Put ’em up,” vociferated the “Bruiser.” - -“Don’t you touch me, my lad,” said the skipper, dodging behind the -wheel. “Go an’ see about your work—go an’ peel the taters.” - -“Wot!” roared the “Bruiser.” - -“You’ve shipped as cook aboard my craft,” said the skipper -impressively. “If you lay a finger on me it’s mutiny, and you’ll get -twelve months.” - -“That’s right,” said the mate, as the pugilist (who had once had -fourteen days for bruising, and still held it in wholesome remembrance) -paused irresolute. “It’s mutiny, and it’ll also be my painful duty to -get up the shotgun and blow the top of your ugly ’ed off.” - -“Would it be mutiny if I was to dot _you_ one?” inquired the “Bruiser,” -in a voice husky with emotion, as he sidled up to the mate. - -“It would,” said the other hastily. - -“Well, you’re a nice lot,” said the disgusted “Bruiser,” “you and your -mutinies. Will any one of you have a go at me?” - -There was no response from the crew, who had gathered round, and were -watching the proceedings with keen enjoyment. - -“Or all of yer?” asked the “Bruiser,” raising his eyebrows. - -“I’ve got no quarrel with you, my lad,” the boy remarked with dignity, -as he caught the new cook’s eye. - -“Go and cook the dinner,’” said the skipper; “and look sharp about it. -I don’t want to have to find fault with a young beginner like you; but -I don’t have no shirkers aboard—understand that.” - -For one moment of terrible suspense the skipper’s life hung in the -balance, then the “Bruiser,” restraining his natural instincts by a -mighty effort, retreated, growling, to the galley. - -The skipper’s breath came more freely. - -“He don’t know your address, I s’pose,” said the mate. - -“No, but he’ll soon find it out when we get ashore,” replied the other -dolefully. “When I think that I’ve got to take that brute to my home to -make mischief I feel tempted to chuck him overboard almost.” - -“It is a temptation,” agreed the mate loyally, closing his eyes to his -chief’s physical deficiencies. “I’ll pass the word to the crew not to -let him know your address, anyhow.” - -The morning passed quietly, the skipper striving to look unconcerned as -the new cook grimly brought the dinner down to the cabin and set it -before him. After toying with it a little while, the master of the -_Frolic_ dined off buttered biscuit. - -It was a matter of much discomfort to the crew that the new cook took -his duties very seriously, and prided himself on his cooking. He was, -moreover, disposed to be inconveniently punctilious about the way in -which his efforts were regarded. For the first day the crew ate in -silence, but at dinner-time on the second the storm broke. - -“What are yer looking at your vittles like that for?” inquired the -“Bruiser” of Sam Dowse, as that able-bodied seaman sat with his plate -in his lap, eyeing it with much disfavour. “That ain’t the way to look -at your food, after I’ve been perspiring away all the morning cooking -it.” - -“Yes, you’ve cooked yourself instead of the meat,” said Sam warmly. -“It’s a shame to spoil good food like that; it’s quite raw.” - -“You eat it!” said the “Bruiser” fiercely; “that’s wot you’ve go to do. -Eat it!” - -For sole answer the indignant Sam threw a piece at him, and the rest of -the crew, snatching up their dinners, hurriedly clambered into their -bunks and viewed the fray from a safe distance. - -“Have you ’ad enough?” inquired the “Bruiser,” addressing the head of -Sam, which protruded from beneath his left arm. - -“I ’ave,” said Sam surlily. - -“And you won’t turn up your nose at good vittles any more?” inquired -the “Bruiser” severely. - -“I won’t turn it up at anything,” said Sam earnestly, as he tenderly -felt the member in question. - -“You’re the only one as ’as complained,” said the “Bruiser.” “You’re -dainty, that’s wot you are. Look at the others—look how they’re eating -theirs!” - -At this hint the others came out of their bunks and fell to, and the -“Bruiser” became affable. - -“It’s wonderful wot I can turn my ’and to,” he remarked pleasantly. -“Things come natural to me that other men have to learn. You’d better -put a bit of raw beef on that eye o’ yours, Sam.” - -The thoughtless Sam clapped on a piece from his plate, and it was only -by the active intercession of the rest of the crew that the sensitive -cook was prevented from inflicting more punishment. - -From this time forth the “Bruiser” ruled the roost, and, his temper -soured by his trials, ruled it with a rod of iron. The crew, with the -exception of Dowse, were small men getting into years, and quite unable -to cope with him. His attitude with the skipper was dangerously -deferential, and the latter was sorely perplexed to think of a way out -of the mess in which he found himself. - -“He means business, George,” he said one day to the mate, as he saw the -“Bruiser” watching him intently from the galley. - -“He looks at you worse an’ worse,” was the mate’s cheering reply. “The -cooking’s spoiling what little temper he’s got left as fast as -possible.” - -“It’s the scandal I’m thinking of,” groaned the skipper; “all becos’ I -like to be a bit pleasant to people.” - -“You mustn’t look at the black side o’ things,” said the mate; “perhaps -you won’t want to need to worry about that after he’s hit you. I’d -sooner be kicked by a horse myself. He was telling them down for’ard -the other night that he killed a chap once.” - -The skipper turned green. “He ought to have been hung for it,” he said -vehemently. “I wonder what juries think they’re for in this country. If -I’d been on the jury I’d ha’ had my way, if they’d starved me for a -month!” - -“Look here!” said the mate suddenly; “I’ve got an idea. You go down -below and I’ll call him up and start rating him. When I’m in the thick -of it you come and stick up for him.” - -“George,” said the skipper, with glistening eyes, “you’re a wonder. Lay -it on thick, and if he hits you I’ll make it up to you in some way.” - -He went below, and the mate, after waiting for some time, leaned over -the wheel and shouted for the cook. - -“What do you want?” growled the “Bruiser,” as he thrust a visage all -red and streaky with his work from the galley. - -“Why the devil don’t you wash them saucepans up?” demanded the mate, -pointing to a row which stood on the deck. “Do you think we shipped you -becos we wanted a broken-nosed, tenth-rate prize-fighter to look at?” - -“Tenth-rate!” roared the “Bruiser,” coming out on to the deck. - -“Don’t you roar at your officer,” said the mate sternly. “Your manners -is worse than your cooking. You’d better stay with us a few trips to -improve ’em.” - -The “Bruiser” turned purple, and shivered with impotent wrath. - -“We get a parcel o’ pot-house loafers aboard here,” continued the mate, -airily addressing the atmosphere, “and, blank my eyes! if they don’t -think they’re here to be waited on. You’ll want me to wash your face -for you next, and do all your other dirty work, you—” - -“George!” said a sad, reproving voice. - -The mate started dramatically as the skipper appeared at the companion, -and stopped abruptly. - -“For shame, George!” said the skipper. “I never expected to hear you -talk to anybody like that, especially to my friend Mr. Simmons.” - -“Your _wot?_ demanded the friend hotly. - -“My friend,” repeated the other gently; “and as to tenth-rate -prize-fighters, George, the ‘Battersea Bruiser’ might be champion of -England, if he’d only take the trouble to train.” - -“Oh, you’re always sticking up for him,” said the artful mate. - -“He deserves it,” said the skipper warmly. “He’s always run straight, -’as Bill Simmons, and when I hear ’im being talked at like that, it -makes me go ’ot all over.” - -“Don’t you take the trouble to go ’ot all over on my account,” said the -“Bruiser” politely. - -“I can’t help my feelings, Bill,” said the skipper softly. - -“And don’t you call me Bill,” roared the “Bruiser” with sudden -ferocity. “D’ye think I mind what you and your little tinpot crew say. -You wait till we get ashore, my friend, and the mate too. Both of you -wait!” - -He turned his back on them and walked off to the galley, from which, -with a view of giving them an object-lesson of an entertaining kind, he -presently emerged with a small sack of potatoes, which he slung from -the boom and used as a punching ball, dealing blows which made the -master of the _Frolic_ sick with apprehension. - -“It’s no good,” he said to the mate; “kindness is thrown away on that -man.” - -“Well, if he hits one, he’s got to hit the lot,” said the mate. “We’ll -all stand by you.” - -“I can’t always have the crew follering me about,” said the skipper -dejectedly. “No, he’ll wait his opportunity, and, after he’s broke my -head, he’ll go ’ome and break up my wife’s ’art.” - -“She won’t break ’er ’art,” said the mate confidently. “She and you’ll -have a rough time of it; p’raps it would be better for you if she did -break it a bit, but she’s not that sort of woman. Well, those of us as -live longest’ll see the most.” - -For the remainder of that day the cook maintained a sort of unnatural -calm. The _Frolic_ rose and fell on the seas like a cork, and the -“Bruiser” took short unpremeditated little runs about the deck, which -aggravated him exceedingly. Between the runs he folded his arms on the -side, and languidly cursed the sea and all that belonged to it; and -finally, having lost all desire for food himself, went below and turned -in. - -He stayed in his bunk the whole of the next day and night, awaking -early the following morning to the pleasant fact that the motion had -ceased, and that the sides and floor of the fo’c’sle were in the places -where people of regular habits would expect to find them. The other -bunks were empty, and, after a toilet hastened by a yearning for -nourishment, he ran up on deck. - -Day had just broken, and he found to his surprise that the voyage was -over, and the schooner in a small harbour, lying alongside a stone -quay. A few unloaded trucks stood on a railway line which ran from the -harbour to the town clustered behind it, but there was no sign of work -or life; the good people of the place evidently being comfortably in -their beds, and in no hurry to quit them. - -The “Bruiser,” with a happy smile on his face, surveyed the scene, -sniffing with joy the smell of the land as it came fresh and sweet from -the hills at the back of the town. There was only one thing wanting to -complete his happiness—the skipper. - -“Where’s the cap’n?” he demanded of Dowse, who was methodically coiling -a line. - -“Just gone ’ome,” replied Dowse shortly. - -In a great hurry the “Bruiser” sprang on to the side and stepped -ashore, glancing keenly in every direction for his prey. There was no -sign of it, and he ran a little way up the road until he saw the -approaching figure of a man, from whom he hoped to obtain information. -Then, happening to look back, he saw the masts of the schooner gliding -by the quay, and, retracing his steps a little, perceived, to his -intense surprise, the figure of the skipper standing by the wheel. - -“Ta, ta, cookie!” cried the skipper cheerily. - -Angry and puzzled the “Bruiser” ran back to the edge of the quay, and -stood owlishly regarding the schooner and the grinning faces of its -crew as they hoisted the sails and slowly swung around with their bow -pointing to the sea. - -“Well, they ain’t making a long stay, old man,” said a voice at his -elbow, as the man for whom he had been waiting came up. “Why, they only -came in ten minutes ago. What did they come in for, do you know?” - -“They belong here,” said the “Bruiser”; “but me and the skipper’s had -words, and I’m waiting for ’im.” - -“That craft don’t belong here,” said the stranger, as he eyed the -receding _Frolic_. - -“Yes, it does,” said the “Bruiser.” - -“I tell you it don’t,” said the other. “I ought to know.” - -“Look here, my friend,” said the “Bruiser” grimly, “don’t contradict -me. That’s the _Frolic_ of Fairhaven.” - -“Very likely,” said the man. “I don’t know where she’s from, but she’s -not from here.” - -“Why,” said the “Bruiser,” and his voice shook, “ain’t this Fairhaven?” - -“Lord love you, no!” said the stranger; “not by a couple o’ hundred -miles it ain’t. Wot put that idea into your silly fat head?” - -The frantic “Bruiser” raised his fist at the description, but at that -moment the crew of the _Frolic_, which was just getting clear of the -harbour, hung over the stern and gave three hearty cheers. The stranger -was of a friendly and excitable disposition, and, his evil star being -in the ascendant that morning, he took off his hat and cheered wildly -back. Immediately afterwards he obtained unasked the post of -whipping-boy to the master of the _Frolic_, and entered upon his new -duties at once. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5758 *** diff --git a/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-h/5758-h.htm b/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-h/5758-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 24da613..0000000 --- a/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-h/5758-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13573 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" -"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> -<title>Many Cargoes | Project Gutenberg</title> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> -<style type="text/css"> - -body { margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; - text-align: justify; } - -h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: -normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} - -h1 {font-size: 300%; - margin-top: 0.6em; - margin-bottom: 0.6em; - letter-spacing: 0.12em; - word-spacing: 0.2em; - text-indent: 0em;} -h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} -h4 {font-size: 120%;} -h5 {font-size: 110%;} - -.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} - -hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} - -p {text-indent: 1em; - margin-top: 0.25em; - margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - -a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} -a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} -a:hover {color:red} - -</style> - -</head> - -<body> -<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5758 ***</div> - -<h1>MANY CARGOES</h1> - -<h2 class="no-break">by W. W. JACOBS</h2> - -<h4>Second Edition</h4> - -<h4>New York</h4> - -<h4>1894</h4> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2>Contents</h2> - -<table summary="" style=""> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap01">A CHANGE OF TREATMENT</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap02">A LOVE PASSAGE</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap03">THE CAPTAIN’S EXPLOIT</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap04">CONTRABAND OF WAR</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap05">A BLACK AFFAIR</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap06">THE SKIPPER OF THE “OSPREY”</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap07">IN BORROWED PLUMES</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap08">THE BOATSWAIN’S WATCH</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap09">LOW WATER</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap10">IN MID-ATLANTIC</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap11">AFTER THE INQUEST</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap12">IN LIMEHOUSE REACH</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap13">AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap14">THE COOK OF THE “GANNET”</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap15">A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap16">A CASE OF DESERTION</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap17">OUTSAILED</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap18">MATED</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap19">THE RIVAL BEAUTIES</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap20">MRS. BUNKER’S CHAPERON</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> -<td> <a href="#chap21">A HARBOUR OF REFUGE</a></td> -</tr> - -</table> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap01"></a>A CHANGE OF TREATMENT</h2> - -<p> -Yes, I’ve sailed under some ’cute skippers in my time,” said the -night-watchman; “them that go down in big ships see the wonders o’ the deep, -you know,” he added with a sudden chuckle, “but the one I’m going to tell you -about ought never to have been trusted out without ’is ma. A good many o’ my -skippers had fads, but this one was the worst I ever sailed under. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s some few years ago now; I’d shipped on his barque, the <i>John -Elliott</i>, as slow-going an old tub as ever I was aboard of, when I wasn’t in -quite a fit an’ proper state to know what I was doing, an’ I hadn’t been in her -two days afore I found out his ’obby through overhearing a few remarks made by -the second mate, who came up from dinner in a hurry to make ’em. ‘I don’t mind -saws an’ knives hung round the cabin,’ he ses to the fust mate, ‘but when a -chap has a ’uman ’and alongside ’is plate, studying it while folks is at their -food, it’s more than a Christian man can stand.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘That’s nothing,’ ses the fust mate, who had sailed with the barque afore. -‘He’s half crazy on doctoring. We nearly had a mutiny aboard once owing to his -wanting to hold a <i>post-mortem</i> on a man what fell from the mast-head. -Wanted to see what the poor feller died of.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘I call it unwholesome,’ ses the second mate very savage.’ He offered me a -pill at breakfast the size of a small marble; quite put me off my feed, it -did.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Of course, the skipper’s fad soon got known for’ard. But I didn’t think much -about it, till one day I seed old Dan’l Dennis sitting on a locker reading. -Every now and then he’d shut the book, an’ look up, closing ’is eyes, an’ -moving his lips like a hen drinking, an’ then look down at the book again. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Why, Dan,’ I ses, ‘what’s up? you ain’t larning lessons at your time o’ -life?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Yes, I am,’ ses Dan very soft. ‘You might hear me say it, it’s this one about -heart disease.’ -</p> - -<p> -“He hands over the book, which was stuck full o’ all kinds o’ diseases, and -winks at me ’ard. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Picked it up on a book-stall,’ he ses; then he shut ’is eyes an’ said his -piece wonderful. It made me quite queer to listen to ’im. ‘That’s how I feel,’ -ses he, when he’d finished. ‘Just strength enough to get to bed. Lend a hand, -Bill, an’ go an’ fetch the doctor.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Then I see his little game, but I wasn’t going to run any risks, so I just -mentioned, permiscous like, to the cook as old Dan seemed rather queer, an’ -went back an’ tried to borrer the book, being always fond of reading. Old Dan -pretended he was too ill to hear what I was saying, an’ afore I could take it -away from him, the skipper comes hurrying down with a bag in his ’and. -</p> - -<p> -“‘What’s the matter, my man?’ ses he, ‘what’s the matter?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘I’m all right, sir,’ ses old Dan, ’cept that I’ve been swoonding away a -little.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Tell me exactly how you feel,’ ses the skipper, feeling his pulse. -</p> - -<p> -“Then old Dan said his piece over to him, an’ the skipper shook his head an’ -looked very solemn. -</p> - -<p> -“‘How long have you been like this?’ he ses. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Four or five years, sir,’ ses Dan. ‘It ain’t nothing serious, sir, is it?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘You lie quite still,’ ses the skipper, putting a little trumpet thing to his -chest an’ then listening. ‘Um! there’s serious mischief here I’m afraid, the -prognotice is very bad.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Prog what, sir?’ ses Dan, staring. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Prognotice,’ ses the skipper, at least I think that’s the word he said. ‘You -keep perfectly still, an’ I’ll go an’ mix you up a draught, and tell the cook -to get some strong beef-tea on.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, the skipper ’ad no sooner gone, than Cornish Harry, a great big -lumbering chap o’ six feet two, goes up to old Dan, an’ he ses, ‘Gimme that -book.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Go away,’ says Dan, ‘don’t come worrying ’ere; you ’eard the skipper say how -bad my prognotice was.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘You lend me the book,’ ses Harry, ketching hold of him, ‘or else I’ll bang -you first, and split to the skipper arterwards. I believe I’m a bit -consumptive. Anyway, I’m going to see.’ -</p> - -<p> -“He dragged the book away from the old man, and began to study. There was so -many complaints in it he was almost tempted to have something else instead of -consumption, but he decided on that at last, an’ he got a cough what worried -the fo’c’sle all night long, an’ the next day, when the skipper came down to -see Dan, he could ’ardly ’ear hisself speak. -</p> - -<p> -“‘That’s a nasty cough you’ve got, my man,’ ses he, looking at Harry. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Oh, it’s nothing, sir,’ ses Harry, careless like. ‘I’ve ’ad it for months now -off and on. I think it’s perspiring so of a night does it.” -</p> - -<p> -“‘What?’ ses the skipper. ‘Do you perspire of a night?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Dredful,’ ses Harry. ‘You could wring the clo’es out. I s’pose it’s healthy -for me, ain’t it, sir?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Undo your shirt,’ ses the skipper, going over to him, an’ sticking the -trumpet agin him. ‘Now take a deep breath. Don’t cough.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘I can’t help it, sir,’ ses Harry, ‘it will come. Seems to tear me to pieces.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘You get to bed at once,” says the skipper, taking away the trumpet, an’ -shaking his ’ed. ‘It’s a fortunate thing for you, my lad, you’re in skilled -hands. With care, I believe I can pull you round. How does that medicine suit -you, Dan?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Beautiful, sir,’ says Dan. ‘It’s wonderful soothing, I slep’ like a new-born -babe arter it.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘I’ll send you some more,’ ses the skipper. ‘You’re not to get up mind, either -of you.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘All right, sir,’ ses the two in very faint voices, an’ the skipper went away -arter telling us to be careful not to make a noise. -</p> - -<p> -“We all thought it a fine joke at first, but the airs them two chaps give -themselves was something sickening. Being in bed all day, they was naturally -wakeful of a night, and they used to call across the fo’c’sle inquiring arter -each other’s healths, an’ waking us other chaps up. An’ they’d swop beef-tea -an’ jellies with each other, an’ Dan ’ud try an’ coax a little port wine out o’ -Harry, which he ’ad to make blood with, but Harry ’ud say he hadn’t made enough -that day, an’ he’d drink to the better health of old Dan’s prognotice, an’ -smack his lips until it drove us a’most crazy to ’ear him. -</p> - -<p> -“Arter these chaps had been ill two days, the other fellers began to put their -heads together, being maddened by the smell o’ beef-tea an’ the like, an’ said -they was going to be ill too, and both the invalids got into a fearful state of -excitement. -</p> - -<p> -“‘You’ll only spoil it for all of us,’ ses Harry, ‘and you don’t know what to -have without the book.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s all very well doing your work as well as our own,’ ses one of the men. -‘It’s our turn now. It’s time you two got well.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘<i>Well?</i> ses Harry, ‘<i>well?</i> Why you silly iggernerant chaps, we -shan’t never get well, people with our complaints never do. You ought to know -that.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Well, I shall split,’ ses one of them. “‘You do!’ ses Harry, ‘you do, an’ -I’ll put a ’ed on you that all the port wine and jellies in the world wouldn’t -cure. ’Sides, don’t you think the skipper knows what’s the matter with us?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Afore the other chap could reply, the skipper hisself comes down, accompanied -by the fust mate, with a look on his face which made Harry give the deepest and -hollowest cough he’d ever done. -</p> - -<p> -“‘What they reely want,’ ses the skipper, turning to the mate, ‘is keerful -nussing.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘I wish you’d let <i>me</i> nuss ’em,’ ses the fust mate, ‘only ten -minutes—I’d put ’em both on their legs, an’ running for their lives into the -bargain, in ten minutes.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Hold your tongue, sir,’ ses the skipper; ‘what you say is unfeeling, besides -being an insult to me. Do you think I studied medicine all these years without -knowing when a man’s ill?’ -</p> - -<p> -“The fust mate growled something and went on deck, and the skipper started -examining of ’em again. He said they was wonderfully patient lying in bed so -long, an’ he had ’em wrapped up in bedclo’es and carried on deck, so as the -pure air could have a go at ’em. <i>We</i> had to do the carrying, an’ there -they sat, breathing the pure air, and looking at the fust mate out of the -corners of their eyes. If they wanted anything from below one of us had to go -an’ fetch it, an’ by the time they was taken down to bed again, we all resolved -to be took ill too. -</p> - -<p> -“Only two of ’em did it though, for Harry, who was a powerful, ugly-tempered -chap, swore he’d do all sorts o’ dreadful things to us if we didn’t keep well -and hearty, an’ all ’cept these two did. One of ’em, Mike Rafferty, laid up -with a swelling on his ribs, which I knew myself he ’ad ’ad for fifteen years, -and the other chap had paralysis. I never saw a man so reely happy as the -skipper was. He was up an down with his medicines and his instruments all day -long, and used to make notes of the cases in a big pocket-book, and read ’em to -the second mate at mealtimes. -</p> - -<p> -“The fo’c’sle had been turned into hospital about a week, an’ I was on deck -doing some odd job or the other, when the cook comes up to me pulling a face as -long as a fiddle. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Nother invalid,’ ses he; ‘fust mate’s gone stark, staring mad!’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mad?’ ses I. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Yes,’ ses he. ‘He’s got a big basin in the galley, an’ he’s laughing like a -hyener an’ mixing bilge-water an’ ink, an’ paraffin an’ butter an’ soap an’ all -sorts o’ things up together. The smell’s enough to kill a man; I’ve had to come -away.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Curious-like, I jest walked up to the galley an’ puts my ’ed in, an’ there was -the mate as the cook said, smiling all over his face, and ladling some thick -sticky stuff into a stone bottle. -</p> - -<p> -“‘How’s the pore sufferers, sir?’ ses he, stepping out of the galley jest as -the skipper was going by. -</p> - -<p> -“‘They’re very bad; but I hope for the best,” ses the skipper, looking at him -hard. ‘I’m glad to see you’ve turned a bit more feeling.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Yes, sir,’ ses the mate. ‘I didn’t think so at fust, but I can see now them -chaps is all very ill. You’ll s’cuse me saying it, but I don’t quite approve of -your treatment.’ -</p> - -<p> -“I thought the skipper would ha’ bust. -</p> - -<p> -“‘My treatment?’ ses he. ‘My treatment? What do you know about it?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘You’re treating ’em wrong, sir,’ ses the mate. ‘I have here’ (patting the -jar) ‘a remedy which ’ud cure them all if you’d only let me try it.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Pooh!’ ses the skipper. ‘One medicine cure all diseases! The old story. What -is it? Where’d you get it from?’ ses he. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I brought the ingredients aboard with me,’ ses the mate. ‘It’s a wonderful -medicine discovered by my grandmother, an’ if I might only try it I’d -thoroughly cure them pore chaps.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Rubbish!’ ses the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Very well, sir,’ ses the mate, shrugging his shoulders. ‘O’ course, if you -won’t let me you won’t. Still I tell you, if you’d let me try I’d cure ’em all -in two days. That’s a fair challenge.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, they talked, and talked, and talked, until at last the skipper give way -and went down below with the mate, and told the chaps they was to take the new -medicine for two days, jest to prove the mate was wrong. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Let pore old Dan try it first, sir,’ ses Harry, starting up, an’ sniffing as -the mate took the cork out; ‘he’s been awful bad since you’ve been away.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Harry’s worse than I am, sir,’ ses Dan; ‘it’s only his kind heart that makes -him say that.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘It don’t matter which is fust,’ ses the mate, filling a tablespoon with it, -‘there’s plenty for all. Now, Harry.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Take it,’ ses the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Harry took it, an’ the fuss he made you’d ha’ thought he was swallering a -football. It stuck all round his mouth, and he carried on so dredful that the -other invalids was half sick afore it came to them. -</p> - -<p> -“By the time the other three ’ad ’ad theirs it was as good as a pantermime, an’ -the mate corked the bottle up, and went an’ sat down on a locker while they -tried to rinse their mouths out with the luxuries which had been given ’em. -</p> - -<p> -“‘How do you feel?’ ses the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I’m dying,’ ses Dan. -</p> - -<p> -“‘So’m I,’ ses Harry; ‘I b’leeve the mate’s pisoned us.” -</p> - -<p> -“The skipper looks over at the mate very stern an’ shakes his ’ed slowly. -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s all right,’ ses the mate. ‘It’s always like that the first dozen or so -doses.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Dozen or so doses!’ ses old Dan, in a far-away voice. -</p> - -<p> -“‘It has to be taken every twenty minutes,’ ses the mate, pulling out his pipe -and lighting it; an’ the four men groaned all together. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I can’t allow it,’ ses the skipper, ‘I can’t allow it. Men’s lives mustn’t be -sacrificed for an experiment.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘’T ain’t a experiment,’ ses the mate very indignant, ‘it’s an old family -medicine.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Well, they shan’t have any more,’ ses the skipper firmly. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Look here,’ ses the mate. ‘If I kill any one o’ these men I’ll give you -twenty pound. Honour bright, I will.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Make it twenty-five,’ ses the skipper, considering. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Very good,’ ses the mate. ‘Twenty-five; I can’t say no fairer than that, can -I? It’s about time for another dose now.’ -</p> - -<p> -“He gave ’em another tablespoonful all round as the skipper left, an’ the chaps -what wasn’t invalids nearly bust with joy. He wouldn’t let ’em have anything to -take the taste out, ’cos he said it didn’t give the medicine a chance, an’ he -told us other chaps to remove the temptation, an’ you bet we did. -</p> - -<p> -“After the fifth dose, the invalids began to get desperate, an’ when they heard -they’d got to be woke up every twenty minutes through the night to take the -stuff, they sort o’ give up. Old Dan said he felt a gentle glow stealing over -him and strengthening him, and Harry said that it felt like a healing balm to -his lungs. All of ’em agreed it was a wonderful sort o’ medicine, an’ arter the -sixth dose the man with paralysis dashed up on deck, and ran up the rigging -like a cat. He sat there for hours spitting, an’ swore he’d brain anybody who -interrupted him, an’ arter a little while Mike Rafferty went up and j’ined him, -an’ it the fust mate’s ears didn’t burn by reason of the things them two pore -sufferers said about ’im, they ought to. -</p> - -<p> -“They was all doing full work next day, an’ though, o’course, the skipper saw -how he’d been done, he didn’t allude to it. Not in words, that is; but when a -man tries to make four chaps do the work of eight, an’ hits ’em when they -don’t, it’s a easy job to see where the shoe pinches.” -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap02"></a>A LOVE PASSAGE</h2> - -<p> -The mate was leaning against the side of the schooner, idly watching a few -red-coated linesmen lounging on the Tower Quay. Careful mariners were getting -out their side-lights, and careless lightermen were progressing by easy bumps -from craft to craft on their way up the river. A tug, half burying itself in -its own swell, rushed panting by, and a faint scream came from aboard an -approaching skiff as it tossed in the wash. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Jessica</i> ahoy!” bawled a voice from the skiff as she came rapidly -alongside. -</p> - -<p> -The mate, roused from his reverie, mechanically caught the line and made it -fast, moving with alacrity as he saw that the captain’s daughter was one of the -occupants. Before he had got over his surprise she was on deck with her boxes, -and the captain was paying off the watermen. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve seen my daughter Hetty afore, haven’t you?” said the skipper. “She’s -coming with us this trip. You’d better go down and make up her bed, Jack, in -that spare bunk.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” said the mate dutifully, moving off. -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you, I’ll do it myself,” said the scandalised Hetty, stepping forward -hastily. -</p> - -<p> -“As you please,” said the skipper, leading the way below. “Let’s have a light -on, Jack.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate struck a match on his boot, and lit the lamp. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s a few things in there’ll want moving,” said the skipper, as he opened -the door. “I don’t know where we’re to keep the onions now, Jack.” -</p> - -<p> -“We’ll find a place for ’em,” said the mate confidently, as he drew out a sack -and placed it on the table. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not going to sleep in there,” said the visitor decidedly, as she peered -in. “Ugh! there’s a beetle. Ugh!” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s quite dead,” said the mate reassuringly. “I’ve never seen a live beetle -on this ship.” -</p> - -<p> -“I want to go home,” said the girl. “You’ve no business to make me come when I -don’t want to.” -</p> - -<p> -“You should behave yourself then,” said her father magisterially. “What about -sheets, Jack; and pillers?” -</p> - -<p> -The mate sat on the table, and, grasping his chin, pondered. Then as his gaze -fell upon the pretty, indignant face of the passenger, he lost the thread of -his ideas. -</p> - -<p> -“She’ll have to have some o’ my things for the present,” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Why not,” said the mate, looking up again—“why not let her have your -state-room?” -</p> - -<p> -“’Cos I want it myself,” replied the other calmly. -</p> - -<p> -The mate blushed for him, and, the girl leaving them to arrange matters as they -pleased, the two men, by borrowing here and contriving there, made up the bunk. -The girl was standing by the galley when they went on deck again, an object of -curious and respectful admiration to the crew, who had come on board in the -meantime. She stayed on deck until the air began to blow fresher in the wider -reaches, and then, with a brief good-night to her father, retired below. -</p> - -<p> -“She made up her mind to come with us rather suddenly, didn’t she?” inquired -the mate after she had gone. -</p> - -<p> -“She didn’t make up her mind at all,” said the skipper; “we did it for her, me -an’ the missus. It’s a plan on our part.” -</p> - -<p> -“Wants strengthening?” said the mate suggestively. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, the fact is,” said the skipper, “it’s like this, Jack; there’s a friend -o’ mine, a provision dealer in a large way o’ business, wants to marry my girl, -and me an’ the missus want him to marry her, so, o’ course, she wants to marry -someone else. Me an’ ’er mother we put our ’eads together and decided for her -to come away. When she’s at ’ome, instead o’ being out with Towson, direckly -her mother’s back’s turned she’s out with that young sprig of a clerk.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nice-looking young feller, I s’pose?” said the mate somewhat anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“Not a bit of it,” said the other firmly. “Looks as though he had never had a -good meal in his life. Now my friend Towson, he’s all right; he’s a man of -about my own figger.” -</p> - -<p> -“She’ll marry the clerk,” said the mate, with conviction. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll bet you she don’t,” said the skipper. “I’m an artful man, Jack, an’ I, -generally speaking, get my own way. I couldn’t live with my missus peaceable if -it wasn’t for management.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate smiled safely in the darkness, the skipper’s management consisting -chiefly of slavish obedience. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve got a cabinet fortygraph of him for the cabin mantel-piece, Jack,” -continued the wily father. “He gave it to me o’ purpose. She’ll see that when -she won’t see the clerk, an’ by-and-bye she’ll fall into our way of thinking. -Anyway, she’s going to stay here till she does.” -</p> - -<p> -“You know your way about, cap’n,” said the mate, in pretended admiration. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper laid his finger on his nose, and winked at the mainmast. “There’s -few can show me the way, Jack,” he answered softly; “very few. Now I want you -to help me too; I want you to talk to her a great deal.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” said the mate, winking at the mast in his turn. -</p> - -<p> -“Admire the fortygraph on the mantel-piece,” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“I will,” said the other. -</p> - -<p> -“Tell her about a lot o’ young girls you know as married young middle-aged men, -an’ loved ’em more an’ more every day of their lives,” continued the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Not another word,” said the mate. “I know just what you want. She shan’t marry -the clerk if I can help it.” -</p> - -<p> -The other turned and gripped him warmly by the hand. “If ever you are a father -your elf, Jack,” he said with emotion, “I hope as how somebody’ll stand by you -as you’re standing by me.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate was relieved the next day when he saw the portrait of Towson. He -stroked his moustache, and felt that he gained in good looks every time he -glanced at it. -</p> - -<p> -Breakfast finished, the skipper, who had been on deck all night, retired to his -bunk. The mate went on deck and took charge, watching with great interest the -movements of the passenger as she peered into the galley and hotly assailed the -cook’s method of washing up. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you like the sea?” he inquired politely, as she came and sat on the -cabin skylight. -</p> - -<p> -Miss Alsen shook her head dismally. “I’ve got to it,” she remarked. -</p> - -<p> -“Your father was saying something to me about it,” said the mate guardedly. -</p> - -<p> -“Did he tell the cook and the cabin boy too?” inquired Miss Alsen, flushing -somewhat. “What did he tell you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Told me about a man named Towson,” said the mate, becoming intent on the -sails, “and—another fellow.” -</p> - -<p> -“I took a little notice of <i>him</i> just to spoil the other,” said the girl, -“not that I cared for him. I can’t understand a girl caring for any man. Great, -clumsy, ugly things.” -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t like him then?” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Of course not,” said the girl, tossing her head. -</p> - -<p> -“And yet they’ve sent you to sea to get out of his way,” said the mate -meditatively. “Well, the best thing you can do”—His hardihood failed him at the -pitch. -</p> - -<p> -“Go on,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, it’s this way,” said the mate, coughing; “they’ve sent you to sea to get -you out of this fellow’s way, so if you fall in love with somebody on the ship -they’ll send you home again.” -</p> - -<p> -“So they will,” said the girl eagerly. “I’ll pretend to fall in love with that -nice-looking sailor you call Harry. What a lark!” -</p> - -<p> -“I shouldn’t do that,” said the mate gravely. -</p> - -<p> -“Why not?” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“’Tisn’t discipline,” said the mate very firmly; “it wouldn’t do at all. He’s -before the mast.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I see,” remarked Miss Alsen, smiling scornfully. -</p> - -<p> -“I only mean pretend, of course,” said the mate, colouring. “Just to oblige -you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course,” said the girl calmly. “Well, how are we to be in love?” -</p> - -<p> -The mate flushed darkly. “I don’t know much about such things,” he said at -length; “but we’ll have to look at each other, and all that sort of thing, you -know.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t mind that,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Then we’ll get on by degrees,” said the other. “I expect we shall both find it -come easier after a time.” -</p> - -<p> -“Anything to get home again,” said the girl, rising and walking slowly away. -</p> - -<p> -The mate began his part of the love-making at once, and, fixing a gaze of -concentrated love on the object of his regard, nearly ran down a smack. As he -had prognosticated, it came easy to him, and other well-marked symptoms, such -as loss of appetite and a partiality for bright colours, developed during the -day. Between breakfast and tea he washed five times, and raised the ire of the -skipper to a dangerous pitch by using the ship’s butter to remove tar from his -fingers. -</p> - -<p> -By ten o’clock that night he was far advanced in a profound melancholy. All the -looking had been on his side, and, as he stood at the wheel keeping the -schooner to her course, he felt a fellow-feeling for the hapless Towson, His -meditations were interrupted by a slight figure which emerged from the -companion, and, after a moment’s hesitation, came and took its old seat on the -skylight. -</p> - -<p> -“Calm and peaceful up here, isn’t it?” said he, after waiting some time for her -to speak. “Stars are very bright to-night.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t talk to me,” said Miss Alsen snappishly. -</p> - -<p> -“Why doesn’t this nasty little ship keep still? I believe it’s you making her -jump about like this.” -</p> - -<p> -“Me?” said the mate in amazement. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, with that wheel.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can assure you “—began the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I knew you’d say so,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Come and steer yourself,” said the mate; “then you’ll see.” -</p> - -<p> -Much to his surprise she came, and, leaning limply against the wheel, put her -little hands on the spokes, while the mate explained the mysteries of the -compass. As he warmed with his subject he ventured to put his hands on the same -spokes, and, gradually becoming more venturesome, boldly supported her with his -arm every time the schooner gave a lurch. -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you,” said Miss Alsen, coldly extricating herself, as the male fancied -another lurch was coming. “Good-night.” -</p> - -<p> -She retired to the cabin as a dark figure, which was manfully knuckling the -last remnant of sleep from its eyelids, stood before the mate, chuckling -softly. -</p> - -<p> -“Clear night,” said the seaman, as he took the wheel in his great paws. -</p> - -<p> -“Beastly,” said the mate absently, and, stifling a sigh, went below and turned -in. -</p> - -<p> -He lay awake for a few minutes, and then, well satisfied with the day’s -proceedings, turned over and fell asleep. He was pleased to discover, when he -awoke, that the slight roll of the night before had disappeared, and that there -was hardly any motion on the schooner. The passenger herself was already at the -breakfast-table. -</p> - -<p> -“Cap’n’s on deck, I s’pose?” said the mate, preparing to resume negotiations -where they were broken off the night before. “I hope you feel better than you -did last night.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, thank you,” said she. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll make a good sailor in time,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope not,” said Miss Alsen, who thought it time to quell a gleam of peculiar -tenderness plainly apparent in the mate’s eyes. “I shouldn’t like to be a -sailor even if I were a man.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why not?” inquired the other. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know,” said the girl meditatively; “but sailors are generally such -scrubby little men, aren’t they?” -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Scrubby?</i>” repeated the mate, in a dazed voice. -</p> - -<p> -“I’d sooner be a soldier,” she continued; “I like soldiers—they’re so manly. I -wish there was one here now.” -</p> - -<p> -“What for?” inquired the mate, in the manner of a sulky schoolboy. -</p> - -<p> -“If there was a man like that here now,” said Miss Alsen thoughtfully, “I’d -dare him to mustard old Towson’s nose.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do what?” inquired the astonished mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Mustard old Towson’s nose,” said Miss Alsen, glancing lightly from the -cruet-stand to the portrait. -</p> - -<p> -The infatuated man hesitated a moment, and then, reaching over to the cruet, -took out the spoon, and with a pale, determined face, indignantly daubed the -classic features of the provision dealer. His indignation was not lessened by -the behaviour of the temptress, who, instead of fawning upon him for his -bravery, crammed her handkerchief to her mouth and giggled foolishly. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s father,” she said suddenly, as a step sounded above. “Oh, you will get -it!” -</p> - -<p> -She rose from her seat, and, standing aside to let her father pass, went on -deck. The skipper sank on to a locker, and, raising the tea-pot, poured himself -out a cup of tea, which he afterwards decanted into a saucer. He had just -raised it to his lips, when he saw something over the rim of it which made him -put it down again untasted, and stare blankly at the mantel-piece. -</p> - -<p> -“Who the—what the—who the devil’s done this?” he inquired in a strangulated -voice, as he rose and regarded the portrait. -</p> - -<p> -“I did,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“You did?” roared the other. “You? What for?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know,” said the mate awkwardly. “Something seemed to come over me all -of a sudden, and I felt as though I <i>must</i> do it.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what for? Where’s the sense of it?” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -The mate shook his head sheepishly. -</p> - -<p> -“But what did you want to do such a monkey-trick <i>for?</i>” roared the -skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know,” said the mate doggedly; “but it’s done, ain’t it? and it’s no -good talking about it.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper looked at him in wrathful perplexity. “You’d better have advice -when we get to port, Jack,” he said at length; “the last few weeks I’ve noticed -you’ve been a bit strange in your manner. You go an’ show that ’ed of yours to -a doctor.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate grunted, and went on deck for sympathy, but, finding Miss Alsen in a -mood far removed from sentiment, and not at all grateful, drew off whistling. -Matters were in this state when the skipper appeared, wiping his mouth. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve put another portrait on the mantel-piece, Jack,” he said menacingly; -“it’s the only other one I’ve got, an’ I wish you to understand that if that -only <i>smells</i> mustard, there’ll be such a row in this ’ere ship that you -won’t be able to ’ear yourself speak for the noise.” -</p> - -<p> -He moved off with dignity as his daughter, who had overheard the remark, came -sidling up to the mate and smiled on him agreeably. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s put another portrait there,” she said softly. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll find the mustard-pot in the cruet,” said the mate coldly. -</p> - -<p> -Miss Alsen turned and watched her father as he went forward, and then, to the -mate’s surprise, went below without another word. A prey to curiosity, but too -proud to make any overture, he compromised matters by going and standing near -the companion. -</p> - -<p> -“Mate!” said a stealthy whisper at the foot of the ladder. -</p> - -<p> -The mate gazed calmly out to sea. -</p> - -<p> -“Jack!” said the girl again, in a lower whisper than before. -</p> - -<p> -The mate went hot all over, and at once descended. He found Miss Alsen, her -eyes sparkling, with the mustard-pot in her left hand and the spoon in her -right, executing a war-dance in front of the second portrait. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t do it,” said the mate, in alarm. -</p> - -<p> -“Why not?” she inquired, going within an inch of it. -</p> - -<p> -“He’ll think it’s me,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s why I called you down here,” said she; “you don’t think I wanted you, -do you?” -</p> - -<p> -“You put that spoon down,” said the mate, who was by no means desirous of -another interview with the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Shan’t!” said Miss Alsen. -</p> - -<p> -The mate sprang at her, but she dodged round the table. He leaned over, and, -catching her by the left arm, drew her towards him; then, with her flushed, -laughing face close to his, he forgot everything else, and kissed her. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said Hetty indignantly. -</p> - -<p> -“Will you give it to me now?” said the mate, trembling at his boldness. -</p> - -<p> -“Take it,” said she. She leaned across the table, and, as the mate advanced, -dabbed viciously at him with the spoon. Then she suddenly dropped both articles -on the table and moved away, as the mate, startled by a footstep at the door, -turned a flushed visage, ornamented with three streaks of mustard, on to the -dumbfounded skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Sakes alive!” said that astonished mariner, as soon as he could speak; “if he -ain’t a-mustarding his own face now—I never ’card of such a thing in all my -life. Don’t go near ’im, Hetty. Jack!” -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said the mate, wiping his smarting face with his handkerchief. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve never been took like this before?” queried the skipper anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“O’course not,” said the mortified mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you say o’course not to me,” said the other warmly, “after behaving like -this. A straight weskit’s what you want. I’ll go an’ see old Ben about it. He’s -got an uncle in a ’sylum. You come up too, my girl.” -</p> - -<p> -He went in search of Ben, oblivious of the fact that his daughter, instead of -following him, came no farther than the door, where she stood and regarded her -victim compassionately. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m so sorry,” she said “Does it smart?” -</p> - -<p> -“A little,” said the mate; “don’t you trouble about me.” -</p> - -<p> -“You see what you get for behaving badly,” said Miss Alsen judicially. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s worth it,” said the mate, brightening. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m afraid it’ll blister,” said she. She crossed over to him, and putting her -head on one side, eyed the traces wisely. “Three marks,” she said. -</p> - -<p> -“I only had one,” suggested the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“One what?” enquired Hetty. -</p> - -<p> -“Those,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -In full view of the horrified skipper, who was cautiously peeping at the -supposed lunatic through the skylight, he kissed her again. -</p> - -<p> -“You can go away, Ben,” said the skipper huskily to the expert. “D’ye hear, you -can go <i>away</i>, and not a word about this, mind.” -</p> - -<p> -The expert went away grumbling, and the father, after another glance, which -showed him his daughter nestling comfortably on the mate’s right shoulder, -stole away and brooded darkly over this crowning complication. An ordinary man -would have run down and interrupted them; the master of the <i>Jessica</i> -thought he could attain his ends more certainly by diplomacy, and so careful -was his demeanour that the couple in the cabin had no idea that they had been -observed—the mate listening calmly to a lecture on incipient idiocy which the -skipper thought it advisable to bestow. -</p> - -<p> -Until the mid-day meal on the day following he made no sign. If anything he was -even more affable than usual, though his wrath rose at the glances which were -being exchanged across the table. -</p> - -<p> -“By the way, Jack,” he said at length, “what’s become of Kitty Loney?” -</p> - -<p> -“Who?” inquired the mate. “Who’s Kitty Loney?” -</p> - -<p> -It was now the skipper’s turn to stare, and he did it admirably. -</p> - -<p> -“Kitty Loney,” he said in surprise, “the little girl you are going to marry.” -</p> - -<p> -“Who are you getting at?” said the mate, going scarlet as he met the gaze -opposite. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know what you mean,” said the skipper with dignity. “I’m allooding to -Kitty Loney, the little girl in the red hat and white feathers you introduced -to me as your future.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate sank back in his seat, and regarded him with open-mouthed, horrified -astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t mean to say you’ve chucked ’er,” pursued the heartless skipper, -“after getting an advance from me to buy the ring with, too? Didn’t you buy the -ring with the money?” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said the mate, “I—oh, no—of course—what on earth are you talking about?” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper rose from his seat and regarded him sorrowfully but severely. “I’m -sorry, Jack,” he said stiffly, “if I’ve said anything to annoy you, or anyway -hurt your feelings. O’ course it’s your business, not mine. P’raps you’ll say -you never heard o’ Kitty Loney?” -</p> - -<p> -“I do say so,” said the bewildered mate; “I do say so.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper eyed him sternly, and without another word left the cabin. “If -she’s like her mother,” he said to himself, chuckling as he went up the -companion-ladder, “I think that’ll do.” -</p> - -<p> -There was an awkward pause after his departure. “I’m sure I don’t know what you -must think of me,” said the mate at length, “but I don’t know what your -father’s talking about.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think anything,” said Hetty calmly. “Pass the potatoes, please.” -</p> - -<p> -“I suppose it’s a joke of his,” said the mate, complying. -</p> - -<p> -“And the salt,” said she; “thank you.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you don’t believe it?” said the mate pathetically. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, don’t be silly,” said the girl calmly. “What does it matter whether I do -or not?” -</p> - -<p> -“It matters a great deal,” said the mate gloomily. “It’s life or death to me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, nonsense,” said Hetty. “She won’t know of your foolishness. I won’t tell -her.” -</p> - -<p> -“I tell you,” said the mate desperately, “there never was a Kitty Loney. What -do you think of that?” -</p> - -<p> -“I think you are very mean,” said the girl scornfully; “don’t talk to me any -more, please.” -</p> - -<p> -“Just as you like,” said the mate, beginning to lose his temper. -</p> - -<p> -He pushed his plate from him and departed, while the girl, angry and resentful, -put the potatoes back as being too floury for consumption in the circumstances. -</p> - -<p> -For the remainder of the passage she treated him with a politeness and good -humour through which he strove in vain to break. To her surprise her father -made no objection, at the end of the voyage, when she coaxingly suggested going -back by train; and the mate, as they sat at dummy-whist on the evening before -her departure, tried in vain to discuss the journey in an unconcerned fashion. -</p> - -<p> -“It’ll be a long journey,” said Hetty, who still liked him well enough to make -him smart a bit, “What’s trumps?” -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll be all right,” said her father. “Spades.” -</p> - -<p> -He won for the third time that evening, and, feeling wonderfully well satisfied -with the way in which he had played his cards generally, could not resist -another gibe at the crestfallen mate. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll have to give up playing cards and all that sort o’ thing when you’re -married, Jack,” said he. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” said the mate recklessly, “Kitty don’t like cards.” -</p> - -<p> -“I thought there was no Kitty,” said the girl, looking up, scornfully. -</p> - -<p> -“She don’t like cards,” repeated the mate. “Lord, what a spree we had. Cap’n, -when we went to the Crystal Palace with her that night.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, that we did,” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Remember the roundabouts?” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I do,” said the skipper merrily. “I’ll never forget ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“You and that friend of hers, Bessie Watson, lord how you did go on!” continued -the mate, in a sort of ecstasy. The skipper stiffened suddenly in his chair. -“What on earth are you talking about?” he inquired gruffly. -</p> - -<p> -“Bessie Watson,” said the mate, in tones of innocent surprise. “Little girl in -a blue hat with white feathers, and a blue frock, that came with us.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re drunk,” said the skipper, grinding his teeth, as he saw the trap into -which he had walked. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you remember when you two got lost, an’ me and Kitty were looking all -over the place for you?” demanded the mate, still in the same tones of pleasant -reminiscence. -</p> - -<p> -He caught Hetty’s eye, and noticed with a thrill that it beamed with soft and -respectful admiration. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve been drinking,” repeated the skipper, breathing hard. “How dare you -talk like that afore my daughter?” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s only right I should know,” said Hetty, drawing herself up. “I wonder what -mother’ll say to it all?” -</p> - -<p> -“You say anything to your mother if you dare,” said the now maddened skipper. -“You know what <i>she</i> is. It’s all the mate’s nonsense.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m very sorry, cap’n,” said the mate, “if I’ve said anything to annoy you, or -anyway hurt your feelings. O’ course it’s your business, not mine. Perhaps -you’ll say you never heard o’ Bessie Watson?” -</p> - -<p> -“Mother shall hear of her,” said Hetty, while her helpless sire was struggling -for breath. -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps you’ll tell us who this Bessie Watson is, and where she lives?” he -said at length. -</p> - -<p> -“She lives with Kitty Loney,” said the mate simply. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper rose, and his demeanour was so alarming that Hetty shrank -instinctively to the mate for protection. In full view of his captain, the mate -placed his arm about her waist, and in this position they confronted each other -for some time in silence. Then Hetty looked up and spoke. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m going home by water,” she said briefly. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap03"></a>THE CAPTAIN’S EXPLOIT</h2> - -<p> -It was a wet, dreary night in that cheerless part of the great metropolis known -as Wapping. The rain, which had been falling heavily for hours, still fell -steadily on to the sloppy pavements and roads, and joining forces in the -gutter, rushed impetuously to the nearest sewer. The two or three streets which -had wedged themselves in between the docks and the river, and which, as a -matter of fact, really comprise the beginning and end of Wapping, were -deserted, except for a belated van crashing over the granite roads, or the -chance form of a dock-labourer plodding doggedly along, with head bent in -distaste for the rain, and hands sunk in trouser-pockets. -</p> - -<p> -“Beastly night,” said Captain Bing, as he rolled out of the private bar of the -“Sailor’s Friend,” and, ignoring the presence of the step, took a little -hurried run across the pavement. “Not fit for a dog to be out in.” -</p> - -<p> -He kicked, as he spoke, at a shivering cur which was looking in at the crack of -the bar-door, with a hazy view of calling its attention to the matter, and -then, pulling up the collar of his rough pea-jacket, stepped boldly out into -the rain. Three or four minutes’ walk, or rather roll, brought him to a dark -narrow passage, which ran between two houses to the water-side. By a slight -tack to starboard at a critical moment he struck the channel safely, and -followed it until it ended in a flight of old stone steps, half of which were -under water. -</p> - -<p> -“Where for?” inquired a man, starting up from a small penthouse formed of rough -pieces of board. -</p> - -<p> -“Schooner in the tier, <i>Smiling Jane</i>,” said the captain gruffly, as he -stumbled clumsily into a boat and sat down in the stern. “Why don’t you have -better seats in this ’ere boat?” -</p> - -<p> -“They’re there, if you’ll look for them,” said the waterman; “and you’ll find -’em easier sitting than that bucket.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why don’t you put ’em where a man can see ’em?” inquired the captain, raising -his voice a little. -</p> - -<p> -The other opened his mouth to reply, but realising that it would lead to a long -and utterly futile argument, contented himself with asking his fare to trim the -boat better; and, pushing off from the steps, pulled strongly through the dark -lumpy water. The tide was strong, so that they made but slow progress. -</p> - -<p> -“When I was a young man,” said the fare with severity, “I’d ha’ pulled this -boat across and back afore now.” -</p> - -<p> -“When you was a young man,” said the man at the oars, who had a local -reputation as a wit, “there wasn’t no boats; they was all Noah’s arks then.” -</p> - -<p> -“Stow your gab,” said the captain, after a pause of deep thought. -</p> - -<p> -The other, whose besetting sin was certainly not loquacity, ejected a thin -stream of tobacco-juice over the side, spat on his hands, and continued his -laborious work until a crowd of dark shapes, surmounted by a network of -rigging, loomed up before them. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, which is your little barge?” he inquired, tugging strongly to maintain -his position against the fast-flowing tide. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Smiling Jane</i>” said his fare. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah,” said the waterman, “<i>Smiling Jane</i>, is it? You sit there, cap’n, an’ -I’ll row round all their sterns while you strike matches and look at the names. -We’ll have quite a nice little evening.” -</p> - -<p> -“There she is,” cried the captain, who was too muddled to notice the sarcasm; -“there’s the little beauty. Steady, my lad.” -</p> - -<p> -He reached out his hand as he spoke, and as the boat jarred violently against a -small schooner, seized a rope which hung over the side, and, swaying to and -fro, fumbled in his pocket for the fare. -</p> - -<p> -“Steady, old boy,” said the waterman affectionately. He had just received -twopence-halfpenny and a shilling by mistake for threepence. “Easy up the side. -You ain’t such a pretty figger as you was when your old woman made such a bad -bargain.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain paused in his climb, and poising himself on one foot, gingerly felt -for his tormentor’s head with the other Not finding it, he flung his leg over -the bulwark, and gained the deck of the vessel as the boat swung round with the -tide and disappeared in the darkness. -</p> - -<p> -“All turned in,” said the captain, gazing owlishly at the deserted deck. “Well, -there’s a good hour an’ a half afore we start; I’ll turn in too.” -</p> - -<p> -He walked slowly aft, and sliding back the companion-hatch, descended into a -small evil-smelling cabin, and stood feeling in the darkness for the matches. -They were not to be found, and, growling profanely, he felt his way to the -state-room, and turned in all standing. -</p> - -<p> -It was still dark when he awoke, and hanging over the edge of the bunk, -cautiously felt for the floor with his feet, and having found it, stood -thoughtfully scratching his head, which seemed to have swollen to abnormal -proportions. -</p> - -<p> -“Time they were getting under weigh,” he said at length, and groping his way to -the foot of the steps, he opened the door of what looked like a small pantry, -but which was really the mate’s boudoir. -</p> - -<p> -“Jem,” said the captain gruffly. -</p> - -<p> -There was no reply, and jumping to the conclusion that he was above, the -captain tumbled up the steps and gained the deck, which, as far as he could -see, was in the same deserted condition as when he left it. Anxious to get some -idea of the time, he staggered to the side and looked over. The tide was almost -at the turn, and the steady clank, clank of neighbouring windlasses showed that -other craft were just getting under weigh. A barge, its red light turning the -water to blood, with a huge wall of dark sail, passed noiselessly by, the -indistinct figure of a man leaning skilfully upon the tiller. -</p> - -<p> -As these various signs of life and activity obtruded themselves upon the -skipper of the <i>Smiling Jane</i>, his wrath rose higher and higher as he -looked around the wet, deserted deck of his own little craft. Then he walked -forward and thrust his head down the forecastle hatchway. -</p> - -<p> -As he expected, there was a complete sleeping chorus below; the deep satisfied -snoring of half-a-dozen seamen, who, regardless of the tide and their captain’s -feelings, were slumbering sweetly, in blissful ignorance of all that the -<i>Lancet</i> might say upon the twin subjects of overcrowding and ventilation. -</p> - -<p> -“Below there, you lazy thieves!” roared the captain; “tumble up, tumble up!” -</p> - -<p> -The snores stopped. “Ay, ay!” said a sleepy voice. “What’s the matter, master?” -</p> - -<p> -“Matter!” repeated the other, choking violently. “Ain’t you going to sail -to-night?” -</p> - -<p> -“To-night!” said another voice, in surprise. “Why, I thought we wasn’t going to -sail till Wen’sday.” -</p> - -<p> -Not trusting himself to reply, so careful was he of the morals of his men, the -skipper went and leaned over the side and communed with the silent water. In an -incredibly short space of time five or six dusky figures pattered up on to the -deck, and a minute or two later the harsh clank of the windlass echoed far and -wide. -</p> - -<p> -The captain took the wheel. A fat and very sleepy seaman put up the -side-lights, and the little schooner, detaching itself by the aid of boat-hooks -and fenders from the neighbouring craft, moved slowly down with the tide. The -men, in response to the captain’s fervent orders, climbed aloft, and sail after -sail was spread to the gentle breeze. -</p> - -<p> -“Hi! you there,” cried the captain to one of the men who stood near him, -coiling up some loose line. -</p> - -<p> -“Sir?” said the man. -</p> - -<p> -“Where is the mate?” inquired the captain. -</p> - -<p> -“Man with red whiskers and pimply nose?” said the man interrogatively. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s him to a hair,” answered the other. -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t seen him since he took me on at eleven,” said the man. “How many new -hands are there?” -</p> - -<p> -“I b’leeve we’re all fresh,” was the reply. “I don’t believe some of ’em have -ever smelt salt water afore.” -</p> - -<p> -“The mate’s been at it again,” said the captain warmly, “that’s what he has. -He’s done it afore and got left behind. Them what can’t stand drink, my man, -shouldn’t take it, remember that.” -</p> - -<p> -“He said we wasn’t going to sail till Wen’sday,” remarked the man, who found -the captain’s attitude rather trying. -</p> - -<p> -“He’ll get sacked, that’s what he’ll get,” said the captain warmly. “I shall -report him as soon as I get ashore.” -</p> - -<p> -The subject exhausted, the seaman returned to his work, and the captain -continued steering in moody silence. -</p> - -<p> -Slowly, slowly darkness gave way to light. The different portions of the craft, -instead of all being blurred into one, took upon themselves shape, and stood -out wet and distinct in the cold grey of the breaking day. But the lighter it -became, the harder the skipper stared and rubbed his eyes, and looked from the -deck to the flat marshy shore, and from the shore back to the deck again. -</p> - -<p> -“Here, come here,” he cried, beckoning to one of the crew. -</p> - -<p> -“Yessir,” said the man, advancing. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s something in one of my eyes,” faltered the skipper. “I can’t see -straight; everything seems mixed up. Now, speaking deliberate and without any -hurry, which side o’ the ship do you say the cook’s galley’s on?” -</p> - -<p> -“Starboard,” said the man promptly, eyeing him with astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“Starboard,” repeated the other softly. “He says starboard, and that’s what it -seems to me. My lad, yesterday morning it was on the port side.” -</p> - -<p> -The seaman received this astounding communication with calmness, but, as a -slight concession to appearances, said “Lor!” -</p> - -<p> -“And the water-cask,” said the skipper; “what colour is it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Green,” said the man. -</p> - -<p> -“Not white?” inquired the skipper, leaning heavily upon the wheel. -</p> - -<p> -“Whitish-green,” said the man, who always believed in keeping in with his -superior officers. -</p> - -<p> -The captain swore at him. -</p> - -<p> -By this time two or three of the crew who had over-heard part of the -conversation had collected aft, and now stood in a small wondering knot before -their strange captain. -</p> - -<p> -“My lads,” said the latter, moistening his dry lips with his tongue, “I name no -names—I don’t know ’em yet—and I cast no suspicions, but somebody has been -painting up and altering this ’ere craft, and twisting things about until a man -’ud hardly know her. Now what’s the little game?” -</p> - -<p> -There was no answer, and the captain, who was seeing things clearer and clearer -in the growing light, got paler and paler. -</p> - -<p> -“I must be going crazy,” he muttered. “Is this the <i>Smiling Jane</i>, or am I -dreaming?” -</p> - -<p> -“It ain’t the <i>Smiling Jane</i>,” said one of the seamen; “leastways,” he -added cautiously, “it wasn’t when I came aboard.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not the <i>Smiling Jane!</i>” roared the skipper; “what is it, then?” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, the <i>Mary Ann</i>,” chorused the astonished crew. -</p> - -<p> -“My lads,” faltered the agonised captain after a long pause. “My lads—” He -stopped and swallowed something in his throat. “I’ve been and brought away the -wrong ship,” he continued with an effort; “that’s what I’ve done. I must have -been bewitched.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, who’s having the little game now?” inquired a voice. -</p> - -<p> -“Somebody else’ll be sacked as well as the mate,” said another. -</p> - -<p> -“We must take her back,” said the captain, raising his voice to drown these -mutterings. “Stand by there!” -</p> - -<p> -The bewildered crew went to their posts, the captain gave his orders in a voice -which had never been so subdued and mellow since it broke at the age of -fourteen, and the <i>Mary Ann</i> took in sail, and, dropping her anchor, -waited patiently for the turning of the tide. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -The church bells in Wapping and Rotherhithe were just striking the hour of -mid-day, though they were heard by few above the noisy din of workers on -wharves and ships, as a short stout captain, and a mate with red whiskers and a -pimply nose, stood up in a waterman’s boat in the centre of the river, and -gazed at each other in blank astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“She’s gone, clean gone!” murmured the bewildered captain. -</p> - -<p> -“Clean as a whistle,” said the mate. “The new hands must ha’ run away with -her.” -</p> - -<p> -Then the bereaved captain raised his voice, and pronounced a pathetic and -beautiful eulogy upon the departed vessel, somewhat marred by an appendix in -which he consigned the new hands, their heirs, and descendants, to everlasting -perdition. -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy!” said the waterman, who was getting tired of the business, addressing a -grimy-looking seaman hanging meditatively over the side of a schooner. “Where’s -the <i>Mary Ann?</i>” -</p> - -<p> -“Went away at half-past one this morning,” was the reply. -</p> - -<p> -“’Cos here’s the cap’n an’ the mate,” said the waterman, indicating the forlorn -couple with a bob of his head. -</p> - -<p> -“My eyes!” said the man, “I s’pose the cook’s in charge then. We was to have -gone too, but our old man hasn’t turned up.” -</p> - -<p> -Quickly the news spread amongst the craft in the tier, and many and various -were the suggestions shouted to the bewildered couple from the different decks. -At last, just as the captain had ordered the waterman to return to the shore, -he was startled by a loud cry from the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Look there!” he shouted. -</p> - -<p> -The captain looked. Fifty or sixty yards away, a small shamefaced-looking -schooner, so it appeared to his excited imagination, was slowly approaching -them. A minute later a shout went up from the other craft as she took in sail -and bore slowly down upon them. Then a small boat put off to the buoy, and the -<i>Mary Ann</i> was slowly warped into the place she had left ten hours before. -</p> - -<p> -But while all this was going on, she was boarded by her captain and mate. They -were met by Captain Bing, supported by <i>his</i> mate, who had hastily pushed -off from the <i>Smiling Jane</i> to the assistance of his chief. In the two -leading features before mentioned he was not unlike the mate of the <i>Mary -Ann</i>, and much stress was laid upon this fact by the unfortunate Bing in his -explanation. So much so, in fact, that both the mates got restless; the -skipper, who was a plain man, and given to calling a spade a spade, using the -word “pimply” with what seemed to them unnecessary iteration. -</p> - -<p> -It is possible that the interview might have lasted for hours had not Bing -suddenly changed his tactics and begun to throw out dark hints about standing a -dinner ashore, and settling it over a friendly glass. The face of the <i>Mary -Ann’s</i> captain began to clear, and, as Bing proceeded from generalities to -details, a soft smile played over his expressive features. It was reflected in -the faces of the mates, who by these means showed clearly that they understood -the table was to be laid for four. -</p> - -<p> -At this happy turn of affairs Bing himself smiled, and a little while later a -ship’s boat containing four boon companions put off from the <i>Mary Ann</i>and -made for the shore. Of what afterwards ensued there is no distinct record, -beyond what may be gleaned from the fact that the quartette turned up at -midnight arm-in-arm, and affectionately refused to be separated—even to enter -the ship’s boat, which was waiting for them. The sailors were at first rather -nonplussed, but by dint of much coaxing and argument broke up the party, and -rowing them to their respective vessels, put them carefully to bed. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap04"></a>CONTRABAND OF WAR</h2> - -<p> -A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo’c’sle of the schooner -<i>Greyhound</i>, by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedate -appearance sat crocheting an antimacassar. Two other men were snoring with deep -content in their bunks, while a small, bright-eyed boy sat up in his, reading -adventurous fiction. -</p> - -<p> -“Here comes old Dan,” said the man with the anti-macassar warningly, as a pair -of sea boots appeared at the top of the companion-ladder; “better not let him -see you with that paper, Billee.” -</p> - -<p> -The boy thrust it beneath his blankets, and, lying down, closed his eyes as the -new-comer stepped on to the floor. -</p> - -<p> -“All asleep?” inquired the latter. -</p> - -<p> -The other man nodded, and Dan, without any further parley, crossed over to the -sleepers and shook them roughly. -</p> - -<p> -“Eh! wha’s matter?” inquired the sleepers plaintively. -</p> - -<p> -“Git up,” said Dan impressively, “I want to speak to you. Something important.” -</p> - -<p> -With sundry growls the men complied, and, thrusting their legs out of their -bunks, rolled on to the locker, and sat crossly waiting for information. -</p> - -<p> -“I want to do a pore chap a good turn,” said Dan, watching them narrowly out of -his little black eyes, “an’ I want you to help me; an’ the boy too. It’s never -too young to do good to your fellow-creatures, Billy.” -</p> - -<p> -“I know it ain’t,” said Billy, taking this as permission to join the group; “I -helped a drunken man home once when I was only ten years old, an’ when I was -only—” -</p> - -<p> -The speaker stopped, not because he had come to the end of his remarks, but -because one of the seamen had passed his arm around his neck and was choking -him. -</p> - -<p> -“Go on,” said the man calmly; “I’ve got him. Spit it out, Dan, and none of your -sermonising.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, it’s like this, Joe,” said the old man; “here’s a pore chap, a young -sojer from the depot here, an’ he’s cut an’ run. He’s been in hiding in a -cottage up the road two days, and he wants to git to London, and git honest -work and employment, not shooting, an’ stabbing, an’ bayoneting—” -</p> - -<p> -“Stow it,” said Joe impatiently. -</p> - -<p> -“He daren’t go to the railway station, and he dursen’t go outside in his -uniform,” continued Dan. “My ’art bled for the pore young feller, an’ I’ve -promised to give ’im a little trip to London with us. The people he’s staying -with won’t have him no longer. They’ve only got one bed, and directly he sees -any sojers coming he goes an’ gits into it, whether he’s got his boots on or -not.” -</p> - -<p> -“Have you told the skipper?” inquired Joe sardonically. -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t deceive you, Joe, I ’ave not,” replied the old man. “He’ll have to -stay down here of a daytime, an’ only come on deck of a night when it’s our -watch. I told ’im what a lot of good-’arted chaps you was, and how—” -</p> - -<p> -“How much is he going to give you?” inquired Joe impatiently. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s only fit and proper he should pay a little for the passage,” said Dan. -</p> - -<p> -“How <i>much?</i>” demanded Joe, banging the little triangular table with his -fist, and thereby causing the man with the antimacassar to drop a couple of -stitches. -</p> - -<p> -“Twenty-five shillings,” said old Dan reluctantly; “an’ I’ll spend the odd five -shillings on you chaps when we git to Limehouse.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want your money,” said Joe; “there’s a empty bunk he can have; and -mind, you take all the responsibility—I won’t have nothing to do with it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks, Joe,” said the old man, with a sigh of relief; “he’s a nice young -chap, you’re sure to take to him. I’ll go and give him the tip to come aboard -at once.” -</p> - -<p> -He ran up on deck again and whistled softly, and a figure, which had been -hiding behind a pile of empties, came out, and, after looking cautiously -around, dropped noiselessly on to the schooner’s deck, and followed its -protector below. -</p> - -<p> -“Good evening, mates,” said the linesman, gazing curiously and anxiously round -him as he deposited a bundle on the table, and laid his swagger cane beside it. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s your height?” inquired Joe abruptly. “Seven foot?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, only six foot four,” said the new arrival, modestly. “I’m not proud of it. -It’s much easier for a small man to slip off than a big one.” -</p> - -<p> -“It licks me,” said Joe thoughtfully, “what they want ’em back for—I should -think they’d be glad to git rid o’ such”—he paused a moment while politeness -struggled with feeling, and added, “skunks.” -</p> - -<p> -“P’raps I’ve a reason for being a skunk, p’raps I haven’t,” retorted Private -Smith, as his face fell. -</p> - -<p> -“This’ll be your bunk,” interposed Dan hastily; “put your things in there, and -when you are in yourself you’ll be as comfortable as a oyster in its shell.” -</p> - -<p> -The visitor complied, and, first extracting from the bundle some tins of meat -and a bottle of whiskey, which he placed upon the table, nervously requested -the honour of the present company to supper. With the exception of Joe, who -churlishly climbed back into his bunk, the men complied, all agreeing that boys -of Billy’s age should be reared on strong teetotal principles. -</p> - -<p> -Supper over, Private Smith and his protectors retired to their couches, where -the former lay in much anxiety until two in the morning, when they got under -way. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all right, my lad,” said Dan, after the watch had been set, as he came -and stood by the deserter’s bunk; “I’ve saved you—I’ve saved you for -twenty-five shillings.” -</p> - -<p> -“I wish it was more,” said Private Smith politely. -</p> - -<p> -The old man sighed—and waited. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m quite cleaned out, though,” continued the deserter, “except fi’pence -ha’penny. I shall have to risk going home in my uniform as it is.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, you’ll get there all right,” said Dan cheerfully; “and when you get home -no doubt you’ve got friends, and if it seems to you as you’d like to give a -little more to them as assisted you in the hour of need, you won’t be -ungrateful, my lad, I know. You ain’t the sort.” -</p> - -<p> -With these words old Dan, patting him affectionately, retired, and the soldier -lay trying to sleep in his narrow quarters until he was aroused by a grip on -his arm. -</p> - -<p> -“If you want a mouthful of fresh air you’d better come on deck now,” said the -voice of Joe; “it’s my watch. You can get all the sleep you want in the -daytime.” -</p> - -<p> -Glad to escape from such stuffy quarters, Private Smith clambered out of his -bunk and followed the other on deck. It was a fine clear night, and the -schooner was going along under a light breeze; the seaman took the wheel, and, -turning to his companion, abruptly inquired what he meant by deserting and -worrying them with six foot four of underdone lobster. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all through my girl,” said Private Smith meekly; “first she jilted me, -and made me join the army; now she’s chucked the other fellow, and wrote to me -to go back.” -</p> - -<p> -“An’ now I s’pose the other chap’ll take your place in the army,” said Joe. -“Why, a gal like that could fill a regiment, if she liked. Pah! They’ll nab you -too, in that uniform, and you’ll get six months, and have to finish your time -as well.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s more than likely,” said the soldier gloomily. “I’ve got to tramp to -Manchester in these clothes, as far as I can see.” -</p> - -<p> -“What did you give old Dan all your money for?” inquired Joe. -</p> - -<p> -“I was only thinking of getting away at first,” said Smith, “and I had to take -what was offered.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I’ll do what I can for you,” said the seaman. “If you’re in love, you -ain’t responsible for your actions. I remember the first time I got the chuck. -I went into a public-house bar, and smashed all the glass and bottles I could -get at. I felt as though I must do something. If you were only shorter, I’d -lend you some clothes.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re a brick,” said the soldier gratefully. -</p> - -<p> -“I haven’t got any money I could lend you either,” said Joe. “I never do have -any, somehow. But clothes you must have.” -</p> - -<p> -He fell into deep thought, and cocked his eye aloft as though contemplating a -cutting-out expedition on the sails, while the soldier, sitting on the side of -the ship, waited hopefully for a miracle. -</p> - -<p> -“You’d better get below again,” said Joe presently. -</p> - -<p> -“There seems to be somebody moving below; and if the skipper sees you, you’re -done. He’s a regular Tartar, and he’s got a brother what’s a sergeant-major in -the army. He’d give you up d’rectly if he spotted you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m off,” said Smith; and with long, cat-like strides he disappeared swiftly -below. -</p> - -<p> -For two days all went well, and Dan was beginning to congratulate himself upon -his little venture, when his peace of mind was rudely disturbed. The crew were -down below, having their tea, when Billy, who had been to the galley for hot -water, came down, white and scared. -</p> - -<p> -“Look here,” he said nervously, “I’ve not had anything to do with this chap -being aboard, have I?” -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter?” inquired Dan quickly. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all found out,” said Billy. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>What!</i>” cried the crew simultaneously. -</p> - -<p> -“Leastways, it will be,” said the youth, correcting himself. “You’d better -chuck him overboard while you’ve got time. I heard the cap’n tell the mate as -he was coming down in the fo’c’sle to-morrow morning to look round. He’s going -to have it painted.” -</p> - -<p> -“This,” said Dan, in the midst of a painful pause, “this is what comes of -helping a fellow-creature. What’s to be done?” -</p> - -<p> -“Tell the skipper the fo’c’sle don’t want painting,” suggested Billy. -</p> - -<p> -The agonised old seaman, carefully putting down his saucer of tea, cuffed his -head spitefully. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s a smooth sea,” said he, looking at the perturbed countenance of Private -Smith, “an there’s a lot of shipping about. If I was a deserter, sooner than be -caught, I would slip overboard to-night with a lifebelt and take my chance.” -</p> - -<p> -“I wouldn’t,” said Mr. Smith, with much decision. -</p> - -<p> -“You wouldn’t? Not if you was quite near another ship?” cooed Dan. -</p> - -<p> -“Not if I was near fifty blooming ships, all trying to see which could pick me -up first,” replied Mr. Smith, with some heat. -</p> - -<p> -“Then we shall have to leave you to your fate,” said Dan solemnly. “If a man’s -unreasonable, his best friends can do nothing for him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Chuck all his clothes overboard, anyway,” said Billy. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s a good idea o’ the boy’s. You leave his ears alone,” said Joe, stopping -the ready hand of the exasperated Dan. “He’s got more sense than any of us. Can -you think of anything else, Billy? What shall we do then?” -</p> - -<p> -The eyes of all were turned upon their youthful deliverer, those of Mr. Smith -being painfully prominent. It was a proud moment for Billy, and he sat silent -for some time, with a look of ineffable wisdom and thought upon his face. At -length he spoke. -</p> - -<p> -“Let somebody else have a turn,” he said generously. -</p> - -<p> -The voice of the antimacassar worker broke the silence. -</p> - -<p> -“Paint him all over with stripes of different-coloured paint, and let him -pretend he’s mad, and didn’t know how he got here,” he said, with an -uncontrollable ring of pride at the idea, which was very coldly received, -Private Smith being noticeably hard on it. -</p> - -<p> -“I know,” said Billy shrilly, clapping his hands. “I’ve got it, I’ve got it. -After he’s chucked his clothes overboard to-night, let him go overboard too, -with a line.” -</p> - -<p> -“And tow him the rest o’ the way, and chuck biscuits to him, I suppose,” -snarled Dan. -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said the youthful genius scornfully; “pretend he’s been upset from a -boat, and has been swimming about, and we heard him cry out for help and -rescued him.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s about the best way out of it,” said Joe, after some deliberation; “it’s -warm weather, and you won’t take no harm, mate. Do it in my watch, and I’ll -pull you out directly.” -</p> - -<p> -“Wouldn’t it do if you just chucked a bucket of water over me and <i>said</i> -you’d pulled me out,” suggested the victim. “The other thing seems a downright -<i>lie</i>.” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said Billy authoritatively, “you’ve got to look half-drowned, and swallow -a lot of water, and your eyes be all bloodshot.” -</p> - -<p> -Everybody being eager for the adventure, except Private Smith, the arrangements -were at once concluded, and the approach of night impatiently awaited. It was -just before midnight when Smith, who had forgotten for the time his troubles in -sleep, was shaken into wakefulness. -</p> - -<p> -“Cold water, sir?” said Billy gleefully. -</p> - -<p> -In no mood for frivolity, Private Smith rose and followed the youth on deck. -The air struck him as chill as he stood there; but, for all that, it was with a -sense of relief that he saw Her Majesty’s uniform go over the side and sink -into the dark water. -</p> - -<p> -“He don’t look much with his padding off, does he?” said Billy, who had been -eyeing him critically. -</p> - -<p> -“You go below,” said Dan sharply. -</p> - -<p> -“Garn,” said Billy indignantly; “I want to see the fun as well as you do. I -thought of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Fun?” said the old man severely. “Fun? To see a feller creature suffering, and -perhaps drowned—” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think I had better go,” said the victim; “it seems rather underhand.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, you will,” said Joe. “Wind this line round an’ round your arm, and just -swim about gently till I pull you in.” -</p> - -<p> -Sorely against his inclination Private Smith took hold of the line, and, -hanging over the side of the schooner, felt the temperature with his foot, and, -slowly and tenderly, with many little gasps, committed his body to the deep. -Joe paid out the line and waited, letting out more line, when the man in the -water, who was getting anxious, started to come in hand over hand. -</p> - -<p> -“That’ll do,” said Dan at length. -</p> - -<p> -“I think it will,” said Joe, and, putting his hand to his mouth, gave a mighty -shout. It was answered almost directly by startled roars from the cabin, and -the skipper and mate came rushing hastily upon deck, to see the crew, in their -sleeping gear, forming an excited group round Joe, and peering eagerly over the -side. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter?” demanded the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Somebody in the water, sir,” said Joe, relinquishing the wheel to one of the -other seamen, and hauling in the line. “I heard a cry from the water and threw -a line, and, by gum, I’ve hooked it!” -</p> - -<p> -He hauled in, lustily aided by the skipper, until the long white body of -Private Smith, blanched with the cold, came bumping against the schooner’s -side. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s a mermaid,” said the mate, who was inclined to be superstitious, as he -peered doubtfully down at it. “Let it go, Joe.” -</p> - -<p> -“Haul it in, boys,” said the skipper impatiently; and two of the men clambered -over the side and, stooping down, raised it from the water. -</p> - -<p> -In the midst of a puddle, which he brought with him, Private Smith was laid on -the deck, and, waving his arms about, fought wildly for his breath. -</p> - -<p> -“Fetch one of them empties,” said the skipper quickly, as he pointed to some -barrels ranged along the side. -</p> - -<p> -The men rolled one over, and then aided the skipper in placing the long fair -form of their visitor across it, and to trundle it lustily up and down the -deck, his legs forming convenient handles for the energetic operators. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s coming round,” said the mate, checking them; “he’s speaking. How do you -feel, my poor fellow?” -</p> - -<p> -He put his ear down, but the action was unnecessary. Private Smith felt bad, -and, in the plainest English he could think of at the moment, said so -distinctly. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s swearing,” said the mate. “He ought to be ashamed of himself.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said the skipper austerely; “and him so near death too. How did you get -in the water?” -</p> - -<p> -“Went for a—swim,” panted Smith surlily. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Swim?</i>” echoed the skipper. “Why, we’re ten miles from land!” -</p> - -<p> -“His mind’s wandering, pore feller,” interrupted Joe hurriedly. “What boat did -you fall out of, matey?” -</p> - -<p> -“A row-boat,” said Smith, trying to roll out of reach of the skipper, who was -down on his knees flaying him alive with a roller-towel. “I had to undress in -the water to keep afloat. I’ve lost all my clothes.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pore feller,” said Dan. -</p> - -<p> -“A gold watch and chain, my purse, and three of the nicest fellers that ever -breathed,” continued Smith, who was now entering into the spirit of the thing. -</p> - -<p> -“Poor chaps,” said the skipper solemnly. “Any of ’em leave any family?” -</p> - -<p> -“Four,” said Smith sadly. -</p> - -<p> -“Children?” queried the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Families,” said Smith. -</p> - -<p> -“Look here,” said the mate, but the watchful Joe interrupted him. -</p> - -<p> -“His mind’s wandering,” said he hastily. “He can’t count, pore chap. We’d -better git him to bed.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, do,” said the skipper, and, assisted by his friends, the rescued man was -half led, half carried below and put between the blankets, where he lay -luxuriously sipping a glass of brandy and water, sent from the cabin. -</p> - -<p> -“How’d I do it?” he inquired, with a satisfied air. -</p> - -<p> -“There was no need to tell all them lies about it,” said Dan sharply; “instead -of one little lie you told half-a-dozen. I don’t want nothing more to do with -you. You start afresh now, like a new-born babe.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said Smith shortly; and, being very much fatigued with his -exertions, and much refreshed by the brandy, fell into a deep and peaceful -sleep. -</p> - -<p> -The morning was well advanced when he awoke, and the fo’c’sle empty except for -the faithful Joe, who was standing by his side, with a heap of clothing under -his arm. -</p> - -<p> -“Try these on,” said he, as Smith stared at him half awake; “they’ll be better -than nothing, at any rate.” -</p> - -<p> -The soldier leaped from his bunk and gratefully proceeded to dress himself, Joe -eyeing him critically as the trousers climbed up his long legs, and the sleeves -of the jacket did their best to conceal his elbows. -</p> - -<p> -“What do I look like?” he inquired anxiously, as he finished. -</p> - -<p> -“Six foot an’ a half o’ misery,” piped the shrill voice of Billy promptly, as -he thrust his head in at the fo’c’sle. “You can’t go to church in those -clothes.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, they’ll do for the ship, but you can’t go ashore in ’em,” said Joe, as -he edged towards the ladder, and suddenly sprang up a step or two to let fly at -the boy, “The old man wants to see you; be careful what you say to him.” -</p> - -<p> -With a very unsuccessful attempt to appear unconscious of the figure he cut, -Smith went up on deck for the interview. -</p> - -<p> -“We can’t do anything until we get to London,” said the skipper, as he made -copious notes of Smith’s adventures. “As soon as we get there, I’ll lend you -the money to telegraph to your friends to tell ’em you’re safe and to send you -some clothes, and of course you’ll have free board and lodging till it comes, -and I’ll write out an account of it for the newspapers.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re very good,” said Smith blankly. -</p> - -<p> -“And I don’t know what you are,” said the skipper, interrogatively; “but you -ought to go in for swimming as a profession—six hours’ swimming about like that -is wonderful.” -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t know what you can do till you have to,” said Smith modestly, as he -backed slowly away; “but I never want to see the water again as long as I -live.” -</p> - -<p> -The two remaining days of their passage passed all too quickly for the men, who -were casting about for some way out of the difficulty which they foresaw would -arise when they reached London. -</p> - -<p> -“If you’d only got decent clothes,” said Joe, as they passed Gravesend, “you -could go off and send a telegram, and not come back; but you couldn’t go five -yards in them things without having a crowd after you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I shall have to be taken I s’pose,” said Smith moodily. -</p> - -<p> -“An’ poor old Dan’ll get six months hard for helping you off,” said Joe -sympathetically, as a bright idea occurred to him. -</p> - -<p> -“Rubbish!” said Dan uneasily. “He can stick to his tale of being upset; anyway, -the skipper saw him pulled out of the water. He’s too honest a chap to get an -old man into trouble for trying to help him.” -</p> - -<p> -“He must have a new rig out, Dan,” said Joe softly. “You an’ me’ll go an’ buy -’em. I’ll do the choosing, and you’ll do the paying. Why, it’ll be a reg’lar -treat for you to lay out a little money, Dan. We’ll have quite an evening’s -shopping, everything of the best.” -</p> - -<p> -The infuriated Dan gasped for breath, and looked helplessly at the grinning -crew. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll see him—overboard first,” he said furiously. -</p> - -<p> -“Please yourself,” said Joe shortly, “If he’s caught you’ll get six months. As -it is, you’ve got a chance of doing a nice, kind little Christian act, becos, -o’ course, that twenty-five bob you got out of him won’t anything like pay for -his toggery.” -</p> - -<p> -Almost beside himself with indignation, the old man moved off, and said not -another word until they were made fast to the wharf at Limehouse. He did not -even break silence when Joe, taking him affectionately by the arm, led him aft -to the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Me an’ Dan, sir,” said Joe very respectfully, “would like to go ashore for a -little shopping. Dan has very kindly offered to lend that pore chap the money -for some clothes, and he wants me to go with him to help carry them.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” said the skipper, with a benevolent smile at the aged philanthropist. -“You’d better go at once, afore the shops shut.” -</p> - -<p> -“We’ll run, sir,” said Joe, and taking Dan by the arm, dragged him into the -street at a trot. -</p> - -<p> -Nearly a couple of hours passed before they returned, and no child watched with -greater eagerness the opening of a birthday present than Smith watched the -undoing of the numerous parcels with which they were laden. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s a reg’lar fairy godmother, ain’t he?” said Joe, as Smith joyously dressed -himself in a very presentable tweed suit, serviceable boots, and a bowler hat. -“We had a dreadful job to get a suit big enough, an’ the only one we could get -was rather more money than we wanted to give, wasn’t it, Dan?” -</p> - -<p> -The fairy godmother strove manfully with his feelings. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll do now,” said Joe. “I ain’t got much, but what I have you’re welcome -to.” He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out some loose coin. “What have -you got, mates?” -</p> - -<p> -With decent good will the other men turned out their pockets, and, adding to -the store, heartily pressed it upon the reluctant Smith, who, after shaking -hands gratefully, followed Joe on deck. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve got enough to pay your fare,” said the latter; “an’ I’ve told the -skipper you are going ashore to send off telegrams. If you send the money back -to Dan, I’ll never forgive you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t, then,” said Smith firmly; “but I’ll send theirs back to the other -chaps. Good-bye.” -</p> - -<p> -Joe shook him by the hand again, and bade him go while the coast was clear, -advice which Smith hastened to follow, though he turned and looked back to wave -his hand to the crew, who had come up on deck silently to see him off; all but -the philanthropist, who was down below with a stump of lead-pencil and a piece -of paper doing sums. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap05"></a>A BLACK AFFAIR</h2> - -<p> -I didn’t want to bring it,” said Captain Gubson, regarding somewhat -unfavourably a grey parrot whose cage was hanging against the mainmast, “but my -old uncle was so set on it I had to. He said a sea-voyage would set its ’elth -up.” -</p> - -<p> -“It seems to be all right at present,” said the mate, who was tenderly sucking -his forefinger; “best of spirits, I should say.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s playful,” assented the skipper. “The old man thinks a rare lot of it. I -think I shall have a little bit in that quarter, so keep your eye on the -beggar.” -</p> - -<p> -“Scratch Poll!” said the parrot, giving its bill a preliminary strop on its -perch. “Scratch poor Polly!” -</p> - -<p> -It bent its head against the bars, and waited patiently to play off what it had -always regarded as the most consummate practical joke in existence. The first -doubt it had ever had about it occurred when the mate came forward and -obligingly scratched it with the stem of his pipe. It was a wholly unforeseen -development, and the parrot, ruffling its feathers, edged along its perch and -brooded darkly at the other end of it. -</p> - -<p> -Opinion before the mast was also against the new arrival, the general view -being that the wild jealousy which raged in the bosom of the ship’s cat would -sooner or later lead to mischief. -</p> - -<p> -“Old Satan don’t like it,” said the cook, shaking his head. “The blessed bird -hadn’t been aboard ten minutes before Satan was prowling around. The blooming -image waited till he was about a foot off the cage, and then he did the perlite -and asked him whether he’d like a glass o’ beer. <i>I</i> never see a cat so -took aback in all my life. Never.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’ll be trouble between ’em,” said old Sam, who was the cat’s special -protector, “mark my words.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’d put my money on the parrot,” said one of the men confidently. “It’s ’ad a -crool bit out of the mate’s finger. Where ’ud the cat be agin that beak?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you’d lose your money,” said Sam. “If you want to do the cat a kindness, -every time you see him near that cage cuff his ’ed.” -</p> - -<p> -The crew being much attached to the cat, which had been presented to them when -a kitten by the mate’s wife, acted upon the advice with so much zest that for -the next two days the indignant animal was like to have been killed with -kindness. On the third day, however, the parrot’s cage being on the cabin -table, the cat stole furtively down, and, at the pressing request of the -occupant itself, scratched its head for it. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper was the first to discover the mischief, and he came on deck and -published the news in a voice which struck a chill to all hearts. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s that black devil got to?” he yelled. -</p> - -<p> -“Anything wrong, sir?” asked Sam anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“Come and look here,” said the skipper. He led the way to the cabin, where the -mate and one of the crew were already standing, shaking their heads over the -parrot. -</p> - -<p> -“What do you make of that?” demanded the skipper fiercely. -</p> - -<p> -“Too much dry food, sir,” said Sam, after due deliberation. -</p> - -<p> -“Too much what?” bellowed the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Too much dry food,” repeated Sam firmly. “A parrot—a grey parrot—wants plenty -o’ sop. If it don’t get it, it moults.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s had too much <i>cat</i>,” said the skipper fiercely, “and you know it, -and overboard it goes.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t believe it was the cat, sir,” interposed the other man; “it’s too -soft-hearted to do a thing like that.” -</p> - -<p> -“You can shut your jaw,” said the skipper, reddening. “Who asked you to come -down here at all?” -</p> - -<p> -“Nobody saw the cat do it,” urged the mate. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper said nothing, but, stooping down, picked up a tail feather from the -floor, and laid it on the table. He then went on deck, followed by the others, -and began calling, in seductive tones, for the cat. No reply forth coming from -the sagacious animal, which had gone into hiding, he turned to Sam, and bade -him call it. -</p> - -<p> -“No, sir, I won’t ’ave no ’and in it,” said the old man. “Putting aside my -liking for the animal, <i>I’m</i> not going to ’ave anything to do with the -killing of a black cat.” -</p> - -<p> -“Rubbish!” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Very good, sir,” said Sam, shrugging his shoulders, “you know best, o’ course. -You’re eddicated and I’m not, an’ p’raps you can afford to make a laugh o’ such -things. I knew one man who killed a black cat an’ he went mad. There’s -something very pecooliar about that cat o’ ours.” -</p> - -<p> -“It knows more than we do,” said one of the crew, shaking his head. “That time -you—I mean we—ran the smack down, that cat was expecting of it ’ours before. It -was like a wild thing.” -</p> - -<p> -“Look at the weather we’ve ’ad—look at the trips we’ve made since he’s been -aboard,” said the old man. “Tell me it’s chance if you like, but I <i>know</i> -better.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper hesitated. He was a superstitious man even for a sailor, and his -weakness was so well known that he had become a sympathetic receptacle for -every ghost story which, by reason of its crudeness or lack of corroboration, -had been rejected by other experts. He was a perfect reference library for -omens, and his interpretations of dreams had gained for him a widespread -reputation. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s all nonsense,” he said, pausing uneasily; “still, I only want to be -just. There’s nothing vindictive about me, and I’ll have no hand in it myself. -Joe, just tie a lump of coal to that cat and heave it overboard.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not me,” said the cook, following Sam’s lead, and working up a shudder. “Not -for fifty pun in gold. I don’t want to be haunted.” -</p> - -<p> -“The parrot’s a little better now, sir,” said one of the men, taking advantage -of his hesitation, “he’s opened one eye.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I only want to be just,” repeated the skipper. “I won’t do anything in a -hurry, but, mark my words, if the parrot dies that cat goes overboard.” -</p> - -<p> -Contrary to expectations, the bird was still alive when London was reached, -though the cook, who from his connection with the cabin had suddenly reached a -position of unusual importance, reported great loss of strength and -irritability of temper. It was still alive, but failing fast on the day they -were to put to sea again; and the fo’c’sle, in preparation for the worst, -stowed their pet away in the paint-locker, and discussed the situation. -</p> - -<p> -Their council was interrupted by the mysterious behaviour of the cook, who, -having gone out to lay in a stock of bread, suddenly broke in upon them more in -the manner of a member of a secret society than a humble but useful unit of a -ship’s company. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s the cap’n?” he asked in a hoarse whisper, as he took a seat on the -locker with the sack of bread between his knees. -</p> - -<p> -“In the cabin,” said Sam, regarding his antics with some disfavour. “What’s -wrong, cookie?” -</p> - -<p> -“What d’ yer think I’ve got in here?” asked the cook, patting the bag. -</p> - -<p> -The obvious reply to this question was, of course, bread; but as it was known -that the cook had departed specially to buy some, and that he could hardly ask -a question involving such a simple answer, nobody gave it. -</p> - -<p> -“It come to me all of a sudden,” said the cook, in a thrilling whisper. “I’d -just bought the bread and left the shop, when I see a big black cat, the very -image of ours, sitting on a doorstep. I just stooped down to stroke its ’ed, -when it come to me.” -</p> - -<p> -“They will sometimes,” said one of the seamen. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t mean that,” said the cook, with the contempt of genius. “I mean the -idea did. Ses I to myself, ‘You might be old Satan’s brother by the look of -you; an’ if the cap’n wants to kill a cat, let it be you,’ I ses. And with -that, before it could say Jack Robinson, I picked it up by the scruff o’ the -neck and shoved it in the bag.” -</p> - -<p> -“What, all in along of our bread?” said the previous interrupter, in a pained -voice. -</p> - -<p> -“Some of yer are ’ard ter please,” said the cook, deeply offended. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t mind him, cook,” said the admiring Sam. “You’re a masterpiece, that’s -what you are.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course, if any of you’ve got a better plan”—said the cook generously. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t talk rubbish, cook,” said Sam; “fetch the two cats out and put ’em -together.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t mix ’em,” said the cook warningly; “for you’ll never know which is which -agin if you do.” -</p> - -<p> -He cautiously opened the top of the sack and produced his captive, and Satan, -having been relieved from his prison, the two animals were carefully compared. -</p> - -<p> -“They’re as like as two lumps o’ coal,” said Sam slowly. “Lord, what a joke on -the old man. I must tell the mate o’ this; he’ll enjoy it.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’ll be all right if the parrot don’t die,” said the dainty pessimist, still -harping on his pet theme. “All that bread spoilt, and two cats aboard.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t mind what he ses,” said Sam; “you’re a brick, that’s what you are. I’ll -just make a few holes in the lid o’ the boy’s chest, and pop old Satan in. You -don’t mind, do you, Billy?” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course he don’t,” said the other men indignantly. -</p> - -<p> -Matters being thus agreeably arranged, Sam got a gimlet, and prepared the chest -for the reception of its tenant, who, convinced that he was being put out of -the way to make room for a rival, made a frantic fight for freedom. -</p> - -<p> -“Now get something ’eavy and put on the top of it,” said Sam, having convinced -himself that the lock was broken; “and, Billy, put the noo cat in the -paint-locker till we start; it’s home-sick.” -</p> - -<p> -The boy obeyed, and the understudy was kept in durance vile until they were off -Limehouse, when he came on deck and nearly ended his career there and then by -attempting to jump over the bulwark into the next garden. For some time he -paced the deck in a perturbed fashion, and then, leaping on the stern, mewed -plaintively as his native city receded farther and farther from his view. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter with old Satan?” said the mate, who had been let into the -secret. “He seems to have something on his mind.” -</p> - -<p> -“He’ll have something round his neck presently,” said the skipper grimly. -</p> - -<p> -The prophecy was fulfilled some three hours later, when he came up on deck -ruefully regarding the remains of a bird whose vocabulary had once been the -pride of its native town. He threw it overboard without a word, and then, -seizing the innocent cat, who had followed him under the impression that it was -about to lunch, produced half a brick attached to a string, and tied it round -his neck. The crew, who were enjoying the joke immensely, raised a howl of -protest. -</p> - -<p> -“The <i>Skylark</i>’ll never have another like it, sir,” said Sam solemnly. -“That cat was the luck of the ship.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want any of your old woman’s yarns,” said the skipper brutally. “If -you want the cat, go and fetch it.” -</p> - -<p> -He stepped aft as he spoke, and sent the gentle stranger hurtling through the -air. There was a “plomp” as it reached the water, a bubble or two came to the -surface, and all was over. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s the last o’ that,” he said, turning away. -</p> - -<p> -The old man shook his head. “You can’t kill a black cat for nothing,” said he, -“mark my words!” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, who was in a temper at the time, thought little of them, but they -recurred to him vividly the next day. The wind had freshened during the night, -and rain was falling heavily. On deck the crew stood about in oilskins, while -below, the boy, in his new capacity of gaoler, was ministering to the wants of -an ungrateful prisoner, when the cook, happening to glance that way, was -horrified to see the animal emerge from the fo’c’sle. It eluded easily the -frantic clutch of the boy as he sprang up the ladder after it, and walked -leisurely along the deck in the direction of the cabin. Just as the crew had -given it up for lost it encountered Sam, and the next moment, despite its -cries, was caught up and huddled away beneath his stiff clammy oilskins. At the -noise the skipper, who was talking to the mate, turned as though he had been -shot, and gazed wildly round him. -</p> - -<p> -“Dick,” said he, “can you hear a cat?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cat!” said the mate, in accents of great astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“I thought I heard it,” said the puzzled skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Fancy, sir,” said Dick firmly, as a mewing, appalling in its wrath, came from -beneath Sam’s coat. -</p> - -<p> -“Did you hear it, Sam?” called the skipper, as the old man was moving off. -</p> - -<p> -“Hear what, sir?” inquired Sam respectfully, without turning round. -</p> - -<p> -“Nothing,” said the skipper, collecting himself. “Nothing. All right.” -</p> - -<p> -The old man, hardly able to believe in his good fortune, made his way forward, -and, seizing a favourable opportunity, handed his ungrateful burden back to the -boy. -</p> - -<p> -“Fancy you heard a cat just now?” inquired the mate casually. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, between you an’ me, Dick,” said the skipper, in a mysterious voice, “I -did, and it wasn’t fancy neither. I heard that cat as plain as if it was -alive.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I’ve heard of such things,” said the other, “but I don’t believe ’em. -What a lark if the old cat comes back climbing up over the side out of the sea -to-night, with the brick hanging round its neck.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper stared at him for some time without speaking. “If that’s your idea -of a lark,” he said at length, in a voice which betrayed traces of some -emotion, “it ain’t mine.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, if you hear it again,” said the mate cordially, “you might let me know. -I’m rather interested in such things.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, hearing no more of it that day, tried hard to persuade himself -that he was the victim of imagination, but, in spite of this, he was pleased at -night, as he stood at the wheel, to reflect on the sense of companionship -afforded by the look-out in the bows. On his part the look-out was quite -charmed with the unwonted affability of the skipper, as he yelled out to him -two or three times on matters only faintly connected with the progress of the -schooner. -</p> - -<p> -The night, which had been dirty, cleared somewhat, and the bright crescent of -the moon appeared above a heavy bank of clouds, as the cat, which had by dint -of using its back as a lever at length got free from that cursed chest, licked -its shapely limbs, and came up on deck. After its stifling prison, the air was -simply delicious. -</p> - -<p> -“Bob!” yelled the skipper suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay, sir!” said the look-out, in a startled voice. -</p> - -<p> -“Did you mew?” inquired the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Did I <i>wot</i>, sir?” cried the astonished Bob. -</p> - -<p> -“Mew,” said the skipper sharply, “like a cat?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, sir,” said the offended seaman. “What ’ud I want to do that for?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know what you want to for,” said the skipper, looking round him -uneasily. “There’s some more rain coming, Bob.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay, sir,” said Bob. -</p> - -<p> -“Lot o’ rain we’ve had this summer,” said the skipper, in a meditative bawl. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay, sir,” said Bob. “Sailing-ship on the port bow, sir.” -</p> - -<p> -The conversation dropped, the skipper, anxious to divert his thoughts, watching -the dark mass of sail as it came plunging out of the darkness into the -moonlight until it was abreast of his own craft. His eyes followed it as it -passed his quarter, so that he saw not the stealthy approach of the cat which -came from behind the companion, and sat down close by him. For over thirty -hours the animal had been subjected to the grossest indignities at the hands of -every man on board the ship except one. That one was the skipper, and there is -no doubt but that its subsequent behaviour was a direct recognition of that -fact. It rose to its feet, and crossing over to the unconscious skipper, rubbed -its head affectionately and vigorously against his leg. -</p> - -<p> -From simple causes great events do spring. The skipper sprang four yards, and -let off a screech which was the subject of much comment on the barque which had -just passed. When Bob, who came shuffling up at the double, reached him he was -leaning against the side, incapable of speech, and shaking all over. -</p> - -<p> -“Anything wrong, sir?” inquired the seaman anxiously, as he ran to the wheel. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper pulled himself together a bit, and got closer to his companion. -</p> - -<p> -“Believe me or not, Bob,” he said at length, in trembling accents, “just as you -please, but the ghost of that—cat, I mean the ghost of that poor affectionate -animal which I drowned, and which I wish I hadn’t, came and rubbed itself up -against my leg.” -</p> - -<p> -“Which leg?” inquired Bob, who was ever careful about details. -</p> - -<p> -“What the blazes does it matter which leg?” demanded the skipper, whose nerves -were in a terrible state. “Ah, look—look there!” -</p> - -<p> -The seaman followed his outstretched finger, and his heart failed him as he saw -the cat, with its back arched, gingerly picking its way along the side of the -vessel. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t see nothing,” he said doggedly. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t suppose you can, Bob,” said the skipper in a melancholy voice, as the -cat vanished in the bows; “it’s evidently only meant for me to see. What it -means I don’t know. I’m going down to turn in. I ain’t fit for duty. You don’t -mind being left alone till the mate comes up, do you?” -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t afraid,” said Bob. -</p> - -<p> -His superior officer disappeared below, and, shaking the sleepy mate, who -protested strongly against the proceedings, narrated in trembling tones his -horrible experiences. -</p> - -<p> -“If I were you “—said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes?” said the skipper, waiting a bit. Then he shook him again, roughly. -</p> - -<p> -“What were you going to say?” he inquired. -</p> - -<p> -“Say?” said the mate, rubbing his eyes. “Nothing.” -</p> - -<p> -“About the cat?” suggested the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Cat?” said the mate, nestling lovingly down in the blankets again. “Wha’ -ca’—goo’ ni’”— -</p> - -<p> -Then the skipper drew the blankets from the mate’s sleepy clutches, and, -rolling him backwards and forwards in the bunk, patiently explained to him that -he was very unwell, that he was going to have a drop of whiskey neat, and turn -in, and that he, the mate, was to take the watch. From this moment the joke -lost much of its savour for the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“You can have a nip too, Dick,” said the skipper, proffering him the whiskey, -as the other sullenly dressed himself. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all rot,” said the mate, tossing the spirits down his throat, “and it’s -no use either; you can’t run away from a ghost; it’s just as likely to be in -your bed as anywhere else. Good-night.” -</p> - -<p> -He left the skipper pondering over his last words, and dubiously eyeing the -piece of furniture in question. Nor did he retire until he had subjected it to -an analysis of the most searching description, and then, leaving the lamp -burning, he sprang hastily in, and forgot his troubles in sleep. -</p> - -<p> -It was day when he awoke, and went on deck to find a heavy sea running, and -just sufficient sail set to keep the schooner’s head before the wind as she -bobbed about on the waters. An exclamation from the skipper, as a wave broke -against the side and flung a cloud of spray over him, brought the mate’s head -round. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, you ain’t going to get up?” he said, in tones of insincere surprise. -</p> - -<p> -“Why not?” inquired the other gruffly. -</p> - -<p> -“You go and lay down agin,” said the mate, “and have a cup o’ nice hot tea an’ -some toast.” -</p> - -<p> -“Clear out,” said the skipper, making a dash for the wheel, and reaching it as -the wet deck suddenly changed its angle. “I know you didn’t like being woke up, -Dick; but I got the horrors last night. Go below and turn in.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said the mollified mate. -</p> - -<p> -“You didn’t see anything?” inquired the skipper, as he took the wheel from him. -</p> - -<p> -“Nothing at all,” said the other. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper shook his head thoughtfully, then shook it again vigorously, as -another shower-bath put its head over the side and saluted him. -</p> - -<p> -“I wish I hadn’t drowned that cat, Dick,” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“You won’t see it again,” said Dick, with the confidence of a man who had taken -every possible precaution to render the prophecy a safe one. -</p> - -<p> -He went below, leaving the skipper at the wheel idly watching the cook as he -performed marvellous feats of jugglery, between the galley and the fo’c’sle, -with the men’s breakfast. -</p> - -<p> -A little while later, leaving the wheel to Sam, he went below himself and had -his own, talking freely, to the discomfort of the conscious-stricken cook, -about his weird experiences of the night before. -</p> - -<p> -“You won’t see it no more, sir, I don’t expect,” he said faintly; “I b’leeve it -come and rubbed itself up agin your leg to show it forgave you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I hope it knows it’s understood,” said the other. “I don’t want it to -take any more trouble.” -</p> - -<p> -He finished the breakfast in silence, and then went on deck again. It was still -blowing hard, and he went over to superintend the men who were attempting to -lash together some empties which were rolling about in all directions -amidships. A violent roll set them free again, and at the same time separated -two chests in the fo’c’sle, which were standing one on top of the other. This -enabled Satan, who was crouching in the lower one, half crazed with terror, to -come flying madly up on deck and give his feelings full vent. Three times in -full view of the horrified skipper he circled the deck at racing speed, and had -just started on the fourth when a heavy packing-case, which had been -temporarily set on end and abandoned by the men at his sudden appearance, fell -over and caught him by the tail. Sam rushed to the rescue. -</p> - -<p> -“Stop!” yelled the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Won’t I put it up, sir?” inquired Sam. -</p> - -<p> -“Do you see what’s beneath it?” said the skipper, in a husky voice. -</p> - -<p> -“Beneath it, sir?” said Sam, whose ideas were in a whirl. -</p> - -<p> -“The cat, can’t you see the cat?” said the skipper, whose eyes had been riveted -on the animal since its first appearance on deck. -</p> - -<p> -Sam hesitated a moment, and then shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -“The case has fallen on the cat,” said the skipper. “I can see it distinctly.” -</p> - -<p> -He might have said heard it, too, for Satan was making frenzied appeals to his -sympathetic friends for assistance. -</p> - -<p> -“Let me put the case back, sir,” said one of the men, “then p’raps the vision -’ll disappear.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, stop where you are,” said the skipper. “I can stand it better by daylight. -It’s the most wonderful and extraordinary thing I’ve ever seen. Do you mean to -say you can’t see anything, Sam?” -</p> - -<p> -“I can see a case, sir,” said Sam, speaking slowly and carefully, “with a bit -of rusty iron band sticking out from it. That’s what you’re mistaking for the -cat, p’raps, sir.” -</p> - -<p> -“Can’t you see anything, cook?” demanded the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“It may be fancy, sir,” faltered the cook, lowering his eyes, “but it does seem -to me as though I can see a little misty sort o’ thing there. Ah, now it’s -gone.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, it ain’t,” said the skipper. “The ghost of Satan’s sitting there. The case -seems to have fallen on its tail. It appears to be howling something dreadful.” -</p> - -<p> -The men made a desperate effort to display the astonishment suitable to such a -marvel, whilst Satan, who was trying all he knew to get his tail out, cursed -freely. How long the superstitious captain of the <i>Skylark</i> would have let -him remain there will never be known, for just then the mate came on deck and -caught sight of it before he was quite aware of the part he was expected to -play. -</p> - -<p> -“Why the devil don’t you lift the thing off the poor brute,” he yelled, -hurrying up towards the case. -</p> - -<p> -“What, can <i>you</i> see it, Dick?” said the skipper impressively, laying his -hand on his arm. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>See</i> it?” retorted the mate. “D’ye think I’m blind. Listen to the poor -brute. I should—Oh!” -</p> - -<p> -He became conscious of the concentrated significant gaze of the crew. Five -pairs of eyes speaking as one, all saying “idiot” plainly, the boy’s eyes -conveying an expression too great to be translated. -</p> - -<p> -Turning, the skipper saw the bye-play, and a light slowly dawned upon him. But -he wanted more, and he wheeled suddenly to the cook for the required -illumination. -</p> - -<p> -The cook said it was a lark. Then he corrected himself and said it wasn’t a -lark, then he corrected himself again and became incoherent. Meantime the -skipper eyed him stonily, while the mate released the cat and good-naturedly -helped to straighten its tail. -</p> - -<p> -It took fully five minutes of unwilling explanation before the skipper could -grasp the situation. He did not appear to fairly understand it until he was -shown the chest with the ventilated lid; then his countenance cleared, and, -taking the unhappy Billy by the collar, he called sternly for a piece of rope. -</p> - -<p> -By this statesmanlike handling of the subject a question of much delicacy and -difficulty was solved, discipline was preserved, and a practical illustration -of the perils of deceit afforded to a youngster who was at an age best suited -to receive such impressions. That he should exhaust the resources of a youthful -but powerful vocabulary upon the crew in general, and Sam in particular, was -only to be expected. They bore him no malice for it, but, when he showed signs -of going beyond his years, held a hasty consultation, and then stopped his -mouth with sixpence-halfpenny and a broken jack-knife. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap06"></a>THE SKIPPER OF THE “OSPREY”</h2> - -<p> -It was a quarter to six in the morning as the mate of the sailing-barge -<i>Osprey</i> came on deck and looked round for the master, who had been -sleeping ashore and was somewhat overdue. Ten minutes passed before he appeared -on the wharf, and the mate saw with surprise that he was leaning on the arm of -a pretty girl of twenty, as he hobbled painfully down to the barge. -</p> - -<p> -“Here you are then,” said the mate, his face clearing. “I began to think you -weren’t coming.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not,” said the skipper; “I’ve got the gout crool bad. My darter here’s -going to take my place, an’ I’m going to take it easy in bed for a bit.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll go an’ make it for you,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I mean my bed at home,” said the skipper sharply. “I want good nursing an’ -attention.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate looked puzzled. -</p> - -<p> -“But you don’t really mean to say this young lady is coming aboard instead of -you?” he said. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s just what I do mean,” said the skipper. “She knows as much about it as -I do. She lived aboard with me until she was quite a big girl. You’ll take your -orders from her. What are you whistling about? Can’t I do as I like about my -own ship?” -</p> - -<p> -“O’ course you can,” said the mate drily; “an’ I s’pose I can whistle if I -like—I never heard no orders against it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Gimme a kiss, Meg, an’ git aboard,” said the skipper, leaning on his stick and -turning his cheek to his daughter, who obediently gave him a perfunctory kiss -on the left eyebrow, and sprang lightly aboard the barge. -</p> - -<p> -“Cast off,” said she, in a business-like manner, as she seized a boat-hook and -pushed off from the jetty. “Ta ta, Dad, and go straight home, mind; the cab’s -waiting.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay, my dear,” said the proud father, his eye moistening with paternal -pride as his daughter, throwing off her jacket, ran and assisted the mate with -the sail. “Lord, what a fine boy she would have made!” -</p> - -<p> -He watched the barge until she was well under way, and then, waving his hand to -his daughter, crawled slowly back to the cab; and, being to a certain extent a -believer in homeopathy, treated his complaint with a glass of rum. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m sorry your father’s so bad, miss,” said the mate, who was still somewhat -dazed by the recent proceedings, as the girl came up and took the wheel from -him. “He was complaining a goodish bit all the way up.” -</p> - -<p> -“A wilful man must have his way,” said Miss Cringle, with a shake of her head. -“It’s no good me saying anything, because directly my back’s turned he has his -own way again.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate shook his head despondently. -</p> - -<p> -“You’d better get your bedding up and make your arrangements forward,” said the -new skipper presently. There was a look of indulgent admiration in the mate’s -eye, and she thought it necessary to check it. -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said the other, “plenty of time for that; the river’s a little bit -thick just now.” -</p> - -<p> -“What do you mean?” inquired the girl hastily. -</p> - -<p> -“Some o’ these things are not so careful as they might be,” said the mate, -noting the ominous sparkle of her eye, “an’ they might scrape the paint off.” -</p> - -<p> -“Look here, my lad,” said the new skipper grimly, “if you think you can steer -better than me, you’d better keep it to yourself, that’s all. Now suppose you -see about your bedding, as I said.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate went, albeit he was rather surprised at himself for doing so, and hid -his annoyance and confusion beneath the mattress which he brought up on his -head. His job completed, he came aft again, and, sitting on the hatches, lit -his pipe. -</p> - -<p> -“This is just the weather for a pleasant cruise,” he said amiably, after a few -whiffs. “You’ve chose a nice time for it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t mind the weather,” said the girl, who fancied that there was a little -latent sarcasm somewhere. “I think you’d better wash the decks now.” -</p> - -<p> -“Washed ’em last night,” said the mate, without moving. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah, after dark, perhaps,” said the girl. “Well, I think I’ll have them done -again.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate sat pondering rebelliously for a few minutes, then he removed his -jacket, put on in honour of the new skipper, and, fetching the bucket and mop, -silently obeyed orders. -</p> - -<p> -“You seem to be very fond of sitting down,” remarked the girl, after he had -finished; “can’t you find something else to do?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know,” replied the mate slowly; “I thought you were looking after -that.” -</p> - -<p> -The girl bit her lip, and was looking carefully round her, when they were both -disturbed by the unseemly behaviour of the master of a passing craft. -</p> - -<p> -“Jack!” he yelled in a tone of strong amazement, “Jack!” -</p> - -<p> -“Halloa!” cried the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Why didn’t you tell us?” yelled the other reproachfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Tell you what?” roared the mystified mate. -</p> - -<p> -The master of the other craft, holding on to the stays with one hand, jerked -his thumb expressively towards Miss Cringle, and waited. -</p> - -<p> -“When was it?” he screamed anxiously, as he realised that his craft was rapidly -carrying him out of earshot. -</p> - -<p> -The mate smiled feebly, and glanced uneasily at the girl, who, with a fine -colour and an air of vast unconcern, was looking straight in front of her; and -it was a relief to both of them when they found themselves hesitating and -dodging in front of a schooner which was coming up. -</p> - -<p> -“Do you want all the river?” demanded the exasperated master of the latter -vessel, running to the side as they passed. “Why don’t you drop anchor if you -want to spoon?” -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps you’d better let me take the wheel a bit,” said the mate, not without -a little malice in his voice. -</p> - -<p> -“No; you can go an’ keep a look-out in the bows,” said the girl serenely. -“It’ll prevent misunderstandings, too. Better take the potatoes with you and -peel them for dinner.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate complied, and the voyage proceeded in silence, the steering being -rendered a little nicer than usual by various nautical sparks bringing their -boats a bit closer than was necessary in order to obtain a good view of the -fair steersman. -</p> - -<p> -After dinner, the tide having turned and a stiff head-wind blowing, they -brought up off Sheppey. It began to rain hard, and the crew of the -<i>Osprey</i>, having made all snug above, retired to the cabin to resume their -quarrel. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t mind me,” said Miss Cringle scathingly, as the mate lit his pipe. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I didn’t think you minded,” replied the mate; “the old man”— -</p> - -<p> -“Who?” interrupted Miss Cringle, in a tone of polite inquiry. -</p> - -<p> -“Captain Cringle,” said the mate, correcting himself, “smokes a great deal, and -I’ve heard him say that you liked the smell of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s pipes and pipes,” said Miss Cringle oracularly. -</p> - -<p> -The mate flung his on the floor and crunched it beneath his heel, then he -thrust his hands in his pockets, and, leaning back, scowled darkly up at the -rain as it crackled on the skylight. -</p> - -<p> -“If you are going to show off your nasty temper,” said the girl severely, -“you’d better go forward. It’s not quite the thing after all for you to be down -here—not that I study appearances much.” -</p> - -<p> -“I shouldn’t think you did,” retorted the mate, whose temper was rapidly -getting the better of him. “I can’t think what your father was thinking of to -let a pret—to let a girl like you come away like this.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you were going to say pretty girl,” said Miss Cringle, with calm -self-abnegation, “don’t mind me, say it. The captain knows what he’s about. He -told me you were a milksop; he said you were a good young man and a -teetotaller.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, allowing the truth of the captain’s statement as to his abstinence, -hotly denied the charge of goodness. “I can understand your father’s hurry to -get rid of you for a spell,” he concluded, being goaded beyond all -consideration of politeness. “His gout ’ud never get well while you were with -him. More than that, I shouldn’t wonder if you were the cause of it.” -</p> - -<p> -With this parting shot he departed, before the girl could think of a suitable -reply, and went and sulked in the dingy little fo’c’sle. -</p> - -<p> -In the evening, the weather having moderated somewhat, and the tide being on -the ebb, they got under way again, the girl coming on deck fully attired in an -oilskin coat and sou’-wester to resume the command. The rain fell steadily as -they ploughed along their way, guided by the bright eye of the “Mouse” as it -shone across the darkening waters. The mate, soaked to the skin, was at the -wheel. -</p> - -<p> -“Why don’t you go below and put your oilskins on?” inquired the girl, when this -fact dawned upon her. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t want ’em,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I suppose you know best,” said the girl, and said no more until nine o’clock, -when she paused at the companion to give her last orders for the night. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m going to turn in,” said she; “call me at two o’clock. Good-night.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good-night,” said the other, and the girl vanished. -</p> - -<p> -Left to himself, the mate, who began to feel chilly, felt in his pockets for a -pipe, and was in all the stress of getting a light, when he heard a thin, -almost mild voice behind him, and, looking round, saw the face of the girl at -the companion. -</p> - -<p> -“I say, are these your oilskins I’ve been wearing?” she demanded awkwardly. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re quite welcome,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Why didn’t you tell me?” said the girl indignantly. “I wouldn’t have worn them -for anything if I had known it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, they won’t poison you,” said the mate resentfully. “Your father left his -at Ipswich to have ’em cobbled up a bit.” -</p> - -<p> -The girl passed them up on the deck, and, closing the companion with a bang, -disappeared. It is possible that the fatigues of the day had been too much for -her, for when she awoke, and consulted the little silver watch that hung by her -bunk, it was past five o’clock, and the red glow of the sun was flooding the -cabin as she arose and hastily dressed. -</p> - -<p> -The deck was drying in white patches as she went above, and the mate was -sitting yawning at the wheel, his eyelids red for want of sleep. -</p> - -<p> -“Didn’t I tell you to call me at two o’clock?” she demanded, confronting him. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all right,” said the mate. “I thought when you woke would be soon enough. -You looked tired.” -</p> - -<p> -“I think you’d better go when we get to Ipswich,” said the girl, tightening her -lips. “I’ll ship somebody who’ll obey orders.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll go when we get back to London,” said the mate. “I’ll hand this barge over -to the cap’n, and nobody else.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, we’ll see,” said the girl, as she took the wheel, “<i>I</i> think you’ll -go at Ipswich.” -</p> - -<p> -For the remainder of the voyage the subject was not alluded to; the mate, in a -spirit of sulky pride, kept to the fore part of the boat, except when he was -steering, and, as far as practicable, the girl ignored his presence. In this -spirit of mutual forbearance they entered the Orwell, and ran swiftly up to -Ipswich. -</p> - -<p> -It was late in the afternoon when they arrived there, and the new skipper, -waiting only until they were made fast, went ashore, leaving the mate in -charge. She had been gone about an hour when a small telegraph boy appeared, -and, after boarding the barge in the unsafest manner possible, handed him a -telegram. The mate read it and his face flushed. With even more than the -curtness customary in language at a halfpenny a word, it contained his -dismissal. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve had a telegram from your father sacking me,” he said to the girl, as she -returned soon after, laden with small parcels. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I wired him to,” she replied calmly. “I suppose you’ll go <i>now?</i>” -</p> - -<p> -“I’d rather go back to London with you,” he said slowly. -</p> - -<p> -“I daresay,” said the girl. “As a matter of fact I wasn’t really meaning for -you to go, but when you said you wouldn’t I thought we’d see who was master. -I’ve shipped another mate, so you see I haven’t lost much time.” -</p> - -<p> -“Who is he,” inquired the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Man named Charlie Lee,” replied the girl; “the foreman here told me of him.” -</p> - -<p> -“He’d no business too,” said the mate, frowning; “he’s a loose fish; take my -advice now and ship somebody else. He’s not at all the sort of chap I’d choose -for you to sail with.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’d choose,” said the girl scornfully; “dear me, what a pity you didn’t tell -me before.” -</p> - -<p> -“He’s a public-house loafer,” said the mate, meeting her eye angrily, “and -about as bad as they make ’em; but I s’pose you’ll have your own way.” -</p> - -<p> -“He won’t frighten me,” said the girl. “I’m quite capable of taking care of -myself, thank you. Good evening.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate stepped ashore with a small bundle, leaving the remainder of his -possessions to go back to London with the barge. The girl watched his well-knit -figure as it strode up the quay until it was out of sight, and then, inwardly -piqued because he had not turned round for a parting glance, gave a little -sigh, and went below to tea. -</p> - -<p> -The docile and respectful behaviour of the new-comer was a pleasant change to -the autocrat of the <i>Osprey</i>, and cargoes were worked out and in without -an unpleasant word. They laid at the quay for two days, the new mate, whose -home was at Ipswich, sleeping ashore, and on the morning of the third he turned -up punctually at six o’clock, and they started on their return voyage. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you do know how to handle a craft,” said Lee admiringly, as they passed -down the river. “The old boat seems to know it’s got a pretty young lady in -charge.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t talk rubbish,” said the girl austerely. -</p> - -<p> -The new mate carefully adjusted his red necktie and smiled indulgently. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you’re the prettiest cap’n I’ve ever sailed under,” he said. “What do -they call that red cap you’ve got on? Tam-o’-Shanter is it?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know,” said the girl shortly. -</p> - -<p> -“You mean you won’t tell me,” said the other, with a look of anger in his soft -dark eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“Just as you like,” said she, and Lee, whistling softly, turned on his heel and -began to busy himself with some small matter forward. -</p> - -<p> -The rest of the day passed quietly, though there was a freedom in the new -mate’s manner which made the redoubtable skipper of the <i>Osprey</i> regret -her change of crew, and to treat him with more civility than her proud spirit -quite approved of. There was but little wind, and the barge merely crawled -along as the captain and mate, with surreptitious glances, took each other’s -measure. -</p> - -<p> -“This is the nicest trip I’ve ever had,” said Lee, as he came up from an unduly -prolonged tea, with a strong-smelling cigar in his mouth. “I’ve brought your -jacket up.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want it, thank you,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Better have it,” said Lee, holding it up for her. -</p> - -<p> -“When I want my jacket I’ll put it on myself,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“All right, no offence,” said the other airily. “What an obstinate little devil -you are.” -</p> - -<p> -“Have you got any drink down there?” inquired the girl, eyeing him sternly. -</p> - -<p> -“Just a little drop o’ whiskey, my dear, for the spasms,” said Lee facetiously. -“Will you have a drop?” -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t have any drinking here,” said she sharply. “If you want to drink, wait -till you get ashore.” -</p> - -<p> -“<i>You</i> won’t have any drinking!” said the other, opening his eyes, and -with a quiet chuckle he dived below and brought up a bottle and a glass. -“Here’s wishing a better temper to you, my dear,” he said amiably, as he tossed -off a glass. “Come, you’d better have a drop. It’ll put a little colour in your -cheeks.” -</p> - -<p> -“Put it away now, there’s a good fellow,” said the captain timidly, as she -looked anxiously at the nearest sail, some two miles distant. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s the only friend I’ve got,” said Lee, sprawling gracefully on the hatches, -and replenishing his glass. “Look here. Are you on for a bargain?” -</p> - -<p> -“What do you mean?” inquired the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Give me a kiss, little spitfire, and I won’t take another drop to-night,” said -the new mate tenderly. “Come, I won’t tell.” -</p> - -<p> -“You may drink yourself to death before I’ll do that,” said the girl, striving -to speak calmly. “Don’t talk that nonsense to me again.” -</p> - -<p> -She stooped over as she spoke and made a sudden grab at the bottle, but the new -mate was too quick for her, and, snatching it up jeeringly, dared her to come -for it. -</p> - -<p> -“Come on, come and fight for it,” said he; “hit me if you like, I don’t mind; -your little fist won’t hurt.” -</p> - -<p> -No answer being vouchsafed to this invitation he applied himself to his only -friend again, while the girl, now thoroughly frightened, steered in silence. -</p> - -<p> -“Better get the sidelights out,” said she at length. -</p> - -<p> -“Plenty o’ time,” said Lee. -</p> - -<p> -“Take the helm, then, while I do it,” said the girl, biting her lips. -</p> - -<p> -The fellow rose and came towards her, and, as she made way for him, threw his -arm round her waist and tried to detain her. Her heart beating quickly, she -walked forward, and, not without a hesitating glance at the drunken figure at -the wheel, descended into the fo’c’sle for the lamps. -</p> - -<p> -The next moment, with a gasping little cry, she sank down on a locker as the -dark figure of a man rose and stood by her. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t be frightened,” it said quietly. -</p> - -<p> -“Jack?” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s me,” said the figure. “You didn’t expect to see me, did you? I thought -perhaps you didn’t know what was good for you, so I stowed myself away last -night, and here I am.” -</p> - -<p> -“Have you heard what that fellow has been saying to me?” demanded Miss Cringle, -with a spice of the old temper leavening her voice once more. -</p> - -<p> -“Every word,” said the mate cheerfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Why didn’t you come up and stand by me?” inquired the girl hotly. -</p> - -<p> -The mate hung his head. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh,” said the girl, and her tones were those of acute disappointment, “you’re -afraid.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not,” said the mate scornfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Why didn’t you come up, then, instead of skulking down here?” inquired the -girl. -</p> - -<p> -The mate scratched the back of his neck and smiled, but weakly. “Well, I—I -thought”—he began, and stopped. -</p> - -<p> -“You thought”—prompted Miss Cringle coldly. -</p> - -<p> -“I thought a little fright would do you good,” said the mate, speaking quickly, -“and that it would make you appreciate me a little more when I did come.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy! <i>Maggie! Maggie!</i>” came the voice of the graceless varlet who was -steering. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll <i>Maggie</i> him,” said the mate, grinding his teeth, “Why, what the—why -you’re crying.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not,” sobbed Miss Cringle scornfully. “I’m in a temper, that’s all.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll knock his head off,” said the mate; “you stay down here.” -</p> - -<p> -“Mag-<i>gie!</i>” came the voice again, “<i>Mag</i>—H<small>ULLO</small>!” -</p> - -<p> -“Were you calling me, my lad?” said the mate, with dangerous politeness, as he -stepped aft. “Ain’t you afraid of straining that sweet voice o’ yours? Leave go -o’ that tiller.” -</p> - -<p> -The other let go, and the mate’s fist took him heavily in the face and sent him -sprawling on the deck. He rose with a scream of rage and rushed at his -opponent, but the mate’s temper, which had suffered badly through his treatment -of the last few days, was up, and he sent him heavily down again. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s a little dark dingy hole forward,” said the mate, after waiting some -time for him to rise again, “just the place for you to go and think over your -sins in. If I see you come out of it until we get to London, I’ll hurt you. Now -clear.” -</p> - -<p> -The other cleared, and, carefully avoiding the girl, who was standing close by, -disappeared below. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve hurt him,” said the girl, coming up to the mate and laying her hand on -his arm. “What a horrid temper you’ve got.” -</p> - -<p> -“It was him asking you to kiss him that upset me,” said the mate -apologetically. -</p> - -<p> -“He put his arm round my waist,” said Miss Cringle, blushing. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>What!</i>” said the mate, stuttering, “put his—put his arm—round—your -waist—like”— -</p> - -<p> -His courage suddenly forsook him. -</p> - -<p> -“Like what?” inquired the girl, with superb innocence. -</p> - -<p> -“Like <i>that</i>,” said the mate manfully. -</p> - -<p> -“That’ll do,” said Miss Cringle softly, “that’ll do. You’re as bad as he is, -only the worst of it is there is nobody here to prevent you.” -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap07"></a>IN BORROWED PLUMES</h2> - -<p> -The master of the <i>Sarah Jane</i> had been missing for two days, and all on -board, with the exception of the boy, whom nobody troubled about, were full of -joy at the circumstance. Twice before had the skipper, whose habits might, -perhaps, be best described as irregular, missed his ship, and word had gone -forth that the third time would be the last. His berth was a good one, and the -mate wanted it in place of his own, which was wanted by Ted Jones, A. B. -</p> - -<p> -“Two hours more,” said the mate anxiously to the men, as they stood leaning -against the side, “and I take the ship out.” -</p> - -<p> -“Under two hours’ll do it,” said Ted, peering over the side and watching the -water as it slowly rose over the mud. “What’s got the old man, I wonder?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” said the mate. “You chaps stand by me and -it’ll be good for all of us. Mr. Pearson said distinct the last time that if -the skipper ever missed his ship again it would be his last trip in her, and he -told me afore the old man that I wasn’t to wait two minutes at any time, but to -bring her out right away.” -</p> - -<p> -“He’s an old fool,” said Bill Loch, the other hand; “and nobody’ll miss him but -the boy, and he’s been looking reg’lar worried all the morning. He looked so -worried at dinner time that I give ’im a kick to cheer him up a bit. Look at -him now.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate gave a supercilious glance in the direction of the boy, and then -turned away. The boy, who had no idea of courting observation, stowed himself -away behind the windlass; and, taking a letter from his pocket, perused it for -the fourth time. -</p> - -<p> -“Dear Tommy,” it began. “I take my pen in and to inform you that I’m stayin -here and cant get away for the reason that I lorst my cloes at cribage larst -night, also my money, and everything beside. Don’t speek to a living sole about -it as the mate wants my birth, but pack up sum cloes and bring them to me -without saying nuthing to noboddy. The mates cloths will do becos I havent got -enny other soot, dont tell ’im. You needen’t trouble about soks as I’ve got -them left. My bed is so bad I must now conclude. Your affecshunate uncle and -captin Joe Bross. P.S. Dont let the mate see you come, or else he wont let you -go.” -</p> - -<p> -“Two hours more,” sighed Tommy, as he put the letter back in his pocket. “How -can I get any clothes when they’re all locked up? And aunt said I was to look -after ’im and see he didn’t get into no mischief.” -</p> - -<p> -He sat thinking deeply, and then, as the crew of the <i>Sarah Jane</i> stepped -ashore to take advantage of a glass offered by the mate, he crept down to the -cabin again for another desperate look round. The only articles of clothing -visible belonged to Mrs. Bross, who up to this trip had been sailing in the -schooner to look after its master. At these he gazed hard. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll take ’em and try an’ swop ’em for some men’s clothes,” said he suddenly, -snatching the garments from the pegs. “She wouldn’t mind”; and hastily rolling -them into a parcel, together with a pair of carpet slippers of the captain’s, -he thrust the lot into an old biscuit bag. Then he shouldered his burden, and, -going cautiously on deck, gained the shore, and set off at a trot to the -address furnished in the letter. -</p> - -<p> -It was a long way, and the bag was heavy. His first attempt at barter was -alarming, for the pawnbroker, who had just been cautioned by the police, was in -such a severe and uncomfortable state of morals, that the boy quickly snatched -up his bundle again and left. Sorely troubled he walked hastily along, until, -in a small bye street, his glance fell upon a baker of mild and benevolent -aspect, standing behind the counter of his shop. -</p> - -<p> -“If you please, sir,” said Tommy, entering, and depositing his bag on the -counter, “have you got any cast-off clothes you don’t want?” -</p> - -<p> -The baker turned to a shelf, and selecting a stale loaf cut it in halves, one -of which he placed before the boy. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want bread,” said Tommy desperately; “but mother has just died, and -father wants mourning for the funeral. He’s only got a new suit with him, and -if he can change these things of mother’s for an old suit, he’d sell his best -ones to bury her with.” -</p> - -<p> -He shook the articles out on the counter, and the baker’s wife, who had just -come into the shop, inspected them rather favourably. -</p> - -<p> -“Poor boy, so you’ve lost your mother,” she said, turning the clothes over. -“It’s a good skirt, Bill.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, ma’am,” said Tommy dolefully. -</p> - -<p> -“What did she die of?” inquired the baker. -</p> - -<p> -“Scarlet fever,” said Tommy, tearfully, mentioning the only disease he knew. -</p> - -<p> -“Scar—Take them things away,” yelled the baker, pushing the clothes on to the -floor, and following his wife to the other end of the shop. “Take ’em away -directly, you young villain.” -</p> - -<p> -His voice was so loud, his manner so imperative, that the startled boy, without -stopping to argue, stuffed the clothes pell-mell into the bag again and -departed. A farewell glance at the clock made him look almost as horrified as -the baker. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s no time to be lost,” he muttered, as he began to run; “either the old -man’ll have to come in these or else stay where he is.” -</p> - -<p> -He reached the house breathless, and paused before an unshaven man in time-worn -greasy clothes, who was smoking a short clay pipe with much enjoyment in front -of the door. -</p> - -<p> -“Is Cap’n Bross here?” he panted. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s upstairs,” said the man, with a leer, “sitting in sackcloth and ashes, -more ashes than sackcloth. Have you got some clothes for him?” -</p> - -<p> -“Look here,” said Tommy. He was down on his knees with the mouth of the bag -open again, quite in the style of the practised hawker. “Give me an old suit of -clothes for them. Hurry up. There’s a lovely frock.” -</p> - -<p> -“Blimey,” said the man, staring, “I’ve only got these clothes. Wot d’yer take -me for? A dook?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, get me some somewhere,” said Tommy. “If you don’t the cap’n ’ll have to -come in these, and I’m sure he won’t like it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I wonder what he’d look like,” said the man, with a grin. “Damme if I don’t -come up and see.” -</p> - -<p> -“Get me some clothes,” pleaded Tommy. -</p> - -<p> -“I wouldn’t get you clothes, no, not for fifty pun,” said the man severely. -“Wot d’yer mean wanting to spoil people’s pleasure in that way? Come on, come -and tell the cap’n what you’ve got for ’im, I want to ’ear what he ses. He’s -been swearing ’ard since ten o’clock this morning, but he ought to say -something special over this.” -</p> - -<p> -He led the way up the bare wooden stairs, followed by the harassed boy, and -entered a small dirty room at the top, in the centre of which the master of the -<i>Sarah Jane</i> sat to deny visitors, in a pair of socks and last week’s -paper. -</p> - -<p> -“Here’s a young gent come to bring you some clothes, cap’n,” said the man, -taking the sack from the boy. -</p> - -<p> -“Why didn’t you come before?” growled the captain, who was reading the -advertisements. -</p> - -<p> -The man put his hand in the sack, and pulled out the clothes. “What do you -think of ’em?” he asked expectantly. -</p> - -<p> -The captain strove vainly to tell him, but his tongue mercifully forsook its -office, and dried between his lips. His brain rang with sentences of scorching -iniquity, but they got no further. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, say thank you, if you can’t say nothing else,” suggested his tormentor -hopefully. -</p> - -<p> -“I couldn’t bring nothing else,” said Tommy hurriedly; “all the things was -locked up. I tried to swop ’em and nearly got locked up for it. Put these on -and hurry up.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain moistened his lips with his tongue. -</p> - -<p> -“The mate’ll get off directly she floats,” continued Tommy. “Put these on and -spoil his little game. It’s raining a little now. Nobody’ll see you, and as -soon as you git aboard you can borrow some of the men’s clothes.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s the ticket, cap’n,” said the man. “Lord lumme, you’ll ’ave everybody -falling in love with you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hurry up,” said Tommy, dancing with impatience. “Hurry up.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, dazed and wild-eyed, stood still while his two assistants hastily -dressed him, bickering somewhat about details as they did so. -</p> - -<p> -“He ought to be tight-laced, I tell you,” said the man. -</p> - -<p> -“He can’t be tight-laced without stays,” said Tommy scornfully. “You ought to -know that.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ho, can’t he,” said the other, discomfited. “You know too much for a young-un. -Well, put a bit o’ line round ’im then.” -</p> - -<p> -“We can’t wait for a line,” said Tommy, who was standing on tip-toe to tie the -skipper’s bonnet on. “Now tie the scarf over his chin to hide his beard, and -put this veil on. It’s a good job he ain’t got a moustache.” -</p> - -<p> -The other complied, and then fell back a pace or two to gaze at his handiwork. -“Strewth, though I sees it as shouldn’t, you look a treat!” he remarked -complacently. “Now, young-un, take ’old of his arm. Go up the back streets, and -if you see anybody looking at you, call ’im Mar.” -</p> - -<p> -The two set off, after the man, who was a born realist, had tried to snatch a -kiss from the skipper on the threshold. Fortunately for the success of the -venture, it was pelting with rain, and, though a few people gazed curiously at -the couple as they went hastily along, they were unmolested, and gained the -wharf in safety, arriving just in time to see the schooner shoving off from the -side. -</p> - -<p> -At the sight the skipper held up his skirts and ran. “Ahoy!” he shouted. “Wait -a minute.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate gave one look of blank astonishment at the extraordinary figure, and -then turned away; but at that moment the stern came within jumping distance of -the wharf, and uncle and nephew, moved with one impulse leaped for it and -gained the deck in safety. -</p> - -<p> -“Why didn’t you wait when I hailed you?” demanded the skipper fiercely. -</p> - -<p> -“How was I to know it was you?” inquired the mate surlily, as he realised his -defeat. “I thought it was the Empress of Rooshia.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper stared at him dumbly. -</p> - -<p> -“An’ if you take my advice,” said the mate, with a sneer, “you’ll keep them -things on. <i>I</i> never see you look so well in anything afore.” -</p> - -<p> -“I want to borrow some o’ your clothes, Bob,” said the skipper, eyeing him -steadily. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s your own?” asked the other. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know,” said the skipper. “I was took with a fit last night, Bob, and -when I woke up this morning they were gone. Somebody must have took advantage -of my helpless state and taken ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very likely,” said the mate, turning away to shout an order to the crew, who -were busy setting sail. -</p> - -<p> -“Where are they, old man?” inquired the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“How should I know?” asked the other, becoming interested in the men again. -</p> - -<p> -“I mean <i>your</i> clothes,” said the skipper, who was fast losing his temper. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, mine?” said the mate. “Well, as a matter o’ fact, I don’t like lending my -clothes. I’m rather pertickler. You might have a fit in <i>them</i>.” -</p> - -<p> -“You won’t lend ’em to me?” asked the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t,” said the mate, speaking loudly, and frowning significantly at the -crew, who were listening. -</p> - -<p> -“Very good,” said the skipper. “Ted, come here. Where’s your other clothes?” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m very sorry, sir,” said Ted, shifting uneasily from one leg to the other, -and glancing at the mate for support; “but they ain’t fit for the likes of you -to wear, sir.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m the best judge of that,” said the skipper sharply. “Fetch ’em up.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, to tell the truth, sir,” said Ted, “I’m like the mate. I’m only a poor -sailor-man, but I wouldn’t lend my clothes to the Queen of England.” -</p> - -<p> -“You fetch up them clothes,” roared the skipper snatching off his bonnet and -flinging it on the deck. “Fetch ’em up at once. D’ye think I’m going about in -these petticuts?” -</p> - -<p> -“They’re my clothes,” muttered Ted doggedly. -</p> - -<p> -“Very well, then, I’ll have Bill’s,” said the skipper. “But mind you, my lad, -I’ll make you pay for this afore I’ve done with you. Bill’s the only honest man -aboard this ship. Gimme your hand, Bill, old man.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m with them two,” said Bill gruffly, as he turned away. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, biting his lips with fury, turned from one to the other, and then, -with a big oath, walked forward. Before he could reach the fo’c’sle Bill and -Ted dived down before him, and, by the time he had descended, sat on their -chests side by side confronting him. To threats and appeals alike they turned a -deaf ear, and the frantic skipper was compelled at last to go on deck again, -still encumbered with the hated skirts. -</p> - -<p> -“Why don’t you go an’ lay down,” said the mate, “an’ I’ll send you down a nice -cup o’ hot tea. You’ll get histericks, if you go on like that.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll knock your ’ead off if you talk to me,” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Not you,” said the mate cheerfully; “you ain’t big enough. Look at that pore -fellow over there.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper looked in the direction indicated, and, swelling with impotent -rage, shook his fist fiercely at a red-faced man with grey whiskers, who was -wafting innumerable tender kisses from the bridge of a passing steamer. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s right,” said the mate approvingly; “don’t give ’im no encouragement. -Love at first sight ain’t worth having.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, suffering severely from suppressed emotion, went below, and the -crew, after waiting a little while to make sure that he was not coming up -again, made their way quietly to the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“If we can only take him to Battlesea in this rig it’ll be all right,” said the -latter. “You chaps stand by me. His slippers and sou’-wester is the only -clothes he’s got aboard. Chuck every needle you can lay your hands on -overboard, or else he’ll git trying to make a suit out of a piece of old sail -or something. If we can only take him to Mr. Pearson like this, it won’t be so -bad after all.” -</p> - -<p> -While these arrangements were in hand above, the skipper and the boy were busy -over others below. Various startling schemes propounded by the skipper for -obtaining possession of his men’s attire were rejected by the youth as -unlawful, and, what was worse, impracticable. For a couple of hours they -discussed ways and means, but only ended in diatribes against the mean ways of -the crew; and the skipper, whose head ached still from his excesses, fell into -a state of sullen despair at length, and sat silent. -</p> - -<p> -“By Jove, Tommy, I’ve got it,” he cried suddenly, starting up and hitting the -table with his fist. “Where’s your other suit?” -</p> - -<p> -“That ain’t no bigger that this one,” said Tommy. -</p> - -<p> -“You git it out,” said the skipper, with a knowing toss of his head. “Ah, there -we are. Now go in my state-room and take those off.” -</p> - -<p> -The wondering Tommy, who thought that great grief had turned his kinsman’s -brain, complied, and emerged shortly afterwards in a blanket, bringing his -clothes under his arm. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, do you know what I’m going to do?” inquired the skipper, with a big -smile. -</p> - -<p> -“No.” -</p> - -<p> -“Fetch me the scissors, then. Now do you know what I’m going to do?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cut up the two suits and make ’em into one,” hazarded the horror-stricken -Tommy. “Here, stop it! Leave off!” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper pushed him impatiently off, and, placing the clothes on the table, -took up the scissors, and, with a few slashing strokes, cut them garments into -their component parts. -</p> - -<p> -“What am <i>I</i> to wear,” said Tommy, beginning to blubber. “You didn’t think -of that?” -</p> - -<p> -“What are you to wear, you selfish young pig?” said the skipper sternly. -“Always thinking about yourself. Go and git some needles and thread, and if -there’s any left over, and you’re a good boy, I’ll see whether I can’t make -something for you out of the leavings.” -</p> - -<p> -“There ain’t no needles here,” whined Tommy, after a lengthened search. -</p> - -<p> -“Go down the fo’c’sle and git the case of sail-makers’ needles, then,” said the -skipper, “Don’t let anyone see what you’re after, an’ some thread.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, why couldn’t you let me go in my clothes before you cut ’em up,” moaned -Tommy. “I don’t like going up in this blanket. They’ll laugh at me.” -</p> - -<p> -“You go at once!” thundered the skipper, and, turning his back on him, whistled -softly, and began to arrange the pieces of cloth. -</p> - -<p> -“Laugh away, my lads,” he said cheerfully, as an uproarious burst of laughter -greeted the appearance of Tommy on deck. “Wait a bit.” -</p> - -<p> -He waited himself for nearly twenty minutes, at the end of which time Tommy, -treading on his blanket, came flying down the companion-ladder, and rolled into -the cabin. -</p> - -<p> -“There ain’t a needle aboard the ship,” he said solemnly, as he picked himself -up and rubbed his head. “I’ve looked everywhere.” -</p> - -<p> -“What?” roared the skipper, hastily concealing the pieces of cloth. “Here, Ted! -Ted!” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay, sir!” said Ted, as he came below. -</p> - -<p> -“I want a sail-maker’s needle,” said the skipper glibly. “I’ve got a rent in -this skirt.” -</p> - -<p> -“I broke the last one yesterday,” said Ted, with an evil grin. -</p> - -<p> -“Any other needle then,” said the skipper, trying to conceal his emotion. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t believe there’s such a thing aboard the ship,” said Ted, who had -obeyed the mate’s thoughtful injunction. “<i>Nor</i> thread. I was only saying -so to the mate yesterday.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper sank again to the lowest depths, waved him away, and then, getting -on a corner of the locker, fell into a gloomy reverie. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s a pity you do things in such a hurry,” said Tommy, sniffing vindictively. -“You might have made sure of the needle before you spoiled my clothes. There’s -two of us going about ridiculous now.” -</p> - -<p> -The master of the <i>Sarah Jane</i> allowed this insolence to pass unheeded. It -is in moments of deep distress that the mind of man, naturally reverting to -solemn things, seeks to improve the occasion by a lecture. The skipper, -chastened by suffering and disappointment, stuck his right hand in his pocket, -after a lengthened search for it, and gently bidding the blanketed urchin in -front of him to sit down, began: -</p> - -<p> -“You see what comes of drink and cards,” he said mournfully. “Instead of being -at the helm of my ship, racing all the other craft down the river, I’m skulkin’ -down below here like—like”— -</p> - -<p> -“Like an actress,” suggested Tommy. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper eyed him all over. Tommy, unconscious of offence, met his gaze -serenely. -</p> - -<p> -“If,” continued the skipper, “at any time you felt like taking too much, and -you stopped with the beer-mug half-way to your lips, and thought of me sitting -in this disgraceful state, what would you do?” -</p> - -<p> -“I dunno,” replied Tommy, yawning. -</p> - -<p> -“What would you do?” persisted the skipper, with great expression. -</p> - -<p> -“Laugh, I s’pose,” said Tommy, after a moment’s thought. -</p> - -<p> -The sound of a well-boxed ear rang through the cabin. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re an unnatural, ungrateful little toad,” said the skipper fiercely. “You -don’t deserve to have a good, kind uncle to look after you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Anybody can have him for me,” sobbed the indignant Tommy, as he tenderly felt -his ear. “You look a precious sight more like an aunt than an uncle.” -</p> - -<p> -After firing this shot he vanished in a cloud of blanket, and the skipper, -reluctantly abandoning a hastily-formed resolve of first flaying him alive and -then flinging him overboard, sat down again and lit his pipe. -</p> - -<p> -Once out of the river he came on deck again, and, ignoring by a great effort -the smiles of the crew and the jibes of the mate, took command. The only -alteration he made in his dress was to substitute his sou’-wester for the -bonnet, and in this guise he did his work, while the aggrieved Tommy hopped it -in blankets. The three days at sea passed like a horrid dream. So covetous was -his gaze, that the crew instinctively clutched their nether garments and looked -to the buttoning of their coats as they passed him. He saw coats in the -mainsail, and fashioned phantom trousers out of the flying jib, and towards the -end began to babble of blue serges and mixed tweeds. Oblivious of fame, he had -resolved to enter the harbour of Battlesea by night; but it was not to be. Near -home the wind dropped, and the sun was well up before Battlesea came into view, -a grey bank on the starboard bow. -</p> - -<p> -Until within a mile of the harbour, the skipper held on, and then his grasp on -the wheel relaxed somewhat, and he looked round anxiously for the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s Bob?” he shouted. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s very ill, sir,” said Ted, shaking his head. -</p> - -<p> -“Ill?” gasped the startled skipper. “Here, take the wheel a minute.” -</p> - -<p> -He handed it over, and grasping his skirts went hastily below. The mate was -half lying, half sitting, in his bunk, groaning dismally. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter?” inquired the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m dying,” said the mate. “I keep being tied up all in knots inside. I can’t -hold myself straight.” -</p> - -<p> -The other cleared his throat. “You’d better take off your clothes and lie down -a bit,” he said kindly. “Let me help you off with them.” -</p> - -<p> -“No—don’t—trouble,” panted the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“It ain’t no trouble,” said the skipper, in a trembling voice. -</p> - -<p> -“No, I’ll keep ’em on,” said the mate faintly. “I’ve always had an idea I’d -like to die in my clothes. It may be foolish, but I can’t help it.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll have your wish some day, never fear, you infernal rascal,” shouted the -overwrought skipper. “You’re shamming sickness to make me take the ship into -port.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why shouldn’t you take her in,” asked the mate, with an air of innocent -surprise. “It’s your duty as cap’n. You’d better get above now. The bar is -always shifting.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, restraining himself by a mighty effort, went on deck again, and, -taking the wheel, addressed the crew. He spoke feelingly of the obedience men -owed their superior officers, and the moral obligation they were under to lend -them their trousers when they required them. He dwelt on the awful punishments -awarded for mutiny, and proved clearly, that to allow the master of a ship to -enter port in petticoats was mutiny of the worst type. He then sent them below -for their clothing. They were gone such a long time that it was palpable to the -meanest intellect that they did not intend to bring it. Meantime the harbour -widened out before him. -</p> - -<p> -There were two or three people on the quay as the <i>Sarah Jane</i> came within -hailing distance. By the time she had passed the lantern at the end of it there -were two or three dozen, and the numbers were steadily increasing at the rate -of three persons for every five yards she made. Kind-hearted, humane men, -anxious that their friends should not lose so great and cheap a treat, bribed -small and reluctant boys with pennies to go in search of them, and by the time -the schooner reached her berth, a large proportion of the population of the -port was looking over each other’s shoulders and shouting foolish and hilarious -inquiries to the skipper. The news reached the owner, and he came hurrying down -to the ship, just as the skipper, regardless of the heated remonstrances of the -sightseers, was preparing to go below. -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Pearson was a stout man, and he came down exploding with wrath. Then he saw -the apparition, and mirth overcame him. It became necessary for three stout -fellows to act as buttresses, and the more indignant the skipper looked the -harder their work became. Finally he was assisted, in a weak state, and -laughing hysterically, to the deck of the schooner, where he followed the -skipper below, and in a voice broken with emotion demanded an explanation. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s the finest sight I ever saw in my life, Bross,” he said when the other -had finished. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I’ve been feeling very -low this last week, and it’s done me good. Don’t talk nonsense about leaving -the ship. I wouldn’t lose you for anything after this, but if you like to ship -a fresh mate and crew you can please yourself. If you’ll only come up to the -house and let Mrs. Pearson see you—she’s been ailing—I’ll give you a couple of -pounds. Now, get your bonnet and come.” -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap08"></a>THE BOATSWAIN’S WATCH</h2> - -<p> -Captain Polson sat in his comfortable parlour smiling benignly upon his -daughter and sister. His ship, after an absence of eighteen months, was once -more berthed in the small harbour of Barborough, and the captain was sitting in -that state of good-natured affability which invariably characterised his first -appearance after a long absence. -</p> - -<p> -“No news this end, I suppose,” he inquired, after a lengthy recital of most -extraordinarily uninteresting adventures. -</p> - -<p> -“Not much,” said his sister Jane, looking nervously at her niece. “Young -Metcalfe has gone into partnership with his father.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want to hear about those sharks,” said the captain, waxing red. “Tell -me about honest men.” -</p> - -<p> -“Joe Lewis has had a month’s imprisonment for stealing fowls,” said Miss Polson -meekly. “Mrs. Purton has had twins—dear little fellows they are, fat as -butter!—she has named one of them Polson, after you. The greedy one.” -</p> - -<p> -“Any deaths?” inquired the captain snappishly, as he eyed the innocent lady -suspiciously. -</p> - -<p> -“Poor old Jasper Wheeler has gone,” said his sister; “he was very resigned. He -borrowed enough money to get a big doctor from London, and when he heard that -there was no hope for him he said he was just longing to go, and he was sorry -he couldn’t take all his dear ones with him. Mary Hewson is married to Jack -Draper, and young Metcalfe’s banns go up for the third time next Sunday.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hope he gets a Tartar,” said the vindictive captain. “Who’s the girl? Some -silly little fool, I know. She ought to be warned!” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t believe in interfering in marriages,” said his daughter Chrissie, -shaking her head sagely. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said the captain, staring, “<i>you</i> don’t! Now you’ve put your hair up -and taken to wearing long frocks, I suppose you’re beginning to think of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes; auntie wants to tell you something!” said his daughter, rising and -crossing the room. -</p> - -<p> -“No, I don’t!” said Miss Polson hastily. -</p> - -<p> -“You’d better do it,” said Chrissie, giving her a little push, “there’s a dear; -I’ll go upstairs and lock myself in my room.” -</p> - -<p> -The face of the captain, whilst this conversation was passing, was a study in -suppressed emotions. He was a firm advocate for importing the manners of the -quarter-deck into private life, the only drawback being that he had to leave -behind him the language usual in that locality. To this omission he usually -ascribed his failures. -</p> - -<p> -“Sit down, Chrissie,” he commanded; “sit down, Jane. Now, miss, what’s all this -about?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t like to tell you,” said Chrissie, folding her hands in her lap. “I -know you’ll be cross. You’re so unreasonable.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain stared—frightfully. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m going to be married,” said Chrissie suddenly,—“there! To Jack -Metcalfe—there! So you’ll have to learn to love him. He’s going to try and love -you for my sake.” To his sister’s dismay the captain got up, and brandishing -his fists walked violently to and fro. By these simple but unusual means -decorum was preserved. -</p> - -<p> -“If you were only a boy,” said the captain, when he had regained his seat, “I -should know what to do with you.” -</p> - -<p> -“If I were a boy,” said Chrissie, who, having braced herself up for the fray, -meant to go through with it, “I shouldn’t want to marry Jack. Don’t be silly, -father!” -</p> - -<p> -“Jane,” said the captain, in a voice which made the lady addressed start in her -chair, “what do you mean by it?” -</p> - -<p> -“It isn’t my fault,” said Miss Polson feebly. “I told her how it would be. And -it was so gradual; he admired my geraniums at first, and, of course, I was -deceived. There are so many people admire my geraniums; whether it is because -the window has a south aspect”— -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said the captain rudely, “that’ll do, Jane. If he wasn’t a lawyer, I’d go -round and break his neck. Chrissie is only nineteen, and she’ll come for a -year’s cruise with me. Perhaps the sea air’ll strengthen her head. We’ll see -who’s master in this family.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m sure I don’t want to be master,” said his daughter, taking a weapon of -fine cambric out of her pocket, and getting ready for action. “I can’t help -liking people. Auntie likes him too, don’t you, auntie?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said Miss Polson bravely. -</p> - -<p> -“Very good,” said the autocrat promptly, “I’ll take you both for a cruise.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re making me very un—unhappy,” said Chrissie, burying her face in her -handkerchief. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll be more unhappy before I’ve done with you,” said the captain grimly. -“And while I think of it, I’ll step round and stop those banns.” His daughter -caught him by the arm as he was passing, and laid her face on his sleeve. -“You’ll make me look so foolish,” she wailed. -</p> - -<p> -“That’ll make it easier for you to come to sea with me,” said her father. -“Don’t cry all over my sleeve. I’m going to see a parson. Run upstairs and play -with your dolls, and if you’re a good girl, I’ll bring you in some sweets.” He -put on his hat, and closing the front door with a bang, went off to the new -rector to knock two years off the age which his daughter kept for purposes of -matrimony. The rector, grieved at such duplicity in one so young, met him more -than half way, and he came out from him smiling placidly, until his attention -was attracted by a young man on the other side of the road, who was regarding -him with manifest awkwardness. -</p> - -<p> -“Good evening, Captain Polson,” he said, crossing the road. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh,” said the captain, stopping, “I wanted to speak to you. I suppose you -wanted to marry my daughter while I was out of the way, to save trouble. Just -the manly thing I should have expected of you. I’ve stopped the banns, and I’m -going to take her for a voyage with me. You’ll have to look elsewhere, my lad.” -</p> - -<p> -“The ill feeling is all on your side, captain,” said Metcalfe, reddening. -</p> - -<p> -“Ill feeling!” snorted the captain. “You put me in the witness-box, and made me -a laughing-stock in the place with your silly attempts at jokes, lost me five -hundred pounds, and then try and marry my daughter while I’m at sea. Ill -feeling be hanged!” -</p> - -<p> -“That was business,” said the other. -</p> - -<p> -“It was,” said the captain, “and this is business too. Mine. I’ll look after -it, I’ll promise you. I think I know who’ll look silly this time. I’d sooner -see my girl in heaven than married to a rascal of a lawyer.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’d want good glasses,” retorted Metcalfe, who was becoming ruffled. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want to bandy words with you,” said the captain with dignity, after a -long pause, devoted to thinking of something worth bandying. “You think you’re -a clever fellow, but I know a cleverer. You’re quite welcome to marry my -daughter—if you can.” -</p> - -<p> -He turned on his heel, and refusing to listen to any further remarks, went on -his way rejoicing. Arrived home, he lit his pipe, and throwing himself into an -armchair, related his exploits. Chrissie had recourse to her handkerchief -again, more for effect than use, but Miss Polson, who was a tender soul, took -hers out and wept unrestrainedly. At first the captain took it well enough. It -was a tribute to his power, but when they took to sobbing one against the -other, his temper rose, and he sternly commanded silence. -</p> - -<p> -“I shall be like—this—every day at sea,” sobbed Chrissie vindictively, “only -worse; making us all ridiculous.” -</p> - -<p> -“Stop that noise directly!” vociferated the captain. -</p> - -<p> -“We c-c-can’t,” sobbed Miss Polson. -</p> - -<p> -“And we d-don’t want to,” said Chrissie. “It’s all we can do, and we’re going -to do it. You’d better g-go out and stop something else. You can’t stop us.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain took the advice and went, and in the billiard-room of the “George” -heard some news which set him thinking, and which brought him back somewhat -earlier than he had at first intended. A small group at his gate broke up into -its elements at his approach, and the captain, following his sister and -daughter into the room, sat down and eyed them severely. -</p> - -<p> -“So you’re going to run off to London to get married, are you, miss?” he said -ferociously. “Well, we’ll see. You don’t go out of my sight until we sail, and -if I catch that pettifogging lawyer round at my gate again, I’ll break every -bone in his body, mind that.” -</p> - -<p> -For the next three days the captain kept his daughter under observation, and -never allowed her to stir abroad except in his company. The evening of the -third day, to his own great surprise, he spent at a Dorcas. The company was not -congenial, several of the ladies putting their work away, and glaring frigidly -at the intruder; and though they could see clearly that he was suffering -greatly, made no attempt to put him at his ease. He was very thoughtful all the -way home, and the next day took a partner into the concern, in the shape of his -boatswain. -</p> - -<p> -“You understand, Tucker,” he concluded, as the hapless seaman stood in a -cringing attitude before Chrissie, “that you never let my daughter out of your -sight. When she goes out you go with her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yessir,” said Tucker; “and suppose she tells me to go home, what am I to do -then?” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re a fool,” said the captain sharply. “It doesn’t matter what she says or -does; unless you are in the same room, you are never to be more than three -yards from her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Make it four, cap’n,” said the boatswain, in a broken voice. -</p> - -<p> -“Three,” said the captain; “and mind, she’s artful. All girls are, and she’ll -try and give you the slip. I’ve had information given me as to what’s going on. -Whatever happens, you are not to leave her.” -</p> - -<p> -“I wish you’d get somebody else, sir,” said Tucker, very respectfully. “There’s -a lot of chaps aboard that’d like the job.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re the only man I can trust,” said the captain shortly. “When I give you -orders I know they’ll be obeyed; it’s your watch now.” -</p> - -<p> -He went out humming. Chrissie took up a book and sat down, utterly ignoring the -woebegone figure which stood the regulation three yards from her, twisting its -cap in its hands. -</p> - -<p> -“I hope, miss,” said the boatswain, after standing patiently for three-quarters -of an hour, “as ’ow you won’t think I sought arter this ’ere little job.” -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said Chrissie, without looking up. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m just obeying orders,” continued the boatswain. “I always git let in for -these ’ere little jobs, somehow. The monkeys I’ve had to look arter aboard ship -would frighten you. There never was a monkey on the <i>Monarch</i> but what I -was in charge of. That’s what a man gets through being trustworthy.” -</p> - -<p> -“Just so,” said Chrissie, putting down her book. “Well, I’m going into the -kitchen now; come along, nursie.” -</p> - -<p> -“’Ere, I say, miss!” remonstrated Tucker, flushing. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know how Susan will like you going in her kitchen,” said Chrissie -thoughtfully; “however, that’s your business.” -</p> - -<p> -The unfortunate seaman followed his fair charge into the kitchen, and, leaning -against the door-post, doubled up like a limp rag before the terrible glance of -its mistress. -</p> - -<p> -“Ho!” said Susan, who took the state of affairs as an insult to the sex in -general; “and what might you be wanting?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cap’n’s orders,” murmured Tucker feebly. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m captain here,” said Susan, confronting him with her bare arms akimbo. -</p> - -<p> -“And credit it does you,” said the boatswain, looking round admiringly. -</p> - -<p> -“Is it your wish, Miss Chrissie, that this image comes and stalks into my -kitchen as if the place belongs to him?” demanded the irate Susan. -</p> - -<p> -“I didn’t mean to come in in that way,” said the astonished Tucker. “I can’t -help being big.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want him here,” said her mistress; “what do you think I want him for?” -</p> - -<p> -“You hear that?” said Susan, pointing to the door; “now go. I don’t want people -to say that you come into this kitchen after me.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m here by the cap’n’s orders,” said Tucker faintly. “I don’t want to be -here—far from it. As for people saying that I come here after you, them as -knows me would laugh at the idea.” -</p> - -<p> -“If I had my way,” said Susan, in a hard rasping voice, “I’d box your ears for -you. That’s what I’d do to you, and you can go and tell the cap’n I said so. -Spy!” -</p> - -<p> -This was the first verse of the first watch, and there were many verses. To add -to his discomfort he was confined to the house, as his charge manifested no -desire to go outside, and as neither she nor her aunt cared about the trouble -of bringing him to a fit and proper state of subjection, the task became a -labour of love for the energetic Susan. In spite of everything, however, he -stuck to his guns, and the indignant Chrissie, who was in almost hourly -communication with Metcalfe through the medium of her faithful handmaiden, was -rapidly becoming desperate. -</p> - -<p> -On the fourth day, time getting short, Chrissie went on a new tack with her -keeper, and Susan, sorely against her will, had to follow suit. Chrissie smiled -at him, Susan called him Mr. Tucker, and Miss Polson gave him a glass of her -best wine. From the position of an outcast, he jumped in one bound to that of -confidential adviser. Miss Polson told him many items of family interest, and -later on in the afternoon actually consulted him as to a bad cold which -Chrissie had developed. -</p> - -<p> -He prescribed half-a-pint of linseed oil hot, but Miss Polson favoured -chlorodyne. The conversation then turned on the deadly qualities of that drug -when taken in excess, of the fatal sleep in which it lulled its victims. So -disastrous were the incidents cited, that half an hour later, when, her aunt -and Susan being out, Chrissie took a small bottle of chlorodyne from the -mantel-piece, the boatswain implored her to try his nastier but safer remedy -instead. -</p> - -<p> -“Nonsense!” said Chrissie, “I’m only going to take twenty drops—one—two—three—” -</p> - -<p> -The drug suddenly poured out in a little stream. -</p> - -<p> -“I should think that’s about it,” said Chrissie, holding the tumbler up to the -light. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s about five hundred!” said the horrified Tucker. “Don’t take that, miss, -whatever you do; let me measure it for you.” -</p> - -<p> -The girl waved him away, and, before he could interfere, drank off the contents -of the glass and resumed her seat. The boatswain watched her uneasily, and -taking up the phial carefully read through the directions. After that he was -not at all surprised to see the book fall from his charge’s hand on to the -floor, and her eyes close. -</p> - -<p> -“I knowed it,” said Tucker, in a profuse perspiration, “I knowed it. Them -blamed gals are all alike. Always knows what’s best. Miss Polson! Miss Polson!” -</p> - -<p> -He shook her roughly, but to no purpose, and then running to the door, shouted -eagerly for Susan. No reply forthcoming he ran to the window, but there was -nobody in sight, and he came back and stood in front of the girl, wringing his -huge hands helplessly. It was a great question for a poor sailor-man. If he -went for the doctor he deserted his post; if he didn’t go his charge might die. -He made one more attempt to awaken her, and, seizing a flower-glass, splashed -her freely with cold water. She did not even wince. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s no use fooling with it,” murmured Tucker; “I must get the doctor, that’s -all.” -</p> - -<p> -He quitted the room, and, dashing hastily downstairs, had already opened the -hall door when a thought struck him, and he came back again. Chrissie was still -asleep in the chair, and, with a smile at the clever way in which he had solved -a difficulty, he stooped down, and, raising her in his strong arms, bore her -from the room and downstairs. Then a hitch occurred. The triumphant progress -was marred by the behaviour of the hall door, which, despite his efforts, -refused to be opened, and, encumbered by his fair burden, he could not for some -time ascertain the reason. Then, full of shame that so much deceit could exist -in so fair and frail a habitation, he discovered that Miss Polson’s foot was -pressing firmly against it. Her eyes were still closed and her head heavy, but -the fact remained that one foot was acting in a manner that was full of -intelligence and guile, and when he took it away from the door the other one -took its place. By a sudden manœuvre the wily Tucker turned his back on the -door, and opened it, and, at the same moment, a hand came to life again and -dealt him a stinging slap on the face. -</p> - -<p> -“Idiot!” said the indignant Chrissie, slipping from his arms and confronting -him. “How dare you take such a liberty?” -</p> - -<p> -The astonished boatswain felt his face, and regarded her open-mouthed. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you ever dare to speak to me again,” said the offended maiden, drawing -herself up with irreproachable dignity. “I am disgusted with your conduct. Most -unbearable!” -</p> - -<p> -“I was carrying you off to the doctor,” said the boatswain. “How was I to know -you was only shamming?” -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Shamming?</i>” said Chrissie, in tones of incredulous horror. “I was -asleep. I often go to sleep in the afternoon.” -</p> - -<p> -The boatswain made no reply, except to grin with great intelligence as he -followed his charge upstairs again. He grinned at intervals until the return of -Susan and Miss Polson, who, trying to look unconcerned, came in later on, both -apparently suffering from temper, Susan especially. Amid the sympathetic -interruptions of these listeners Chrissie recounted her experiences, while the -boatswain, despite his better sense, felt like the greatest scoundrel unhung, a -feeling which was fostered by the remarks of Susan and the chilling regards of -Miss Poison. -</p> - -<p> -“I shall inform the captain,” said Miss Polson, bridling. “It’s my duty.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I shall tell him,” said Chrissie. “I shall tell him the moment he comes in -at the door.” -</p> - -<p> -“So shall I,” said Susan; “the idea of taking such liberties!” -</p> - -<p> -Having fired this broadside, the trio watched the enemy narrowly and anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“If I’ve done anything wrong, ladies,” said the unhappy boatswain, “I am sorry -for it. I can’t say anything fairer than that, and I’ll tell the cap’n myself -exactly how I came to do it when he comes in.” -</p> - -<p> -“Pah! tell-tale!” said Susan. -</p> - -<p> -“Of course, if you are here to fetch and carry,” said Miss Polson, with -withering emphasis. -</p> - -<p> -“The idea of a grown man telling tales,” said Chrissie scornfully. “Baby!” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, just now you were all going to tell him yourselves,” said the bewildered -boatswain. -</p> - -<p> -The two elder women rose and regarded him with looks of pitying disdain. Miss -Polson’s glance said “Fool!” plainly; Susan, a simple child of nature, given to -expressing her mind freely, said “Blockhead!” with conviction. -</p> - -<p> -“I see ’ow it is,” said the boatswain, after ruminating deeply. “Well, I won’t -split, ladies. I can see now you was all in it, and it was a little job to get -me out of the house.” -</p> - -<p> -“What a head he has got,” said the irritated Susan; “isn’t it wonderful how he -thinks of it all! Nobody would think he was so clever to look at him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Still waters run deep,” said the boatswain, who was beginning to have a high -opinion of himself. -</p> - -<p> -“And pride goes before a fall,” said Chrissie; “remember that, Mr. Tucker.” -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Tucker grinned, but, remembering the fable of the pitcher and the well, -pressed his superior officer that evening to relieve him from his duties. He -stated that the strain was slowly undermining a constitution which was not so -strong as appearances would warrant, and that his knowledge of female nature -was lamentably deficient on many important points. “You’re doing very well,” -said the captain, who had no intention of attending any more Dorcases, “very -well indeed; I am proud of you.” -</p> - -<p> -“It isn’t a man’s work,” objected the boatswain. “Besides, if anything happens -you’ll blame me for it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nothing can happen,” declared the captain confidently. “We shall make a start -in about four days now. You’re the only man I can trust with such a difficult -job, Tucker, and I shan’t forget you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very good,” said the other dejectedly. “I obey orders, then.” -</p> - -<p> -The next day passed quietly, the members of the household making a great fuss -of Tucker, and thereby filling him with forebodings of the worst possible -nature. On the day after, when the captain, having business at a neighbouring -town, left him in sole charge, his uneasiness could not be concealed. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m going for a walk,” said Chrissie, as he sat by himself, working out -dangerous moves and the best means of checking them; “would you care to come -with me, Tucker?” -</p> - -<p> -“I wish you wouldn’t put it that way, miss,” said the boatswain, as he reached -for his hat. -</p> - -<p> -“I want exercise,” said Chrissie; “I’ve been cooped up long enough.” -</p> - -<p> -She set off at a good pace up the High Street, attended by her faithful -follower, and passing through the small suburbs, struck out into the country -beyond. After four miles the boatswain, who was no walker, reminded her that -they had got to go back. -</p> - -<p> -“Plenty of time,” said Chrissie, “we have got the day before us. Isn’t it -glorious? Do you see that milestone, Tucker? I’ll race you to it; come along.” -</p> - -<p> -She was off on the instant, with the boatswain, who suspected treachery, after -her. -</p> - -<p> -“You CAN run,” she panted, thoughtfully, as she came in second; “we’ll have -another one presently. You don’t know how good it is for you, Tucker.” -</p> - -<p> -The boatswain grinned sourly and looked at her from the corner of his eye. The -next three miles passed like a horrible nightmare; his charge making a race for -every milestone, in which the labouring boatswain, despite his want of -practice, came in the winner. The fourth ended disastrously, Chrissie limping -the last ten yards, and seating herself with a very woebegone face on the stone -itself. -</p> - -<p> -“You did very well, miss,” said the boatswain, who thought he could afford to -be generous. “You needn’t be offended about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s my ankle,” said Chrissie with a little whimper. “Oh! I twisted it right -round.” -</p> - -<p> -The boatswain stood regarding her in silent consternation -</p> - -<p> -“It’s no use looking like that,” said Chrissie sharply, “you great clumsy -thing. If you hadn’t have run so hard it wouldn’t have happened. It’s all your -fault.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you don’t mind leaning on me a bit,” said Tucker, “we might get along.” -</p> - -<p> -Chrissie took his arm petulantly, and they started on their return journey, at -the rate of about four hours a mile, with little cries and gasps at every other -yard. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s no use,” said Chrissie as she relinquished his arm, and, limping to the -side of the road, sat down. The boatswain pricked up his ears hopefully at the -sound of approaching wheels. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter with the young lady?” inquired a groom who was driving a -little trap, as he pulled up and regarded with interest a grimace of -extraordinary intensity on the young lady’s face. -</p> - -<p> -“Broke her ankle, I think,” said the boatswain glibly. “Which way are you -going?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I’m going to Barborough,” said the groom; “but my guvnor’s rather -pertickler.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll make it all right with you,” said the boatswain. -</p> - -<p> -The groom hesitated a minute, and then made way for Chrissie as the boatswain -assisted her to get up beside him; then Tucker, with a grin of satisfaction at -getting a seat once more, clambered up behind, and they started. -</p> - -<p> -“Have a rug, mate,” said the groom, handing the reins to Chrissie and passing -it over; “put it round your knees and tuck the ends under you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay, mate,” said the boatswain as he obeyed the instructions. -</p> - -<p> -“Are you sure you are quite comfortable?” said the groom affectionately. -</p> - -<p> -“Quite,” said the other. -</p> - -<p> -The groom said no more, but in a quiet business-like fashion placed his hands -on the seaman’s broad back, and shot him out into the road. Then he snatched up -the reins and drove off at a gallop. -</p> - -<p> -Without the faintest hope of winning, Mr. Tucker, who realised clearly, -appearances notwithstanding, that he had fallen into a trap, rose after a -hurried rest and started on his fifth race that morning. The prize was only a -second-rate groom with plated buttons, who was waving cheery farewells to him -with a dingy top hat; but the boatswain would have sooner had it than a silver -tea-service. -</p> - -<p> -He ran as he had never ran before in his life, but all to no purpose, the trap -stopping calmly a little further on to take up another passenger, in whose -favour the groom retired to the back seat; then, with a final wave of the hand -to him, they took a road to the left and drove rapidly out of sight. The -boatswain’s watch was over. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap09"></a>LOW WATER</h2> - -<p> -It was a calm, clear evening in late summer as the <i>Elizabeth Ann</i>, of -Pembray, scorning the expensive aid of a tug, threaded her way down the London -river under canvas. The crew were busy forward, and the master and part-owner—a -fussy little man, deeply imbued with a sense of his own importance and -cleverness—was at the wheel chatting with the mate. While waiting for a portion -of his cargo, he had passed the previous week pleasantly enough with some -relatives in Exeter, and was now in a masterful fashion receiving a report from -the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s one other thing,” said the mate. “I dessay you’ve noticed how sober -old Dick is to-night.” -</p> - -<p> -“I kept him short o’ purpose,” said the skipper, with a satisfied air. -</p> - -<p> -“Tain’t that,” said the mate. “You’ll be pleased to hear that ’im an’ Sam has -been talked over by the other two, and that all your crew now, ’cept the cook, -who’s still Roman Catholic, has j’ined the Salvation Army.” -</p> - -<p> -“Salvation Army!” repeated the skipper in dazed tones. “I don’t want none o’ -your gammon, Bob.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s quite right,” said the other. “You can take it from me. How it was done I -don’t know, but what I do know is, none of ’em has touched licker for five -days. They’ve all got red jerseys, an’ I hear as old Dick preaches a hexcellent -sermon. He’s red-hot on it, and t’others follow ’im like sheep.” -</p> - -<p> -“The drink’s got to his brain,” said the skipper sagely, after due reflection. -“Well, I don’t mind, so long as they behave theirselves.” -</p> - -<p> -He kept silence until Woolwich was passed, and they were running along with all -sails set, and then, his curiosity being somewhat excited, he called old Dick -to him, with the amiable intention of a little banter. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s this I hear about you j’ining the Salvation Army?” he asked. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s quite true, sir,” said Dick. “I feel so happy, you can’t think—we all -do.” -</p> - -<p> -“Glory!” said one of the other men, with enthusiastic corroboration. -</p> - -<p> -“Seems like the measles,” said the skipper facetiously. “Four of you down with -it at one time!” -</p> - -<p> -“It <i>is</i> like the measles, sir,” said the old man impressively, “an’ I -only hope as you’ll catch it yourself, bad.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hallelujah!” bawled the other man suddenly. “He’ll catch it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hold that noise, you, Joe!” shouted the skipper sternly. “How dare you make -that noise aboard ship?” -</p> - -<p> -“He’s excited, sir,” said Dick. “It’s love for you in ’is ’eart as does it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Let him keep his love to hisself,” said the skipper churlishly. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah! that’s just what we can’t do,” said Dick in high-pitched tones, which the -skipper rightly concluded to be his preaching voice. “We can’t do it—an’ why -can’t we do it? Becos we feel good, an’ we want you to feel good too. We want -to share it with you. Oh, dear friend—” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s enough,” said the master of the <i>Elizabeth Ann</i>, sharply. “Don’t -you go ‘dear friending’ me. Go for’ard! Go for’ard at once!” -</p> - -<p> -With a melancholy shake of his head the old man complied, and the startled -skipper turned to the mate, who was at the wheel, and expressed his firm -intention of at once stopping such behaviour on his ship. -</p> - -<p> -“You can’t do it,” said the mate firmly. -</p> - -<p> -“Can’t do it?” queried the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Not a bit of it,” said the other. “They’ve all got it bad, an’ the more you -get at ’em the wuss they’ll be. Mark my words, best let ’em alone.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll hold my hand a bit and watch ’em,” was the reply; “but I’ve always been -cap’n on my own ship, and I always will.” -</p> - -<p> -For the next twenty-four hours he retained his sovereignty undisputed, but on -Sunday morning, after breakfast, when he was at the wheel, and the crew below, -the mate, who had been forward, came aft with a strange grin struggling for -development at the corners of his mouth. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter?” inquired the skipper, regarding him with some disfavour. -</p> - -<p> -“They’re all down below with their red jerseys on,” replied the mate, still -struggling, “and they’re holding a sort o’ consultation about the lost lamb, -an’ the best way o’ reaching ’is ’ard ’eart.” -</p> - -<p> -“Lost lamb!” repeated the skipper unconcernedly, but carefully avoiding the -other’s eye. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re the lost lamb,” said the mate, who always went straight to the point. -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t have it,” said the skipper excitably. “How dare they go on in this -way? Go and send ’em up directly.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, whistling cheerily, complied, and the four men, neatly attired in -scarlet, came on deck. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, what’s all this nonsense about?” demanded the incensed man. “What do you -want?” -</p> - -<p> -“We want your pore sinful soul,” said Dick with ecstasy. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, an’ we’ll have it,” said Joe, with deep conviction. -</p> - -<p> -“So we will,” said the other two, closing their eyes and smiling rapturously; -“so we will.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, alarmed, despite himself, at their confidence, turned a startled -face to the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“If you could see it now,” continued Dick impressively, “you’d be frightened at -it. If you could—” -</p> - -<p> -“Get to your own end of the ship,” spluttered the indignant skipper. “Get, -before I kick you there!” -</p> - -<p> -“Better let Sam have a try,” said one of the other men, calmly ignoring the -fury of the master; “his efforts have been wonderfully blessed. Come here, -Sam.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s a time for everything” said Sam cautiously. “Let’s go for’ard and do -what we can for him among ourselves.” -</p> - -<p> -They moved off reluctantly, Dick throwing such affectionate glances at the -skipper over his shoulders that he nearly choked with rage. -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t have it!” he said fiercely; “I’ll knock it out of ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“You can’t,” said the mate. “You can’t knock sailor men about nowadays. The -only thing you can do is to get rid of ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want to do that,” was the growling reply. “They’ve been with me a long -time, and they’re all good men. Why don’t they have a go at you, I wonder?” -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Me?</i>” said the mate, in indignant surprise. “Why, I’m a Seventh Day -Baptist! They don’t want to waste their time over me. I’m all right.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re a pretty Seventh Day Baptist, you are!” replied the skipper. “Fust I’ve -heard of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t understand about such things,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“It must be a very easy religion,” continued the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t make a show of it, if that’s what you mean,” rejoined the other -warmly. “I’m one o’ them as believe in ’iding my light under a bushel.” -</p> - -<p> -“A pint pot’ud do easy,” sneered the skipper. “It’s more in your line, too.” -</p> - -<p> -“Anyway, the men reckernise it,” said the mate loftily. “They don’t go an’ sit -in their red jerseys an’ hold mothers’ meetings over me.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll knock their blessed heads off!” growled the skipper. “I’ll learn ’em to -insult me!” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all for your own good,” said the other. “They mean it kindly. Well, I -wish ’em luck.” -</p> - -<p> -With these hardy words he retired, leaving a seething volcano to pace the deck, -and think over ways and means of once more reducing his crew to what he -considered a fit and proper state of obedience and respect. -</p> - -<p> -The climax was reached at tea-time, when an anonymous hand was thrust beneath -the skylight, and a full-bodied tract fluttered wildly down and upset his tea. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s the last straw!” he roared, fishing out the tract and throwing it on -the floor. “I’ll read them chaps a lesson they won’t forget in a hurry, and put -a little money in my pocket at the same time. I’ve got a little plan in my ’ed -as come to me quite sudden this afternoon. Come on deck, Bob.” -</p> - -<p> -Bob obeyed, grinning, and the skipper, taking the wheel from Sam, sent him for -the others. -</p> - -<p> -“Did you ever know me break my word, Dick?” he inquired abruptly, as they -shuffled up. -</p> - -<p> -“Never,” said Dick. -</p> - -<p> -“Cap’n Bowers’ word is better than another man’s oath,” asseverated Joe. -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said Captain Bowers, with a wink at the mate, “I’m going to give you -chaps a little self-denial week all to yourselves. If you all live on biscuit -and water till we get to port, and don’t touch nothing else, I’ll jine you and -become a Salvationist.” -</p> - -<p> -“Biscuit and water,” said Dick doubtfully, scratching a beard strong enough to -scratch back. -</p> - -<p> -“It wouldn’t be right to play with our constitooshuns in that way, sir,” -objected Joe, shaking his head. -</p> - -<p> -“There you are,” said Bowers, turning to the mate with a wave of his hand. -“They’re precious anxious about me so long as it’s confined to jawing, and -dropping tracts into my tea, but when it comes to a little hardship on their -part, see how they back out of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“We ain’t backing out of it,” said Dick cautiously; “but s’pose we do, how are -we to be certain as you’ll jine us?” -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve got my word for it,” said the other, “an’ the mate an’ cook witness -it.” -</p> - -<p> -“O’ course, you jine the Army for good, sir,” said Dick, still doubtfully. -</p> - -<p> -“O’ course.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then it’s a bargain, sir,” said Dick, beaming; “ain’t it, chaps?” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” said the others, but not beaming quite so much. “Oh, what a joyful -day this is!” said the old man. “A Salvation crew an’ a Salvation cap’n! We’ll -have the cook next, bad as he is.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll have biskit an’ water,” said the cook icily, as they moved off, “an’ -nothing else, I’ll take care.” -</p> - -<p> -“They must be uncommon fond o’ me,” said the skipper meditatively. -</p> - -<p> -“Uncommon fond o’ having their own way,” growled the mate. “Nice thing you’ve -let yourself in for.” -</p> - -<p> -“I know what I’m about,” was the confident reply. -</p> - -<p> -“You ain’t going to let them idiots fast for a week an’ then break your word?” -said the mate in surprise. -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly not,” said the other wrathfully; “I’d sooner jine three armies than -do that, and you know it.” -</p> - -<p> -“They’ll keep to the grub, don’t you fear,” said the mate. “I can’t understand -how you are going to manage it.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s where the brains come in,” retorted the skipper, somewhat arrogantly. -</p> - -<p> -“Fust time I’ve heard of ’em,” murmured the mate softly; “but I s’pose you’ve -been using pint pots too.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper glared at him scornfully, but, being unprovided with a retort, -forbore to reply, and going below again mixed himself a stiff glass of grog, -and drank success to his scheme. -</p> - -<p> -Three days passed, and the men stood firm, and, realising that they were slowly -undermining the skipper’s convictions, made no effort to carry him by direct -assault. The mate made no attempt to conceal his opinion of his superior’s -peril, and in gloomy terms strove to put the full horror of his position before -him. -</p> - -<p> -“What your missis’ll say the first time she sees you prancing up an’ down the -road tapping a tambourine, I can’t think,” said he. -</p> - -<p> -“I shan’t have no tambourine,” said Captain Bowers cheerfully. -</p> - -<p> -“It’ll also be your painful dooty to stand outside your father-in-law’s pub and -try and persuade customers not to go in,” continued Bob. “Nice thing that for a -quiet family!” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper smiled knowingly, and, rolling a cigar in his mouth, leaned back in -his seat and cocked his eye at the skylight. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you worry, my lad,” said he; “don’t you worry. I’m in this job, an’ I’m -coming out on top. When men forget what’s due to their betters, and preach to -’em, they’ve got to be taught what’s what. If the wind keeps fair we ought to -be home by Sunday night or Monday morning.” -</p> - -<p> -The other nodded. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, you keep your eyes open,” said the skipper; and, going to his state-room, -he returned with three bottles of rum and a corkscrew, all of which, with an -air of great mystery, he placed on the table, and then smiled at the mate. The -mate smiled too. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s this?” inquired the skipper, drawing the cork, and holding a bottle -under the other’s nose. -</p> - -<p> -“It smells like rum,” said the mate, glancing round, possibly for a glass. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s for the men,” said the skipper, “but you may take a drop.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, taking down a glass, helped himself liberally, and, having made sure -of it, sympathetically, but politely, expressed his firm opinion that the men -would not touch it under any conditions whatever. -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t quite understand how firm they are,” said he; “you think it’s just a -new fad with ’em, but it ain’t.” -</p> - -<p> -“They’ll drink it,” said the skipper, taking up two of the bottles. “Bring the -other on deck for me.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate complied, wonderingly, and, laden with prime old Jamaica, ascended the -steps. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s this?” inquired the skipper, crossing over to Dick, and holding out a -bottle. -</p> - -<p> -“Pison, sir,” said Dick promptly. -</p> - -<p> -“Have a drop,” said the skipper jovially. -</p> - -<p> -“Not for twenty pounds,” said the old man, with a look of horror. -</p> - -<p> -“Not for two million pounds,” said Sam, with financial precision. -</p> - -<p> -“Will anybody have a drop?” asked the owner, waving the bottle to and fro. -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke a grimy paw shot out from behind him, and, before he quite realised -the situation, the cook had accepted the invitation, and was hurriedly making -the most of it. -</p> - -<p> -“Not you,” growled the skipper, snatching the bottle from him; “I didn’t mean -you. Well, my lads, if you won’t have it neat you shall have it watered.” -</p> - -<p> -Before anybody could guess his intention he walked to the water-cask, and, -removing the cover, poured in the rum. In the midst of a profound silence he -emptied the three bottles, and then, with a triumphant smile, turned and -confronted his astonished crew. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s in that cask, Dick?” he asked quietly. -</p> - -<p> -“Rum and water,” groaned Dick; “but that ain’t fair play, sir. We’ve kep’ to -our part o’ the agreement, sir, an’ you ought to ha’ kep’ to yours.” -</p> - -<p> -“So I have,” was the quick reply; “so I have, an’ I still keep to it. Don’t you -see this, my lads; when you start playing antics with me you’re playing a -fool’s game, an’ you’re bound to come a cropper. Some men would ha’ waited -longer afore they spiled their game, but I think you’ve suffered enough. Now -there’s a lump of beef and some taters on, an’ you’d better go and make a good -square meal, an’ next time you want to alter the religion of people as knows -better than you do, think twice.” -</p> - -<p> -“We don’t want no beef, sir; biskit’ll do for us,” said Dick firmly. -</p> - -<p> -“All right, please yourselves,” said the skipper; “but mind, no hanky-panky, no -coming for drink when my back’s turned; this cask’ll be watched; but if you do -alter your mind about the beef you can tell the cook to get it for you any time -you like.” -</p> - -<p> -He threw the bottles overboard, and, ignoring the groaning and head-shaking of -the men, walked away, listening with avidity to the respectful tributes to his -genius tendered by the mate and cook—flattery so delicate and so genuine withal -that he opened another bottle. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s just one thing,” said the mate presently; “won’t the rum affect the -cooking a good deal?” -</p> - -<p> -“I never thought o’ that,” admitted the skipper; “still, we musn’t expect to -have everything our own way.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, no,” said the mate blankly, admiring the other’s choice of pronouns. -</p> - -<p> -Up to Friday afternoon the skipper went about with a smile of kindly -satisfaction on his face; but in the evening it weakened somewhat, and by -Saturday morning it had vanished altogether, and was replaced by an expression -of blank amazement and anxiety, for the crew shunned the water cask as though -it were poison, without appearing to suffer the slightest inconvenience. A -visible air of proprietorship appeared on their faces whenever they looked at -the skipper, and the now frightened man inveighed fiercely to the mate against -the improper methods of conversion patronised by some religious bodies, and the -aggravating obstinacy of some of their followers. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s wonderful what enthusiasm’ll do for a man,” said Bob reflectively; “I -knew a man once—” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want none o’ your lies,” interposed the other rudely. -</p> - -<p> -“An’ I don’t want your blamed rum and water, if it comes to that,” said the -mate, firing up. “When a man’s tea is made with rum, an’ his beef is biled in -it, he begins to wonder whether he’s shipped with a seaman or a—a—” -</p> - -<p> -“A what?” shouted the skipper. “Say it!” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t think o’ nothing foolish enough,” was the frank reply. “It’s all right -for you, becos it’s the last licker as you’ll be allowed to taste, but it’s -rough on me and the cook.” -</p> - -<p> -“Damn you an’ the cook,” said the skipper, and went on deck to see whether the -men’s tongues were hanging out. -</p> - -<p> -By Sunday morning he was frantic; the men were hale and well enough, though, -perhaps, a trifle thin, and he began to believe with the cook that the age of -miracles had not yet passed. -</p> - -<p> -It was a broiling hot day, and, to add to his discomfort, the mate, who was -consumed by a raging thirst, lay panting in the shade of the mainsail, -exchanging condolences of a most offensive nature with the cook every time he -looked his way. -</p> - -<p> -All the morning he grumbled incessantly, until at length, warned by an -offensive smell of rum that dinner was on the table, he got up and went below. -</p> - -<p> -At the foot of the ladder he paused abruptly, for the skipper was leaning back -in his seat, gazing in a fascinated manner at some object on the table. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter?” inquired the mate in alarm. -</p> - -<p> -The other, who did not appear to hear the question, made no answer, but -continued to stare in a most extraordinary fashion at a bottle which graced the -centre of the table. -</p> - -<p> -“What is it?” inquired the mate, not venturing to trust his eyes. -“<i>Water?</i> Where did it come from?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cook!” roared the skipper, turning a bloodshot eye on that worthy, as his -pallid face showed behind the mate, “what’s this? If you say it’s water I’ll -kill you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know what it is, sir,” said the cook cautiously; “but Dick sent it to -you with his best respects, and I was to say as there’s plenty more where that -came from. He’s a nasty, under’anded, deceitful old man, is Dick, sir, an’ it -seems he laid in a stock o’ water in bottles an’ the like afore you doctored -the cask, an’ the men have had it locked up in their chests ever since.” -</p> - -<p> -“Dick’s a very clever old man,” remarked the mate, pouring himself out a glass, -and drinking it with infinite relish, “ain’t he, cap’n? It’ll be a privilege to -jine anything that man’s connected with, won’t it?” -</p> - -<p> -He paused for a reply, but none came, for the cap’n, with dim eyes, was staring -blankly into a future so lonely and uncongenial that he had lost the power of -speech—even of that which, at other crises, had never failed to afford him -relief. The mate gazed at him curiously for a moment, and then, imitating the -example of the cook, quitted the cabin. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap10"></a>IN MID-ATLANTIC</h2> - -<p> -No, sir,” said the night-watchman, as he took a seat on a post at the end of -the jetty, and stowed a huge piece of tobacco in his cheek. “No, man an’ boy, I -was at sea forty years afore I took on this job, but I can’t say as ever I saw -a real, downright ghost.” -</p> - -<p> -This was disappointing, and I said so. Previous experience of the power of -Bill’s vision had led me to expect something very different. -</p> - -<p> -“Not but what I’ve known some queer things happen,” said Bill, fixing his eyes -on the Surrey side, and going off into a kind of trance. “Queer things.” -</p> - -<p> -I waited patiently; Bill’s eyes, after resting for some time on Surrey, began -to slowly cross the river, paused midway in reasonable hopes of a collision -between a tug with its flotilla of barges and a penny steamer, and then came -back to me. -</p> - -<p> -“You heard that yarn old Cap’n Harris was telling the other day about the -skipper he knew having a warning one night to alter his course, an’ doing so, -picked up five live men and three dead skeletons in a open boat?” he inquired. -</p> - -<p> -I nodded. -</p> - -<p> -“The yarn in various forms is an old one,” said I. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all founded on something I told him once,” said Bill. “I don’t wish to -accuse Cap’n Harris of taking another man’s true story an’ spoiling it; he’s -got a bad memory, that’s all. Fust of all, he forgets he ever heard the yarn; -secondly, he goes and spoils it.” -</p> - -<p> -I gave a sympathetic murmur. Harris was as truthful an old man as ever -breathed, but his tales were terribly restricted by this circumstance, whereas -Bill’s were limited by nothing but his own imagination. -</p> - -<p> -“It was about fifteen years ago now,” began Bill, getting the quid into a -bye-way of his cheek, where it would not impede his utterance “I was A. B. on -the <i>Swallow</i>, a barque, trading wherever we could pick up stuff. On this -v’y’ge we was bound from London to Jamaica with a general cargo. -</p> - -<p> -“The start of that v’y’ge was excellent. We was towed out of the St. -Katherine’s Docks here, to the Nore, an’ the tug left us to a stiff breeze, -which fairly raced us down Channel and out into the Atlantic. Everybody was -saying what a fine v’y’ge we was having, an’ what quick time we should make, -an’ the fust mate was in such a lovely temper that you might do anything with -him a’most. -</p> - -<p> -“We was about ten days out, an’ still slipping along in this spanking way, when -all of a sudden things changed. I was at the wheel with the second mate one -night, when the skipper, whose name was Brown, came up from below in a uneasy -sort o’ fashion, and stood looking at us for some time without speaking. Then -at last he sort o’ makes up his mind, and ses he— -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mr. McMillan, I’ve just had a most remarkable experience, an’ I don’t know -what to do about it.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Yes, sir?’ ses Mr. McMillan. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Three times I’ve been woke up this night by something shouting in my ear, -“Steer nor’-nor’-west!”’ ses the cap’n very solemnly, ‘“Steer nor’-nor’-west!”’ -that’s all it says. The first time I thought it was somebody got into my cabin -skylarking, and I laid for ’em with a stick but I’ve heard it three times, an’ -there’s nothing there.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s a supernatural warning,’ ses the second mate, who had a great uncle once -who had the second sight, and was the most unpopular man of his family, because -he always knew what to expect, and laid his plans according. -</p> - -<p> -“‘That’s what I think,’ ses the cap’n. ‘There’s some poor shipwrecked fellow -creatures in distress.” -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s a verra grave responsebeelity,’ ses Mr. McMillan ‘I should just ca’ up -the fairst mate.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Bill,’ ses the cap’n, ‘just go down below, and tell Mr. Salmon I’d like a few -words with him partikler.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I went down below, and called up the first mate, and as soon as I’d -explained to him what he was wanted for, he went right off into a fit of -outrageous bad language, an’ hit me. He came right up on deck in his pants an’ -socks. A most disrespekful way to come to the cap’n, but he was that hot and -excited he didn’t care what he did. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mr. Salmon,’ ses the cap’n gravely, ‘I’ve just had a most solemn warning, and -I want to—’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘I know,’ says the mate gruffly. -</p> - -<p> -“‘What! have you heard it too?’ ses the cap’n, in surprise. ‘Three times?’ “I -heard it from him,’ ses the mate, pointing to me. ‘Nightmare, sir, nightmare.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘It was not nightmare, sir,’ ses the cap’n, very huffy, ‘an if I hear it -again, I’m going to alter this ship’s course.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, the fust mate was in a hole. He wanted to call the skipper something -which he knew wasn’t discipline. I knew what it was, an’ I knew if the mate -didn’t do something he’d be ill, he was that sort of man, everything flew to -his head. He walked away, and put his head over the side for a bit, an’ at -last, when he came back, he was, comparatively speaking, calm. -</p> - -<p> -“‘You mustn’t hear them words again, sir,’ ses he; ‘don’t go to sleep again -to-night. Stay up, an’ we’ll have a hand o’ cards, and in the morning you take -a good stiff dose o’ rhoobarb. Don’t spoil one o’ the best trips we’ve ever had -for the sake of a pennyworth of rhoobarb,’ ses he, pleading-like. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mr. Salmon,’ ses the cap’n, very angry, ‘I shall not fly in the face o’ -Providence in any such way. I shall sleep as usual, an’ as for your rhoobarb,’ -ses the cap’n, working hisself up into a passion—’damme, sir, I’ll—I’ll dose -the whole crew with it, from first mate to cabin-boy, if I have any -impertinence.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, Mr. Salmon, who was getting very mad, stalks down below, followed by the -cap’n, an’ Mr. McMillan was that excited that he even started talking to me -about it. Half-an-hour arterwards the cap’n comes running up on deck again. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mr. McMillan,’ ses he excitedly, ‘steer nor’-nor’-west until further orders. -I’ve heard it again, an’ this time it nearly split the drum of my ear.’ -</p> - -<p> -“The ship’s course was altered, an’ after the old man was satisfied he went -back to bed again, an’ almost directly arter eight bells went, an’ I was -relieved. I wasn’t on deck when the fust mate come up, but those that were said -he took it very calm. He didn’t say a word. He just sat down on the poop, and -blew his cheeks out. -</p> - -<p> -“As soon as ever it was daylight the skipper was on deck with his glasses. He -sent men up to the masthead to keep a good look-out, an’ he was dancing about -like a cat on hot bricks all the morning. -</p> - -<p> -“‘How long are we to go on this course, sir?’ asks Mr. Salmon, about ten -o’clock in the morning. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I’ve not made up my mind, sir,’ ses the cap’n, very stately; but I could see -he was looking a trifle foolish. -</p> - -<p> -“At twelve o’clock in the day, the fust mate got a cough, and every time he -coughed it seemed to act upon the skipper, and make him madder and madder. Now -that it was broad daylight, Mr. McMillan didn’t seem to be so creepy as the -night before, an’ I could see the cap’n was only waiting for the slightest -excuse to get into our proper course again. -</p> - -<p> -“‘That’s a nasty, bad cough o’ yours, Mr. Salmon,’ ses he, eyeing the mate very -hard. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Yes, a nasty, irritating sort o’ cough, sir,’ ses the other; ‘it worries me a -great deal. It’s this going up nor’ards what’s sticking in my throat,’ ses he. -</p> - -<p> -“The cap’n give a gulp, and walked off, but he comes back in a minute, and ses -he— -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mr. Salmon, I should think it a great pity to lose a valuable officer like -yourself, even to do good to others. There’s a hard ring about that cough I -don’t like, an’ if you really think it’s going up this bit north, why, I don’t -mind putting the ship in her course again.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, the mate thanked him kindly, and he was just about to give the orders -when one o’ the men who was at the masthead suddenly shouts out— -</p> - -<p> -“‘Ahoy! Small boat on the port bow!’ -</p> - -<p> -“The cap’n started as if he’d been shot, and ran up the rigging with his -glasses. He came down again almost direckly, and his face was all in a glow -with pleasure and excitement. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mr. Salmon,’ ses he, ‘here’s a small boat with a lug sail in the middle o’ -the Atlantic, with one pore man lying in the bottom of her. What do you think -o’ my warning now?’ -</p> - -<p> -“The mate didn’t say anything at first, but he took the glasses and had a look, -an’ when he came back anyone could see his opinion of the skipper had gone up -miles and miles. -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s a wonderful thing, sir,’ ses he, ‘and one I’ll remember all my life. -It’s evident that you’ve been picked out as a instrument to do this good work.’ -</p> - -<p> -“I’d never heard the fust mate talk like that afore, ’cept once when he fell -overboard, when he was full, and stuck in the Thames mud. He said it was -Providence; though, as it was low water, according to the tide-table, I -couldn’t see what Providence had to do with it myself. He was as excited as -anybody, and took the wheel himself, and put the ship’s head for the boat, and -as she came closer, our boat was slung out, and me and the second mate and -three other men dropped into her, an’ pulled so as to meet the other. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Never mind the boat; we don’t want to be bothered with her,’ shouts out the -cap’n as we pulled away—‘Save the man!’ -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll say this for Mr. McMillan, he steered that boat beautifully, and we ran -alongside o’ the other as clever as possible. Two of us shipped our oars, and -gripped her tight, and then we saw that she was just an ordinary boat, partly -decked in, with the head and shoulders of a man showing in the opening, fast -asleep, and snoring like thunder. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Puir chap,’ ses Mr. McMillan, standing up. ‘Look how wasted he is.’ -</p> - -<p> -“He laid hold o’ the man by the neck of his coat an’ his belt, an’, being a -very powerful man, dragged him up and swung him into our boat, which was -bobbing up and down, and grating against the side of the other. We let go then, -an’ the man we’d rescued opened his eyes as Mr. McMillan tumbled over one of -the thwarts with him, and, letting off a roar like a bull, tried to jump back -into his boat. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Hold him!’ shouted the second mate. ‘Hold him tight! He’s mad, puir feller.’ -</p> - -<p> -“By the way that man fought and yelled, we thought the mate was right, too. He -was a short, stiff chap, hard as iron, and he bit and kicked and swore for all -he was worth, until at last we tripped him up and tumbled him into the bottom -of the boat, and held him there with his head hanging back over a thwart. -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s all right, my puir feller,’ ses the second mate; ‘ye’re in good -hands—ye’re saved.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Damme!’ ses the man; ‘what’s your little game? Where’s my boat—eh? Where’s my -boat?’ -</p> - -<p> -“He wriggled a bit, and got his head up, and, when he saw it bowling along two -or three hundred yards away, his temper got the better of him, and he swore -that if Mr. McMillan didn’t row after it he’d knife him. -</p> - -<p> -“‘We can’t bother about the boat,’ ses the mate; ‘we’ve had enough bother to -rescue you.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Who the devil wanted you to rescue me?’ bellowed the man. ‘I’ll make you pay -for this, you miserable swabs. If there’s any law in Amurrica, you shall have -it!’ -</p> - -<p> -“By this time we had got to the ship, which had shortened sail, and the cap’n -was standing by the side, looking down upon the stranger with a big, kind smile -which nearly sent him crazy. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Welcome aboard, my pore feller,’ ses he, holding out his hand as the chap got -up the side. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Are you the author of this outrage?’ ses the man fiercely. “‘I don’t -understand you,’ ses the cap’n, very dignified, and drawing himself up. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Did you send your chaps to sneak me out o’ my boat while I was having forty -winks?’ roars the other. ‘Damme! that’s English, ain’t it?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Surely,’ ses the cap’n, ‘surely you didn’t wish to be left to perish in that -little craft. I had a supernatural warning to steer this course on purpose to -pick you up, and this is your gratitude.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Look here!’ ses the other. ‘My name’s Cap’n Naskett, and I’m doing a record -trip from New York to Liverpool in the smallest boat that has ever crossed the -Atlantic, an’ you go an’ bust everything with your cussed officiousness. If you -think I’m going to be kidnapped just to fulfil your beastly warnings, you’ve -made a mistake. I’ll have the law on you, that’s what I’ll do. Kidnapping’s a -punishable offence.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘What did you come here for, then?’ ses the cap’n. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Come!’ howls Cap’n Naskett. ‘Come! A feller sneaks up alongside o’ me with a -boat-load of street-sweepings dressed as sailors, and snaps me up while I’m -asleep, and you ask me what I come for. Look here. You clap on all sail and -catch that boat o’ mine, and put me back, and I’ll call it quits. If you don’t, -I’ll bring a law-suit agin you, and make you the laughing-stock of two -continents into the bargain.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, to make the best of a bad bargain, the cap’n sailed after the cussed -little boat, and Mr. Salmon, who thought more than enough time had been lost -already, fell foul o’ Cap’n Naskett. They was both pretty talkers, and the way -they went on was a education for every sailorman afloat. Every man aboard got -as near as they durst to listen to them; but I must say Cap’n Naskett had the -best of it. He was a sarkastik man, and pretended to think the ship was fitted -out just to pick up shipwrecked people, an’ he also pretended to think we was -castaways what had been saved by it. He said o’ course anybody could see at a -glance we wasn’t sailormen, an’ he supposed Mr. Salmon was a butcher what had -been carried out to sea while paddling at Margate to strengthen his ankles. He -said a lot more of this sort of thing, and all this time we was chasing his -miserable little boat, an’ he was admiring the way she sailed, while the fust -mate was answering his reflexshuns, an’ I’m sure that not even our skipper was -more pleased than Mr. Salmon when we caught it at last, and shoved him back. He -was ungrateful up to the last, an’, just before leaving the ship, actually went -up to Cap’n Brown, and advised him to shut his eyes an’ turn round three times -and catch what he could. -</p> - -<p> -“I never saw the skipper so upset afore, but I heard him tell Mr. McMillan that -night that if he ever went out of his way again after a craft, it would only be -to run it down. Most people keep pretty quiet about supernatural things that -happen to them, but he was about the quietest I ever heard of, an’, what’s -more, he made everyone else keep quiet about it, too. Even when he had to steer -nor’-nor’-west arter that in the way o’ business he didn’t like it, an’ he was -about the most cruelly disappointed man you ever saw when he heard afterwards -that Cap’n Naskett got safe to Liverpool.” -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap11"></a>AFTER THE INQUEST</h2> - -<p> -It was a still fair evening in late summer in the parish of Wapping. The hands -had long since left, and the night watchman having abandoned his trust in -favour of a neighbouring bar, the wharf was deserted. -</p> - -<p> -An elderly seaman came to the gate and paused irresolute, then, seeing all was -quiet, stole cautiously on to the jetty, and stood for some time gazing -curiously down on to the deck of the billy-boy <i>Psyche</i> lying alongside. -</p> - -<p> -With the exception of the mate, who, since the lamented disappearance of its -late master and owner, was acting as captain, the deck was as deserted as the -wharf. He was smoking an evening pipe in all the pride of a first command, his -eye roving fondly from the blunt bows and untidy deck of his craft to her -clumsy stern, when a slight cough from the man above attracted his attention. -</p> - -<p> -“How do, George?” said the man on the jetty, somewhat sheepishly, as the other -looked up. -</p> - -<p> -The mate opened his mouth, and his pipe fell from it and smashed to pieces -unnoticed. -</p> - -<p> -“Got much stuff in her this trip?” continued the man, with an obvious attempt -to appear at ease. -</p> - -<p> -“The mate, still looking up, backed slowly to the other side of the deck, but -made no reply. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter, man?” said the other testily. “You don’t seem overpleased -to see me.” -</p> - -<p> -He leaned over as he spoke, and, laying hold of the rigging, descended to the -deck, while the mate took his breath in short, exhilarating gasps. -</p> - -<p> -“Here I am, George,” said the intruder, “turned up like a bad penny, an’ glad -to see your handsome face again, I can tell you.” -</p> - -<p> -In response to this flattering remark George gurgled. -</p> - -<p> -“Why,” said the other, with an uneasy laugh, “did you think I was dead, George? -Ha, ha! Feel that!” -</p> - -<p> -He fetched the horrified man a thump in the back, which stopped even his -gurgles. -</p> - -<p> -“That feel like a dead man?” asked the smiter, raising his hand again. “Feel”— -</p> - -<p> -The mate moved back hastily. “That’ll do,” said he fiercely; “ghost or no -ghost, don’t you hit me like that again.” -</p> - -<p> -“A’ right, George,” said the other, as he meditatively felt the stiff grey -whiskers which framed his red face. “What’s the news?” -</p> - -<p> -“The news,” said George, who was of slow habits and speech, “is that you was -found last Tuesday week off St. Katherine’s Stairs, you was sat on a Friday -week at the Town o’ Ramsgate public-house, and buried on Monday afternoon at -Lowestoft.” -</p> - -<p> -“Buried?” gasped the other, “sat on? You’ve been drinking, George.” -</p> - -<p> -“An’ a pretty penny your funeral cost, I can tell you,” continued the mate. -“There’s a headstone being made now—‘Lived lamented and died respected,’ I -think it is, with ‘Not lost, but gone before,’ at the bottom.” -</p> - -<p> -“Lived respected and died lamented, you mean,” growled the old man; “well, a -nice muddle you have made of it between you. Things always go wrong when I’m -not here to look after them.” -</p> - -<p> -“You ain’t dead, then?” said the mate, taking no notice of this unreasonable -remark, “Where’ve you been all this long time?” -</p> - -<p> -“No more than you’re master o’ this ’ere ship,” replied Mr. Harbolt grimly. -“I—I’ve been a bit queer in the stomach, an’ I took a little drink to correct -it. Foolish like, I took the wrong drink, and it must have got into my head.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s the worst of not being used to it,” said the mate, without moving a -muscle. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper eyed him solemnly, but the mate stood firm. -</p> - -<p> -“Arter that,” continued the skipper, still watching him suspiciously, “I -remember no more distinctly until this morning, when I found myself sitting on -a step down Poplar way and shiverin’, with the morning newspaper and a crowd -round me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Morning newspaper!” repeated the mystified mate. “What was that for?” -</p> - -<p> -“Decency. I was wrapped up in it,” replied the skipper. “Where I came from or -how I got there I don’t know more than Adam. I s’pose I must have been ill; I -seem to remember taking something out of a bottle pretty often. Some old -gentleman in the crowd took me into a shop and bought me these clothes, an’ -here I am. My own clo’es and thirty pounds o’ freight money I had in my pocket -is all gone.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I’m hearty glad to see you back,” said the mate. “It’s quite a -home-coming for you, too. Your missis is down aft.” -</p> - -<p> -“My missis? What the devil’s she aboard for?” growled the skipper, successfully -controlling his natural gratification at the news. -</p> - -<p> -“She’s been with us these last two trips,” replied the mate. “She’s had -business to settle in London, and she’s been going through your lockers to -clear up, like.” -</p> - -<p> -“My lockers!” groaned the skipper. “Good heavens! there’s things in them -lockers I wouldn’t have her see for the world; women are so fussy an’ so fond -o’ making something out o’ nothing. There’s a pore female touched a bit in the -upper storey, what’s been writing love letters to me, George.” -</p> - -<p> -“Three pore females,” said the precise mate; “the missis has got all the -letters tied up with blue ribbon. Very far gone they was, too, poor creeters.” -</p> - -<p> -“George,” said the skipper in a broken voice, “I’m a ruined man. I’ll never -hear the end o’ this. I guess I’ll go an’ sleep for’ard this voyage, and lie -low. Be keerful you don’t let on I’m aboard, an’ after she’s home I’ll take the -ship again, and let the thing leak out gradual. Come to life bit by bit, so to -speak. It wouldn’t do to scare her, George, an’ in the meantime I’ll try an’ -think o’ some explanation to tell her. You might be thinking too.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll do what I can,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Crack me up to the old girl all you can; tell her I used to write to all sorts -o’ people when I got a drop of drink in me; say how thoughtful I always was of -her. You might tell her about that gold locket I bought for her an’ got robbed -of.” -</p> - -<p> -“Gold locket?” said the mate in tones of great surprise. “What gold locket? -Fust I’ve heard of it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Any gold locket,” said the skipper irritably; “anything you can think of; you -needn’t be pertikler. Arter that you can drop little hints about people being -buried in mistake for others, so as to prepare her a bit—I don’t want to scare -her.” -</p> - -<p> -“Leave it to me,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll go an’ turn in now, I’m dead tired,” said the skipper. “I s’pose Joe and -the boy’s asleep?” -</p> - -<p> -George nodded, and meditatively watched the other as he pushed back the -fore-scuttle and drew it after him as he descended. Then a thought struck the -mate, and he ran hastily forward and threw his weight on the scuttle just in -time to frustrate the efforts of Joe and the boy, who were coming on deck to -tell him a new ghost story. The confusion below was frightful, the skipper’s -cry of “It’s only me, Joe,” not possessing the soothing effect which he -intended. They calmed down at length, after their visitor had convinced them -that he really was flesh and blood and fists, and the boy’s attention being -directed to a small rug in the corner of the foc’s’le, the skipper took his -bunk and was soon fast asleep. -</p> - -<p> -He slept so soundly that the noise of the vessel getting under way failed to -rouse him, and she was well out in the open river when he awoke, and after -cautiously protruding his head through the scuttle, ventured on deck. For some -time he stood eagerly sniffing the cool, sweet air, and then, after a look -round, gingerly approached the mate, who was at the helm. -</p> - -<p> -“Give me a hold on her,” said he. -</p> - -<p> -“You had better get below again, if you don’t want the missis to see you,” said -the mate. “She’s gettin’ up—nasty temper she’s in too.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper went forward grumbling. “Send down a good breakfast, George,” said -he. -</p> - -<p> -To his great discomfort the mate suddenly gave a low whistle, and regarded him -with a look of blank dismay. -</p> - -<p> -“Good gracious!” he cried, “I forgot all about it. Here’s a pretty kettle of -fish—well, well.” -</p> - -<p> -“Forgot about what?” asked the skipper uneasily. -</p> - -<p> -“The crew take their meals in the cabin now,” replied the mate, “’cos the -missis says it’s more cheerful for ’em, and she’s l’arning ’em to eat their -wittles properly.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper looked at him aghast. “You’ll have to smuggle me up some grub,” he -said at length. “I’m not going to starve for nobody.” -</p> - -<p> -“Easier said than done,” said the mate. “The missis has got eyes like needles; -still, I’ll do the best I can for you. Look out! Here she comes.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper fled hastily, and, safe down below, explained to the crew how they -were to secrete portions of their breakfast for his benefit. The amount of -explanation required for so simple a matter was remarkable, the crew -manifesting a denseness which irritated him almost beyond endurance. They -promised, however, to do the best they could for him, and returned in triumph -after a hearty meal, and presented their enraged commander with a few greasy -crumbs and the tail of a bloater. -</p> - -<p> -For the next two days the wind was against them, and they made but little -progress. Mrs. Harbolt spent most of her time on deck, thereby confining her -husband to his evil-smelling quarters below. Matters were not improved for him -by his treatment of the crew, who, resenting his rough treatment of them, were -doing their best to starve him into civility. Most of the time he kept in his -bunk—or rather Jemmy’s bunk—a prey to despondency and hunger of an acute type, -venturing on deck only at night to prowl uneasily about and bemoan his -condition. -</p> - -<p> -On the third night Mrs. Harbolt was later in retiring than usual, and it was -nearly midnight before the skipper, who had been indignantly waiting for her to -go, was able to get on deck and hold counsel with the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve done what I could for you,” said the latter, fishing a crust from his -pocket, which Harbolt took thankfully. “I’ve told her all the yarns I could -think of about people turning up after they was buried and the like.” -</p> - -<p> -“What’d she say?” queried the skipper eagerly, between his bites. -</p> - -<p> -“Told me not to talk like that,” said the mate; “said it showed a want o’ trust -in Providence to hint at such things. Then I told her what you asked me about -the locket, only I made it a bracelet worth ten pounds.” -</p> - -<p> -“That pleased her?” suggested the other hopefully. -</p> - -<p> -The mate shook his head. “She said I was a born fool to believe you’d been -robbed of it,” he replied. “She said what you’d done was to give it to one o’ -them pore females. She’s been going on frightful about it all the -afternoon—won’t talk o’ nothing else.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know what’s to be done,” groaned the skipper despondently. “I shall be -dead afore we get to port this wind holds. Go down and get me something to eat -George; I’m starving.” -</p> - -<p> -“Everything’s locked up, as I told you afore,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“As the master of this ship,” said the skipper, drawing himself up, “I order -you to go down and get me something to eat. You can tell the missus it’s for -you if she says anything.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m hanged if I will,” said the mate sturdily. “Why don’t you go down and have -it out with her like a man? She can’t eat you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not going to,” said the other shortly. “I’m a determined man, and when I -say a thing I mean it. It’s going to be broken to her gradual, as I said; I -don’t want her to be scared, poor thing.” -</p> - -<p> -“I know who’d be scared the most,” murmured the mate. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper looked at him fiercely, and then sat down wearily on the hatches -with his hands between his knees, rising, after a time, to get the dipper and -drink copiously from the water-cask. Then, replacing it with a sigh, he bade -the mate a surly good-night and went below. -</p> - -<p> -To his dismay he found when he awoke in the morning that what little wind there -was had dropped in the night, and the billy-boy was just rising and falling -lazily on the water in a fashion most objectionable to an empty stomach. It was -the last straw, and he made things so uncomfortable below that the crew were -glad to escape on deck, where they squatted down in the bows, and proceeded to -review a situation which was rapidly becoming unbearable. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve ’ad enough of it, Joe,” grumbled the boy. “I’m sore all over with -sleeping on the floor, and the old man’s temper gets wuss and wuss. I’m going -to be ill.” -</p> - -<p> -“Whaffor?” queried Joe dully. -</p> - -<p> -“You tell the missus I’m down below ill. Say you think I’m dying,” responded -the infant Machiavelli, “then you’ll see somethink if you keep your eyes open.” -</p> - -<p> -He went below again, not without a little nervousness, and, clambering into -Joe’s bunk, rolled over on his back and gave a deep groan. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter with <i>you!</i>” growled the skipper, who was lying in the -other bunk staving off the pangs of hunger with a pipe. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m very ill—dying,” said Jemmy, with another groan. -</p> - -<p> -“You’d better stay in bed and have your breakfast brought down here, then,” -said the skipper kindly. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want no breakfast,” said Jem faintly. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s no reason why you shouldn’t have it sent down, you unfeeling little -brute,” said the skipper indignantly. “You tell Joe to bring you down a great -plate o’ cold meat and pickles, and some coffee; that’s what you want.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right, sir,” said Jemmy. “I hope they won’t let the missus come down here, -in case it’s something catching. I wouldn’t like her to be took bad.” -</p> - -<p> -“Eh?” said the skipper, in alarm. “Certainly not. Here, you go up and die on -deck. Hurry up with you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t; I’m too weak,” said Jemmy. -</p> - -<p> -“You get up on deck at once; d’ye hear me?” hissed the skipper, in alarm. -</p> - -<p> -“I c-c-c-can’t help it,” sobbed Jemmy, who was enjoying the situation -amazingly. “I b’lieve it’s sleeping on the hard floor’s snapped something -inside me.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you don’t go I’ll take you,” said the skipper, and he was about to rise to -put his threat into execution when a shadow fell across the opening, and a -voice, which thrilled him to the core, said softly, “Jemmy!” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes ’m?” said Jemmy languidly, as the skipper flattened himself in his bunk -and drew the clothes over him. -</p> - -<p> -“How do you feel?” inquired Mrs. Harbolt. -</p> - -<p> -“Bad all over,” said Jemmy. “Oh, don’t come down, mum—please don’t.” -</p> - -<p> -“Rubbish!” said Mrs. Harbolt tartly, as she came slowly and carefully down -backwards. “What a dark hole this is, Jemmy. No wonder you’re ill. Put your -tongue out.” -</p> - -<p> -Jemmy complied. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t see properly here,” murmured the lady, “but it looks very large. -S’pose you go in the other bunk, Jemmy. It’s a good bit higher than this, and -you’d get more air and be more comfortable altogether.” -</p> - -<p> -“Joe wouldn’t like it, mum,” said the boy anxiously. The last glimpse he had -had of the skipper’s face did not make him yearn to share his bed with him. -</p> - -<p> -“Stuff an’ nonsense!” said Mrs. Harbolt hotly. “Who’s Joe, I’d like to know? -Out you come.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t move, mum,” said Jemmy firmly. -</p> - -<p> -“Nonsense!” said the lady. “I’ll just put it straight for you first, then in it -you go.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, don’t, mum,” shouted Jemmy, now thoroughly alarmed at the success of his -plot. “There, there’s a gentleman in that bunk. A gentleman we brought from -London for a change of sea air.” -</p> - -<p> -“My goodness gracious!” ejaculated the surprised Mrs. Harbolt. “I never did. -Why, what’s he had to eat?” -</p> - -<p> -“He—he—didn’t want nothing to eat,” said Jemmy, with a woeful disregard for -facts. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter with him?” inquired Mrs. Harbolt, eyeing the bunk curiously. -“What’s his name? Who is he?” -</p> - -<p> -“He’s been lost a long time,” said Jemmy, “and he’s forgotten who he is—he’s a -oldish man with a red face an’ a little white whisker all round it—a very -nice-looking man, I mean,” he interposed hurriedly. “I don’t think he’s quite -right in his head, ’cos he says he ought to have been buried instead of someone -else. Oh!” -</p> - -<p> -The last word was almost a scream, for Mrs. Harbolt, staggering back, pinched -him convulsively. -</p> - -<p> -“Jemmy!” she gasped, in a trembling voice, as she suddenly remembered certain -mysterious hints thrown out by the mate. “Who is it?” -</p> - -<p> -“The <i>captain!</i>” said Jemmy, and, breaking from her clasp, slipped from -his bed and darted hastily on deck, just as the pallid face of his commander -broke through the blankets and beamed anxiously on his wife. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -Five minutes later, as the crew gathered aft were curiously eyeing the -foc’s’le, Mrs. Harbolt and the skipper came on deck. To the great astonishment -of the mate, the eyes of the redoubtable woman were slightly wet, and, -regardless of the presence of the men, she clung fondly to her husband as they -walked slowly to the cabin. Ere they went below, however, she called the -grinning Jemmy to her, and, to his private grief and public shame, tucked his -head under her arm and kissed him fondly. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap12"></a>IN LIMEHOUSE REACH</h2> - -<p> -It was the mate’s affair all through. He began by leaving the end of a line -dangling over the stern, and the propeller, though quite unaccustomed to that -sort of work, wound it up until only a few fathoms remained. It then stopped, -and the mischief was not discovered until the skipper had called the engineer -everything that he and the mate and three men and a boy could think of. The -skipper did the interpreting through the tube which afforded the sole means of -communication between the wheel and the engine-room, and the indignant engineer -did the listening. -</p> - -<p> -The <i>Gem</i> was just off Limehouse at the time, and it was evident she was -going to stay there. The skipper ran her ashore and made her fast to a roomy -old schooner which was lying alongside a wharf. He was then able to give a -little attention to the real offender, and the unfortunate mate, who had been -the most inventive of them all, realised to the full the old saying of curses -coming home to roost. They brought some strangers with them, too. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m going ashore,” said the skipper at last. “We won’t get off till next tide -now. When it’s low water you’ll have to get down and cut the line away. A new -line too! I’m ashamed o’ you, Harry.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not surprised,” said the engineer, who was a vindictive man. -</p> - -<p> -“What do you mean by that?” demanded the mate fiercely. -</p> - -<p> -“We don’t want any of your bad temper,” interposed the skipper severely. -“<i>Nor</i> bad language. The men can go ashore, and the engineer too, provided -he keeps steam up. But be ready for a start about five. You’ll have to mind the -ship.” -</p> - -<p> -He looked over the stern again, shook his head sadly, and, after a visit to the -cabin, clambered over the schooner’s side and got ashore. The men, after -looking at the propeller and shaking their heads, went ashore too, and the boy, -after looking at the propeller and getting ready to shake his, caught the -mate’s eye and omitted that part of the ceremony, from a sudden conviction that -it was unhealthy. -</p> - -<p> -Left alone, the mate, who was of a sensitive disposition, after a curt nod to -Captain Jansell of the schooner <i>Aquila</i>, who had heard of the disaster, -and was disposed to be sympathetically inquisitive, lit his pipe and began -moodily to smoke. -</p> - -<p> -When he next looked up the old man had disappeared, and a girl in a print dress -and a large straw hat sat in a wicker chair reading. She was such a pretty girl -that the mate forgot his troubles at once, and, after carefully putting his cap -on straight, strolled casually up and down the deck. -</p> - -<p> -To his mortification, the girl seemed unaware of his presence, and read -steadily, occasionally looking up and chirping with a pair of ravishing lips at -a blackbird, which hung in a wicker cage from the mainmast. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s a nice bird,” said the mate, leaning against the side, and turning a -look of great admiration upon it. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” said the girl, raising a pair of dark blue eyes to the bold brown ones, -and taking him in at a glance. -</p> - -<p> -“Does it sing?” inquired the mate, with a show of great interest. -</p> - -<p> -“It does sometimes, when we are alone,” was the reply. -</p> - -<p> -“I should have thought the sea air would have affected its throat,” said the -mate, reddening. “Are you often in the London river, miss? I don’t remember -seeing your craft before.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not often,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve got a fine schooner here,” said the mate, eyeing it critically. “For my -part, I prefer a sailer to a steamer.” -</p> - -<p> -“I should think you would,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Why?” inquired the mate tenderly, pleased at this show of interest. -</p> - -<p> -“No propeller,” said the girl quietly, and she left her seat and disappeared -below, leaving the mate gasping painfully. -</p> - -<p> -Left to himself, he became melancholy, as he realised that the great passion of -his life had commenced, and would probably end within a few hours. The engineer -came aboard to look at the fires, and, the steamer being now on the soft mud, -good-naturedly went down and assisted him to free the propeller before going -ashore again. Then he was alone once more, gazing ruefully at the bare deck of -the <i>Aquila</i>. -</p> - -<p> -It was past two o’clock in the afternoon before any signs of life other than -the blackbird appeared there. Then the girl came on deck again, accompanied by -a stout woman of middle age, and an appearance so affable that the mate -commenced at once. -</p> - -<p> -“Fine day,” he said pleasantly, as he brought up in front of them. -</p> - -<p> -“Lovely weather,” said the mother, settling herself in her chair and putting -down her work ready for a chat. “I hope the wind lasts; we start to-morrow -morning’s tide. You’ll get off this afternoon, I s’pose.” -</p> - -<p> -“About five o’clock,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I should like to try a steamer for a change,” said the mother, and waxed -garrulous on sailing craft generally, and her own in particular. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s five of us down there, with my husband and the two boys,” said she, -indicating the cabin with her thumb; “naturally it gets rather stuffy.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate sighed. He was thinking that under some conditions there were worse -things than stuffy cabins. -</p> - -<p> -“And Nancy’s so discontented,” said the mother, looking at the girl who was -reading quietly by her side. “She doesn’t like ships or sailors. She gets her -head turned reading those penny novelettes.” -</p> - -<p> -“You look after your own head,” said Nancy elegantly, without looking up. -</p> - -<p> -“Girls in those novels don’t talk to <i>their</i> mothers like that,” said the -elder woman severely. -</p> - -<p> -“They have different sorts of mothers,” said Nancy, serenely turning over a -page. “I hate little pokey ships and sailors smelling of tar. I never saw a -sailor I liked yet.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate’s face fell. “There’s sailors and sailors,” he suggested humbly. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s no good talking to her,” said the mother, with a look of fat resignation -on her face, “we can only let her go her own way; if you talked to her -twenty-four hours right off it wouldn’t do her any good.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’d like to try,” said the mate, plucking up spirit. -</p> - -<p> -“Would you?” said the girl, for the first time raising her head and looking him -full in the face. “Impudence!” -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps you haven’t seen many ships,” said the impressionable mate, his eyes -devouring her face. “Would you like to come and have a look at our cabin?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, thanks!” said the girl sharply. Then she smiled maliciously. “I daresay -mother would, though; she’s fond of poking her nose into other people’s -business.” -</p> - -<p> -The mother regarded her irreverent offspring fixedly for a few moments. The -mate interposed. -</p> - -<p> -“I should be very pleased to show you over, ma’am,” he said politely. -</p> - -<p> -The mother hesitated; then she rose, and accepting the mate’s assistance, -clambered on to the side of the steamer, and, supported by his arms, sprang to -the deck and followed him below. -</p> - -<p> -“Very nice,” she said, nodding approvingly, as the mate did the honours. “Very -nice.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s nice and roomy for a little craft like ours,” said the mate, as he drew a -stone bottle from a locker and poured out a couple of glasses of stout. “Try a -little beer, ma’am.” -</p> - -<p> -“What you must think o’ that girl o’ mine I can’t think,” murmured the lady, -taking a modest draught. -</p> - -<p> -“The young,” said the mate, who had not quite reached his twenty-fifth year, -“are often like that.” -</p> - -<p> -“It spoils her,” said her mother. “She’s a good-looking girl, too, in her way.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t see how she can help being that,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, get away with you,” said the lady pleasantly. “She’ll get fat like me as -she gets older.” -</p> - -<p> -“She couldn’t do better,” said the mate tenderly. -</p> - -<p> -“Nonsense,” said the lady, smiling. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re as like as two peas,” persisted the mate. “I made sure you were sisters -when I saw you first.” -</p> - -<p> -“You ain’t the first that’s thought that,” said the other, laughing softly; -“not by a lot.” -</p> - -<p> -“I like to see ladies about,” said the mate, who was trying desperately for a -return invitation. “I wish you could always sit there. You quite brighten the -cabin up.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’re a flatterer,” said his visitor, as he replenished her glass, and showed -so little signs of making a move that the mate, making a pretext of seeing the -engineer, hurried up on deck to singe his wings once more. -</p> - -<p> -“Still reading?” he said softly, as he came abreast of the girl. “All about -love, I s’pose.” -</p> - -<p> -“Have you left my mother down there all by herself?” inquired the girl -abruptly. -</p> - -<p> -“Just a minute,” said the mate, somewhat crestfallen. “I just came up to see -the engineer.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, he isn’t here,” was the discouraging reply. -</p> - -<p> -The mate waited a minute or two, the girl still reading quietly, and then -walked back to the cabin. The sound of gentle regular breathing reached his -ears, and, stepping softly, he saw to his joy that his visitor slept. -</p> - -<p> -“She’s asleep,” said he, going back, “and she looks so comfortable I don’t -think I’ll wake her.” -</p> - -<p> -“I shouldn’t advise you to,” said the girl; “she always wakes up cross.” -</p> - -<p> -“How strange we should run up against each other like this,” said the mate -sentimentally; “it looks like Providence, doesn’t it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Looks like carelessness,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t care,” replied the mate. “I’m glad I did let that line go overboard. -Best day’s work I ever did. I shouldn’t have seen you if I hadn’t.” -</p> - -<p> -“And I don’t suppose you’ll ever see me again,” said the girl comfortably, “so -I don’t see what good you’ve done yourself.” -</p> - -<p> -“I shall run down to Limehouse every time we’re in port, anyway,” said the -mate; “it’ll be odd if I don’t see you sometimes. I daresay our craft’ll pass -each other sometimes. Perhaps in the night,” he added gloomily. -</p> - -<p> -“I shall sit up all night watching for you,” declared Miss Jansell -untruthfully. -</p> - -<p> -In this cheerful fashion the conversation proceeded, the girl, who was by no -means insensible to his bright eager face and well-knit figure, dividing her -time in the ratio of three parts to her book and one to him. Time passed all -too soon for the mate, when they were interrupted by a series of hoarse -unintelligible roars proceeding from the schooner’s cabin. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s father,” said Miss Jansell, rising with a celerity which spoke well for -the discipline maintained on the <i>Aquila;</i> “he wants me to mend his -waistcoat for him.” -</p> - -<p> -She put down her book and left, the mate watching her until she disappeared -down the companion-way. Then he sat down and waited. -</p> - -<p> -One by one the crew returned to the steamer, but the schooner’s deck showed no -signs of life. Then the skipper came, and, having peered critically over his -vessel’s side, gave orders to get under way. -</p> - -<p> -“If she’d only come up,” said the miserable mate to himself, “I’d risk it, and -ask whether I might write to her.” -</p> - -<p> -This chance of imperilling a promising career did not occur, however; the -steamer slowly edged away from the schooner, and, picking her way between a -tier of lighters, steamed slowly into clearer water. -</p> - -<p> -“Full speed ahead!” roared the skipper down the tube. The engineer responded, -and the mate gazed in a melancholy fashion at the water as it rapidly widened -between the two vessels. Then his face brightened up suddenly as the girl ran -up on deck and waved her hand. Hardly able to believe his eyes, he waved his -back. The girl gesticulated violently, now pointing to the steamer, and then to -the schooner. -</p> - -<p> -“By Jove, that girl’s taken a fancy to you,” said the skipper. “She wants you -to go back.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate sighed. “Seems like it,” he said modestly. -</p> - -<p> -To his astonishment the girl was now joined by her men folk, who also waved -hearty farewells, and, throwing their arms about, shouted incoherently. -</p> - -<p> -“Blamed if they haven’t all took a fancy to you,” said the puzzled skipper; -“the old man’s got the speaking-trumpet now. What does he say?” -</p> - -<p> -“Something about life, I think,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“They’re more like jumping-jacks than anything else,” said the skipper. “Just -look at ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate looked, and, as the distance increased, sprang on to the side, and, -his eyes dim with emotion, waved tender farewells. If it had not been for the -presence of the skipper—a tremendous stickler for decorum—he would have kissed -his hand. -</p> - -<p> -It was not until Gravesend was passed, and the side-lights of the shipping were -trying to show in the gathering dusk, that he awoke from his tender apathy. It -is probable that it would have lasted longer than that but for a sudden wail of -anguish and terror which proceeded from the cabin and rang out on the still -warm air. -</p> - -<p> -“Sakes alive!” said the skipper, starting; “what’s that?” -</p> - -<p> -Before the mate could reply, the companion was pushed back, and a middle-aged -woman, labouring under strong excitement, appeared on deck. -</p> - -<p> -“You villain!” she screamed excitably, rushing up to the mate. “Take me back; -take me back!” -</p> - -<p> -“What’s all this, Harry?” demanded the skipper sternly. -</p> - -<p> -“He—he—he—asked me to go into the cab—cabin,” sobbed Mrs. Jansell, “and sent me -to sleep, and too—too—took me away. My husband’ll kill me; I know he will. Take -me back.” -</p> - -<p> -“What do you want to be took back to be killed for?” interposed one of the men -judicially. -</p> - -<p> -“I might ha’ known what he meant when he said I brightened the cabin up,” said -Mrs. Jansell; “and when he said he thought me and my daughter were sisters. He -said he’d like me to sit there always, the wretch!” -</p> - -<p> -“Did you say that?” inquired the skipper fiercely. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I did,” said the miserable mate; “but I didn’t mean her to take it that -way. She went to sleep, and I forgot all about her.” -</p> - -<p> -“What did you say such silly lies for, then?” demanded the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -The mate hung his head. -</p> - -<p> -“Old enough to be your mother too,” said the skipper severely. “Here’s a nice -thing to happen aboard my ship, and afore the boy too!” -</p> - -<p> -“Blast the boy!” said the goaded mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Take me back,” wailed Mrs. Jansell; “you don’t know how jealous my husband -is.” -</p> - -<p> -“He won’t hurt you,” said the skipper kindly “he won’t be jealous of a woman -your time o’ life; that is, not if he’s got any sense. You’ll have to go as far -as Boston with us now. I’ve lost too much time already to go back.” -</p> - -<p> -“You must take me back,” said Mrs. Jansell passionately. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not going back for anybody,” said the skipper. “But you can make your mind -quite easy: you’re as safe aboard my ship as what you would be alone on a raft -in the middle of the Atlantic; and as for the mate, he was only chaffing you. -Wasn’t you, Harry?” -</p> - -<p> -The mate made some reply, but neither Mrs. Jansell, the skipper, nor the men, -who were all listening eagerly, caught it, and his unfortunate victim, -accepting the inevitable, walked to the side of the ship and gazed -disconsolately astern. -</p> - -<p> -It was not until the following morning that the mate, who had received orders -to mess for’ard, saw her, and ignoring the fact that everybody suspended work -to listen, walked up and bade her good morning. -</p> - -<p> -“Harry,” said the skipper warningly. -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said the mate shortly. “I want to speak to you very particularly,” -he said nervously, and led his listener aft, followed by three of the crew who -came to clean the brasswork, and who listened mutinously when they were ordered -to defer unwonted industry to a more fitting time. The deck clear, the mate -began, and in a long rambling statement, which Mrs. Jansell at first thought -the ravings of lunacy, acquainted her with the real state of his feelings. -</p> - -<p> -“I never did!” said she, when he had finished. “Never! Why, you hadn’t seen her -before yesterday.” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course I shall take you back by train,” said the mate, “and tell your -husband how sorry I am.” -</p> - -<p> -“I might have suspected something when you said all those nice things to me,” -said the mollified lady. “Well, you must take your chance, like all the rest of -them. She can only say ‘No,’ again. It’ll explain this affair better, that’s -one thing; but I expect they’ll laugh at you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t care,” said the mate stoutly. “You’re on my side, ain’t you?” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Jansell laughed, and the mate, having succeeded beyond his hopes in the -establishment of amicable relations, went about his duties with a light heart. -</p> - -<p> -By the time they reached Boston the morning was far advanced, and after the -<i>Gem</i> was comfortably berthed he obtained permission of the skipper to -accompany the fair passenger to London, beguiling the long railway journey by -every means in his power. Despite his efforts, however, the journey began to -pall upon his companion, and it was not until evening was well advanced that -they found themselves in the narrow streets of Limehouse. -</p> - -<p> -“We’ll see how the land lies first,” said he, as they approached the wharf and -made their way cautiously on to the quay. -</p> - -<p> -The <i>Aquila</i> was still alongside, and the mate’s heart thumped violently -as he saw the cause of all the trouble sitting alone on the deck. She rose with -a little start as her mother stepped carefully aboard, and, running to her, -kissed her affectionately, and sat her down on the hatches. -</p> - -<p> -“Poor mother,” she said caressingly. “What did you bring that lunatic back with -you for?” -</p> - -<p> -“He would come,” said Mrs. Jansell. “Hush! here comes your father.” -</p> - -<p> -The master of the <i>Aquila</i> came on deck as she spoke, and walking slowly -up to the group, stood sternly regarding them. Under his gaze the mate -breathlessly reeled off his tale, noticing with somewhat mixed feelings the -widening grin of his listener as he proceeded. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you’re a lively sort o’ man,” said the skipper as he finished. “In one -day you tie up your own ship, run off with my wife, and lose us a tide. Are you -always like that?” -</p> - -<p> -“I want somebody to look after me, I s’pose,” said the mate, with a side glance -at Nancy. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, we’d put you up for the night,” said the skipper, with his arm round his -wife’s shoulders; “but you’re such a chap. I’m afraid you’d burn the ship down, -or something. What do you think, old girl?” -</p> - -<p> -“I think we’ll try him this once,” said his wife. “And now I’ll go down and see -about supper; I want it.” -</p> - -<p> -The old couple went below, and the young one remained on deck. Nancy went and -leaned against the side; and as she appeared to have quite forgotten his -presence, the mate, after some hesitation, joined her. -</p> - -<p> -“Hadn’t you better go down and get some supper?” she asked. -</p> - -<p> -“I’d sooner stay here, if yon don’t mind,” said the mate. “I like watching the -lights going up and down; I could stay here for hours.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll leave you, then,” said the girl; “I’m hungry.” -</p> - -<p> -She tripped lightly off with a smothered laugh, leaving the fairly-trapped man -gazing indignantly at the lights which had lured him to destruction. -</p> - -<p> -From below he heard the cheerful clatter of crockery, accompanied by a savoury -incense, and talk and laughter. He imagined the girl making fun of his -sentimental reasons for staying on deck; but, too proud to meet her ironical -glances, stayed doggedly where he was, resolving to be off by the first train -in the morning. He was roused from his gloom by a slight touch on his arm, and, -turning sharply, saw the girl by his side. -</p> - -<p> -“Supper’s quite ready,” said she soberly. “And if you want to admire the lights -very much, come up and see them when I do—after supper.” -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap13"></a>AN ELABORATE ELOPEMENT</h2> - -<p> -I have always had a slight suspicion that the following narrative is not quite -true. It was related to me by an old seaman who, among other incidents of a -somewhat adventurous career, claimed to have received Napoleon’s sword at the -battle of Trafalgar, and a wound in the back at Waterloo. I prefer to tell it -in my own way, his being so garnished with nautical terms and expletives as to -be half unintelligible and somewhat horrifying. Our talk had been of love and -courtship, and after making me a present of several tips, invented by himself, -and considered invaluable by his friends, he related this story of the -courtship of a chum of his as illustrating the great lengths to which young -bloods were prepared to go in his days to attain their ends. -</p> - -<p> -It was a fine clear day in June when Hezekiah Lewis, captain and part owner of -the schooner <i>Thames</i>, bound from London to Aberdeen, anchored off the -little out-of-the-way town of Orford in Suffolk. Among other antiquities, the -town possessed Hezekiah’s widowed mother, and when there was no very great -hurry—the world went slower in those days—the dutiful son used to go ashore in -the ship’s boat, and after a filial tap at his mother’s window, which often -startled the old woman considerably, pass on his way to see a young lady to -whom he had already proposed five times without effect. -</p> - -<p> -The mate and crew of the schooner, seven all told, drew up in a little knot as -the skipper, in his shore-going clothes, appeared on deck, and regarded him -with an air of grinning, mysterious interest. -</p> - -<p> -“Now you all know what you have got to do?” queried the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” replied the crew, grinning still more deeply. -</p> - -<p> -Hezekiah regarded them closely, and then ordering the boat to be lowered, -scrambled over the side, and was pulled swiftly towards the shore. -</p> - -<p> -A sharp scream, and a breathless “Lawk-a-mussy me!” as he tapped at his -mother’s window, assured him that the old lady was alive and well, and he -continued on his way until he brought up at a small but pretty house in the -next road. -</p> - -<p> -“Morning, Mr. Rumbolt,” said he heartily to a stout, red-faced man, who sat -smoking in the doorway. -</p> - -<p> -“Morning, cap’n, morning,” said the red-faced man. -</p> - -<p> -“Is the rheumatism any better?” inquired Hezekiah anxiously, as he grasped the -other’s huge hand. -</p> - -<p> -“So, so,” said the other. “But it ain’t the rheumatism so much what troubles -me,” he resumed, lowering his voice, and looking round cautiously. “It’s Kate.” -</p> - -<p> -“What?” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve heard of a man being henpecked?” continued Mr. Rumbolt, in tones of -husky confidence. -</p> - -<p> -The captain nodded. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m <i>chick-pecked</i>,” murmured the other. -</p> - -<p> -“What?” inquired the astonished mariner again. -</p> - -<p> -“Chick-pecked,” repeated Mr. Rumbolt firmly. “C<small>HIK-PEKED</small>. D’ye -understand me?” -</p> - -<p> -The captain said that he did, and stood silent awhile, with the air of a man -who wants to say something, but is half afraid to. At last, with a desperate -appearance of resolution, he bent down to the old man’s ear. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s the deaf ’un,” said Mr. Rumbolt promptly. -</p> - -<p> -Hezekiah changed ears, speaking at first slowly and awkwardly, but becoming -more fluent as he warmed with his subject; while the expression of his -listener’s face gradually changed from incredulous bewilderment to one of -uncontrollable mirth. He became so uproarious that he was fain to push the -captain away from him, and lean back in his chair and choke and laugh until he -nearly lost his breath, at which crisis a remarkably pretty girl appeared from -the back of the house, and patted him with hearty good will. -</p> - -<p> -“That’ll do, my dear,” said the choking Mr. Rumbolt. “Here’s Captain Lewis.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can see him,” said his daughter calmly. “What’s he standing on one leg for?” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper, who really was standing in a somewhat constrained attitude, -coloured violently, and planted both feet firmly on the ground. -</p> - -<p> -“Being as I was passing close in, Miss Rumbolt,” said he, “and coming ashore to -see mother”— -</p> - -<p> -To the captain’s discomfort, manifestations of a further attack on the part of -Mr. Rumbolt appeared, but were promptly quelled by the daughter. -</p> - -<p> -“Mother?” she repeated encouragingly, -</p> - -<p> -“I thought I’d come on and ask you just to pay a sort o’ flying visit to the -<i>Thames</i>.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thank you, I’m comfortable enough where I am,” said the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve got a couple of monkeys and a bear aboard, which I’m taking to a -menagerie in Aberdeen,” continued the captain, “and the thought struck me you -might possibly like to see ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I don’t know,” said the damsel in a flutter. “Is it a big bear?” -</p> - -<p> -“Have you ever seen an elephant?” inquired Hezekiah cautiously. -</p> - -<p> -“Only in pictures,” replied the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, it’s as big as that, nearly,” said he. -</p> - -<p> -The temptation was irresistible, and Miss Rumbolt, telling her father that she -should not be long, disappeared into the house in search of her hat and jacket, -and ten minutes later the brawny rowers were gazing their fill into her deep -blue eyes as she sat in the stern of the boat, and told Lewis to behave -himself. -</p> - -<p> -It was but a short pull out to the schooner, and Miss Rumbolt was soon on the -deck, lavishing endearments on the monkey, and energetically prodding the bear -with a handspike to make him growl. The noise of the offended animal as he -strove to get through the bars of his cage was terrific, and the girl was in -the full enjoyment of it, when she became aware of a louder noise still, and, -turning round, saw the seamen at the windlass. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, what are they doing?” she demanded, “getting up anchor?” -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy, there!” shouted Hezekiah sternly. “What are you doing with that -windlass?” -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke, the anchor peeped over the edge of the bows, and one of the seamen -running past them took the helm. -</p> - -<p> -“Now then,” shouted the fellow, “stand by. Look lively there with them sails.” -</p> - -<p> -Obeying a light touch of the helm, the schooner’s bow-sprit slowly swung round -from the land, and the crew, hauling lustily on the ropes, began to hoist the -sails. -</p> - -<p> -“What the devil are you up to?” thundered the skipper. “Have you all gone mad? -What does it all mean?” -</p> - -<p> -“It means,” said one of the seamen, whose fat, amiable face was marred by a -fearful scowl, “that we’ve got a new skipper.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good heavens, a mutiny!” exclaimed the skipper, starting melodramatically -against the cage, and starting hastily away again. “Where’s the mate?” -</p> - -<p> -“He’s with us,” said another seaman, brandishing his sheath knife, and scowling -fearfully. “He’s our new captain.” -</p> - -<p> -In confirmation of this the mate now appeared from below with an axe in his -hand, and, approaching his captain, roughly ordered him below. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll defend this lady with my life,” cried Hezekiah, taking the handspike from -Kate, and raising it above his head. -</p> - -<p> -“Nobody’ll hurt a hair of her beautiful head,” said the mate, with a tender -smile. -</p> - -<p> -“Then I yield,” said the skipper, drawing himself up, and delivering the -handspike with the air of a defeated admiral tendering his sword. -</p> - -<p> -“Good,” said the mate briefly, as one of the men took it. -</p> - -<p> -“What!” demanded Miss Rumbolt excitedly, “aren’t you going to fight them? Here, -give me the handspike.” -</p> - -<p> -Before the mate could interfere, the sailor, with thoughtless obedience, handed -it over, and Miss Rumbolt at once tried to knock him over the head. Being -thwarted in this design by the man taking flight, she lost her temper entirely, -and bore down like a hurricane on the remaining members of the crew who were -just approaching. -</p> - -<p> -They scattered at once, and ran up the rigging like cats, and for a few moments -the girl held the deck; then the mate crept up behind her, and with the air of -a man whose job exactly suited him, clasped her tightly round the waist, while -one of the seamen disarmed her. -</p> - -<p> -“You must both go below till we’ve settled what to do with you,” said the mate, -reluctantly releasing her. -</p> - -<p> -With a wistful glance at the handspike, the girl walked to the cabin, followed -slowly by the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“This is a bad business,” said the latter, shaking his head solemnly, as the -indignant Miss Rumbolt seated herself. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t talk to me, you coward!” said the girl energetically. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper started. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>I</i> made three of ’em run,” said Miss Rumbolt, “and you did nothing. You -just stood still, and let them take the ship. I’m ashamed of you.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper’s defence was interrupted by a hoarse voice shouting to them to -come on deck, where they found the mutinous crew gathered aft round the mate. -The girl cast a look at the shore, which was now dim and indistinct, and turned -somewhat pale as the serious nature of her position forced itself upon her. -</p> - -<p> -“Lewis,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” growled the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“This ship’s going in the lace and brandy trade, and if so be as you’re -sensible you can go with it as mate, d’ye hear?” -</p> - -<p> -“An’ s’pose I do; what about the lady?” inquired the captain. -</p> - -<p> -“You and the lady’ll have to get spliced,” said the mate sternly. “Then -there’ll be no tales told. A Scotch marriage is as good as any, and we’ll just -lay off and put you ashore, and you can get tied up as right as ninepence.” -</p> - -<p> -“Marry a coward like that?” demanded Miss Rumbolt, with spirit; “not if I know -it. Why, I’d sooner marry that old man at the helm.” -</p> - -<p> -“Old Bill’s got three wives a’ready to my sartin knowledge,” spoke up one of -the sailors. “The lady’s got to marry Cap’n Lewis, so don’t let’s have no fuss -about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t,” said the lady, stamping violently. -</p> - -<p> -The mutineers appeared to be in a dilemma, and, following the example of the -mate, scratched their heads thoughtfully. -</p> - -<p> -“We thought you liked him,” said the mate, at last, feebly. -</p> - -<p> -“You had no business to think,” said Miss Rumbolt. “You are bad men, and you’ll -all be hung, every one of you; I shall come and see it.” -</p> - -<p> -“The cap’n’s welcome to her for me,” murmured the helmsman in a husky whisper -to the man next to him. “The vixen!” -</p> - -<p> -“Very good,” said the mate. “If you won’t, you won’t. This end of the ship’ll -belong to you after eight o’clock of a night. Lewis, you must go for’ard with -the men.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what are you going to do with me after?” inquired the fair prisoner. -</p> - -<p> -The seven men shrugged their shoulders helplessly, and Hezekiah, looking -depressed, lit his pipe, and went and leaned over the side. -</p> - -<p> -The day passed quietly. The orders were given by the mate, and Hezekiah lounged -moodily about, a prisoner at large. At eight o’clock Miss Rumbolt was given the -key of the state-room, and the men who were not in the watch went below. -</p> - -<p> -The morning broke fine and clear with a light breeze, which, towards mid-day, -dropped entirely, and the schooner lay rocking lazily on a sea of glassy -smoothness. The sun beat fiercely down, bringing the fresh paint on the -taffrail up in blisters, and sorely trying the tempers of the men who were -doing odd jobs on deck. -</p> - -<p> -The cabin, where the two victims of a mutinous crew had retired for coolness, -got more and more stuffy, until at length even the scorching deck seemed -preferable, and the girl, with a faint hope of finding a shady corner, went -languidly up the companion-ladder. -</p> - -<p> -For some time the skipper sat alone, pondering gloomily over the state of -affairs as he smoked his short pipe. He was aroused at length from his apathy -by the sound of the companion being noisily closed, while loud frightened cries -and hurrying footsteps on deck announced that something extraordinary was -happening. As he rose to his feet he was confronted by Kate Rumbolt, who, -panting and excited, waved a big key before him. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve done it,” she cried, her eyes sparkling. -</p> - -<p> -“Done what?” shouted the mystified skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Let the bear loose,” said the girl. “Ha, ha! you should have seen them run. -You should have seen the fat sailor!” -</p> - -<p> -“Let the—phew—let the— Good heavens! here’s a pretty kettle of fish!” he -choked. -</p> - -<p> -“Listen to them shouting,” cried the exultant Kate, clapping her hands. “Just -listen.” -</p> - -<p> -“Those shouts are from aloft,” said Hezekiah sternly, “where you and I ought to -be.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve closed the companion,” said the girl reassuringly. -</p> - -<p> -“Closed the companion!” repeated Hezekiah, as he drew his knife. “He can smash -it like cardboard, if the fit takes him. Go in here.” -</p> - -<p> -He opened the door of his state-room. -</p> - -<p> -“Shan’t!” said Miss Rumbolt politely. -</p> - -<p> -“Go in at once!” cried the skipper. “Quick with you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Sha—” began Miss Rumbolt again. Then she caught his eye, and went in like a -lamb. “You come too,” she said prettily. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve got to look after my ship and my men,” said the skipper. “I suppose you -thought the ship would steer itself, didn’t you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Mutineers deserve to be eaten,” whimpered Miss Rumbolt piously, somewhat taken -aback by the skipper’s demeanour. -</p> - -<p> -Hezekiah looked at her. -</p> - -<p> -“They’re not mutineers, Kate,” he said quietly. “It was just a piece of mad -folly of mine. They’re as honest a set of old sea dogs as ever breathed, and I -only hope they are all safe up aloft. I’m going to lock you in; but don’t be -frightened, it shan’t hurt you.” -</p> - -<p> -He slammed the door on her protests, and locked it, and, slipping the key of -the cage in his pocket, took a firm grip of his knife, and, running up the -steps, gained the deck. Then his breath came more freely, for the mate, who was -standing a little way up the fore rigging, after tempting the bear with his -foot, had succeeded in dropping a noose over its head. The brute made a furious -attempt to extricate itself, but the men hurried down with other lines, and in -a short space of time the bear presented much the same appearance as the lion -in <i>Æsop’s Fables</i>, and was dragged and pushed, a heated and indignant -mass of fur, back to its cage. -</p> - -<p> -Having locked up one prisoner the skipper went below and released the other, -who passed quickly from a somewhat hysterical condition to one of such haughty -disdain that the captain was thoroughly cowed, and stood humbly aside to let -her pass. -</p> - -<p> -The fat seaman was standing in front of the cage as she reached it, and -regarding the bear with much satisfaction until Kate sidled up to him, and -begged him, as a personal favour, to go in the cage and undo it. -</p> - -<p> -“Undo it! Why he’d kill me!” gasped the fat seaman, aghast at such simplicity. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think he would,” said his tormenter, with a bewitching smile; “and -I’ll wear a lock of your hair all my life if you do. But you’d better give it -to me before you go in.” -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t going in,” said the fat sailor shortly. -</p> - -<p> -“Not for me?” queried Kate archly. -</p> - -<p> -“Not for fifty like you,” replied the old man firmly. “He nearly had me when he -was loose. I can’t think how he got out.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, I let him out,” said Miss Rumbolt airily. “Just for a little run. How -would you like to be shut up all day?” -</p> - -<p> -The sailor was just going to tell her with more fluency than politeness when he -was interrupted. “That’ll do,” said the skipper, who had come behind them. “Go -for’ard, you. There’s been enough of this fooling; the lady thought you had -taken the ship. Thompson, I’ll take the helm; there’s a little wind coming. -Stand by there.” -</p> - -<p> -He walked aft and relieved the steersman, awkwardly conscious that the men were -becoming more and more interested in the situation, and also that Kate could -hear some of their remarks. As he pondered over the subject, and tried to think -of a way out of it, the cause of all the trouble came and stood by him. -</p> - -<p> -“Did my father know of this?” she inquired. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know that he did exactly,” said the skipper uneasily. “I just told him -not to expect you back that night.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what did he say?” said she. -</p> - -<p> -“Said he wouldn’t sit up,” said the skipper, grinning, despite himself. -</p> - -<p> -Kate drew a breath the length of which boded no good to her parent, and looked -over the side. -</p> - -<p> -“I was afraid of that traveller chap from Ipswich,” said Hezekiah, after a -pause. “Your father told me he was hanging round you again, so I thought -I—well, I was a blamed fool anyway.” -</p> - -<p> -“See how ridiculous you have made me look before all these men,” said the girl -angrily. -</p> - -<p> -“They’ve been with me for years,” said Hezekiah apologetically, “and the mate -said it was a magnificent idea. He quite raved about it, he did. I wouldn’t -have done it with some crews, but we’ve had some dirty times together, and -they’ve stood by me well. But of course that’s nothing to do with you. It’s -been an adventure I’m very sorry for, very.” -</p> - -<p> -“A pretty safe adventure for <i>you</i>,” said the girl scornfully. “<i>You</i> -didn’t risk much. Look here, I like brave men. If you go in the cage and undo -that bear, I’ll marry you. That’s what <i>I</i> call an adventure.” -</p> - -<p> -“Smith,” called the skipper quietly, “come and take the helm a bit.” -</p> - -<p> -The seaman obeyed, and Lewis, accompanied by the girl, walked forward. -</p> - -<p> -At the bear’s cage he stopped, and, fumbling in his pocket for the key, -steadily regarded the brute as it lay gnashing its teeth, and trying in vain to -bite the ropes which bound it. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re afraid,” said the girl tauntingly; “you’re quite white.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain made no reply, but eyed her so steadily that her gaze fell. He drew -the key from his pocket and inserted it in the huge lock, and was just turning -it, when a soft arm was drawn through his, and a soft voice murmured sweetly in -his ear, “Never mind about the old bear.” -</p> - -<p> -And he did not mind. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap14"></a>THE COOK OF THE “GANNET”</h2> - -<p> -All ready for sea, and no cook,” said the mate of the schooner <i>Gannet</i>, -gloomily. “What’s become of all the cooks I can’t think.” -</p> - -<p> -“They most on ’em ship as mates now,” said the skipper, grinning. “But you -needn’t worry about that; I’ve got one coming aboard to-night. I’m trying a new -experiment, George.” -</p> - -<p> -“I once knew a chemist who tried one,” said George, “an’ it blew him out of the -winder; but I never heard o’ shipmasters trying ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s all kinds of experiments,” rejoined the other, “What do you say to a -lady cook, George?” -</p> - -<p> -“A <i>what?</i>” asked the mate in tones of strong amazement. “What, aboard a -schooner?” -</p> - -<p> -“Why not?” inquired the skipper warmly; “why not? There’s plenty of ’em -ashore—why not aboard ship?” -</p> - -<p> -“’Tain’t proper, for one thing,” said the mate virtuously. -</p> - -<p> -“I shouldn’t have expected you to have thought o’ that,” said the other -unkindly. “Besides, they have stewardesses on big ships, an’ what’s the -difference? She’s a sort o’ relation o’ mine, too—cousin o’ my wife’s, a widder -woman, and a good sensible age, an’ as the doctor told her to take a sea voyage -for the benefit of her ’elth, she’s coming with me for six months as cook. -She’ll take her meals with us; but, o’ course, the men are not to know of the -relationship.” -</p> - -<p> -“What about sleeping accommodation?” inquired the mate, with the air of a man -putting a poser. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve thought o’ that,” replied the other; “it’s all arranged.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, with an uncompromising air, waited for information. -</p> - -<p> -“She—she’s to have your berth, George,” continued the skipper, without looking -at him. “You can have that nice, large, airy locker.” -</p> - -<p> -“One what the biscuit and onions kep’ in?” inquired George. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper nodded. -</p> - -<p> -“I think, if it’s all the same to you,” said the mate, with laboured -politeness, “I’ll wait till the butter keg’s empty, and crowd into that.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s no use your making yourself unpleasant about it,” said the skipper, “not -a bit. The arrangements are made now, and here she comes.” -</p> - -<p> -Following his gaze, the mate looked up as a stout, comely-looking woman of -middle age came along the jetty, followed by the watchman staggering under a -box of enormous proportions. -</p> - -<p> -“Jim!” cried the lady. -</p> - -<p> -“Halloa!” cried the skipper, starting uneasily at the title. “We’ve been -expecting you for some time.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s a row on with the cabman,” said the lady calmly. “This silly old -man”—the watchman snorted fiercely—“let the box go through the window getting -it off the top, and the cabman wants <i>me</i> to pay. He’s out there using -language, and he keeps calling me grandma—I want you to have him locked up.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come down below now,” said the skipper; “we’ll see about the cab. Mrs. -Blossom—my mate. George, go and send that cab away.” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Blossom, briefly acknowledging the introduction, followed the skipper to -the cabin, while the mate, growling under his breath, went out to enter into a -verbal contest in which he was from the first hopelessly overmatched. -</p> - -<p> -The new cook, being somewhat fatigued with her journey, withdrew at an early -hour, and the sun was well up when she appeared on deck next morning. The -wharves and warehouses of the night before had disappeared, and the schooner, -under a fine spread of canvas, was just passing Tilbury. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s one thing I must put a stop to,” said the skipper, as he and the mate, -after an admirably-cooked breakfast, stood together talking. “The men seem to -be hanging round that galley too much.” -</p> - -<p> -“What can you expect?” demanded the mate. “They’ve all got their Sunday clothes -on too, pretty dears.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hi, you Bill!” cried the skipper. “What are you doing there?” -</p> - -<p> -“Lending cook a hand with the saucepans, sir,” said Bill, an oakum-bearded man -of sixty. -</p> - -<p> -“There ain’t no call for ’im to come ’ere at all, sir,” shouted another seaman, -putting his head out of the galley. “Me an’ cook’s lifting ’em beautiful.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come out, both of you, or I’ll start you with a rope!” roared the irritated -commander. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter?” inquired Mrs. Blossom. “They’re not doing any harm.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t have ’em there,” said the skipper gruffly. “They’ve got other things -to do.” -</p> - -<p> -“I must have some assistance with that boiler and the saucepans,” said Mrs. -Blossom decidedly, “so don’t you interfere with what don’t concern you, Jimmy.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s mutiny,” whispered the horrified mate. “Sheer, rank mutiny.” -</p> - -<p> -“She don’t know no better,” whispered the other back. “Cook, you mustn’t talk -like that to the cap’n—what me and the mate tell you you must do. You don’t -understand yet, but it’ll come easier by-and-bye.” -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Will</i> it,” demanded Mrs. Blossom loudly; “<i>will</i> it? I don’t think -it will. How dare you talk to me like that, Jim Harris? You ought to be ashamed -of yourself!” -</p> - -<p> -“My name’s Cap’n Harris,” said the skipper stiffly. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, <i>Captain</i> Harris,” said Mrs. Blossom scornfully; “and what’ll -happen if I don’t do as you and that other shamefaced-looking man tell me?” -</p> - -<p> -“We hope it won’t come to that,” said Harris, with quiet dignity, as he paused -at the companion. “But the mate’s in charge just now, and I warn you he’s a -very severe man. Don’t stand no nonsense, George.” -</p> - -<p> -With these brave words the skipper disappeared below, and the mate, after one -glance at the dauntless and imposing attitude of Mrs. Blossom, walked to the -side and became engrossed in a passing steamer. A hum of wondering admiration -arose from the crew, and the cook, thoroughly satisfied with her victory, -returned to the scene of her labours. -</p> - -<p> -For the next twenty-four hours Mrs. Blossom reigned supreme, and performed the -cooking for the vessel, assisted by five ministering seamen. The weather was -fine, and the wind light, and the two officers were at their wits’ end to find -jobs for the men. -</p> - -<p> -“Why don’t you put your foot down,” grumbled the mate, as a burst of happy -laughter came from the direction of the galley. “The idea of men laughing like -that aboard ship; they’re carrying on just as though we wasn’t here.” -</p> - -<p> -“Will you stand by me?” demanded the skipper, pale but determined. -</p> - -<p> -“Of course I will,” said the other indignantly. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, my lads,” said Harris, stepping forward, “I can’t have you chaps hanging -round the galley all day; you’re getting in cook’s way and hindering her. Just -get your knives out; I’ll have the masts scraped.” -</p> - -<p> -“You just stay where you are,” said Mrs. Blossom. “When they’re in my way, I’ll -soon let ’em know.” -</p> - -<p> -“Did you hear what I said?” thundered the skipper, as the men hesitated. -</p> - -<p> -“Aye, aye, sir,” muttered the crew, moving off. -</p> - -<p> -“How dare you interfere with me?” said Mrs. Blossom hotly, as she realised the -defeat. “Ever since I’ve been on this ship you’ve been trying to aggravate me. -I wonder the men don’t hit you, you nasty, ginger-whiskered little man.” -</p> - -<p> -“Go on with your work,” said the skipper, fondly stroking the maligned -whiskers. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you talk to me, Jim Harris,” said Mrs. Blossom, quivering with wrath. -“Don’t you give <i>me</i> none of your airs. <i>Who borrowed five pounds from -my poor dead husband just before he died, and never paid it back?</i>” -</p> - -<p> -“Go on with your work,” repeated the skipper, with pale lips. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Whose uncle Benjamin had three weeks?</i>” demanded Mrs. Blossom darkly. -“<i>Whose uncle Joseph had to go abroad without stopping to pack up?</i>” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper made no reply, but the anxiety of the crew to have these vital -problems solved was so manifest that he turned his back on the virago and went -towards the mate, who at that moment dipped hurriedly to escape a wet -dish-clout. The two men regarded each other, pale with anxiety. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, you just move off,” said Mrs. Blossom, shaking another clout at them. “I -won’t have you hanging about my galley. Keep to your own end of the ship.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper drew himself up haughtily, but the effect was somewhat marred by -one eye, which dwelt persistently on the clout, and after a short inward -struggle he moved off, accompanied by the mate. Wellington himself would have -been nonplussed by a wet cloth in the hands of a fearless woman. -</p> - -<p> -“She’ll just have to have her own way till we get to Llanelly,” said the -indignant skipper, “and then I’ll send her home by train and ship another cook. -I knew she’d got a temper, but I didn’t know it was like this. She’s the last -woman that sets foot on my ship—that’s all she’s done for her sex.” -</p> - -<p> -In happy ignorance of her impending doom Mrs. Blossom went blithely about her -duties, assisted by a crew whose admiration for her increased by leaps and -bounds; and the only thing which ventured to interfere with her was a stiff -Atlantic roll, which they encountered upon rounding the Land’s End. -</p> - -<p> -The first intimation Mrs. Blossom had of it was the falling of small utensils -in the galley. After she had picked them up and replaced them several times, -she went out to investigate, and discovered that the schooner was dipping her -bows to big green waves, and rolling, with much straining and creaking, from -side to side. A fine spray, which broke over the bows and flew over the vessel, -drove her back into the galley, which had suddenly developed an unaccountable -stuffiness; but, though the crew to a man advised her to lie down and have a -cup of tea, she repelled them with scorn, and with pale face and compressed -lips stuck to her post. -</p> - -<p> -Two days later they made fast to the quay at Llanelly, and half-an-hour later -the skipper called the mate down to the cabin, and, handing him some money, -told him to pay the cook off and ship another. The mate declined. -</p> - -<p> -“You obey orders,” said the skipper fiercely, “else you an’ me’ll quarrel.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve got a wife an’ family,” urged the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Pooh!” said the skipper. “Rubbish!” -</p> - -<p> -“And uncles,” added the mate rebelliously. -</p> - -<p> -“Very good,” said the skipper, glaring. “We’ll ship the other cook first and -let him settle it. After all, I don’t see why we should fight his battles for -him.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, being agreeable, went off at once; and when Mrs. Blossom, after a -little shopping ashore, returned to the <i>Gannet</i> she found the galley in -the possession of one of the fattest cooks that ever broke ship’s biscuit. -</p> - -<p> -“Hullo!” said she, realising the situation at a glance, “what are you doing -here?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cooking,” said the other gruffly. Then, catching sight of his questioner, he -smiled amorously and winked at her. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you wink at me,” said Mrs. Blossom wrathfully. “Come out of that -galley.” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s room for both,” said the new cook persuasively. “Come in an’ put your -’ed on my shoulder.” -</p> - -<p> -Utterly unprepared for this mode of attack, Mrs. Blossom lost her nerve, and, -instead of storming the galley, as she had fully intended, drew back and -retired to the cabin, where she found a short note from the skipper, enclosing -her pay, and requesting her to take the train home. After reading this she went -ashore again, returning presently with a big bundle, which she placed on the -cabin table in front of Harris and the mate, who had just begun tea. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not going home by train,” said she, opening the bundle, which contained a -spirit kettle and provisions. “I’m going back with you; but I am not going to -be beholden to you for anything—I’m going to board myself.” -</p> - -<p> -After this declaration she made herself tea and sat down. The meal proceeded in -silence, though occasionally she astonished her companions by little mysterious -laughs, which caused them slight uneasiness. As she made no hostile -demonstration, however, they became reassured, and congratulated themselves -upon the success of their manœuvre. -</p> - -<p> -“How long shall we be getting back to London, do you think?” inquired Mrs. -Blossom at last. -</p> - -<p> -“We shall probably sail Tuesday night, and it may be anything from six days -upwards,” answered the skipper. “If this wind holds it’ll probably be upwards.” -</p> - -<p> -To his great concern Mrs. Blossom put her handkerchief over her face, and, -shaking with suppressed laughter, rose from the table and left the cabin. -</p> - -<p> -The couple left eyed each other wonderingly. -</p> - -<p> -“Did I say anything pertickler funny, George?” inquired the skipper, after some -deliberation. -</p> - -<p> -“Didn’t strike me so,” said the mate carelessly; “I expect she’s thought o’ -something else to say about your family. She wouldn’t be so good-tempered as -all that for nothing. I feel cur’ous to know what it is.” -</p> - -<p> -“If you paid more attention to your own business,” said the skipper, his choler -rising, “you’d get on better. A mate who was a good seaman wouldn’t ha’ let a -cook go on like this—it’s not discipline.” -</p> - -<p> -He went off in dudgeon, and a coolness sprang up between them, which lasted -until the bustle of starting in the small hours of Wednesday morning. -</p> - -<p> -Once under way the day passed uneventfully, the schooner crawling sluggishly -down the coast of Wales, and, when the skipper turned in that night, it was -with the pleasant conviction that Mrs. Blossom had shot her last bolt, and, -like a sensible woman, was going to accept her defeat. From this pleasing idea -he was aroused suddenly by the watch stamping heavily on the deck overhead. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s up?” cried the skipper, darting up the companion-ladder, jostled by the -mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I dunno,” said Bill, who was at the wheel, shakily. “Mrs. Blossom come up on -deck a little while ago, and since then there’s been three or four heavy -splashes.” -</p> - -<p> -“She can’t have gone overboard,” said the skipper, in tones to which he -manfully strove to impart a semblance of anxiety. “No, here she is. Anything -wrong, Mrs. Blossom?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not so far as I’m concerned,” replied the lady, passing him and going below. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve been dreaming, Bill,” said the skipper sharply. -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t,” said Bill stoutly. “I tell you I heard splashes. It’s my belief she -coaxed the cook up on deck, and then shoved him overboard. A woman could do -anything with a man like that cook.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll soon see,” said the mate, and walking forward he put his head down the -fore-scuttle and yelled for the cook. -</p> - -<p> -“Aye, aye, sir,” answered a voice sleepily, while the other men started up in -their bunks. “Do you want me?” -</p> - -<p> -“Bill thinks somebody has gone overboard,” said the mate. “Are you all here?” -</p> - -<p> -In answer to this the mystified men turned out all standing, and came on deck -yawning and rubbing their eyes, while the mate explained the situation. Before -he had finished the cook suddenly darted off to the galley, and the next moment -the forlorn cry of a bereaved soul broke on their startled ears. -</p> - -<p> -“What is it?” cried the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Come here!” shouted the cook, “look at this!” -</p> - -<p> -He struck a match and held it aloft in his shaking fingers, and the men, who -were worked up to a great pitch of excitement and expected to see something -ghastly, after staring hard for some time in vain, profanely requested him to -be more explicit. -</p> - -<p> -“She’s thrown all the saucepans and things overboard,” said the cook with -desperate calmness. “This lid of a tea kettle is all that’s left for me to do -the cooking in.” -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -The <i>Gannet</i>, manned by seven famine-stricken misogynists, reached London -six days later, the skipper obstinately refusing to put in at an intermediate -port to replenish his stock of hardware. The most he would consent to do was to -try and borrow from a passing vessel, but the unseemly behaviour of the master -of a brig, who lost two hours owing to their efforts to obtain a saucepan of -him, utterly discouraged any further attempts in that direction, and they -settled down to a diet of biscuits and water, and salt beef scorched on the -stove. -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Blossom, unwilling perhaps to witness their sufferings, remained below, -and when they reached London, only consented to land under the supervision of a -guard of honour, composed of all the able-bodied men on the wharf. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap15"></a>A BENEFIT PERFORMANCE</h2> - -<p> -In the small front parlour of No. 3, Mermaid Passage, Sunset Bay, Jackson -Pepper, ex-pilot, sat in a state of indignant collapse, tenderly feeling a -cheek on which the print of hasty fingers still lingered. -</p> - -<p> -The room, which was in excellent order, showed no signs of the tornado which -had passed through it, and Jackson Pepper, looking vaguely round, was dimly -reminded of those tropical hurricanes he had read about which would strike only -the objects in the path, and leave all others undisturbed. -</p> - -<p> -In this instance he had been the object, and the tornado, after obliterating -him, had passed up the small staircase which led from the room, leaving him -listening anxiously to its distant mutterings. -</p> - -<p> -To his great discomfort the storm showed signs of coming up again, and he had -barely time to effect an appearance of easy unconcern, which accorded but ill -with the flush afore-mentioned, when a big, red-faced woman came heavily -downstairs and burst into the room. -</p> - -<p> -“You have made me ill again,” she said severely, “and now I hope you are -satisfied with your work. You’ll kill me before you have done with me!” -</p> - -<p> -The ex-pilot shifted on his chair. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re not fit to have a wife,” continued Mrs. Pepper, “aggravating them and -upsetting them! Any other woman would have left you long ago!” -</p> - -<p> -“We’ve only been married three months,” Pepper reminded her. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t talk to me!” said his wife; “it seems more like a lifetime!” -</p> - -<p> -“It seems a long time to <i>me</i>,” said the ex-pilot, plucking up a little -courage. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s right!” said his wife, striding over to where he sat. “Say you’re tired -of me; say you wish you hadn’t married me! You coward! Ah! if my poor first -husband was only alive and sitting in that chair now instead of you, how happy -I would be!” -</p> - -<p> -“If he likes to come and take it he’s welcome!” said Pepper; “it’s my chair, -and it was my father’s before me, but there’s no man living I would sooner give -it to than your first. Ah! he knew what he was about when the <i>Dolphin</i> -went down, he did. I don’t blame him, though.” -</p> - -<p> -“What do you mean?” demanded his wife. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s my belief that he didn’t go down with her,” said Pepper, crossing over to -the staircase and standing with his hand on the door. -</p> - -<p> -“Didn’t go down with her?” repeated his wife scornfully. “What became of him, -then? Where’s he been this thirty years?” -</p> - -<p> -“In hiding!” said Pepper spitefully, and passed hastily upstairs. -</p> - -<p> -The room above was charged with memories of the late lamented. His portrait in -oils hung above the mantel-piece, smaller portraits—specimens of the -photographer’s want of art—were scattered about the room, while various -personal effects, including a mammoth pair of sea-boots, stood in a corner. On -all these articles the eye of Jackson Pepper dwelt with an air of chastened -regret. -</p> - -<p> -“It ’ud be a rum go if he did turn up after all,” he said to himself softly, as -he sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ve heard of such things in books. I dessay -she’d be disappointed if she did see him now. Thirty years makes a bit of -difference in a man.” -</p> - -<p> -“Jackson!” cried his wife from below, “I’m going out. If you want any dinner -you can get it; if not, you can go without it!” -</p> - -<p> -The front door slammed violently, and Jackson, advancing cautiously to the -window, saw the form of his wife sailing majestically up the passage. Then he -sat down again and resumed his meditations. -</p> - -<p> -“If it wasn’t for leaving all my property I’d go,” he said gloomily. “There’s -not a bit of comfort in the place! Nag, nag, nag, from morn till night! Ah, -Cap’n Budd, you let me in for a nice thing when you went down with that boat of -yours. Come back and fill them boots again; they’re too big for me.” -</p> - -<p> -He rose suddenly and stood gaping in the centre of the room, as a mad, hazy -idea began to form in his brain. His eyes blinked and his face grew white with -excitement. He pushed open the little lattice window, and sat looking -abstractedly up the passage on to the bay beyond. Then he put on his hat, and, -deep in thought, went out. -</p> - -<p> -He was still thinking deeply as he boarded the train for London next morning, -and watched Sunset Bay from the window until it disappeared round the curve. So -many and various were the changes that flitted over his face that an old lady, -whose seat he had taken, gave up her intention of apprising him of the fact, -and indulged instead in a bitter conversation with her daughter, of which the -erring Pepper was the unconscious object. -</p> - -<p> -In the same preoccupied fashion he got on a Bayswater omnibus, and waited -patiently for it to reach Poplar. Strange changes in the landscape, not to be -accounted for by the mere lapse of time, led to explanations, and the -conductor—a humane man, who said he had got an idiot boy at home—personally -laid down the lines of his tour. Two hours later he stood in front of a small -house painted in many colours, and, ringing the bell, inquired for Cap’n -Crippen. -</p> - -<p> -In response to his inquiry, a big man, with light blue eyes and a long grey -beard, appeared, and, recognising his visitor with a grunt of surprise, drew -him heartily into the passage and thrust him into the parlour. He then shook -hands with him, and, clapping him on the back, bawled lustily for the small boy -who had opened the door. -</p> - -<p> -“Pot o’ stout, bottle o’ gin, and two long pipes,” said he, as the boy came to -the door and eyed the ex-pilot curiously. -</p> - -<p> -At all these honest preparations for his welcome the heart of Jackson grew -faint within him. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I call it good of you to come all this way to see me,” said the captain, -after the boy had disappeared; “but you always was warm-hearted, Pepper. And -how’s the missis?” -</p> - -<p> -“Shocking!” said Pepper, with a groan. -</p> - -<p> -“Ill?” inquired the captain. -</p> - -<p> -“Ill-tempered,” said Pepper. “In fact, cap’n, I don’t mind telling you, she’s -killing me—slowly killing me!” -</p> - -<p> -“Pooh!” said Crippen. “Nonsense! You don’t know how to manage her!” -</p> - -<p> -“I thought perhaps you could advise me,” said the artful Pepper. “I said to -myself yesterday, ‘Pepper, go and see Cap’n Crippen. What he don’t know about -wimmen and their management ain’t worth knowing! If there’s anybody can get you -out of a hole, it’s him. He’s got the power, and, what’s more, he’s got the -will!’” -</p> - -<p> -“What causes the temper?” inquired the captain, with his most judicial air, as -he took the liquor from his messenger and carefully filled a couple of glasses. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s natural!” said his friend ruefully. “She calls it having a high spirit -herself. And she’s so generous. She’s got a married niece living in the place, -and when that gal comes round and admires the things—my things—she gives ’em to -her! She gave her a sofa the other day, and, what’s more, she made me help the -gal to carry it home!” -</p> - -<p> -“Have you tried being sarcastic?” inquired the captain thoughtfully. -</p> - -<p> -“I have,” said Pepper, with a shiver. “The other day I said, very nasty, ‘Is -there anything else you’d like, my dear?’ but she didn’t understand it.” -</p> - -<p> -“No?” said the captain. -</p> - -<p> -“No,” said Pepper. “She said I was very kind, and she’d like the clock; and, -what’s more, she had it too! Red-’aired hussy!” -</p> - -<p> -The captain poured out some gin and drank it slowly. It was evident he was -thinking deeply, and that he was much affected by his friend’s troubles. -</p> - -<p> -“There is only one way for me to get clear,” said Pepper, as he finished a -thrilling recital of his wrongs, “and that is, to find Cap’n Budd, her first.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, he’s dead!” said Crippen, staring hard. “Don’t you waste your time -looking for him!” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not going to,” said Pepper; “but here’s his portrait. He was a big man -like you; he had blue eyes and a straight handsome nose, like you. If he’d -lived to now he’d be almost your age, and very likely more like you than ever. -He was a sailor; you’ve been a sailor.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain stared at him in bewilderment. -</p> - -<p> -“He had a wonderful way with wimmen,” pursued Jackson hastily; “you’ve got a -wonderful way with wimmen. More than that, you’ve got the most wonderful gift -for acting I’ve ever seen. Ever since the time when you acted in that barn at -Bristol I’ve never seen any actor I can honestly say I’ve liked—never! Look how -you can imitate cats—better than Henry Irving himself!” -</p> - -<p> -“I never had much chance, being at sea all my life,” said Crippen modestly. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve got the gift,” said Pepper impressively. “It was born in you, and -you’ll never leave off acting till the day of your death. You couldn’t if you -tried—you know you couldn’t!” -</p> - -<p> -The captain smiled deprecatingly. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, I want you to do a performance for my benefit,” continued Pepper. “I want -you to act Cap’n Budd, what was lost in the <i>Dolphin</i> thirty years ago. -There’s only one man in England I’d trust with the part, and that’s you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Act Cap’n Budd!” gasped the astonished Crippen, putting down his glass and -staring at his friend. -</p> - -<p> -“The part is written here,” said the ex-pilot, producing a note-book from his -breast pocket and holding it out to his friend. “I’ve been keeping a log day by -day of all the things she said about him, in the hopes of catching her -tripping, but I never did. There’s notes of his family, his ships, and a lot of -silly things he used to say, which she thinks funny.” -</p> - -<p> -“I couldn’t do it!” said the captain seriously, as he took the book. -</p> - -<p> -“You could do it if you liked,” said Pepper. “Besides, think what a spree it’ll -be for you. Learn it by heart, then come down and claim her. Her name’s -Martha.” -</p> - -<p> -“What good ’ud it do you if I did?” inquired the captain. “She’d soon find -out!” -</p> - -<p> -“You come down to Sunset Bay,” said Pepper, emphasising his remarks with his -forefinger; “you claim your wife; you allude carefully to the things set down -in this book; I give Martha back to you and bless you both. Then”— -</p> - -<p> -“Then what?” inquired Crippen anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“You disappear!” concluded Pepper triumphantly; “and, of course, believing her -first husband is alive, she has to leave me. She’s a very particular woman; -and, besides that, I’d take care to let the neighbours know. I’m happy, you’re -happy, and, if she’s not happy, why, she don’t deserve to be.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll think it over,” said Crippen, “and write and let you know.” -</p> - -<p> -“Make up your mind now,” urged Pepper, reaching over and patting him -encouragingly upon the shoulder. “If you promise to do it, the thing’s as good -as done. Lord! I think I see you now, coming in at that door and surprising -her. Talk about acting!” -</p> - -<p> -“Is she what you’d call a good-looking woman?” inquired Crippen. -</p> - -<p> -“Very handsome!” said Pepper, looking out of the window. -</p> - -<p> -“I couldn’t do it!” said the captain. “It wouldn’t be right and fair to her.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t see that!” said Pepper. “I never ought to have married her without -being certain her first was dead. It ain’t right, Crippen; say what you like, -it ain’t right!” -</p> - -<p> -“If you put it that way,” said the captain hesitatingly. -</p> - -<p> -“Have some more gin,” said the artful pilot. -</p> - -<p> -The captain had some more, and, what with flattery and gin, combined with the -pleadings of his friend, began to consider the affair more favourably. Pepper -stuck to his guns, and used them so well that when the captain saw him off that -evening he was pledged up to the hilt to come down to Sunset Bay and personate -the late Captain Budd on the following Thursday. -</p> - -<p> -The ex-pilot passed the intervening days in a sort of trance, from which he -only emerged to take nourishment, or answer the scoldings of his wife. On the -eventful Thursday, however, his mood changed, and he went about in such a state -of suppressed excitement that he could scarcely keep still. -</p> - -<p> -“Lor’ bless me!” snapped Mrs. Pepper, as he slowly perambulated the parlour -that afternoon. “What ails the man? Can’t you keep still for five minutes?” -</p> - -<p> -The ex-pilot stopped and eyed her solemnly, but, ere he could reply, his heart -gave a great bound, for, from behind the geraniums which filled the window, he -saw the face of Captain Crippen slowly rise and peer cautiously into the room. -Before his wife could follow the direction of her husband’s eyes it had -disappeared. -</p> - -<p> -“Somebody looking in at the window,” said Pepper, with forced calmness, in -reply to his wife’s eyebrows. -</p> - -<p> -“Like their impudence!” said the unconscious woman, resuming her knitting, -while her husband waited in vain for the captain to enter. -</p> - -<p> -He waited some time, and then, half dead with excitement, sat down, and with -shaking fingers lit his pipe. As he looked up the stalwart figure of the -captain passed the window. During the next twenty minutes it passed seven -times, and Pepper, coming to the not unnatural conclusion that his friend -intended to pass the afternoon in the same unprofitable fashion, resolved to -force his hand. -</p> - -<p> -“Must be a tramp,” he said aloud. -</p> - -<p> -“Who?” inquired his wife. “Man keeps looking in at the window,” said Pepper -desperately. “Keeps looking in till he meets my eye, then he disappears. Looks -like an old sea-captain, something.” -</p> - -<p> -“Old sea-captain?” said his wife, putting down her work and turning round. -There was a strange hesitating note in her voice. She looked at the window, and -at the same instant the head of the captain again appeared above the geraniums, -and, meeting her gaze, hastily vanished. Martha Pepper sat still for a moment, -and then, rising in a slow, dazed fashion, crossed to the door and opened it. -Mermaid Passage was empty! -</p> - -<p> -“See anybody?” quavered Pepper. -</p> - -<p> -His wife shook her head, but in a strangely quiet fashion, and, sitting down, -took up her knitting again. -</p> - -<p> -For some time the click of the needles and the tick of the clock were the only -sounds audible, and the ex-pilot had just arrived at the conclusion that his -friend had abandoned him to his fate, when there came a low tapping at the -door. -</p> - -<p> -“Come in!” cried Pepper, starting. -</p> - -<p> -The door opened slowly, and the tall figure of Captain Crippen entered and -stood there eyeing them nervously. A neat little speech he had prepared failed -him at the supreme moment. He leaned against the wall, and in a clumsy, -shamefaced fashion lowered his gaze, and stammered out the one word—“Martha!” -</p> - -<p> -At that word Mrs. Pepper rose and stood with parted lips, eyeing him wildly. -</p> - -<p> -“Jem!” she gasped, “Jem!” -</p> - -<p> -“Martha!” croaked the captain again. -</p> - -<p> -With a choking cry Mrs. Pepper ran towards him, and, to the huge gratification -of her lawful spouse, flung her arms about his neck and kissed him violently. -</p> - -<p> -“Jem,” she cried breathlessly, “is it really you? I can hardly believe it. -Where have you been all this long time? Where have you been?” -</p> - -<p> -“Lots of places,” said the captain, who was not prepared to answer a question -like that offhand; “but wherever I’ve been”—he held up his hand -theatrically—“the image of my dear lost wife has been always in front of me.” -</p> - -<p> -“I knew you at once, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper fondly, smoothing the hair back -from his forehead. “Have I altered much?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not a bit,” said Crippen, holding her at arm’s length and carefully regarding -her. “You look just the same as the first time I set eyes on you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Where have you been?” wailed Martha Pepper, putting her head on his shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -“When the <i>Dolphin</i> went down from under me, and left me fighting with the -waves for life and Martha, I was cast ashore on a desert island,” began Crippen -fluently. “There I remained for nearly three years, when I was rescued by a -barque bound for New South Wales. There I met a man from Poole who told me you -were dead. Having no further interest in the land of my birth, I sailed in -Australian waters for many years, and it was only lately that I heard how -cruelly I had been deceived, and that my little flower was still blooming.” -</p> - -<p> -The little flower’s head being well down on his shoulder again, the celebrated -actor exchanged glances with the worshipping Pepper. -</p> - -<p> -“If you’d only come before, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper. “Who was he? What was his -name?” -</p> - -<p> -“Smith,” said the cautious captain. -</p> - -<p> -“If you’d only come before, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper, in a smothered voice, “it -would have been better. Only three months ago I married that object over -there.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain attempted a melodramatic start with such success, that, having -somewhat underestimated the weight of his fair bride, he nearly lost his -balance. -</p> - -<p> -“It can’t be helped, I suppose,” he said reproachfully, “but you might have -waited a little longer, Martha.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I’m your wife, anyhow,” said Martha, “and I’ll take care I never lose -you again. You shall never go out of my sight again till you die. Never.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nonsense, my pet,” said the captain, exchanging uneasy glances with the -ex-pilot. “Nonsense.” -</p> - -<p> -“It isn’t nonsense, Jem,” said the lady, as she drew him on to the sofa and sat -with her arms round his neck. “It may be true, all you’ve told me, and it may -not. For all I know, you may have been married to some other woman; but I’ve -got you now, and I intend to keep you.” -</p> - -<p> -“There, there,” said the captain, as soothingly as a strange sinking at the -heart would allow him. -</p> - -<p> -“As for that other little man, I only married him because he worried me so,” -said Mrs. Pepper tearfully. “I never loved him, but he used to follow me about -and propose. Was it twelve or thirteen times you proposed to me, Pepper?” -</p> - -<p> -“I forget,” said the ex-pilot shortly. -</p> - -<p> -“But I never loved him,” she continued. “I never loved you a bit, did I, -Pepper?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not a bit,” said Pepper warmly. “No man could ever have a harder or more -unfeeling wife than you was. I’ll say that for you, willing.” -</p> - -<p> -As he bore this testimony to his wife’s fidelity there was a knock at the door, -and, upon his opening it, the rector’s daughter, a lady of uncertain age, -entered, and stood regarding with amazement the frantic but ineffectual -struggles of Captain Crippen to release himself from a position as -uncomfortable as it was ridiculous. -</p> - -<p> -“Mrs. Pepper!” said the lady, aghast. “Oh, Mrs. Pepper!” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all right, Miss Winthrop,” said the lady addressed, calmly, as she forced -the captain’s flushed face on to her ample shoulder again; “it’s my first -husband, Jem Budd.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good gracious!” said Miss Winthrop, starting. “Enoch Arden in the flesh!” -</p> - -<p> -“Who?” inquired Pepper, with a show of polite interest. -</p> - -<p> -“Enoch Arden,” said Miss Winthrop. “One of our great poets wrote a noble poem -about a sailor who came home and found that his wife had married again; but, in -the <i>poem</i>, the first husband went away without making himself known, and -died of a broken heart.” -</p> - -<p> -She looked at Captain Crippen as though he hadn’t quite come up to her -expectations. -</p> - -<p> -“And now,” said Pepper, speaking with great cheerfulness, “it’s me that’s got -to have the broken heart. Well, well.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s a most interesting case,” cried Miss Winthrop; “and, if you wait till I -fetch my camera, I’ll take your portrait together just as you are.” -</p> - -<p> -“Do,” said Mrs. Pepper cordially. -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t have my portrait took,” said the captain, with much acerbity. -</p> - -<p> -“Not if I wish it, dear?” inquired Mrs. Pepper tenderly. -</p> - -<p> -“Not if you keep a-wishing it all your life,” replied the captain sourly, -making another attempt to get his head from her shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you think they ought to have their portrait taken now?” asked Miss -Winthrop, turning to the ex-pilot. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t see no ’arm in it,” said Pepper thoughtlessly. -</p> - -<p> -“You hear what Mr. Pepper says,” said the lady, turning to the captain again. -“Surely if he doesn’t mind, you ought not to.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll talk to him by-and-bye,” said the captain, very grimly. -</p> - -<p> -“P’raps it would be better if we kept this affair to ourselves for the -present,” said the ex-pilot, taking alarm at his friend’s manner. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I won’t intrude on you any longer,” said Miss Winthrop. “Oh! Look there! -How rude of them!” -</p> - -<p> -The others turned hastily in time to see several heads vanish from the window. -Captain Crippen was the first to speak. -</p> - -<p> -“Jem!” said Mrs. Pepper severely, before he had finished. -</p> - -<p> -“Captain Budd!” said Miss Winthrop, flushing. -</p> - -<p> -The incensed captain rose to his feet and paced up and down the room. He looked -at the ex-pilot, and that small schemer shivered. -</p> - -<p> -“Easy does it, cap’n,” he murmured, with a wink which he meant to be -comforting. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m going out a little way,” said the captain, after the rector’s daughter had -gone. “Just to cool my head.” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Pepper took her bonnet from its peg behind the door, and, surveying -herself in the glass, tied it beneath her chin. -</p> - -<p> -“Alone,” said Crippen nervously. “I want to do a little thinking.” -</p> - -<p> -“Never again, Jem,” said Mrs. Pepper firmly. “My place is by your side. If -you’re ashamed of people looking at you, I’m not. I’m proud of you. Come along. -Come and show yourself, and tell them who you are. You shall never go out of my -sight again as long as I live. Never.” -</p> - -<p> -She began to whimper. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s to be done?” inquired Crippen, turning desperately on the bewildered -pilot. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s it got to do with him?” demanded Mrs. Pepper sharply. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s got to be considered a little, I s’pose,” said the captain, dissembling. -“Besides, I think I’d better do like the man in the poetry did. Let me go away -and die of a broken heart. Perhaps it’s best.” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Pepper looked at him with kindling eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“Let me go away and die of a broken heart,” repeated the captain, with real -feeling. “I’d rather do it. I would indeed.” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Pepper, bursting into angry tears, flung her arms round his neck again, -and sobbed on his shoulder. The pilot, obeying the frenzied injunctions of his -friend’s eye, drew down the blind. -</p> - -<p> -“There’s quite a crowd outside,” he remarked. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t mind,” said his wife amiably. “They’ll soon know who he is.” -</p> - -<p> -She stood holding the captain’s hand and stroking it, and whenever his feelings -became too much for her put her head down on his waistcoat. At such times the -captain glared fiercely at the ex-pilot, who, being of a weak nature, was -unable, despite his anxiety, to give his risible faculties that control which -the solemnity of the occasion demanded. -</p> - -<p> -The afternoon wore slowly away. Miss Winthrop, who disliked scandal, had -allowed something of the affair to leak out, and several visitors, including a -local reporter, called, but were put off till the morrow, on the not unnatural -plea that the long-separated couple desired a little privacy. The three sat -silent, the ex-pilot, with wrinkled brows, trying hard to decipher the -lip-language in which the captain addressed him whenever he had an opportunity, -but could only dimly guess its purport, when the captain pressed his huge fist -into the service as well. -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Pepper rose at length, and went into the back room to prepare tea. As she -left the door open, however, and took the captain’s hat with her, he built no -hopes on her absence, but turned furiously to the ex-pilot. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s to be done?” he inquired in a fierce whisper. “This can’t go on.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’ll have to,” whispered the other. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, look here,” said Crippen menacingly, “I’m going into the kitchen to make -a clean breast of it. I’m sorry for you, but I’ve done the best I can. Come and -help me to explain.” -</p> - -<p> -He turned to the kitchen, but the other, with the strength born of despair, -seized him by the sleeve and held him back. -</p> - -<p> -“She’ll kill me,” he whispered breathlessly. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t help it,” said Crippen, shaking him off. “Serve you right.” -</p> - -<p> -“And she’ll tell the folks outside, and they’ll kill you,” continued Pepper. -</p> - -<p> -The captain sat down again, and confronted him with a face as pale as his own. -</p> - -<p> -“The last train leaves at eight,” whispered the pilot hurriedly. “It’s -desperate, but it’s the only thing you can do. Take her for a stroll up by the -fields near the railway station. You can see the train coming in for a mile off -nearly. Time yourself carefully, and make a bolt for it. She can’t run.” -</p> - -<p> -The entrance of their victim with the tea-tray stopped the conversation; but -the captain nodded acceptance behind her back, and then, with a forced gaiety, -sat down to tea. -</p> - -<p> -For the first time since his successful appearance he became loquacious, and -spoke so freely of incidents in the life of the man he was impersonating that -the ex-pilot sat in a perfect fever lest he should blunder. The meal finished, -he proposed a stroll, and, as the unsuspecting Mrs. Pepper tied on her bonnet, -slapped his leg, and winked confidently at his fellow-conspirator. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m not much of a walker,” said the innocent Mrs. Pepper, “so you must go -slowly.” -</p> - -<p> -The captain nodded, and at Pepper’s suggestion left by the back way, to avoid -the gaze of the curious. -</p> - -<p> -For some time after their departure Pepper sat smoking, with his anxious face -turned to the clock, until at length, unable to endure the strain any longer, -and not without a sportsmanlike idea of being in at the death, he made his way -to the station, and placed himself behind a convenient coal-truck. -</p> - -<p> -He waited impatiently, with his eyes fixed on the road up which he expected the -captain to come. He looked at his watch. Five minutes to eight, and still no -captain. The platform began to fill, a porter seized the big bell and rang it -lustily; in the distance a patch of white smoke showed. Just as the watcher had -given up all hope, the figure of the captain came in sight. He was swaying from -side to side, holding his hat in his hand, but doggedly racing the train to the -station. -</p> - -<p> -“He’ll never do it!” groaned the pilot. Then he held his breath, for three or -four hundred yards behind the captain Mrs. Pepper pounded in pursuit. -</p> - -<p> -The train rolled into the station; passengers stepped in and out; doors -slammed, and the guard had already placed the whistle in his mouth, when -Captain Crippen, breathing stentorously, came stumbling blindly on to the -platform, and was hustled into a third class carriage. -</p> - -<p> -“Close shave that, sir,” said the station-master as he closed the door. -</p> - -<p> -The captain sank back in his seat, fighting for breath, and turning his head, -gave a last triumphant look up the road. -</p> - -<p> -“All right, sir,” said the station-master kindly, as he followed the direction -of the other’s eyes and caught sight of Mrs. Pepper. “We’ll wait for your -lady.” -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -Jackson Pepper came from behind the coal-truck and watched the train out of -sight, wondering in a dull, vague fashion what the conversation was like. He -stood so long that a tender hearted porter, who had heard the news, made bold -to come up and put a friendly hand on his shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ll never see her again, Mr. Pepper,” he said sympathetically. -</p> - -<p> -The ex-pilot turned and regarded him fixedly, and the last bit of spirit he was -ever known to show flashed up in his face as he spoke. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re a blamed idiot!” he said rudely. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap16"></a>A CASE OF DESERTION</h2> - -<p> -The sun was just rising as the small tub-like steamer, or, to be more correct, -steam-barge, the <i>Bulldog</i>, steamed past the sleeping town of Gravesend at -a good six knots per hour. -</p> - -<p> -There had been a little discussion on the way between her crew and the -engineer, who, down in his grimy little engine-room, did his own stoking and -everything else necessary. The crew, consisting of captain, mate, and boy, who -were doing their first trip on a steamer, had been transferred at the last -moment from their sailing-barge the <i>Witch</i>, and found to their discomfort -that the engineer, who had not expected to sail so soon, was terribly and -abusively drunk. Every moment he could spare from his engines he thrust the -upper part of his body through the small hatchway, and rowed with his -commander. -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy, bargee!” he shouted, popping up like a jack-in-the-box, after a brief -cessation of hostilities. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t take no notice of ’im,” said the mate. “’E’s got a bottle of brandy down -there, an’ he’s ’alf mad.” -</p> - -<p> -“If I knew anything o’ them blessed engines,” growled the skipper, “I’d go and -hit ’im over the head.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you don’t,” said the mate, “and neither do I, so you’d better keep quiet.” -</p> - -<p> -“You think you’re a fine feller,” continued the engineer, “standing up there -an’ playing with that little wheel. You think you’re doing all the work. What’s -the boy doing? Send him down to stoke.” -</p> - -<p> -“Go down,” said the skipper, grinning with fury, and the boy reluctantly -obeyed. -</p> - -<p> -“You think,” said the engineer pathetically, after he had cuffed the boy’s head -and dropped him down below by the scruff of his neck, “you think because I’ve -got a black face I’m not a man. There’s many a hoily face ’ides a good ’art.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t think nothing about it,” grunted the skipper; “you do your work, and -I’ll do mine.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you give me none of your back answers,” bellowed the engineer, “’cos I -won’t have ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper shrugged his shoulders and exchanged glances with his sympathetic -mate. “Wait till I get ’im ashore,” he murmured. -</p> - -<p> -“The biler is wore out,” said the engineer, re-appearing after a hasty dive -below. “It may bust at any moment.” -</p> - -<p> -As though to confirm his words fearful sounds were heard proceeding from below. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s only the boy,” said the mate, “he’s scared—natural.” -</p> - -<p> -“I thought it was the biler,” said the skipper, with a sigh of relief. “It was -loud enough.” -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke the boy got his head out of the hatchway, and, rendered desperate -with fear, fairly fought his way past the engineer and gained the deck. -</p> - -<p> -“Very good,” said the engineer, as he followed him on deck and staggered to the -side. “I’ve had enough o’ you lot.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hadn’t you better go down to them engines?” shouted the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Am I your <i>slave?</i>” demanded the engineer tearfully. “Tell me that. Am I -your slave?” -</p> - -<p> -“Go down and do your work like a sensible man,” was the reply. -</p> - -<p> -At these words the engineer took umbrage at once, and, scowling fiercely, -removed his greasy jacket and flung his cap on the deck. He then finished the -brandy which he had brought up with him, and gazed owlishly at the Kentish -shore. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m going to have a wash,” he said loudly, and, sitting down, removed his -boots. -</p> - -<p> -“Go down to the engines first,” said the skipper, “and I’ll send the boy to you -with a bucket and some soap.” -</p> - -<p> -“Bucket!” replied the engineer scornfully, as he moved to the side. “I’m going -to have a proper wash.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hold him!” roared the skipper suddenly. “Hold him!” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, realising the situation, rushed to seize him, but the engineer, with -a mad laugh, put his hands on the side and vaulted into the water. When he rose -the steamer was twenty yards ahead. -</p> - -<p> -“Go astarn!” yelled the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“How can I go astarn when there’s nobody at the engines?” shouted the skipper, -as he hung on to the wheel and brought the boat’s head sharply round. “Git a -line ready.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, with a coil of rope in his hand, rushed to the side, but his -benevolent efforts were frustrated by the engineer, who, seeing the boat’s head -making straight for him, saved his life by an opportune dive. The steamer -rushed by. -</p> - -<p> -“Turn ’er agin!” screamed the mate. -</p> - -<p> -The captain was already doing so, and in a remarkably short space of time the -boat, which had described a complete circle, was making again for the engineer. -</p> - -<p> -“Look out for the line!” shouted the mate warningly. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want your line,” yelled the engineer. “I’m going ashore.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come aboard!” shouted the captain imploringly, as they swept past again. “We -can’t manage the engines.” -</p> - -<p> -“Put her round again,” said the mate. “I’ll go for him with the boat. Haul her -in, boy.” -</p> - -<p> -The boat, which was dragging astern, was hauled close, and the mate tumbled -into her, followed by the boy, just as the captain was in the middle of another -circle-to the intense indignation of a crowd of shipping, large and small, -which was trying to get by. -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy!” yelled the master of a tug which was towing a large ship. “Take that -steam roundabout out of the way. What the thunder are you doing?” -</p> - -<p> -“Picking up my engineer,” replied the captain, as he steamed right across the -other’s bows, and nearly ran down a sailing-barge, the skipper of which, a -Salvation Army man, was nobly fighting with his feelings. -</p> - -<p> -“Why don’t you stop?” he yelled. -</p> - -<p> -“’Cos I can’t,” wailed the skipper of the <i>Bulldog</i>, as he threaded his -way between a huge steamer and a schooner, who, in avoiding him, were getting -up a little collision on their own account. -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy, <i>Bulldog!</i> Ahoy!” called the mate. “Stand by to pick us up. We’ve -got him.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper smiled in an agonised fashion as he shot past, hotly pursued by his -boat. The feeling on board the other craft as they got out of the way of the -<i>Bulldog</i>, and nearly ran down her boat, and then, in avoiding that, -nearly ran down something else, cannot be put into plain English, but several -captains ventured into the domains of the ornamental with marked success. -</p> - -<p> -“Shut off steam!” yelled the engineer, as the <i>Bulldog</i> went by again. -“Draw the fires, then.” -</p> - -<p> -“Who’s going to steer while I do it?” bellowed the skipper, as he left the -wheel for a few seconds to try and get a line to throw them. -</p> - -<p> -By this time the commotion in the river was frightful, and the captain’s -steering, as he went on his round again, something marvellous to behold. A -strange lack of sympathy on the part of brother captains added to his troubles. -Every craft he passed had something to say to him, busy as they were, and the -remarks were as monotonous as they were insulting. At last, just as he was -resolving to run his boat straight down the river until he came to a halt for -want of steam, the mate caught the rope he flung, and the <i>Bulldog</i> went -down the river with her boat made fast to her stern. -</p> - -<p> -“Come aboard, you—you lunatic!” he shouted. -</p> - -<p> -“Not afore I knows ’ow I stand,” said the engineer, who was now beautifully -sober, and in full possession of a somewhat acute intellect. -</p> - -<p> -“What do you mean?” demanded the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t come aboard,” shouted the engineer, “until you and the mate and the -bye all swear as you won’t say nothing about this little game.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll report you the moment I get ashore,” roared the skipper. “I’ll give you -in charge for desertion. I’ll”— -</p> - -<p> -With a supreme gesture the engineer prepared to dive, but the watchful mate -fell on his neck and tripped him over a seat. -</p> - -<p> -“Come aboard!” cried the skipper, aghast at such determination. “Come aboard, -and I’ll give you a licking when we get ashore instead.” -</p> - -<p> -“Honour bright?” inquired the engineer. -</p> - -<p> -“Honour bright,” chorused the three. -</p> - -<p> -The engineer, with all the honours of war, came on board, and, after remarking -that he felt chilly bathing on an empty stomach, went down below and began to -stoke. In the course of the voyage he said that it was worth while making such -a fool of himself if only to see the skipper’s beautiful steering, warmly -asseverating that there was not another man on the river that could have done -it. Before this insidious flattery the skipper’s wrath melted like snow before -the sun, and by the time they reached port he would as soon have thought of -hitting his own father as his smooth-tongued engineer. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap17"></a>OUTSAILED</h2> - -<p> -It was a momentous occasion. The two skippers sat in the private bar of the -“Old Ship,” in High Street, Wapping, solemnly sipping cold gin and smoking -cigars, whose sole merit consisted in the fact that they had been smuggled. It -is well known all along the waterside that this greatly improves their flavour. -</p> - -<p> -“Draw all right?” queried Captain Berrow-a short, fat man of few ideas, who was -the exulting owner of a bundle of them. -</p> - -<p> -“Beautiful,” replied Captain Tucker, who had just made an excursion into the -interior of his with the small blade of his penknife. “Why don’t you keep -smokes like these, landlord?” -</p> - -<p> -“He can’t,” chuckled Captain Berrow fatuously. “They’re not to be ’ad—money -couldn’t buy ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -The landlord grunted. “Why don’t you settle about that race o’ yours an’ ha’ -done with it,” he cried, as he wiped down his counter. “Seems to me, Cap’n -Tucker’s hanging fire.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m ready when he is,” said Tucker, somewhat shortly. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s taking your money,” said Berrow slowly; “the <i>Thistle</i> can’t hold a -candle to the <i>Good Intent</i>, and you know it. Many a time that little -schooner o’ mine has kept up with a steamer.” -</p> - -<p> -“Wher’d you ha’ been if the tow rope had parted, though?” said the master of -the <i>Thistle</i>, with a wink at the landlord. -</p> - -<p> -At this remark Captain Berrow took fire, and, with his temper rapidly rising to -fever heat, wrathfully repelled the scurvy insinuation in language which -compelled the respectful attention of all the other customers and the hasty -intervention of the landlord. -</p> - -<p> -“Put up the stakes,” he cried impatiently. “Put up the stakes, and don’t have -so much jaw about it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Here’s mine,” said Berrow, sturdily handing over a greasy fiver. “Now, Cap’n -Tucker, cover that.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come on,” said the landlord encouragingly; “don’t let him take the wind out of -your sails like that.” -</p> - -<p> -Tucker handed over five sovereigns. -</p> - -<p> -“High water’s at 12.13,” said the landlord, pocketing the stakes. “You -understand the conditions?-each of you does the best he can for hisself after -eleven, an’ the one what gets to Poole first has the ten quid. Understand?” -</p> - -<p> -Both gamblers breathed hard, and, fully realising the desperate nature of the -enterprise upon which they had embarked, ordered some more gin. A rivalry of -long standing as to the merits of their respective schooners had led to them -calling in the landlord to arbitrate, and this was the result. Berrow, vaguely -feeling that it would be advisable to keep on good terms with the stakeholder, -offered him one of the famous cigars. The stakeholder, anxious to keep on good -terms with his stomach, declined it. -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve both got your moorings up, I s’pose?” he inquired. -</p> - -<p> -“Got ’em up this evening,” replied Tucker. “We’re just made fast one on each -side of the <i>Dolphin</i> now.” -</p> - -<p> -“The wind’s light, but it’s from the right quarter,” said Captain Berrow, “an’ -I only hope as ’ow the best ship’ll win. I’d like to win myself, but, if not, I -can only say as there’s no man breathing I’d sooner have lick me than Cap’n -Tucker. He’s as smart a seaman as ever comes into the London river, an’ he’s -got a schooner angels would be proud of.” -</p> - -<p> -“Glasses o’ gin round,” said Tucker promptly. “Cap’n Berrow, here’s your very -good health, an’ a fair field an’ no favour.” -</p> - -<p> -With these praiseworthy sentiments the master of the <i>Thistle</i> finished -his liquor, and, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, nodded farewell to -the twain and departed. Once in the High Street he walked slowly, as one in -deep thought, then, with a sudden resolution, turned up Nightingale Lane, and -made for a small, unsavoury thoroughfare leading out of Ratcliff Highway. A -quarter of an hour later he emerged into that famous thoroughfare again, -smiling incoherently, and, retracing his steps to the waterside, jumped into a -boat, and was pulled off to his ship. -</p> - -<p> -“Comes off to-night, Joe,” said he, as he descended to the cabin, “an’ it’s arf -a quid to you if the old gal wins.” -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the bet?” inquired the mate, looking up from his task of shredding -tobacco. -</p> - -<p> -“Five quid,” replied the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, we ought to do it,” said the mate slowly; “’t wont be my fault if we -don’t.” -</p> - -<p> -“Mine neither,” said the skipper. “As a matter o’ fact, Joe, I reckon I’ve -about made sure of it. All’s fair in love and war and racing, Joe.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” said the mate, more slowly than before, as he revolved this addition -to the proverb. -</p> - -<p> -“I just nipped round and saw a chap I used to know named Dibbs,” said the -skipper. “Keeps a boarding-house for sailors. Wonderful sharp little chap he -is. Needles ain’t nothing to him. There’s heaps of needles, but only one Dibbs. -He’s going to make old Berrow’s chaps as drunk as lords.” -</p> - -<p> -“Does he know ’em?” inquired the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“He knows where to find ’em,” said the other. “I told him they’d either be in -the ‘Duke’s Head’ or the ‘Town o’ Berwick.’ But he’d find ’em wherever they -was. Ah, even if they was in a coffee pallis, I b’leeve that man ’ud find ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“They’re steady chaps,” objected the mate, but in a weak fashion, being -somewhat staggered by this tribute to Mr. Dibbs’ remarkable powers. -</p> - -<p> -“My lad,” said the skipper, “it’s Dibbs’ business to mix sailors’ liquors so’s -they don’t know whether they’re standing on their heads or their heels. He’s -the most wonderful mixer in Christendom; takes a reg’lar pride in it. Many a -sailorman has got up a ship’s side, thinking it was stairs, and gone off half -acrost the world instead of going to bed, through him.” -</p> - -<p> -“We’ll have a easy job of it, then,” said the mate. “I b’leeve we could ha’ -managed it without that, though. ’Tain’t quite what you’d call sport, is it?” -</p> - -<p> -“There’s nothing like making sure of a thing,” said the skipper placidly. “What -time’s our chaps coming aboard?” -</p> - -<p> -“Ten thirty, the latest,” replied the mate. “Old Sam’s with ’em, so they’ll be -all right.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll turn in for a couple of hours,” said the skipper, going towards his -berth. “Lord! I’d give something to see old Berrow’s face as his chaps come up -the side.” -</p> - -<p> -“P’raps they won’t git as far as that,” remarked the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, yes they will,” said the skipper. “Dibbs is going to see to that. I don’t -want any chance of the race being scratched. Turn me out in a couple of hours.” -</p> - -<p> -He closed the door behind him, and the mate, having stuffed his clay with the -coarse tobacco, took some pink note-paper with scalloped edges from his drawer, -and, placing the paper at his right side, and squaring his shoulders, began -some private correspondence. -</p> - -<p> -For some time he smoked and wrote in silence, until the increasing darkness -warned him to finish his task. He signed the note, and, having put a few marks -of a tender nature below his signature, sealed it ready for the post, and sat -with half-closed eyes, finishing his pipe. Then his head nodded, and, placing -his arms on the table, he too slept. -</p> - -<p> -It seemed but a minute since he had closed his eyes when he was awakened by the -entrance of the skipper, who came blundering into the darkness from his -stateroom, vociferating loudly and nervously. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay!” said Joe, starting up. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s the lights?” said the skipper. “What’s the time? I dreamt I’d -overslept myself. What’s the time?” -</p> - -<p> -“Plenty o’ time,” said the mate vaguely, as he stifled a yawn. -</p> - -<p> -“Ha’-past ten,” said the skipper, as he struck a match, “You’ve been asleep,” -he added severely. -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t,” said the mate stoutly, as he followed the other on deck. “I’ve been -thinking. I think better in the dark.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s about time our chaps was aboard,” said the skipper, as he looked round -the deserted deck. “I hope they won’t be late.” -</p> - -<p> -“Sam’s with ’em,” said the mate confidently, as he went on to the side; “there -ain’t no festivities going on aboard the <i>Good Intent</i>, neither.” -</p> - -<p> -“There will be,” said his worthy skipper, with a grin, as he looked across the -intervening brig at the rival craft; “there will be.” -</p> - -<p> -He walked round the deck to see that everything was snug and ship-shape, and -got back to the mate just as a howl of surprising weirdness was heard -proceeding from the neighbouring stairs. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m s’prised at Berrow allowing his men to make that noise,” said the skipper -waggishly. “Our chaps are there too, I think. I can hear Sam’s voice.” -</p> - -<p> -“So can I,” said the mate, with emphasis. -</p> - -<p> -“Seems to be talking rather loud,” said the master of the <i>Thistle</i>, -knitting his brows. -</p> - -<p> -“Sounds as though he’s trying to sing,” said the mate, as, after some delay, a -heavily-laden boat put off from the stairs and made slowly for them. “No, he -ain’t; he’s screaming.” -</p> - -<p> -There was no longer any doubt about it. The respectable and greatly-trusted Sam -was letting off a series of wild howls which would have done credit to a -penny-gaff Zulu, and was evidently very much out of temper about something. -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy, <i>Thistle!</i> Ahoy!” bellowed the waterman, as he neared the schooner. -“Chuck us a rope?-quick!” -</p> - -<p> -The mate threw him one, and the boat came alongside. It was then seen that -another waterman, using impatient and deplorable language, was forcibly holding -Sam down in the boat. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s he done? What’s the row?” demanded the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Done?” said the waterman, in disgust. “Done? He’s ’ad a small lemon, an’ it’s -got into his silly old head. He’s making all this fuss ’cos he wanted to set -the pub on fire, an’ they wouldn’t let him. Man ashore told us they belonged to -the <i>Good Intent</i>, but I know they’re your men.” -</p> - -<p> -“Sam!” roared the skipper, with a sinking heart, as his glance fell on the -recumbent figures in the boat; “come aboard at once, you drunken disgrace! D’ye -hear?” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t leave him,” said Sam, whimpering. -</p> - -<p> -“Leave who?” growled the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Him,” said Sam, placing his arms round the waterman’s neck. “Him an’ me’s like -brothers.” -</p> - -<p> -“Get up, you old loonatic!” snarled the waterman, extricating himself with -difficulty, and forcing the other towards the side. “Now, up you go!” -</p> - -<p> -Aided by the shoulders of the waterman and the hands of his superior officers, -Sam went up, and then the waterman turned his attention to the remainder of his -fares, who were snoring contentedly in the bottom of the boat. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, then!” he cried; “look alive with you! D’ye hear? Wake up! Wake up! Kick -’em, Bill!” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t kick no ’arder,” grumbled the other waterman. -</p> - -<p> -“What the devil’s the matter with ’em?” stormed the master of the -<i>Thistle</i>. “Chuck a pail of water over ’em, Joe!” -</p> - -<p> -Joe obeyed with gusto; and, as he never had much of a head for details, -bestowed most of it upon the watermen. Through the row which ensued the -<i>Thistle’s</i> crew snored peacefully, and at last were handed up over the -sides like sacks of potatoes, and the indignant watermen pulled back to the -stairs. -</p> - -<p> -“Here’s a nice crew to win a race with!” wailed the skipper, almost crying with -rage. “Chuck the water over ’em, Joe! Chuck the water over ’em!” -</p> - -<p> -Joe obeyed willingly, until at length, to the skipper’s great relief, one man -stirred, and, sitting up on the deck, sleepily expressed his firm conviction -that it was raining. For a moment they both had hopes of him, but as Joe went -to the side for another bucketful, he evidently came to the conclusion that he -had been dreaming, and, lying down again, resumed his nap. As he did so the -first stroke of Big Ben came booming down the river. -</p> - -<p> -“Eleven o’clock!” shouted the excited skipper. -</p> - -<p> -It was too true. Before Big Ben had finished, the neighbouring church clocks -commenced striking with feverish haste, and hurrying feet and hoarse cries were -heard proceeding from the deck of the <i>Good Intent</i>. -</p> - -<p> -“Loose the sails!” yelled the furious Tucker. “Loose the sails! Damme, we’ll -get under way by ourselves!” -</p> - -<p> -He ran forward, and, assisted by the mate, hoisted the jibs, and then, running -back, cast off from the brig, and began to hoist the mainsail. As they -disengaged themselves from the tier, there was just sufficient sail for them to -advance against the tide; while in front of them the <i>Good Intent</i>, -shaking out sail after sail, stood boldly down the river. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -“This was the way of it,” said Sam, as he stood before the grim Tucker at six -o’clock the next morning, surrounded by his mates. “He came into the ‘Town o’ -Berwick,’ where we was, as nice a spoken little chap as ever you’d wish to see. -He said he’d been a-looking at the <i>Good Intent</i>, and he thought it was -the prettiest little craft ’e ever seed, and the exact image of one his dear -brother, which was a missionary, ’ad, and he’d like to stand a drink to every -man of her crew. Of course, we all said we was the crew direckly, an’ all I can -remember after that is two coppers an’ a little boy trying to giv’ me the -frog’s march, an’ somebody chucking pails o’ water over me. It’s crool ’ard -losing a race, what we didn’t know nothink about, in this way; but it warn’t -our fault?—it warn’t, indeed. It’s my belief that the little man was a -missionary of some sort hisself, and wanted to convert us, an’ that was his way -of starting on the job. It’s all very well for the mate to have highstirriks; -but it’s quite true, every word of it, an’ if you go an’ ask at the pub they’ll -tell you the same.” -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap18"></a>MATED</h2> - -<p> -The schooner <i>Falcon</i> was ready for sea. The last bale of general cargo -had just been shipped, and a few hairy, unkempt seamen were busy putting on the -hatches under the able profanity of the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“All clear?” inquired the master, a short, ruddy-faced man of about -thirty-five. “Cast off there!” -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t you going to wait for the passengers, then?” inquired the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“No, no,” replied the skipper, whose features were working with excitement. -“They won’t come now, I’m sure they won’t. We’ll lose the tide if we don’t look -sharp.” -</p> - -<p> -He turned aside to give an order just as a buxom young woman, accompanied by a -loutish boy, a band-box, and several other bundles, came hurrying on to the -jetty. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, here we are, Cap’n Evans,” said the girl, springing lightly on to the -deck. “I thought we should never get here; the cabman didn’t seem to know the -way; but I knew you wouldn’t go without us.” -</p> - -<p> -“Here you are,” said the skipper, with attempted cheerfulness, as he gave the -girl his right hand, while his left strayed vaguely in the direction of the -boy’s ear, which was coldly withheld from him. “Go down below, and the mate’ll -show you your cabin. Bill, this is Miss Cooper, a lady friend o’ mine, and her -brother.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate, acknowledging the introduction, led the way to the cabin, where they -remained so long that by the time they came on deck again the schooner was off -Limehouse, slipping along well under a light wind. -</p> - -<p> -“How do you like the state-room?” inquired the skipper, who was at the wheel. -</p> - -<p> -“Pretty fair,” replied Miss Cooper. “It’s a big name for it though, ain’t it? -Oh, what a large ship!” -</p> - -<p> -She ran to the side to gaze at a big liner, and as far as Gravesend besieged -the skipper and mate with questions concerning the various craft. At the mate’s -suggestion they had tea on deck, at which meal William Henry Cooper became a -source of much discomfort to his host by his remarkable discoveries anent the -fauna of lettuce. Despite his efforts, however, and the cloud under which Evans -seemed to be labouring, the meal was voted a big success; and after it was over -they sat laughing and chatting until the air got chilly, and the banks of the -river were lost in the gathering darkness. At ten o’clock they retired for the -night, leaving Evans and the mate on deck. -</p> - -<p> -“Nice gal, that,” said the mate, looking at the skipper, who was leaning -moodily on the wheel. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” replied he. “Bill,” he continued, turning suddenly towards the mate. -“I’m in a deuce of a mess. You’ve got a good square head on your shoulders. -Now, what on earth am I to do? Of course you can see how the land lays?” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course,” said the mate, who was not going to lose his reputation by any -display of ignorance. “Anyone could see it,” he added. -</p> - -<p> -“The question is what’s to be done?” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s the question,” said the mate guardedly. -</p> - -<p> -“I feel that worried,” said Evans, “that I’ve actually thought of getting into -collision, or running the ship ashore. Fancy them two women meeting at -Llandalock.” -</p> - -<p> -Such a sudden light broke in upon the square head of the mate, that he nearly -whistled with the brightness of it. -</p> - -<p> -“But you ain’t <i>engaged</i> to this one?” he cried. -</p> - -<p> -“We’re to be married in August,” said the skipper desperately. “That’s my ring -on her finger.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you’re going to marry Mary Jones in September,” expostulated the mate. -“You can’t marry both of ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s what I say,” replied Evans; “that’s what I keep telling myself, but it -don’t seem to bring much comfort. I’m too soft-’earted where wimmen is -concerned, Bill, an’ that’s the truth of it. D’reckly I get alongside of a nice -gal my arm goes creeping round her before I know what it’s doing.” -</p> - -<p> -“What on earth made you bring the girl on the ship?” inquired the mate. “The -other one’s sure to be on the quay to meet you as usual.” -</p> - -<p> -“I couldn’t help it,” groaned the skipper; “she would come; she can be very -determined when she likes. She’s awful gone on me, Bill.” -</p> - -<p> -“So’s the other one apparently,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t think what it is the gals see in me,” said the other mournfully. “Can -you?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, I’m blamed if I can,” replied the mate frankly. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t take no credit for it, Bill,” said the skipper, “not a bit. My father -was like it before me. The worry’s killing me.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, which are you going to have?” inquired the mate. “Which do you like the -best?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know, an’ that’s a fact,” said the skipper. “They’ve both got money -coming to ’em; when I’m in Wales I like Mary Jones best, and when I’m in London -it’s Janey Cooper. It’s dreadful to be like that, Bill.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is,” said the mate drily. “I wouldn’t be in your shoes when those two gals -meet for a fortune. Then you’ll have old Jones and her brothers to tackle, too. -Seems to me things’ll be a bit lively.” -</p> - -<p> -“I hev thought of being took sick, and staying in my bunk, Bill,” suggested -Evans anxiously. -</p> - -<p> -“An’ having the two of ’em to nurse you,” retorted Bill. “Nice quiet time for -an invalid.” -</p> - -<p> -Evans made a gesture of despair. -</p> - -<p> -“How would it be,” said the mate, after a long pause, and speaking very slowly; -“how would it be if I took this one off your hands.” -</p> - -<p> -“You couldn’t do it, Bill,” said the skipper decidedly. “Not while she knew I -was above ground.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I can try,” returned the mate shortly. “I’ve took rather a fancy to the -girl. Is it a bargain?” -</p> - -<p> -“It is,” said the skipper, shaking hands upon it. “If you git me out of this -hole, Bill, I’ll remember it the longest day I live.” -</p> - -<p> -With these words he went below, and, after cautiously undoing W. H. Cooper, who -had slept himself into a knot that a professional contortionist would have -envied, tumbled in beside him and went to sleep. -</p> - -<p> -His heart almost failed him when he encountered the radiant Jane at breakfast -in the morning, but he concealed his feelings by a strong effort; and after the -meal was finished, and the passengers had gone on deck, he laid hold of the -mate, who was following, and drew him into the cabin. -</p> - -<p> -“You haven’t washed yourself this morning,” he said, eyeing him closely. “How -do you s’pose you are going to make an impression if you don’t look smart?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I look tidier than you do,” growled the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“Of course you do,” said the wily Evans. “I’m going to give you all the chances -I can. Now you go and shave yourself, and here—take it.” -</p> - -<p> -He passed the surprised mate a brilliant red silk tie, embellished with green -spots. -</p> - -<p> -“No, no,” said the mate deprecatingly. -</p> - -<p> -“Take it,” repeated Evans; “if anything’ll fetch her it’ll be that tie; and -here’s a couple of collars for you; they’re a new shape, quite the rage down -Poplar way just now.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s robbing you,” said the mate, “and it’s no good either. I ain’t got a -decent suit of clothes to my back.” -</p> - -<p> -Evans looked up, and their eyes met; then, with a catch in his breath, he -turned away, and after some hesitation went to his locker, and bringing out a -new suit, bought for the edification of Miss Jones, handed it silently to the -mate. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t take all these things without giving you something for ’em,” said the -mate. “Here, wait a bit.” -</p> - -<p> -He dived into his cabin, and, after a hasty search, brought out some garments -which he placed on the table before his commander. -</p> - -<p> -“I wouldn’t wear ’em, no, not to drown myself in,” declared Evans after a brief -glance; “they ain’t even decent.” -</p> - -<p> -“So much the better,” said the mate; “it’ll be more of a contrast with me.” -</p> - -<p> -After a slight contest the skipper gave way, and the mate, after an elaborate -toilette, went on deck and began to make himself agreeable, while his chief -skulked below trying to muster up courage to put in an appearance. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s the captain?” inquired Miss Cooper, after his absence had been so -prolonged as to become noticeable. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s below, dressin’, I b’leeve,” replied the mate simply. -</p> - -<p> -Miss Cooper, glancing at his attire, smiled softly to herself, and prepared for -something startling, and she got it; for a more forlorn, sulky-looking object -than the skipper, when he did appear, had never been seen on the deck of the -<i>Falcon</i>, and his London betrothed glanced at him hot with shame and -indignation. -</p> - -<p> -“Whatever have you got those things on for?” she whispered. -</p> - -<p> -“Work, my dear—work,” replied the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, mind you don’t lose any of the pieces,” said the dear suavely; “you -mightn’t be able to match that cloth.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll look after that,” said the skipper, reddening. “You must excuse me -talkin’ to you now. I’m busy.” -</p> - -<p> -Miss Cooper looked at him indignantly, and, biting her lip, turned away, and -started a desperate flirtation with the mate, to punish him. Evans watched them -with mingled feelings as he busied himself with various small jobs on the deck, -his wrath being raised to boiling point by the behaviour of the cook, who, -being a poor hand at disguising his feelings, came out of the galley several -times to look at him. -</p> - -<p> -From this incident a coolness sprang up between the skipper and the girl, which -increased hourly. At times the skipper weakened, but the watchful mate was -always on hand to prevent mischief. Owing to his fostering care Evans was -generally busy, and always gruff; and Miss Cooper, who was used to the most -assiduous attentions from him, knew not whether to be most bewildered or most -indignant. Four times in one day did he remark in her hearing that a sailor’s -ship was his sweetheart, while his treatment of his small prospective brother -in-law, when he expostulated with him on the state of his wardrobe, filled that -hitherto pampered youth with amazement. At last, on the fourth night out, as -the little schooner was passing the coast of Cornwall, the mate came up to him -as he was steering, and patted him heavily on the back. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all right, cap’n,” said he. “You’ve lost the prettiest little girl in -England.” -</p> - -<p> -“What?” said the skipper, in incredulous tones. -</p> - -<p> -“Fact,” replied the other. “Here’s your ring back. I wouldn’t let her wear it -any longer.” -</p> - -<p> -“However did you do it?” inquired Evans, taking the ring in a dazed fashion. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, easy as possible,” said the mate. “She liked me best, that’s all.” -</p> - -<p> -“But what did you say to her?” persisted Evans. -</p> - -<p> -The other reflected. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t call to mind exactly,” he said at length. “But, you may rely upon it, -I said everything I could against you. But she never did care much for you. She -told me so herself.” -</p> - -<p> -“I wish you joy of your bargain,” said Evans solemnly, after a long pause. -</p> - -<p> -“What do you mean?” demanded the mate sharply. -</p> - -<p> -“A girl like that,” said the skipper, with a lump in his throat, “who can carry -on with two men at once ain’t worth having. She’s not my money, that’s all.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate looked at him in honest bewilderment. -</p> - -<p> -“Mark my words,” continued the skipper loftily, “you’ll live to regret it. A -girl like that’s got no ballast. She’ll always be running after fresh -neckties.” -</p> - -<p> -“You put it down to the necktie, do you?” sneered the mate wrathfully. -</p> - -<p> -“That and the clothes, cert’nly,” replied the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you’re wrong,” said the mate. “A lot you know about girls. It wasn’t -your old clothes, and it wasn’t all your bad behaviour to her since she’s been -aboard. You may as well know first as last. She wouldn’t have nothing to do -with me at first, so I told her all about Mary Jones.” -</p> - -<p> -“You told her <i>that?</i>” cried the skipper fiercely. -</p> - -<p> -“I did,” replied the other. “She was pretty wild at first; but then the comic -side of it struck her—you wearing them old clothes, and going about as you did. -She used to watch you until she couldn’t stand it any longer, and then go down -in the cabin and laugh. Wonderful spirits that girl’s got. Hush! Here she is!” -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke the girl came on deck, and, seeing the two men talking together, -remained at a short distance from them. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all right, Jane,” said the mate; “I’ve told him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said Miss Cooper, with a little gasp. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t bear deceit,” said the mate; “and now it’s off his mind, he’s so happy -he can’t bear himself.” -</p> - -<p> -The latter part of this assertion seemed to be more warranted by facts than the -former, but Evans made a choking noise, which he intended as a sign of -unbearable joy, and, relinquishing the wheel to the mate, walked forward. The -clear sky was thick with stars, and a mind at ease might have found enjoyment -in the quiet beauty of the night, but the skipper was too interested in the -behaviour of the young couple at the wheel to give it a thought. Immersed in -each other, they forgot him entirely, and exchanged little playful slaps and -pushes, which incensed him beyond description. Several times he was on the -point of exercising his position as commander and ordering the mate below, but -in the circumstances interference was impossible, and, with a low-voiced -good-night, he went below. Here his gaze fell on William Henry, who was -slumbering peacefully, and, with a hazy idea of the eternal fitness of things, -he raised the youth in his arms, and, despite his sleepy protests, deposited -him in the mate’s bunk. Then, with head and heart both aching, he retired for -the night. -</p> - -<p> -There was a little embarrassment next day, but it soon passed off, and the -three adult inmates of the cabin got on quite easy terms with each other. The -most worried person aft was the boy, who had not been taken into their -confidence, and whose face, when his sister sat with the mate’s arm around her -waist, presented to the skipper a perfect study in emotions. -</p> - -<p> -“I feel quite curious to see this Miss Jones,” said Miss Cooper amiably, as -they sat at dinner. -</p> - -<p> -“She’ll be on the quay, waving her handkerchief to him,” said the mate. “We’ll -be in to-morrow afternoon, and then you’ll see her.” -</p> - -<p> -As it happened, the mate was a few hours out in his reckoning, for by the time -the <i>Falcon’s</i> bows were laid for the small harbour it was quite dark, and -the little schooner glided in, guided by the two lights which marked the -entrance. The quay, seen in the light of a few scattered lamps, looked dreary -enough, and, except for two or three indistinct figures, appeared to be -deserted. Beyond, the broken lights of the town stood out more clearly as the -schooner crept slowly over the dark water towards her berth. -</p> - -<p> -“Fine night, cap’n,” said the watchman, as the schooner came gently alongside -the quay. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper grunted assent. He was peering anxiously at the quay. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s too late,” said the mate. “You couldn’t expect her this time o’night. -It’s ten o’clock.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll go over in the morning,” said Evans, who, now that things had been -adjusted, was secretly disappointed that Miss Cooper had not witnessed the -meeting. “If you’re not going ashore, we might have a hand o’ cards as soon’s -we’re made fast.” -</p> - -<p> -The mate assenting, they went below, and were soon deep in the mysteries of -three-hand cribbage. Evans, who was a good player, surpassed himself, and had -just won the first game, the others being nowhere, when a head was thrust down -the companion-way, and a voice like a strained foghorn called the captain by -name. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay!” yelled Evans, laying down his hand. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll come down, cap’n,” said the voice, and the mate just had time to whisper -“Old Jones” to Miss Cooper, when a man of mighty bulk filled up the doorway of -the little cabin, and extended a huge paw to Evans and the mate. He then looked -at the lady, and, breathing hard, waited. -</p> - -<p> -“Young lady o’ the mate’s,” said Evans breathlessly,—“Miss Cooper. Sit down, -cap’n. Get the gin out, Bill.” -</p> - -<p> -“Not for me,” said Captain Jones firmly, but with an obvious effort. -</p> - -<p> -The surprise of Evans and the mate admitted of no concealment; but it passed -unnoticed by their visitor, who, fidgeting in his seat, appeared to be -labouring with some mysterious problem. After a long pause, during which all -watched him anxiously, he reached over the table and shook hands with Evans -again. -</p> - -<p> -“Put it there, cap’n,” said Evans, much affected by this token of esteem. -</p> - -<p> -The old man rose and stood looking at him, with his hand on his shoulder; he -then shook hands for the third time, and patted him encouragingly on the back. -</p> - -<p> -“Is anything the matter?” demanded the skipper of the <i>Falcon</i> as he rose -to his feet, alarmed by these manifestations of feeling. “Is Mary—is she ill?” -</p> - -<p> -“Worse than that,” said the other—“worse’n that, my poor boy; she’s married a -lobster!” -</p> - -<p> -The effect of this communication upon Evans was tremendous; but it may be -doubted whether he was more surprised than Miss Cooper, who, utterly unversed -in military terms, strove in vain to realize the possibility of such a -<i>mésalliance</i>, as she gazed wildly at the speaker and squeaked with -astonishment. -</p> - -<p> -“When was it?” asked Evans at last, in a dull voice. -</p> - -<p> -“Thursday fortnight, at ha’ past eleven,” said the old man. “He’s a sergeant in -the line. I would have written to you, but I thought it was best to come and -break it to you gently. Cheer up, my boy; there’s more than one Mary Jones in -the world.” -</p> - -<p> -With this undeniable fact, Captain Jones waved a farewell to the party and went -off, leaving them to digest his news. For some time they sat still, the mate -and Miss Cooper exchanging whispers, until at length, the stillness becoming -oppressive, they withdrew to their respective berths, leaving the skipper -sitting at the table, gazing hard at a knot in the opposite locker. -</p> - -<p> -For long after their departure he sat thus, amid a deep silence, broken only by -an occasional giggle from the stateroom, or an idiotic sniggering from the -direction of the mate’s bunk, until, recalled to mundane affairs by the lamp -burning itself out, he went, in befitting gloom, to bed. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap19"></a>THE RIVAL BEAUTIES</h2> - -<p> -If you hadn’t asked me,” said the night watchman, “I should never have told -you; but, seeing as you’ve put the question point blank, I will tell you my -experience of it. You’re the first person I’ve ever opened my lips to upon the -subject, for it was so eggstraordinary that all our chaps swore as they’d keep -it to theirselves for fear of being disbelieved and jeered at. -</p> - -<p> -“It happened in ’84, on board the steamer <i>George Washington</i>, bound from -Liverpool to New York. The first eight days passed without anything unusual -happening, but on the ninth I was standing aft with the first mate, hauling in -the log, when we hears a yell from aloft, an’ a chap what we called Stuttering -Sam come down as if he was possessed, and rushed up to the mate with his eyes -nearly starting out of his ’ed. -</p> - -<p> -“‘There’s the s-s-s-s-s-s-sis-sis-sip!’ ses he. -</p> - -<p> -“‘The what?’ ses the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“‘The s-s-sea-sea-sssssip!’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Look here, my lad,’ ses the mate, taking out a pocket-hankerchief an’ wiping -his face, ‘you just tarn your ’ed away till you get your breath. It’s like -opening a bottle o’ soda water to stand talking to you. Now, what is it?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s the ssssssis-sea-sea-sea-sarpint!’ ses Sam, with a bust. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Rather a long un by your account of it,’ ses the mate, with a grin. -</p> - -<p> -“‘What’s the matter?’ ses the skipper, who just came up. -</p> - -<p> -“‘This man has seen the sea-sarpint, sir, that’s all,’ ses the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Y-y-yes,’ said Sam, with a sort o’ sob. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Well, there ain’t much doing just now,’ ses the skipper, ‘so you’d better get -a slice o’ bread and feed it.’ -</p> - -<p> -“The mate bust out larfing, an’ I could see by the way the skipper smiled he -was rather tickled at it himself. -</p> - -<p> -“The skipper an’ the mate was still larfing very hearty when we heard a -dreadful ’owl from the bridge, an’ one o’ the chaps suddenly leaves the wheel, -jumps on to the deck, and bolts below as though he was mad. T’other one follows -’m a’most d’reckly, and the second mate caught hold o’ the wheel as he left it, -and called out something we couldn’t catch to the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“‘What the d——’s the matter?’ yells the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“The mate pointed to starboard, but as ’is ’and was shaking so that one minute -it was pointing to the sky an’ the next to the bottom o’ the sea, it wasn’t -much of a guide to us. Even when he got it steady we couldn’t see anything, -till all of a sudden, about two miles off, something like a telegraph pole -stuck up out of the water for a few seconds, and then ducked down again and -made straight for the ship. -</p> - -<p> -“Sam was the fust to speak, and, without wasting time stuttering or stammering, -he said he’d go down and see about that bit o’ bread, an’ he went afore the -skipper or the mate could stop ’im. -</p> - -<p> -“In less than ’arf a minute there was only the three officers an’ me on deck. -The second mate was holding the wheel, the skipper was holding his breath, and -the first mate was holding me. It was one o’ the most exciting times I ever -had. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Better fire the gun at it,’ ses the skipper, in a trembling voice, looking at -the little brass cannon we had for signalling. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Better not give him any cause for offence,’ ses the mate, shaking his head. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I wonder whether it eats men,’ ses the skipper. ‘Perhaps it’ll come for some -of us.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘There ain’t many on deck for it to choose from,’ ses the mate, looking at ’im -significant like. -</p> - -<p> -“‘That’s true,’ ses the skipper, very thoughtful; ‘I’ll go an’ send all hands -on deck. As captain, it’s my duty not to leave the ship till the <i>last</i>, -if I can anyways help it.’ -</p> - -<p> -“How he got them on deck has always been a wonder to me, but he did it. He was -a brutal sort o’ a man at the best o’ times, an’ he carried on so much that I -s’pose they thought even the sarpint couldn’t be worse. Anyway, up they came, -an’ we all stood in a crowd watching the sarpint as it came closer and closer. -</p> - -<p> -“We reckoned it to be about a hundred yards long, an’ it was about the most -awful-looking creetur you could ever imagine. If you took all the ugliest -things in the earth and mixed ’em up—gorillas an’ the like—you’d only make a -hangel compared to what that was. It just hung off our quarter, keeping up with -us, and every now and then it would open its mouth and let us see about four -yards down its throat. -</p> - -<p> -“‘It seems peaceable,’ whispers the fust mate, arter awhile. -</p> - -<p> -“‘P’raps it ain’t hungry,’ ses the skipper. ‘We’d better not let it get -peckish. Try it with a loaf o’ bread.’ -</p> - -<p> -“The cook went below and fetched up half-a-dozen, an’ one o’ the chaps, -plucking up courage, slung it over the side, an’ afore you could say ‘Jack -Robinson’ the sarpint had woffled it up an’ was looking for more. It stuck its -head up and came close to the side just like the swans in Victoria Park, an’ it -kept that game up until it had ’ad ten loaves an’ a hunk o’ pork. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I’m afraid we’re encouraging it,’ ses the skipper, looking at it as it swam -alongside with an eye as big as a saucer cocked on the ship. -</p> - -<p> -“‘P’raps it’ll go away soon if we don’t take no more notice of it,’ ses the -mate. ‘Just pretend it isn’t here.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Well, we did pretend as well as we could; but everybody hugged the port side -o’ the ship, and was ready to bolt down below at the shortest notice; and at -last, when the beast got craning its neck up over the side as though it was -looking for something, we gave it some more grub. We thought if we didn’t give -it he might take it, and take it off the wrong shelf, so to speak. But, as the -mate said, it was encouraging it, and long arter it was dark we could hear it -snorting and splashing behind us, until at last it ’ad such an effect on us the -mate sent one o’ the chaps down to rouse the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I don’t think it’ll do no ’arm,’ ses the skipper, peering over the side, and -speaking as though he knew all about sea-sarpints and their ways. -</p> - -<p> -“‘S’pose it puts its ’ead over the side and takes one o’ the men,’ ses the -mate. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Let me know at once,’ ses the skipper firmly; an’ he went below agin and left -us. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I was jolly glad when eight bells struck, an’ I went below; an’ if ever -I hoped anything I hoped that when I go up that ugly brute would have gone, -but, instead o’ that, when I went on deck it was playing alongside like a -kitten a’most, an’ one o’ the chaps told me as the skipper had been feeding it -agin. -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s a wonderful animal,’ ses the skipper, ‘an’ there’s none of you now but -has seen the sea-sarpint; but I forbid any man here to say a word about it when -we get ashore.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Why not, sir?’ ses the second mate. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Becos you wouldn’t be believed,’ said the skipper sternly. ‘You might all go -ashore and kiss the Book an’ make affidavits an’ not a soul ’ud believe you. -The comic papers ’ud make fun of it, and the respectable papers ’ud say it was -seaweed or gulls.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Why not take it to New York with us?’ ses the fust mate suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -“‘What?’ ses the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Feed it every day,’ ses the mate, getting excited, ‘and bait a couple of -shark hooks and keep ’em ready, together with some wire rope. Git ’im to foller -us as far as he will, and then hook him. We might git him in alive and show him -at a sovereign a head. Anyway, we can take in his carcase if we manage it -properly.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘By Jove! if we only could,’ ses the skipper, getting excited too. -</p> - -<p> -“‘We can try,’ ses the mate. ‘Why, we could have noosed it this mornin’ if we -had liked; and if it breaks the lines we must blow its head to pieces with the -gun.’ -</p> - -<p> -“It seemed a most eggstraordinary thing to try and catch it that way; but the -beast was so tame, and stuck so close to us, that it wasn’t quite so ridikilous -as it seemed at fust. -</p> - -<p> -“Arter a couple o’ days nobody minded the animal a bit, for it was about the -most nervous thing of its size you ever saw. It hadn’t got the soul of a mouse; -and one day when the second mate, just for a lark, took the line of the foghorn -in his hand and tooted it a bit, it flung up its ’ead in a scared sort o’ way, -and, after backing a bit, turned clean round and bolted. -</p> - -<p> -“I thought the skipper ’ud have gone mad. He chucked over loaves o’ bread, bits -o’ beef and pork, an’ scores o’ biskits, and by-and-bye, when the brute plucked -up heart an’ came arter us again, he fairly beamed with joy. Then he gave -orders that nobody was to touch the horn for any reason whatever, not even if -there was a fog, or chance of collision, or anything of the kind; an’ he also -gave orders that the bells wasn’t to be struck, but that the bosen was just to -shove ’is ’ead in the fo’c’s’le and call ’em out instead. -</p> - -<p> -“Arter three days had passed, and the thing was still follering us, everybody -made certain of taking it to New York, an’ I b’leeve if it hadn’t been for Joe -Cooper the question about the sea-sarpint would ha’ been settled long ago. He -was a most eggstraordinary ugly chap was Joe. He had a perfic cartoon of a -face, an’ he was so delikit-minded and sensitive about it that if a chap only -stopped in the street and whistled as he passed him, or pointed him out to a -friend, he didn’t like it. He told me once when I was symperthizing with him, -that the only time a woman ever spoke civilly to him was one night down Poplar -way in a fog, an’ he was so ’appy about it that they both walked into the canal -afore he knew where they was. -</p> - -<p> -“On the fourth morning, when we was only about three days from Sandy Hook, the -skipper got out o’ bed wrong side, an’ when he went on deck he was ready to -snap at anybody, an’ as luck would have it, as he walked a bit forrard, he sees -Joe a-sticking his phiz over the side looking at the sarpint. -</p> - -<p> -“‘What the d—— are you doing?’ shouts the skipper, ‘What do you mean by it?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Mean by what, sir?’ asks Joe. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Putting your black ugly face over the side o’ the ship an’ frightening my -sea-sarpint!’ bellows the skipper, ‘You know how easy it’s skeered.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Frightening the sea-sarpint?’ ses Joe, trembling all over, an’ turning very -white. -</p> - -<p> -“‘If I see that face o’ yours over the side agin, my lad,’ ses the skipper very -fierce, ‘I’ll give it a black eye. Now cut!’ -</p> - -<p> -“Joe cut, an’ the skipper, having worked off some of his ill-temper, went aft -again and began to chat with the mate quite pleasant like. I was down below at -the time, an’ didn’t know anything about it for hours arter, and then I heard -it from one o’ the firemen. He comes up to me very mysterious like, an’ ses, -‘Bill,’ he ses, ‘you’re a pal o’ Joe’s; come down here an’ see what you can -make of ’im.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Not knowing what he meant, I follered ’im below to the engine-room, an’ there -was Joe sitting on a bucket staring wildly in front of ’im, and two or three of -’em standing round looking at ’im with their ’eads on one side. -</p> - -<p> -“‘He’s been like that for three hours,’ ses the second engineer in a whisper, -‘dazed like.’ -</p> - -<p> -“As he spoke Joe gave a little shudder; ‘Frighten the sea-sarpint!’ ses he, ‘O -Lord!’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘It’s turned his brain,’ ses one o’ the firemen, ‘he keeps saying nothing but -that.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘If we could only make ’im cry,’ ses the second engineer, who had a brother -what was a medical student, ‘it might save his reason. But how to do it, that’s -the question.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Speak kind to ’im, sir,’ ses the fireman. ‘I’ll have a try if you don’t -mind.’ He cleared his throat first, an’ then he walks over to Joe and puts his -hand on his shoulder an’ ses very soft an’ pitiful like: -</p> - -<p> -“‘Don’t take on, Joe, don’t take on, there’s many a ugly mug ’ides a good -’art,’ -</p> - -<p> -“Afore he could think o” anything else to say, Joe ups with his fist an’ gives -’im one in the ribs as nearly broke ’em. Then he turns away ’is ’ead an’ -shivers again, an’ the old dazed look come back. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Joe,’ I ses, shaking him, ‘Joe!’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Frightened the sea-sarpint!’ whispers Joe, staring. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Joe,’ I ses, ‘Joe. You know me, I’m your pal, Bill.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Ay, ay,’ ses Joe, coming round a bit. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Come away,’ I ses, ‘come an’ git to bed, that’s the best place for you.’ -</p> - -<p> -“I took ’im by the sleeve, and he gets up quiet an’ obedient and follers me -like a little child. I got ’im straight into ’is bunk, an’ arter a time he fell -into a soft slumber, an’ I thought the worst had passed, but I was mistaken. He -got up in three hours’ time an’ seemed all right, ’cept that he walked about as -though he was thinking very hard about something, an’ before I could make out -what it was he had a fit. -</p> - -<p> -“He was in that fit ten minutes, an’ he was no sooner out o’ that one than he -was in another. In twenty-four hours he had six full-sized fits, and I’ll allow -I was fairly puzzled. What pleasure he could find in tumbling down hard and -stiff an’ kicking at everybody an’ everything I couldn’t see. He’d be standing -quiet and peaceable like one minute, and the next he’d catch hold o’ the -nearest thing to him and have a bad fit, and lie on his back and kick us while -we was trying to force open his hands to pat ’em. -</p> - -<p> -“The other chaps said the skipper’s insult had turned his brain, but I wasn’t -quite so soft, an’ one time when he was alone I put it to him. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Joe, old man,’ I ses, ‘you an’ me’s been very good pals.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Ay, ay,’ ses he, suspicious like. -</p> - -<p> -“‘Joe,’ I whispers, ‘what’s yer little game?’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Wodyermean?’ ses he, very short. -</p> - -<p> -“‘I mean the fits,’ ses I, looking at ’im very steady, ‘It’s no good looking -hinnercent like that, ’cos I see yer chewing soap with my own eyes.’ -</p> - -<p> -“‘Soap,’ ses Joe, in a nasty sneering way, ‘you wouldn’t reckernise a piece if -you saw it.’ -</p> - -<p> -“Arter that I could see there was nothing to be got out of ’im, an’ I just kept -my eyes open and watched. The skipper didn’t worry about his fits, ’cept that -he said he wasn’t to let the sarpint see his face when he was in ’em for fear -of scaring it; an’ when the mate wanted to leave him out o’ the watch, he ses, -‘No, he might as well have fits while at work as well as anywhere else.’ -</p> - -<p> -“We were about twenty-four hours from port, an’ the sarpint was still following -us; and at six o’clock in the evening the officers puffected all their -arrangements for ketching the creetur at eight o’clock next morning. To make -quite sure of it an extra watch was kept on deck all night to chuck it food -every half-hour; an’ when I turned in at ten o’clock that night it was so close -I could have reached it with a clothes-prop. -</p> - -<p> -“I think I’d been abed about ’arf-an-hour when I was awoke by the most infernal -row I ever heard. The foghorn was going incessantly, an’ there was a lot o’ -shouting and running about on deck. It struck us all as ’ow the sarpint was -gitting tired o’ bread, and was misbehaving himself, consequently we just -shoved our ’eds out o’ the fore-scuttle and listened. All the hullaballoo -seemed to be on the bridge, an’ as we didn’t see the sarpint there we plucked -up courage and went on deck. -</p> - -<p> -“Then we saw what had happened. Joe had ’ad another fit while at the wheel, -and, <i>not knowing what he was doing</i>, had clutched the line of the -foghorn, and was holding on to it like grim death, and kicking right and left. -The skipper was in his bedclothes, raving worse than Joe; and just as we got -there Joe came round a bit, and, letting go o’ the line, asked in a faint voice -what the foghorn was blowing for. I thought the skipper ’ud have killed him; -but the second mate held him back, an’, of course, when things quieted down a -bit, an’ we went to the side, we found the sea-sarpint had vanished. -</p> - -<p> -“We stayed there all that night, but it warn’t no use. When day broke there -wasn’t the slightest trace of it, an’ I think the men was as sorry to lose it -as the officers. All ’cept Joe, that is, which shows how people should never be -rude, even to the humblest; for I’m sartin that if the skipper hadn’t hurt his -feelings the way he did we should now know as much about the sea-sarpint as we -do about our own brothers.” -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap20"></a>MRS. BUNKER’S CHAPERON</h2> - -<p> -Matilda stood at the open door of a house attached to a wharf situated in that -dreary district which bears the high-sounding name of “St. Katharine’s.” -</p> - -<p> -Work was over for the day. A couple of unhorsed vans were pushed up the gangway -by the side of the house, and the big gate was closed. The untidy office which -occupied the ground-floor was deserted, except for a grey-bearded “housemaid” -of sixty, who was sweeping it through with a broom, and indulging in a few -sailorly oaths at the choking qualities of the dust he was raising. -</p> - -<p> -The sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate, a small flap-door let in -it flew open, and Matilda Bunker’s open countenance took a pinkish hue, as a -small man in jersey and blue coat, with a hard round hat exceeding high in the -crown, stepped inside. -</p> - -<p> -“Good evening, Mrs. Bunker, ma’am,” said he, coming slowly up to her. -</p> - -<p> -“Good evening, captain,” said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of her age -and presence. -</p> - -<p> -“Fresh breeze,” said the man in the high round hat. “If this lasts we’ll be in -Ipswich in no time.” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Bunker assented. -</p> - -<p> -“Beautiful the river is at present,” continued the captain. “Everything growing -splendid.” -</p> - -<p> -“In the river?” asked the mystified Mrs. Bunker. -</p> - -<p> -“On the banks,” said the captain; “the trees, by Sheppey, and all round there. -Now, why don’t you say the word, and come? There’s a cabin like a new pin ready -for you to sit in—for cleanness, I mean—and every accommodation you could -require. Sleep like a humming-top you will, if you come.” -</p> - -<p> -“Humming-top?” queried Mrs. Bunker archly. -</p> - -<p> -“Any top,” said the captain. “Come, make up your mind. We shan’t sail afore -nine.” -</p> - -<p> -“It don’t look right,” said the lady, who was sorely tempted. “But the missus -says I may go if I like, so I’ll just go and get my box ready. I’ll be down on -the jetty at nine.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay,” said the skipper, smiling, “me and Bill’ll just have a snooze till -then. So long.” -</p> - -<p> -“So long,” said Matilda. -</p> - -<p> -“So long,” repeated the amorous skipper, and turning round to bestow another -ardent glance upon the fair one at the door, crashed into the waggon. -</p> - -<p> -The neighbouring clocks were just striking nine in a sort of yelping chorus to -the heavy boom of Big Ben, which came floating down the river, as Mrs. Bunker -and the night watchman, staggering under a load of luggage, slowly made their -way on to the jetty. The barge, for such was the craft in question, was almost -level with the planks, while the figures of two men darted to and fro in all -the bustle of getting under way. -</p> - -<p> -“Bill,” said the watchman, addressing the mate, “bear a hand with this box, and -be careful, it’s got the wedding clothes inside.” -</p> - -<p> -The watchman was so particularly pleased with this little joke that in place of -giving the box to Bill he put it down and sat on it, shaking convulsively with -his hand over his mouth, while the blushing Matilda and the discomfited captain -strove in vain to appear unconcerned. -</p> - -<p> -The packages were rather a tight squeeze for the cabin, but they managed to get -them in, and the skipper, with a threatening look at his mate, who was -exchanging glances of exquisite humour with the watchman, gave his hand to Mrs. -Bunker and helped her aboard. -</p> - -<p> -“Welcome on the <i>Sir Edmund Lyons</i>, Mrs. Bunker,” said he. “Bill, kick -that dawg back.” -</p> - -<p> -“Stop!” said Mrs. Bunker hastily, “that’s my chapperong.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your what?” said the skipper. “It’s a dawg, Mrs. Bunker, an’ I won’t have no -dawgs aboard my craft.” -</p> - -<p> -“Bill,” said Mrs. Bunker, “fetch my box up again.” -</p> - -<p> -“Leastways,” the captain hastened to add, “unless it’s any friend of yours, -Mrs. Bunker.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s chaperoning me,” said Matilda; “it wouldn’t be proper for a lady to go a -v’y’ge with two men without somebody to look after her.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s right, Sam,” said the watchman sententiously. “You ought to know that -at your age.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, we’re looking after her,” said the simple-minded captain. “Me an’ Bill.” -</p> - -<p> -“Take care Bill don’t cut you out,” said the watchman in a hoarse whisper, -distinctly audible to all. “He’s younger nor what you are, Sam, an’ the wimmen -are just crazy arter young men. ’Sides which, he’s a finer man altogether. An’ -you’ve had <i>one</i> wife a’ready, Sam.” -</p> - -<p> -“Cast off!” said the skipper impatiently. “Cast off! Stand by there, Bill!” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay!” said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and the lines fell into the water -with a splash as the barge was pushed out into the tide. -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Bunker experienced the usual trouble of landsmen aboard ship, and felt -herself terribly in the way as the skipper divided his attentions between the -tiller and helping Bill with the sail. Meantime the barge had bothered most of -the traffic by laying across the river, and when the sail was hoisted had got -under the lee of a huge warehouse and scarcely moved. -</p> - -<p> -“We’ll feel the breeze directly,” said Captain Codd. “Then you’ll see what she -can do.” -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke, the barge began to slip through the water as a light breeze took -her huge sail and carried her into the stream, where she fell into line with -other craft who were just making a start. -</p> - -<p> -At a pleasant pace, with wind and tide, the <i>Sir Edmund Lyons</i> proceeded -on its way, her skipper cocking his eye aloft and along her decks to point out -various beauties to his passenger which she might otherwise have overlooked. A -comfortable supper was spread on the deck, and Mrs. Bunker began to think -regretfully of the pleasure she had missed in taking up barge-sailing so late -in life. -</p> - -<p> -Greenwich, with its white-fronted hospital and background of trees, was passed. -The air got sensibly cooler, and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed that the water was -not only getting darker, but also lumpy, and she asked two or three times -whether there was any danger. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper laughed gaily, and diving down into the cabin fetched up a shawl, -which he placed carefully round his fair companion’s shoulders. His right hand -grasped the tiller, his left stole softly and carefully round her waist. -</p> - -<p> -“How enjoyable!” said Mrs. Bunker, referring to the evening. -</p> - -<p> -“Glad you like it,” said the skipper, who wasn’t. “Oh, how pleasant to go -sailing down the river of life like this, everything quiet and peaceful, just -driftin’”— -</p> - -<p> -“Ahoy!” yelled the mate suddenly from the bows. “Who’s steering? Starbud your -hellum.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper started guiltily, and put his helm to starboard as another barge -came up suddenly from the opposite direction and almost grazed them. There were -two men on board, and the skipper blushed for their fluency as reflecting upon -the order in general. -</p> - -<p> -It was some little time before they could settle down again after this, but -ultimately they got back in their old position, and the infatuated Codd was -just about to wax sentimental again, when he felt something behind him. He -turned with a start as a portly retriever inserted his head under his left arm, -and slowly but vigorously forced himself between them; then he sat on his -haunches and panted, while the disconcerted Codd strove to realise the humour -of the position. -</p> - -<p> -“I think I shall go to bed now,” said Mrs. Bunker, after the position had -lasted long enough to be unendurable. “If anything happens, a collision or -anything, don’t be afraid to let me know.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper promised, and, shaking hands, bade his passenger good-night. She -descended, somewhat clumsily, it is true, into the little cabin, and the -skipper, sitting by the helm, which he lazily manœuvred as required, smoked his -short clay and fell into a lover’s reverie. -</p> - -<p> -So he sat and smoked until the barge, which had, by the help of the breeze, -been making its way against the tide, began to realise that that good friend -had almost dropped, and at the same time bethought itself of a small anchor -which hung over the bows ready for emergencies such as these. -</p> - -<p> -“We must bring up, Bill,” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay!” said Bill, sleepily raising himself from the hatchway. “Over she -goes.” -</p> - -<p> -With no more ceremony than this he dropped the anchor; the sail, with two -strong men hauling on to it, creaked and rustled its way close to the mast, and -the <i>Sir Edmund Lyons</i> was ready for sleep. -</p> - -<p> -“I can do with a nap,” said Bill. “I’m dog-tired.” -</p> - -<p> -“So am I,” said the other. “It’ll be a tight fit down for’ard, but we couldn’t -ask a lady to sleep there.” -</p> - -<p> -Bill gave a non-committal grunt, and as the captain, after the manner of his -kind, took a last look round before retiring, placed his hands on the hatch and -lowered himself down. The next moment he came up with a wild yell, and, sitting -on the deck, rolled up his trousers and fondled his leg. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the matter?” inquired the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“That blessed dog’s down there, that’s all,” said the injured Bill. “He’s -evidently mistook it for his kennel, and I don’t wonder at it. I thought he’d -been wonderful quiet.” -</p> - -<p> -“We must talk him over,” said the skipper, advancing to the hatchway. “Poor -dog! Poor old chap! Come along, then! Come along!” He patted his leg and -whistled, and the dog, which wanted to get to sleep again, growled like a small -thunderstorm. -</p> - -<p> -“Come on, old fellow!” said the skipper enticingly. “Come along, come on, -then!” -</p> - -<p> -The dog came at last, and then the skipper, instead of staying to pat him, -raced Bill up the ropes, while the brute, in execrable taste, paced up and down -the deck daring them to come down. Coming to the conclusion, at last, that they -were settled for the night, he returned to the forecastle and, after a warning -bark or two, turned in again. Both men, after waiting a few minutes, cautiously -regained the deck. -</p> - -<p> -“You call him up again,” said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and holding it at the -charge. -</p> - -<p> -“Certainly not,” said the other. “I won’t have no blood spilt aboard my ship.” -</p> - -<p> -“Who’s going to spill blood?” asked the Jesuitical Bill; “but if he likes to -run hisself on to the boat-hook “— -</p> - -<p> -“Put it down,” said the skipper sternly, and Bill sullenly obeyed. -</p> - -<p> -“We’ll have to snooze on deck,” said Codd. -</p> - -<p> -“And mind we don’t snore,” said the sarcastic Bill, “’cos the dog mightn’t like -it.” -</p> - -<p> -Without noticing this remark the captain stretched himself on the hatches, and -Bill, after a few more grumbles, followed his example, and both men were soon -asleep. -</p> - -<p> -Day was breaking when they awoke and stretched their stiffened limbs, for the -air was fresh, with a suspicion of moisture in it. Two or three small craft -were, like them selves, riding at anchor, their decks wet and deserted; others -were getting under way to take advantage of the tide, which had just turned. -</p> - -<p> -“Up with the anchor,” said the skipper, seizing a handspike and thrusting it -into the windlass. -</p> - -<p> -As the rusty chain came in, an ominous growling came from below, and Bill -snatched his handspike out and raised it aloft. The skipper gazed meditatively -at the shore, and the dog, as it came bounding up, gazed meditatively at the -handspike. Then it yawned, an easy, unconcerned yawn, and commenced to pace the -deck, and coming to the conclusion that the men were only engaged in necessary -work, regarded their efforts with a lenient eye, and barked encouragingly as -they hoisted the sail. -</p> - -<p> -It was a beautiful morning. The miniature river waves broke against the blunt -bows of the barge, and passed by her sides rippling musically. Over the flat -Essex marshes a white mist was slowly dispersing before the rays of the sun, -and the trees on the Kentish hills were black and drenched with moisture. -</p> - -<p> -A little later smoke issued from the tiny cowl over the fo’c’sle and rolled in -a little pungent cloud to the Kentish shore. Then a delicious odour of frying -steak rose from below, and fell like healing balm upon the susceptible nostrils -of the skipper as he stood at the helm. -</p> - -<p> -“Is Mrs. Bunker getting up?” inquired the mate, as he emerged from the fo’c’sle -and walked aft. -</p> - -<p> -“I believe so,” said the skipper. “There’s movements below.” -</p> - -<p> -“’Cos the steak’s ready and waiting,” said the mate. “I’ve put it on a dish in -front of the fire.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ay, ay!” said the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -The mate lit his pipe and sat down on the hatchway, slowly smoking. He removed -it a couple of minutes later, to stare in bewilderment at the unwonted -behaviour of the dog, which came up to the captain and affectionately licked -his hands. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s took quite a fancy to me,” said the delighted man. -</p> - -<p> -“Love me love my dog,” quoted Bill waggishly, as he strolled forward again. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper was fondly punching the dog, which was now on its back with its -four legs in the air, when he heard a terrible cry from the fo’c’sle, and the -mate came rushing wildly on deck. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s that ———— dog?” he cried. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you talk like that aboard my ship. Where’s your manners?” cried the -skipper hotly. -</p> - -<p> -“—— the manners!” said the mate, with tears in his eyes. “Where’s that dog’s -manners? He’s eaten all that steak.” -</p> - -<p> -Before the other could reply, the scuttle over the cabin was drawn, and the -radiant face of Mrs. Bunker appeared at the opening. -</p> - -<p> -“I can smell breakfast,” she said archly. -</p> - -<p> -“No wonder, with that dog so close,” said Bill grimly. Mrs. Bunker looked at -the captain for an explanation. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s ate it,” said that gentleman briefly. “A pound and a ’arf o’ the best -rump steak in Wapping.” -</p> - -<p> -“Never mind,” said Mrs. Bunker sweetly, “cook some more. I can wait.” -</p> - -<p> -“Cook some more,” said the skipper to the mate, who still lingered. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll cook some bloaters. That’s all we’ve got now,” replied the mate sulkily. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s a lovely morning,” said Mrs. Bunker, as the mate retired, “the air is so -fresh. I expect that’s what has made Rover so hungry. He isn’t a greedy dog. -Not at all.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very likely,” said Codd, as the dog rose, and, after sniffing the air, gently -wagged his tail and trotted forward. “Where’ she off to now?” -</p> - -<p> -“He can smell the bloaters, I expect,” said Mrs. Bunker, laughing. “It’s -wonderful what intelligence he’s got. Come here, Rover!” -</p> - -<p> -“Bill!” cried the skipper warningly, as the dog continued on his way. “Look -out! He’s coming!” -</p> - -<p> -“Call him off!” yelled the mate anxiously. “Call him off!” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Bunker ran up, and, seizing her chaperon by the collar, hauled him away. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s the sea air,” said she apologetically; “and he’s been on short commons -lately, because he’s not been well. Keep still, Rover!” -</p> - -<p> -“Keep still, Rover!” said the skipper, with an air of command. -</p> - -<p> -Under this joint control the dog sat down, his tongue lolling out, and his eyes -fixed on the fo’c’sle until the breakfast was spread. The appearance of the -mate with a dish of steaming fish excited him again, and being chidden by his -mistress, he sat down sulkily in the skipper’s place, until pushed off by its -indignant owner. -</p> - -<p> -“Soft roe, Bill?” inquired the skipper courteously, after he had served his -passenger. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s not my plate,” said the mate pointedly, as the skipper helped him. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh! I wasn’t noticing,” said the other, reddening. -</p> - -<p> -“I was, though,” said the mate rudely. “I thought you’d do that. I was waiting -for it. I’m not going to eat after animals, if you are.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper coughed, and, after effecting the desired exchange, proceeded with -his breakfast in sombre silence. -</p> - -<p> -The barge was slipping at an easy pace through the water, the sun was bright, -and the air cool, and everything pleasant and comfortable, until the chaperon, -who had been repeatedly pushed away, broke through the charmed circle which -surrounded the food and seized a fish. In the confusion which ensued he fell -foul of the tea-kettle, and, dropping his prey, bit the skipper frantically, -until driven off by his mistress. -</p> - -<p> -“Naughty boy!” said she, giving him a few slight cuffs. “Has he hurt you? I -must get a bandage for you.” -</p> - -<p> -“A little,” said Codd, looking at his hand, which was bleeding profusely. -“There’s a little linen in the locker down below, if you wouldn’t mind tearing -it up for me.” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Bunker, giving the dog a final slap, went below, and the two men looked at -each other and then at the dog, which was standing at the stern, barking -insultingly at a passing steamer. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s about time she came over,” said the mate, throwing a glance at the sail, -then at the skipper, then at the dog. -</p> - -<p> -“So it is,” said the skipper, through his set teeth. -</p> - -<p> -As he spoke he pushed the long tiller hastily from port to starboard, and the -dog finished his bark in the water; the huge sail reeled for a moment, then -swung violently over to the other side, and the barge was on a fresh tack, with -the dog twenty yards astern. He was wise in his generation, and after one look -at the barge, made for the distant shore. -</p> - -<p> -“Murderers!” screamed a voice; “murderers! you’ve killed my dog.” -</p> - -<p> -“It was an accident; I didn’t see him,” stammered the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t tell me,” stormed the lady; “I saw it all through the skylight.” -</p> - -<p> -“We had to shift the helm to get out of the way of a schooner,” said Codd. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s the schooner?” demanded Mrs. Bunker; “where is it?” -</p> - -<p> -The captain looked at the mate. “Where’s the schooner?” said he. -</p> - -<p> -“I b’leeve,” said the mate, losing his head entirely at this question, “I -b’leeve we must have run her down. I don’t see her nowhere about.” -</p> - -<p> -Mrs. Bunker stamped her foot, and, with a terrible glance at the men, descended -to the cabin. From this coign of vantage she obstinately refused to budge, and -sat in angry seclusion until the vessel reached Ipswich late in the evening. -Then she appeared on deck, dressed for walking, and, utterly ignoring the -woebegone Codd, stepped ashore, and, obtaining a cab for her boxes, drove -silently away. -</p> - -<p> -An hour afterwards the mate went to his home, leaving the captain sitting on -the lonely deck striving to realise the bitter fact that, so far as the end he -had in view was concerned, he had seen the last of Mrs. Bunker and the small -but happy home in which he had hoped to install her. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="chap21"></a>A HARBOUR OF REFUGE</h2> - -<p> -A waterman’s boat was lying in the river just below Greenwich, the waterman -resting on his oars, while his fare, a small, perturbed-looking man in seaman’s -attire, gazed expectantly up the river. -</p> - -<p> -“There she is!” he cried suddenly, as a small schooner came into view from -behind a big steamer. “Take me alongside.” -</p> - -<p> -“Nice little thing she is too,” said the waterman, watching the other out of -the corner of his eye as he bent to his oars. “Rides the water like a duck. Her -cap’n knows a thing or two, I’ll bet.” -</p> - -<p> -“He knows watermen’s fares,” replied the passenger coldly. -</p> - -<p> -“Look out there!” cried a voice from the schooner, and the mate threw a line -which the passenger skilfully caught. -</p> - -<p> -The waterman ceased rowing, and, as his boat came alongside the schooner, held -out his hand to his passenger, who had already commenced to scramble up the -side, and demanded his fare. It was handed down to him. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s all right, then,” said the fare, as he stood on the deck and closed his -eyes to the painful language in which the waterman was addressing him. “Nobody -been inquiring for me?” -</p> - -<p> -“Not a soul,” said the mate. “What’s all the row about?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you see, it’s this way,” said the master of the <i>Frolic</i>, dropping -his voice. “I’ve been taking a little too much notice of a little craft down -Battersea way—nice little thing, an’ she thought I was a single man, dy’e see?” -</p> - -<p> -The mate sucked his teeth. -</p> - -<p> -“She introduced me to her brother as a single man,” continued the skipper. “He -asked me when the banns was to be put up, an’ I didn’t like to tell him I was a -married man with a family.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why not?” asked the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s a prize-fighter,” said the other, in awe-inspiring tones; “‘the Battersea -Bruiser.’ Consequently when he clapped me on the back, and asked me when the -banns was to be, I only smiled.” -</p> - -<p> -“What did he do?” inquired the mate, who was becoming interested. -</p> - -<p> -“Put ’em up,” groaned the skipper, “an’ we all went to church to hear ’em. Talk -o’ people walking over your grave, George, it’s nothing to what I felt—nothing. -I felt a hypocrite, almost. Somehow he found out about me, and I’ve been hiding -ever since I sent you that note. He told a pal he was going to give me a -licking, and come down to Fairhaven with us and make mischief between me and -the missis.” -</p> - -<p> -“That ’ud be worse than the licking,” said the mate sagely. -</p> - -<p> -“Ah! and she’d believe him afore she would me, too, an’ we’ve been married -seventeen years,” said the skipper mournfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps that’s”—began the mate, and stopped suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -“Perhaps what?” inquired the other, after waiting a reasonable time for him to -finish. -</p> - -<p> -“H’m, I forgot what I was going to say,” said the mate. “Funny, it’s gone now. -Well, you’re all right now. You’d intended this to be the last trip to London -for some time.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, that’s what made me a bit more loving than I should ha’ been,” mused the -skipper. “However, all’s well that ends well. How did you get on about the -cook? Did you ship one?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, I’ve got one, but he’s only signed as far as Fairhaven,” replied the -mate. “Fine strong chap he is. He’s too good for a cook. I never saw a better -built man in my life. It’ll do your eyes good to look at him. Here, cook!” -</p> - -<p> -At the summons a huge, close-cropped head was thrust out of the galley, and a -man of beautiful muscular development stepped out before the eyes of the -paralyzed skipper, and began to remove his coat. -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t he a fine chap?” said the mate admiringly. “Show him your biceps, cook.” -</p> - -<p> -With a leer at the captain the cook complied. He then doubled his fists, and, -ducking his head scientifically, danced all round the stupefied master of the -<i>Frolic</i>. -</p> - -<p> -“Put your dooks up,” he cried warningly. “I’m going to dot you!” -</p> - -<p> -“What the deuce are you up to, cook?” demanded the mate, who had been watching -his proceedings in speechless amazement. -</p> - -<p> -“Cook!” said the person addressed, with majestic scorn. “I’m no cook; I’m Bill -Simmons, the ‘Battersea Bruiser,’ an’ I shipped on this ere little tub all for -your dear captin’s sake. I’m going to put sich a ’ed on ’im that when he wants -to blow his nose he’ll have to get a looking-glass to see where to go to. I’m -going to give ’im a licking every day, and when we get to Fairhaven I’m going -to foller ’im ’ome and tell his wife about ’im walking out with my sister.” -</p> - -<p> -“She walked me out,” said the skipper, with dry lips. -</p> - -<p> -“Put ’em up,” vociferated the “Bruiser.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you touch me, my lad,” said the skipper, dodging behind the wheel. “Go -an’ see about your work—go an’ peel the taters.” -</p> - -<p> -“Wot!” roared the “Bruiser.” -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve shipped as cook aboard my craft,” said the skipper impressively. “If -you lay a finger on me it’s mutiny, and you’ll get twelve months.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s right,” said the mate, as the pugilist (who had once had fourteen days -for bruising, and still held it in wholesome remembrance) paused irresolute. -“It’s mutiny, and it’ll also be my painful duty to get up the shotgun and blow -the top of your ugly ’ed off.” -</p> - -<p> -“Would it be mutiny if I was to dot <i>you</i> one?” inquired the “Bruiser,” in -a voice husky with emotion, as he sidled up to the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“It would,” said the other hastily. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, you’re a nice lot,” said the disgusted “Bruiser,” “you and your -mutinies. Will any one of you have a go at me?” -</p> - -<p> -There was no response from the crew, who had gathered round, and were watching -the proceedings with keen enjoyment. -</p> - -<p> -“Or all of yer?” asked the “Bruiser,” raising his eyebrows. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve got no quarrel with you, my lad,” the boy remarked with dignity, as he -caught the new cook’s eye. -</p> - -<p> -“Go and cook the dinner,’” said the skipper; “and look sharp about it. I don’t -want to have to find fault with a young beginner like you; but I don’t have no -shirkers aboard—understand that.” -</p> - -<p> -For one moment of terrible suspense the skipper’s life hung in the balance, -then the “Bruiser,” restraining his natural instincts by a mighty effort, -retreated, growling, to the galley. -</p> - -<p> -The skipper’s breath came more freely. -</p> - -<p> -“He don’t know your address, I s’pose,” said the mate. -</p> - -<p> -“No, but he’ll soon find it out when we get ashore,” replied the other -dolefully. “When I think that I’ve got to take that brute to my home to make -mischief I feel tempted to chuck him overboard almost.” -</p> - -<p> -“It is a temptation,” agreed the mate loyally, closing his eyes to his chief’s -physical deficiencies. “I’ll pass the word to the crew not to let him know your -address, anyhow.” -</p> - -<p> -The morning passed quietly, the skipper striving to look unconcerned as the new -cook grimly brought the dinner down to the cabin and set it before him. After -toying with it a little while, the master of the <i>Frolic</i> dined off -buttered biscuit. -</p> - -<p> -It was a matter of much discomfort to the crew that the new cook took his -duties very seriously, and prided himself on his cooking. He was, moreover, -disposed to be inconveniently punctilious about the way in which his efforts -were regarded. For the first day the crew ate in silence, but at dinner-time on -the second the storm broke. -</p> - -<p> -“What are yer looking at your vittles like that for?” inquired the “Bruiser” of -Sam Dowse, as that able-bodied seaman sat with his plate in his lap, eyeing it -with much disfavour. “That ain’t the way to look at your food, after I’ve been -perspiring away all the morning cooking it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, you’ve cooked yourself instead of the meat,” said Sam warmly. “It’s a -shame to spoil good food like that; it’s quite raw.” -</p> - -<p> -“You eat it!” said the “Bruiser” fiercely; “that’s wot you’ve go to do. Eat -it!” -</p> - -<p> -For sole answer the indignant Sam threw a piece at him, and the rest of the -crew, snatching up their dinners, hurriedly clambered into their bunks and -viewed the fray from a safe distance. -</p> - -<p> -“Have you ’ad enough?” inquired the “Bruiser,” addressing the head of Sam, -which protruded from beneath his left arm. -</p> - -<p> -“I ’ave,” said Sam surlily. -</p> - -<p> -“And you won’t turn up your nose at good vittles any more?” inquired the -“Bruiser” severely. -</p> - -<p> -“I won’t turn it up at anything,” said Sam earnestly, as he tenderly felt the -member in question. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re the only one as ’as complained,” said the “Bruiser.” “You’re dainty, -that’s wot you are. Look at the others—look how they’re eating theirs!” -</p> - -<p> -At this hint the others came out of their bunks and fell to, and the “Bruiser” -became affable. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s wonderful wot I can turn my ’and to,” he remarked pleasantly. “Things -come natural to me that other men have to learn. You’d better put a bit of raw -beef on that eye o’ yours, Sam.” -</p> - -<p> -The thoughtless Sam clapped on a piece from his plate, and it was only by the -active intercession of the rest of the crew that the sensitive cook was -prevented from inflicting more punishment. -</p> - -<p> -From this time forth the “Bruiser” ruled the roost, and, his temper soured by -his trials, ruled it with a rod of iron. The crew, with the exception of Dowse, -were small men getting into years, and quite unable to cope with him. His -attitude with the skipper was dangerously deferential, and the latter was -sorely perplexed to think of a way out of the mess in which he found himself. -</p> - -<p> -“He means business, George,” he said one day to the mate, as he saw the -“Bruiser” watching him intently from the galley. -</p> - -<p> -“He looks at you worse an’ worse,” was the mate’s cheering reply. “The -cooking’s spoiling what little temper he’s got left as fast as possible.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s the scandal I’m thinking of,” groaned the skipper; “all becos’ I like to -be a bit pleasant to people.” -</p> - -<p> -“You mustn’t look at the black side o’ things,” said the mate; “perhaps you -won’t want to need to worry about that after he’s hit you. I’d sooner be kicked -by a horse myself. He was telling them down for’ard the other night that he -killed a chap once.” -</p> - -<p> -The skipper turned green. “He ought to have been hung for it,” he said -vehemently. “I wonder what juries think they’re for in this country. If I’d -been on the jury I’d ha’ had my way, if they’d starved me for a month!” -</p> - -<p> -“Look here!” said the mate suddenly; “I’ve got an idea. You go down below and -I’ll call him up and start rating him. When I’m in the thick of it you come and -stick up for him.” -</p> - -<p> -“George,” said the skipper, with glistening eyes, “you’re a wonder. Lay it on -thick, and if he hits you I’ll make it up to you in some way.” -</p> - -<p> -He went below, and the mate, after waiting for some time, leaned over the wheel -and shouted for the cook. -</p> - -<p> -“What do you want?” growled the “Bruiser,” as he thrust a visage all red and -streaky with his work from the galley. -</p> - -<p> -“Why the devil don’t you wash them saucepans up?” demanded the mate, pointing -to a row which stood on the deck. “Do you think we shipped you becos we wanted -a broken-nosed, tenth-rate prize-fighter to look at?” -</p> - -<p> -“Tenth-rate!” roared the “Bruiser,” coming out on to the deck. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you roar at your officer,” said the mate sternly. “Your manners is worse -than your cooking. You’d better stay with us a few trips to improve ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -The “Bruiser” turned purple, and shivered with impotent wrath. -</p> - -<p> -“We get a parcel o’ pot-house loafers aboard here,” continued the mate, airily -addressing the atmosphere, “and, blank my eyes! if they don’t think they’re -here to be waited on. You’ll want me to wash your face for you next, and do all -your other dirty work, you—” -</p> - -<p> -“George!” said a sad, reproving voice. -</p> - -<p> -The mate started dramatically as the skipper appeared at the companion, and -stopped abruptly. -</p> - -<p> -“For shame, George!” said the skipper. “I never expected to hear you talk to -anybody like that, especially to my friend Mr. Simmons.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your <i>wot?</i> demanded the friend hotly. -</p> - -<p> -“My friend,” repeated the other gently; “and as to tenth-rate prize-fighters, -George, the ‘Battersea Bruiser’ might be champion of England, if he’d only take -the trouble to train.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, you’re always sticking up for him,” said the artful mate. -</p> - -<p> -“He deserves it,” said the skipper warmly. “He’s always run straight, ’as Bill -Simmons, and when I hear ’im being talked at like that, it makes me go ’ot all -over.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you take the trouble to go ’ot all over on my account,” said the -“Bruiser” politely. -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t help my feelings, Bill,” said the skipper softly. -</p> - -<p> -“And don’t you call me Bill,” roared the “Bruiser” with sudden ferocity. “D’ye -think I mind what you and your little tinpot crew say. You wait till we get -ashore, my friend, and the mate too. Both of you wait!” -</p> - -<p> -He turned his back on them and walked off to the galley, from which, with a -view of giving them an object-lesson of an entertaining kind, he presently -emerged with a small sack of potatoes, which he slung from the boom and used as -a punching ball, dealing blows which made the master of the <i>Frolic</i> sick -with apprehension. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s no good,” he said to the mate; “kindness is thrown away on that man.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, if he hits one, he’s got to hit the lot,” said the mate. “We’ll all -stand by you.” -</p> - -<p> -“I can’t always have the crew follering me about,” said the skipper dejectedly. -“No, he’ll wait his opportunity, and, after he’s broke my head, he’ll go ’ome -and break up my wife’s ’art.” -</p> - -<p> -“She won’t break ’er ’art,” said the mate confidently. “She and you’ll have a -rough time of it; p’raps it would be better for you if she did break it a bit, -but she’s not that sort of woman. Well, those of us as live longest’ll see the -most.” -</p> - -<p> -For the remainder of that day the cook maintained a sort of unnatural calm. The -<i>Frolic</i> rose and fell on the seas like a cork, and the “Bruiser” took -short unpremeditated little runs about the deck, which aggravated him -exceedingly. Between the runs he folded his arms on the side, and languidly -cursed the sea and all that belonged to it; and finally, having lost all desire -for food himself, went below and turned in. -</p> - -<p> -He stayed in his bunk the whole of the next day and night, awaking early the -following morning to the pleasant fact that the motion had ceased, and that the -sides and floor of the fo’c’sle were in the places where people of regular -habits would expect to find them. The other bunks were empty, and, after a -toilet hastened by a yearning for nourishment, he ran up on deck. -</p> - -<p> -Day had just broken, and he found to his surprise that the voyage was over, and -the schooner in a small harbour, lying alongside a stone quay. A few unloaded -trucks stood on a railway line which ran from the harbour to the town clustered -behind it, but there was no sign of work or life; the good people of the place -evidently being comfortably in their beds, and in no hurry to quit them. -</p> - -<p> -The “Bruiser,” with a happy smile on his face, surveyed the scene, sniffing -with joy the smell of the land as it came fresh and sweet from the hills at the -back of the town. There was only one thing wanting to complete his -happiness—the skipper. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s the cap’n?” he demanded of Dowse, who was methodically coiling a line. -</p> - -<p> -“Just gone ’ome,” replied Dowse shortly. -</p> - -<p> -In a great hurry the “Bruiser” sprang on to the side and stepped ashore, -glancing keenly in every direction for his prey. There was no sign of it, and -he ran a little way up the road until he saw the approaching figure of a man, -from whom he hoped to obtain information. Then, happening to look back, he saw -the masts of the schooner gliding by the quay, and, retracing his steps a -little, perceived, to his intense surprise, the figure of the skipper standing -by the wheel. -</p> - -<p> -“Ta, ta, cookie!” cried the skipper cheerily. -</p> - -<p> -Angry and puzzled the “Bruiser” ran back to the edge of the quay, and stood -owlishly regarding the schooner and the grinning faces of its crew as they -hoisted the sails and slowly swung around with their bow pointing to the sea. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, they ain’t making a long stay, old man,” said a voice at his elbow, as -the man for whom he had been waiting came up. “Why, they only came in ten -minutes ago. What did they come in for, do you know?” -</p> - -<p> -“They belong here,” said the “Bruiser”; “but me and the skipper’s had words, -and I’m waiting for ’im.” -</p> - -<p> -“That craft don’t belong here,” said the stranger, as he eyed the receding -<i>Frolic</i>. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes, it does,” said the “Bruiser.” -</p> - -<p> -“I tell you it don’t,” said the other. “I ought to know.” -</p> - -<p> -“Look here, my friend,” said the “Bruiser” grimly, “don’t contradict me. That’s -the <i>Frolic</i> of Fairhaven.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very likely,” said the man. “I don’t know where she’s from, but she’s not from -here.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why,” said the “Bruiser,” and his voice shook, “ain’t this Fairhaven?” -</p> - -<p> -“Lord love you, no!” said the stranger; “not by a couple o’ hundred miles it -ain’t. Wot put that idea into your silly fat head?” -</p> - -<p> -The frantic “Bruiser” raised his fist at the description, but at that moment -the crew of the <i>Frolic</i>, which was just getting clear of the harbour, -hung over the stern and gave three hearty cheers. The stranger was of a -friendly and excitable disposition, and, his evil star being in the ascendant -that morning, he took off his hat and cheered wildly back. Immediately -afterwards he obtained unasked the post of whipping-boy to the master of the -<i>Frolic</i>, and entered upon his new duties at once. -</p> - -</div><!--end chapter--> - -<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5758 ***</div> -</body> - -</html> - diff --git a/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index fe7acb3..0000000 --- a/old/old-2025-03-16/5758-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null |
