I can be ready to-night if you wish it, Captain Samson, he said, with a flush on his usually pale face.
Beside Mrs Trench there sat a sturdy little boy. He was the bosom friend of Bena bright ruddy fellow of fourteen, overflowing with animal spirits, and with energy enough for three lads of his size. This youths countenance fell so visibly when Ben spoke of going away, that Mrs Trench could not help noticing it.
Why, whats the matter, Wilkins? she asked.
Oh, nothing! returned the boy, only I dont like to hear Ben speak of leaving us all and going to Australia. And I would give all the world to go with him. Wont you take me as a cabin boy, Captain Samson?
Sorry I cant, lad, said the captain, with a grin, got a cabin boy already.
Besides, your father would not let you, said Mrs Trench, and it would never do to go without his leave. Only misfortune could come of that.
Humph! its very hard, pouted the boy. I wanted him to get me into the navy, and he wouldnt; and now I want him to get me into the merchant service, and he wont. But Ill go in spite of him.
No, you wont, Watty, said Ben, laying his hand on his friends shoulder.
Yes, Ben, I will, returned little Wilkins, with such an air of determination that every one except Ben laughed.
Now, bailie, said the captain, rising, Im off. The truth is, I wouldnt have come if it had not been important to let you know at once to get your boy ready; but I had no one to send except Polly, and I wouldnt send her out at night by herself for all the wealth of Indy. Moreover, she wouldnt have let me out to-night for any consideration whatever. Shes very strict with me, is my little keeper. I wouldnt for the world she should wake and find me gone. So, good-night all.
Ten minutes more, and the guilty man entered his dwelling on tiptoe. In order to get into his hammock with extreme caution he forsook his ancient method of a spring, and mounted on an empty cask. The cask was not equal to the emergency. He went through the head of it with a hideous crash! Spurning it from him, he had just time to plunge into his place of repose and haul the clothes over him, when Polly emerged from her lair with wondering eyes.
What ever was that, father?
Nothin, my dear, nothin in partickleronly a cask I kicked over. Now, then, Poll, since youre keepin me awake in this fashion, its your dooty to soothe me with an extra panful, and another nor-westerso, up wi the pyramid; and after youve done it you must turn into your crib. Ill not want you again to-night; the coughs much better. Therethank ee. Pollyfy me nowthats right. Good-night.
Oh, base mariner! little did you merit such a pleasant termination to your evenings work; but you are not the only wicked man in this world who receives more than he deserves.
Two days after the incidents just related a noble ship spread her canvas to a favouring breeze, and bowing farewell to her port of departure, commenced the long long voyage to the Antipodes.
She was not a passenger ship, but a trader; nevertheless there were a few passengers on her quarter-deck, and among these towered the colossal figure of Captain Samson. Beside him, holding his hand, stood a fairy-like little creature with brown curls and pretty blue eyes. Not far from her, leaning over the bulwarks, Benjamin Trench frantically waved a handkerchief and wiped his eyes. The signal was responded to, with equal feeling, by the bailie, his wife, and little Susan. A good number of people, young and old, assembled at the pier-head, among whom many waved handkerchiefs, and hands, and scarfs, and hats to the crew.
Among the sailors who gazed wistfully towards the pier was one who made no farewell signal, and received no parting wave. Philosopher Jack had concealed his intention of going to sea from all his college chums, and a bitter feeling of loneliness oppressed his heart as he thought of his old father and mother, and the lowly cottage on the Border hills. He had not, indeed, acted in direct opposition to the wishes of his parents, but he had disobeyed the well-known Scripture command to do them honour, for he had resolved on his course of action without consulting them, or asking their advice. He felt that he had very selfishly forsaken them in their old age; in the hour of their sore distress, and at a time when they stood woefully in need of his strong muscles, buoyant spirit, and energetic brain. In short, Edwin Jack began to feel that he required all his philosophy, and something more, to enable him to face the future with the unflinching courage of a man.
So the ship moved slowly on, revealing on her stern the Lively Poll in letters of burnished goldpast the pier-head, down the broad river, out upon the widening firth, beyond lighthouse, buoy, and beacon, until at last the fresh Atlantic breezes filled her snowy sails.
And ever as she rose and sank upon the rolling waves, their swish and thud fell strangely on the ear of one who lay deep down in the recesses of the hull, whereamong barrels of pork, and casks of tar, and cans of oil, and coils of rope, and other unsavoury storeshe consorted with rats and mice and an uneasy conscience, in thick darkness. This was a stowaway. He was a sturdy, bright, ruddy little fellow of fourteen. Down in that unwholesome place, with a few ship-biscuits and a bottle of water to keep him alive, he would have looked like a doubled-up overgrown hedgehog if there had been light enough to reveal him.
Thus, with its little world of hopes and fears, its cares and pleasures, and its brave, trembling, trusting, sorrowing, joyful, anxious, reckless hearts, the good ship passed from the shores of Britain, until her sails quivered like a petrels wings on the horizon, and then vanished into the boundless bosom of the mighty sea.
Chapter Two
Tells of a Ghost and an Overwhelming Disaster
It may seem strange, nevertheless it is true, that ignorance is a misfortune which now and then results in good. Of course we do not make this remark in commendation of ignorance, but if Baldwin Burr had not been ignorant and densely stupid, Philosopher Jack would not have had the pleasure of instructing him, and the seaman himself would not have enjoyed that close intimacy which frequently subsists between teacher and pupil. Even Polly Samson derived benefit from Baldwins want of knowledge, for, being remarkably intelligent for her years, and having been well taught, she took great pleasure in enlightening his darkness.
How is it, she asked one day, while sitting on the cabin skylight and looking up in the mans rugged countenance, how is it that you are so stupid?
Burr, who was steering, gave the wheel a turn, looked up at the mast-head, then round the horizon, then down at his questioner with a bland smile, and said
Well now, Miss Polly, dee know, thats wot I cant exactly tell. Praps its cause of a natral want of brains, or, maybe, cause the brains is too much imbedded in fatfor Im a fleshy man, as you seeor, praps its cause I never went to school, my parients bein poor, uncommon poor, though remarkably honest. Ive sometimes thought, wen meditatin on the subject, that my havin bin born of a Friday may have had somethin to do with it.
Oh, Baldwin, said Polly with a little laugh, surely you cant believe that. Father says its all nonsense about Friday being an unlucky day.
Praps it is, an praps it aint, returned the cautious seaman. I regard your father, my dear, as a deeply learned man, and would give in, if I could, to wotever he says, but facts is facts, and opinions is opinions, you cant change that, nohow you fix it. Wots the capns opinions, now, as to ghosts?