Part 10 (2/2)
”I tink,” said he, ”I vill marry de one and you vill have de other.”
”I don't know about that,” retorted James Leigh. ”You see I've a girl at home, and somehow I thinks a lot about her. But a bit of money makes a difference; I must think it over.”
Quarterdeck etiquette was not observed between the two men. The captain addressed his first officer as Jim, and Jim addressed his captain as ”Dutchy.” This familiarity was arrived at soon after they came together, owing to a strong difference of opinion on some point of seamans.h.i.+p which had to do with the way a topgallant sail ought to be taken in without running any risk of splitting it. The quarrel was furious. Jim had called his commander ”a blithering, fat-headed Dutchman, not fit to have charge of a dung barge, much less a square-rigged s.h.i.+p. Captain Kickem of the _Pacific_ would not have carried you as ballast.”
Vandertallen was almost inarticulate. He frothed out--
”Yes, an' you he vould not carry at all; you too much chick. Remember I the captain, and I vill discharge you at first port.”
”Oh, you go to h----!”
”No, I vill not go to h----. I'll just stay here, and you can go to ----. You jist a boy.”
”All right, Dutchy,” replied the refractory mate; ”you'll want me before I want you.”
And this was a correct prediction, as, a few days later, Dutchy lost himself, and was obliged to come to his mate and ask the true position of the vessel.
”I am not captain,” said he. ”Do it yourself; you are a very clever fellow.”
”No, no,” said Vandertallen; ”you know better dan me. Let us be friends, Jim. I call you Jim; you call me Dutchy, or vat you like.”
”All right, then,” said James Leigh. ”If that is to be the way, I'll tell you where you are, and if you had run in the same direction other four hours you would have been ash.o.r.e on the Island of Mocha.”
”Vair is dat?” said Vandertallen, nervously.
”For Heaven's sake don't ask such silly questions,” said the mate.
”You are miles out of your reckoning.”
”Vell, I'm d----!” said the amazed skipper. ”Den you must do de reckonin' now, Jim.”
”That's all very well, Dutchy, but if I have to do the navigation I am ent.i.tled to share the pay.”
”Vary vell,” replied his captain, ”dat agree.”
So henceforth they were co-partners in everything--wages, perquisites, and position; and they never again got out of their reckoning. It was obvious James was first favourite with the crew, and after the first voyage the veteran owner showed his marked approval. Jim was allowed to do just as he pleased. The daughters were charmed with him, and frequently visited the vessel with their father when the officers could not get conveniently to their home. A strong and growing attachment was quite apparent so far as the girls were concerned. There seemed to be a preference with both of them for the first mate, who, in turn, fixed his affections on the youngest. His comrade was not quite satisfied with being so frequently ignored, so remonstrated with Jim to stick to one, and he would stick to the other; but the ladies having to be taken into account, it did not work at all smoothly, as each desired to have Mr. Leigh, and before it was settled the sisters had a violent tiff, which brought about the climax and made it possible for negotiations to be carried on in favour of a settlement. The father selected the elder girl for Vandertallen, and the younger was fixed on Leigh, who threw himself into the vortex of flirtation with youthful ardour. He thought at one time of marrying and settling down in Chili, and undoubtedly the owner and daughter gave encouragement to this idea.
But letters began to arrive from home, which had an unsettling effect on him. He was afraid to give his confidence to the captain lest he might break faith with him, but in truth his mind and heart were centred on a picturesque spot on the side of a Welsh hill, and in that little home there was one who longed to have him back. Indeed, she had written to say that if he did not come soon to her she would come to him. These communications revived all the old feelings of affection in his breast, and he resolved to tear himself away from the environment which had gripped him like a vice. The old Spaniard kept hinting marriage to him each time he paid a visit to the superb villa, but he refused to be drawn into anything definite. As he said--
”The place is getting too hot for me. I must face it sooner or later if I am not to permanently settle in Chili. Once married it is all over with me. I will have loads of money, but am I sure it will bring happiness? I think I must say that I lean towards a daughter of my native land, who may not have wealth, but who has all the attributes that appeal to me. In a few days I must decide.”
These were some of the thoughts occupying Jim's mind as the leaky old ark lounged her way along the coast. The captain, on the other hand, talked freely to his mate as to his own thoughts, prompted no doubt by close companions.h.i.+p and the idea of becoming brothers-in-law. He told Leigh that both of them would be very wealthy some day, but Jim kept his counsel. He had resolved that if the subject was mentioned by the Spaniard again he would make himself scarce.
On their arrival at Iquique, Leigh received more letters from home. He went to the owner's house, and in the course of the evening the old gentleman asked him right out to marry his daughter. Mr. Leigh was confused, and said he would like to save a little more money.
”Never mind the money. You will have plenty of that,” said the father.
It was duly arranged that the wedding should take place at the end of the next trip, and on the strength of that there was much rejoicing at the villa, in which James Leigh heartily joined. He was pressed to stay all night with the happy family, but he said that he could not do so, owing to pressing official duties; so he bade his usual _adieux_, and slipped out into the balmy night and made his way aboard the vessel. He packed his belongings in a bag, woke the captain, who was asleep in his berth, shook hands with him, and said--
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