Part 20 (1/2)

In moderate weather they were tolerably comfortable, but with the sun beating down on the deck they were fearfully hot. In a gale of wind, as the seas dashed against the bows or she pitched into them, the noise and movement were tremendous. However, to that I in time got accustomed.

Sometimes the decks and upper works leaked, and the water coming in wetted the clothes and bedding. However, in other respects they were better than the forepeak in a flush-decked s.h.i.+p, which is generally close and hot, full of horrible odours, and totally dest.i.tute of ventilation, and often wet into the bargain, from unseen leaks which are not of sufficient consequence to trouble the officers, as they do not affect the safety of the s.h.i.+p.

At length, one day Tom told me that we were within sight of the Cape de Verde Islands, at which he believed the captain intended to call. He was very glad, he said, of this, as he hoped to be able to get me a supply of oranges and limes, which he thought would do me more good than anything else.

The very name of fruit made my mouth water, and I thought I would give a great deal just to have one good suck at an orange. Great was my disappointment, therefore, when shortly afterwards Mark came in, and said that a strong north-easterly wind had sprung up, and that we were standing away from the islands, but that the captain, he believed, intended to put into Rio de Janeiro.

”I must wait patiently till we get there,” I said. ”I hope it won't take us long.”

”We have to pa.s.s through the horse lat.i.tudes, and to cross the line first, and Rio is some way to the south of that, so I'm afraid you must suck your fingers instead of oranges,” he answered.

I was now rapidly getting better, and I began to pine for fresh air and exercise.

”You'll be wiser to stay where you are, Master d.i.c.k,” said Mark. ”No one believes that you're a gentleman's son, and if they did I'm very sure it would make very little difference. I should, perhaps, benefit by your getting about, as you would have all the dirty work to do which now falls to my lot. It's only surprising that the captain has allowed you to remain so long in the berth, for he knows that you're aboard, though he takes no notice of you. Still I'd advise you, as long as you can, to stay where you are.”

I had not long the opportunity. Two days afterwards the third mate came into the berth with a short, knotted rope in his hand.

”Come, youngster, you have been long enough malingering here,” he exclaimed; ”I find the cook has been serving out no end of good grub to you, and you've done nothing for it. We don't want idlers aboard the 'Emu;' show a leg there pretty smartly.”

I attempted to rise. Tom had washed and dried my clothes. I got hold of my trousers, and slipt my legs into them. When I attempted to stand upright, my knees gave way and down I sank. At the same moment the mate's colt descended on my back. I was taken so completely by surprise that I shrieked out with pain. I tried to lift myself up by the supports of the bunk, and succeeded in getting on my feet.

”I thought I'd cure you. Do you want another dose of this rope?”

”Oh! No, sir! No, sir! Don't! I'll dress as fast as I can,” I called out.

The moment I let go I felt that I must slip down again. Still the fear of another lash made me exert myself in a way I could not otherwise have done, and I tried very hard to put on my waistcoat and jacket, and to tie my handkerchief, by sitting down on a lower bunk.

”Now, come along!” said the mate; ”the captain wants to speak to you.”

I attempted to walk, but as I tottered on my knees again failed me, and I should have fallen had not the mate caught me by the shoulders and dragged me along the deck.

It was a severe discipline, but it was effective, for the air and the necessity of moving quickly brought back strength to my limbs, and by the time I reached the quarterdeck I was able to keep my feet, though I should have fallen had not the mate still held me.

We there found the captain pacing to and fro. On turning he stopped when he saw me.

”Is this the young stowaway, Mr Huggins?” he asked, eyeing me very sternly. ”What business had you to come aboard, boy, without leave?”

”Please, sir, I couldn't help it,” I said, and I told him that when merely intending to look round the s.h.i.+p I had fallen into the hold.

”A likely story, youngster, which I don't intend to believe. You came on board to please yourself, and now you'll learn to please me, and do the work you're set to do.”

”I'll do my best, sir,” I answered, for I saw he was not a man to be trifled with; ”but I am not fit for much at present.”

”You contrived to live down in the hold in an extraordinary manner--how did you manage it?”

I told him in a few words.

”Another likely story,” he remarked. ”In other words, you stole the s.h.i.+p's provisions as long as you could get at them, or you had an accomplice who kept you fed--he'll be made to smart for it.”

On hearing this, I began to tremble for the consequences to Mark.