Part 26 (1/2)

The captain, from what I said, at once took it for granted that I had again acted the stowaway, and I flattered myself that I had not spoken an untruth, while I had avoided saying anything which would offend him.

I observed that old Growles had come aft, and was then within earshot.

The captain seemed rather pleased than otherwise that I had not wished to leave the s.h.i.+p.

”Go forward,” he said, ”and let me see that you do your duty.”

He was evidently in better humour than usual, having got a rich freight which he had not expected. Touching my cap, I hurried to the caboose.

Caesar rolled his eyes and opened his mouth with astonishment when he saw me.

”Where you been all dis time, d.i.c.k?” he asked.

”That's more than I can tell you, Caesar. Do in mercy give me some grub, for I'm well-nigh starved,” I answered.

He gave me part of a mess he had been cooking for himself.

”Dis curious s.h.i.+p,” he said, as he remarked the ravenous way in which I devoured the food. ”I no ask questions, you no tell lies, dat is it.

Oh you wise boy.”

I suspected from this that Caesar had observed the visits of old Growles and the boatswain to the hold, and shrewdly guessed that I had been a prisoner. I could not understand, however, how the captain didn't make some fuss about it, unless he also was cognisant of the fact; but of that I was left in uncertainty. I had expected from the way he had first treated me that some change for the better would take place in my condition, but in this I was mistaken. I was at the beck and call of every one, having to do all the dirty work in the cabin, and being knocked about and bullied by the men just as much as before.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

My position does not improve--Another attempt at escape frustrated-- Becalmed off j.a.pan--Macao--A fresh cargo--Extension of the voyage--Not dead yet--I gain some important information as to the future fate awaiting me, and I determine to quit the s.h.i.+p--A carouse--My escape, and how I accomplished it--Alone on the ocean--I sight land--The rock and my landing-place--My search for food--I meet with an accident--I lose my boat.

I must pa.s.s rapidly over the voyage across the Pacific. Whatever better feelings the captain had at one time displayed towards me completely disappeared. I was treated by him and the officers and men as badly as ever. My spirit was not broken, and perhaps I may at times have shown too refractory a disposition to please them. I was compelled, however, to submit to and obey their orders, annoying and vexatious as they often were. I did not show my feelings so much by what I said as by my looks, and I often stopped to consider whether or no I would do as I was told.

We fell in with a few s.h.i.+ps--most of them whalers--the captains of which sometimes came on board, and I had hoped that I might be able to get off in one of them. I fancied that it would be impossible to change for the worse, but I in vain watched for an opportunity.

One evening we were becalmed to the southward of j.a.pan, not far off a South Sea whaler. The commander, who was an old acquaintance of Captain Longfleet, came aboard, and spent the evening with him in the cabin. I waited eagerly till it had become dark. The lights of the other s.h.i.+p could be seen in the distance, and I expected every instant that the captain would come on deck ready to take his departure. The boat's crew had come aboard, and were being entertained by our men. I thought if I could manage to slip down I might stow myself away under the foremost thwart, and should not be discovered till I had reached the other s.h.i.+p.

I would then tell my story to the commander, who if he would not have compa.s.sion on me would probably not think it worth while to send me back that night, and before the morning a breeze might spring up and the s.h.i.+ps be separated.

I waited concealed under the long-boat stowed amids.h.i.+ps till I fancied that there was no one near the side where the whale-boat lay. I then crept out and got into the main chains. I was just about to lower myself down when a huge hand was placed on my shoulder, and I heard a voice which I knew to be that of old Growles.

”Come inboard, you young rascal!” he said; ”you're not going to get off as easily as you fancy. It's lucky for you that you didn't get into the boat, for you would have been found to a certainty, and handed over to our skipper, who would have knocked the life out of you.”

”What's all this about? How did you know I wanted to get into the boat?” I asked, in a tone of a.s.sumed astonishment.

”'Cos I've seen you watching ever since she came alongside,” answered Growles; ”so take that--and that,”--and hauling me inboard, he bestowed several blows with the end of a rope on my back.

I ran forward to escape from him, and stowed myself away in my bunk, as it was my watch below.

We at last reached Macao, where our cargo of furs was discharged, and for which I believe a very high price was obtained. I had no wish, from what I had heard of the Chinese, to go and live among them, and I therefore did not attempt to get on sh.o.r.e, although I had reason to believe that I was all the time narrowly watched by old Growles and the boatswain.

Instead of the furs and skins we s.h.i.+pped a cargo of tea in chests, and other Chinese produce. Part of this was to be landed at Sydney, New South Wales, and the rest, if no market could be found there for it, was to be carried on to America. This would greatly prolong the voyage, and consequently my miseries. I had hitherto been supported by the expectation of soon reaching home and being emanc.i.p.ated from my bondage.

I had no dislike to the sea; and had I been well treated even in my subordinate position I should have been contented to remain where I was, and to try and learn as much as I could; but to be kicked and beaten and knocked down every day of my life--to have the dirtiest of work and the worst of food--to be sworn at and abused at all hours--made me well-nigh weary of my life.