Part 8 (1/2)
”No father either, you say,” continued the mate, who appeared to me an unfeeling brute; ”then go to your grandmother, or your uncle, or your aunt, if you've got one; or go anywhere you like, but get about your business from here, or I'll trice you up, and give you a round dozen on the b.u.t.tocks; be off now, I say!”
The brute seemed fully in earnest; and, deeply mortified by the threat, I turned away in obedience to the command.
I had reached the gangway, and was about to step upon the plank, when I observed a man coming in the opposite direction--from the sh.o.r.e. He was dressed in the same style as a merchant or other citizen might have been, with a black frock-coat and beaver hat; but there was something in his look that told me he belonged to the sea. The complexion of his face was of that weather bronze, and there was an expression in the eyes which I knew to be characteristic of men who lead the life of the mariner. Moreover, his trousers were of blue pilot-cloth, and that gave him a sea-faring look. It struck me at the moment that he was the captain of the s.h.i.+p.
I was not long in doubt. On reaching the gangway, the stranger stepped aboard with an air that betokened him the master; and I heard him issue some orders in a tone that bespoke his full command of everybody within hearing.
He did not stop after going aboard, but walked on towards the quarter-deck of the vessel.
It occurred to me that I might still have some chance by addressing myself directly to him; and, without hesitation, I turned back and followed him.
In spite of some remonstrance from the mate and one or two of the men, I kept on till I had overtaken the captain just as he was about to dive down into his cabin.
I arrested his attention by plucking the skirt of his coat.
He turned round in some surprise, and inquired what I wanted with him.
In as few words as I could manage it, I made known my wishes. The only reply he made me was a laugh; and then turning round, he cried out to one of the men--
”Here, Waters! Hoist this urchin upon your shoulders, and set him ash.o.r.e. Ha! ha! ha!”
Without saying another word, he stepped down the companion ladder, and disappeared out of my sight.
In the midst of my chagrin, I felt myself lifted in the strong arms of ”Waters,” who, after carrying me across the staging-plank, and some yards over the wharf, deposited me upon the pavement, and thus addressed me:--
”Now, my little sprat! take Jack Waters's advice, and keep out o'
salt-water as long as you can, else the sharks may get hold on you.”
And then, after a pause, during which he seemed to reflect about something, he inquired--
”And you're a horphin, are ye, my little 'un? Got neyther father nor mother?”
”Neither,” I replied.
”A pity it are! I was once a horphin myself. Well, yer a s.p.u.n.ky little chap to be wantin' to go to sea, and ye deserve somethin' for it. If I were captain I'd take you along; but ye see I'm only afore the mast, and kin do nothin' for ye; but I'll be back some day again, and maybe you'll be bigger then. Here, take this anyhow for a keepsake, and by it you'll remember me till sometime when you see me in port again, and who knows but then I may find a berth for you. So good-bye now! Go home again, like a good boy, and stay there till you've growed a bit.”
As the kind-hearted sailor said this, he handed me his knife, and turning away, walked back on board his s.h.i.+p, leaving me alone upon the wharf.
Wondering at his unexpected kindness, I stood gazing after him till he disappeared behind the bulwarks; and then, mechanically putting the knife in my pocket, I remained for a while without stirring from the spot.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
NOT BIG ENOUGH.
My reflections were anything but pleasant, for never had I been so mortified in my life. All my fine dreams of reefing topsails, and seeing foreign lands, had been dissipated in a period of less than ten minutes. All my plans completely frustrated.
My first feeling was that of extreme humiliation and shame. I fancied that the pa.s.sers-by must all be aware of what had transpired, and of the precise situation in which I stood. I saw, moreover, the heads of several of the sailors as they stood looking at me over the bulwarks, and upon their faces I could perceive a derisive expression. Some of them were still laughing loudly.
I could bear it no longer, and without hesitation I hurried away from the spot.