Part 9 (2/2)
”I am going to send him on a voyage with Captain Spark. That is, if you consent.”
”I will agree to anything you think best. But I think you will find it hard work to get Bob to go. I fear he will dislike the idea very much.”
”Why so?” inquired the captain.
”Well, Bob has many friends in the village--many boy-chums--and I think he would object very strongly to leaving them, and going off among a lot of strange men in a s.h.i.+p.”
”I wouldn't be a stranger to him.”
”No, you would not, but the others would be. And I think he would be somewhat afraid.”
”Afraid? What's there to be afraid of on the ocean, with a stout deck beneath your feet? The ocean is the safest place in the world.
I'm frightened half out of my wits every time I come on land. There are so many chances of accidents. The train may run off the track, steam-boilers may blow up, there may be an earthquake, a wild bull may chase you, you may fall down a coal-hole and break your neck, or a building may topple over on you while you're walking peacefully along the street. No such things as those can happen to you on the ocean.”
”No, perhaps not, but there are others as bad, or worse, captain.”
”Nonsense! It may blow a bit, now and then, but all you've got to do is mind your helm and you'll come out all right.”
”I am glad you think so. I should be very glad to have Bob make a trip with you. I think it would do him good, but I fear he will object to it.”
”I don't think so. We'll propose it to him in the morning.”
Bob came down to breakfast feeling rather sheepish. He had been wondering, during the time he was not sleeping, what form of punishment his father would inflict.
The lad had an uneasy feeling that he might have to make a public apology before the whole church congregation. This he felt would be very embarra.s.sing. He also had an idea that his father might take him from school and put him to work in the mill. Mr. Henderson had once threatened this when Bob had played some particularly annoying prank. And Bob liked his school very much, in spite of the tricks he played.
”Well, my son,” said Mr. Henderson, more solemnly than he usually spoke, ”I trust you have a proper feeling of regret for what you did last night.”
”Yes. I wish I hadn't done it,” said Bob. ”I didn't think it would make so much trouble. I didn't mean to use so much glue.”
”Well, there is no use in discussing that now. The thing is done.
You remember I told you I would have to punish you?”
”Yes, sir.”
”I have talked it over with your mother and Captain Spark, and we have made up our minds what to do. You are going to be sent on a long sea voyage with Captain Spark, in the _Eagle_. You will be away from home a long time, and, when you return, I trust you will have mended your ways.”
For a few seconds Bob did not speak. The proposition was so sudden to him that he did not exactly comprehend it.
”I'm to go to sea with Captain Spark?” he asked slowly.
”That is the punishment we have decided on, my son.”
”Where are you going, captain?” asked Bob.
”I'm bound for 'round Cape Horn this trip. Oh, you'll get all the ocean you want, but it will make a man of you.”
”When are you going to sail?” asked Bob in a quiet voice.
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