Part 20 (1/2)
”Because we can help you to something a little better. At least, it will be more to your advantage in a pecuniary sense. You wouldn't mind s.h.i.+pping in a merchant-vessel, with wages three or four times as much as you can get in a man-of-war? How would you like that, Harry?”
”I'd like it amazin'ly, sir. And for the matter o' being a merchanter, that's neither here nor there, so long's _you_ recommend it. I'll go as cook, if you tell me to.”
”No, no, Harry, not that,” laughingly replies the young officer. ”That would never do. I should pity those who had to eat the dishes you'd dress for them. Besides, I should be sorry to see you stewing your strength away in front of a galley-fire. You must do better than that; and it chances I'm authorised to offer you something better. It's a berth on board a trading-s.h.i.+p, and one with some special advantages.
She's a Chilian vessel, and her captain is, I believe, either Chilian or Spanish. That won't make any difference to you?”
”Not a doit, sir. I don't care what the s.h.i.+p's colours be, nor what country her skipper, so long's he allows good wages an' plenty o' grub.”
”And plenty of grog too, Harry?”
”Ay, ay, sir. I confess to a weakness for that--leastways the reg'lar three times a day.”
”No doubt you'll get it, as often as you've a mind. But, Harry, I have a word to say about that. Besides my interest in your own welfare, I've another and more selfish one in this Chilian s.h.i.+p. So has Mr Cadwallader. We both want you to be on your best behaviour during the trip you're to take in her. On board will be two lady pa.s.sengers, as far as Panama; for the s.h.i.+p is bound thither, and for ports beyond--I believe as far as Valparaiso. But the ladies are to land at Panama; and, so long as they're with you, you must do everything in your power to make things agreeable for them. If they should ever be in any danger--from storm, s.h.i.+pwreck, or otherwise--you'll stand by them?”
”Yes, Harry,” adds Cadwallader, ”you'll do that, won't you?”
”Lor', your honours!” exclaims the sailor, showing surprise. ”Sure ye needn't put sich a questin to me--a British man-o'-war's man? I'd do that much, anyhow, out o' sheer starn sense o' duty. But when it comes to takin' care o' two ladies--to say nothin' about theer bein' so young, and so beautiful--”
”Avast, Harry! How do you know they are either one or the other?” asks Crozier, surprised; Cadwallader repeating the question.
”Lor' love ye, masters! Do ye think a common sailor han't got eyes in his head, for anythin' but ropes an' tar? You forget I war o' the boat's crew as rowed two sweet creeturs on board the _Crusader_, the night o' the grand dancin'; and arterward took the same ash.o.r.e, along wi' two young gen'lemen, as went to see 'em home. Sure, sirs, actin'
c.o.x on that occasion, I couldn't help hearin' some o' the speeches as pa.s.sed in the starn-sheets--tho' they wur spoken in the ears of the senoritas, soft as the breeze that fanned their fair cheeks, an' brought the colour out on 'em red as Ribston pippins.”
”Avast again, you rascal! So you've been eavesdropping, have you? I quite forgot you understood Spanish.”
”Only a trifle, Master Ed'ard.”
”Too much for that occasion.”
”Ah! well, your honour, it may stand me in good stead now--aboard the s.h.i.+p you speak o'.”
”Well, Harry, I'm not going to scold you, seeing that you couldn't help hearing what you did. And now, I may as well tell you that the young ladies you saw that night in the boat _are_ the same who are to be the pa.s.sengers in the Chilian s.h.i.+p. You'll take good care of them, I know.”
”That you may depend on, sir. Any one as touches hair o' their heads, to do 'em an injury, 'll have to tear the whole o' his off the head o'
Harry Blew. I'll see 'em safe to Panama, or never show myself there. I promise that; an' I think both your honours 'll take the word of a British man-o'-war's man.”
”That's enough--perfectly satisfactory! Now to give you the necessary directions about joining this s.h.i.+p. She's lying at anchor somewhere about in the bay. I didn't think of getting her name, but you'll find her easily enough. An' you needn't go in search of her till you've seen the gentleman whose name is upon this card. You see: 'Don Tomas Silvestre,' a s.h.i.+p-agent. His office is down in one of the streets by the strand. Report yourself to him first thing in the morning. In all likelihood he'll engage you on sight, make out your papers, and give you full directions for getting aboard the s.h.i.+p. It appears she's short of hands; indeed, even without a single sailor. _And_, by the way, Harry, if you apply soon enough, it's good as certain you'll be made mate-- first at that; all the more from your being able to speak Spanish. It's too late for you to do anything about it to-night; but don't oversleep yourself. Be at the s.h.i.+p-agent's to-morrow betimes.”
”Ye can trust me for that, sir. I'll show my figurehead there first thing in the mornin'. No fears o' any one getting theer afore me, if they've not gone a'ready.”
”I think no one will be before you--I hope not. Send us word how you have succeeded, as the _Crusader_ will likely be in port long enough for us to hear from you. Still, as she may sail on short notice, we may not see you again. Remember, then, what we've said about the senoritas. We shall rely upon your fidelity.”
”An' well may ye, masters. You can both trust your lives to Harry Blew, an' those of them as is dear to you.”
”All right, old boy!” exclaims Crozier, satisfied. ”We must now part; but let's hope we'll meet again. When you get back to England you know where to find me. So, good-bye! Give us a grip of your honest fist, and G.o.d bless you!”
Saying this, he grasps the h.o.r.n.y hand of the sailor, and warmly presses it. The pressure is returned by a squeeze that gives a.s.surance of more than ordinary friends.h.i.+p. It is the grip of true grat.i.tude; and the look which accompanies it tells of a devoted friends.h.i.+p, bordering on adoration.
Cadwallader also exchanges a like parting salutation; after which, the young officers start off, to continue their cruise through the streets of ”Frisko.”