Part 20 (2/2)
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
AN INHOSPITABLE HOSTELRY.
Harry Blew stands in the doorway of the ”Sailor's Home,” watching the two gentlemen as they walk away, his eyes glowing with grat.i.tude and sparkling with joy. And no wonder, considering the change in his situation brought about by their influence. Ten minutes before, his spirits were at the lowest and darkest. But the prospect of treble, or quadruple pay on board a snug s.h.i.+p, though it be a trading-vessel, with the additional chance of being mate instead of foremast-man, has given him a fillip, not only restoring them to their ordinary condition of cheeriness, but raising them to the highest exaltation.
The only damper is regret at parting with the fine young fellow who has done so much for him. But he has pa.s.sed through that already, when separating from his s.h.i.+p, and can now better bear it under the reflection that, though apart from his patron, he will have an opportunity of doing something to show his grat.i.tude. He knows how much Crozier is interested in the wellbeing of Carmen Montijo--for Harry has been made acquainted with her name, as also that of Inez Alvarez--and to be entrusted with a sort of guardians.h.i.+p over these young ladies is a proud thought to the ex-man-o'-war's man--a fine feather in his cap.
To carry out the confidence thus reposed in him will be a labour of love; and he vows in his heart it shall be done, if need be, at the risk of life.
Indeed, the interview just ended has made a new man of him in more senses than one; for upon the spot he registers a mental resolve to give up dram-drinking for ever, or at all events till he has seen his charge--the two Spanish senoritas--safe landed at Panama, and the Chilian s.h.i.+p snug in the harbour of Valparaiso. After that, he is less sure that he may not again go upon a spree, and possibly a big one.
Heaving a sigh as the English officers pa.s.s out of sight, he turns back into the bar-room. It is no longer a question of his going aboard the _Crusader_. He must remain ash.o.r.e, to be up betimes in the morning, so that he may be early at the office of the s.h.i.+p-agent.
And now, again, a shadow, though only a slight one, comes over his countenance. He has still before him the undetermined question, where he is to sleep. Notwithstanding his fine prospects for the future, the present is still unchanged, and yet unprovided for.
Unfortunately, he did not think of this while the officers were with him, else a word would have made all well. Either of them, he doubted not, would have relieved his necessities had they been but told of them.
Too late now; they are gone out of sight, out of hail, and whether he cannot tell or guess; and to attempt searching for them in such crowded streets would be only a waste of time.
While thus ruefully reflecting, he is confronted by the bar-keeper, whose usually grave countenance is now beset with smiles. The fellow has got it into his head that his sailor-guest is no longer impecunious.
The navy gentlemen just gone have no doubt been to engage him for their s.h.i.+p, and perhaps made him an advance of wages.
”Well, my salt,” says he, in a tone of jocular familiarity, ”I guess you've got the s.h.i.+ners now, an' kin settle up your score?”
”No, indeed, sir,” answers Harry, more than ever taken aback; ”I'm sorry to say I ha'n't.”
”You hain't! Then what hev them gold-b.u.t.toned fellers been palaverin'
ye about?”
”Not about money, master. Them's two o' the officers belongin' to my old s.h.i.+p--the British frigate _Crusader_. An' fine young fellows they be too.”
”Much good their finikin fineness seems to hev done you! So they hain't gin you nuthin' better than their talk, hev they? Nuthin' besides?”
”Nothing besides,” rejoins Blew, restraining his temper, a little touched by the bar-keeper's inquisitiveness, as also his impertinent manner.
”Nuthin' but fine words, eh? Well, thar's plenty o' them 'bout hyar, but they won't b.u.t.ter no parsnips; and let me tell you, my sailor-man, they won't pay your board bill.”
”I know that,” returns the other, still keeping his temper. ”But I hope to have money soon.”
”Oh! that's been your story for the last two days; but it won't bamboozle me any longer. You get no more credit here.”
”Can't I have supper, and bed for another night?”
”No; that you can't--not so much as a shake-down.”
”I'll pay for them first thing in the mornin'.”
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