Part 24 (2/2)
”Very well; I shall trust you. If I return soon enough to join you at Portsmouth, I shall do so. Good-by, now, and a pleasant cruise to you;”
and Captain Littleton went over the side.
”Good-by, sir,” replied the crew.
”That's first rate--isn't it?” whispered Tom Nettle, as the captain departed. ”I am glad he isn't going.”
”So am I,” replied Frank Thompson.
”We shall not have him watching us all the time. Let me tell you, there is fun ahead now,” added Thomas.
Captain Briskett, who was to be first officer of the Flyaway, as well as pilot, summoned them to the windla.s.s to heave up the anchor; and in a few minutes the yacht was standing down the harbor under all sail. The Teneans gave three rousing cheers, and then distributed themselves in various parts of the deck to enjoy the exciting scene.
”All hands aft,” said Captain Gordon, when the yacht had reached the open bay.
”Ay, ay, sir,” replied several, as the crew took their places in the standing room.
”Now, boys, we must make our arrangements. When a s.h.i.+p goes to sea, it is customary to divide the crew into two watches. I shall take the starboard watch, and Captain Briskett the larboard. Each of us will choose a man in his turn till all are taken.”
”Go on,” said Captain Briskett.
”Henry Littleton,” replied the skipper.
”Paul Duncan,” added the pilot.
And so they proceeded till all the boys were chosen, except John, who resented the slight thus put upon him. To satisfy him, therefore, he was taken into the captain's watch.
”There are only eight berths in the cabin, boys, and you must draw lots for them,” continued the master; ”but they are all wide enough to hold two each. Now, if you want to pair off, you can do so.”
Lots were drawn, and Paul and Henry were to occupy the same berth. Again John found himself thrown out of the calculation; but the captain said he would make a bed for him on a locker, and he was satisfied. The boys then went below to see their berths, which had all been numbered for the occasion.
CHAPTER XVI.
PAUL WITNESSES A MUTINY.
When the Flyaway had pa.s.sed Farm Island, and reached the fis.h.i.+ng ground, she lay to, for the purpose of enabling the crew to catch a few cod and haddock, for the chowder and fry. But cod and haddock are singularly obstinate at times, and persistently refuse to appreciate the angler's endeavors in their behalf. They were so on the present occasion, and it was two hours before the chief of the culinary department could say there were enough to satisfy the ravenous appet.i.tes of the sixteen persons on board. Some of the boys had actually decided that fis.h.i.+ng was a nuisance, but they were just as fond of chowder as those who enjoyed the fun even of catching only one fish per hour.
As fast as they were caught, d.i.c.k dressed them and prepared them for the chowder pot or the frying pan. There were some queer fish caught, including quite a number of sculpins, ”a wolfer eel,”--so Captain Briskett called him,--and a large catfish. The latter was an ugly monster, having dangerous-looking teeth, with which he laid hold of everything that came in his way. There was also in the collection a large skate, or ray, which called forth some rather large fish stories from the two experienced skippers on board.
As the culinary department was now supplied, the yacht stood away for Gloucester, which was to be her first port. They had a fine wind, and before the chowder was ready, the Flyaway was in sight of the Reef of Norman's Woe.
”Dinner is ready,” said d.i.c.k, at last, for the stomachs of the boys had been in a state of rebellion for two hours.
There was a grand rush for the cabin; but, to the astonishment of the hungry crew, Captain Gordon placed himself at the companion way, and would not permit a single one of them to go below.
”That's not the way to do on board s.h.i.+p,” said he. ”Are you all going below at once?”
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