Part 6 (1/2)
”I don't like to be separated from my cousin. We s.h.i.+pped together, and I should like to remain with him as long as possible.”
”Oh, as to that,” said the captain, ”you can't expect to be together long; there is no certainty that you will be ordered to the same s.h.i.+p. You might as well separate one time as another. I think you had better accept this position.”
”I should like to speak with my cousin before I decide, sir.”
”Very well; look alive, and don't keep me waiting.”
Archie touched his hat, and hurried below.
”What did he want with you?” inquired Frank, who was sitting with Simpson on their mess-chest.
Archie told his story, and ended by saying:
”I don't believe I'll take it; for I don't want to leave you.”
”You're foolish,” said Simpson; for, as the captain said, you can't expect to remain together a great while. To-morrow one of you may be ordered to a vessel in the c.u.mberland River, and the other to the lower fleet. Better take it; Frank can take care of himself.”
”Yes” said Frank, ”I should certainly take it, if I were in your place.
You'll be an officer then, you know.”
”Yes, I shall be an officer,” said Archie, contemptuously; ”and if I meet one of you anywhere, I mustn't a.s.sociate with you at all. No sir; I'll go and tell the captain I can't take it.”
”But, hold on a minute,” said Frank, as his cousin was about to move away; ”perhaps you may find that there is another good place, and then you can recommend me.”
”That's so,” said Archie; ”I did not think of that; I believe I'll take it;” and he hurried on deck again.
”Well, what conclusion have you come to?” inquired the captain. ”Will you take it?”
”Yes, sir, with many thanks for your kindness.”
”What is your cousin's name?”
Archie told him, and the captain continued:
”I'll keep an eye open for him. I don't forget that I was young once myself; and I know that a sailor's life is rather tough for one who is not accustomed to it; and when I find a deserving young man, I like to help him along. Mr. Tyler,” he continued, turning to the officer of the deck; ”please send this young man over to the fleet paymaster's office in the first boat that leaves the s.h.i.+p. You need not take your donnage,” he said, turning to Archie again; ”if you suit the paymaster, you can come over for it at any time.”
”Very good, sir,” answered Archie; and he went below again.
When the ten o'clock boat was called away, Archie, in obedience to the captain's order, was sent over to the paymaster's office; and Frank was left alone. He watched the boat until it reached the landing, and he saw his cousin spring out. He then walked aft, and seated himself on the mess-chest, and commenced writing a letter to his mother. While he was thus engaged, he heard the order pa.s.sed, in a loud voice: ”All you men that belonged to the Illinois, muster on the forecastle with your bags and hammocks.”
As Frank hastened to obey the order, he met Simpson, who exclaimed:
”We're off again, my hearty; and I'm glad of it. I don't like to lay around here.”
”Where are we going?” inquired Frank.
”I don't know for certain; but I suspect we are to be the crew of the store-s.h.i.+p Milwaukee, now lying alongside the wharf-boat.”
Simpson's surmise proved to be correct. The entire crew of the Illinois, with the exception of Archie, was mustered around the capstan; and after answering to their names, they were crowded into a cutter that lay alongside, and, in a few moments, were landed on board the Milwaukee.
She had steam up; her stores were on board, and she was all ready to sail; and the crew had scarcely time to stow away their bags and hammocks, when the order was pa.s.sed: ”All hands stand by to get s.h.i.+p under way.”