Part 20 (2/2)
”But I can't see the stem, uncle.”
”What a speech for a seaman to make! Don't you see the fire in the bowl?”
”Yes, of course.”
”Well, just make a grab two inches astarn of the bowl and you'll hook the stem.”
The captain was looking earnestly into the bowl while he spoke, stuffing down the burning tobacco with the end of his little finger. Ruby, acting in rather too prompt obedience to the instructions, made a ”grab”
as directed, and caught his uncle by the nose.
A yell and an apology followed of course, in the midst of which the fourth pipe was demolished.
”Oh! uncle, what a pity!”
”Ah! Ruby, that comes o' inconsiderate youth, which philosophers tell us is the nat'ral consequence of unavoidable necessity, for you can't put a young head on old shoulders, d'ye see?”
From the tone in which this was said Ruby knew that the captain was shaking his head gravely, and from the noise of articles being kicked about and falling, he became aware that the unconquerable man was filling a fifth pipe.
This one was more successfully managed, and the captain once more got into his hammock, and began to enjoy himself.
”Well, Ruby, where was I? O ay; what's to hinder you goin' and gettin'
employed in the Bell Rock workyard? There's plenty to do, and good wages there.”
It may be as well to inform the reader here, that although the operations at the Bell Rock had come to an end for the season about the beginning of October, the work of hewing the stones for the lighthouse was carried on briskly during the winter at the workyard on sh.o.r.e; and as the tools, etcetera, required constant sharpening and mending, a blacksmith could not be dispensed with.
”Do you think I can get in again?” enquired Ruby.
”No doubt of it, lad. But the question is, are ye willin' to go if they'll take you?”
”Quite willing, uncle.”
”Good: then that's all square, an' I knows how to lay my course--up anchor to-morrow mornin', crowd all sail, bear down on the workyard, bring-to off the countin'-room, and open fire on the superintendent.”
The captain paused at this point, and opened fire with his pipe for some minutes.
”Now,” he continued, ”there's another thing I want to ax you. I'm goin'
to-morrow afternoon to take a cruise along the cliffs to the east'ard in the preventive boat, just to keep up my sea legs. They've got scent o'
some smugglin' business that's goin' on, an' my friend Leftenant Lindsay has asked me to go. Now, Ruby, if you want a short cruise of an hour or so you may come with me.”
Ruby smiled at the manner in which this offer was made, and replied:
”With pleasure, uncle.”
”So, then, that's settled too. Good night, nephy.”
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