Part 26 (1/2)

The captain, froain acted the stoay, and I flattered myself that I had not spoken an untruth, while I had avoided saying anything which would offend him

I observed that old Growles had come aft, and was then within earshot

The captain seemed rather pleased than otherwise that I had not wished to leave the shi+p

”Go forward,” he said, ”and let me see that you do your duty”

He was evidently in better huht which he had not expected Touching my cap, I hurried to the caboose

Caesar rolled his eyes and opened his mouth with astonishment when he saw me

”Where you been all dis time, dick?” he asked

”That's rub, for I'avefor himself

”Dis curious shi+p,” he said, as he remarked the ravenous way in which I devoured the food ”I no ask questions, you no tell lies, dat is it

Oh you wise boy”

I suspected from this that Caesar had observed the visits of old Growles and the boatswain to the hold, and shrewdly guessed that I had been a prisoner I could not understand, however, how the captain didn't nisant of the fact; but of that I was left in uncertainty I had expected froe for the better would take place in my condition, but in this I wasto do all the dirty work in the cabin, and being knocked about and bullied by the men just as much as before

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

My position does not improve--Another attempt at escape frustrated-- Becale--Not dead yet--I gain so me, and I determine to quit the shi+p--A carouse--My escape, and how I accoht land--The rock and -place--My search for food--I meet with an accident--I lose e across the Pacific Whatever better feelings the captain had at one time displayed towards me completely disappeared I was treated by him and the officers and men as badly as ever My spirit was not broken, and perhaps I may at times have shown too refractory a disposition to please them I was co and vexatious as they often were I did not show s so much by what I said as by my looks, and I often stopped to consider whether or no I would do as I was told

We fell in with a few shi+ps--most of them whalers--the captains of which soht be able to get off in one of thee for the worse, but I in vain watched for an opportunity

One evening ere becalmed to the southward of japan, not far off a South Sea whaler The cofleet, ca with hierly till it had becohts of the other shi+p could be seen in the distance, and I expected every instant that the captain would come on deck ready to take his departure The boat's crew had coht if I could ht stow myself away under the foremost thwart, and should not be discovered till I had reached the other shi+p

I would then tell my story to the commander, who if he would not have compassion on me would probably not think it worth while to send ht spring up and the shi+ps be separated

I waited concealed under the long-boat stowed amidshi+ps till I fancied that there was no one near the side where the whale-boat lay I then crept out and got into the e hand was placed on my shoulder, and I heard a voice which I knew to be that of old Growles

”Coet off as easily as you fancy It's lucky for you that you didn't get into the boat, for you would have been found to a certainty, and handed over to our skipper, ould have knocked the life out of you”

”What's all this about? How did you knoanted to get into the boat?” I asked, in a tone of assu ever since she caside,” answered Growles; ”so take that--and that,”--and hauling me inboard, he bestowed several bloith the end of a rope on my back

I ran forward to escape from him, and stowed myself away in my bunk, as it was o of furs was discharged, and for which I believe a very high price was obtained I had no wish, fro theh I had reason to believe that I was all the time narroatched by old Growles and the boatswain

Instead of the furs and skins we shi+pped a cargo of tea in chests, and other Chinese produce Part of this was to be landed at Sydney, New South Wales, and the rest, if no market could be found there for it, was to be carried on to Ae, and consequently my miseries I had hitherto been supported by the expectation of soon reaching hoe

I had no dislike to the sea; and had I been well treated even in my subordinate position I should have been contented to remain where I was, and to try and learn as much as I could; but to be kicked and beaten and knocked down every day of my life--to have the dirtiest of work and the worst of food--to be sworn at and abused at all hours--ht standing just before the windlass, when I said so which offended Sam Dixon, one of the men In return he struck me a blow on the head I must have fallen immediately, and rolled down directly under the windlass Perhaps fancying that he had killedto anybody as to what he had done