CHAPTER X
THE YOUNG SAILOR
The crew of the Nantucket consisted of twelve sailors and a boy, notcounting the officers. This boy was about Harry's age, but an inch ortwo shorter, and with great breadth of shoulders. He had agood-natured face, and was a general favorite on board, as is apt tobe the case with a boy, if he possesses any attractive qualities. Hecame from New Hampshire and he was known as Jack.
It was natural that Harry, as the only other boy on board, though apassenger, should be attracted to Jack. He took an opportunity whenJack was off duty to have a chat with him.
"How long have you been a sailor, Jack?" he asked.
"Three years; I first went to sea when I was thirteen."
"How did you happen to go in the first place?"
"I may say to begin with, that I always liked the water. I was born ina little village bordering Lake Winnipiseogee, and was out on the lakewhenever I could get the chance, either in a rowboat or sailboat. Ifelt as much at home on the water as on the land. Still, I nevershould have gone to sea had it not been for my stepfather."
"Then you have a stepfather?"
"Yes. My father died when I was ten, leaving my mother a little farmand a comfortable house. I was a young boy, and it is hard for a womanto carry on a farm. A man came into town, and started in some smallbusiness. He pretended that he had money, but I guess he had preciouslittle. At any rate, he didn't object to more. Pretty soon he fixedhis eyes on our farm, and, finding that mother owned it clear, he gotto coming round pretty often. I never liked him, though he pretendedto be fond of me, and used to pat me on the head, and bring me candy.I wondered what made him come so often, but I didn't mistrust anythingtill one day mother called me and said she had something important tosay to me.
"'Jack,' she said, 'what do you think of Mr. Bannock?'
"'I don't think much of him,' I answered.
"'He is to be your father, Jack. I have promised to marry him.'
"'You may marry him,' I answered hotly, 'but he will be no father ofmine. My father lies in the churchyard. I wish he were alive again.'
"'So do I, Jack' said mother, wiping her eyes, 'but we know that can'tbe.'"
"How did he treat you, Jack?" asked Harry, interested.
"He never liked me, and I didn't like him at all He tried to imposeupon me, and order me round, but he didn't make out much. Still, hewas always annoying me in mean little ways, and finally I got all Icould stand, and the long and short of it is that I ran away toPortsmouth, and went on a coasting voyage. After I got back I shippedfrom Boston for Liverpool, and ever since I've kept sailing in onedirection or another. This will be my longest voyage."
"Haven't you been to see your mother since you left home three yearsago?" Harry inquired.
"Of course I have," said Jack, promptly. "I always go to see her assoon as I get home from a voyage. Poor mother! She was looking paleand thin when I saw her three weeks ago. I am sure she has repentedmarrying, but she won't own up. When I'm a man----"
"Well, Jack; when you're a man?"
"I'll see that she has a better time, and if old Bannock don't like ithe can clear out. I think he will anyway."
"Clear out?"
"Yes; he will have spent all the property by that time, and when thatis done, he won't make much objection to going away. Then I will takecare of mother, and see that she does not suffer for anything."
"You are right, Jack. I sympathize with you. I hope you'll succeed. Ionly wish I had a mother to look out for," and Harry's fine face worean expression of sadness. "But there's one thing I can't help saying,though I don't want to discourage you."
"What is that, Harry?"
"I don't see how you are going to lay up much money in going beforethe mast. Your pay must be small."
"It is. I only earn ten dollars a month," replied Jack.
"And out of that you must buy your clothes?"
"Yes, that's true."
"Then how do you expect to better yourself?" asked Harry, lookingperplexed.
"I'll tell you, if you won't say anything about it," answered Jack, ina lower tone.
"Go ahead."
"We are going to Australia, you know. I've heard there are goodchances of making money there, in mining or herding cattle, and I meanto leave the ship at Melbourne. Of course, I don't want anything saidabout it."
"Do you think the captain would try to prevent you, Jack?"
"I think he would. He don't like me, at any rate."
"Why not?"
"That is more than I can tell, but I can see that he has a prejudiceagainst me."
The boys were so absorbed in their talk that they did not notice theapproach of the captain till his harsh voice was heard.
"What are you two boys chattering about?" he demanded, with a frown.
Jack turned round startled, but Harry faced the captain calmly, anddid not speak.
"Will you answer me?" he repeated, raising his voice.
"I was talking about home and my mother," said Jack.
"Mighty interesting, upon my word! And what were you talking about?"continued Captain Hill, turning to Harry.
"That can be of no interest to you, Captain Hill," said Harry, coldly."You appear to forget that I am a passenger."
As he walked away, the captain regarded him with an ominous scowl. Hewished that for fifteen minutes Harry had been one of the crew. It wasfortunate for Jack that his temper was diverted, for, apparentlyforgetting the young sailor, he strode on, and Jack managed to slipdown to the forecastle.
This was not by any means the last conversation Harry had with JackPendleton--for this he found to be the young sailor's name--and theysoon became excellent friends.
"Jack," said Harry, one day, "I never should take you to be a sailorif I met you on land."
"Why not?"
"Because you talk like a well-educated boy."
"So I am. I was always fond of my books, and stood high in school. Butfor my stepfather I might be there yet. As it is, my education stoppedat the age of thirteen."
"Not necessarily. You have learned a good deal since."
"Yes, but not of books. I hope sometime to be able to continue mystudies. At present it is my business to learn seamanship."
Harry had the more time on his hands, as his traveling companion, theprofessor, took sick, and was confined for three or four weeks to hiscabin. There was no danger, but still the ship's surgeon advised himto stay below.
"What makes you keep company with that boy, Mr. Vane?" askedMontgomery Clinton, who would have liked more of Harry's societyhimself.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because he is a common sailor, don't you know."
"I think he is rather an uncommon sailor. He is very well educated."
"Oh, yes; I suppose he can read and write; but, of course, he cannever be admitted into society, don't you know?"
"No, I don't, Mr. Clinton. He may be a captain some day."
"But he isn't now. I give you my word, I noticed this morning, whenyou were speaking with him, that his fingers were all soiled with tar.That's horrid, don't you know."
"Don't you think he's a good-looking boy, Mr. Clinton?"
"Well, yes; I suppose, for one of the lower order, Mr. Vane."
"You forget we don't have any distinction of classes in America."
"Don't we though? By Jove! Mr. Vane, you don't put yourself on a levelwith those creatures that dig ditches and climb masts, and suchthings?"
"Your sentiments are very undemocratic, Mr. Clinton. You ought to havebeen born in England."
"I wish I had been. I like their institutions a good deal better thanours, don't you know?"
"When I first spoke with you, Mr. Clinton, I thought you might be anEnglishman."
"Did you, really?" inquired Clinton, with evident pleasure. "I'm oftentaken for an Englishman, on my honor. I don't know why it is, butpositively, I'm often asked when I came from the other side."
"Would you rather be taken for an Englishma
n than an American?"
"Well, you see, there are some Americans that are so vulgar, don't youknow--talk through their noses, and all that."
"Where were you born, Mr. Clinton?"
"In Massachusetts, not far from Boston."
"By the way, Mr. Vane, are you descended from Sir Henry Vane, one ofthe royal governors of Massachusetts? I have been meaning to ask you."
"I can't tell you, Mr. Clinton; but my name happens to be thesame--Harry."
"Really, that is very interesting. I should think you would look upthe matter."
"Perhaps I will when I return home!" said Harry, who cared very littleabout the matter. From this time, however, Clinton regarded him withincreased respect, and manifested an increased liking for his society,from his supposed aristocratic lineage. Our hero treated him withgood-natured toleration, but much preferred the company of JackPendleton, sailor as he was, though his fingers were not infrequentlysmeared with tar. Harry did not mind this; but was attracted by thefrank, good-humored face of young Jack, and was always glad to have achat with him. He had a chance, though at considerable personal risk,to do him a signal service before long.
The captain's habits, it must be said, did not improve. His stock ofliquor was ample, and he continued to indulge himself. Generally hekept within safe bounds, but at times he allowed his appetite to getthe better of him. Whenever that happened, it was fortunate if hedrank himself into a state of stupefaction, and remained in his cabin,leaving the management of the ship to the mate, Mr. Holdfast, who wasthoroughly temperate. Unfortunately, he was not always content toremain in the cabin. He would stagger upstairs and give orders whichmight or might not, be judicious.
One day--it was about a month after they left port--Captain Hill cameup on deck in one of his worst fits of intoxication. All thepassengers were on deck, it being a fair day. They regarded thecaptain with alarm, for in his hand he held a pistol, which he carriedin such careless style that it might be discharged at any time.
Jack Pendleton had been sent up to the masthead on some duty by themate. The captain's roving eyes fell upon him, and the dislike he feltfor the boy found vent.
"What are you doing up there, you young lubber?" he shouted.
"Mr. Holdfast sent me," answered Jack.
"You lie!" roared the captain. "I'll teach you to lie to me!"
"I'll come down, sir," said Jack, "if you say so."
"I'll bring you down!" shouted the captain, furiously, as hedeliberately pointed the pistol at the cabin boy, and prepared to pullthe trigger.
There was a cry of horror on the part of the passengers as they sawthe insane act of the captain, and realized the peril of poor Jack.But, in spite of all, the boy would probably have fallen a victim tothe drunken fury of Captain Hill. Jack himself fully understood hisdanger, and his ruddy face turned pale. His life hung in the balance,and was saved only by the courage of his boy friend, Harry.
Of all the passengers, Harry stood nearest to the captain. When he sawthe pistol pointed at Jack, he did not stop to think, but made abound, and dashed the weapon from the captain's hand. It wasdischarged but the bullet sped over the rail and dropped into theocean. Nor did Harry stop here. He seized the fallen pistol, andhurled it over the side of the vessel.
The captain was for the moment stupefied by the suddenness of the act.Then, in a voice of fury, he exclaimed, pointing to Harry: "Put thatboy in irons!"