CHAPTER VII
BOB IS DELIGHTED
The excitement caused by Bob's prank had somewhat quieted down, andthe preparations went on for giving the young people their supper.Several of Bob's chums, however, fearful that they might besuspected of having taken part in the trick, left the church.
As a matter of fact, though, Bob alone was concerned. He hadthought of the trick, procured a bottle of liquid glue from the drugstore, and, watching his chance, had poured it on the chair. Thenhe had told his chums of it, and they had withdrawn with him to thegallery to watch events, which came quickly enough.
At the supper-table of the young people, little was talked of butBob's prank, and opinion was pretty evenly divided as to what wouldhappen.
"Maybe the minister will have him arrested," suggested one girl.
"Oh, I don't think so," was the opinion of another. "Mr. Blacktonis a kind-hearted man, and he likes Bob."
"But I don't believe he'll like him after tonight."
"Maybe not. It was a mean thing to do, but I couldn't help laughingwhen the minister stood up and the chair went with him, swingingaround every time he moved, the legs hitting everybody."
"Yes, it was odd. I had to laugh, too."
The girls and several of their companions indulged in merriment atthe recollection. The minister soon returned to the church parlors,wearing a different pair of trousers, and he seemed to have regainedhis good humor.
"Who was the boy who wanted me to remain seated all the evening, andperhaps longer?" he asked.
"It was Bob Henderson," volunteered several.
"Yes, Mr. Blackton," said Mrs. Henderson. "I am sorry to have toadmit that it was my son who played that prank. But he is going tobe punished for it. His father has sent him home and has followedafter him."
"I hope he will not punish Bob too severely. It was a boyish prank,due more to thoughtlessness than to malice."
"I suppose it was, but Bob plays altogether too many such pranks. Ithink this will be the last."
"Well, tell Bob I forgive him, though my trousers are ruined."
"Mr. Henderson will arrange with you about that."
"What--er--what chastisement does he contemplate administering toBob?" asked the minister. He and Mrs. Henderson were conversing offto one side, in a corner of the room. "I hope he will not whip him.Bob is too big a boy to be whipped."
"Still, parson, you know what the Good Book says: 'Spare the rod andspoil the child.'"
"Yes, Mrs. Henderson, I know. Chastisement is all right in manycases, but there are other means."
"And it is my plan to take them," went on Bob's mother. "I havejust made arrangements with Captain Spark to take Bob with him on along sea voyage."
"A sea voyage? That ought to be fine. Yes, I think that will bebetter than whipping Bob. Tell your husband I said so."
"I shall. Now, if you will excuse me, I must see that these youngpeople have plenty to eat. They are a hungry lot."
"Indeed they are. Don't forget to tell Bob I forgive him. I don'twant him to worry. Tell him, also, that he must be a little morethoughtful."
"I will."
When Captain Spark and Mrs. Henderson went home from the donationsupper that night they discussed on the way the further plans ofsending Bob to sea.
"We must consult Mr. Henderson about it," said the captain.
"I shall, this very night. I will put up with Bob's nonsense nolonger."
Mr. Henderson was found sitting in the dining-room, reading a paper.He had sent Bob to bed on arriving at the house, for Mr. Hendersonwas a man who did not believe in inflicting punishment in the heatof passion. He wanted to calm down before he decided how his sonought to be made to realize the wrong he had done. To tell thetruth, he was quite at a loss just what punishment to inflict.
He had thought of a sound whipping, but he realized, as had theminister, that Bob was too old for this. Nothing so breaks theproud spirit of a boy as personal chastisement, after he has reacheda certain age.
And, as yet, Mr. Henderson was not aware of the proposition CaptainSpark had made to Bob's mother, and her practical acceptance of it.Of course, Mr. Henderson had heard the first talk of sending Bob tosea, but after his wife's refusal to consider it he had thought nomore about it.
"Well, Enos," asked Mrs. Henderson, as she and the captain entered,"have you considered what to do with Bob?"
"I have, Lucy, but I have reached no conclusion."
"I have."
"You have? What is it?"
"I am going to send him on a voyage with Captain Spark. That is, ifyou consent."
"I will agree to anything you think best. But I think you will findit hard work to get Bob to go. I fear he will dislike the idea verymuch."
"Why so?" inquired the captain.
"Well, Bob has many friends in the village--many boy-chums--and Ithink he would object very strongly to leaving them, and going offamong a lot of strange men in a ship."
"I wouldn't be a stranger to him."
"No, you would not, but the others would be. And I think he wouldbe somewhat afraid."
"Afraid? What's there to be afraid of on the ocean, with a stoutdeck beneath your feet? The ocean is the safest place in the world.I'm frightened half out of my wits every time I come on land. Thereare so many chances of accidents. The train may run off the track,steam-boilers may blow up, there may be an earthquake, a wild bullmay chase you, you may fall down a coal-hole and break your neck, ora building may topple over on you while you're walking peacefullyalong the street. No such things as those can happen to you on theocean."
"No, perhaps not, but there are others as bad, or worse, captain."
"Nonsense! It may blow a bit, now and then, but all you've got todo is mind your helm and you'll come out all right."
"I am glad you think so. I should be very glad to have Bob make atrip with you. I think it would do him good, but I fear he willobject to it."
"I don't think so. We'll propose it to him in the morning."
Bob came down to breakfast feeling rather sheepish. He had beenwondering, during the time he was not sleeping, what form ofpunishment his father would inflict.
The lad had an uneasy feeling that he might have to make a publicapology before the whole church congregation. This he felt would bevery embarrassing. He also had an idea that his father might takehim from school and put him to work in the mill. Mr. Henderson hadonce threatened this when Bob had played some particularly annoyingprank. And Bob liked his school very much, in spite of the trickshe played.
"Well, my son," said Mr. Henderson, more solemnly than he usuallyspoke, "I trust you have a proper feeling of regret for what you didlast night."
"Yes. I wish I hadn't done it," said Bob. "I didn't think it wouldmake so much trouble. I didn't mean to use so much glue."
"Well, there is no use in discussing that now. The thing is done.You remember I told you I would have to punish you?"
"Yes, sir."
"I have talked it over with your mother and Captain Spark, and wehave made up our minds what to do. You are going to be sent on along sea voyage with Captain Spark, in the _Eagle_. You will beaway from home a long time, and, when you return, I trust you willhave mended your ways."
For a few seconds Bob did not speak. The proposition was so suddento him that he did not exactly comprehend it.
"I'm to go to sea with Captain Spark?" he asked slowly.
"That is the punishment we have decided on, my son."
"Where are you going, captain?" asked Bob.
"I'm bound for 'round Cape Horn this trip. Oh, you'll get all theocean you want, but it will make a man of you."
"When are you going to sail?" asked Bob in a quiet voice.
"Next week."
"Good!" exclaimed the youth suddenly. "I'll be ready. Oh, I alwayswanted to make a sea voyage, and now I have the chance. This is thebest ever! Hurrah! That's the stuff! 'A life on, the ocean wave,a home on the
bounding deep!' Avast and belay, my hearties! Shivermy timbers! All hands on deck to take in sail! There she blows!"
Bob had not read sea stories for nothing.
"That's the way to talk!" exclaimed the captain. "I knew he'd likethe idea!"
Mr. Henderson seemed somewhat amazed. He had expected Bob to makestrong objections. Instead the boy was delighted.
"I am sorry to see you leave home, Bob," said his mother, with justthe hint of tears in her eyes, "but I think it will be the bestthing for you."
"So do I, mom. Hurrah! This is the best ever!"
Then Bob began to dance a sailor's hornpipe.
"It seems to me," said Mr. Henderson to himself, as he started forthe mill, "that Bob's punishment is more of a pleasure than anythingelse. Still, if it does him good, I'll not regret it."