CHAPTER FIVE.
THE "SILVER STAR."
A busy fortnight followed, during which Jack Meadows accompanied hisfather and the doctor up to town pretty well every day, to visittailors, hatters, hosiers, gunsmiths, fishing-tackle-makers,naturalists, provision dealers, and help to spend money at a liberalrate upon the many necessaries for a long voyage. To do the ladjustice, he tried hard to hide his distaste for all that was being done,and assumed an interest in the various purchases, making Sir John appearpleased, while Doctor Instow patted his shoulder, and told him that helooked brighter already. But when alone at night his depression cameback, and there were moments when, tired out, he told himself that hecould not bear it all, and that he must tell his father the next morningthat it was impossible--he could not go.
But when the morning; came he said nothing, for on rising the matter didnot look so black and gloomy by daylight, after a night's rest; and hefelt that it would be too cowardly to make such a declaration, when hisfather was doing everything and going to so great an expense entirelyfor his sake.
"Because he thinks me weak and ill," he said to himself; "and nothingwill persuade him that I am not."
That very morning, after a good sound night's rest, the boy woke withthe sun shining brightly into his bedroom, and he got up thinking he hadover-slept himself, but on looking round he found that his hot-water canhad not been brought in, nor his freshly-brushed boots and clothes, sohe rang impatiently.
"Disgraceful!" he said peevishly. "Ned thinks of nothing now but thevoyage, and everything is neglected."
But all the same his bell was not neglected, for in a very short timethere was a sharp tap at the door, and as the lad stood by his bedsidein his dressing-gown, the white top of a pith helmet appeared slowly,followed by the lower part of a grinning face, a dark-brownish coarsecanvas jacket, or rather a number of pockets stuck one above another,and attached to a pair of canvas sleeves; and next, a pair of leatherbreeches, ditto leggings, and to support all a very stout pair oflace-up boots.
As soon as all were inside the door, a familiar voice said--
"Morning sir. You are early."
"Early!" cried Jack angrily; "what do you mean by early?"
"Ten past six, sir."
"Nonsense! it must be nearly eight."
"Then all the clocks are wrong, sir, including my larum-scarum, for Iset it for half-past five, so as to be up early and try 'em on."
"And what do you mean by coming here dressed up in that Guy Fawkesfashion?"
"Guy Fawkes! Oh, I say, Master Jack, don't be hard on a fellow."
"You look ridiculous."
"I say, sir! Why, they fit lovely, all but this pith helmet, as is twosizes too large, and reg'larly puts one out. These came home late lastnight. Just the thing, ain't they?"
"Go down and take them off, and bring me my hot water, and clothes andboots."
"Why, they ain't cleaned yet, sir, and the kitchen fire ain't alight.There's no hot water neither. You don't mean to get up now?"
Jack looked undecided, and ended by getting back into bed.
"I thought it was late," he said, in a somewhat apologetic tone.
"Not it, sir--extra early, sir. I say, Master Jack, this is a topper,isn't it?" said the man, taking off the helmet. "A'most do for anumbrella in a big shower."
"Preposterous!"
"Think so, sir. Oh, I don't know what sort o' thing people wear in hotclimates. But I have got a rig-out, sir, and a waterproof bag, abullock trunk, and I dunno what all--most as many things as you have."
"Don't bother me about your things: go down, if it's so early, and comeback and call me at the proper time."
"Yes, sir; cert'nly, sir," said the man, stealing a glance at himself inthe looking-glass, and then standing examining his pith helmet as heheld it upon his outstretched hand.
"Well, then, why don't you go?" cried Jack. "I was a-thinking, sir. Isay, as you are awake, and there's plenty of time, why don't you try onsome of your noo things?"
"Bah! because I don't want to make myself ridiculous," said the ladpeevishly.
"You wouldn't look ridiculous, sir. You try 'em, and if I was you I'dgo down to breakfast in 'em. Sir John would be as pleased as Punch tosee you begin to take a little more interest in going."
"Look here!" cried Jack, springing from his pillow to sit upright inbed, "when I want any of your advice, sir, I will ask for it. Suchimpertinence!"
"Oh, I beg your pardon, sir, but I only thought you might like to dowhat Sir John would wish to see. I put 'em all straight last night, andlaid a suit of tweeds, with knickerbockers, brown plaid worstedstockings, and high-laced brown shooting-boots, all ready for you."
"Then it was like your insolence, sir."
"Yes, sir, and the boots are lovely, sir; just the thing! Stout strongwater-tights as lace on right to the knee. Leather's as soft as velvet.They'll be grand for you when you're going through the jungle wherethere's leeches and poisonous snakes."
"Ugh!" ejaculated the boy with a shudder.
"Oh, you needn't mind them, sir; I've been reading all about 'em in theNatural History Sir John's lent me. They always run away from you whenthey can."
"And when they cannot they bite venomously," cried Jack.
"That's it, sir," said Edward, "if they can."
"And they can," said Jack.
"If you don't kill 'em first," said the man, laughing, "and that's theproper thing to do. Kill everything that wants to kill you. Don't wantme then yet, sir?"
"Only to go," said Jack, throwing himself down again and drawing up thecoverings close to his ear.
"Yes, sir; I'll be back again at half-past seven."
Jack made no reply, and the man went off laughing to himself.
"He's getting stirred up," he said. "I never saw him take so muchnotice before."
Jack lay perfectly still for another hour, apparently asleep, but reallythinking very deeply of his position, and of how hard it seemed to bethat he should be obliged to give up his calm quiet life among his booksto go upon a journey which, the more he thought of it, seemed to growdarker and more repellent.
He was still thinking and wishing that he could find some way to escapewhen Edward came into the room again, bearing clothes, boots, andhot-water can.
"Half-past seven, sir," he said.
"Thank you."
"Very fine morning, sir," continued the man, arranging the things forhis young master's toilet, but there was no response.
"Looks as if it was going to be settled weather, sir."
Still no response.
"Just been to Sir John, sir, and he says that he forgot to tell meDoctor Instow would be over to breakfast."
Jack did not move, and Edward went close to the bedside.
"Beg pardon, sir," he said loudly; "it's more than half-past seven."
"Will you go away, and not pester me," cried Jack, turning upon himfiercely.
"Yes, sir; certainly, sir; beg pardon, sir, but you said I was never toleave you till you were regularly woke up."
Jack said something inarticulate, and Edward went out once moregrinning.
"My word!" he muttered; "he is coming round."
"I don't get a bit of peace," cried the boy peevishly, and he sprang outof bed, washed in hot water, shivered as he dried himself, and thenturned to begin dressing, and paused.
Which way should he go?
On two chairs a yard apart lay his clothes: on the left his things hehad worn the previous day; on his right, a suit specially made for thelife ashore that they were to live abroad; and after a little hesitationhe began to dress in that, finding everything feel strange, butcertainly very comfortable, and at last he stood there in garments verymuch like those in which the man had come in, and he looked at himselfin the glass.
Nothing could have been more comfortable and suitable, as he was fain toconfess; but all the same the inclination was strong to take them off.He resisted, however, and in due time went down, fe
eling strange andhalf ashamed of being seen.
Sir John was in the breakfast-room, and he looked up from his newspaperrather severely, but as soon as he caught sight of his son's alteredappearance, the paper dropped from his hands and he rose quickly.
"Thank you, Jack," he said warmly. "You did this to please me, and I ammore than pleased. It shows me that you are trying to make the bravefight I expect of you, as my son should. Hah! you will see the truth ofit all before long."
He would have said more, but the doctor was heard in the hall, anddirectly after he entered in his bluff fashion.
"Morning, morning," he cried; "splendid day for our trip. Why, bravo,Jack! The very thing. Your get-up is splendid, my lad, and it makes meimpatient to be off. You are going with us of course?"
"I suppose so," said Jack with a sigh.
"I don't mean on our trip, but to see the vessel."
That sounded to the boy like a temporary reprieve, and he lookedinquiringly at the doctor.
"I had not said anything about it to him," said Sir John. "We have hadparticulars from my agent of a large ocean-going steam yacht, my boy,which sounds well. It is really a sailing vessel, but fitted with ascrew for occasional use in calm or storm. She is lying at Dartmouth,and we are going down to see her to-day. Will you come?"
"Do you wish me to come, father?" said Jack.
"Of course I do, but what I do wish is to see you take an interest inall our preparations."
"I am trying to, father."
"Yes, and succeeding," said the doctor, "or you would not have come outlike you are this morning."
"How soon do you start?" said Jack hurriedly, to escape the doctor'sallusions to his dress.
"In half-an-hour. We have to get up to town, and then go across toPaddington."
"I'll hurry through my breakfast then, and go and change my things."
"What for?" cried the doctor. "You couldn't be better."
"But I should look so absurd, sir, dressed like this."
"Absurd?"
"The absurdity is only in your imagination, my boy," said Sir John. "Goas you are."
Jack looked troubled, but he said nothing, for he was making a bravefight to master his antipathy to his father's projects, and withoutanother word he went on with his breakfast, receiving the next time hecaught his father's eye a nod of approval which meant a good deal.
But the pith helmet was a severe trial just before the carriage came tothe door, and he stood in the hall with the round-topped head-piecestanding on the table, for it would recall Edward's extinguisher, andhis own remark that morning concerning the Guido-Fawkes-like aspect oftheir man.
"Don't seem to like your topper, Jack, lad," said the doctor, smiling.
"Well, who could?" cried the boy sharply. "It looks so absurd."
"Because you are not used to it, and will probably not see any one elsewearing one. Now for my part, I think it the very reverse of absurd,and a thoroughly sensible head-piece, light, well ventilated, and cool,a good protection from the sun, and thoroughly comfortable."
"What, that thing?"
"Yes, that thing. It is a hot sunny day, and we shall be out of doors agood deal when we get into Devonshire, so it is most suitable. Nowbetween ourselves, what would you have worn if left to yourself?"
"My black frock-coat and bat," said Jack quickly.
"Nice costume for a railway journey. Orchid in your button-hole ofcourse, and a pair of straw-coloured kid gloves, I suppose? I haveobserved that those are your favourite colour."
Jack nodded.
"Bah! Try and be a little more manly, my lad," said the doctor kindly."A healthy young fellow does not want to be so self-conscious, and todress himself up so as to look pretty and be admired--or laughed at."
"I'm more likely to be laughed at dressed like this, and with a thinglike half an egg-shell on my head."
"Fools will laugh at anything," said the doctor dryly; "but no one whoseopinion is worth notice would laugh at a sensible costume. You wouldhave gone down in a tall glossy hat, ironed and brushed up till itshines again. Hard, hot, uncomfortable, roughened at a touch, andperfectly absurd in a shower of rain. But it is the fashion, and youthink it's right. Ladies study fashion, lad; look at them after theyhave been caught in a shower. Now in that rig-out you could go throughanything."
"Ready?" said Sir John, taking a soft wide-awake from the hat-stand.
"Yes, and waiting," said the doctor; and they entered the carriage,which was driven off, Jack's last glance on leaving being at Edward onthe doorsteps, as he patted his head, evidently in allusion to his youngmaster's pith helmet.
"Oh, if I had only been behind him!" thought the lad indignantly; which,being analysed, meant that a most decided change was taking place, for amonth earlier Jack Meadows could not by any possibility have harbouredthe thought of kicking any one for a mocking gesture.
In good time the terminus was reached, and soon after the fast train waswhirling along, leaving the busy town behind, and off and away throughthe open country with gathering speed. Father and friend chatted awayto the lad, but he was listless and dull, refusing to be interested inanything pointed out; and at last a meaning look passed between hiscompanions, the doctor's eyes saying plainly enough--"Let him be: he'llcome round by and by."
But this did not seem likely to be the case, Jack not even beingattracted by the first glimpse of the beautiful estuary of the Dart whenit was reached in the evening, and they looked down from the heights asthe train glided along, at the town nestling up the slopes upon theother side of the water.
He did turn sharply once when the doctor said suddenly: "There are thetwo training ships for the naval cadets," and pointed at the oldmen-of-war with their tiers of ports, moored in midstream; and wasfeeling a strange sense of pity for the lads "cooped up," as he mentallycalled it, in the narrow limits of a ship, when the doctor suddenlyexclaimed, "Look, look! both of you. I'll be bound to say that's ouryacht."
Jack glanced sharply at what seemed in comparison with the hugemen-of-war, and seen at a distance, a little three-masted, white-lookingvessel with a dwarfed funnel, lying at anchor, but he turned pale andlistless again, utterly wearied out with his journey, nor did he reviveover the comfortable dinner of which he partook without appetite.
Sir John looked uneasy, but the doctor gave him a meaning nod.
"You won't care about going to look over the yacht this evening, Jack?"he said.
"I!" said the lad, almost imploringly. "No, not to-night."
"No; we're all tired," said the doctor. "I did not say anything to you,Meadows; but I thought we had done enough, so I sent off word to thecaptain to say that we had come down, and I shouldn't be surprised if hecomes over to the hotel by and by."
It fell out just as the doctor had said, for about half-an-hour laterthe waiter came into the room to say that Captain Bradleigh would beglad to see Sir John Meadows; and Jack looked up curiously as a ruddy,tan-faced, rather fierce-looking man, with very crisp hair, beardsprinkled with grey, and keen, piercing grey eyes, shaded by rathershaggy brows, entered, glanced quickly round as he took off hisgold-braided yachting cap, and at once addressed Sir John, as if quitesure that he was the principal.
"Sir John Meadows?" he said courteously, but with a ring of authority inhis words.
"Yes; will you sit down. This is my friend, Doctor Instow; my son."
The captain shook hands with the two elders, giving them a firm, manlygrip, short and sharp, as if he meant business; but his pressure ofJack's thin, white hand was gentle, and he retained it in his strong,firm palm as he said--
"Ah! father--doctor--you have been ill, young gentleman?"
"I? No," said Jack, with a look of resentment.
"Unwell, not bad," said the captain kindly. "Only want a sea-trip to doyou good;" and he smiled pleasantly, looking like an Englishman full offirmness and decision, such a one as people would like to trust in acase of emergency.
"I got your message, ge
ntlemen," he said, as he took a chair, "and Icame on at once."
"Thank you," said Sir John.
"The agent wrote me a long letter, saying you might come down; but I didnot think much of it, for I have had so many from him that have come tonothing."
"People don't like the yacht then?" said Sir John, rather anxiously.
"Oh yes, sir, they like the yacht," said the captain, with a littlelaugh. "No one could help liking her. They don't like the price."
"Ah, the price," said Sir John quietly; and the captain gave him asearching look.
"Yes, sir, the price; and it is a pretty good round sum; but I give youmy word it is just one-third of what it cost Mr Ensler."
"Oh! you know what it cost?" said Sir John.
"Well, I ought to, sir," said the captain, smiling, a peculiarly frank,pleasant smile. "When he came over from New York five years ago, I wasrecommended to him, and he trusted me fully. She was built under myeyes, up in the Clyde, and I watched everything, as she was fitted up ofthe very best material, regardless of expense. The cheques all passedthrough my hands, so I think I ought to know."
"Yes, of course. The agent told me the yacht was built expressly for anAmerican gentleman."
"That's right, sir. He's one of these millionaires who don't know howrich they are, for the money comes on rolling in. Restless, nervoussort of men who must be doing something, and then they want to dosomething else, and get tired of the idea before they've begun. He hadan idea that it would be a fine thing to imitate Brassey, but do itbetter, and sail round the world. So the _Silver Star_ was built,rigged and finished in style. I selected as good a crew of fifteenpicked, sea-going fellows as were procurable, and just a year ago westarted."
Jack began to grow interested.
"But you see, gentlemen, he was disappointed in her from the first."
"Hah!" said the doctor sharply; "now frankly, captain, what was herfailing?"
"Failing, sir?" said the captain, turning in his chair, and fixing thedoctor with his clear eyes. "I tell you as a man, I can't find afailing in her, except perhaps there's a little too much French polishabout the saloon cabin, more in the stuffed cushion line than I quitecare for. You see, for an ocean-going boat I think you want to studystrength and sound workmanship more than show; but that's a matter offancy."
"Of course," said Sir John, who was watching the captain very narrowly.
"Well, sir, I did my very best, what he called level best, and when shewas done I was as proud of her as--as--well, as your young son heremight have been of a new plaything."
Jack winced, and looked indignant.
"But Mr Ensler didn't like her: said she was a miserable littlecock-boat, and not fit for a long voyage."
"And frankly, between man and man, isn't she?" said the doctor sharply.
"Well, gentlemen," said the captain, showing his regular white teeth ina smile, "that's a matter of opinion. I'm not interested in the matter.I'm in command with a good crew on board, and we have our pay regularas clockwork. She may be sold, or she may not; but I can only say whatI think. I did all that a man who has been at sea pretty welleverywhere for thirty years could do, and I say this: if you gentlemenlike to buy her and engage me--mind, with a good picked crew--I'll sailher wherever you like. If, on the other hand, you like to pick your ownman, I can tell him as a brother sailor that he can't get a better foundboat in either of the yacht squadrons or in Her Majesty's navy."
"But Mr Ensler was dissatisfied with her."
"He? Yes," said the captain contemptuously. "He has been coming andgoing for years in the Cunard and the American liners, and his ideaswere built on one of those floating palaces. As I told him, it wasabsurd. He wanted an ocean-going gentleman's yacht, and there she lies.I'd trust my life in her anywhere a deal sooner than I would in one ofthose coal-swallowing monsters. She's as light as a cork, easy tomanage from her fore and aft rig, with a small picked crew, and has amagnificent engine with the best kind of boilers, which get up steamquickly, ready for any emergency; for of course as a yacht she's a boatin which you would depend most upon your sailing."
"Exactly," said Sir John, "that is what I meant."
"Then she'd suit you to a tittle, sir."
"Has she made any long voyages?" said the doctor.
"No, sir, but she has been in some rough weather. I brought her roundfrom Glasgow in the dirtiest weather I was ever in on our coast; andfrom here we sailed to Gib, and right away through the Mediterranean,meaning to go through the Canal and on to Ceylon; but long before we'dgot to Alexandria he was sick of it, and pitched it all. I must saythat we did have rather a nasty time, but, as I told him, it only showedwhat a beautiful boat she was. It was wonderful how we danced over thewaves with close-reefed canvas. But he'd had enough, gave me my ordersto bring her here to Dartmouth, and he went back to Marseilles by one ofthe Messageries Maritimes, and across home. When we got back, firstthing I saw was the advertisement that she was for sale."
"You have a good crew on board then?" said Sir John thoughtfully.
"As good a crew as I could pick, sir, and they are well up to theirwork. For I'm rather a hard man, young gentleman," continued thecaptain, turning to look sharply at Jack, "as stern about discipline asthey are in the Royal Navy; but work done, I like to see my men play,and somehow I think they get on very well with me. But of course,gentlemen, if you bought the yacht, you are not bound to take thecaptain and crew."
"Oh no, of course not," said Sir John quietly.
"There, gentlemen, I've been doing all the talking: Perhaps now youwould like to ask me a few questions."
"I think we might defer most of them till we have seen the yacht, eh,Meadows?" said Doctor Instow.
"Yes, certainly, unless anything occurs in our conversation with CaptainBradleigh."
"Anything you like, gentlemen, though there is very little that I couldsay more than I have said. She's a splendid craft in every respect.There is only one fault in her from a buyer's point of view."
"What is that?" said the doctor sharply.
"Price, sir."
"But to a man of means, who would give his cheque down, Mr Ensler wouldtake considerably less?"
The captain shook his head.
"No, sir, I don't believe he would. He don't want money, and I havealways lived in the hope that he would take a fresh sea-going trip; butit does not come off. He has had several offers for the boat, but senta sharp answer back that he had fixed his price."
Sir John sat tapping the table with his finger-tips, watching his son,who seemed to be brightening up, evidently in the hope that thetransaction would fall through.
"So you are going to have a few cruises, young gentleman," said thecaptain, turning to Jack, for the doctor too was looking verythoughtful, and was nibbling at his nails as he glanced at Sir John. "Isuppose so," said the lad coldly. "Do you good," said the captain."Fine thing the pure sea-air. Why a trip round the coast for a fewweeks, and you'd be quite a new man. Like the sea?"
"I? Like the sea?" said Jack with a shiver. "My son thinks he will notlike it at all," said Sir John, smiling.
"Thinks, sir," said the captain, laughing. "Ah, he don't know. Notlike the sea! My word, what a weary world this would be if there wereno sea. Storm or calm it's grand or beautiful. There's nothing likethe sea. Oh, he don't know yet. You mean a short cruise or two, sir,or a trip round the island from port to port. She's a little too bigfor that."
"No," said Sir John, rousing himself from a reverie. "I intended to gofrom here through to Ceylon, then on to Singapore, and along theislands, touching here and there, till we reached some place at which wewould like to stay."
"Perhaps round by the Horn, touching at Monte Video, Rio, and the WestIndies?" cried the captain excitedly.
"Perhaps," said Sir John, smiling. "It depends."
"That means a couple of years to do it well, sir."
"I am not tied for time," said Sir John.
"That's a lot o
f money for a yacht," said the doctor thoughtfully.
"Yes, sir, a pretty good sum, but she's worth it, and whether you buythe _Silver Star_ or no, I say, as an old seaman, don't you undertakesuch a trip without a good boat under you, a man who knows his businessfor sailing her, and a good crew. If you mind that, weather permitting,you'll have a pleasant voyage worth a man's doing. With a clumsy craft,a bad captain, and a scraped together mutinous crew, it will be a miseryto you from the day you start to the day you come back--if you ever do."
"That is quite right," said Sir John, rising, for the captain had risenand picked up his cap. "What time shall we come on board to-morrow?"
"Come now if you like, sir."
"No, no; my son is tired. Will ten o'clock suit you?"
"Any hour you like to name, sir."
"Ten then," said Sir John. "Of course we can easily find a boatman totake us off?"
"At ten o'clock, sir, a boat will be waiting for you at the pier end,"said the captain in a sharp businesslike tone. "Good-evening,gentlemen. Weather seems to be settling down for fine. My glass isvery steady."
"Hah!" said the doctor, "I rather like that man."
"I don't," said Jack sharply. "He is insufferable. He treated me as ifI were a child."
Sir John raised his brows a little in surprise to hear his son speak sosharply.
"Don't judge rashly, Jack," he said. "You don't know the man yet;neither do I; but he impressed me as being a very frank, straightforwardfellow, one of Nature's rough gentlemen."
"Would you mind my going to bed, father?" said Jack hastily. "I am verytired."
"Go then, and have a good long night's rest."
"Yes," said the doctor; "and I say, Jack, leave your window open.Sea-air is a splendid tonic."
"Good-night," said Jack shortly; and, shaking hands quickly, he hurriedout of the room, and went to bed, after carefully seeing that the windowwas closely shut.
"That's a pile of money for a yacht, Meadows," said the doctor, as theysat together to watch the moon rise over the hills in front of the hotelaway across the estuary.
"Yes, it is a heavy sum, Instow, but if it answers the captain'sdescription the yacht must be worth the money."
"Yes, if it does. Seems to be an honest sort of fellow, and he's rightabout having a good ship and crew for such a voyage."
"Of course."
"But it's a deal to pay down."
"I'd pay ten times as much down to-morrow to see my poor boy hale andhearty--a frank, natural lad with an English boy's firmness andstrength."
"Instead of a weak, irritable, sickly, overstrained, nervous fellow, whowould give me the horrors if I did not know that I can put him right."
"You do feel this, Instow?"
"Of course I do. Why look at him to-night. He is tired, and speakssharply, and almost spitefully; but already he is showing twice as muchspirit, though it is in the way of opposition."
"Yes; the feeling that he is to exert himself is beginning to showitself," said Sir John musingly. "He'll come round if he is givensomething to call out his energy."
They sat very silent till bed-time, and on saying good-night, Sir Johnturned quickly upon his old friend.
"This is a chance, Instow," he said, "and if the vessel comes up to hisdescription I shall close at once."
Jack at Sea: All Work and No Play Made Him a Dull Boy Page 5