CHAPTER SIX.
JACK BEGINS TO WAKE.
The waters of the Dart were dancing merrily in the bright sunshine nextmorning, when, nervous and so anxious that his breakfast had beenspoiled, Jack walked between his father and the doctor toward the pier,wondering what sort of a vessel the _Silver Star_, which had beenfinished too finely for the captain's taste, would prove.
"There she is," said the doctor suddenly. "That must be the yacht, forthere is nothing else in sight at all answering her description."
"Yes, that is she, the one we saw as we came in yesterday. Why she mustbe quite half-a-mile away."
"Are we to go off to the yacht in a small boat?" asked Jack nervously.
"Yes, my boy," said Sir John. "You heard that the captain, said onewould be waiting for us at ten, and it is now nearly that time. Look,there's a man-o'-war gig coming towards the pier. How well the men lookin their white duck shirts and straw hats, and with the naval officer inthe stern sheets. Those men row splendidly."
They stopped to look at the beautiful little boat glistening and brownin its varnish, with its three little fenders hanging on either side toprotect it from chafing against boat-side or pier, and its rowlocks ofhighly polished gun-metal, and then lost sight of it behind the pier.
"Bringing the officer to land, I suppose," said Sir John. "I dare sayshe comes from the _Britannia_."
"No," said the doctor suddenly. "Why that's our captain and our boat."
"Oh no," said Sir John quickly. "That was a regular man-o'-war craft."
"I don't care; it was ours," said the doctor. "You'll see."
He proved to be right, for as they went on to the pier, they saw CaptainBradleigh climb up from a boat lying out of sight close in, and he cameto meet them.
"Morning, gentlemen," he said. "You are punctuality itself. It'sstriking ten. This way. We'll go off at once, while the tide is withus, and save the lads' arms."
He led them to the end of the pier, where the so-called man-o'-war boatlay just beneath them, one of the sailors holding on by a boat-hook,while the other three smart-looking fellows sat quietly waiting on thethwarts. The gig was in the trimmest of conditions, and lookedperfectly new, while it was set off by a gay scarlet cushion in thestern sheets, contrasting well with the brown varnished grating readyfor the sitters' feet.
"But we are never going to the yacht in that crazy little boat?"whispered Jack nervously.
"The sailors came to shore in it," said Sir John quietly, "so why shouldwe mind?"
"But it seems so slight and thin," faltered the boy to his father.
"Are you afraid, Jack?" asked Sir John gravely. "If so you had betterstay on the pier while we go."
The lad was silent. That he was afraid was plainly written in hisface--plainly, that is, to those who knew him. To a stranger it wouldhave seemed to be the pallor of his complexion.
Sir John said no more, but made way for Doctor Instow to step down intothe boat, and at a sign he descended and held out his hand to Jack.
"I can manage, thank you," said the lad, and he jumped down on to one ofthe thwarts, and then, without assistance, took his place in the sternsheets; his father and the captain followed, the latter gave a short,sharp order, the boat was vigorously thrust away into the stream, andthe next minute the four men were sending her along with a regularstroke which seemed to make the slightly-built boat throb and quiver.
For a few minutes the utterly foreign sensation was absolutely painfulto the boy; and as the land appeared to glide away from them, asensation of giddiness attacked him as he sat hearing conversation goingon, but understanding nothing, till, as he turned his eyes in thecaptain's direction, he saw that this gentleman was watching himcuriously.
A pang shot through him, and the blood began to rise to his whitecheeks, as he made a tremendous effort to master the miserable sensationof abject fear which troubled him, and succeeded so far that in a minuteor two he was able to give himself the appearance of looking about him,as if examining the boats they passed.
"There, young gentleman," said the captain suddenly, "there's the_Silver Star_. What do you say to her? Doesn't she sit the water likea sea-bird?"
Jack looked at the graceful curve and taper spars of the vessel, andbegan to wonder at the way in which she seemed to grow as they drewnearer; or was it that the boat in which he was gliding onward wasshrinking?
He had not much more time for examination of the delicate lines tracedupon the sky by the yards and cordage, for the boat was cleverly runclose up, the oars tossed on high, and as the bowman hooked on to aring-bolt the boat was drawn beneath a side ladder.
Jack felt the tremor returning as he thought of the danger of such anascent, when his father said in a low voice--
"You did that very bravely, my boy; now make another effort."
Jack was on his feet in an instant. He stepped forward, seized thelines on either side of the ladder, and climbed up very clumsily, butmanaged to reach the deck without accepting the assistance of the mateand one of the men, who stood in the gangway and made room for him tostep for the first time in his life upon the deck of a ship.
Sir John and the doctor followed, and the captain remained silent, whilehis visitors stood gazing about the clean white deck, where everythingwas in the most perfect order, ropes coiled down so that at a distancethey looked like pieces of engine turning, the hand-rails of polishedbrass and the ship's bell glistening in the sunshine, and the pair ofsmall guns seeming to vie with them. The sails furled in the mostperfect manner, and covered with yellowish tarpaulins, yards squared,and every rope tight and in its correct place and looking perfectly new,while the spare spars and yards were lashed on either side by the lowbulwarks, smooth and polished till they were like ornaments.
"Well," said the doctor at last, "I am not a sailor, Captain Bradleigh,but everything here appears to be in the most perfect condition."
"I hope so, sir. My men are proud of our vessel, and we do our best."
Sir John glanced at the men, who were all at their stations, and felt athrill of satisfaction as he noticed that they well deserved the term of"picked," being the smart, athletic, frank, manly-looking fellows we areaccustomed to see in the Royal Naval Reserve.
The captain then led the way to the cabins, which were thoroughly inkeeping with what had been seen on deck, elegantly decorated andfurnished, and with every inch so contrived that the greatest ofconvenience was given in the smallest space. Berths, steward's room,cook's galley, all were inspected in turn, and then the captain opened adoor with a smile.
"I don't know whether you gentlemen care for sport, but Mr Ensler hadthis little magazine fitted up, and it is well furnished."
The contents seemed nothing to Jack; but the doctor and Sir Johnexchanged glances of surprise, as they saw on each side the slidingglass doors in which, in the most perfect order, were ranged double andsingle fowling-pieces, rifles from the lightest express to the heaviestelephant guns, as well as a couple of large bore for wild-fowl shootingand one with its fittings for discharging shells or harpoons. Lances,lines, nets, dredges, sounding-lines, patent logs, everything that ascientific sportsman or naturalist could desire.
"There's a good magazine forward, gentlemen," said the captain, "which Iwill show you by and by, with, I should say, an ample supply ofcartridges of all kinds--the best. Cartridge and ball for the big guns,and many chests of empty brass cases, canisters of powder, and bags ofall-sized shot, and the like, so that I may say the yacht is well foundin that respect."
"But these are Mr Ensler's," said Sir John, who appeared thoroughlyinterested, while his son looked on and listened in a careless way.
"Well, yes, sir, his, of course; but they go with the boat."
"At a valuation?" said the doctor.
"Oh no," replied the captain, smiling. "Everything in the yacht--stores, provisions, extra tackle, spare anchors, cables and sails--andI'll show you directly, gentlemen, the stores are well worth lookingat--go with
the yacht at the price named. I wouldn't be answerable forthe state of some of the tinned provisions, of course, for they've beenon board some time, but they were of the best, and I have had them goneover, and only found a few cases to condemn."
Sir John said nothing, and the captain led them on, showing them thestore-rooms, the place devoted to provisions, and then the magazine,which he pointed out as being solidly constructed at the bottom andsides, but exceedingly light overhead.
"So you see, gentlemen," said Captain Bradleigh, "the powder andcartridges are so divided, that if there were an explosion it would be asmall one, though of course it would be followed by others; but with thelight construction overhead the force would fly upwards, and there wouldbe no fear of our going to the bottom."
There was no farther progress to be made forward, a strong iron bulkheadlined with woodwork dividing the yacht here in two; and after themagazine had been carefully closed, the captain opened a couple ofarm-chests, in which were rifles, bayonets, and cutlasses, the belts andcartouche boxes hanging in a row from pegs.
"Men are all well-drilled, sir," continued the captain, "and haveregular small-arm practice, for Mr Ensler said there was no knowingwhere we might find ourselves; and there's no mistake about it,gentlemen, there's plenty of piracy out in the East still, specially inthe Malay and Chinese waters."
Jack was interested now, and he gave the captain so sharp a look ofinquiry that he smiled and nodded.
"Oh yes, young gentleman, there are plenty of cut-throat scoundrels outthere, as I know well, who would be a deal better out of the world. Nowwe'll go back on deck, please."
They followed him up, and he went forward, taking them to see the engineand stoke-hole, then down into the cable-tiers and another store-room,where the extra tackle and various appliances were kept. Then into thecarpenter's and smith's workshops, and lastly into the forecastle, andthe men's cook's galley, the former being well-fitted, ventilated, andsupplied with a case of books. Finally, after quite three hours'inspection, Captain Bradleigh led the way back to the saloon, wherequite an elegant lunch had been spread, and the steward and his matewere in attendance.
"Oh, there was no need for this," said Sir John hastily.
"I am only obeying instructions, sir," said the captain, smiling. "MrEnsler said that if any gentlemen took the trouble to come all the wayto Dartmouth to see the yacht, the least we could do was to give themsome refreshments. I think I've shown you everything, gentlemen, as faras I could, but of course if you thought anything of the yacht you wouldhave her thoroughly gone over by a trustworthy marine surveyor."
Sir John and the doctor exchanged glances again.
"Oh, there's one thing I did not show you, gentlemen," cried thecaptain. "It may interest our young friend here. We have nofigure-head."
"Is the man mad?" said Jack to himself, giving him a look full ofcontempt. "What interest could I possibly have in a ship'sfigure-head?"
"It was a whim, a fad of Mr Ensler's. He went to a lot of expense overit. I don't suppose you noticed it, but just out over the cut-waterclose to the bowsprit, there's a great cut-glass silver star, fittedinside with a set of the most wonderful silver reflectors, parabolicthey call them, and when the big lamp inside is lit it sends rays out inall directions, so that when you are a way off, it looks just like theevening star shining out over the water. Going back to-night,gentlemen?"
"No," said Sir John quietly; "I shall not return to-night."
Jack winced and looked troubled.
"Then as soon as it's dusk, young gentleman, I'll have the star lit up.It's of no particular use except as a bow-light, but it looks mightypretty, as good as the fireworks you've let off on fifth o' Novembersmany a time, I'll be bound."
"Ha! ha! ha!" roared the doctor, turning to Jack merrily.
"I!" cried the lad, impatiently, and giving the captain a scornful look;"I never let off a firework in my life."
"I have," said the captain dryly, "many a one, and made them too. Butboys--some of 'em--are a bit different to what they were when I wasyoung."
"Oh, they're the same as ever, captain," said Sir John, smilingthoughtfully, as if in recollection of the past. "As a rule, a boy is aboy, but no rule is without an exception, you know."
"That's right, sir."
"And my son has been delicate, and has always led a studious, indoorlife."
"Ah, I see, sir, and now you are going to let him rough it a bit, andmake a man of him."
"Yes, a healthy man," said the doctor.
"Ah, doctor," said the captain merrily, "there's a beautifully fittedmedicine-chest in that cupboard, with plenty of physic and books ofinstructions for that, and a bit of surgery; and I've had to dabble init a little myself. We captains often have to do that out away abroad.Why, sir," he continued, with a queer humorous look at Jack, "I'd backmyself to give a pill to any man against all the doctors inChristendom."
Jack looked disgusted.
"But," said the captain, "I was going to say, if our young friend heregoes off with his father on a voyage, he won't want you or any otherdoctor, sir."
"And a good job too, captain," cried Doctor Instow, "for I like a bit oftravel and rest as well as any man. But you are quite right. It iswhat I prescribed. Two or three years' voyage and travel."
"Well, gentlemen," said the captain, as they rose from the lunch-table;"Mr Ensler wished everything to be straightforward and above-board; isthere anything else I can show you?"
"Well, yes," said Sir John, after exchanging glances once more with thedoctor; "I have come down on purpose to inspect this yacht, and I shouldfeel obliged if you would show me over it again."
"Certainly, sir," said the captain bluffly; "I have nothing else to do,I'm sorry to say. Here I am at your service."
"And in the evening," continued Sir John, "I hope you will give me thepleasure of your company to dinner at the hotel."
"Well, sir," said the captain, in rather a hesitating way, "I'm not muchof a dining-out sort of man, and besides, I should like you to go aboutthe town a bit, and make a few inquiries about me and my principal andthe yacht. Seaside people are pretty knowing, and you'll soon hear aboat's character if you begin to ask questions."
"Oh yes, of course," said Sir John; "but we should like to know a littlemore of you personally, Captain Bradleigh."
"Well, that's very kind of you, sir," said the captain bluffly. "Thankyou then, I'll come. But perhaps you gentlemen would like to go overthe yacht alone? I want to write a letter or two. You go about andtalk to my boys. They're not primed, gentlemen."
"Well, I think we will," said the doctor quickly, "Eh, Meadows?"
"Yes, Captain Bradleigh," said Sir John; "one does not decide upon athing like this in a minute."
"Certainly not, sir. You go and have a good rummage, she'll bear it,and you jot down in your log-book anything you see that you'd like todraw attention to. Call any of the men to move or overhaul anything youwish."
For the next three hours, to Jack's great dismay, his father and DoctorInstow roamed and hunted over the yacht. Nothing seemed too small forthe doctor to pounce upon, though he devoted most attention to themagazine-room, amongst the sporting implements; but one way and anotherthey thoroughly overhauled the yacht from stem to stern, even toexamining the cable-tier and the well, and having several long talkswith the men, before, to Jack's great satisfaction, as he sat againstthe aft bulwarks, his father came to him and said--
"Tired, my boy?"
"Wearied out, father," was the reply.
"Well, we have done now. What do you think of the yacht?"
"Nothing, father;" and then hastily, as he saw the look of trouble inSir John's eyes, "I don't understand anything."
"Humph! No. Of course not. Well, come down into the saloon."
The captain looked up from where he was writing, having carefullyabstained from joining them since lunch.
"Well, gentlemen," he said, smiling, and a quiet triumphant look beamingon his f
ace, "done?"
"Yes," said the doctor, wiping his forehead; "I haven't worked so hardfor months."
"Like the look of her, sir?"
"Very much indeed," said Sir John quietly; and a pang of misery shotthrough the boy.
"Ah, you don't know her yet, sir; but I'm glad you think well of her."
Sir John took a seat and was silent for a few moments, Doctor Instowwatching him with an inquiring look, while Jack was in agony.
"Look here, Captain Bradleigh," said Sir John at last, "I do not professto be a judge of such matters, but everything here seems to me to speakfor itself, and I can fairly say that I never saw a vessel in suchperfect trim before."
"That's a high compliment to pay me, sir," replied the captain, "and Ithank you for it. Well, I'm glad to have met you, sir, and it is abreak in rather a monotonous life. Don't apologise, sir, I know it is avery heavy price for the craft, and of course it is on account of herhaving fittings that not one gentleman in ten would think of putting ina yacht. You were quite welcome to see her, and as for anything I havedone--"
"I do not quite understand you," said Sir John.
"No, sir? Well, I take it that what you say is to smooth down that thecraft will not quite suit you."
"You are entirely wrong," said Sir John; "I think she would suit meadmirably, and save me a great deal of labour in preparation."
"Oh!" cried the captain; "then I was on the wrong tack."
"Decidedly. Now, Captain Bradleigh, about yourself. I judge you to bea perfectly straightforward, honourable man."
"Thank you, sir," said the captain, smiling. "I hope for my own sakethat you are a good judge."
"I hope so too. Now, Captain Bradleigh, between man and man, will yougive me your word of honour that this yacht is thoroughly sound, and onethat you would advise a man you esteemed to buy?"
"That I will, sir, straight," cried the captain, holding out his hand,and giving Sir John's a tremendous grip. "She's as perfect as the bestbuilders and fitters can make her, out of the best stuff. But you, ifyou think of buying her, get down a couple of the best men you can tooverhaul her, and if they give a straightforward report, buy her youwill."
"I don't see any need for so doing," said Sir John quietly. "I wouldrather have your opinion than any man's."
"But you don't know me, sir."
"I think that any observant man would know you, Captain Bradleigh, inhalf-an-hour."
The captain reddened.
"Well, sir," he said, "I didn't know I had my character written on myface."
"Perhaps not," said Sir John quietly; "but now about yourself. I don'twish to spend more money than I can help, and I am not an Americanmillionaire, only a quiet country gentleman rather devoted to naturalhistory and a love of collecting."
"That's better than being a millionaire, sir. Money isn't everything,though it's very useful."
"Exactly. Well, if I buy the yacht, will you go with me wherever I wishto sail?"
"That I will, sir, with all my heart, and do my duty by you as a man."
"Thank you," said Sir John; "and now about the crew. It is rather alarge one."
"Twice too big in fair weather, sir, but not a man too many in foul."
"You think them all necessary?"
"I do, sir, unless you like to depend on steam; then you might knock offhalf-a-dozen, but you'd save nothing; coals at the depots abroad arevery dear. Better trust to your sails and keep the men."
"Yes; I think you are right," said Sir John. "What do you say, Instow?"
"Quite," said the doctor.
"Very well then. Now about the crew; would they be willing: to engageto sail with me wherever I please, to bind themselves not to break theirengagement without my leave till we return, even if it is for threeyears?"
"I could say yes, sir, for they'd follow me wherever I went, but I'llask them."
"Do," said Sir John.
The captain touched a table gong, and the steward appeared promptly.
"Go and ask Mr Bartlett to pipe all hands aft," said the captain.
The man ascended, and the next minute the clear note of a whistle rangout, to be followed by the trampling of feet, and the captain rose,evidently satisfied at the promptitude with which his order was obeyed.
"They're waiting sir," he said.
Upon the party going on deck, there were the crew drawn up, quite assmart as men-o'-war's men, and all looking as eager as schoolboys tolearn the meaning of their summons.
"'Tention!" said the captain; and, to use the old saying, the droppingof a pin could have been heard. "This gentleman, Sir John Meadows,Bart., is going to buy the _Silver Star_."
"Hurrah!" shouted a man.
"Steady there!" cried the captain sternly. "He means to sail right awayeast, through the Canal, and along the islands, to stop here and therewhere he likes--two or three years' cruise--and he wants to know if youwill sign articles to go with him, and do your duty like men."
There was a dead silence, and as the men began directly after to whispertogether, Jack, who but a minute before had felt in his misery anddespair that he would give anything to hear the men refuse, now, by astrange perversity of feeling, grew indignant with them for seeming tohesitate about doing their duty to his father.
"Well, my lads, what is it?" said the captain sternly. "What are youwhispering about? Can't you give a straightforward yes or no?"
There was another whispering, and the words "You speak", "No, you," cameplainly to Jack's ears, followed by one man shouting--
"We want to know, sir, who's to be in command?"
"Why, I am, my lads, of course."
"Hooray!" came in a roar; and then--"All of us--yes, sir, we'll go," andanother cheer.
"There's your answer, sir," said the captain; and then turning to themen--"Thankye, my lads, thankye."
"Yes, that's my answer," said Sir John, "and an endorsement of myfeeling that I am doing right."
"And thank you, sir," said the captain warmly. "We'll do our duty byyou, never fear. Perhaps you'll say a word to Mr Bartlett, sir," hewhispered. "Good man and true, and a thorough sailor."
"You will, I hope, keep your post, Mr Bartlett," said Sir John, turningto him.
"Oh yes, Sir John," said the mate; "I'm obliged to. Captain Bradleigh'skind enough to say I am his right hand."
"And I can't go without that, can I, young gentleman?"
Jack, who was feeling unduly thrilled and excited by the novel scene,was chilled again, and he only muttered something ungraciously.
"Mr Bartlett will join us at dinner, I hope," said Sir John; and thisbeing promised, the men were ordered forward, the boat was manned, and,as the whole crew was watching every movement on the part of thevisitors, Jack shook hands with captain and mate, and stepped down alittle more courageously into the gig, but turned dizzy as he droppedinto his seat.
The next minute it was pushed off, and the thrill of excitement ranthrough the lad again, as the crew suddenly sprang to the shrouds of thethree masts, to stand there, holding on by one hand, waving their strawhats and cheering with all their might.
"Jump up, Jack, and give them a cheer back," cried the doctor.
There is something wonderful about a sharp order suddenly given.
In an instant Jack was on his feet, waving his white pith helmet in theair, and giving, truth to tell, a miserably feeble cheer, but the crewof the boat took it up and joined in.
Then, as it was answered from the yacht, Jack sank down in his seatagain, looking flushed and abashed, and he glanced from one to the otherto see if they were laughing at him; but nobody even smiled. Still thelad could not get rid of the false shame, and the feeling that there wassomething to be ashamed of after all.
Jack at Sea: All Work and No Play Made Him a Dull Boy Page 6