STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
THE CAPTAIN'S SUSPICIONS.
The next day it came on to blow--and for quite a week tempestuousweather set in, the schooner skimming along almost under bare poles, butprogressing well on her voyage. Captain Studwick had some trouble withhis men, but on the whole they were pretty good sailors, and his strictdiscipline kept them well to their work, so that, from showing at firsta little insubordination, they went pretty willingly to their duties.
On the tenth day out, the sun rose over a sea just rippled by a pleasantbreeze. The men were busy drying clothes, and all the ports and hatcheswere well open, and as the day wore on Mrs Pugh, looking very weak andpale, came on deck, leaning on Bessy Studwick's arm, the latter leadingher to where Dutch was talking to Mr Parkley.
Dutch started as he saw them coming up, then, bowing coldly, he walkedto the other side of the deck to where John Studwick was sitting,impatiently watching his sister; and as soon as he saw Mr Parkley leadMrs Pugh to a seat, he called to Bessy sharply to come to him, keepingher jealously by his side, as he saw Mr Wilson and the doctor come upand begin walking up and down, and frowning as they both raised theirhats, and smiled at his sister.
"I wish you would not notice these men, Bessy," he exclaimed in animpatient whisper.
"I only bowed courteously to them, John dear," she said sadly; "and Iwill not speak to them if you do not wish it."
"I don't like it," he said, hastily. "Come and read to me."
She glanced across at Hester Pugh, and saw her white lips working as hereyes followed her husband, and then, taking up a book, began to read toher brother.
"Look at that, Bob," said one of a little group of men, busy overhaulinga large sail which had been split during the late gale.
"Yes, he looks bad enough," said another. "A couple more days likewe've had would about finish him."
"Get out," said the other; "I don't mean him, I meant the gal."
"Yes, she ain't bad to look at," said the first. "That's her as Oakumwas talking about."
"That it warn't," said the other; "'twas the little pale one."
"Just you two get on with that sail, will you," said a gruff voicebehind them; "and leave the women passengers alone."
One of the men looked across at the other, and grinned, and they went onwith their work, while Sam Oakum walked grumbling forward.
"I wish they wouldn't have no women aboard," he muttered half aloud.
"Why not?" said the doctor, who overheard him, and, facing round, Samfound him standing there with the tall young naturalist, whom the men,with their tendency at sea to nickname everyone, had christened Pigeons.
"Why not?" growled Oakum, scowling across at old Rasp, between which twoa deep dislike had sprung up. "Because--though someone here as I won'tname will contradict every word I says--they ain't no good. They setsthe men talking about 'em instead of doing their work; they consooms thestores; they causes the ship to be littered with green stuff and freshmeat; and, what with them and invalids, my deck's always in a mess. Whyhere's a cow and chickens, and a goat and ducks, and 'Pollo milkingevery morning to get some thin blue stuff like scupper washings, and thewhole place turned into a farm-yard, and all because of the women.Blame 'em! I wish there warn't one on the face of the blessed earth."
"Hear him," said one of the two sailors who had just spoken; "hear him,Bob," for they were dragging the sail aft as Oakum spoke. "He wascrossed in love when he was green."
"Women's right enough at times," said Bob, a dull heavy fellow, with adreadful squint, one of those distortions of the eyes which cause theowner to look behind his nose, which in this case was a very thick one."I'm right sorry for that little one there, though, for she seems mightybad."
"Let me introduce one of our protectors to you, Miss Studwick," said thedoctor, stopping by where she sat, book in hand.
John Studwick gave an impatient twist in his chair.
"This is Mr Oakum, the second mate, a gentleman who is a confirmedhater of your sex."
"No I arn't," said Sam gruffly; "I only said as ladies hadn't nobusiness on board ships, even if they is captain's daughters. They onlyget listening by accident to people's tongues going a deal too fast andfree."
"That's meant for me, I suppose," said the doctor, laughing. "Nevermind, Oakum, we shall not quarrel. I think you'll like Oakum, MrStudwick."
"Thank you," said the young man, sharply, "but I only take your medicaladvice, Mr Meldon. Come, Bessy, it's chilly here."
"But the sun is getting warmer every moment, John," said his sister,gently. "I think you will be all the better for staying on deck."
"I'm sure you will," said the doctor, smiling, and passing on.
"I'm sure I shall not," exclaimed the invalid, pettishly, while his eyeslooked jealously and brightly at the young doctor. "Take me below,Bessy. There--I can walk; come along. Mr Oakum is right--men'stongues do go too freely here."
Bessy looked at him sadly, and then smiling pleasantly as he raised hiseyes, walked with him to the cabin door.
"I hope you will not take any notice of my son's sharp remarks, doctor,"said Captain Studwick, overtaking the two young men, for he had heardwhat had passed.
"Not I, indeed, captain," said the doctor, frankly. "I think Iunderstand what it means, and I should be a poor student of human natureif I visited his petulance upon him. We shall be the best of friendsbefore long, I'll be bound."
"I hope so, I'm sure," said the captain, gloomily, "for it's quitepossible that we may need to hold well together before our trip isover."
"Do you anticipate any danger, captain?" said Wilson, turning pale.
The captain hesitated, and then said--
"Voyages are always dangerous--that's all."
"He means more than he says," thought the doctor; and he followed thecaptain with his eyes as he went forward, stopped, and spoke a few wordsto Hester and Mr Parkley, who were still sitting together, and thenjoined Dutch, who was, according to his wont, gazing over the bulwarkfar out to sea.
"Pugh," he said, holding out his cigar-case, for several of the men werestanding about, and he thought it better not to seem to be making acommunication, "I've got something on my mind, and of all the men onboard you are the one I have chosen to make my confidant."
Dutch's eyes brightened, and he turned to the captain eagerly.
"What can I do?" he asked.
"Nothing--only listen. Perhaps this is only a mare's nest; but I've hadso much to do with men, that I am rather a keen observer."
"Is there any danger--anything wrong?" exclaimed Dutch, glancinginvoluntarily towards his wife.
"Danger or no danger," replied the captain, "life is very uncertain, andif you will excuse me for saying it, I don't think you would like todie, or see her die,"--he nodded in the direction of the spot whereHester was sitting--"without clasping hands once more."
Dutch the Diver; Or, A Man's Mistake Page 13