S.G.Fielding- 
 
 
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 WILLIAM 
 BROOKS & 
 COMPANY , 
 
 SYDNEY. 
 
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 THE LIBRARY 
 
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 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 U 
 
 Down to the Sea in Ships/'
 
 THE DREAM.
 
 "DOWN TO THE SEA 
 IN SHIPS." 
 
 .BY. 
 
 S. G. FIELDING, 
 
 ■• hor of tub "Southern I. m 
 
 William Brooks i: Co., 17 Castlen %gh
 
 
 Ht>9c( 
 
 TO 
 
 My only Sox. 
 MORR IS GLANVILL E, 
 
 AND 
 
 To all Other Australian Boys 
 
 who would like to 00 
 
 "Down to the Sea in Ships." 
 
 1660442
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Chapter page 
 
 I. — The Sheep Station 17 
 
 II. —The Service in the Woolshed 29 
 
 III.— The Blood-red Moon ... ... 34 
 
 IV.— Dick's Dream : Down to the Sea in Ships 43 
 V.— The Prodical Son ... . .. ..49 
 
 VI. — Dick's Relapse: He Resolves to go to s L -a 54 
 
 VIJ.— A Crisis ... 59 
 
 VIII.— Dick's Return 62 
 
 IX.— The Flight ... (57 
 
 X. — The Forged Cheque 74 
 
 XI. — The s.s. Koonabarra ... ... ... 81 
 
 XII.— Bob Bowline 84 
 
 XIII. —Melbourne : Dick is Introduced to the 
 
 "Ole" Woman ... 95 
 
 XIV.— The God Ship Bombay Casth . 106 
 
 XV.— The Run of t lie Ropes 112 
 
 XVI.— "All Hands on Deck" 118 
 
 XVII.—" Knuckle-Dusters" and Belaying-Pins .. 122 
 
 XVIII.— Bob Bowline's Scheme ... !;)•_' 
 
 XIX.— A Swim for Life ... ... .187 
 
 XX.— The Deserters : A Friend in Xeed 147 
 
 XXL — Arrested and Imprisoned ... ... .. 157 
 
 XXII. — The Fo'castle Carouse ... 163
 
 contests. 
 
 _ -:->-: 7 1 ; page 
 
 WIH.— String Under Weigh : Aboard the " Bul- 
 
 ". :• it: 
 
 XXIV _ Man Overboard : A Double Tragedy 
 XXV _ Land Ho ■" ... 193 
 
 XXVL— Vgw Caledonia : The Escaped Convic: 
 XXVTL— The Hnrricane 
 XXVLIL— The Thunderbolt ... 
 
 XXLX— Face to Face with Death : A Desperate 
 
 -::_ r :r ... - - 
 
 XXX— Dawn on the Beacfc 
 
 XL — Suspicions Cast On Board the 
 
 .":..: -245 
 
 XXXTL— A Daring Piracy : A Mght of Terror 
 XXXJTL— The Wounded Skipper 
 XXXI" Pirate Oners Terms 
 
 XV. —Marooned 
 XXXVL— The Coral Island ... ... 28 
 
 XXXVTL-SailHo:
 
 I.— THE SHEEP STATION. 
 
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 she was I - I 
 
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 " ". - . Mr. Goo I - ■ -. i 
 
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 — Mr. Danvers - — - 
 
 Mrs. I 
 
 for i : 
 
 - . - The 
 
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 -'- - ined 1 - - - — t f or- 
 
 - - ' . ... 
 
 Stdd - 
 
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 tent if she found
 
 18 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHU'S. 
 
 them out. They soon reached the dam, about 
 two miles from the house, where some tine cod 
 had been recently caught. After wandering 
 about for some time, Dick at length settled 
 himself down on a high bank under the shadow 
 of some huge gum trees, to patiently wait for a 
 bite. But the fish were very shy ; so he drew a 
 " penny dreadful " out of his pocket, and com- 
 menced to read. In the meantime, his companion 
 had strolled away to the " blind gully " to gather 
 some maiden-hair ferns. They were both so 
 intent upon their occupations that they did not 
 notice the time pass, until Kitty, looking up, 
 remarked that the sun was nearly overhead. It 
 was just as she came tearing up the bank that 
 Dick felt the rod which he had placed betweeo 
 his feet give a sudden jerk, and, looking down 
 upon the water, he saw the cork bobbing 
 furiously. All at once it stopped again. 
 
 " There now," said Dick, petulantly ; "} T ou've 
 gone and frightened him away." 
 
 " Do you know what time it is ? I'll never 
 come out with you again. You know how 
 scotty she'll be if we're not back before one." 
 
 " My word !" said Dick, witli a grunt of 
 dissatisfaction, " Won't she '. Steady ! There 
 he is again. Look out, Kitty !" he cried, ex- 
 citedly. " I've got him this time ! Hang it all ; 
 the beggar's making for the old stump amongst 
 the rushes. I believe it's only an eel, after all." 
 
 Dick sprang to his feet to try and intercept 
 the fish. Whatever it was, it was a monster, for 
 it nearly dragged the rod out of his hand.
 
 THE SHEEP STATION. 19 
 
 Suddenly — souse — splash — and over he went 
 head first into the muddy water. Not looking 
 where he was going, his foot had caught in the 
 roots of a large gum tree, and before he could 
 recover himself he tripped, and went Hying over 
 the bank. 
 
 A steep red clay mound surrounded the dam, 
 except on one side, where the sheep entered to 
 drink. But he was separated from that spot by 
 a long line of rushes ; it would be extremely 
 dangerous to attempt to swim through them. 
 So Dick made a desperate effort to scramble up 
 the bank, but only succeeded in plastering his 
 white jacket and pants with the red clay ; then 
 — souse — he went back again into the water. 
 
 " Oh ! Dick ! You'll be drowned !" cried his 
 companion, distressfully. 
 
 " It's all right, little woman," he spluttered. 
 " Don't cry ; you jest hand me that rod." 
 
 Kitty seized the rod, which was being rapidly 
 dragged away. 
 
 "Now, you hold on with all your might to 
 the end of it. Put your foot against that root 
 — so. Are you ready ?" 
 
 "Oh! Dick! Dick! You're pulling me 
 
 i" 
 
 over . 
 
 " No, I'm not. Only another second — there 
 you are !" he cried, triumphantly, as he grasped 
 the knotted roots on the bank, and with a 
 frantic effort rolled himself over into a safe 
 position. "You're a little brick, Kitty; you're 
 like ," said Dick, vaguely. 
 
 " Like what V inquired Kitty.
 
 20 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Like the girl who rescued her sweetheart 
 from a watery grave. You know — what's her 
 name ? I was just reading about her before 
 you come up." 
 
 Kitty burst out laughing. 
 
 " You're like Aunt Hannah ; you always 
 laugh at what I say," continued Dick, turning 
 away peevishly. 
 
 " You know I'm not," said Kitty, beginning 
 to whimper. " I wasn't laughing at what you 
 said ; it was very nice. But, oh ! Dick, you 
 look so funny. Your face is blotched with red 
 mud, and your clothes are all streaky. What 
 would she do if she only caught us now ?" 
 
 Dick looked down at his Sunday clothes. 
 '■ My word, eh !" he said, lugubriously. " Won't 
 she give me ' rats !' You wouldn't laugh if you 
 was in my shoes, Kit." 
 
 " Let's hurry home, then," said Kitty, 
 anxiously, " and you can change your clothes. 
 They're not back yet, or we'd have seen the 
 buggy crossing the plain. And then she won't 
 know anything about it." 
 
 " They'll come along by the creek, under the 
 shade of the trees," said Dick. " It's the shorter 
 cut, too." 
 
 A wide, treeless plain, dotted with cotton 
 bushes, separated them from the homestead. It 
 would be impossible to strike across it without 
 attracting attention. So Dick suggested thai 
 they should follow the road round the creek — 
 which was fringed by a thick belt of timber- 
 then run through the horse paddock, and round
 
 THE SHEEP STATION. 21 
 
 to the back of the house, where he could hide in 
 one of the sheds until Kitty got him some dry 
 clothes. 
 
 They started off, and had got as far as the 
 centre of the enclosed paddock that adjoined the 
 house without being seen, when Kitty suddenly 
 stopped, and said, " Listen, Dick !" Her quick 
 ear had caught the distant rattle of buggy 
 wheels. 
 
 " Yes! There they are, coming along through 
 the trees," said Dick, pointing in the direction of 
 the dam. " What shall we do, Kit ?" 
 
 If they attempted to return to the shelter of 
 the timber they would meet the buggy ; if they 
 ran for the house the vehicle would in all 
 probability overtake them. There was nothing 
 to conceal them on the plain except a few 
 stunted cotton bushes and clumps of roly-polies. 
 
 " Let's get off the road and gammon to be 
 looking for emu eggs behind the roly-polies," 
 suggested Dick. 
 
 " P'sh ;" sneered Kitty. " There's none there, 
 and Aunt Hannah knows it." 
 
 But as no other plan suggested itself, and 
 she was anxious to shield Dick, if possible, from 
 the consequences of his mishap, she added. "Come 
 along, then : let's try." 
 
 So they ran out as hard as they could pelt 
 into the middle of the paddock, and Dick 
 crouched down behind the largest bush he could 
 find, while Kitty stood in front of him pre- 
 tending to be looking for something. The busrarv 
 came rattling along. Unfortunately For the
 
 22 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 children, Mrs. Dan vers occupied the front seat 
 with her husband. Her own clergyman and the 
 mission preacher sat behind. Her lynx eye soon 
 discovered an unusual object in the centre of the 
 plain, and she began to puzzle her brain as to 
 what it was. It wasn't a sheep, nor a horse, 
 nor a cow, nor a dog. " John," she said, " what's 
 that out in the horse paddock ?" They might 
 have escaped had not Kitty suddenly risen from 
 her stooping posture, for the purpose of trying 
 to more effectually conceal her companion. 
 
 " Good gracious me, John ! I believe it's one 
 of the children, out playing on this blessed 
 Sunday morning, above all times, instead of — 
 yes, it's Kitty. Depend upon it, that young 
 
 dare-d , scamp I mean, of a Dick is not far 
 
 off; he's the ringleader of every form of wicked- 
 ness." 
 
 " I'd let them be for the present," suggested 
 Mr. Danvers, mildly. 
 
 "Indeed, an' I'll do nothing of the sort," 
 replied his wife, irascibly. " You're too easy 
 with them. Stop the horses a minute." 
 
 Mr. Danvers obeyed. He knew that it would 
 be useless to expostulate, and wished to avoid a 
 scene between himself and his wife in the 
 presence of the clergymen. 
 
 "You, Kitty!" she cried, in a high, shrill key, 
 which carried twice the distance intended. 
 
 Kitty at once faced towards the buggy. 
 
 " Come here at once," she continued, beckoning 
 with her parasol, " both o' ye," for .Mrs. Danvers 
 had caught sight of Dicks long legs extending
 
 THE SHEEP STATION. 23 
 
 beyond the cotton bush, although his body was 
 still invisible. 
 
 " You stay there, Dick, and I'll try and get 
 you off," said Kitty, as she moved towards the 
 buggy. 
 
 But her Aunt was not to be deceived. "Both 
 o' ye !" she repeated. 
 
 So Dick, finding that concealment was im- 
 possible, arose, and slowly approached his 
 wrathful guardian, in fear and trembling of the 
 possible consequences. " Good heavens ! Excuse 
 m*'. Mr. Goodman; I did not intend to use such 
 an expression. But these children would vex 
 the patience of a saint. Bless 1113'' soul and 
 body ! Where have you been ? What a state 
 you are in !" she added, turning with a furious 
 expression towards Dick. " Answer me at once, 
 and don't stand there like idiots !" 
 
 "I fell into the dam," said Dick, sullenly. 
 
 " What were you doing at the dam on Sunday 
 morning ?" 
 
 "We went for a walk, Auntie," Kitty replied, 
 with a vague hope of shielding her playmate. 
 
 " Tell the truth." said Mrs. Danvers, severely. 
 
 "I was fishing, and fell in," said Dick, 
 throwing back his head defiantly. "Kitty 
 wasn't with me." 
 
 " You wicked boy. Open that gate instantly. 
 I'll deal with you directly." 
 
 Dick opened the gate, and the buggy was 
 driven through. The occupants alighted, and 
 the clergymen were shown into the drawing- 
 room.
 
 24 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " You, Dick," said Mrs. Danvers, returning to 
 the children, "go to your room at once, sir; 
 change your clothes, and get ready for the 
 service this afternoon. Not a bite will you get 
 to eat in this house to-day." 
 
 Dick slowly ascended the rough staircase 
 that led to his attic over the kitchen, wondering 
 what new punishment Aunt Hannah would 
 devise to try and torture him into the fold. 
 
 As soon as Mrs. Danvers' back was turned, 
 Kitty ran up the stairs after him, and said, 
 " Never mind, Dick ; she won't whack you while 
 the ministers are here." 
 
 " Won't she, though ?" said Dick, who had a 
 lively recollection of former Sunday whackings. 
 
 " Will you have my piece of quartz ? See, 
 it has specks and streaks of gold in it," said 
 Kitty, unselfishly holding out her treasure. 
 
 " So it has," said Dick. . " I thought at first 
 it was mica. You keep it, Kit ; it's yours." 
 
 " No ; you have it." 
 
 "All right," said Dick, giving her a kiss. 
 "She won't hurt much. Besides, I'm going to 
 hide under the house; don't tell anyone. But 
 where did you get the quartz, Kitty ?" 
 
 "Down in the gully, I told you, where I 
 went gathering ferns. There's lots more there. 
 I'll show you the place to-morrow, Dick." 
 
 Kitty and Dick were cousins. Kitty was 
 John Danvers' only child by his first wife, who 
 died when her little girl was a few months old.
 
 THE SHEEP STATION. 25 
 
 Shortly afterwards, Danvers, who had saved a 
 few hundred pounds, took up a selection on 
 Widow Grimestone's run, and, possessing 
 sufficient common sense to pick out the best 
 water frontage available, the fair squatteress 
 was furious at what she called his " insolent 
 intrusion on her property." 
 
 " As if," remarked Danvers to his house- 
 keeper, " the whole country belonged to her." 
 
 Though John had the law on his side, Mrs. 
 Grimestone had money, together with consider- 
 able influence with the local J.P. — an elderly 
 widower — on hers ; consequently she made 
 matters very unpleasant for the selector, her 
 ultimate object being to worry him oft' the land. 
 
 Endless and bitter disputes arose, Danvers 
 invariably getting the worst of it. 
 
 The fences in some places were broken. 
 Gates were frequently left open, so that the 
 sheep and cattle were constantly straying from 
 one property to the other. 
 
 At length, Mrs. Grimestone, who had been 
 craftily watching her opportunity for months, 
 threatened him with a serious action for trespass. 
 
 Poor John, who was as much afraid of the 
 law as of the widow herself, was greatly 
 troubled when he received the notice to attend 
 the local court. So the following morning he 
 jumped on his horse and rode over to Wirrawarra 
 homestead, for the purpose of settling the dispute 
 hy selling out to the widow, and leaving the 
 district — that is, if he could succeed in getting 
 anything like a fair price for his property.
 
 26 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 To his surprise, he was invited to stay for 
 lunch, and discuss the matter in a friendly way, 
 with the result that the action was withdrawn. 
 
 After this, the good-looking, soft-hearted 
 selector became a frequent visitor at Wirrawarra. 
 The neighbours, as usual, began to talk. Some 
 said that there was nothing in it ; others that 
 the widow was only trifling with him. At last 
 it was reported that they were engaged ; and 
 report for once proved correct, for a few weeks 
 later they were married— a step which John 
 Danvers often regretted to himself, though he 
 never complained to others. 
 
 Alfred Grimestone. Mrs. Danvers' only child 
 by her first husband, was -away at the Grammar 
 School in Sydney when our story opens. This 
 lad — his mother's pride and pet — always spent 
 his holidays at Wirrawarra, and contrived to 
 amuse himself for a few weeks riding about the 
 run, shooting, fishing, and teasing and bullying 
 Dick and Kitty. 
 
 Shortly after he married Mrs. Grimestone, 
 John Danvers received a letter from his brother 
 Richard, who lay dying at the Sydney Hospital, 
 beseeching him to take charge of his boy, Dick. 
 " His mother is dead," said the pathetic scrawl. 
 " She died of fever four years ago on the 
 diggings in Queensland, just as my luck began 
 to turn; and there's no one now in the wide 
 world to look after the lad except you, Jack. 
 Come down at once, if you can. I should like 
 to see you before I die."
 
 THE SHEEP STATION. 27 
 
 Rollicking Dick, as he was called, had all his 
 life been roaming about from one diggings to 
 another in the vain hope of making a fortune 
 for his wife and child, whom he dragged with 
 him wherever he went, for, in spite of his many 
 faults, he loved them dearly. 
 
 One day, as he sat in his rude tent nursing 
 his typhoid-stricken wife, one of his mates came 
 rushing in to announce that they had at last 
 struck a rich patch, and their fortunes were 
 made. 
 
 " It's too late, Bill," he said, sorrowfully 
 pointing to the dying woman. " The doctor has 
 just been, an' given her up." 
 
 Two days later Dick Danvers buried his 
 wife, and sold his share in the claim for a 
 thousand pounds; then went to Sydney and 
 started on a big spree, spent nearly all his 
 money, and drank himself to death. 
 
 When John arrived at the hospital, his 
 brother had just passed away. So he took 
 charge of the shy, awkward-looking lad he 
 found watching at his brother's bedside, and 
 after the funeral returned with him to Wirra- 
 warra, where for the last three years Dick had 
 been under the training and supervision of 
 Aunt Hannah, as both the children called the 
 second Mrs. Danvers. 
 
 Aunt Hannah was a very religious woman. 
 though not one of the lovable sort. She was 
 subject to ungovernable fits of temper, brought 
 on by the slightest provocation, which some- 
 times lasted for days, and during that time she
 
 28 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 never spoke to her husband, but generally sat 
 on the verandah, Bible or Prayer-book in hand, 
 and only roused herself to rave at the domestics 
 or to beat her helpless charges.
 
 THE SERVICE IN THE WOOLSHED. 29 
 
 Chapter II— THE SERVICE IN THE 
 WOOLSHED. 
 
 Mr. Danvers, at his wife's instigation, had 
 gone down to the woolshed to see it prepared for 
 the service, and also to induce the shearers — 
 who, as a rule, are not good church-goers — to 
 attend. Knowing the difficulty he might have 
 in persuading them, he secretly provided himself 
 with a bottle of whisky. 
 
 " Boys !" he said, in his most genial tone, 
 " there's to be church this afternoon at four 
 o'clock in the woolshed. Mr. Goodman — you've 
 heard of him — is going to preach, and the wife 
 wishes you all to come. Will anyone have a 
 glass of grog '." 
 
 "Thank you, sir," said several voices. 
 
 Pannikins and cups were produced, and the 
 health of the clergyman was drunk in the 
 friendliest manner possible, after which all 
 hands promised to " roll up " at four o'clock. 
 
 "Where's Dick ?" said Mrs. Danvers, as they 
 were preparing to start for the service 
 
 "I don't know," replied her husband, to 
 whom the question was addressed. "Is he not 
 
 in his room '. I thought you sent him there."
 
 30 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " I did ; but he's left it," she replied, with 
 suppressed anger, for the clergymen were 
 standing by. 
 
 "I'll go and find him," said Mr. Dan vers, 
 hastily. " You go on, dear ; I'll soon overtake 
 you." 
 
 Mrs. Dan vers walked on with the clergymen. 
 
 " Dad," whispered Kitty, " I think he's under 
 the house ; but don't tell Aunt Hannah." 
 
 The house — a weatherboard structure, like 
 most station houses — was built on the brow of a 
 hill, the back and sides being supported on 
 piles, so that a person could crawl underneath it 
 almost as far as the front verandah. This had 
 often been Dick's refuge when pursued by his 
 Aunt. There his Uncle found him coiled up at 
 the far end. 
 
 " Dick," he whispered, afraid of attracting 
 his wife's attention, " come out of that ! What 
 are you doing there ?" 
 
 But Dick did not reply, for he was fast asleep. 
 
 " Dick ! Dick !" Still there was no response. 
 
 So Mr. Danvers had to crawl beneath the 
 house until he reached his nephew. Then, 
 giving him a shake, he said, roughly, " Come 
 out of that." 
 
 Dick started up, rubbing his eyes, and, 
 perceiving who it was close to him, said, naively, 
 "Oh! it's you, Uncle. There's plenty of room. 
 Is she after you, too ?" 
 
 "Come out of this, you rascal, and get ready 
 for church at once. Look at the state of your 
 clothes. I've a great mind to call your Aunt."
 
 THE SERVICE IN THE WOOLSHED. 31 
 
 Dick obeyed with alacrity at the mention of 
 his Aunt, and in a few moments had his clothes 
 dusted, ready to accompany his Uncle. 
 
 When they arrived at the woolshed, which 
 was quite a mile from the station, Mr. Goodman 
 was about to commence the service. A small 
 American organ had been removed from the 
 squatter's drawing-room on the previous day, in 
 front of which Mrs. Danvers had already taken 
 her seat to play the opening hymn. The 
 congregation came dropping in by twos and 
 threes, until the rough forms and benches which 
 had been placed across the shed were nearly 
 rilled. It was by far the largest gathering that 
 had ever been known to assemble at Wirrawarra 
 for a religious service. The shearers and roust- 
 abouts, to the number of about thirty, had 
 rolled up as they had promised; and all. or 
 nearly all, the neighbouring selectors, with their 
 families, were present, and, of course, the 
 ordinary station hands, who were under Mrs. 
 Danvers' immediate control. In addition to 
 these, a few miners, at Mr. Goodman's invitation, 
 had ridden over from Wattledown to assist in 
 the musical part of the service. 
 
 When they were all seated, the Encumbent of 
 the parish took his place behinda woolpack that 
 had been improvised into a temporary pulpit by 
 having a crimson cloth thrown over it. and 
 announced a hymn from Moody and Sankey's 
 collection. He then read a portion of the 
 evening service from the Book of Common 
 Prayer. Another hymn was sung, after which
 
 32 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Mr. Goodman stood up on a rough platform 
 behind the woolpack, and gave out his text from 
 Acts ii., 20 : " The sun shall be turned into 
 darkness, and the moon into blood, before that 
 great and notable day of the Lord come." The 
 preacher — a tall, sallow-complexioned man, about 
 thirty years of age — paused for a few seconds, 
 and ran a bright, commanding eye over the 
 audience, until little Dick, who sat with his 
 Uncle at a far corner of the shed, felt that it 
 rested on him, and read the inmost thoughts of 
 his palpitating heart. 
 
 " And who knows," continued the speaker, 
 " but that that day may not come to-morrow, or 
 even to-night ? Think of it, feUow-sinners ! If 
 it did, where would you be ?" 
 
 Then he went on to speak in familiar, but 
 eloquent and powerful, words of the justice and 
 judgment of God. There was a great deal in 
 the address about the wrath of God, but very 
 little about His infinite love. Some of the 
 shearers were at first inclined to sneer and even 
 laugh at the whole thing as a sort of comic 
 performance got up for their special benefit, 
 lint the speaker was so terribly in earnest, and 
 his pictures of the Judgment Day and the 
 anguish of the lost such vivid bits of word- 
 painting, that he quickly fixed their attention, 
 and they listened breathlessly, no doubt with 
 uneasy stirring of consciences, to the conclusion 
 of the discourse. It was a powerful appeal to 
 one of the lowest instincts of human nature — 
 fear — and it succeeded, for several of the
 
 PAD : IS s||K AFTBB YOI . TOO '.'
 
 THE SERVICE IN THE WOOLSHED. 33 
 
 selectors and shearers went up to the penitent 
 form, and remained behind for the after- 
 meeting. 
 
 It may be that some natures can only be 
 influenced by an appalling, lurid, and materialistic 
 hell, which is as unjust to the All Father as it is 
 to the spirit of Christianity. Still, the Apostle 
 says, " That which is first is natural, and 
 afterward that which is spiritual." 
 
 Poor little Dickie trembled and grew pale 
 several times during the delivery of the sermon, 
 for he thought that the speaker's eye was 
 constantly fixed upon him, and that Mr. 
 Goodman must know all the sins he had ever 
 committed. 
 
 "Thank you very much for your beautiful 
 discourse," said Mrs. Danvers, as they were 
 returning to the station. "I hope — indeed, I 
 feel sure — it has been the means of doing much 
 good and bringing many wanderers into the
 
 34 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter III— THE BLOOD-RED MOON. 
 
 "What was the text, Dick?" inquired Mrs. 
 Danvers that same evening, after having divested 
 
 herself of gloves and bonnet. She had been 
 over to Wattledown to hear and see the last of 
 Mr. Goodman. 
 
 " I know." interrupted Kitty, anxious to help 
 her cousin. 
 
 "I didn't ask you," said Mrs. Danvers, 
 holding up her hand. " I want to see if Dick- 
 has listened to that beautiful sermon we had the 
 privilege of hearing this afternoon." 
 
 "I — I remember some of the sermon" Dick 
 stammered. " But I can't think of the text just 
 now: it was something about blood and dark- 
 ness." 
 
 " You naughty boy !" exclaimed his Aunt. 
 " Do you mean to say that you paid no attention 
 whatever to that solemn discourse? Where do 
 vou expect to go when you die. if you behave 
 like that?" 
 
 " I did. indeed. Aunt Hannah. I was listening, 
 
 but " 
 
 "Don't 'but' me, sir. You tell him. Kitty." 
 '■'The sun shall be turned into darkness and 
 
 the moon into bl 1,"' Kitty promptly replied. 
 
 "Yes; that's a good girl — 'Before the great 
 
 and dreadful day of the Lord come.' And who 
 
 knows, as dear 'Mr. Goodman said." continued
 
 THE BLOOD-RED MOON. 35 
 
 Mrs. Danvers, impressively, "but that day may 
 not come to-morrow, or even to-night. Think 
 of that, Dick. If the Judgment Day were to 
 come to-night, where would you be ?" 
 
 " Would you go to heaven, Aunt ?" said 
 Kitty, with naive solemnity. 
 
 " Silence, child, while I am speaking ! Dick, 
 I have prayed for you, but your heart is still 
 hard — as hard as that brick," she added, pointing 
 to the chimney. " There is no supper for you 
 to-night: and mind vou learn that text before 
 you go to bed. I consider that I am letting you 
 off easy — very easy. You've broken the 
 Sabbath, destroyed your clothes, told lies, led 
 Kitty into mischief, and been inattentive at the 
 mission service. That will do now; not a word. 
 Go up to bed." 
 
 " All, Auntie, do let him stay for supper !" 
 pleaded Kitty. "He's had nothing to eat since 
 breakfast." 
 
 " I d-don't want n-no supper," said Dick, 
 trying to choke down a sob, as he left the room. 
 
 "There now! If that isn't ingratitude! 
 Get out the bread and jam, Kitty." 
 
 Dick left the room, ascended (he narrow 
 staircase, and, entering his attic, threw himself 
 on his knees at the bedside. There lie gave 
 vent to his pent-up feelings. For several 
 minutes his whole frame was shaken with 
 convulsive sobs. The service that afternoon
 
 36 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 had made a far deeper impression on the child's 
 tender and sensitive mind than either his Aunt 
 or the preacher had any notion of. 
 
 • Oh. God : God '." he cried, " save me ! Save 
 me from going to hell, for Christ's sake !" 
 
 But even as he prayed he felt that God did 
 not or would not hear him. It was true what 
 his Aunt had said. His heart was hard — hard 
 as a brick. It seemed to Dick as if he were 
 talking to himself, and only a hollow echo 
 followed his earnest cry for mercy. Bv-and-bye 
 he grew calmer, and took up his Bible to learn 
 the text that his Aunt had set him. He repeated 
 it over and over to himself, but there was no 
 danger of forgetting it now, for it had burnt 
 itself into his very soul. " The sun shall be 
 turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, 
 before that great and dreadful day of the Lord 
 come." "What if it should come 'to-night, as 
 the preacher had said," thought Dick. 
 
 Suddenly he heard a noise in the kitchen 
 below. It was his Uncle winding the big clock 
 on the mantelpiece and closing the windows. 
 
 • Why trouble to wind the clock," he thought, 
 
 • when they might all be in eternity to-morrow ?" 
 
 " Dick, get to bed at once, and put out that 
 light !" said his Uncle, who perceived the ray 
 shining from beneath his door. 
 
 Dick at once slipped oft" his clothes, blew out 
 the light, and crept into bed, but not to sleep. 
 Thai awful text kept ringing in his ears: "The 
 sun shall be turned into darkness, and the 
 moon into blood.'
 
 THE BLOOD-RED MOON. 37 
 
 His Uncle had left the kitchen, and the 
 house was now very still — so still that he could 
 distinctly hear the big clock ticking below. 
 ' Tick, tick," sounded the clock. He never 
 remembered to have heard it tick so loudly 
 before. It reminded him of what Mr. Goodman 
 said : " That at every tick of the clock someone 
 was born and someone died ; that at every tick 
 of the clock some lost soul dropped into hell." 
 Then he pictured to himself the leaping surg - 
 of name scorching and devouring his fellow- 
 
 © © 
 
 creatures. A playmate of his had been drowned 
 in the dam about twelve months before — little 
 Willie Anderson. He had been caught, whilst 
 
 © 
 
 bathing, in those very rushes he had been 
 afraid of himself that dav. He must have irone 
 to hell, for Dick had heard him sav bad words 
 shortly before his death. What if he, too, had 
 been drowned that dav ■ And Brown, the 
 carrier, who. whilst drunk, had fallen off his 
 dnvy and broken his neck, between Wattledown 
 and the station. He had heard his Aunt say 
 that the man was unlit to die. And his childish 
 imagination pictured the bodies and limbs of the 
 lost ones writhing anil twisting in the flowing 
 
 © © © © 
 
 and seething furnaces of everlasting a^ony. with 
 no hope of release for ever and ever. Men and 
 women, boys and girls, and little children 
 gnawing their tongues with pain and blaspheming 
 the God of Heaven. Perhaps he himself would 
 be amongst them before morning, and his Uncle ; 
 and Kitty — pretty, delicate Kitty, his playmate ! 
 Would she be there ; too \ And his poor father,
 
 38 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 whom he had seen die in the hospital, a raving 
 maniac — where was he ? Then the child 
 shuddered and wept again. Great drops of 
 perspiration stood on his face. " Oh, God ! God ! 
 God !" he cried. " Don't ! Have mercy !— pity ! 
 Save them! Save some! Save us all!" 
 
 When he took his little hands away from his 
 face he noticed a strange light glimmering 
 through the lower part of his window, which 
 looked out over the great wide plain, facing the 
 east. The blind had been left partly raised 
 What was that strange light ? Impelled by a 
 fearful curiosity, he arose, lifted the blind, and 
 looked out. His heart gave a great throb, and 
 seemed to stop beating, for a terrible sight met 
 his childish gaze. The moon was rising on the 
 edge of the vast plain, and it was blood red. 
 Already its lower limb was almost clear of the 
 horizon. He never remembered to have seen 
 the moon look like that before. " Merciful God ! 
 Had the hour at last come?" "And the sun 
 shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into 
 blood" rang in his ears. 
 
 The terrified child dropped the blind, idl 
 upon his knees, and prayed in an agony of fear. 
 He felt that he was overshadowed by some 
 awful calamity ; that at any moment some 
 frightful catastrophe might take place. llr 
 crept beneath his bed, close to the ground, and 
 sobbed aloud. Suddenly he was startled by a 
 noise at the door. Afraid to move, he held his 
 breath, and Listened intently. The noise was 
 repeated. He heard a faint tap; then his own
 
 THE BLOOD-RED MOON, 39 
 
 name was whispered through the keyhole. 
 The voice sounded like Kitty's, but he was not 
 sure. 
 
 "Who's there?" he asked, still trembling 
 from head to foot. 
 
 " Me !" 
 
 ■ Who ] Kitty r 
 
 " Yes. Open the door. May I conic in V 
 
 Dick moved out from liis shelter beneath the 
 bed, and cautiously opened the door. 
 
 " What do you want ?" he asked, somewhat 
 testily, at the same time gazing curiously at the 
 little, white-clad figure that stood before him. 
 
 ( )h, Dick ! 1 was so sorry because she sent 
 you to bed without any supper. So when I 
 thought they were all asleep, I crawled out to 
 get you some; but when I heard you crying, 
 from the foot of the staircase, I was afraid at 
 Hist to come up. Poor fellow ! You must be 
 hungry ! See," she continued, holding out a 
 handkerchief. "I've brought you some bread and 
 cheese and cake. I got them out of the cupboard 
 in the dining-room." 
 
 " Thank yon, Kit," said Dick, in a softened 
 voice; " but I — I don't want anything. 1 could 
 not eat them now." 
 
 " What were you crying for, then ?" 
 
 " Because " —Dick hesitated. "You will 
 
 promise not to tell anyone '." 
 
 •• 1 promise." said Kitty. 
 
 "Well," he continued, "I felt very wicked 
 after hearing the minister preach, and I was 
 afraid the end of the world was comingf."
 
 40 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 "I was a bit frightened, too," said Kitty 
 " But what does it matter, so long- as we try to 
 be good ?" she added, re-assuringly. 
 
 " But I am not," he persisted. " Kit," he 
 said, casting a timid glance towards the window, 
 " did you see the moon when you came out ?" 
 
 " No ! Why ?" 
 
 " Because it's all blood, Kitty ; just like what 
 the Bible says will happen at the end of the 
 world." 
 
 " Is it ? Let me look ! I'm not frightened," 
 said the little girl, boldly entering the room. 
 
 " You raise the blind, then," said Dick, 
 shrinking back. 
 
 Kitty hesitated a moment, half frightened 
 by Dick's strange and earnest manner ; then she 
 bravely lifted the blind, and drew it aside. 
 They both looked out. The night was as clear 
 as the day. For the moon had now risen some 
 distance above the horizon, and poured down 
 her soft white light over the wide rolling plain, 
 which stretched like a grey sea in front of them. 
 They could distinguish every object in the yard 
 beneath. The red brick paving ; the dog kennel, 
 with Sancho Panza, the faithful sheep dog, 
 sleeping quietly beside it; the outhouses, with 
 their galvanised iron roofs, which flashed back 
 the pure white light, like polished mirrors ; 
 even the fruit trees in the little orchard were 
 touched by the silver radiance. 
 
 Dick uttered an exclamation of surprise and 
 delight.
 
 THE BLOOD-RED MOON. 41 
 
 "Oh, Kit!" he said. "I thought the moon 
 would never come white again." 
 
 " Pooh, Dick ! You let the minister frighten 
 you, that's all. But doesn't it look pretty ? 
 Just like snow on the houses and the plain. 
 Won't you have your supper now ?" 
 
 " I think I will have a little bit," said Dick, re- 
 assured by his cousin's presence, and the fact that, 
 after all, the moon had not changed into blood. 
 
 " I'm so glad you've come," he said, munching 
 away at the bread and cheese. 
 
 " Why ?" asked Kitty. " Because I brought 
 you some supper ?" 
 
 " No ; not for that only." He waited until 
 he had finished eating, then, taking her little 
 hand in his, said, " If it were not for being- 
 frightened about the Judgment Day, Kitty, I'd 
 ask you to be my little sweetheart, and to give 
 me a kiss." 
 
 " Oh, Dick, you know we are relations, and 
 relations can't be sweethearts." 
 
 " Only cousins," said Dick, decisively. 
 
 "Well, it's all the same. But had we not 
 better be getting to bed ? It's late, and so cold. 
 Good-night, Dick. You won't cry any more ?" 
 And the brave little girl stole down the dark 
 staircase, and groped her way to her own little 
 room at the far end of the house. 
 
 Dick listened for a few moments to the 
 retreating footsteps, with a strong inclination to 
 follow and accompany his sweetheart cousin, but 
 the thought of returning alone to his room in 
 the darkness prevented him.
 
 42 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 So, having taken the precaution to pin back 
 the curtain of his window, that lie might see 
 the moon, and assure himself that it was not 
 turning red again, he crept into his little bed, 
 pulled the coverlet over his face, and fell asleep 
 to dream a strange dream.
 
 dick's dream. 48 
 
 Chapter IV.— DICK'S DREAM: DOWN 
 TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 One day Dick was looking through a book 
 of Kitty's, and he came across the picture of an 
 English winter landscape. Ever since he had 
 longed to see snow. He envied the English 
 children, who every winter saw the beautiful 
 snow falling from heaven, and covering the 
 earth, and the trees, and the houses. He used 
 to say to himself, " When I am a man I will go 
 to England ; then I shall see the snow." 
 
 Shortly after Kitty left him he fell asleep, 
 and dreamt that he was sitting in the little 
 dining-room that faced the great wide plain, 
 having his tea. Mrs. Danvers and Kitty were 
 with him, but his Uncle had not yet come in. 
 
 Suddenly his Aunt exclaimed, "Good gracious, 
 children, it's snowing! How strange! Just 
 look !" 
 
 The children ran to the window, and sure 
 enough the great white flakes were falling from 
 the sky, just as they had seen them in pictures. 
 
 "Oh, how lovely!" cried Kitty "Let's go 
 out and look, Dick." 
 
 So they went out on to the verandah. 
 Already the ground, the trees in the garden, and
 
 44 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 the outhouses were covered with snow. All at 
 once they found themselves in the centre of the 
 great plain. The snow was still falling, but it 
 was no longer white. The flakes were blood- 
 red. An impression of some fearful impending 
 disaster filled the lad's soul. 
 
 " Oh, Dick !" cried his companion, in a tone 
 of deep distress. " I'm so frightened. Let's run 
 home." 
 
 They started to do so, and on their way met 
 a number of people running in different 
 directions, with scared and ashen faces. He 
 recognised some of them who were present at 
 the mission service. Suddenly, Aunt Hannah 
 rushed by, her features distorted with terror. 
 As she passed, the children heard her shriek 
 out, " It's the end of the world ! It's the end of 
 the world !" Then the vast multitude of people 
 who had gathered on the plain caught up her 
 cry, " The end of the world ! The end of the 
 world !" 
 
 And now, for the first time, Dick noticed 
 that, instead of snow, great flakes of fire were 
 falling around them. Each one as it fell set fire 
 to a patch of grass or clump of cotton bush, 
 until at last the children saw, to their dismay 
 and terror, that all hope of escape was cut off, 
 for a stream of fire already rolled between them 
 and the house. They turned aside, and fled for 
 their lives in another direction ; but the fire 
 pursued, and was rapidly overtaking them. 
 Whenever he turned his head to look, Dick 
 could feel its hot breath upon his cheek.
 
 dick's dream. 45 
 
 In their haste they passed close to a huge 
 cemetery, where they paused for a few moments 
 to gaze on a strange and terrible sight. The 
 dead, great and small, were beginning to rise. 
 Clay and grassy mounds were tossing and 
 heaving like waves of the sea. Vaults, monu- 
 ments, and tombstones were cracking and 
 splitting around them. In the midst of a 
 clangour of trumpets and rush of angels' wings 
 they could distinctly hear a fearful rattling of 
 bones. 
 
 Suddenly the ground in many places clave 
 asunder, and was at once covered with writhing, 
 corpse-like limbs, endeavouring to shake them- 
 selves free from the grave-clothes that bound 
 them. Here and there they saw the complete 
 forms of men and women struggling up from 
 amongst rank weeds and grasses, with the clay 
 of the sepulchre still clinging to their long, 
 dank, matted hair. 
 
 Some of their faces, though livid and 
 ghastly, looked dull and stupid, as though they 
 had just been awakened from a long, deep sleep, 
 and scarcely heard the silvery peals of trumpets 
 that were now sounding continuously from the 
 four quarters of heaven. Others looked out 
 from their grave-clothes with wildly-staring 
 eyes, as though startled and terrified by the 
 terrific scene they only partly understood the 
 meaning of. All at once a frightened cry broke 
 from his companion. 
 
 " Oh, look, Dick !" she said. " What's that ?" 
 
 Turning in the direction indicated, he saw,
 
 46 DOWN TN THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 far ofij on the very edge of the fiery plain, what 
 appeared at first to be a gigantic mound of snow, 
 above which hovered a shadow, vague and form- 
 less. Gradually the shadow assumed a human 
 shape, seated on the dazzling mound. 
 
 " It's the great white throne," whispered 
 Kitty. " And see, those are the Judgment 
 Books." 
 
 And now the air seemed to be suddenly filled 
 with shining spirits. On each side of the throne 
 they extended, tier upon tier, rank upon rank, 
 until they dwindled into points and specks of 
 flame in the eternity of space that opened above 
 and around them. Then Dick noticed that there 
 were thousands and tens of thousands of people 
 gathering on the fiery plain, from east and west. 
 north and south, and moving rapidly, as though 
 impelled by some invisible power, towards the 
 Judgment Seat. The whole earth was crowded 
 with the dust of human souls. 
 
 " Come, Dick !" said his companion. " Hurry 
 up, or we shall be late." 
 
 Dick shuddered, and looked back to see if 
 there was any possibility of escape; but the 
 relentless fire was still forcing them onward. 
 
 " Come, Dick," repeated Kitty, joyfully. " I 
 know Him now ; I can see His face." 
 
 " See whose ?" gasped Dick. 
 
 "Jesus. It is He who is going to judge us. 
 1 was afraid at first it might have been God. 
 You need not fear, Dick; He looks just as I 
 thought He would — kind and good. Quick ! or 
 the fire will overtake us."
 
 DICK S DREAM. 
 
 47 
 
 But Dick stood spellbound, as though chained 
 
 to the spot. 
 
 " Pray," said a voice close to him, " and thou 
 shalt be saved." 
 
 Dick tried to, but lie could not utter a sound. 
 His tongue clave to the roof of his mouth. He 
 was speechless. 
 
 Then, just as he thought the sentence of 
 doom was about to be pronounced against him, 
 he awoke, with a loud cry for mercy. Beads of 
 perspiration stood upon his forehead, and his 
 eyes were staring wildly from their sockets. 
 
 Jt was all a dream, and the sunshine of the 
 summer morning was streaming through his 
 attic window. 
 
 As he cast a frightened glance around, lie 
 noticed the little Bible lie had left open the 
 night before on the box which served him as a 
 dressing-table. A sudden thought struck him. 
 He jumped out of bed and seized the Holy 
 Book. 
 
 "Surely," he said to himself, "if God loves 
 me, and can sec me, He will give me a sign from 
 His own Word which will be an interpretation 
 to my terrible dream. He did the same to 
 Joseph. Why not to me?" He trembled as he 
 held the sacred volume, then paused for a few 
 moments, and said again to himself, " Now, this 
 is God's voice speaking to me; 1 shall know now 
 what my dream means." He knelt down, closed 
 liis eyes, opened the Book, and placed his linger 
 on the first text he came to, then opened his eyes 
 and looked. He found that he had his finger
 
 48 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 on the words " Down to the sea in ships." What 
 was that ? There was no meaning there ; nothing 
 about his dream. He closed his eyes and tried 
 again, opening the Bible almost at the same 
 place. This time he found that he had placed 
 his finger on the words " Thy way is in the 
 sea." 
 
 For a long time he sat on the edge of his bed 
 thinking over the texts, but could make nothing 
 out of them. Then he looked up the word 
 " sea " in a small concordance, and was much 
 troubled when he came across the verse, " Sea 
 of glass mingled with fire."
 
 THE PRODIGAL SON. 49 
 
 Chapter V.— THE PRODIGAL SON. 
 
 Days passed, but the impression made upon 
 Dick's mind by his singular dream did not wear 
 off. Often at night the poor little chap would 
 be afraid to close his eyes lest the dreadful 
 vision should return. He would remain awake 
 for hours, staring at the window in front of 
 him, until at last, through sheer weariness, he 
 fell asleep. And even during the daytime he 
 was often haunted by a vague terror. 
 
 Had Mr. Goodman only known the intensity 
 of the child's sufferings, he would probably never 
 have preached such a sermon again. 
 
 The little fellow would have given worlds, if 
 he had possessed them, for a sympathetic ear to 
 whom he could tell his dream and unburden his 
 soul. He dare not say anything to his Aunt, 
 for he knew that she would misunderstand and 
 ridicule him. Only for "dear little Kitty" to 
 talk to and play with, he felt that he must have 
 gone mad during those days of darkness. But 
 he could not tell her all he felt and suffered. 
 She did not "know things," as he said to himself, 
 and he longed for the sympathy of a "grown 
 person," who could understand and explain 
 matters to him. 
 
 Oh, ye parents and teachers, who wonder 
 why your children and pupils are growing up to 
 loathe religion and dislike the very name of
 
 50 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 God ! Is it strange that they dislike a system 
 that only awakens mysterious and superstitious 
 terrors in their sensitive and imaginative hearts? 
 Is it any wonder that they find it difficult to 
 love a Being in whom they can see nothing to 
 love, but whose very attributes, as represented 
 to them, create a natural dread and aversion ( 
 Is it any wonder that, when they grow up and 
 go out in the world they should laugh at Bibles 
 and sneer at so-called pious people, when religion 
 has been associated in their youthful minds 
 with nothing but lip-service, malice, and 
 uncharitableness ? 
 
 Has it not been said that, " If any man cause 
 one of these little ones to offend, it were better 
 for him that a millstone were hanged about his 
 neck, and that he were drowned in the depths 
 of the sea ?" 
 
 Poor Dick ! His childhood was not a very 
 happy one : and in after years he often looked 
 back with bitterness to that earlv period of his 
 life. " 
 
 In addition to his mental sufferings at this 
 time, his Aunt made him do all sorts of menial 
 work about the station, and punished him in 
 various ways if it were not done to her satis- 
 faction, taking care at the same time to remind 
 liim of his helpless and dependent position. The 
 only enjoyment lie had was when he and Kitty 
 could steal away, during Mrs. Darners' absence 
 at some religious meeting in Wattledown, and
 
 THE PRODIGAL SON. 51 
 
 sit down on the bank of the dam, under the 
 shadow of the gum trees and the oaks, with his 
 fishing rod and book, or shoot at the black 
 shags with a catapult, and long for the time to 
 come when he would be a man, and possess a 
 gun and a horse. At night, when the house 
 was still and dark, he would often spend hours 
 on his knees in his little attic room entreating 
 God to forgive him his sins and grant him some 
 sign of reconciliation. But no answer came 
 from out the darkness that surrounded him. 
 He saw no heavenly vision and heard no angelic 
 voice, as others had professed to see and hear ; 
 and though he humbled his soul, like the 
 psalmist of old, his prayer returned into his own 
 bosom. 
 
 At last, tired Nature could stand it no longer, 
 and he gradually felt a calm — probably the 
 result of physical exhaustion — stealing over him. 
 It just happened at this particular stage that 
 his Aunt one Sunday afternoon sent him to his 
 room to read the story of the Prodigal Son, and 
 to commit some of the verses to memory. All 
 at once, as he read, the tenderness and pathos of 
 the tale touched him. He not only entered into 
 the feelings of the wanderer, but realised, in his 
 childish way, the emotions <>f the Father himself, 
 and his tender, yearning, pitying love for the 
 lost one ; the boy leaving his home; the squan- 
 dering of his money ; the mighty famine in the 
 far-off land; the bitter hunger and scorching 
 thirst; the shame and degradation of the swine 
 trough.
 
 52 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 The gradual coming to himself, and the 
 agonising remorse ; the determination to return ; 
 the confession ; and heart-broken petition, 
 " Make me as one of thy hired servants " — these 
 separate scenes in this inimitable drama of a 
 human life became such vivid realities to him 
 that he felt as though he himself had passed 
 through similar experiences in some former 
 half-forgotten state of existence. Specially did 
 the recollection of the old home, with its fond 
 memories and sweet associations, take possession 
 of his soul. Then the climax of all, in the 
 Father's infinite love, expressed in words, which 
 fell upon his ear like a strain of heavenly music, 
 until every fibre of his being tingled with a 
 dream of unutterable happiness. "This my son 
 was dead, and is alive again : he was lost, and is 
 found." He was the son. Surely this was the 
 peace of God, and surely this the sign that his 
 sins were forgiven. And now he was no longer 
 haunted with vague terrors of hell and the 
 Judgment. At night, when the trees began to 
 whisper and the wind to roll across the great 
 plain, he heard the angels calling to him ; white- 
 robed and shining spirits were ever about 
 him in his dreams. And through his wide 
 open window, on the starry nights, came 
 balmy breezes from the heavenly land, which 
 played upon his cheek's and lulled him to 
 sleep. 
 
 "The preacher would have spoken truth," he 
 thought to himself, "if he had only told him 
 more about God's love and forgiveness," for,
 
 THE PEODIGAL SOX. 53 
 
 child though he was, he realised this as a fact 
 of his own experience. 
 
 " I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy sins," 
 he murmured to himself as he laid his tired little 
 head on his pillow at night, and wet it with 
 tears of joy.
 
 54 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter VI. — DICK'S RELAPSE : HE 
 
 RESOLVES TO GO TO SEA. 
 Months passed, and Dick's religious im- 
 pressions began — like most religious impressions 
 — to wear off, and at last they were completely 
 knocked out of him by rude contact with the 
 world. He at first thought, in his childlike 
 innocence, that he would be able to win his 
 Aunt's affection by humility and obedience, but 
 she would promptly box his ears whenever he 
 was thinking of some Scripture text, and did 
 not catch her words when she spoke to him. 
 And Kitty, who during his religious paroxysm 
 had been idealised into a saint, one day threw 
 his Bible out of the window, because he 
 preferred reading it to playing with her. The 
 schoolmaster, at the half-time school which had 
 been opened on the run, thrashed him unmerci- 
 fully because he was dreaming of angels when 
 he should have been learning his grammar. 
 But perhaps the rudest shock of all came from a 
 schoolmate, who wrongfully accused him of 
 hiding his cap, and struck him on the face, 
 whereupon Dick, mindful of the New Testament 
 injunction, turned the other cheek towards his 
 assailant, who at once repeated the blow with 
 interest. Then it was that Dick forgot all about 
 his good resolutions, threw off his coat and went 
 for the bojr, and gave him a tremendous 
 thrashing, after which he went home to cry
 
 dick's relapse. 55 
 
 half the night over his wickedness. Early next 
 day he sought the boy and craved his forgive- 
 ness, but, to his surprise, his entreaties were 
 scorned ; angry words passed, which ended in 
 another fight. In this last scuffle Dick got his 
 eye blackened and his clothes torn. His Aunt 
 demanded an explanation. Dick said that he 
 fell oft' a fence, thereby blackening his eye and 
 tearing his clothes. He was found out, and not 
 only got a sound drubbing, but was told, with 
 much impressiveness, " All liars would have 
 their place in the lake that burned with fire and 
 biimestone." From that day forward Dick 
 thought it was no use trying to be good. He 
 felt that the Devil was getting the best of it, 
 and for the sake of peace he had better give up 
 the unequal struggle. Regarded as a liar, he 
 thought he might as well be one if it saved him 
 from any unnecessary punishment. His down- 
 ward course was now rapid. He fought with 
 the boys at school at the slightest provocation, 
 and, as practice makes perfect, soon developed 
 into a skilled pugilist— so much so, that his 
 schoolmates were all afraid of him, and he at 
 length earned the sobriquet of the " Wirrawarra 
 bully." 
 
 So Dick went on, from bad to worse, until 
 Mrs. Danvers herself p - ot frightened of him, and 
 informed her husband one evening that he was 
 contaminating the whole household and going 
 to the Devil headlong. 
 
 It happened just at that time that Mr. 
 Danvers, at his wife's instigation, sold the
 
 56 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 station, which was being encroached on all sides 
 by miners and selectors, and with the proceeds 
 bought a large interest in a sugar plantation at 
 Fiji, which he contemplated visiting in a few 
 months. So he proposed taking Dick with him, 
 and as they both considered the lad was now 
 quite old enough to do something for himself, 
 he was to be left at the plantation, where, for 
 the present at least, he would be out of mischief. 
 In the meantime, they were to move to Sydney, 
 and take up their residence in one of the 
 suburbs. 
 
 As for Dick's religious impressions, the}' 
 appeared to have utterly died. I say appeared, 
 for I don't think the spiritual emotions of early 
 childhood ever really cease to exist ; and for this 
 reason they are always sincere — there can be 
 no hypocrisy about them. It is only as we gain 
 experience in the ways of the world that we 
 become hypocrites. It is fear that teaches us to 
 dissemble. We are punished sometimes for no 
 reason whatever, sometimes for a reason that is 
 not understood ; and, smarting under a sense of 
 the manifest injustice, is it any wonder that we 
 should grow up with a feeling that life itself is 
 governed, not by a loving Parent, but either by 
 a malevolent spirit or cruel and arbitrary laws ? 
 We commit offences and elude punishment by 
 falsehood. This begets a confidence in our own 
 resources and cunning until we begin to fancy 
 — poor fools ! — that we are masters of our own 
 destiny, and can do wrong and escape the 
 consequences thereof.
 
 dick's relapse. 57 
 
 Anyhow, it was so with Dick Dan vers. As 
 he grew older, and more conscious of his own 
 strength, resources and skill, the spiritual element 
 that had been awakened in his nature receded 
 and gave place to the romantic. 
 
 A taste for reading had been acquired at 
 school, which rapidly grew into a passion for 
 books of travel and adventure. The tales which 
 he devoured most eagerly at this time were 
 Mayne Reid's, Marryatt's, Cooper's, Scott's, and 
 such books as " The Swiss Family," " Robinson 
 Crusoe," " The Coral Island," etc., which not 
 only thrilled and fascinated him, but began to 
 exercise a potent influence upon his life and 
 character. He knew every hero intimately, and 
 could recount their adventures by heart — which 
 he often did to Kitty during their solitary 
 rambles— until the longing to imitate them and 
 pass through similar experiences became a 
 passionate resolve. This desire to go to sea and 
 visit foreign lands he kept a profound secret, 
 even from Kitty, believing that his Uncle and 
 Aunt would never permit him to do so, if for no 
 other reason than because he wished it. Ho 
 knew nothing whatever about the proposed visit 
 to Fiji. So Dick decided to wait patiently for 
 a favourable opportunity to carry out his 
 cherished desire. The occasion came sooner than 
 he expected, and in a manner somewhat unde- 
 sirable. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Danvers, after selling the 
 station, removed to Waverley, a fashionable 
 suburb a short distance from Sydney. Here
 
 58 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Mrs. Danvers could attend services and meetings 
 of a religious character to her heart's content. 
 The good woman was delighted. For a time all 
 went well ; everyone seemed pleased at the 
 change. Mr. Danvers had an office in town, 
 where he acted as a sort of agent, and transacted 
 business in connection with his Fiji estate. 
 Alfred Grimstone, his stepson, was taken from 
 school and duly installed as one of his clerks, so 
 that through her " darling boy " Mrs. Danvers 
 could make herself acquainted with all that 
 happened at the office, and a good deal more. 
 Dick, who was now fifteen years of age, was 
 also relieved of school duties, so that he might 
 act as office bo}^, run messages, and make himself 
 generally useful. The change was a very 
 pleasant one to him, for he was to some extent 
 away from his Aunt's supervision, and had his 
 Saturday afternoons to himself, which he and 
 Kitty usually spent on the Bondi and Bronte 
 beaches, watching the ships and steamers go 
 sailing or steaming down the coast, while he 
 recited Byron's " Address to the Ocean " and 
 Longfellow's " Secret of the Sea," until he 
 himself seemed to hear 
 
 The ancient helmsman 
 Chant a song so wild and clear 
 
 That the sailing sea-bird slowly 
 Poised upon the mast to hear, 
 
 Till his soul was full of longing, 
 And he cried with impulse strong, 
 
 " Helmsman, for the love of heaven, 
 Teach me, too, that wondrous song."
 
 A CRISIS. 59 
 
 Chapter VII.— A CRISIS. 
 
 Mr. Danvers, on settling in Sydney, found so 
 many things to occupy his attention that the 
 projected visit to Fiji had to be postponed for 
 awhile. 
 
 In the meantime, Dick, having firmly, though 
 secretly, resolved to go to sea, set himself to 
 prepare for his future vocation. He thought 
 that if he could only become an utter scamp or 
 scapegrace, like some of his favourite heroes, or 
 do something that would shock his guardians, 
 they would then be glad to get rid of him, and 
 probably allow him to ship on board one of the 
 Island traders, the captains of which his Uncle 
 frequently had business connections with in 
 Sydney. He felt first of all that he must learn 
 to smoke and chew tobacco, and to drink' wine 
 and whisky whenever he could get them. His 
 first experience with tobacco was not a very 
 pleasant one, but with a strong determination to 
 overcome all difficulties in the way he at length 
 succeeded in being able to smoke a cigarette or 
 mild cigar. 
 
 He had furnished and arranged an old out- 
 house to represent the forecastle of a ship. An 
 old rug, secured at the ends to the rafters, served 
 him as a, hammock. Thither used Dick to 
 retreat when his Aunt was engaged or away 
 from home, and spend his leisure hours in
 
 60 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 smoking his Uncle's cigars, and feeding his 
 imagination in such tales of shipwreck and 
 adventure that he could borrow or pick up for a 
 few pence at the secondhand bookstalls in the 
 city. The poor fellow's wages were not high. 
 
 One Saturday afternoon, when he had 
 arranged with Kitty to go down to the beach, 
 his Aunt said to him, " Dick, you are to clean up 
 the yard before you go out to-day." 
 
 Dick protested, on the ground that his Uncle 
 had promised him the half -holiday, and the 
 clearing up business would take up the better 
 part of the afternoon, and finally muttered 
 something about " cheating and lying." 
 
 His Aunt gasped, and looked daggers at him. 
 
 " How dare you disobey me, you young 
 villain ! Mr. Danvers," she called out, " will }^ou 
 come here, and see that this boy does his work ? 
 You've promised him money this week, haven't 
 you ? 
 
 "Yes; half-a-crown," said Mr. Danvers, 
 meekly, as he emerged from the back door. 
 
 "Well, not a penny shall he get until he 
 does what I have told him. Understand that, 
 Mr. Danvers !" 
 
 "Dick," said his Uncle, quietly, "you had 
 better do your work, and go out afterwards." 
 
 Anxious to get his small allowance, which 
 he knew would not be forthcoming if he did iml 
 obey, Dick, still muttering to himself, sullenly 
 took up the broom and commenced to sweep. 
 His Aunt retired to the house to get ready for 
 some afternoon Bible meeting. By the time the
 
 A CRISIS. 61 
 
 job was half finished Dick got tired, and gave 
 the order for " the watch to go below " — that is, 
 he threw down his broom, rolled himself up in 
 his hammock, and lighted a cigar. For the next 
 half-hour he was so deeply interested in " Tom 
 Cringle's Log " that he did not hear a stealthy 
 step behind him until, suddenly, swish came a 
 quince rod right across the hand that held the 
 book. 
 
 He dropped cigar and book, and, with a howl 
 of pain, sprang from his hammock. 
 
 " You cowardly wretch !" he exclaimed. 
 " How dare you strike me like that ?" 
 
 " Dare !" repeated his Aunt, turning livid 
 with rage. " How dare you smoke on my 
 premises, and — and — disobey me ?" she added, 
 striking him again across the cheek. 
 
 The lad winced with pain, and in a moment 
 of passion stooped down, and, picking up the 
 book, flung it witli all his force at his Aunt's 
 face. It struck her on the mouth, felled her to 
 the ground, cut her lip, and knocked out her 
 false teeth. 
 
 "Help: Murder!" she shrieked. "The 
 wretch is killing me." 
 
 Mr. Danvers and Kitty came rushing down- 
 stairs to see what had happened. But Dick did 
 not wait for them t<> arrive on the scene. 
 Casting a seared glance at his Aunt as she was 
 gathering herself up, he fled, in an agony of 
 remorse and shame, from the house.
 
 62 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter VIII.— DICK'S RETURN. 
 
 When Dick rushed out, his brain was in a 
 whirl. He had struck a woman, and that 
 woman his Aunt. He could never face her again. 
 And his Uncle ? What would he say ? And 
 Kitty ? What would she think ? Would they 
 not loathe and despise him. " He would run 
 away — go to sea." Then he brightened up. 
 " Here was his chance. What he had been 
 waiting and longing for. True, it had come in a 
 somewhat unpleasant manner; but what of that? 
 Yes ; he would clear out to China, the South 
 Seas, London— anywhere, and never set eyes on 
 the hateful face of his Aunt again. The whole 
 world was before him : he would go forth now 
 and conquer it, and never return to Sydney. 
 Yes ; he would come back captain of a large 
 ship, with plenty of money, marry Kitty, take 
 her away with him, and live happily ever 
 afterwards." Suddenly he remembered that he 
 had no money — not a penny. The few shillings 
 he possessed were locked up in a box in his 
 bedroom; if he could only get them he would be 
 off at once. Thus cogitating, Dick ran on till he 
 came to the beach at Bronte, at the far end of 
 which he sought refuge in a large cave, well 
 known to himself and Kitty, and from whence 
 he could watch the steamers and ships, the boys 
 and men swimming in the baths, and the half- 
 holiday-makers walking on the beach. He sat
 
 dick's return. 63 
 
 there during the whole of the afternoon, trying 
 to make up his mind as to his future course of 
 action. The sun went down ; the wanderers left 
 the beach ; the baths were deserted ; here and 
 there to seaward lights began to flicker from 
 passing coasters. But it was quite dark before 
 he dared to venture from his hiding-place : and 
 then he betook himself to the more solitary 
 parts of the suburb, where he wandered about 
 until he thought it must be quite late, at least 
 ten or eleven o'clock. " Now," he said to him- 
 self, "I will return to the house, and steal in by 
 the back way." He had a large penknife ; with 
 its blade he would unfasten one of the dining- 
 room windows. He had done so once before, 
 when he went to the theatre. He could then 
 creep upstairs, reach his room, gain possession of 
 his money, and then he would be off". No ! H e 
 would first say good-bye to Kitty, and promise 
 to be faithful to her through all his wanderings 
 and adventures. Dick determined all this in his 
 heart before he reached the garden gate, which 
 he gently unlatched, then crept up by the fence 
 until he gained an outhouse wall, behind which 
 he could take shelter. Late as it was, he saw a 
 light in the back dining-room, and behind the 
 curtain the shadows of two figures. 
 
 "Confound it!" he muttered to himself. 
 "They have not gone to bed yet. Perhaps they 
 are waiting up for me." 
 
 He watched for a long time, until at last one 
 of the figures disappeared, and he knew that his 
 Aunt had retired. 

 
 64 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " I wonder if Uncle has locked the kitchen 
 door," he said to himself. Mr. Danvers was in 
 the habit of going out to the kitchen for hot 
 water at a late hour. If he had not already done 
 so, Dick might slip through the door, hide in 
 the pantry, and from thence he would have easy 
 access to the house, and thus save himself the 
 trouble of getting through the window. With 
 this object in view, he stole along the garden 
 walk, taking the precaution to draw off his 
 boots, lest they should grate upon the gravel. 
 He had almost succeeded in reaching the door, 
 when he was discovered by " Sancho," the 
 faithful watch-dog. Dick had forgotten all 
 about the dog, and the animal, not recognising 
 him in the dark, gave a ferocious bark and came 
 bounding towards him. 
 
 " Down, Sancho !" he said, in a low whisper. 
 Then, fearful of being discovered, he turned to 
 run back to the washhouse. Unfortunately, at 
 the entrance there was a large iron tub, which 
 Dick not seeing tumbled over, making noise 
 enough to awaken the whole household. 
 
 " Who's there ?" demanded his Uncle, who 
 had rushed to the back door with a lighted 
 candle in his hand. "Is that you, Dick ?" 
 
 Dick picked himself up, rubbing his shins 
 and elbows, and, seeing that concealment was 
 now useless, put on a bold front and replied, 
 " Yes, Uncle ; it's me." 
 
 " Then what the dickens are you doing there ? 
 Where have you been to ? Come here, you 
 young vagabond !"
 
 dick's return. 65 
 
 Dick made a movement towards the door, 
 and then suddenly stopped. 
 
 " Come along, and don't keep me standing 
 here in the draught. I'm not going to hurt you." 
 
 Somewhat re-assured by his Uncle's words, 
 the lad entered the dining-room. 
 
 " Sit down there until I finish these letters." 
 
 Dick sat down gingerly at the extreme end 
 of the sofa, feeling very uneasy as to the final 
 result of his interview. 
 
 " Now, then," said Mr. Danvers, as he sealed 
 and directed his last envelope. " What's all this 
 row about ? What have you done to the old lady ? 
 She seems in a tearing rage, and in an awful 
 state about you ; a case of assault and battery 
 from her version of the affair ; it's all I could do 
 to prevent her from sending for the police." 
 
 As Mr. Danvers did not speak in an angry 
 tone, Dick gathered courage, and gave a truthful 
 account of the first part of the disturbance — 
 even admitting that he had stolen the cigar — 
 then he wound up by saying, " that he was very 
 sorry, but he did not think the book would have 
 struck his Aunt in the face, and knocked her 
 teeth out, he had only intended to throw it 
 away." 
 
 His uncle smiled grimly. " You're a bit of a 
 storyteller, you know, Dick ; I believe you fully 
 intended to hit her. Now, the question is, what 
 am I to do with you ? You'll be getting into 
 serious trouble before lonir." 
 
 " Well, Uncle," said Dick, further emboldened 
 by Mr. Danver's treatment of the affray. " I am
 
 66 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 quite willing to leave the place, if you will help 
 me a bit." 
 
 " How ? " 
 
 " If you could let me have a pound or two, 
 I " 
 
 "You are an ungrateful scamp, after my 
 taking you, rearing and educating you, now that 
 you're a bit useful you want to clear out, eh V 
 
 " Not exactly — you— you don't quite — quite 
 understand" — stammered Dick. 
 
 " Now, look here," said his Uncle with deter- 
 mination. " You want to get back to Wattle- 
 down. I won't have it. You can make your 
 mind easy about that, but I'll tell you what, I 
 have a plan in my head which I think will suit 
 us both." 
 
 " May I ask you what it is, Uncle ? " 
 
 " No, not now," said Mr. Danvers, who wished 
 to consult his wife again before he revealed to 
 Dick the Fiji project. 
 
 " You p'o to bed now. and I'll have a talk 
 with you in the morning.' 
 
 Seeing that further argument would be 
 fruitless, Dick obeyed. His Uncle followed him 
 upstairs, saw him to his room, then closed and 
 locked the door, leaving the key in the key- 
 hole. 
 
 " I'll see that the young beggar is secure for 
 the night, anyhow," thought Danvers. 
 
 Blowed i! the old beggar hasn't locked me 
 in," thought Dick, as he tried the handle of his 
 door. " Be smells a rat with all his soft talk. 
 I expect I'll ' cop ' it in the morning."
 
 THE FLIGHT. 
 
 Chapter IX.— THE FLIGHT. 
 
 Dick raised his bedroom window, and looked 
 out. It was about 20ft. from the ground, 
 altogether too far for a jump, he thought to 
 himself. He sat down to reflect upon the possi- 
 bility of making a rope out of the sheets and 
 quilts on his bed. " Yes," he muttered, " I think 
 I can do it." He chuckled to himself at the idea 
 of tricking his Uncle after all. Then he got up, 
 secured his money, about 15s, and busied himself 
 packing some clothes into a small hand-bag. Ee 
 managed also to squeeze in a few paper-covered 
 books. Then he took a photo of Kitty off the 
 mantlepiece, kissed it, and placed it in his breast 
 pocket. " I'll put that there," he said, "incase 
 I lose my bag." He went to the door and 
 listened. All was quiet. Then he proceeded to 
 put his plan into execution. He tied the sheets 
 
 and quilts firmly together, and Hastened the > 
 
 the bed-post, but even with a strip of blanket 
 attached they did not reach more than half way 
 to the ground. The night was dark, so thai it 
 was very difficult for him to measure the dis- 
 tance and as he did not care to risk breaking a 
 limb, he sal down upon the bed again to reflect. 
 " Why should I be in such a hurry." lie said to 
 himself; "the whole night is before me; it iscold 
 and dark outside; if l escape without hurting 
 myself, 1 shall have to wander about the streets
 
 6 r iJOWN TO THE SEA IN SHU'S. 
 
 until daylight, with the chance of a policeman 
 taking me in charge. No, better wait until dawn, 
 then I shall be able to see how far I have to 
 drop. With this resolve, he threw himself dressed 
 upon the bed, determined not to go to sleep He 
 was just beginning to dose oh 1 ', when he thought 
 he heard a tap at the door. He listened, and the 
 tap was repeated. He got up, and walking softly 
 across the room, put his mouth to the keyhole 
 
 " Who's there ? " he asked. 
 
 " It's me, Alfred," came the reply in a low 
 whisper. 
 
 Alfred Grimstone ! What on earth could he 
 want at such an hour ? 
 
 " What do you want ?" inquired Dick. 
 
 '' Just to see you for a minute, let me in." 
 
 " I can't, the door is locked on the outside." 
 
 " Ah ! that accounts for my not being able 
 to open it, then." Alfred turned the key, opened 
 the door, and entered the room. 
 
 " Hullo ! what are you up to ? " he exclaimed, 
 glancing at the bed, then at the sheets, which 
 were hanging out of the window ; going to give 
 us the slip, eh V 
 
 " What if I am ? It's no business of yours. 
 You're not going to peach ?" asked Dick, dis- 
 tressfully. 
 
 "Hush! "Don't make such a row. you'll 
 have mother in here directly if you talk so 
 loudly. No," added young Grimstone; "you 
 needn't be afraid of me. But 1 can put you up 
 bo a better trick than that," he said, pointing to 
 the improvised rope.
 
 THE FLIGHT. I if) 
 
 " Yes ! And what may that be?" asked 
 Dick, suspiciously, for he had no great faith in 
 his midnight visitor, and wondered what motive 
 he could have in seeking him at so late an hour. 
 They were never very good friends, and since 
 the removal to Sydney Dick had been compelled 
 to submit to many insults and indignities in the 
 office, as well as at home. 
 
 " Well, old chap," responded his kinsman, 
 assuming a familiar tone and attitude, " when I 
 came in to tea 1 heard the gov'nor and the old 
 woman talking about the row, and said to 
 myself, ' Dick s in for it now ; I wonder if I can 
 help him.' Then I remembered a steamer ticket 
 I had bought to go to see the Melbourne Cup, 
 which I intended to give to a chum in town, not 
 being able to go myself. So if you care to have 
 it, Dick, you can. It is only steerage, but I 
 suppose you don't mind that." 
 
 "Why should you give the ticket to me?" 
 asked Dick, suspiciously. 
 
 '•Why? Because I don't want it myself; 
 that's all. Think I'd give it to you it I wanted 
 it? No jolly fear !" 
 
 Dick sniffed, doubtfully. "Let me have a 
 look at it," lie said. 
 
 Grimstone produced a piece of red paper, 
 and handed it to him. 
 
 •('all this a steamboat ticket? It seems to 
 me only a bit of red paper." 
 
 " Read it, you fool," was the short response. 
 
 Dick read, and saw that it was a genuine 
 ticket for a steerage passage to Melbourne by
 
 70 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 the SS. Kooiiabiwra, and on it was written the 
 name Percy Fitzgerald. " Why, that's not 1113^ 
 name," he said. 
 
 " Who said it was V 
 
 "But won't I get into a scrape for travelling 
 under a false name ?" 
 
 '• Well by Jove, yon are green. All you've 
 got to do is to hand in the ticket when you are 
 asked for it. No one will say anything about 
 the name ; if they do, you caii say it's Percy 
 Fitzgerald." 
 
 Dick was not convinced. He felt that some 
 kind of trap was being laid for him, but what it 
 was he could not tell. " I should like to know 
 your reasons for wishing to get rid of me," he 
 said. 
 
 " I've told you all I'm going to tell," replied 
 Grimstone, angrily. " You can take it or Leave 
 it, just as you like." 
 
 Dick reflected for a few moments. He felt 
 that he could never live in the same house with 
 his Aunt again, and whatever motive prompted 
 his companion to make him the offer, it was a 
 splendid opportunity to get clean away — one 
 that might never occur again. 
 
 Grimstone noticed his indecision, and con- 
 tinued : "Well, what do you say? If 3^011 don't 
 want it, give me back the ticket; I'm oft' to bed. 
 If you do, here's half-a-sovereign to help you on 
 your way." 
 
 " All right," said Dick ; " I'll take it. But I 
 must say you've got awfully kind all of a 
 sudden."
 
 THE FLIGHT. 71 
 
 "I shouldn't like to see yon stumped up," 
 said Grimstone, with affected generosity. " Will 
 you go at once ?" 
 
 " No. What's the use ? If you don't mind 
 leaving the door unlocked, I'll start before day- 
 light." 
 
 " All right. I'll call you at live o'clock, and 
 give you the money then." 
 
 " But supposing you should not wake ?" 
 
 ■'Oh, you need not be afraid <>t' that. I've 
 got an alarm ; I'll set it for five." 
 
 Grimstone left the room, and Dick once more 
 threw himself on his bed, and tried to solve the 
 mystery : Why did his kinsman want to get rid 
 of him? Was it downright hatred, or — a sudden 
 thought struck him — -was it on Kitty's account ? 
 Was he fond of her, and did he want to get him 
 out of the way ? " My word," said Dick to 
 himself, "if I thought he was after Kitty, I 
 would not go at all." Then he laughed softly, 
 for he remembered that Kitty hated the very 
 sight of Alfred, and there was very little chance 
 of him ever succeeding in winning her affection. 
 " If that's his little game, I'll chance it," he said to 
 himself, as he rolled overand fell into a sound sleep. 
 
 He was awakened shortly after five o'clock. 
 "Hurry up, Dick, old man; it is already day- 
 light." 
 
 He sat up and yawned sleepily. "Why, 
 what's up now ?" he asked, as he saw Alfred 
 standing by his bedside. 
 
 " Don't you remember? Here's the ten bob 
 I promised you. Have you got the ticket ?"
 
 72 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Oh, aye ! I remember now. What time is 
 it?" 
 
 " Half-past five. You had better get away 
 before anyone is stirring." 
 
 " When does the boat go ?" 
 
 " Not until twelve o'clock to-morrow. This 
 is Sunday ; so you had better hide in some 
 secure place. You go there," he added, writing 
 an address on an envelope. " Billy Wilkins will 
 put you up. Here's another half-crown. If the 
 governor makes any search, I'll put him on the 
 wrong scent." 
 
 Dick took the money, caught up his bag, and 
 left the room. " I don't know what game you 
 are up to," he said, " but it happens to suit me, 
 so good-bye." When he reached the landing, he 
 stopped suddenly and turned back. 
 
 " What's the matter now ?" said Grimstone, 
 in a fierce whisper. 
 
 " I want to say good-bye to Kitty." 
 
 "You'll do nothing of the sort. The girl's 
 asleep. For heaven's sake go on. You'll wake 
 up the whole house if you go stamping through 
 the passage with your boots on." 
 
 " Then I won't go at all," said Dick, doggedly. 
 
 " But you'll wake her up." 
 
 " No, I won't. I'll slip off my boots, if you 
 like, and go to her door. If she's asleep, I won't 
 disturb her." 
 
 Grimstone swore at him, but he saw Dick 
 was determined, and that remonstrance would 
 be useless. Leaving his bag on the top of the 
 staircase, Dick went softly in his bare feet along
 
 THE FLIGHT. 73 
 
 the passage until he came to his cousin's room ; 
 then cautiously opened the door and peeped in. 
 He listened, and could distinctly hear the regular 
 breathing of the sleeping girl. He stepped into 
 the room. The sun was rising ; a ray of yellow 
 light shone through the window pane. It seemed 
 to cast a halo around the little head on the 
 white pillow. Her long auburn hair was loose, 
 and fell like a shower of gold across one cheek. 
 There was something beautiful and touching in 
 the expression on the child's face. Dick felt a 
 lump rise in his throat at the thought of leaving 
 the playmate of his childhood — perhaps for ever. 
 Her left arm hung over the side of the bed ; her 
 night garment covered it to the wrist. He stole 
 softly up to the bed, stooped down, and gently 
 touched the little white hand with his lips. The 
 child stirred slightly and murmured something 
 in her sleep, but did not awake. He thought of 
 the night when Kitty came to his own room and 
 he dreamt about the Judgment Da v. " Would 
 to God," he said to himself, " that I were a lit t If 
 child again !" Then he retreated from the room 
 as noiselessly as he had entered, closing the door 
 gently after him. 
 
 Grimstone was waiting on the landing. But 
 Dick did not speak to him ; he drew on his boots 
 in silence, and, without another sound or fare- 
 well, descended the stairs, and passed out into 
 the silent street.
 
 74 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter X.— THE FORGED CHEQUE. 
 
 " Dick's gone !" said Mr. Danvers, in a tone 
 of amazement, as he stood at the door of the 
 breakfast-room on the following morning. 
 
 " Gone where ?" inquired his wife, looking up 
 from pouring out the coffee. " I didn't know he 
 had returned." 
 
 " Oh, yes ! He came back late last night. 
 You had gone to bed, and I did not think it 
 worth while to disturb you." 
 
 " I should think not," said Mrs. Danvers, 
 contemptuously. " And where has he gone to, 
 pray ? 
 
 " I have no idea. But he has evidentlv 
 cleared out. I locked him in his room last 
 night. When I went to let him out this 
 morning, behold ! the bird had flown out of the 
 window." 
 
 " Out of the window !" exclaimed Mrs. 
 Danvers. 
 
 " Yes, indeed ! I wonder the young rascal 
 did not break his neck." 
 
 " You don't mean to say he jumped out of 
 the window ?" 
 
 " Well, not exactly. I found the bed sheets 
 and blankets knotted together, and hanging 
 about hall- way down the wall. He must have 
 had a drop of from ten to twelve feet.'
 
 THE FORGED CHEQUE. 75 
 
 "Good job if lie had broken his neck," said 
 Mrs. Danvers, devoutly. " Pity he had not one 
 of them twisted around it when he dropped." 
 
 " By-the-bye, that just reminds me. I don't 
 remember unlocking the door this morning." 
 
 " You've a head like a sieve, Mi-. Danvers. 
 What did you do with the sheets ?" 
 
 '•'Why, I left them there. I did not 
 think " 
 
 "Just like a man.' snapped up his wife. 
 "The idea of leaving that lad's dirty bed linen 
 dangling out of the window for all the world to 
 see. I expect it's all over the neighbourhood by 
 this time that you've committed suicide, Mr. 
 Danvers." 
 
 "I wouldn't be a bit surprised," responded 
 the husband, drily. "Polly," lie continued, 
 addressing the servant maid, who had just 
 entered with some porridge, " run upstairs — will 
 you? — and pull those rags in out of Dick's 
 window." 
 
 " Mr. Danvers, how dare yon. sir, make such 
 an allusion to my domestic appurtenances." 
 
 " But, my dear, yon said yourself" 
 
 " Nevermind what I said ; have you any idea 
 where that young wretch lias gone to '. Not that 
 I mind ; I hope 1 may never see his face again." 
 
 "Ihavenot," responded Mr. Danvers; "but 
 I wouldn't be surprised if he hail gone bark to 
 \\ irrawarra. 
 
 "What do you think, Alfred?" inquired 
 Mrs. Danvers. 
 
 '■That's my idea. Mother."
 
 76 DOWN TO THE SEA TN SHIPS. 
 
 " I don't," sobbed Kitty ; " I believe he's gone 
 away to sea, and — and — I'll never see him any 
 more. Poor Dick." 
 
 " Stop that snivelling, child, and eat your 
 breakfast," said Mrs. Danvers, angrily. " What 
 do you know about it ?" Then addressing her 
 husband : ' ; You had better see that everything 
 is right at the office. I wouldn't trust that young 
 wretch as far as I could see him." 
 
 " Very well, my dear ; come along, Alfred, it's 
 half-past nine ; we've only just time to catch the 
 'bus. " 
 
 " Stop that snivelling at once, when I tell 
 you, you little minx ; learn your lesson, and be 
 off to Sunday school," continued Mrs. Danvers, 
 turning with an angry scowl towards Kitty. 
 '' Don't be long, Mr. Danvers. I feel too upset to 
 go to church this morning." 
 
 When Danvers reached his office, he found to 
 his surprise and dismay that his wife's suspicions 
 were correct after all ; his room had been entered 
 during Saturday afternoon or evening, and all 
 his spare cash amounting to nearly ten pounds 
 abstracted from the safe. There was also an 
 uncrossed cheque, which he had left to pay 
 certain small accounts, amounting to twelve 
 pounds, missing. Whether it, too, had been stolen 
 and cashed, they would not be able to ascertain 
 until the bank opened at ten o'clock on the 
 following morning. 
 
 " By Jove ! " he exclaimed, " your mother 
 was right after all, Alfred; what time did you 
 leave the office yesterday ? "
 
 THE FORGED CHEQUE. 77 
 
 " About a quarter to one." 
 
 " Had Dick gone then ? " 
 
 " Yes, " you sent him to the wharf at half- 
 past eleven, you remember, and he did not return." 
 
 " And was everything all right ? " 
 
 " Yes, so far as I could see." 
 
 " Where did you leave the keys ? " 
 
 " On the dining-room mantlepiece." 
 
 " Didn't I tell you always to leave them in 
 my room ? " 
 
 " Yes ; but — I forgot yesterday — I was in a 
 hurry to get out." 
 
 Danvers eyed his stepson suspiciously. For 
 some time past he had missed several small sums 
 of money. " Where did you go to ? " he sud- 
 denly asked. 
 
 " Over to Kandwick to see a friend.'' 
 
 " You were at the races." 
 
 " No, father, really ? " said Grimstone, colour- 
 ing, and looking confused. " I went to the 
 cricket match." 
 
 " There was no cricket match at Randwick 
 yesterday." 
 
 "No"— he stammered ; but I went there first 
 to see Jones — you know Will Jones, father— 
 and then we went together to the Association 
 Ground. You ask him, if you don't believe me. 
 You don't think / took the money ?" he con- 
 tinued, with an injured air. "I don't know 
 what mother would say if you suspected me of 
 doing such a thine'." 
 
 " Well, the matter rests between you and 
 Dick. We shall have to find him. even if we
 
 78 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 put the police on his track. Where do you think 
 he has gone to ?" 
 
 " Back to Wattledown, I feel pretty sure." 
 
 " But there's no train until to-morrow 
 evening." 
 
 "There's one goes as far as Bathurst to- 
 morrow morning." 
 
 "Yes, certainly; he might take that," said 
 Danvers, " and go on the next day." 
 
 " Or he could walk to Parramatta, and get in 
 there," suggested Alfred. 
 
 " I don't fancy he would think of that. 
 Anyhow, it will be an easy matter to watch the 
 trains. I have an idea, from what Kitty dropped 
 this morning, that he may go away in one of the 
 steamboats. The lad, I know from the books I 
 have lately found him reading, has had a 
 hankering after the sea. Is that Saturday's 
 paper ? Let me have a look at it. Ah ! There's 
 a steamer going to Newcastle to-night at eleven 
 o'clock, one to Melbourne at twelve to-morrow, 
 and a schooner to the South Seas on Wednesday, 
 and another boat to New Zealand. My opinion 
 is that he will either go to Newcastle to-night 
 or up to Wattledown to-morrow. I'll watch 
 tli at boat to-night and the train to-morrow 
 morning, and then I'll slip round to the 
 Melbourne booking office. I wish to goodness I 
 had sent him ofl t<> Fiji when I first thought of 
 it. It's no use of waiting here. We had better 
 go back to lunch." 
 
 Mr. Danvers went down to the A.S.N. Co.'s 
 wharf and watched the Newcastle boat out that
 
 THE FORGED CHEQUE. 79 
 
 night, and on the following morning he took a 
 cab and drove to the railway station, and saw 
 the Bathurst train off; but there was no sign of 
 Dick, neither had the porters seen anyone 
 answering to his description. He then drove to 
 the bank, where another painful surprise awaited 
 him. He found that, not only had the cheque 
 he left been cashed, but his own name had been 
 neatly forged to the tune of twenty pounds. 
 " Good heavens !" he exclaimed to the clerk. 
 " Who cashed these ?" 
 
 No one could tell. The money had been paid 
 out shortly before twelve o'clock on Saturday. 
 There was the usual rush of business just before 
 the closing hour, and as Mr. Danvers often sent 
 round for money on Saturday morning, the 
 cheques were paid in the customary manner, 
 without any suspicion of fraud. 
 
 " What 1 Is there anything wrong with 
 them ?" inquired the teller. 
 
 "Yes — no," stammered Danvers. "At least, 
 I'm not sure yet. Don't say anything about the 
 matter until 1 see you again." 
 
 "Dear me," he muttered to himself, as lie left 
 the bank. "I'm certain Dick could never have 
 forged my name like that. But why has the 
 young scamp cleared out, and where can he have 
 gone to? It looks very suspicious. I'll just 
 drive round to a few likely places, anyhow." 
 So Mr. Danvers jumped into a cab again, and 
 visited several houses where lie thought the 
 runaway might he concealed, hut found no trace 
 hi him. After lunch he transacted some
 
 80 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 business, and then went up to the railway 
 station to watcli the mail trains go out. " I 
 reckon I'll find him here," he muttered to 
 himself ; " he's bound to make for Wattledown, 
 and he's a jolly side smarter than I give him 
 credit for if he escapes me." 
 
 Hour after hour he lingered on the platform 
 and around the ticket offices. Hundreds of 
 passengers came and went, but he saw no sign 
 of Dick. He waited until the last train had 
 left for the west, then went home perplexed and 
 disappointed. He listened patiently to his wife's 
 abuse until ten o'clock, when Mrs. Danvers 
 retired to rest. Then he waited up until nearly 
 one, half expecting Dick to return ; but by that 
 time the wanderer had commenced his travels, 
 and was far out at sea, in a condition quite as 
 miserable as his Uncle's. 
 
 " Now, who can have got that money ?" said 
 Danvers to himself, as he took up his bedroom 
 candlestick. " It must be either Dick or Alfred. 
 If Alfred, I dare not say anything about the 
 matter, on his mother's account ; if Dick, I had 
 better let the poor beggar keep it. Yes ; I'll go 
 down to the bank to-morrow, and tell them it's 
 all right."
 
 THE S.S. KOONABARRA. 81 
 
 Chapter XI— THE S.S. KOONABARRA. 
 
 The s.s. Koonabarra was getting up steam. 
 She was already more than half-an-hour behind 
 her advertised time of sailing, and the donkey 
 engine was fizzing and puffing and rattling in 
 the last few packages of deck cargo as if in a 
 tremendous hurry to get done, and away from 
 the present noise and bustle on the quiet sea, 
 where it would be comfortably housed under a 
 warm tarpaulin until its services were again 
 required. 
 
 The decks were thronged with the usual 
 motley crowd, consisting of well and ill-dressed 
 passengers, visitors, porters, fruit and newspaper 
 vendors. Dick Danvers had been on board for 
 more than an hour. He watched the donkey 
 engine for some time from a secluded spot on 
 the main deck, wondering how long it would 
 take to get the last package on board. Then 
 the crowd grew denser: lie became afraid of 
 being recognised, and withdrew to the steerage. 
 There he laid down in a bunk, pointed out to 
 him by the steward, expecting every minute that 
 the boat would start, lint as the minutes passed 
 slowly away, and the vessel did not leave the 
 wharf, he grew anxious and excited. 
 
 What if he should, after all. be found out. 
 and dragged home again '. 
 
 Several passengers came down and deposited 
 their luggage about the cabin. One man looked
 
 82 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 at him suspiciously, and asked why he did not 
 come on deck and see the boat off. 
 
 Dick replied that he felt sick, and the noise 
 above made his head ache. 
 
 " Time enough for that when you get out- 
 side," said the man, in a rough, though good- 
 humoured, tone of voice, as he threw a large 
 canvas bag down in the bunk next to Dick's. 
 "There's the bell! She'll be off in a few minutes 
 now. Come along, sonny." 
 
 Fearing that any further excuse might onlj" 
 cause inquiry to be made respecting him, Dick 
 got out of the bunk and ventured up the 
 companion stair. 
 
 Amongst the crowd of strange faces he felt 
 more at his ease than when he was down below. 
 Again the bell rang, and the order was given for 
 friends and visitors to go ashore. In a few 
 minutes the decks were comparatively clear. 
 The crowd still lingered on the wharf, waving 
 hats and handkerchiefs, and shouting farewells. 
 Dick was just beginning to feel comfortable in 
 the assurance that he had got away without 
 being recognised, when suddenly he caught sight 
 of a familiar form partly concealed behind a 
 large post. He looked again, to make sure. 
 "Yes," he mattered to himself, "it is Alfred 
 Grimstone, right enough ; and probably Uncle is 
 not far off." Alfred had evidently seen him 
 before, for he was waving his hand with the 
 purpose of attracting Dick's attention. 
 
 " Good-bye, Dick !" he shouted ; then quickly 
 hurried away from the departing vessel, and was
 
 THE S.S. KOONABARRA. 83 
 
 lost in the crowd. " Thank goodness !" said 
 Grimstone to himself. "The young beggar is 
 safe on board, and I shall not be found out, 
 unless Dick comes back ; but I don't think he 
 will. And even if he does, he'll be blamed for it 
 all. I'm glad I hadn't to take the trip myself. 
 But what a fool I was to lose the money in that 
 confounded sweep at Randwick. Never mind ! 
 Better luck next time,"
 
 84 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XII.— BOB BOWLINE. 
 
 The captain had now taken his position on 
 the bridge. " Stand by to let go that bow 
 hawser !" he cried. The hawser was let go, and 
 the vessel slowly backed out from the wharf. 
 In a few minutes they were steaming over the 
 smooth waters of the harbour. Directly he saw 
 Grimstone, Dick hurried below, where he re- 
 mained for some time pretending to be busy 
 arranging his bunk. The steerage was almost 
 full of passengers, chiefly diggers bound for 
 some new rush in Victoria. Suddenly some man 
 came down and announced that they were close 
 to the Heads. Then Dick thought he might 
 venture on deck again, and have a last look at 
 his native land. 
 
 The Koonabarra was a vessel of about two 
 thousand tons burden, so that there was plentj? - 
 of room about her decks, but only the space 
 from the forecastle to the funnels amidships was 
 reserved for the steerage passengers. She had 
 a high forecastle, on the top of which was 
 gathered a little knot of passengers. Dick 
 looked carefully round to make sure that there 
 were no policemen about, then ascended the steps 
 and joined the passengers on the forecastle. 
 One of their number was pointing out to the 
 others the various bays and headlands, which 
 were now rapidly sliding past them. Dick
 
 BOB BOWLINE. 85 
 
 gazed wistfully around ; it might be his last look 
 at the beautiful harbour he knew so well. 
 
 The bustle that attends the departure of a 
 large coasting boat had subsided, though some of 
 the crew were still rushing about the decks in 
 obedience to their officers' commands. 
 
 Now they were passing through the Heads, 
 and Dick beo-an to feel conscious of the motion 
 of the ship. One by one the passengers went 
 below, but he remained on deck — though feeling- 
 somewhat giddy and uncomfortable — to enjoy 
 the fresh ocean breeze, and the sense of freedom 
 which the boundless expanse of sea and sky 
 inspired him with. 
 
 Towards evening, the wind — which was from 
 the south-east — freshened considerably, and the 
 sea began to rise. By the lime the tea bell rang, 
 the steamer was plunging into a heavy head sea, 
 with the white foam every now and then 
 flying in showers across her weather bow. Still 
 he sat on ; and he did not want any tea, He 
 preferred watching the bubbles streaming past 
 the glossy side of the rushing boat. He was 
 sitting on the weather side. Suddenly the 
 vessel gave a heavy lurch to windward, and he 
 was thrown violently <>n to the deck. Before he 
 could recover himself, a wave broke over the 
 rail, the spray of which drenched him to the 
 skin. Fearful for the moment, I hat he might be 
 washed overboard, he staggered to his feet and 
 made for the steerage cuddy. With great 
 difficulty he reached it; but only to find tin' 
 doors closed. He kicked at them fiercely :
 
 86 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 shouting at the same time, " Steward ! steward !" 
 At last the steward came and, with an oath, 
 demanded what he was doing on deck in such 
 weather. Without deigning to reply, Dick 
 descended — or rather tumbled down — the com- 
 panion stair. He had no sooner reached the deck 
 than he became wretchedly sick. The close, heavy 
 smell, the groans of the suffering passengers, — 
 some of them indescribably hideous and heart- 
 rending—completely overpowered him, and he 
 was glad to roll like a log into his bunk. It was 
 a long time before he could sleep ; the rolling 
 and pitching of the vessel, the downward motion 
 of which seemed to leave his stomach suspended 
 somewhere in midair, the rattle of plates and 
 glasses, the retching of agonized passengers, 
 rendered such a thing as sleep impossible. 
 
 Towards morning, from sheer weariness, he 
 fell into an uneasy slumber. He was awakened 
 by the sound of voices, and a savoury smell of 
 hot coffee greeted his nostrils. For a few 
 moments he could scarcely realise where he was, 
 or what had happened. Four or five men were 
 sitting round the steerage table at breakfast. 
 Raising himself up in his bunk, lie was about to 
 make an attempt to get out, when a sudden 
 lurch of the vessel sent him sprawling along the 
 cabin Moor. A roar of rude laughter broke from 
 the men seated at the table. 
 
 " Hullo, younker, Avhere did you lay last?" 
 said one of them good-humouredly ; " come along 
 wid you, and stow away some of this ere 
 lobscouse."
 
 BOB BOWLINE. 87 
 
 "No,thankyou," replied Dick, faintly, pointing 
 
 to his stomach ; " I'll just have a mug of coffee if 
 you please." 
 
 'Here you are my lad," said the same man, 
 " that '11 warm the cockles of yer heart." 
 
 Dick took the mug, and swallowed a quantity 
 of the steaming liquid they call coffee on board 
 coasting boats. But immediately afterwards 
 made a sudden plunge towards the tin bucket 
 beside his bunk, into which he deposited the hot 
 coffee. Then returning to the table, he calmly 
 sat down, and asked the steward for another 
 n mg. 
 
 "Bravo! Bravo!" shouted the man who 
 had first addressed him. Then turning to his 
 companions he said, "Now that's what I call 
 downright blanky British pluck. Come along 
 younker, an' sit beside me, an' have some bread 
 an' butter ; you'll be all right directly." 
 
 Dick made his way across the heaving deck, 
 and shyly sat down beside his new acquaintance, 
 who seemed a man of about five and forty, 
 though it was difficult to tell his age, for his hair 
 was grey, and his face bronzed and weather- 
 beaten, and scarred by small-pox. Although 
 dressed in a neat shore-going suit, his language 
 and appearance denoted the sailor rather than 
 the miner. Poor Dick, in his loneliness and 
 misery, was glad to find someone he could "chum 
 up" with, though lie did not ai first like the 
 rough-bearded, and somewhat ugly face of his 
 companion.
 
 88 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 "Travelling alone, younker?" the stranger 
 enquired, draining his mug of coffee, and wiping 
 his mouth with the back of his hand. 
 
 " Yes, all alone," replied Dick. 
 
 " Ah ! then I 'ope you won't be above taking a 
 a little advice from an old shell-back." 
 
 " Not at all, it's very kind of you I'm sure," 
 said Dick, anxious not to offend. 
 
 " Then," continued the man in a whisper, 
 glancing suspiciously around the steerage, " keep 
 your weather eye open aboard this packet, or I'm 
 Mowed if some of them won't go through you 
 afore you get to Melbourne. Got any money?" 
 
 "Not much," said Dick, putting his hand to 
 his trousers pocket to see if his small store was 
 safe. "But you don't mean to say there is any 
 danger of being robbed ?" 
 
 "I do," responded his companion emphatically. 
 " Some of the beggars have been an' cleaned ■ me 
 out just afore I came aboard, all 'cept a few 
 solitary quid I had stowed away in my chest, and 
 I believe there's more of the land sharks about — 
 but let's go up on deck out of this stuffy hole, an' 
 I'll tell you how it was done." 
 
 Dick felt a little frightened, but followed his 
 new friend up the cuddy stairs. The old sai lol- 
 led him to a cosy seat on the lee side of a deck- 
 house, and proceeded to fill and light his pipe. 
 
 " 'Ope the smell o'the bacco won't upset your 
 stomach again ?" he said apologetically. 
 
 "Not at all," replied Dick, "smoke away, 
 I feel first-rate now. The fresh air lias quite set 
 me up." It was a lovely morning, both wind and
 
 BOB BOWLINE. 89 
 
 sea had gone down. The steamer had her fore 
 and aft canvas set, for there was still a light 
 breeze from the south-east. 
 
 " You had better shift to the other side, and 
 then you'll be out o' the way o' the smoke. So, 
 that's bully, well — ah," — puff — puff, " let me see, 
 what's yer name ?" 
 
 " Danvers. Dick Darners," said Dick, for a 
 moment thrown off his guard. " No — Fitzgerald 
 I mean," he stammered, remembering the name 
 on his ticket. 
 
 The man laughed. " it's all right ehummie," 
 he said, " you needn't be afraid, I won ( t split, but 
 I thought so. You're on the wallaby, ain't you ?" 
 
 The nian's words and manner re-assured Dick, 
 and he replied : " Well, yes, I suppose I am." 
 
 " That's just what I remarked to you about 
 keeping your weather eye open. Now, if I had 
 been a bobby or detective in plain clothes, you'd 
 have been nabbed as sure as — as little apples." 
 
 " I hope you're not then," said Dick t'cr\ ently. 
 
 "Oh ! it's all right boy. I'm only a shell-ba< k. 
 and my name's Bob Bowline, and now for my 
 yarn; I hail from Melbourne, and I'm just going 
 home to see the 'ole woman, ['ve been three 
 years out on the China coast and the East [ndies 
 in a barque called the " Fortune" \ meby you 
 know her y " 
 
 "No." said Dick. 
 
 "Well, I was paid off a fortnight ago in 
 Sydney, with a tidy cheque of seventy pounds; 
 think of that, lad," continued the sailor, slapping 
 bis thigh. •• 1 intended fifty for the 'ole woman,
 
 90 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 an' was going to have a spree with the 
 remainder, an' so I had with part of it, worse 
 hick. The skipper sez to me, ' Bob Bowline, you 
 take an' put that money in the bank, an' leave it 
 there until you're starting for Melbourne,' ' All 
 right, sir,' sez I, though I was a bit chary about 
 doin' of it, cos I thought it mightn't be there 
 when I went for it, but it was. So I got my 
 fifty pounds, all in bright shiny sovs. — wot I 
 had worked so hard for," he continued with a 
 sigh. " Then I went to Howard Smith's to get 
 a ticket, an' just as I was leaving the hoffice a 
 swell cove touched me on the arm an' sez, ' Hullo, 
 Jack, is that you ? an' you off to Melbourne ? ' 
 He held out his fin, so I took it, saying at the 
 same time, ' You've got the 'vantage of me, sir ; 
 my name's not Jack.' ' Oh ! beg pardon,' he sez, 
 ' I thought you was an old friend of mine. Any- 
 how, as you're goin' to Melbourne we might as 
 well walk down together and pick out our 
 berths.' I thought at the time he was a bit free 
 an' easy, but never suspected no devilment. So 
 off we goes together, an' he talked all the way 
 down to the boat, as if he had known me a 
 twelve month. Well, we picked our berths, an 
 he said, ' I must hurry off now an' get a ticket,' 
 You must remember I was going down cabin 
 passenger then, just to see what it was like ; he 
 said lie was afraid of being sea-sick, an' awfully 
 glad to chum up with someone as was a good 
 sailor. Just as he was leaving lie says: 'You'd 
 better come up an' have a drink.' I had no 
 objection, so he took me into the parlor of a pub.
 
 BOB BOWLINE. 01 
 
 not far from the wharf, and we had a glass of 
 whisky together. While we sat talking in a 
 friendly manner about the voyage and sich like, 
 another swell chap pushes the door open, an' 
 when he sees us, sez, ' Beg pardin, gents,' an' was 
 going out again ; when my friend — as I calls 
 him — said, ' It's all right,' So he came in, and 
 at once axed us to have somethin' to drink. 
 
 " ' You're a stranger,' said the man that was 
 along wid me; 'but we don't mind a friendly 
 glass, for all that,' ' You may think it sing'lar,' 
 said the chap that bad just come in, ' that I 
 should ax you; but the fact is I'm in luck, an 
 old uncle of mine died a few weeks ago in 
 America, an' has left me all his money. Look 
 here ! ' he sez, pulling out a handful of notes and 
 sovs., ' you see, mates, I can afford to be liberal.' 
 " Mr. friend, number one, gives a low sort < if 
 whistle, an' said, ' vou'd better not be showing 
 your money about to strangers in that way, or 
 else you'll be losing it. How do you know we 
 are honest men ? ' 
 
 " ' Oh :' he sez, ' I can tell by the cut o' your 
 jibs; besides, there is plenty more where that 
 came from.' .My friend number one winks at 
 me. as much as to say he didn't believe him ; 
 with that the new man got quite waxy. ' Wot.' 
 he sez, ' you don't believe me; look ere, if either 
 of you chaps can show me fifty pounds that ye 
 have honestly earned I'll give ye another fifty,' 
 
 " My friend winked again and sed, ' You 
 know we haven't got it about us. or you wouldn't 
 
 make such an offer. I've got a fiver; are you
 
 92 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 game to cover that ? ' ' Well,' he sed, ' I 
 mentioned fifty, but I don't mind ; where's your 
 money ? ' So friend number one puts down a 
 five pound note, an', sure enough, number two 
 planks another fiver on top of it, an* number 
 one puts both o' them into his pocket ; ' an' there's 
 fifty for you,' he sed, counting out ten fivers, ' if 
 you've earnt the same amount honestly yourself.' 
 ' I don't carry money about with me like that,' 
 sed number one ; ' but will you wait here till I 
 get it ? ' ' No ! ' lie said, ' I'm sorry I can't, I 
 must go down to the 'Frisco boat an' look out 
 for a berth.' Then I begins to think to myself, 
 This may be all right ; this 'ere chap has come 
 into a lot o' money all on a suddent, an' he 
 doesn't know what to do with it, an' is givin' it 
 away to the fust lot o' fellows he happens to 
 come across. Why shouldn't I have a share ? 
 So I up's and sez — like an ole fool that I was — 
 ' will you give 'em to me, mate, if I can show you 
 fifty sovs. ? ' 'I will,' he sez, ' S'elp me, I 
 will.' So I counted out my fifty sovs. that I 
 had jest got from the bank, an' he gave me ten 
 fivers. Well, sez I to myself, this is not so bad ; 
 what a fool I would ha' been if I hadn't a taken 
 'em ; this '11 almost set the ole woman up for 
 life. So in common decency I axes him to 
 have a drink. 'No! No!' he said, waving 
 his hand, ' let me shout.' So he rang the 
 bell, an' ordered a bottle of champagne. I 
 just remembered having a couple of glasses, an' 
 s'elp me, I knew nothing more till I found my- 
 self in quod next morning, or evening, I couldn't
 
 BOB BOWLINE. 93 
 
 tell which, with a splittin' 'eadache, and without 
 a bloomin' red cent upon me. They even collared 
 my steamer ticket. A policeman swore in the 
 courthouse that he found me swearing and 
 kicking up a tremendous shindy on the street, so 
 'e marched me off to the lock-up. Bern' my first 
 offence, the beak let me orf with a warning. As 
 luck would have it I had fifteen pounds stowed 
 away in my chest, so I went down yesterday, an' 
 took a steerage passage in this 'ere boat." Bob 
 Bowline stood up, knocked the ashes out of his 
 pipe, and continued : " You hev' heard my yarn, 
 boy, and that's why I told you to beware of 
 land sharks ; if so be you happened to have any 
 money about you ; you can't be up to their 
 tricks, an' once they get hold of you; why 
 they'll go through you like a dose of salts 
 through a soldier." 
 
 In return for this confidence Dick told the old 
 sailor as much of his own history as he deemed 
 prudent; for he was still a little suspicious of 
 his companion, and the unpleasant thought that 
 he might be a private detective sent after him by 
 his uncle occasionally obtruded itself on his 
 mind. But Bob was simply an honest and true 
 sailorinan, who had taken a sudden liking to the 
 friendless lad; though rough and uneducated, 
 his experience had taught him to read faces, and 
 as he often told Dick afterwards, from the firsl 
 day that he saw him he liked " the cut of his 
 jili." As for Dick he fell sorely in need of a 
 friend and counsellor in his loneliness. So it 
 came to pass that before the evening had closed
 
 94 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 in, the old sailor and the young prodigal had 
 contracted a friendship which lasted through 
 years of dangers and difficulties, and which death 
 itself could not sever.
 
 DICK IS INTRODUCED TO THE "OLE" WOMAN. 95 
 
 Chapter XIII. - - MELBOURNE : DICK IS 
 
 INTRODUCED TO THE "OLE" 
 
 WOMAN. 
 
 The following day was gloriously line. When 
 Dick went on deck, the sea was flooded with a 
 brilliant sunshine. A light breeze still blew 
 from the S.E., with just enough weight in it to 
 curl the waves into tiny feathers of foam. The 
 sky ran clear to the horizon, except for a few 
 white cloud purl's, which looked like beautiful sea 
 birds slowly sailing across the azure depths. To 
 the west, the faint outline of land was just visible 
 rising here and there into peaks, which, to the 
 unpractised eye, assumed the appearance of blue 
 clouds in the distance. When he looked ahead 
 an exclamation of delight and wonder broke 
 from the lad ; for right on their port bow was a 
 large full-rigged ship under all plain sail. In a 
 few minutes the two vessels were abreast ; so 
 close was the stranger that Dick could see the 
 men at work about her decks, and hear their 
 shouts an; I songs as they trimmed the yards. 
 Her white, shining canvas rose in beautiful 
 squares, until her skysails looked like pocket 
 handkerchiefs hung out against the dark blue 
 air. She was painted black, and as the swell 
 slowly raised her hull, he could see the copper 
 flash and glitter in the sunlight.
 
 96 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 "Oh ! how lovely," he exclaimed. "How I 
 should like to be on board such a ship as that." 
 
 " Yes ; not a bad-looking craft ;" remarked 
 Bob Bowline, who stood beside him. " I guess 
 she's a London clipper bound for Newcastle for 
 a cargo of coals ; and then on to the East Indies, 
 or some port on the coast of China. So you 
 would like to be aboard her, eh ?" 
 
 " My word, I would," repeated Dick ; " that's 
 just the sort of life I'd like." 
 
 " Well ! I'll see if I can find you a ship when 
 we get to Melbourne. I've got an old ordinaiy 
 seaman's discharge, stowed away somewhere 
 amongst my dunnage. You can have that if you 
 like, and we may be able to take a trip together." 
 
 " That would be jolly, but would they let me 
 use your discharge ?" 
 
 " Not exactly ; you would have to take an 
 old name I used to have years ago. Johnnie 
 Black it was. You would not mind that, for 
 you've tried the same little game on already ; 
 we shellbacks often take a name we fancy. I 
 was in a ship once when I don't think a single 
 man for'ard had his right name. Some o' them 
 never had a right name, an' others had changed 
 or forgotten them." 
 
 " Dear me ! how strange," said Dick, " and is 
 Bob Bowline your right name ?" 
 
 " Yes, laddie, that is the name I was baptized 
 under, when I promised to renounce the Devil 
 and all his works, but. — a'elp mo bob, I've never 
 done it." 
 
 "And you think you could get me a ship, Bob?"
 
 DICK IS INTRODUCED TO THE <! OLE" WOMAN. 97 
 
 " Of course, there be lots of vessels like that 
 'ere one in Melbourne, taking the round trips to 
 London and China, or the Indies at this time 
 o' the year." 
 
 " But would it not be forgery to write 
 another man's name ?" 
 
 " Forgery be blowed ; wiry the man's dead. 
 Johnnie Black's been dead — let me sec, more 
 than twelve years ago. He died of cholera, on 
 the Bangkok river. We were shipmates when 
 we were kiddies. I bought his chest and be- 
 longings when they were put up for auction, 
 discharge and all. That's why I used it, cause 
 I knew, poor chap, he would never turn up to 
 claim it. Oh no ! there's no forgery about it, you 
 needn't be afeared on that point." 
 
 This settled the matter to Bob's satisfaction, 
 anyhow, and he suggested that they should go 
 forward and see the men set the jib. Then Bob 
 pointed out to his young friend the different 
 yards and spars, ropes and deck gear, and told 
 him their names and explained their uses, so far 
 as they went, for he look care to inform him 
 thai there were a great many more ropes and 
 sails and spars in a sailing vessel, and (hat no one 
 could ever become a blanky sailor on hoard 
 steamers or coasting craft, hut must become deep 
 water men like himself. Then they went upon 
 the forecastle head to look at the porpoises 
 playing beneath the hows. Boh said that they 
 were dancing, and thai the noise of the steamer 
 dashing aside the waves was the same as music to 
 them, Dick averred that this was thebesl place
 
 98 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 in the whole ship, and felt he could stay here all 
 day, and do nothing but watch the dancing fish, 
 and the sharp stern cleaving the blue surface 
 into streaming froth and bubbling foam bells, 
 which went gliding and hissing along her glossy 
 sides until they met in the milky wake beneath 
 the counter. But the dinner bell called him 
 away, and he went below to enjoy — for the first 
 time at sea — a hearty meal. 
 
 The contrary wind of the previous day had 
 considerably lengthened their passage, so that it 
 was late before the Koonabarra reached Port 
 Phillip Heads. 
 
 They entered the bay just as the setting sun 
 threw a blood red glow upon the contorted 
 waters of the " rip." As the darkness deepened, 
 a bright light suddenly flashed out from Queen's- 
 clifl", and the land on their port beam faded away 
 into a shadowy line, that could scarce^ be 
 distinguished from the sky. By and by a luminous 
 haze appeared right ahead, which gradual \y 
 increased to a bright glow, like a slowly kindling- 
 fire. 
 
 " See that !" said Bob, pointing with his fore 
 finger in the direction of the light. 
 
 " Yes !" replied Dick ; " What is it ? a fire ?" 
 
 " No, that's Melbourne, my lad." 
 
 " My word, it must be a big place." 
 
 " You bet ! bigger than Sydney. And look 
 yonder," he continued, pointing to a galaxy of 
 trembling Lights broad on their port beam. 
 " That's Williamstown. And look ahead, or 
 rather about two points on the port bow."
 
 DICK IS INTRODUCED TO THE "OLE" WOMAN. 99 
 
 " I can't see anything there," said Dick. 
 
 " Look again," continued his companion, 
 anxiously ; " Don't you see a lot of little twink- 
 ling stars like." 
 
 After gazing intently for a short time in the 
 direction indicated, Dick said he thought he 
 could. 
 
 " Well, that's Brighton, where my ole' woman 
 
 In 
 ires. 
 
 " Your wife ? hinted Dick." 
 
 " Ha ha," laughed Bob. " Not quite ; my 
 mother lad. You don't think I could keep a wife 
 and a mother too ?" 
 
 Dick intimated that he thought the reference 
 was intended for his wife, and that he meant no 
 otience. 
 
 " Tut ! don't mention it lad. Not in the front 
 street," continued Bob, still pointing over the 
 bow of the boat; "not in the front part o' the 
 town where you see the lights shining ; only the 
 nobs live there. In one of the back streets 
 there's a little weatherboard cottage that used t<> 
 belong to father, when he was alive. I'll shim- 
 it to you to-morrow when we go out to se< 
 the ole' woman, but we had better go below now, 
 and get our traps read} T ." 
 
 It was past eleven before the steamer reached 
 the wharf on the " Yarra." 
 
 The majorit}' of the passengers were anxious 
 to go ashore at once ; but Dick, Bob Bowline, 
 and a few others, decided to remain on board 
 until the following morning.
 
 100 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 At daybreak Dick was aroused by a hoarse 
 voice shouting in his ear, " Ahoy there ! rouse 
 out, ole man." He started up, and found his 
 friend sitting in the bunk opposite to him, with 
 his legs dangling over the edge of it. 
 
 to to to to 
 
 " Sorry to turn you out so early, Dick, lie 
 said, but the steward wants the blooming 
 mattresses." 
 
 " It's all right," exclaimed the lad, springing 
 out, and donning his coat — the only garment he 
 had divested himself of the night before. 
 
 " Say, steward, ole chap, what's the time ? " 
 enquired Bob. 
 
 " Just gone four bells " —six o'clock. 
 
 "Dickie, my boy, we'll just have time to 
 catch the early train to Brighton, an' be 'ome for 
 breakfast. Golly! won't the ole woman be sur- 
 prised to see us ? Sorry I let those chaps shake 
 my money, though ; wish I 'ad 'em 'ere ;" he con- 
 tinued, savagely. "I'd let daylight through their 
 encases, or my name's not Bob Bowline." 
 
 They soon had their luggage on deck. 
 
 "Ahoy, there !" exclaimed Bob to a vanman 
 standing on the wharf. " What'll you cany our 
 dunnage round to the station for, eh ?" 
 
 " Half a crown," promptly replied the man. 
 
 " Be blowed ! Why it's only five minutes' 
 walk 1" 
 
 " Say two bob then. You've got a good lump 
 of a chest." 
 
 " Plight you are. Lend us a hand, then." 
 
 The vanman came on deck". Hob's large sea- 
 man's chest and his canvas hag were conveyed
 
 DH K IS [NTRODUCEDTO THE "OLE* 5 WOMAN. 101 
 
 to the cart, and in a few minutes they were 
 standing on the Spencer-street Railway Station. 
 They found that they had to wait nearly an hour 
 for a train, so Bob proposed a walk down the 
 street to the nearest barber's shop, to get a shave 
 and his hair cut, in order that he might present 
 himself decent and shipshape to the ole woman, 
 
 This done, they returned to the station, and 
 caught the train leaving Melbourne at half -past 
 seven. In a few minutes they arrived at Brigh- 
 ton. Here, again, Bob secured a van for his 
 chest and bag, and carefully directed the driver 
 to take them to " a little 'ouse named 'Op'' Cot- 
 tage, in a little street in little Brighton." Then 
 he and Dick walked on together. 
 
 "I wouldn't bother about the dunnage," he 
 remarked, " 'cause I shall have to ship again in a 
 few days — only that I have a few curios, pictures 
 and things, stowed away in my donkey for the ole 
 woman; she'll be disappointed about the money; 
 but I can't help that ; I've a great mind to tell her 
 I put it in the bank, which 'ud In- true, and the 
 dear ole critter would be quite contented to let it 
 stay there till ! got hack from my next voyage." 
 
 Thus talking, they passed through the rail- 
 way gates, then down a Long street lined with 
 shops ami houses, until the\ reached the out- 
 skirts of the suburb. Here the houses weiv 
 mean and diminutive, in comparison with the 
 villas and mansions they had passed. At last, at 
 the end of a narrow street they had just entered, 
 they saw the van containing Hob's " dunnage " 
 standing beside a neat little weather-board house.
 
 102 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " There's 'Ope Cottage," exclaimed Bob, tri- 
 umphantly, waiving his hand down the street, 
 " and blest if that isn't the ole woman herself 
 waiting for us." As he spoke, Dick noticed a 
 tall, elderly woman descend the steps leading 
 from the cottage, and address a few words to 
 the carrier, who jerked his thumb over his shoul- 
 der, implying that the owner of the luggage was 
 coming. She shaded her eyes with her hand for 
 a minute and looked intently down the street, 
 then returned to the house. 
 
 " Hurry up, Dick ! she's gone back for her 
 bonnet ; she'll be out again directly, an' I don't 
 want her to be a-kissing an' a-hugging me in the 
 street before that lumper." 
 
 In a .short time the old lady emerged again, 
 lli is time with a large coloured handkerchief 
 tied over her head. She evidently had not 
 waited to find her bonnet. 
 
 Bob stepped out briskly, but he was too late 
 to reach the cottage before his mother met him. 
 She stopped short within a few paces of her son 
 and eagerly scanned the bronzed face, as though 
 her dim eyes scarcely recognised his features. 
 
 " Mother !" said Bob, " don't you know me ; 
 how are you ?" 
 
 "Oh, Bobbie! it is you. You're back again !" 
 
 and in a moment her arms were around the 
 s;iilor's neck. 
 
 "All right, mother. Don't choke a fellow — 
 there now let's go inside! — Dickie, my boy, just 
 help that fellow oil' with my chest."
 
 KICK IS INTRODUCED To THE "OLE" WOMAN. 103 
 
 The luggage was deposited on the verandah, 
 and the vanman paid. Bob had entered the 
 house with his mother. Dick was left standing 
 jutside. He noticed that it was a pretty little 
 cottage, with a tiny plot of garden in front, in 
 which grew a number of plants and flowers. 
 It was a queerly -built place, the verandah being- 
 very short, and terminating in a Gothic porch, 
 which was overgrown with a passion-vine. Bob 
 soon came out, and invited his friend to enter. He 
 opened the door of the front room, saying : " Sit 
 ye down here, in the cabin, for a few moments, 
 while I attend to the ole woman and hoist the flag. 
 She takes on a bit when she fust sees me, but if 
 I let her scud full sail before the wind she's Al 
 in a short time. I'll be back directly." 
 
 Dick found himself in a small, but neatly 
 furnished, apartment. There was a round cedar 
 table in the centre, covered with a crimson 
 cloth; in the four corners of the room were 
 placed four Austrian chairs, with an antima- 
 casser hanging over the back of each one. The 
 room was ornamented with a variety of sea 
 pictures, curios, and models. Over the mantel- 
 piece was a large Chinese oil painting of Bob 
 himself, while the walls were quite gay with 
 i agravings and coloured pictures of ships, ami 
 schooners, ami Chinese junks. 
 
 " Evidently," thought Dick to himself. " Bob 
 is very fond of his mother, and has not for- 
 gotten her in his travels." 
 
 In a, lew minutes Bob and his mother re- 
 turned. "Ah! I forgot," he exclaimed. "This'ere
 
 104 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 young chap is a friend of mine, mother ; he was 
 shipmates with me on the boat down from Sydney." 
 
 The old lady extended her hand to Dick, 
 saying that she was always glad to welcome 
 Bob's friends and shipmates. "It keeps him at 
 home, you see, to have someone to smoke and 
 talk with." 
 
 " I was telling the ole woman," said Bob, 
 " that I took quite a fancy to you, an' we're goin' 
 on a round voyage together, to the East Indies 
 an' London." 
 
 " But not for a good while, my son. You 
 must stay at home for a bit now, and rest." 
 
 " I should like to, mother ; but, you see, I 
 haven't so much money this trip as I ought to, 
 an' 1 must try an' get some more for you." 
 
 " Oh, never mind me, Bobbie; you're always 
 thinking about your old mother. What with 
 the little washing and sewing I do, and no rent 
 to pay— thanks to your poor dead father — I can 
 gel along very well; but I wish you could stay 
 
 ger, Bobbie. I sometimes think I shall not 
 It here long, and should like you to be with me 
 at the' last." 
 
 ; Now, mother, don't take on like that, or I 
 
 i'l stay another day. What have you got 
 \'<>r breakfast?" he added, cheerfully. "We're 
 nearly famished." 
 
 "(Jood gracious, Bobbie, T had almost for- 
 gotten the porridge; and I must cut some 
 rashers of ham." 
 
 "Come along then, Dick. We'll hoist the 
 ilag while the ole woman is getting the break-
 
 DICK IS INTRODUCED TO THE "OLE" WOMAN. 1 05 
 
 fast ready." The flagstaff was in the backyard, 
 and had been rigged with yard and crosstrees 
 many years ago by Bob. The flag was always 
 hoisted in honour of his return home. In a 
 short time breakfast was ready, and they sat 
 down to an excellent meal, consisting of por- 
 ridge, ham and eggs, tea and toast, after which 
 Bob filled his pipe and showed Dick over the 
 establishment. " This is the cabin, or the little 
 parlour, as the ole woman calls it," he said, 
 showing Dick into the room he had first en- 
 tered. " I rigged her up myself. Isn't she a 
 beauty ?" 
 
 Dick was a little uncertain as to whether he 
 meant the room or his mother, but answered, 
 " She is, indeed, Bob ; you ought to be proud of 
 her." 
 
 " An' so I am, my lad ; so I am." 
 
 Then they had a look at the galley; as Bob 
 called the kitchen: then the fowl-house and the 
 dog-kennel. And so, one by one. the treasures 
 of the little mansion were exposed to Dick's 
 admiring gaze, and the day passed pleasantly 
 away. Towards evening Dick expressed a desire 
 to seek a lodging for himself, but neither Mrs. 
 liowline or her son would think of him leaving 
 their cottage. 
 
 "There's a bit of a room aloft," said Bob 
 pointing to an attic, "where you can turn in an' 
 make yourself comfortable as long as yon are 
 ashore; and some day next week," he whispered 
 softly, so that bis mother would not hear, "we'll 
 run down Lo Melbourne an' look out for a ship."
 
 I0(i DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XIV.— THE GOOD SHIP BOMB A Y 
 
 CASTLE. 
 
 Dick stayed a week with his new Friends, and 
 was thankful that, at the very beginning of his 
 adventures, he had stumbled into such comfort- 
 able quarters. Bob and he became fast friends, 
 and as for the " ole woman," she was kindness 
 itself. At the end of the week, Bob suggested 
 a walk after breakfast. " Now lad,," he said, 
 when they got safely outside the house, " we'll 
 run down to Melbourne this mornin', and find 
 out what ships are sailin'." They arrived in town 
 shortly after ten o'clock, and went straight to 
 the shipping office. It happened to be a busy 
 time in shipping circles, and seamen were in 
 demand. They Hound a number of vessels bound 
 for London, China, and South American ports, 
 the captains of which were waiting for men, but 
 only one ship was making the round trip to the 
 East Indies and home, and that was the Bombay 
 Castle. 
 
 As this was the voyage he intended taking, 
 Hob suggested that they should go down and 
 have a loolc at her, So they went down to the 
 Yarra, where she lay moored to the wharf. 
 They found a large, handsome looking vessel of 
 abon! fifteen hundred tons. She was taking in 
 ballast, and was very light, so that her great 
 hull and topgallant bulwarks towered high above
 
 THE GOOD SHIP BOMBAY CASTLE. 107 
 
 the wharf. She was painted black, with a gold 
 line running from stem to stern, while under the 
 bowsprit was painted a figurehead representing 
 a castle. 
 
 " What a big ship !" exclaimed Dick. 
 
 "Yes," replied his companion, " but wait till 
 you see her deep in the water, she won't look 
 such a monster then. Let's go an board.'' 
 
 They stepped on deck. A high poop ran out 
 toAvards the gangway, but she had no topgallant 
 forecastle, only a short forecastle-head, so that 
 the long main deck rose with a graceful sweep 
 almost to the bows, and was broken only by the 
 longboat and galley. 
 
 Bob gave a grunt of dissatisfaction. 
 "Humph!" he ejaculated. "I don't like those 
 holes o' forecastles for a long (rip; but let's go 
 forward and have a look at it." They walked 
 along the deck, opened the scuttle, and descended 
 into the forecastle. Bob found it much more 
 roomy and comfortable than he had expected, 
 It was lighted by dead-eyes from above, and 
 port holes over some of the bunks. " Ah ? Not 
 so bad as I thought. Hullo !" he continued 
 •'here are a couple of chests and a bag ; some o' 
 the chaps must have already shipped. If we 
 want to 'sign on.' Dick, 'ole man, we shall have 
 
 to hurry Up, or else we'll be too late. What do 
 you think ? Shall we ship if we can get a couple 
 o' bunks V 
 
 'I'm agreeable, if you are," said Dick. 
 They went on deck again. Bob cast his eyes 
 aloft. " No sails bent yet," he observed. "She
 
 108 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 won't be moving i'or a day or two, anyhow." 
 The lumpers loading the ballast were preparing 
 to knock off for dinner. Bob went up to one of 
 them and asked if any hands had been shipped. 
 
 " I saw two or three chaps come aboard this 
 morning, with chests an' bags ; the skipper '11 
 be shipping the others to-day, if he hasn't done 
 so already, 'cause I heard the mate say they were 
 going to haul off, an' tow out to-morrow." 
 
 " Oh !" said Bob ; " they'll bend sails out in 
 the bay, then ?" 
 
 " I suppose so." 
 
 " Come 'long, Dick, we'll walk up to the 
 shippin' office. Now, look here," he continued, 
 when they got upon the wharf. " I must give 
 you a bit of advice. In the first place, it's no 
 use o' you trying to ship without a discharge." 
 
 " Do you think not ?" asked Dick. 
 
 '• Not a bit ; they don't want landsmen, 
 unless you'd like to go as cabin boy." 
 
 " I shouldn't care for that." 
 
 " Well, then, listen to me. Here's your 
 discharge," continued Bob, drawing a piece of 
 blue paper from his packet; "it's marked ' O.S.' 
 and hendorsed ' V.G.' That's ordinary seaman, 
 very good. When the skipper asks you for 
 you discharge, you give 'ini this ; and when you 
 sign mind you write the proper name, 'John 
 Black.' " 
 
 " But isn't there a great danger of being 
 found out, and punished ?" 
 
 " Not a bit," returned Bob ; " If you stick to 
 the name no one '11 know. The only trouble is
 
 THE GOOD SHIP BOMBAY CASTLE. 109 
 
 you won't know much about sailoring, when you 
 get on board, so you'll have to try and pick up 
 things as quick as you can. If it's an easy ship 
 you'll be all right. If the mates turn out nigger- 
 drivers, you'll have a rough time of it. What do 
 3^ou say ? Do you think you'll chance it V 
 
 " Yes," returned Dick. " I don't see what 
 else I can do now." 
 
 " Right you are then. Mind you don't forget 
 your name." 
 
 They returned to the shipping office at 
 two o'clock, and had no difficulty in finding 
 the captain of the Bombay Castle, who was 
 anxiously looking out for two or three hands 
 to complete his crew. Bob noticed a number 
 of seamen hanging about the office, but for some 
 reason or other they did not seem to care to 
 sign articles for the ship he had selected. 
 Before he had time to make any enquiries, he 
 was asked if he cared to ship in her. 
 
 " How many hands do you want ?" asked Bob. 
 
 " Three A.B.'s," responded the man who had 
 addressed him. 
 
 " I'll make one, an' here's a lad who'll go as 
 ordinary seaman. 
 
 The skipper turned round and caught sight 
 of Dick standing at the door of the shipping 
 office. " Are you tin- lad :'" lie asked 
 
 '•Yes, sir," replied Dick, coming forward. 
 
 " Where's your discharge ?" 
 
 Dick's heart beat fast as he produced the 
 piece of blue paper, and handed it to the captain, 
 who examined it carefully.
 
 110 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Alright," he said, " I take you two ; I'm in 
 a hurry to get away." 
 
 They were called up to the counter, and the 
 ship's articles were gabbled over to them by a 
 clerk. " Sign here please," he said to Dick, 
 placing his hand upon the paper. Dick made a 
 large R, then suddenly remembered his name 
 was John. 
 
 The clerk noticed his hesitation. " What is 
 your name ?" he asked. 
 
 " Richard John Black," he replied promptly. 
 They call me Dick sometimes." 
 
 " You'd better sign the name as it's on your 
 certificate of discharge." 
 
 So Dick wrote in a large round hand " John 
 Black," and felt as though he had signed his 
 own death warrant. 
 
 " Next man," said the clerk. 
 
 The articles were signed and the men told to be 
 on board by six o'clock on the following morning. 
 
 Outside the office, Bob noticed a knot of men 
 who had just shipped in a barque bound for 
 China, talking together. The name of the 
 Bombay Castle caught his ear several times. 
 A sudden thought struck him. "Stay there for 
 a moment," he said to Dick, and walking up to 
 the little group enquired if any of them knew 
 the Bombay Castle. 
 
 "Ablanky side too much," said one of them, 
 " considerin' as I came out from London in her 
 last trip." 
 
 "Why, what do you mean '. Didn't you like 
 the skipper ?"
 
 THE GOOD SHIP BOMBAY CASTLE. Ill 
 
 " Oh, the skipper's right enough, but she's 
 got a blanky Yankee mate who does the 
 knuckle-duster and belay ing-pin business, an' 
 thinks Englishmen the same as Dutchmen, who'll 
 set up with anything an' s waller any bloom in' 
 mess they like to give 'em. You'll see if 'arf the 
 fellows for'ard ain't Dutchmen. Oh, yes ! the 
 Bombay Castle is pretty well-known among us 
 chaps as came out in her, ain't she Bill '." 
 
 " You bet," responded the man addressed as 
 Bill. 
 
 " God help the lad, then," muttered Bob to 
 himself as he moved away from the group. 
 " What a fool I was not to have found out 
 before I let him ship." Still he remembered 
 that British sailors were proverbial as grumblers, 
 and frequently, for little or no cause, spoke 
 badly of their former ships and officers. 
 
 "It's too late now," he said to himself, "we 
 must make the best of it."
 
 112 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XV.— THE RUN OF THE ROPES. 
 
 The Bombay Castle was hauling off from 
 the wharf. All on board was bustle and con- 
 fusion, at least it seemed so to Dick Danvers. 
 Hoarse commands were shouted by the officers 
 and replied to by the sailors, who were rushing, 
 now forward and then aft, to drag in the great 
 hawsers, that for several weeks had held the 
 good ship fast bound to the shore. 
 
 In less than half-an-hour, the tug had got 
 hold of her, and she was moving swiftly down 
 the muddy waters of the Yarra. 
 
 They brought up in the bay, and all hands 
 were kept busy during the remainder of the 
 day, bending sails, putting in chafing gear, 
 washing decks and scrubbing painl work. For- 
 tunately for Dick he was employed at the latter 
 work, except occasionally, when lie was ordered 
 by the men aloft to let go, or lower away 
 certain ropes, previously pointed out to him by 
 Bob. He had a quick memory, so that his 
 comparative ignorance of ordinary sea terms and 
 phrases was not noticed by the officers. 
 
 Early the following morning they got under 
 weigh ; and for a time Dick was kept busy 
 hauling back the chain cables while some of the 
 1 1 ii ii were loosing the sails. The anchor was 
 catted and fished, and the ship moved slowly 
 over the smooth waters of the bay before a
 
 THE RUN OF THE ROPES. 1 1 3 
 
 light S.E. breeze. Dick was standing with his 
 friend near the fore-rigging when suddenly the 
 second mate called out: " Hey, lad, jump aloft 
 there, and cast adrift that main-topmast staysail." 
 
 Dick knew the command was addressed to 
 him, but he had not the slightest notion where 
 the staysail was. 
 
 "Ay, ay, sir," responded Bob. " You stop 
 there," he added, in a whisper, to Dick, as he 
 sprang into the rigging. 
 
 " Didn't you hear what I said ? or are you 
 deaf ?" shouted the mate, with an angry oath, at 
 the same time leaving the poop and approaching 
 Dick. " Look here, young man, I'll have no 
 blanky skulking aboard this ship. Get a broom 
 and sweep the decks down." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir," he cheerfully replied, glad to 
 receive an order which he understood. So, 
 promptly finding a broom, Dick busied himself 
 in carrying out the command. By this time the 
 ship had drawn close to the Heads, and began to 
 feel the force of the ocean swell that met the 
 current at the mouth of the bay. Shortly after- 
 wards the main yard was backed, and the pilot 
 left the ship. The yards were trimmed as the 
 vessel's course was altered. The steady S.E. 
 breeze continuing, no work was necessary 
 after the decks had been cleared and the gear 
 coiled away. So the men lounged about until 
 eight bells were struck, when they were called 
 aft and the watches set. Dick was placed with 
 !'><>!> in the chief ollicer's watch, so that he \va
 
 114 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 off duty from eight to twelve. This gave him 
 an opportunity of talking matters over with his 
 friend. 
 
 " My word, old man," he said — before going 
 below — " I have made a mess of it, and got my- 
 self into a scrape. Don't you think I had better 
 go aft, and tell the skipper I'm not an ordinary 
 seaman ?" 
 
 " Why, lad, he would put you in gaol when 
 we get to Newcastle, if you do." 
 
 "I don't mind that. Gaol itself is better 
 than being ordered to do work you don't under- 
 stand." 
 
 " Tut, lad ; you'll pick it all up in a day or 
 two. It's only a matter of knowing the ropes. 
 You turn in now and get a bit of sleep, and I'll 
 coach you up when we go on deck." 
 
 Dick turned in, but he could not sleep. He 
 deeply regretted the step he had taken, and 
 wondered how it was going to end. 
 
 The ship being light rolled about a good 
 deal, and this, combined with the smell of bilge 
 water from the hold, made him feel so sick and 
 miserable, that he was glad when eight bells 
 struck, and he was called to go on deck. It was 
 Bob's look-out, and Dick cheerfully accepted the 
 invitation to go up with him on to the forecastle- 
 head. 
 
 " You'll feel better up here, out of that stuffy 
 hole," remarked Bob. The wind was still from 
 the south-east, well on their starboard beam, and 
 the vessel was slipping through the water at the 
 rate of seven or eight knots.
 
 THE RUN OF THE ROPES. 115 
 
 " I feel first-rate now," said Dick, invigorated 
 by the fresh sea breeze. 
 
 " I knew you would," replied his companion. 
 He lent over the bow for some time, and 
 watched the sharp stem cutting the liquid blue 
 into white sprays. There was a noise of rushing 
 waters beneath her bows, which made it appear 
 to an inexperienced eye that the vessel was 
 travelling much faster than she really was. 
 
 " She's going very quick, Bob, How long 
 do you think it will take us to get to New- 
 castle ?" 
 
 " Between two an' three days, lad — she's not 
 making mor'n seven or eight knots — that is," he 
 added, "if this breeze holds, but I'm afraid it 
 won't." 
 "Why?" 
 
 " Look yonder," he said, pointing over the 
 weather bow. 
 
 " What is it ?" enquired Dick. 
 " Don't you see that low bank of cloud with 
 the haze just above it ? Well, unless I'm mis- 
 taken, that means a gale from the north-east — a 
 black nor'-easlci- we calls it ; if it comes on to 
 blow hard we shan't get to Newcastle for the 
 next four or five days." 
 
 " Oh, my !" groaned Dick, " what shall I do ? 
 It was stupid of me to sign that paper, Bob, and 
 pretend to have been out at sea." 
 
 " I'm awfully sorry," replied Bob, with 
 genuine sympathy in the tone of his voice, "but, 
 you see, 1 thought I was doing you a favour."
 
 116 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Oh, it is not your fault ; but how am I to 
 remember the names of all these blessed ropes, 
 and sails and things, and go aloft, and obey the 
 commands of the officers ?" 
 
 " That's easy enough. You wait here until 
 I'm relieved, an' I'll go round with you an' tell 
 you their names. In the meantime, I can just 
 point out to you the different spars an' sails. 
 That's the foresail ; you know that." 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " The one above is the lower tupsail, then the 
 hupper, then to'gallant sail, then the royal. You 
 can remember them ?" 
 
 " Oh, yes." 
 
 " Well, it's the same on the main, an' the 
 same on the mizzen." 
 
 When two bells struck, and Bob was re- 
 lieved, he took his friend round, and showed 
 him all the different clewlines and buntlines, 
 sheets, downhauls and halliards, until Dick be- 
 came utterly bewildered with what appeared to 
 him an endless variety of perplexing terms and 
 phrases. Then Bob made him repeat them over, 
 until the different ropes and their uses became 
 somewhat clear and distinct. 
 
 " Dear me," sighed Dick. " I had no idea a 
 common sailor had so much to learn." 
 
 Bob laughed. " It'll all come in a day or two, 
 lad. Don't get downhearted, and we'll soon make 
 a good sailor of you. I can see you've got it in you. 
 But if you are not up to it to-morrow, I'll go aft 
 and tell the skipper I let you into the scrape, an' 
 if he likes he can dock my wages, that's all."
 
 THE RUN OF THE ROPES. 117 
 
 " Bother the wages," said Dick. " I feel as if 
 I were obtaining money under false pretences." 
 
 Thus talking, the time wore on until eight 
 bells were struck, and they again went below.
 
 118 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XVI.— "ALL HANDS ON DECK." 
 
 Bob's prophecy concerning the weather 
 turned out correct. In the middle of the 
 morning watch Dick was aroused by a tre- 
 mendous noise above him. Then came a hurried 
 tramp of feet, a rattle of blocks, and the wild 
 song of the sailors as they hauled down the 
 flapping staysails. He was sensible, too, of the 
 plunging and pitching of the vessel into heavy 
 head seas, which, every now and then, broke 
 with a seething wash over the forecastle deck. 
 
 Suddenly, there came the sound of a ham- 
 mering handspike on the scuttle, and a hoarse 
 voice bawled out, " Ahoy there ! All hands on 
 deck ! Reef topsails !" 
 
 The watch immediately sprang out of their 
 bunks, and in a few minutes were ready for the 
 deck. Dick had turned out with them, and was 
 endeavouring to get into his coat and trousers, 
 when a sudden lurch of the ship sent him stag- 
 gering to the lee side of the forecastle, amidst a 
 roar of laughter from the sailors. Bob saw at 
 once that it would be most dangerous for him 
 to go aloft. " Here," he said, " you stop in your 
 bunk until I come back. Don't stir. I'll make 
 it all right if they should inquire after you." 
 And, without waiting for a reply, he rushed up 
 on deck. 
 
 But Dick had no notion of remaining in his 
 bunk. Although he felt dizzy with the wild,
 
 " ALL HANDS ON DECK. ' 119 
 
 plunging motion of the vessel, he managed to 
 get into his coat and boots. His cap was miss- 
 ing, so, seizing an old sou'-wester out of Bob's 
 bunk, he staggered across the deck and reached 
 the fo'castle ladder. Steadying himself against 
 the violent rolling and pitching, he managed, 
 with some difficulty, to crawl upward until he 
 reached the open scuttle. From thence he 
 looked out into the wild, dark night. At first 
 he could distinguish nothing. A heavy pall 
 seemed to hang before his eyes. Gradually the 
 outline of the great foresail became visible, out 
 of which came a mighty rush of wind, that 
 caused him to gasp for breath. Gazing aloft, he 
 could just see the dark forms of his shipmates 
 stretching along the footropes on the topsail 
 yard ; and above the shriek of the wind and the 
 dash of the waves he could hear their songs as 
 they hauled out the weather earing, while far 
 above the swaying masts and yards he caught a 
 tdimpse of the scud driving in wild and ragged 
 masses. "Good heavens!" he thought to him- 
 self. " Do they expect me to go up there ?" 
 
 " What would he do ? — return to the f< (recast l< •, 
 and skulk below like a coward, or strive to '1m 
 his duty like a man?" He stepped over tin- 
 scuttle, and held on for a few moments to the 
 fore hatch. The tierce wind tore the heads oil 
 the great billows, and scattered them like driving 
 snow-flakes across the deck. In a moment he 
 was drenched to the skin. He staggered across 
 the deck to the weather fore rigging, with the 
 intention of attempting to go aloft. But it
 
 120 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 looked too dreadful. Then he tried to get back 
 to the hatch ; but before he could do so a giant 
 wave reared its arching crest, and broke with a 
 roar like thunder over the bulwarks. He was 
 swept oft' his feet by the avalanche of water, and 
 for a few moments thought he was overboard. 
 The wave carried him under the lee of the fore- 
 rigging, close to the topsail halliards. " Hullo ! 
 what's this?" said one of the men stumbling 
 over him in the darkness. " Blowed if it ain't 
 the young fellow as come aboard with Bob 
 Bowling." 
 
 "Who? Where? What?" exclaimed Bob, 
 who had just descended from aloft and was 
 coming over to the topsail halliard, "what 
 
 the are you doing here ?" he continued 
 
 with a note of anger in his voice, " didn't I 
 tell you to remain below; come along quick afore 
 the mate comes for'ard." And he half carried 
 liim and half led Dick back to the forecastle 
 .scuttle. 
 
 " Now stop down there till I come below ; I 
 won't be long." 
 
 "Lower away your main topsail!" yelled 
 the mate, and Bob, without waiting for a reply, 
 hurried oft'. 
 
 Dick thought he had better obey. With 
 difficulty he reached his bunk, and for some 
 minutes lie stood — holding on to the edge of it 
 — with his dripping clothes. 
 
 " Here's a pretty go," he said to himself ; 
 " I wanted to be a blooming sailor, and was fool 
 enough to ship as one. 1 wish Bob had let me
 
 "ALL HANDS ON DECK." 121 
 
 go aloft; I'd have fallen overboard sure enough, 
 and that would have been an end of it. Ugh ! 
 what a beastly smell, I'm going to be sick again ; 
 I think I'll go to bed." 
 
 With this sage reflection, and without waiting 
 to divest himself of his wet clothes, he rolled 
 into his bunk, and wrapping himself up in a 
 blanket, in spite of the heaving and pitching of 
 the vessel, the groaning of planks and timbers, 
 and the ceaseless wash of waters, he was soon 
 fast asleep.
 
 122 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XVII.-." KNUCKLE-DUSTERS," 
 AND BELAYING-PINS. 
 
 The upper topsails had been furled ; and 
 the Bombay Castle was head reaching on the 
 port tack, under lower topsails, spanker, and 
 storm staysails. At eight o'clock the following 
 morning it was blowing a living gale of wind 
 from the N.E., with a high confused sea running. 
 It was Bob Bowline's trick at the wheel. When 
 he left the forcastle, Dick was sleeping soundly, 
 and he begged the watch not to disturb him. 
 
 The mate had been standing for some time on 
 the weather side of the poop. Suddenly he 
 
 approached Bob, and said, " Where is that 
 
 young blubber that came along with you? I 
 don't see him about the decks anywhere." 
 
 " He's sick, sir ; he came on deck with us 
 when the watch turned out to reef top-sails ; 
 but he got so bad I had to carry him below 
 again." 
 
 " Sick, be ; I don't believe it," replied 
 
 the mate, hotly. "The young beggar's sogering." 
 
 " He's bad, really sir," said Bob, anxiously. 
 
 " I'll soon cure him with a rope's end," said 
 the mate, starting to go forward. He had 
 reached the break of the poop when Bob called 
 out, " Mr. Harris." 
 
 "What is it?" he asked, turning sharply 
 round.
 
 "knuckle-dusters" and belaying-pins. 123 
 
 " I want to speak to you a moment, sir." 
 
 Harris stopped, hesitated a moment, then 
 turned and walked slowly back to the binnacle. 
 Something in the tone of Bob's voice prompte 
 dhim to do so. 
 
 " What is it you want V he asked, looking 
 at him with a curious expression. 
 
 "That boy is too sick to work, and," Bob 
 added, with a determined look at the mate, "he's 
 a relation of mine, an' I'm not a-going to see 
 him hurt." 
 
 "You ," replied Harris with a fearful 
 
 oath ; '' mind your own business." And 
 
 turning on his heel, he strode fiercely forward. 
 
 Bob ground his teeth with impotent rage, 
 and watched him intently as he approached 
 the forecastle scuttle. 
 
 " Below there !" shouted the mate. 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir," responded one of the watch. 
 
 "Send that young sojer on deck; him that 
 shipped as an ordinary seaman." 
 
 " He's in his bunk, sir ?" 
 
 " What's he doing there during his watch on 
 deck ?" 
 
 " Sick, sir." 
 
 '• Sick, be ! Tell him I in coming down;" 
 
 and next moment the scuttle was darkened by the 
 burly form of tin- mate descending the rough steps. 
 
 ""Where is he ?" asked Harris. 
 
 Dick had been awakened by the sound of 
 voices, and was sitting up in liis bunk, gazing 
 stupidly around him. For liis head was still 
 dizzy with the violent motion of the vessel.
 
 124 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " What's up ?" he inquired. 
 
 " What's up ? I'll soon let you know what's 
 up," said Harris, clutching him by the arm, and 
 dragging him over the side of the bunk. 
 
 " Come out of that. I'll have no loafing on 
 this packet. Sick, eh ! It's a good booting you 
 want. Now, show yourself on deck, pretty 
 lively." 
 
 Dick tried to do so, but went staggering from 
 one side of the forecastle to the other. 
 
 " Why, you young son of a sea cook, I don't 
 believe you've ever been on board a ship before. 
 Where are your sea legs ?" 
 
 " Got none, sir," stammered Dick, grasping 
 the forecastle ladder, and looking piteously 
 around. " I never had any, sir." 
 
 " What do you mean ?" 
 
 " I never have been at sea before." 
 
 " And you had the confounded impudence to 
 ship as an ordinary seaman. What have you 
 got to say for yourself ? " 
 
 " Nothing. Only that I'm sorry, and jolly 
 well ashamed of myself." 
 
 " Oh ! you are, are you. Then perhaps you'll 
 be good enough to mount those steps, Mr. Black, 
 or whatever your name is," said the mate sarcas- 
 tically, giving him at the same time a vicious 
 kick. 
 
 Harris was an American, possessing all the 
 bully and bluster that some Yankee mates are 
 noted for. He felt aggrieved and insulted that 
 a landsman should have been allowed to ship as 
 an ordinary seaman, and then to be placed in his
 
 "knuckle-dusters" and belaying-pins. 125 
 
 watch, and determined to take it out of Dick. 
 " Now, then, up you go," he shouted, gruffly. 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir," responded Dick, as cheerfully 
 as he could. And crawling slowly up the steps, 
 he stood with unsteady feet upon the deck, 
 trying to balance himself against the foremost. 
 
 " So you've tried to get to windward of us, 
 eh : shipping as an ordinary seaman when you 
 have never seen salt water before ? But I'll 
 soon take it out of you with a job aloft. See 
 that slush bucket under the fo'castle head ? " 
 
 " Where, sir ? " replied Dick, looking help- 
 lessly around. 
 
 " There, you idiot," said the mate, savagely, 
 pointing with his forefinger to the ship's bows. 
 " Don't you know where the fo'castle head is ? " 
 
 Dick saw some pots swinging backwards and 
 forwards at the place indicated, and staggered 
 towards them. 
 
 "That's tar, you fool; slush I told you;" and 
 without waiting for a reply, he seized the end of 
 the jib sheet, and dealt Dick a heavy blow across 
 the back with it. 
 
 " You'd show your teeth, would you ; you 
 
 young " as Dick turned fiercely round upon 
 
 his assailant. 
 
 § 
 
 "No;" replied the lad, his passion ebbing 
 away as he realised the hopelessness of Ids 
 position. " Belt away, if you like ; take it out of 
 me; give me a rope's ending; send me aloft; 
 throw me overboard; I'd soon be dead as alive; 
 and I'm heartily ashamed of myself."
 
 12G DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 The mate, mistaking his words for mere 
 insolence, again raised the rope to strike, when 
 suddenly a voice behind him thundered, " Leave 
 the lad alone." 
 
 He turned, and faced Bob Bowline, who, 
 seeing what was occurring, had jammed the 
 wheel hard down, passed a lashing around one 
 of the spokes, and rushed forward. 
 
 " You go off to your place at the wheel," said 
 the mate, quietly, 
 
 " I'm not agoin' to stand by an' see the boy 
 rope's-ended ; it's my fault that he's here at all." 
 
 " You go aft !" 
 
 " I won't ! " 
 
 " You won't ! Then take that ; " there was a 
 bit of a scuffle, a dull thud, and to his horror 
 Dick saw his friend lying insensible on the deck, 
 with a great gash across his left temple from 
 which the blood was slowly oozing. 
 
 " Quick as lightning the mate had slipped on 
 his hand a heavy knuckle duster, and with it 
 st ruck Bob the fierce blow that had rendered 
 him insensible. 
 
 "You wretch!" exclaimed Dick, springing 
 towards the bully. But before he could even 
 reach him, he was struck from behind with a 
 wooden belaying pin, and laid unconscious beside 
 his friend. 
 
 The second mate seeing — as he emerged from 
 the cuddy— what appeared fco he a struggle with 
 one of the crew, not an unusual oeeurrence on 
 board the Bombay Castle^ had rushed forward 
 to the assistance <>i' his superior officer, and was
 
 " KNUCKLE-DUSTERS " AND UELAYING-PINS. 127 
 
 just in time to " lay the boy out," as he himself 
 expressed it. The captain was informed of what 
 had happened, and he gave orders that both 
 the " mutineers " should be securely handcuffed, 
 and carried aft to a vacant berth in the fore- 
 cabin. 
 
 When Dick came to himself, it was some 
 minutes before he could realise where he was, or 
 what had happened. A dim ray, from a dead- 
 light over head entered the berth where they 
 were confined, which enabled him to recognise 
 Bob seated on a bolt of canvas in a far corner. 
 He tried to move, but found that his hands 
 were heavily ironed. His head ached, and he 
 felt stupid and dizzy. But what annoyed him 
 most was a peculiar sensation on the side of his 
 head and down his back, as though myriads of 
 slimy creatures were crawling over him. They 
 were cockroaches, which had been attracted by 
 the smell of fresh blood, and were now endea- 
 vouring to dig their long feelers into his wound. 
 He saw that the side of his companion's face was 
 covered with the horrid creatures. Neither of 
 them could move their hands to brush them 
 away. 
 
 " How do you feel ? " asked Bob, as he noticed 
 his friend trying to move. 
 
 " Rather bad, but where are we? and what 
 has happened ? " 
 
 <; Why we are both in irons, locked up in one 
 of the cabins." 
 
 "And what are they going to do with u^
 
 128 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Keep us here until we get to Newcastle, and 
 then we shall be tried for mutiny on the high 
 seas, and get about twelve months in Maitland 
 gaol." 
 
 Dick groaned. " And this is going to sea," he 
 thought to himself. " Well, Aunt Hannah wasn't 
 so bad after all." 
 
 In the meantime Captain Reid was discus- 
 sing the matter with his chief officer on the poop. 
 At first he was inclined to keep them in irons 
 until the ship reached Newcastle, and then as 
 Bob had predicted, hand them over to the police 
 authorities, but remembering his vessel was 
 already shorthanded, and thinking he might 
 have some difficulty in shipping fresh hands, not 
 to speak of the delay that would be occasioned 
 by the trial, he determined to release them, on 
 condition that they would promise to behave 
 themselves in the future, that is, they would do 
 their duty cheerfully, without any regard for an 
 occasional broken head or fractured limb, or any 
 other little amusement the Yankee mate cared 
 to indulge in at their expense. 
 
 " Yes," concluded the captain, " I think you 
 had better let them out, Mr. Harris ; and, look 
 here, deal a bit gently with them until we get 
 away from Newcastle. Once out upon the blue 
 water you can haze them round to your heart's 
 content." 
 
 " Ay ay, sir," responded the mate, and accom- 
 panied by the second officer and the ship's 
 steward, he descended to the cabin where Bob 
 and Dick were confined.
 
 "knuckle-dusters" and belaying-pixs. 129 
 
 They heard him unlocking the door, and next 
 moment the bully stood before them. 
 
 " Well," he said, with a broad grin, " I hope 
 you chaps have had enough of it ; guess you 
 won't show tight any more while you're aboard 
 this hooker." 
 
 Neither of the captives made any response. 
 
 "Now, look here," continued the mate, ad- 
 dressing Bob, " I suppose you know what you'\ e 
 let yourself in for — twelve months or two years 
 hard labour when we get to Newcastle." 
 
 " I'd rather do it than remain in this floating 
 hell," returned Bob. 
 
 '• Don't be a fool," said the mate. " The 
 skipper doesn't want to be hard on you ; you 
 know the youngster had no right to ship under 
 a false discharge, and you had no right to inter- 
 fere ; but if you like to turn to and behave 
 yourselves, we'll let it pass." 
 
 " Not if the boy is goin' to be knocked 
 about," returned Bob decisively. 
 
 " Oh, we're not going to hurt the boy ; you 
 can't say he didn't deserve a licking. I expect 
 the skipper will put him ashore at Newcastle, 
 or dock his wages; but if he likes to make 
 himself useful, and earn his grub, we'll let him 
 oil' this time. Come, say the word, and I'll take 
 the darbies off you." 
 
 Bob hesitated a few moments, and then said: 
 " All right, if you promise not to hurt the boj ." 
 He knew that it would go hard with him il' In- 
 were tried for mutiny and refusal of duly.
 
 130 DOWN TO THE SEA IX SHIPS. 
 
 Without replying the mate unlocked the 
 handcuffs, and told them they could go forward. 
 
 The two friends were glad to stretch their 
 cramped limbs, and wash the clotted blood from 
 their wounds with a bucket of salt water. 
 
 When they returned on deck, the watch were 
 busy caulking the main hatch. Bob went off 
 again to the wheel. " Now, you boy ! " said 
 Harris, "you see that junk ?" pointing to a coil 
 of old rope. 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Well, untwist those strands, pull out the 
 yarns, and make oakum of it ; savvy ?" 
 
 Dick lifted the piece of rope and endeavoured 
 to obey the order. " And see that you are 
 smart enough to keep the men going ;" added 
 the mate. He was shown by one of the sailors 
 what was required ; and sitting down upon the 
 hatch commenced to diligently tease the yarns 
 into oakum. 
 
 The mate stood over him for some minutes 
 watching, and then went off to the poop. 
 
 Dick felt relieved when lie left, and ventured 
 to look about him as he worked. The gale 
 showed some signs of moderating, though it still 
 blew hard from the N.E. A heavy sea was 
 running, and he gazed with wonder akin to 
 awe, at the great blue hills of water, crested 
 with hissing foam, that rose every now and then 
 over the weather bulwarks, and broke in 
 stinging spray across the decks. On several 
 occasions he had to move his pile of oakum 
 further along the hatch to prevent it from getting
 
 KNUCKLE-DUSTERS AND BELAYING-PINS. 131 
 
 wet. No land was visible, for a thick crape-like 
 haze hung all round the horizon. The salt sea 
 breeze refreshed him, and he gradually recovered 
 his wonted cheerfulness. 
 
 When eight bells struck, he went below, with 
 a comparatively light heart, for he felt he had 
 honestly earned his supper. The severe discipline 
 he had already undergone, had not only effectually 
 cured his sea sickness, but also knocked all the 
 youthful conceit and self-confidence out of him. 
 Had he only known it, it was just what he 
 wanted at that particular period of his life to 
 develop his manhood. At midnight the gale 
 broke, and the breeze hauled round to the east. 
 This enabled the Bombay Castle to make a fair 
 wind of it. The reefs were shaken out of the 
 topsails ; the topgallant sails set, and the yards 
 squared. When Dick came on deck the follow- 
 ing morning, he took his station on the forecastle 
 head — to keep his first look-out — the great ship 
 was rushing along at the rate of ten knots an 
 hour, with the water boiling under her bows 
 and streaming aft in lines of glittering foam. 
 Thai same evening found them off the Nobbies 
 signalling for pilot and tug-boat.
 
 132 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XVIII.— BOB BOWLINE'S 
 SCHEME. 
 
 A few days later, the Bombay Castle was 
 moored alongside the wharf at Newcastle, ready 
 to take in her cargo of coals for Singapore. 
 
 " Is that boy who shipped as ordinary 
 seaman any use to you, Mr. Harris ? " inquired 
 the captain, as he stepped over the gangway. 
 
 " Not much, sir ; but I dare say he can help 
 the men to trim coals, and work about the 
 decks." 
 
 " Very well, then, he had better stay ; you 
 may be able to knock him into shape when we 
 get out to sea." 
 
 "I'll do my best, sir," replied Harris, with 
 an expressive grin. 
 
 " By the bye, keep a sharp look out on that 
 man Bowline ; he's a smart fellow, and I don't 
 want him to give us the slip." 
 
 " Ay ay, sir." 
 
 So Dick was sent down into the forehold to 
 help the sailors and lumpers to trim the coals 
 that came ceaselessly shooting from the great 
 crane above the main hatch. All day long he 
 toiled until his poor back ached with the hard, 
 unaccustomed labour. At night, instead of going 
 ashore with the other forecastle hands, he felt 
 so stiff and sore that he was glad to turn into 
 his bunk, where he slept as " sound as a top,"
 
 bob bowline's scheme. 133 
 
 until the hoarse cry of " turn to " resounded in 
 his ears. How he longed for another half hour's 
 rest. 
 
 " Hurry up, lad ! " said one of the men, "and 
 get that coffee from the galley." 
 
 He arose with a heavy sigh, wondering how 
 he was to get through the long, weary day before 
 him. But he did. Many such days came and 
 went ; until at last he became accustomed to 
 the incessant labour. 
 
 One night, shortly before the vessel had 
 completed her loading, Dick was aroused from 
 a sound sleep by Bob Bowline, who had been 
 ashore until a late hour, 
 
 " Dick," whispered his friend, " I want you 
 to come on deck for a few minutes, I have some- 
 thing to tell you." 
 
 " What is it ? " exclaimed Dick, starting up 
 half asleep. 
 
 " Hush ? I don't want the chaps to hear ; 
 come on deck." 
 
 Dick rose, slipped on his clothes, and 
 obeyed. 
 
 Bob led the way aft to the galley, slid the 
 door back, and entered. 
 
 " Let's come in here," he said, " where no 
 one '11 see or hear us." When he had closed 
 the door again, Bob continued in a low tone, 
 " Dick, old man, we shall have to bolt for it." 
 
 " What do you mean ? " 
 
 " We can't remain in this hooker." 
 
 " Why ? they seem a bit kinder lately, except 
 for the hard work a fellow is kept at."
 
 134 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Wait till they get us out to sea, lad. I 
 heard tell of this mate, Harris, afore we left Mel- 
 bourne. He's a low down Yankee hazer. I don't 
 mind myself. I've sailed with the same kind of 
 greasers before. They're not so bad if a man 
 does his work well, but you can't lad, an they'll 
 batter you to death with belaying pins and 
 knuckle dusters long afore we get to Singapore." 
 
 " What do you propose doing, then ? " said 
 Dick, timidly. " We ought to clear out at once 
 if we are going to, the ship will be ready for sea 
 in a day or two." 
 
 " We can't, returned Bob. " The skipper 
 would have the water police on to us at wunce, 
 and we'd be put in chokey, or be brought aboard 
 in irons. We'll have to wait until the night 
 afore she sails." 
 
 " But she'll be lying out in the stream ; and 
 how can we get ashore ? " 
 
 " We won't go ashore at all ;" responded Bob. 
 " Listen, an' I'll tell you my plan. 1 met an ole 
 shipmate this evening named Jack Sweeny ; 
 ' Hullo, Bob,' says he, ' where are you orf to ? ' At 
 fust I didn't know him ; though I had a kind o' 
 recollection o' his face. ' Don't you remember 
 the Dashing WaveV he axed. ' O' course,' sez 
 I ; ' it's Jack Sweeny.' " 
 
 " Well, to cut the story short, he told me he 
 had shipped aboard a bullocker." 
 
 " What's that ?" interrupted Dick. 
 
 " Why, a ship as carries cattle, o' course — the 
 Annie I think her name was — bound for New 
 Caledonia. When I told him I was aboard the
 
 BOP. bowline's scheme. 135 
 
 Bombay Castle he just gev a whistle, an' said : 
 ' Oh ! I know 'Arris ; he's a bloomin' dow r n 
 easter ; a regular tarter to sail under.' 
 
 " I know that already," sez I ; " but how am I 
 to get out of her ? " 
 
 " ' That's easy enough,' he sez, ' if you don't 
 mind losing your wages ; our skipper's on the 
 look out for four or live 'ands — bullockers an' 
 shellbacks — all you've got to do is to come aboard 
 the Annie the night afore the Bombay Castle 
 sails. And we'll stow you away in the forecastle, 
 or forepeak, for that matter, until the coast is all 
 clear.'" 
 
 "But how are we to get on board the 
 Annie ?" I asked. 
 
 " ' That's easy enuf, too,' sez Jack ; ' let's see, 
 you haul oft' to-morrow ? ' 
 
 " Yes," sez I, " or the day after." 
 
 " ' Well, I'll be on the look out, an' the fust 
 night you're at anchor in the stream I'll be 
 alongside with a boat to row you aboard the 
 Annie. No one will know where you and the 
 boy have got to, for our chaps '11 never blab.' ' 
 
 " An' what about our dunnage ? " 
 
 "'What 'ave you goi V sez Jack." 
 
 "A donkey an' a couple o' bags." 
 
 "' Well, he sez, 'you had better put all you 
 want into the bags — they'll be very easy 
 handled — an' leave the donkey as a kind o' 
 mermenter o' your visit." 
 
 "So what do you think o' the plan, Dick '." 
 
 "I think it's splendid, it' we ean only carry it 
 through."
 
 136 DOWN TO THE SEA TN SHIPS. 
 
 " Oh ! we'll manage somehow. It's a bargain, 
 then. Jack Sweeny sez bullocking is the jolliest 
 life out ; good wages, good tucker, grog once a 
 day, an' not very hard work." 
 
 " But do you think the captain of the 
 Bullocker will care to ship me ? " enquired Dick. 
 
 '• Oh, never fear about that ; he's shorthanded, 
 An' though your not much of a sailorman, you'll 
 do to look after the cattle." 
 
 " But what about our discharges ? I don't 
 want to ship under a false one again." 
 
 " Oh, that'll be all right. We'll get what we 
 call permits from the shippin' master. An' now, 
 ole' man, I reckon we'd better turn in. Two bells 
 is just gone, an' it's ' rouse out,' you know, at 
 half-past five in the morning."
 
 A SWIM FOR LIFE. 137 
 
 Chapter XIX.— A SWIM FOR LIFE. 
 
 The Bombay Castle had hauled oil from the 
 wharf, and was now lying in the stream ready 
 for sea. The hatches had been battened down, 
 the sails bent, the gear rove, and everything put 
 in readiness to get under weigh at daybreak. 
 
 Bob Bowline had so arranged with the other 
 forecastle hands that he had the watch from 
 midnight until two o'clock. 
 
 " What time do you expect your friend ? " 
 enquired Dick, who had just come on deck in 
 obedience to his messmate's call, 
 
 "At about half-past one," returned Bob. 
 " It'll be dark by that time," he added, pointing 
 to the moon that already hung low in the west. 
 
 " Why, what time is it now ? " 
 
 " Just gone eight bells ; I've got the bags 
 stowed away under the fore rigging, ready to 
 drop over, when Jack comes alongside." 
 
 Their preparations having been completed, 
 the two friends paced the deck, tal Icing softly 
 about their future prospects in the " Bullocker. ' 
 By and by the moon went down, and darkness 
 fell upon the water, so that only the dim outline 
 of the adjacent ships could be seen through a 
 sea haze that came drifting up the bay. 
 
 "How will he ever find the ship '. " asked 
 Dick anxiously.
 
 138 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Easy enough," replied Bob, stepping up on 
 the forecastle head, and hauling the riding light 
 up and down three times in succession. 
 
 " That's our signal," he explained. 
 
 ■ What if anything should prevent him from 
 coming ? " 
 
 " Then we'll have to swim for it," said Bob 
 impressively, " for I am detarmined not to stay 
 in this bloomin' limejuicer." 
 
 There was a strong ebb tide. Dick shuddered 
 as he looked down at the muddy waters, that 
 went rushing past the ship's side like a mill 
 race. 
 
 " Hark ! what is that ? " suddenly exclaimed 
 his companion. A faint splash of oars could be 
 distinctly heard in the distance. 
 
 Bob hurried up the forecastle and again 
 dipped the riding light. 
 
 In a few minutes a boat, with one man in it, 
 pulling hard, for the tide w r as against him, loomed 
 'ill' the starboard bow. 
 
 " Boat ahoy ! " said Bob, in a hoarse whisper, 
 as he leant over the forecastle railing. 
 
 " Ay, ay ! " came the response. 
 
 '' It's all right, Dick, ole man, stand by in the 
 fore chains with a rope. Keep clear of our 
 hawse, Jack ; so, steady, look out for the rope ! " 
 
 A minute later the boat was alongside and 
 made fast to the fore chains. 
 
 ' I had a blanky hard job to find you," said 
 the man in the boat, "and came near boarding 
 the wrong ship. Why didn't you dip yer light 
 a bit sooner, Bob ? "
 
 A SWIM FOR LIFE. 139 
 
 " 'Cause it was the time agreed on," replied 
 Bob, shortly. 
 
 " All right : got your dunnage ? " 
 
 " Only a couple of bags. Stand by an' I'll 
 lower 'em down to ye." 
 
 " Send the kinchin down first to keep the 
 boat off," said the man below. 
 
 " Ay, ay ! " returned Bob. " Here you are, 
 Dick," he continued, making a hitch over a belay- 
 ing pin, " lower yourself down with this 'ere 
 rope." 
 
 Dick thought the voice beneath sounded 
 thick, as though the man had been drinking ; 
 nevertheless, he obeyed, and swung himself over 
 into the fore chains, and from thence into the 
 bow of the boat. 
 
 "That's right, sonny, keep her steady with 
 this 'ere boat hook. Lower away, Bob." The 
 bags were quickly let down, and stowed away in 
 bhe sternsheets. Bob followed, and the boat at 
 once shoved off. 
 
 " You two chaps had better take the sculls, 
 I'll steer," said Sweeny, making an ineffectual 
 attempt to ship the rudder. 
 
 "Let me try," said Bob. "There you are, 
 ole man, you've had a nip or two and can't see 
 si raiglit." 
 
 "There's a 'square face' under that after 
 thwart, Bob; I thought you might like <>n« v 
 yourself." 
 
 "Thanks, ole chap; best let it stay there 
 until we get aboard the barque. 
 
 • All right, pleash yourself. Fllsthere then."
 
 1-1-0 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Bob and Dick took a scull each, and the boat 
 sped rapidly down with the tide. They had 
 proceeded nearly half a mile, when the man in 
 the sternsheets called out, " Steady ! Look out ; 
 back water, Bob ! " 
 
 " What is it, Jack ? " 
 
 " I've lost my bearings a bit." 
 
 " Why, where is the barque ? " 
 
 "Down yonder, opposite Stockton, some- 
 where ; only I can't see the shore lights." 
 
 By this time the boat had drifted into a 
 perfect maze of shipping. Every now and then 
 the high black bulwark of a big ship loomed 
 above them. 
 
 " Steady, Jack ; mind where you are going, 
 or you'll be into that fellow, stem on. Pull, 
 Dick, pull with all your might. By Jove ! a 
 close shave," exclaimed Bob, as they shot clear of 
 a full-rigged ship that had suddenly sprung upon 
 them out of the now pitchy darkness. " Let's 
 see," said Sweeny, "I don't remember passing 
 that chap on my way up. Have a nip, Bob ? 
 No ? Very well, then, pull away ; we'll soon get 
 clear of these bloomin' " 
 
 He had scarcely spoken when bump, crash, 
 went the boat against the hawse of another 
 vessel. 
 
 The force of the current was so strong that 
 the iron links of the cable ripped away the frail 
 planks from keel to gunwale as though they had 
 been cut through with a rough saw. 
 
 .Next moment the occupants of the boat were 
 precipitated into the dark, rushing water. Dick
 
 A SWIM FOR LIFE. 141 
 
 looked up at the fabric above him, hoping that 
 the watch on deck might have witnessed the 
 accident. He clutched at the cable, but the 
 strong ebb tide swept him away. For one 
 instant he saw the round hawse holes on either 
 side of the cutwater staring down at him like two 
 great eyes. The next he felt himself dashed 
 against the smooth side of the huge vessel. He 
 stretched out his hand, hoping to clutch a rope 
 or gangway ladder, but it met only a slippery 
 surface of copper. 
 
 " Help ! Help ! " he shouted. " On deck 
 there." 
 
 '■' Keep your mouth shut, ole man," said a 
 voice close beside him, " or you'll get the water 
 down your throat." 
 
 It was Bob, who, with his friend, Jack 
 Sweeny, had managed to grasp the ship's cable 
 when the boat went from under them ; but when 
 he saw Dick carried away by the current, he 
 immediately let go, and swam after him. 
 
 Keep your mouth shut," he repeated ; " we 
 don't want the police boat after us. Jack'll 
 climb up over the bows, an' maybe they'll lower 
 a boat for us." 
 
 They were both very good swimmers, and it 
 was summer time, so that the water was cool 
 and pleasant. They had light dungaree shirts 
 and trousers on, but their boots felt heavy. 
 Nevertheless, they struck out with vigour, hoping 
 to regain tin- ship, or at least hold their own 
 until picked up. But, unfortunately, there was 
 a fresh in the river, which gave the ebb-tide
 
 142 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 considerable additional force. It soon became 
 apparent that they were being slowly carried out 
 to sea. For a few minutes they struggled 
 bravely. 
 
 " It's no use, ole man," said Bob, at last, 
 resting from his exertions. " We'll never hold 
 our own. The tide is stronger than I thought." 
 
 " What shall we do ? " asked Dick. " Swim 
 for the shore ? " 
 
 " No, it's too far ; besides, we'd stand a good 
 chance o' being picked up by the police boat, or 
 a shark, an' there's not much to choose between 
 'em. There's a lump of a ship out yonder," he 
 continued, pointing to the blurred outline of a 
 vessel that lay moored, on the Newcastle side of 
 the harbour, not far from the mouth of the 
 river. " If we swim straight across we may be 
 able to fetch her. If we miss then, Dick, ole 
 man, it's a case, for we'll be carried out to sea." 
 
 They turned shoreward, and struck out again 
 with renewed vigour. Slowly the tide carried 
 them down. It was not so strong now, and they 
 reckoned it must be nearly slack water. After 
 about twenty minutes' hard swimming they 
 found themselves almost in a line witli the vessel. 
 
 "It's all right," said Bob, " we'll fetch her; 
 we can take it easier now." 
 
 "I wisli it was all right," replied Dick 
 fervently, who, ever since he had plunged into 
 the water, was in a state of great trepidation lest 
 lie should be seized by a shark, knowing that 
 the waters of the harbour swarmed with the 
 monsters.
 
 A SWIM FOR LIFE. 143 
 
 They had now simply to keep afloat, and 
 allow the tide to carry them down across the 
 bows of the strange ship. 
 
 " Be ready," said Bob, " to lay hold of the 
 hawser ; don't miss for your life." 
 
 Dick watched his opportunity, and as the 
 current swung him round he firmly grasped the 
 thick cable and held on with all his might. 
 
 The chain happened to be foul ; that is, there 
 were several turns in it, occasioned by the ship 
 swinging at her anchors. This enabled them to 
 get a firmer foothold, but made it more difficult 
 to climb up towards the bow. The attention of 
 the man on watch had evidently been attracted 
 by the sound of their voices or the dark figures 
 on the surface of the water ; for, just as they 
 reached the cable, a gruff voice hailed them from 
 the deck. 
 
 " Hullo, there ! Who's that ? What do you 
 want ? " 
 
 " Ship ahoy ! " shouted Bob. 
 
 "Ay, ay." 
 
 " Heave us a rope, will you ? Our boat's 
 capsized : we're nearly drowned." 
 
 " Ay, a}^," replied the man. "Below there; 
 look out ! " and a rope's end was dropped down 
 to them. 
 
 " Can you climb up ? There's a gangway 
 ladder on the starboard side, if you care to swim 
 for it. I'm the only chap on deck, or else I'd 
 lower the gig for ye." 
 
 " What do you xny, Dick ? Can you climb 
 up the rope ? "
 
 144 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Rather ! You bet I'm not going to give 
 sharkie another chance to-night. Besides, I can 
 crawl up the cable to the hawse pipe ; then, with 
 the help of the rope, swing myself on to one of 
 the bobstays." 
 
 " Up you go, then." 
 
 Dick swarmed up the chain cable, and in a few 
 moments was standing safely on the forecastle 
 head of the vessel. Bob followed almost as quickly. 
 The watchman had lowered his riding light, 
 and now held it up to see what manner of men 
 had boarded him. 
 
 " Who are you ? Where did you come from ?" 
 he demanded, suspiciously. 
 
 ' It's all right, shipmate," replied Bob, quietly; 
 " we've been upset, that's all. Our boat was 
 carried down by the tide, an' bumped against 
 the hawse of a big ship out yonder. The cable 
 ripped up her planks, an' we had to swim for it ; 
 we just managed to fetch you afore we were 
 carried out to sea." 
 
 "Humph!" exclaimed the man, "what ship 
 do ye belong to ?" 
 
 " Well, none in particular," returned Bob, 
 somewhat confused by the unexpected question ; 
 " we've just been paid orf, and was going aboard 
 a barque to see some friends, when the accident 
 happened." 
 
 " Humpli ! rather a late visit, at two o'clock 
 in the morning." 
 
 " Rather," said Bob, drily. " Say, mate, do you 
 think you could lend usaboat ? I see you've got 
 one in the la\ its, over the port quarter."
 
 A SWIM FOR LIFE. 145 
 
 " Yes, an' it's goin' to stay there ; you can get 
 no boat here without the skipper's leave, an' 
 you're not likely to get that now." 
 
 " No offence meant," returned Bob ; " I sup- 
 pose you've no objection to us remaining aboard 
 until morning ? We're wet and cold, and a bit 
 miserable." 
 
 " Not that I knows on," replied the man, 
 softening a little. " I reckon you're not pirates." 
 
 " No, mate ; honest shellbacks, like yourself," 
 said Bob, laughing. 
 
 " Well, you had better come into the galley. 
 There's a fire there, and take off your wet things 
 and dry 'em." 
 
 " Thank'ee, mate. Are you on all night ? " 
 
 " Yes ; anchor watch." 
 
 " Look here," continued Bob, as a sudden 
 thought struck him, " I'll tell you what we are, 
 an' what we're doin'." 
 
 " Yes," returned the man, glancing back at 
 him. 
 
 " The fact is, we're clearing out of a ship. 
 Can you lend us a hand by giving us a dry shirt 
 an' a pair o' pants, an helpizi' us to get ashore ; 
 we'll pay you so far as we can." 
 
 " Why didn't you say that at first ? " returned 
 the man. " I don't mind helping a chap in 
 distress, so long as I don't get into a scrape 
 myself. I might be glad o' help myself some 
 day." 
 
 " Well, can you lend us the ship's gig ? " asked 
 Bob. "I'm afraid we'll have the police boat 
 after us afore morning."
 
 146 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " No, I can't do that. How are you to get it 
 back ? " 
 
 " Couldn't you come ashore with us ? It 
 wouldn't take ten minutes to pull to yonder 
 jetty." 
 
 " It can't be done," replied the watchman, 
 decisively ; " but I'll tell you what : the butcher 
 '11 be orf at five o'clock, no doubt he'll take ye if 
 3 r e spin him your yarn about bein' upset." 
 
 As there seemed no other prospect of getting 
 away from the ship, unless they again took to 
 the water, Bob thought it best to be contented 
 with their position for the present. So thanking 
 their new friend, they followed him to the 
 galley. He turned out to be a genial companion. 
 While their clothes were drying, lie made them 
 hot coffee ; then produced a " bread barge " full of 
 biscuits, some butter and cheese. Then all three 
 sat down to a frugal but welcome meal, and 
 chatted pleasantly until six bells (three o'clock) 
 came pealing over the water from some of the 
 vessels hard by. Then the old watchman got 
 up, and went to the forecastle. In a few 
 minutes he returned, carrying a large blue 
 blanket, and suggested that his visitors should 
 " turn in " on the floor of the caboose, promising 
 to give them a call at daylight. 
 
 Feeling very weary after their long swim, 
 they gladly availed themselves of the kind offer, 
 and, seeking out a " soft plank " close to the tire. 
 were soon fast asleep.
 
 THE DESERTERS : A FRIEND IN NEED. 147 
 
 Chapter XX. 
 THE DESERTERS : A FRIEND IN NEED. 
 
 They were roused just after daylight by the 
 watchman calling out to them that a waterman 
 was alongside. 
 
 u I saw 'im pulling past our bows," said their 
 new friend, "an' 'ailed 'im, 'cause I thought he'd 
 suit you better than the butcher, who would be 
 goin' on 'is rounds, an' as likely as not carry 3011 
 back to your own ship." 
 
 " That was thoughtful of you," said Bob, 
 with a look of gratitude. 
 
 They went out on deck, and found the boat 
 waiting at the gangway. 
 
 " Are you the chaps as wants to go ashore ' " 
 enquired the owner. 
 
 "We are: what'll you take us for.'" Bob 
 asked. 
 
 " Half a crown." 
 
 "Too much." 
 
 "All right, then, say a couple of bob." 
 
 " Down you go, hick : that's near enuff." 
 
 Having warmly expressed their thanks, and 
 said good-bye to the old watchman, they 
 descended the ladder, and stepped into the boat. 
 
 "Got any traps'" enquired the waterman, 
 with a surprised look on his face. 
 
 " No," replied Bob, grinning; •some's ashore 
 at uncle's, and the rest 'as gone to I >a\. y .huh- "
 
 148 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 The boatman muttered something about it 
 being no business of his, so long as he got his 
 fare, and commenced to pull rapidly for the 
 shore. 
 
 " There it is," said Bob, tossing him a two 
 shilling piece. 
 
 The man stopped pulling to pick up the 
 coin. " Guess you fellows have been on the 
 booze," he observed. 
 
 " You are not far out, mate," said Bob. "We 
 had mor'n a mouthful o' drink last night." 
 
 The man pulled on in silence. As the boat 
 approached the wharf, Bob suddenly stood up 
 and exclaimed, " Stop ! listen a moment ! " The 
 oars ceased to splash. 
 
 " What is it ? " inquired the boatman. 
 
 The faint notes of the chorus of chanty or 
 sailor's song, floated on the morning breeze 
 across the still waters of the bay, 
 
 " It's only a ship getting under weigh," said 
 the boatman impatiently. 
 
 " Do you know her name ? " inquired Bob. 
 
 " Yes, the Bombay Castle. I saw the chaps 
 at the windlass as I rowed past." 
 
 The two fugitives exchanged glances. " You 
 can put us ashore here," said Bob, pointing to 
 the nearest jetty. 
 
 " Now," he continued, as they stepped on to 
 the wharf, " we must look lively, Dick. Depend 
 upon it, the skipper's already ashore, busy 
 putting the perlice on our track." 
 
 " What shall we do ?"
 
 THE DESERTERS : A FRIEND IN NEED. 149 
 
 " Let us go straight to ole Brown's boarding- 
 house. We can trust him. He'll lend us some 
 toggery, then we can make for the country. 
 They'll have the whole town searched for us 
 before 9 o'clock. I know the lay of the land 
 hereabouts." 
 
 They found Mr. Brown up, enjoying his 
 morning pipe. He was not at all surprised at 
 their appearance, and at once lent them a change 
 of clothes. They were not the first runaway 
 sailors he had given a helping hand to, on the 
 understanding that he should afterwards cash 
 their advance notes. 
 
 They were just emerging from the stuffy 
 little room, in which they had changed their 
 garments, when Brown rushed in, and said, 
 " Stop a moment, lads ! There's a boat coming 
 ashore with the police sergeant in the stern- 
 sheets, an' I believe it's from your ship." 
 
 Mr. Brown's establishment was close to the 
 water, and commanded a full view of the harbour 
 and shipping, He returned to the verandah to 
 watch the direction the occupants of the boat 
 would take on landing. [n a few moments he 
 returned again in a state of great excitement. 
 
 " ^y J in M (>: " he exclaimed, "it's your 
 skipper, and the sergeant, an' blow me if they 
 aint comiii' straight to my 'ouse; they must have 
 got wind of your coming 'ere ; into thai cupboard 
 for your lives while I 'ave a word with them." 
 
 By this time Captain Reid and the water- 
 police sergeant were close to the boarding-house. 
 
 " Morning, Sergeant I )ixon ! "
 
 150 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Good morning, Brown ! Got a full house ?" 
 
 " No, sir, only those chaps as was paid off the 
 Monarch. Want any 'ands ? " 
 
 " No, not at present : I'm on the look out for 
 a couple o' runaways from the Bombay Castle. 
 Just a word with you." 
 
 Brown stepped down off the verandah, find 
 walked towards the captain and police-officer, 
 coolly knocking the ashes out of his pipe as he 
 went. 
 
 The sergeant advanced to meet him, and the 
 two men whispered together for some minutes. 
 They seemed to be very friendly, and to perfectly 
 understand each other ; for the guardian of the 
 law shook the boarding-house keeper by the 
 hand at parting, and said aloud, "It'll be all 
 right, then, should you drop across them ; I'm 
 just going up to get the warrants out." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir ! So long ! " 
 
 Brown watched the two figures round a 
 street corner, and then hastened back to the 
 room where he had left the fugitives. 
 
 " I lurry up, lads," he exclaimed, opening the 
 • I tor of the large recess, from which they emerged 
 half suffocated. "You've no time to lose. They've 
 just gone up to the police court to get warrants 
 out. You had better cut up Hunter-street, an' 
 take the first turning to the left. There's a pub 
 a few miles out <m the road to Maitland, kept 
 by Joe Miller. You'll be safe enough there for 
 a few days. Your skipper won't stay longer 
 than to-morrow. Mention my name to Joe." The
 
 THE DESERTERS : A FRIEND IX NEED. 151 
 
 two friends did not require much persuasion. 
 They immediately shook hands with Brown, and 
 thanked him heartily. 
 
 "It's all right," said that worthy. "Don't 
 mention it. Jack Sweeney was here the other 
 day, an' asked me to look out for you should you 
 come ashore." 
 
 They hurried along the street indicated, 
 taking care to keep a sharp look out. But few 
 people were stirring, and the shops were not yet 
 opened, so that they got well out of the town 
 without being observed. They followed the left 
 hand road as directed, and soon found themselves 
 in the open country, where they could quicken 
 their pace without attracting any special atten- 
 tion. Shortly after sunrise it grew very hot, 
 and they were glad to leave the dusty road and 
 seek shelter among the trees and bushes that 
 bordered the way side. This also relieved them 
 of the inquisitive glances which they imagined 
 were directed at them by stray pedestrians. 
 
 At midday they considered themselves safe 
 from pursuit, unless Captain Reid employed the 
 police to scour the country, which was not likely, 
 considering he wished to sail that morning. 
 
 "I think we've gone far enuf, and 'ere's a 
 resting place," said Bob, pointing to a fallen 
 log. They sat down, and Bob took out his pipe 
 and tobacco, having taken the precaution to 
 secure a supply of the latter necessary from 
 Brown before leaving. 
 
 " Hungry, Dick ? " he asked.
 
 152 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Rather ; I wouldn't object to a good square 
 meal, if I could get it." 
 
 " Afraid, then, you'll hev to do without till 
 dusk. It wouldn't be safe to venture out afore. 
 Pity we didn't get some tucker at ole Brown's. 
 Try a smoke, or chew o' tobacco." 
 
 Dick cut up some of the weed, and, rinding a 
 piece of paper in his pocket, rolled it into a 
 cigarette. It was a poor substitute for a meal, 
 and he soon complained of an unpleasant giddy 
 feeling. 
 
 " It's smokin' on an empty stomach, an' 
 sit tin' in the sun," Bob observed; "let us get 
 more in the shade." They sought out a sheltered 
 place on the soft grass. The day wore on. Bob 
 smoked, and Dick dozed, for he felt tired and 
 sleepy after the excitement and exertion of the 
 previous night. Not a living creature came near 
 to disturb them during the whole of the fore- 
 noon. At about three o'clock they heard steps 
 approaching. They sat up and listened, at the 
 same time peering anxiously through the thick 
 hushes. It was only a woodman, who passed 
 close by, without seeing them, with an axe on 
 his shoulder. 
 
 They were not again disturbed; and during 
 the afternoon Bob related to his companion some 
 of his strange and varied experiences by land 
 and sea. Dick became so interested thai he 
 forgot his hunger, and was surprised to notice 
 i lie red glow above the tree tops indicating that 
 the close of the day was at hand.
 
 THE DESERTERS: A FRIEND IN NEED. 153 
 
 They got up, and once more directed their 
 steps towards the high road. This they had 
 some difficulty in finding, and it was almost 
 nightfall when they reached it. 
 
 They had not proceeded far when they espied 
 an oil lamp glimmering in the distance, with the 
 dark shadow of a house behind it. This proved 
 to be a public house, a low-built weather-board 
 building, answering to the description given them 
 by Brown. They resolved to enter and seek 
 shelter for the night, though, to Dick, the aspect 
 of the place did not seem at all inviting. 
 
 Bob went straight up to the bar and called 
 for drinks. While the landlord was serving 
 them, he asked if they could stay for the night. 
 
 " Don't know," replied the man, eyeing them 
 suspiciously; "but I'll see the missus." He 
 went out into an adjoining room, and after a 
 short whispered conversation with some person 
 invisible to the travellers, returned, and said 
 they could, but that it was usual to pay in ad- 
 vance for beds. 
 
 "All right, guvnor," replied Bob, with a 
 slight smile ; " how much ? " 
 
 " A shilling each." 
 
 Bob placed a sovereign on the counter, the 
 last one he possessed, and asked if they could 
 have anything to eat. 
 
 "Well, supper's over," replied the man; 
 '• but," he added, in quite a genial tone, " 1 dare 
 say the missus won't mind cooking you some 
 'am an' eggs." 
 
 " Thanks," said Bob, " that'll do fust rate."
 
 154 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Going far ? " enquired the landlord, while 
 they were waiting for the meal. 
 
 " No," said Bob, whose suspicions were 
 aroused by the question ; " only to Newcastle." 
 He thought that was a clever fib, and would 
 effectually put his interrogator off the scent. 
 
 " Down from the diggings, eh ? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 "Uulgong?" 
 
 " Yes." Confound the fellow's impudence, 
 thought Bob to himself: I don't know where the 
 place is. 
 
 " Oh ! I have a brother over there," continued 
 the landlord. 
 
 The deuce you have, thought Bob, but he 
 said nothing. The cross-examination was begin- 
 ning to get unpleasant. 
 
 " You don't happen to know him, I suppose ?" 
 persisted the landlord. 
 
 " What was his name ? " 
 J ones. 
 
 '• .Jones ; never heard of such a person." 
 
 '• It's all right, mate," said the landlord, laugh- 
 ing, " I see you've left your swags up the country." 
 
 Bob saw the joke at once. What a fool I've 
 been, he thought to himself. Of course we'd 
 a'had swags if we'd come from the diggings ; 
 but 'aving nothing but what we stands up in, the 
 fellow knows as well as ourselves that we're 
 not bin' more nor less than runaway shell- 
 hacks. Further conversation was interrupted at 
 that moment by tin- landlady announcing that 
 supper was ready. A savoury smell from the
 
 THE DESERTERS: A FRIEND IN NEED. 155 
 
 adjoining room greeted their nostrils. They sat 
 down to a comfortable meal of ham and eggs, 
 mashed potatoes, and bread and bnfcter, to which 
 they did ample justice, not having broken their 
 fast during the day. Indeed, as Bob remarked 
 in a confidential whisper to his friend, they 
 could have stowed away double the quantity of 
 " am an' heggs " in the " lower hold " ; but were 
 content to till up the " 'tween decks" with bread 
 and butter, of which there was, fortunately, an 
 abundant supply. Supper over, Bob tilled his 
 pipe, and the landlord strolled in to have a yarn 
 with him. He said that he had lately been 
 deceived by a lot of runaway sailors and wander- 
 ing swao-smen, so he had reluctantlv to make a 
 rule that all beds and meals should be paid for 
 in advance. " Fellows." he remarked, " have 
 come here, who have run away from ships, and 
 stayed for days and weeks ; then they have gone 
 away to town to ship, and I have never seen 
 light nor sight of them or their money." 
 
 '•Dear me!" said Bob. "I'm sorry to hear 
 that; and have you found all sailors so dis- 
 honest?" 
 
 "Oh, no; there are some exceptions. A few 
 weeks ago a chap called here who owed me £5, 
 and paid up every penny like a man. a fellow 
 the name of Sweeny." 
 
 "What, Jack!" exclaimed Bob. suddenly 
 taken by surprise at the mention of his friend's 
 name. 
 
 •■ Yes. the same: do v<»n happen to know 
 him r
 
 156 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " He was a shipmate o' mine years ago." 
 
 " I thought so," said the man, casting a quick 
 glance at the two travellers. 
 
 " Thought what ? " inquired Bob. 
 
 " That you were sailors." 
 
 " Just then some one called out. " Bar." 
 
 " Stay a moment," said Bob, as the land- 
 lord was leaving the room ; " is your name Joe 
 Miller?" 
 
 " Yes ; it's all right, mates, you're safe enough 
 here. Jack told me I might possibly expect 
 
 you." 
 
 " Do you think he will inform on us ?" asked 
 Dick, when they were alone. 
 
 " No," replied Bob, " it would do him no good 
 to peach. Anyhow, we're all right while the 
 money lasts." 
 
 Shortly afterwards the landlord returned and 
 chatted with them for some time. Then Bob 
 asked that they might be shown to their bunks, 
 stating that " they had been up all night and 
 were as tired as dogs."
 
 ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED. 157 
 
 Chapter XXI— ARRESTED AND 
 IMPRISONED. 
 
 Bob Bowline thought it very improbable 
 that Captain Reid would delay .sailing on their 
 account ; still he considered it prudent to wait 
 at the roadside inn for a couple of days. At the 
 end of that time they ventured back to town. 
 They went straight to the boarding-house, and 
 to their delight found that the Bombay Castle 
 had sailed. Brown informed them that Captain 
 Hawkins, of the Annie — the cattle drover on 
 board of which Jack Sweeny had shipped — had 
 been to him looking for men, and he had told 
 him that he knew of a couple of good ham Is, 
 who would just suit him, an A.B., and an 
 ordinary seaman. 
 
 " Where is he to be found ? " inquired Bob. 
 
 " It's very likely you'll come across him up 
 at the shipping office, an' look here," added the 
 boarding-house keeper, with a knowing wink, 
 " don't ship for less than five poun' a month, an' 
 the boy two ten. Hands are scarce just now. 
 He won't go without you." 
 
 " Right you are," responded Bob. 
 
 So they went at once to the shipping office. 
 After waiting for about an hour, they saw 
 Captain Reid, who was quite willing to ship 
 them, Bob at rive pounds, and Dick, who took 
 care to make a full confession concerning his
 
 158 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 lack of nautical experience, at thirty shillings a 
 month. This was satisfactory, but there arose 
 a difficulty about their discharges. On inquiring 
 at the office it was found necessary that they 
 should obtain " permits." For these they had to 
 !l PPb 7 to the police department. Bob thought 
 this somewhat risky ; but there was no .help for 
 it, as they could not possibly ship without them. 
 
 "What's your name?" asked the officer. 
 Bob hesitated a moment, and then replied, 
 
 " Robert Buntline." 
 
 The man looked at him suspiciously. "Oh, 
 indeed ! he said, laughing ; I reckon you were at 
 Greenland last voyage ; sure it's not Robert 
 Bowline ? " 
 
 " No, sir, Buntline." 
 
 " You answer in a remarkable manner to 
 Bowline's description, then. You're bowled out, 
 my man ; I have a warrant for the arrest, also 
 of your young friend here, Richard Dan vers, on 
 a charge of desertion from the ship Bombay 
 Castle!' 
 
 Seeing that pevarication was useless, Bob 
 replied, " Well, what of that ? " 
 
 " Nothing, except that you must come 
 along with me. The Court will be sitting in 
 about half an hour. As your ship has sailed, and 
 there will be no one to prosecute, and you seem 
 decent chaps, the magistrate will probably deal 
 easy with you, and settle your affair right off', 
 that is, if then- an- no former charges against 
 
 you."
 
 ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED. 159 
 
 So our two heroes were arrested in the 
 Queen's name, and, as there was no one to bail 
 them out, they were straightway marched off to 
 the lockup. They were placed in separate cells, 
 so that they had not even the consolation of 
 companionship. Poor Dick's feelings can be 
 better imagined than described. Utterly un- 
 conscious of having done anything to merit 
 imprisonment, ignorant of the law relating to 
 desertion, and feeling keenly the disgrace of his 
 position, his anguish was at first extreme. He 
 paced up and down his cell, almost beside him- 
 self with grief and terror. What would they do 
 with him next, imprison him perhaps for months, 
 perhaps flog him. He had heard that they could 
 do what they liked with poor, helpless shell- 
 backs. Oh, what a fool he had been ever to have 
 u'one to sea at all ! 
 
 Nearly an hour passed away. He was 
 beginning- to grow more calm and reconciled to 
 his fate, whatever it might be, when suddenly he 
 heard steps echoing along the stone passage. A 
 key turned in the door, and a policeman appeared, 
 who beckoned with his right hand, and said 
 gruffly, " Now, then, come 'long." 
 
 Dick at once followed him out. and in a few 
 moments found himself standing beside his 
 fellow-prisoner in a crowded court-house. A 
 case of some considerable interest had just been 
 concluded. They were placed in the dock, and 
 the charge read over to them. Bob was about 
 to explain that they had left the ship on account 
 of the harsh and cruel treatment of hick by the
 
 160 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 chief officer, when the magistrate interrupted 
 him by shouting " Silence, Sir ! " Captain Haw- 
 kins was in the court, and testified that they 
 had come to him to sign articles. He was willing 
 to ship them both in the usual legal manner, and 
 expressed a hope — as they had already forfeited 
 their wages, and he himself was short-handed — 
 that his worship would dismiss the case. 
 
 " When do you sail ? " enquired the magis- 
 trate. 
 
 " A week from to-morrow, your worship." 
 
 The magistrate, a just and kindly man, saw 
 at once how matters stood. " Do you know," he 
 said, addressing Dick, " that you have rendered 
 yourselves liable to three months' imprisonment 
 with hard labour ? " 
 
 " No, sir," stammered Dick, with tears in his 
 eyes. 
 
 " Do you wish to ship with Captain Haw- 
 kins ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Locked up for one week," was the decision 
 of the Court. " Next case, officer." 
 
 " This way," said the policeman, and they 
 were again led back to their respective cells. 
 
 During the afternoon they were allowed out 
 in the yard for an hour, for air and exercise. 
 The policeman in charge of the lockup, though 
 hard and severe towards his regular customers, 
 was at heart kindly disposed, and when he knew 
 their case, chatted pleasantly with them. When 
 they were again locked up for the night, the 
 keeper's wife brought them a jug of tea and
 
 ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED. 161 
 
 some bread and butter, for which they were very 
 grateful. Bob had passed through a similar 
 experience before, though under very much 
 worse conditions. He considered he had been 
 dealt very leniently with ; so having borrowed a 
 chew of tobacco from the warder, made himself 
 comfortable for the night. Not so with Dick. 
 He threw himself in utter misery on his rough 
 bedding, and the heavy hours passed slowly 
 away. At last he fell asleep, and dreamt about 
 Kitty and his old home at " Wirrawarra." 
 They were fishing on the bank of the dam, just 
 as they used to, when he slipped and fell into 
 the water. He could distinctly hear Kitty 
 laughing at his mishap, when all at once the 
 laugh changed into a fearful blood-curdling 
 shriek. In a moment he was wide awake, at 
 first wondering where he was and what terrible 
 thing was happening. For now shriek after 
 shriek ran through the prison house. Then 
 followed the noise of scuffling along the passage, 
 accompanied by frightful imprecations. Next 
 moment the door of the cell next to him was 
 thing open, and something bundled in. It was 
 only a man. half mad with drink, and furious at 
 being arrested I'or being disorderly. In a few 
 minutes the poor wretch was gagged and hand- 
 cuffed, and all was quiet again. But Dick could 
 not sleep. He sat shivering in a corner of his 
 cell, while hour after hour dragged slowly away 
 until at last the cold, grey light that came filter- 
 ing through the bars above him proclaimed that 
 another day had dawned. At daylight a police-
 
 162 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 man came, unlocked his door, and ordered him to 
 roll up his bedding and clean his cell. This 
 done, he was allowed out in the yard for 
 a short time. He found Bob there, and was 
 delighted to have a friendly chat. Day followed 
 slowly after day. Sometimes, when there were 
 a number of prisoners awaiting trial, he and Bob 
 were placed in the same cell ; but more often 
 they were kept separate. At last the weary 
 time came to an end, and at six o'clock one 
 morning they were told that they were free. 
 Oh, the delight of being once more at liberty ! 
 How sweet the air and early sunlight after 
 being buried for days in those gloomy cells ! 
 Dick felt as if he could dance for joy ; he did 
 laugh and sing as they proceeded down the 
 street, to the amazement of a milk vendor, who 
 stopped to look after them. They went straight 
 to Brown's boarding house, and had a good 
 breakfast ; then to the shipping office to wait for 
 Captain Hawkins, for the Annie was to sail 
 next day, and they were fearful lest the full 
 complement of hands had already been shipped. 
 They were, however, just in time, and as no 
 legal difficulties now stood in the way, they at 
 once signed articles, and were told to be on 
 board that evening, or, said the skipper, laugh- 
 ing, " You'll have the police after you again."
 
 THE Fu'CASTLE CAROUSE. 163 
 
 Chapter XXII. 
 
 THE FO'CASTLE CAROUSE. 
 
 When Bob returned to the boarding house, 
 
 he found a scrawl awaiting him from his friend 
 
 Jack Sweeny, requesting him to be on board 
 
 early in the evening:, "as the Bullockers were 
 
 living a bit of a spree, in honour of it being 
 
 their last night in port." A postscript entreated 
 
 him not to forget to bring oft a " square face," 
 
 as an evidence of good-will and brotherly feeling 
 
 towards his ne*w shipmates. He got Dick to 
 
 write a note in reply promising to be on board 
 
 as early as possible ; and sent it by the same 
 
 waterman. Mr. Brown kindly cashed their 
 
 advance notes, taking care to deduct his own 
 
 fees ; and with the paltry balance they bought a 
 
 meagre supply of clothing for the voyage. 
 
 However, as it was considered " a fine weather 
 
 trip," that did not much matter. When the 
 
 " square face " was paid for. they had but two 
 
 shillings left to cany them off to the ship. It 
 
 was after eight o'clock when they left the wharf. 
 
 The barque was lying on the other side of the 
 
 bay, some distance from the rest of the shipping, 
 
 so that it took nearly half an hour's hard sculling 
 
 to reach her. 
 
 As they drew nigh the gangway, the chorus of 
 an old sea song roared out from twenty brazen 
 throats, accompanied by a concertina, indicated
 
 164 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 that the spree alluded to in Jack's letter was 
 already in full swing. Shouts aud boisterous 
 laughter, from the fore part of the ship, and 
 what sounded like the beating of tin pots on 
 seamen's chests, followed the conclusion of the 
 song. 
 
 " By Jove ! they seem to be having a line 
 time of it," said Bob. " Guess you'll see a bit o' 
 life aboard this hooker, Dick." 
 
 Dick thought so, too; but at that moment the 
 boat touched the gangway, and he sprang on 
 board without waiting to reply. Bob followed. 
 A rope's end was thrown over to the waterman, 
 and a canvas bag containing all their worldly 
 possessions hauled on deck. 
 
 " Hullo ! Is that you Bob Bowline ? " shouted 
 a voice from the forepart of the ship. 
 
 '• Ay, ay," responded Bob, grasping the 
 canvas bag, and preparing to carry it forward. 
 
 A form rapidly approached them ; it was 
 Jack Sweeny. " Where the Dickens did you 
 get to ? " he inquired. " Been looking for you 
 the last hour. Thought you'd given us the slip 
 again. Where's your dunnage '. " 
 
 Bob pointed to the canvas bag. 
 
 " Is that all you've got ? Oh, ay ! I forgot. 
 By jingo ! It was a narrow squeak with us that 
 night. You coves had a long swim for it. Come 
 along. Oh, sling your bag in the scuttle for the 
 present, the fo'castle is full of chaps. You can 
 fix your bunk up in the mornin'." 
 
 They went forward. The Annie's forecastle, 
 properly speaking, was not a forecastle at all, but a
 
 THE FO'CASTLE CAROUSE. 165 
 
 long, commodious deck-house, running from 
 abaft the foremast almost to the main hatch. 
 The after end of it, divided off by a bulkhead, 
 served as a galley. Bob saAV at a glance that it 
 would prove a much more comfortable residence 
 than the hole they had been accustomed to on 
 board the Bombay Castle. The place itself was 
 crowded with men, whose rough faces were 
 almost invisible in a cloud of tobacco smoke. 
 An oil lamp suspended from a beam shed a misty 
 light around the apartment, like a beacon flare 
 on a foggy night. A seaman's large chest had 
 been dragged out into the centre of the caboose 
 to serve as a table. On it were standing several 
 bottles of gin and rum, and some tin pots, 
 such as sailors use at their meals. About 
 twenty men, bullockers and sailors, sat and 
 sprawled about the place. The uproar was so 
 great that at first no one noticed the new 
 arrivals. 
 
 " Silence ! order ! " yelled Jack Sweeny, after 
 he had stood at the door for some minutes with 
 his two friends. 
 
 "Ay, ay! hear, hear!" shouted several 
 voices. 
 
 •.lack's agoin' to give us a song: shut up 
 your jabber can't ye." 
 
 " Boys," continued Jack, as soon as lie could 
 get a hearing. " I want to interjuice an ole 
 shipmate of mine. Some o' you have heard me 
 speak o' Bob Bowline, a real white man. better 
 never trod a plank ; so fill your glasses or
 
 166 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 pannikins, or whatever you call 'em, an' drink 
 
 to our new shipmate an' his young chum, Dick 
 
 Dan vers." 
 
 A shout of welcome that was like the roar of 
 
 surf on a rocky shore greeted this speech, and 
 
 the whole crowd broke out with the song : — 
 
 " For they are jolly good fellows. 
 For the}' are jolly good fellows ; 
 And so say all of us. " 
 
 " Come along, Bob ! -Bring the youngster 
 with you. See if you can find a seat on the 
 edge of this bunk. What will you have ole 
 man — gin or rum ? " And without waiting for 
 a reply, Jack half filled a pannikin with raw 
 spirit from the nearest bottle. 
 
 The noise that had again commenced was 
 partially silenced by the announcement that 
 " Dutch Charlie " would favor the company with 
 a song. The pots were rattled with renewed 
 vigour, and a man at the far end of the apart- 
 ment rose to his feet. Physically, he was a 
 magnificent specimen of humanity ; he stood 
 over six feet, with shoulders broad in proportion. 
 In spite of his bronzed complexion, his light 
 curly hair and beard, blue eyes, and general 
 appearance proclaimed him to be what sailors 
 called a " Dutchman "; although in reality a 
 Dane. He possessed a splendid baritone voice, 
 and was evidently a favourite singer amongst 
 the crew, for they all listened attentively while 
 he rolled a familiar sen song — with just a per- 
 ceptible foreign accent— out of his deep chest. 
 31 an after man caught up the chorus, until the
 
 THE FO-'CASTLE CAROUSE. 167 
 
 vessel rang with the wild refrain, which set 
 Dick's blood tingling through his veins. The 
 song was followed by a tremendous burst of 
 cheering, and shouts of "Encore ! Encore ! 
 Charlie ! " 
 
 Several songs followed in quick succession. 
 And now that he had got used to the misty 
 light, and the tobacco smoke had slightly 
 thinned, Dick was able to distinguish some of 
 the faces around him. They were a strange 
 and motley crew. One thing that specially 
 attracted his attention was the diversity of 
 appearance in the men. Some of them rough 
 bearded, with unkempt hair, shirts unbuttoned, 
 revealing thick bull necks, and mossy breasts : 
 others slight and slim, clad in neat shore-going 
 jackets and trousers. One or two were tall, power- 
 ful looking fellows like Dutch Charlie. While 
 beside him sat a manikin, who could not have 
 measured more than four feet when he stood 
 upright. Dick learnt afterwards that he was a 
 seaman, who went by the name of " Little Jack," 
 to distinguish him from Sweeny. His coun- 
 tenance was one of the ugliest, and at the same 
 time one of the most comical he had ever gazed 
 upon. His nose seemed to have been broken 
 in the centre, where it lay almost flat upon his 
 face, the tip of it standing out from amongst 
 a forest of darkish hair, like a ripe strawberry: 
 while his little heady eyes snt Ear hack in his 
 head, as though driven there by a thousand 
 storms.
 
 168 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 "Suppose you've never seen such a good- 
 looking cove before, eh ? " he said, as he caught 
 Dick's gaze resting upon him. 
 
 Some of the crew sitting near broke into a 
 boisterous laugh at this little ioke. 
 
 " Say, Jack," said one of them, " spin us 
 that yarn about how Bully Hayes spoiled your 
 beauty down at the islands." 
 
 " Not now," was the reply ; "Scotch Sandy 
 is going to give us a song." The man called 
 " Scotch Sandy " stood up and sang " Tom 
 Bowline " in a pleasant tenor voice. Another 
 sailor called Cockney Harris, sang " Dublin 
 Bay," in a weak tenor, with a nasal twang. 
 
 The majority of these fo'castle hands were 
 the ordinary type of merchant seamen ; though 
 a few bore an unmistakable cut-throat appear- 
 ance ; men who had probably in their time done 
 a little pirating, or blackbirding at least, in the 
 South Seas. As last one of them struck up 
 "Blow ye winds, oh, oh:" the chorus of which 
 was caught up by the whole ship's company, 
 until the shriek of the concertina was drowned 
 by the roar of voices, that went rolling out in 
 the midnight air. until the watchman on the 
 craft lying near wondered if " them chaps aboard 
 the bullocker had gone stark, staring mad." 
 Some of the songs were well sung, and 
 harmless enough : but others made Dick feel 
 ashamed of himself and his company. 
 
 Suddenly, the little hairy- faced manikin, who 
 sat next to him, and who, by this time was nearly 
 half drunk, turned abruptly and exclaimed :
 
 THE FO'CASTLE CAROUSE. 169 
 
 " Shay, youngster ! can't you give us a 
 shong V 
 
 " I'm sorry to say I can't sing," said Dick, 
 modestly. 
 
 " Oh ! we'll shoon teach you : why the young 
 beggar 'as had nothing to drink yet ! give 'em a 
 drink, Bob." 
 
 " Hurrah !" shouted several voices ; "pass the 
 grog to the boy ; we'll shoon make 'ini sing." 
 
 "I — I— I don't drink," returned Dick. 
 
 •' Come, now, don't be unsociable," said one of 
 the men, taking up a bottle and pouring a large 
 quantity of rum into a pannikin. 
 
 Unwilling to offend, and feeling that resis- 
 tance Avould be useless, Dick drank it ott". The 
 strong liquor soon excited him, his pulse raced. 
 and the blood seemed to course through his 
 veins like liquid fire. They soon had him, not 
 only singing, but reeling about the deck trying 
 to dance a sailor's hornpipe, to the great amuse- 
 ment of all hands and the cook. 
 
 Now that poor Dick had once commenced, it 
 was not difficult for his rough companions to 
 prevail upon him to drink more of their vile 
 liquor. The fumes of the spirit and tobacco soon 
 began to overpower him. His head ached and 
 throbbed. The dim fo'castle light swam before 
 his eyes; and the ship itself seemed to be spin- 
 ning round and round. 
 
 By this time the revel had grown uproarious, 
 so that the mate came forward and tried to quell 
 it, and persuade the men to turn in. He was 
 only laughed at by the drunken rioters, and,
 
 170 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 deeming it imprudent to venture into the ship's 
 forecastle while the men were in such a condi- 
 tion for the purpose of enforcing his authority, 
 he wisely returned aft to report the matter to 
 the captain. In the meantime a dispute arose 
 between some of the seamen and bullockers. A 
 fight followed, accompanied by the most dis- 
 gusting ribaldry and profanity. Even in his 
 half-drunken state, poor Dick felt the degrada- 
 tion of his position and surroundings. He stood 
 up, and made an effort to stagger towards the 
 door, and get away from his brutalized com- 
 panions. 
 
 " Hold on ! no so fhast," hiccoughed the 
 little monkey-faced man, who, drunk as he was, 
 noticed Dick's movement. " Hold on ! giv' ush 
 'nother shong, bully." 
 
 " Let me go," gasped Dick, struggling to free 
 himself from the drunkard's grasp. He got upon 
 his feet, but his legs reeled from beneath him, 
 and he fell heavily on the deck. He had a dim 
 recollection of being lifted up, and carried out 
 by some one — He thought it was Bob Bowline 
 — and gently laid upon the forehatch, under the 
 cool, bright light of the twinkling stars. 
 
 Dick awoke just before dawn. The chill 
 morning air revived him. A vague feeling of 
 utter misery and wretchedness oppressed him. 
 He sat up and tried to remember what had hap- 
 pened, but his head ached and swam to such a
 
 THE FO'CASTLE CAROUSE. 171 
 
 degree that he was compelled to lie down again. 
 His whole body felt sore and bruised. He tried 
 to call out for Bob, but his tongue was parched 
 as a bit of burnt leather, and clove to the roof of 
 his mouth, so that he could scarcely utter a 
 sound. He longed for a drink of cold water, 
 but felt unable to arouse himself to obtain it. 
 By degrees his wandering senses came back, and 
 a bitter, burning shame filled his heart. His 
 physical sufferings were bad enough, but the 
 flame that tortured his soul was infinitely 
 worse. An image rose before him, that of a fair 
 and innocent child, with clustering brown hair, 
 and blue eyes which looked reproachfully at him. 
 Stung with remorse, he cried aloud, "Oh, my 
 God ! what a beast I have been ! " 
 
 " Whose that a-swearing ?" growled a voice 
 beside him. 
 
 He looked around. The ghastly light of 
 early dawn revealed the forms of men in various 
 drunken postures, sleeping off the effects of their 
 recent revel. 
 
 "Were they human beings?" he asked himself, 
 "or mere animals in human shapes C He trem- 
 bled, for he saw close to him a depth of degre- 
 dation into which he himself might soon sink. 
 Alas ! had he not sunk already I And would 
 not the mere constant association with such men 
 lead him, not only to condone their offences, but 
 at last to wallow in the same excesses, and even 
 delight in the more terrible sins which he had 
 heard some of them talking and boasting aboui 
 the previous night '.
 
 172 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Pshaw !" I hear some of my critics say, 
 "what an unnatural character for a sailor. But 
 why ? Are all sailors brutes and blackguards ? 
 That is simply a notion obtained from certain 
 quack sea scribes. Those of us who have lived in 
 the forecastle know differently. Why should 
 it be deemed unnatural that my sea hero should 
 possess a conscience ? a higher and a lower 
 element in his nature ; and that the promptings 
 of the higher element in his nature should have 
 made him wretched and miserable, because he 
 had behaved like a fool and a brute '( Persevere 
 Dick, my boy, and the time will soon come when 
 thou wilt be no longer troubled with such trifles, 
 and the spirit within thee will become an utter 
 slave to the flesh. Hell itself hath no deeper 
 damnation than that. Thine experience of life 
 has been enlarged during the last twenty-four 
 hours, and thine eyes are now open to discern 
 good from evil. Which wilt thou choose ?" 
 
 A text of Scripture which Aunt Hannah 
 had at one time given to him to learn kept ring- 
 ing in his ears : " He was led up of the spirit 
 into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." 
 "Yes, Dick; thou hast been tempted and thou 
 hast i'allen. Henceforth, thou must, therefore, 
 remain in the wilderness with beasts more wild 
 than the savage companions, even thine own evil 
 passions and lusts; until the angels of God come 
 again to minister unto thee, and thine heart is 
 once more like the heart of a little child."
 
 GETTING UNDER WEIGH. 173 
 
 Chapter XXIII.— GETTING UNDER 
 WEIGH : 
 ABOARD THE " BULLOCKER." 
 
 "Heave away, lads! heave away cheerily! 
 Throw some life into it ! " cried the mate of the 
 Annie as he stood upon the forecastle head. But 
 no response come from the men, who worked 
 listlessly. Their sulky silence was only broken 
 by the creaking of the great levers of the wind- 
 lass, slip-slap of the pauls, and the rattle of the 
 cable as it was ranged alongside the fore hatch. 
 The fact was that they had not even yet got 
 over the carouse of the past evening; indeed, 
 some of them seemed to be still half stupid with 
 the drink they had consumed. 
 
 " Loose your spanker, jib, and foretopmost 
 staysail ; a couple of hands aloft there, and 
 throw the gaskete off fore an'maintaupsails;" rang 
 out the voice of the pilot, who, with the captain, 
 stood aft beside the wheel. " Lay out on the 
 jibboom one of you ; a couple o' hands loose the 
 taupsails ; " repeated the mate. 
 
 It was wonderful t>> see the half-tipsy fellows, 
 who could scarcely walk straight along the deck, 
 spring- nimbly aloft, and perform their duties in 
 a seamanlike manner on the edddy footing of 
 shrouds and yards. 
 
 " Bear a hand ! " shouted the pilot : " we can't 
 afford to miss the tide."
 
 174 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Come now, bullies," said the mate in his 
 cheeriest tones ; at the same time descending 
 from the forecastle, and grasping one of the 
 levers himself. " Come now, hearties ? 'owse her 
 out. Where's Dutch Charlie ? " he added, looking 
 around ; " come Charlie, give us a chanty." 
 
 " What do you want a chanty for ? A cove 
 'ed think he was in a blanky lime-juicer ;" 
 growled one of the men in an undertone. But 
 the idea met with a favourable reception from 
 the majority of the crew. " What's the odds ! " 
 growled another; "lime-juicer or bullocker, 
 let's have a chanty and be hanged to you." 
 
 " I can't sing without a nip," said Charlie, 
 " I'm as 'oarse as a crow ; some un get's one from 
 the fo'castle." 
 
 " No more grog ! " said the mate sternly, 
 " some o' you 're half boozed now ; yez have had 
 enough last night to last ye for the whole 
 voyage. " 
 
 " Well, what 'ill ye have ! " asked Charlie." 
 
 " Give us ' Outward Bound,' " suggested the 
 mate. 
 
 So Charlie commenced the following wild sea 
 melody, the chorus of which was soon caught 
 up, and sung heartily by all hands; even the 
 bullockers came up from their duties in the 
 'tween decks to lend the crew a hand, when they 
 caught the sound of the rolling chorus. 
 
 " We're hound away to a far-i-land 
 
 Away to the heastern seas ; 
 For you know that we're outward bound, my boys, 
 
 You know that we're outward hound !
 
 GETTING UNDER WEIGH. 175 
 
 "An' maidens many an' fair we'll have 
 
 Away in those heastern seas ! 
 For you know that we're outward bound, my boys, 
 
 You know that we're outward bound ! 
 
 So heave ! my hearties, long and strong, 
 For the tawps'ls feel the breeze, my boys ; 
 
 And you know that we're outward bound, my boya ! 
 You know that we're outward bound ! 
 
 There may not have been much music or 
 poetry in Charlie's song ; but it was astonishing 
 the effect it had upon the listless crew. It acted 
 like a charm. They brightened up, and hove 
 with increased energy and vigour. As the 
 chorus rolled away over the rippling waters of 
 the harbour, the levers and pauls of the wind- 
 lass rang out a merry accompaniment of clink, 
 clank ! slap, slap ! and the great chain rattled 
 swiftly up through the iron hawse pipes. So 
 that Dick and another ordinary seamen had as 
 much as they could do to range it along the 
 hatch. 
 
 " Another chanty, Charlie \" cried Mr. Wood, 
 the mate, who, now that he had got the men to 
 work with a will, was determined to keep them 
 at it. 
 
 Charlie followed up with another favourite 
 song. 
 
 " O ! Sally Brown, I love you're daughter ! 
 
 Wa\ a you rolling riv-er ! 
 Sall\- Brown was a bright Mullato ; 
 
 Spend my money on Sall-ie Brown." 
 
 They were about half through a long rigma- 
 role concerning the charms of Sally Brown, when 
 the mate suddenly put his hand to his mouth, 
 and sang out : " Anchor's short, sir '
 
 176 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Ay, ay !" responded the pilot ; " tawps'l 
 halliards ! run them up, lads !" 
 
 Most of the hands rushed aft, and tailed on 
 to the topsail halliards, with another swinging- 
 chorus. 
 
 " Oh ! be-lay that ! " shouted the pilot ; " man 
 the windlass again ! break her out, lads !" 
 
 In a few minutes the mate again called out, 
 " Anchor's away, sir !" 
 
 " Ay, ay ! — part braces ! hand aft here at the 
 wheel !" 
 
 The yards were quickly trimmed, and the 
 barque begin to move slowly towards the mouth 
 of the harbour. They cleared the " Nobbie's " 
 with a light south-east breeze, and dropping 
 their pilot stood straight out to sea. The ship was 
 no sooner well away from the land, with the long 
 Pacitic swell beneath her keel, than the men 
 seemed to shake off the eii'eets of their drunken 
 bout, and to settle down cheerfully to their sea 
 duties, such as catting, fishing the anchor, coiling 
 av\ ay the running gear, lashing spars, and 
 otherwise putting things into ship-shape about 
 the decks, while the bullockers had their 
 special work to attend to in feeding and watering 
 the cattle. The great bluti' headland on the port 
 quarter gradually grew dimmer and dimmer, 
 until it dwindled into a tiny speck on the rim of 
 the horizon, and then vanished. The Annie was 
 now fairly out to sea. Dick stood under the 
 break of the forecastle head, coiling away the 
 raffle of jib-sheets and downhauls that littered 
 tin- forward part of the deck. The effects of the
 
 A BLACK DOT FAR A-sti-.KN.
 
 GETTING UNDER WEIGH. 177 
 
 dissipation of the past night had now worn oh 1 " 
 him, and he was agreeably surprised to find that 
 lie was not in the least troubled with sea sickness. 
 Perhaps, as Bob had suggested to him, "the bad 
 grog had cleared his hold out, and left no long- 
 shore wash aboard to trouble him." Anyhow, 
 considering the mental and physical agony he 
 had passed through in the early part of the day, 
 he felt better and more cheerful than either he 
 had expected or deserved. No doubt the fresh 
 ocean breeze that now came gushing over the 
 starboard bow, and went humming aft through 
 the shrouds and cordage, and the fact of having 
 been kept constantly " at it," since day-break, 
 had something to do with the rapid recovery of 
 his health and spirits. There are few better 
 remedies for mental distress than hard work. 
 
 " Hullo, Younker !" said a voice at his elbow. 
 
 Dick turned, and saw standing beside him the 
 monkey-faced man, who went by the name of 
 " Little Jack." 
 
 " Are you the young chap as come aboard last 
 night with Bob Bowline ?" he asked. 
 
 " Yes, I am !" replied Dick, trying to hide his 
 instinctive repugnance to the man. 
 
 " Jolly time we had last night, eh?" Fine 
 fellows those bullockers. I heerd the mate say 
 you was to be in our watch so you'll have to go 
 to the galley at four bells for supper, savvy ? 
 that's one of your dooties." 
 
 " All right," said Dick, cheerfully, " I'll look- 
 after that."
 
 178 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " An' if any o' the coves in the other watch 
 tries to bully you round, you jest tell me, or Bob, 
 or Dutch Charlie, an' we'll lay them out for you. 
 We can do all the nigger driving that's necessary 
 ourselves." With these words the little ape-like 
 creature turned, and walked unsteadily towards 
 the forecastle. Although he spoke sensibly 
 enough, Dick guessed from his wild appearance, 
 bloodshot eyes, unsteady gait, that he was still 
 drinking. However, it was no business of his, 
 and he turned to complete his task of coiling up 
 the running gear about the main deck. Then the 
 decks were washed down, after which the men 
 were allowed to fill their pipes, and lounge about 
 smoking and chatting. Dick noticed that the 
 discipline appeared to be much less strict and 
 formal than it was on board the Bombay Castle. 
 There was no " hazing " the men around to find 
 useless jobs, merely for the sake of keeping them 
 employed. But for the degrading experience of 
 the past night, the voyage promised to be a 
 pleasant one. 
 
 After supper, a knot of men gathered on the 
 forecastle head, and soon Dutch Charlie's deep 
 voice, accompanied by the concertina, rose above 
 the humming wind and the dash of water 
 against the weather bow. They sang and 
 played, and danced, until eight bells was struck ; 
 then the crew were called aft and the watches 
 set. Dick found himself, as the little hairy- 
 faced man had predicted, in the port watch, with 
 Bob as a messmate.
 
 GETTING UNDER WEIGH. 179 
 
 " Where's little Jack ?" enquired the mate, 
 gazing around among the rough faces in front of 
 him ; " he's in my watch." 
 
 "He's in 'is bunk, sir; a couple of us 'as 
 just lashed 'im in." 
 
 " What's that for V 
 
 " Got a touch o' the 'orrors, sir ; been trying 
 to cut 'is throat." 
 
 The mate uttered an exclamation of surprise, 
 and went forward. He found the man lashed in 
 his bunk, sleeping soundly, with a piece of rat- 
 line stuff around his arms. " Why, lie's alright, 
 cast him adrift," said the mate. 
 
 " Blowed if I'm going to sleep in this 'ere 
 fo'castle, then," said one of the men. " He's been 
 goin' on fearful, sir, ravin' an' sweating like 
 mad, threat'in' to cut his throat, 'cause the grog's 
 all done." 
 
 " Pshaw '." exclaimed the mate ; " there's no- 
 thing much the matter with him. However, you 
 can let him be till 1 come on deck ;ii eight bells, 
 then (me of you cast him adrift ; I'll see that he 
 does no harm." 
 
 The men promised to obey, and the mate 
 walked aft.
 
 180 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XXIV.— MAN OVERBOARD! A 
 DOUBLE TRAGEDY. 
 
 It was Dick's lookout during the first part of 
 the second watch, that is, from twelve to two. 
 Being still in the track of coasting vessels, he 
 received strict injunctions from the man he re- 
 lieved to keep his " weather eye lifting " for 
 anything in the shape of a light. He at once 
 commenced pacing to and fro across the narrow 
 deck, peering every now and then over the 
 bows, so that if anything hove in sight, he might 
 be the first to report it to the officer on watch. 
 
 It was a beautiful moonlight night; the 
 breeze, thouo-h still from the south-east came in 
 warm putt's. The sky was flecked with peculiar- 
 looking lift" -y clouds, which, as they drove across 
 the face of the moon, would sometimes lengthen 
 out into long, white gossamer-like veils. Dick 
 caught himself admiring their extreme beauty 
 and delicacy, as though he had never seen the 
 like before. Somehow they reminded him of 
 Kitty, they looked so white and pure. Then he 
 began to wonder where she was, what she was 
 doing, and if she was thinking about him. Old 
 childish recollections came crowding back upon 
 his brain, his thoughts wandered far away, until 
 he utterly forgot the special duty laid upon him 
 of " keeping a bright look out." 
 
 " Dick, ole man ! don't you see that light on 
 the weather bow ? " said a voice close beside him.
 
 MAN OVERBOARD ! 181 
 
 He started, and cast a frightened look be- 
 hind. 
 
 It was only Bob, who had come up on the 
 forecastle in his bare feet. The wash of the 
 water against the vessel's bows had prevented 
 Dick from hearing his approach. 
 
 "Oh, it's you, Bob! what light? where? 
 You startled me." 
 
 "There; about two points on the starboard 
 bow." 
 
 Dick looked, but at first could distinguish 
 nothing. After a few moments a glimmer like 
 that of a tiny star appeared on tin- edge of the 
 horizon. 
 
 " You had better sing out afore the mate sees 
 it," suggested his companion; "it must have been 
 there for some time ; perhaps they're all asleep 
 alt." 
 
 Dick looked to see if anyone was stirring. A 
 dark shadow stood by the wheel ; he knew it 
 to be the mate. 
 
 " Light on the weather bow ! " lie shouted. 
 
 "Where away V rang out Mr. Woods' voice. 
 
 "About two points, sir," replied Dick. 
 
 "Ay ay, I see it." responded the mate, after a 
 short pause. " Keep your eye on it. me lad." 
 
 Li ;i lev,* moments it showed a bright green. 
 well on their starboard bow, so thai there w;is 
 no necessity to alter the Annie's course. The 
 light grew brighter. Suddenly ;i snow-white 
 pyramid of canvas towered above it. It rapidly 
 approached them. In ten minutes the stranger
 
 182 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHU'S. 
 
 was off their beam. She proved to be a schooner, 
 probably an island trader homeward bound. 
 Silently and ghost-like she swept past them, her 
 great mainsail standing out under the moonlight 
 so still and firm, that it looked like a block of 
 carved marble. The watch on deck were still 
 gazing at the schooner, when they were startled 
 by a fearful scream, which came from the fore- 
 castle. Next moment several struggling figures 
 emerged. They swayed to and fro for a few 
 moments, then one of them broke away, and 
 darted swiftly towards the forerigging. The 
 moonlight flashed upon his face, and Dick saw 
 that it was the little monkey-faced man, who had 
 been lashed in his bunk in the early part of the 
 evening. 
 
 " Stop him ! Stop him !" cried several voices. 
 "He'll throw hisself overboard." But the little 
 fellow had already reached the fore shrouds, and 
 next moment he was clambering with monkey- 
 like dexterity up the rigging. Bob Bowline 
 sprang after him, but the man reached the 
 i opsail yard before his pursuer had gained the 
 futtock shrouds. Disdaining the foot-rope, he 
 ran out on the top of the yard and caught hold 
 of the. lift. Seeing Bob about to follow, he 
 dropped down and sat astride the extreme end 
 of the spar. Fearful lest he was about to jump 
 into the sea, Bob paused halfway out and said 
 coaxingly, " < Some in, Jack ; there's a good Bellow. 
 Give us your hand, an' I'll help you." !'>ut the 
 man only stared fixedly at him, without speaking 
 a word.
 
 MAN OVERBOARD ! I<S:; 
 
 " Go out, for God's sake, and fetch him, Bob," 
 cried the mate. But as soon as Bob made a move- 
 ment to do so the little fellow swung himself under 
 the yard and caught hold of the foot-rope. 
 
 " Great heavens !" cried the mate. " He'll be 
 overboard, as sure as fate. Just look at him 
 hanging by the foot-rope." The man seemed now 
 to suddenly come to himself, for he began making 
 desperate attempts to regain his footing on the 
 yard, but every attempt only served to exhaust 
 his strength. 
 
 " Hold on ! Be still !" cried Bob. " You little 
 fool, can't you be quiet till I get out to you V 
 
 Both watches were now on deck, and stood 
 transfixed with horror at the sight. 
 
 Every eye was directed towards the writhing 
 and struggling form aloft. The man's legs were 
 twisting and turning under and over the rope in 
 frantic efforts to regain the yard. The moon, 
 which had been partially hid by a driving cloud, 
 suddenly shone full upon his face. Dick turned 
 away from the horrible look of agony it revealed, 
 which even from that distance could be clearly 
 distinguished in the contorted features. Bob 
 had now reached the extremity of the yard, and 
 Mas bending over to clutch him. 
 
 The maniac caught sight of the form above. 
 In a moment his struggles ceased. He hung for 
 a second or two <>n the swaying rope gazing 
 steadfastly up at his would-be deliverer. 
 
 "Come, ole chap, give me ■ — ." Before he 
 could finish the sentence, the man uttered a 
 fearful shriek and let go.
 
 184 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Dick saw a dark form fall ( r past him into the 
 sea, a dull splash followed, and the thrilling cry 
 of " Man overboard !" rang out through the 
 ship. 
 
 " All hands on deck !" roared the mate. 
 
 " Back the main yard ! Hand up in the 
 mizzen rigging to keep an eye on him." 
 
 In a few minutes the ship was hove-to, with 
 her topsail to the mast, and lay tranquilly rising 
 and falling; on the long; Pacific swell. 
 
 " There he is ! There he is !" shouted the man 
 from aloft, as a black dot appeared far away on 
 the port quarter. 
 
 " Ay, ay ! " responded the captain, who, 
 aroused by the unusual noise, had rushed up on 
 deck. " Keep your eye on him ! Lower away 
 that port quarter boat ! Bear a hand, lads !" 
 
 As often happens on such occasions, the boat 
 was not ready for lowering, but had been lashed 
 to a spar across the davits. It took the men 
 some time to cut away the lashings. The falls, 
 too, had been unrove, so that watch tackles had 
 to be carried aft and attached to the ringbolts in 
 the stem and stern of the boat, before it could be 
 freed from the davits. Still, in a marvellously 
 short time the falls were clear for running. 
 
 " Lower away !" commanded the skipper. 
 
 Down wen! the boat with a rush. 
 
 " Handsomely Oor'ard, there !" cried the mate ; 
 "or you'll have her stove in ! What the- arc 
 you up to ; you'll unship your block !" 
 
 It was too late ; the men in their haste had 
 lowered the forward tackle too quickly. A wave
 
 MAN OVERBOARD ! 185 
 
 happening to strike the bow of the boat unhooked 
 the block, and the fore part fell with a splash 
 into the sea. In a moment it was half full of 
 water. 
 
 " Let go aft !" yelled the skipper. 
 
 Fortunately the painter had been made fast, 
 so that the stern could not swing round, other- 
 wise the boat must have been smashed. 
 
 Several of the men now slid down the after- 
 most tackle. Dick watched his opportunity and 
 briskly followed them. The mate caught sight 
 of him as he was half-way down, and called out : 
 " Stay on deck, boy ; you'll be no use down 
 there." 
 
 But Dick was already in the sternsheets. and 
 several voices were crying out, " Shove off ! 
 shove off !" It was impossible for him to return. 
 The painter was suddenly let go. 
 
 " Out oars !" cried the second mate, who had 
 seized the tiller. 
 
 The men looked in dismay at one another. 
 There were no oars in the boat, not even a fchole 
 pin. They were already some distance from the 
 ship. A man leaning over the tall'rail of the 
 barque said, " What's the matter with them ? 
 They are not pulling." 
 
 "Oars'." shouted 1 hitch Charlie, who was 
 standing ii]» in the how. 
 
 Their difficulty being perceived by those on 
 board, a couple of oars were promptly thrown 
 into I he sea. 
 
 Still they looked blankly at one another. 
 
 ■• How ,wr we to reach them?" asked Bob.
 
 186 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 A sudden thought flashed across Dick's brain. 
 
 " The gratings," he said. 
 
 " Lucky thought," exclaimed the second 
 mate. In a moment the gratings in the bottom 
 of the boat were pulled up, and used as paddles. 
 By this means they soon obtained the oars ; but 
 as they had neither rowlocks nor thole-pins, only 
 one could be used to scull with from the stern. 
 A considerable time bad now elapsed since the 
 man had fallen overboard. They gazed eagerly 
 around the surface of the ocean, but poor Jack 
 could nowhere be seen. However, they sculled 
 in the direction indicated to them by the man in 
 the mizzen crosstrees, keeping, at the same time, 
 a sharp look-out. Suddenly Dutch Charlie, who 
 had been steadily gazing for some moments over 
 the starboard bow, exclaimed, "What's that?" 
 Everyone looked in the direction he was point- 
 ing. But as they drew close, they found that 
 it was only the white gleam of a lifebuoy, that 
 someone had thrown overboard. They sculled 
 towards it and picked it up. But they could 
 see nothing of their shipmate. They shouted, 
 " Jack ! Jack ! " and listened eagerly for any 
 response. At one time they thought they heard 
 an answering cry, but it must have come from 
 the deck of the ship, or from some wandering 
 sea-bird. For nearly an hour they sculled 
 about, taking turns at the oar, but they could 
 find no trace of the man who, a short time 
 before, had been a living being like themselves. 
 
 " It's a wonder he's not kept afloat a bit 
 longer," said Charlie. But they all knew that
 
 .MAN OVERBOARD ! 187 
 
 the sea in these latitudes swarmed with sharks, 
 and they shuddered to think of liis fate. 
 
 "It's no use," exclaimed the second mate, 
 breaking a long silence ; " he's gone, poor fellow: 
 we had better return to the ship." 
 
 All this time Dick and one of the men had 
 been kept busy baling out the boat with their 
 caps. Though they felt that the mate's words 
 were true, they were reluctant to abandon their 
 search, until a signal from the ship recalled 
 them to a sense of their own dangerous position. 
 The wind, which had been light when the boat 
 was lowered, had considerably freshened. The 
 sea, too. was beginning to rise. They had drifted 
 and sculled a long way to leeward of the ship ; 
 and it was only when they turned the boat's 
 head in her direction that they felt the full force 
 of wind and sea. 
 
 "We'll never be able to fetch her," gasped 
 the Dutchman, who had been sculling with all 
 his might. 
 
 " Surely to goodness, they'll see our condi- 
 tion, and bear down upon us," said the second 
 mate anxiously. " There's a heavy squall coming 
 up from windward." 
 
 It was true ; the sky was already overcast 
 with a (having send, and a white line could be 
 distinguished far away on the rim oi the horizon. 
 All this time the ship's ensign was being run np 
 and down as a signal for (hem to return. 
 
 " What the dickens are they up to ? Why 
 don't they square away and run down to us!" 
 exclaimed Bob.
 
 188 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " There they go," said Mr. Robinson, the 
 second mate. 
 
 As he spoke the sails were filled, and the 
 vessel bore quickly towards them. They reached 
 her mizzen chains, just as the squall burst upon 
 them in a blinding rush of wind and rain. 
 
 " Stand by with a rope ! " bawled the 
 skipper ; " look out below there ! " 
 
 Bob just caught the rope that was flung to 
 him, as the boat pitched beneath the chains. 
 
 " Watch your chance as she rises, and spring 
 into the channels ; I'll hook on aft ; " cried the 
 second mate ; " for your lives, lads ! or she'll be 
 stove in." Another fierce gust struck the ship, 
 and the rain came driving down in smoking 
 sheets of water. 
 
 " Hurry up ! " yelled the skipper ; " we must 
 square away ; or the sticks will be out of her ! 
 Never mind the boat ; let her go ! " 
 
 As they rose on the crest of a wave, Dick 
 and two of the hands sprang into the mizzen 
 chains. Bob and the second mate were still in 
 the boat, one in the bow, and the other in the 
 stern, trying to hook on the tackles that had 
 1 km >n lowered down to them. 
 
 "Never mind the boat!" repeated the 
 .skipper. " On deck for your lives ! Stand by 
 your port braces ! Square away your main 
 yards ! " 
 
 At that moment a sea caught the boal and 
 dashed it violently against the ship's side. Bob 
 Bowline was thrown out, but he still held on to 
 the tacklej and in a Eew seconds was hauled
 
 MAN overboard! 189 
 
 safely on deck. Not so the .second mate, the 
 block was wrenched out of his grasp, and in a 
 moment the boat with its single occupant 
 vanished into the mist and darkness astern. 
 
 An exclamation of horror broke from several 
 of the hands on deck. Captain Hawkins 
 immediately ordered sail to be shortened, and in 
 a few minutes the barque was snugged down 
 and hove-to, while preparations were made to 
 lower a second boat. 
 
 So sudden and unexpected had the last acci- 
 dent happened, that the men could scarcely realise 
 that they had lost another shipmate, but stood, 
 shading their eyes with their hands, and staring 
 into the driving mist to leeward, as though they 
 expected every moment to see the boat lift into 
 view on the top of one of the rising seas. 
 
 The squall increased in violence, and all hope 
 of lowering another boat had to be, for the 
 present, abandoned. It is doubtful if one could 
 have lived in such a sea. Besides, it was dark 
 as pitch, except when a flash of lightning darted 
 from the black canopy overhead and illuminated 
 for a few seconds the tumbling masses of snow- 
 capped billows. 
 
 The barque was now hove-to on the star- 
 board tack, under close-reefed topsails, and 
 nothing more could he dour, except to keep a 
 bright look out in the hope that they might 
 drift, down upon the missing boat, Both watches 
 remained on deck until eight bells. 
 
 Strange fancies flitted through Dick's mind 
 as lie peered through the mist and driving spray.
 
 190 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Sometimes the faces of his lost shipmates, pale 
 and ghastly, seemed to rise up from the trough 
 of the sea, and the wild cry of little Jack, as he 
 let go his hold on the topsail yard, would again 
 ring in his ears. The double tragedy made a 
 deep impression on him. He was not a remark- 
 ably thoughtful lad, and he had had enough of 
 religion under Aunt Hannah's tuition ; still the 
 thought forced itself upon his mind, " What is 
 life, after all ? One moment we are here, the next 
 we are gone." The mournful lowing of the cattle 
 came up from the 'tween decks, while the waters 
 as they went sobbing past the vessel's side 
 seemed to repeat the old words he had heard 
 many years ago as a little child — "eternity! 
 eternity ! " 
 
 At eight bells he went below. There was a 
 noticeable seriousness amongst the crew, with 
 the exception of two mere lads, one a bullocker 
 and the other an ordinary seaman, who had been 
 in the second mate's watch. These two were 
 laughing and talking loudly together about the 
 accident, when Dick entered the fo'castle. 
 
 " Shut up !" said Dutch Charlie, with an 
 angry glance at the bullocker, " and turn in." 
 
 A silence followed for a few minutes ; then 
 some of the watch began to talk in subdued tones 
 as they divested themselves of their sou'- westers 
 and oilskins. One or two of them seemed to 
 think that a kind word ought to be spoken 
 about the dead before they turned in. So they 
 hung about their bunks, took ott" their boots, 
 shook their oilskins, and finally lighted their
 
 MAN OVERBOARD ! 191 
 
 pipes. For some time they puffed away in 
 silence. At last Dutch Charlie said : " Poor 
 Jack ! he was not a bad sort, after all." Then 
 another shipmate alluded to some trifling incident 
 that had happened while they were ashore 
 together at Newcastle ; and remarked : " He's 
 gone now, poor fellow; audi hope he's belt* t 
 orf ;" saying which he knocked the ashes out of 
 his pipe, and rolled into his bunk. The rest soon 
 followed his example ; except Dick, who re- 
 mained seated for some time on a seaman's 
 chest. He had spoken no word about the 
 accident : but, in his own boyish fashion, had 
 thought a good dead. 
 
 " I say, Dick !" said one of the men ; " ain't 
 you goin' to turn in ?" 
 
 He rose, and, impelled by a sudden impulse, 
 dropped upon his knees for the purpose of saying 
 a short prayer. The young bullocker and 
 ordinary seaman, who had before been rebuked 
 by Dutch Charlie, at once commenced to chuckle 
 and laugh, and at last threw a sea boot at him. 
 In a moment the Dutchman had sprang from his 
 bunk ; and with a savage oath laid hold on both 
 the offenders, who occupied adjoining berths. 
 
 " Come out o' yer bloomin' bunks ! both o' ye ! 
 yer call yerselves British sailors ; yer nothin' 
 
 but skunks ! out ye come, and say yer 
 
 blanky, blanky prayers this instant, or I'll rope's- 
 end yer round the ship !" 
 
 The young fellows protested that they did 
 not know any prayer; that they never had been 
 taught — which was a lie, in the ease of one at least.
 
 192 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " I don't care !" exclaimed the enraged sailor ; 
 " out yer come ; down on yer blanky knees." 
 Saying which he dragged them out, and forced 
 them both upon their knees. " Now, go ! You 
 won't, won't yer ? Then take that ! an' that !" 
 he said, banging their heads against a bunk 
 board. 
 
 It was a strange scene, this rough, blasphem- 
 ing shellback compelling the two scorners to 
 pray ; and still stranger to relate that he suc- 
 ceeded in his attempt. Another bang refreshed 
 their memories, and they commenced repeating 
 the Lord's Prayer. 
 
 " Now you can go an' turn in," said the 
 Dutchman, " an' never you scoff at religion agin. 
 I don't profess to be a religious man, myself ; 
 
 but me if I'm going to stand by and see 
 
 religion made a mock of, while a dead man's 
 clothes are still in the fo'castle, an' the ghosts of 
 two drowned shipmates are aboard the bloomin' 
 hooker."
 
 "LAND HO!" 193 
 
 Chapter XXV.—" LAND HO !" 
 
 Before morning the squall had blown itself 
 out. At daylight the mate, whose watch it was, 
 sent Bob Bowline aloft to the main royal yard 
 with a glass to sweep the horizon for the boat. 
 
 " Do you see anything V shouted Mr. Wood, 
 after a few minutes of silent waiting. 
 
 Bob shook his head and answered " No, sir !" 
 
 " Stay where you are, then, and keep a bright 
 lookout," sang out the mate. 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir !" 
 
 A light breeze blew from the east, and the 
 ship still remained hove-to. By and by the sun 
 rose over a calm, bright sea ; still there was no 
 sign of the boat. The ocean stretched in a clear 
 unbroken level all round the rim of the horizon. 
 The captain came on deck, and, reckoning that 
 if the boat had lived through the night it must 
 have drifted westward, he gave orders for the 
 yards to be squared, and the vessel, still under 
 close-reefed topsails, was headed in that direction. 
 
 Anxious enquiries were made when the watch 
 came on deck at eight bells, but still there was 
 no sign of the boat. Throughout the day a man 
 was kept aloft on the lookout, and Captain 
 Hawkins cruised about under shortened sail, 
 tirst on one course, then on another, with the 
 faint hope of picking up his second mate, or, by 
 recovering his boat, to satisfy himself thai he
 
 194 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 was drowned. Towards evening he called all 
 hands aft, and said : " My lads I it's no use 
 hanging about here any longer. The second 
 mate, poor fellow's gone — God rest his soul — or 
 else we ha' dropped across him long before this. 
 My impression is that the boat was swamped in 
 the sea that was running last night, so I have 
 decided to put the vessel on her course. At the 
 same time we can keep a bright lookout for 
 anything that may heave in sight." 
 
 The captain paused for a few moments, and 
 some of the men murmured " Ay, ay, sir," as 
 though assenting to his proposition. 
 
 " I've sent for you," he continued, " to say 
 that I have selected Dutch Charlie from for'ard 
 to act as second mate until we get back to 
 Newcastle, and he has consented to act; hence- 
 forth you will, therefore, know him as Mr. 
 Hansen, second officer of this ship. He holds a 
 bo'sun's discharge, and this is the third voyage 
 he's sailed along with me. They are the reasons 
 I've picked him out amongst you. He can live 
 for'ard or aft as he likes himself. Steward, give 
 the men a tot of grog; the watch can go below. 
 Port main braces, Mr. Hansen!" 
 
 Although a Dutchman, the new second 
 mate had been a, favourite in the forecastle, 
 consequently none of the men objected to his 
 promotion, and the only difficulty that anise over 
 it was that the majority of them refused to 
 "sir," or to call him anything but Dutch Charlie, 
 notwithstanding which Charlie preferred remain- 
 ing in the forecastle to taking up his quarters aft.
 
 "LAND HO!" 195 
 
 A spell of fine weather followed the tragedy 
 related in the last chapter, and for five days a 
 light south-westerly breeze drove the Annie 
 steadily, though slowly, on her course over a 
 dark purple sea. 
 
 The change pleased Captain Hawkins, and he 
 expected after all to make a good passage. A 
 light, fair wind was everything he could wish 
 for ; a gale, even if favourable, would soon play 
 the mischief with the cattle in the 'tween decks. 
 Indeed, the squall on the previous evening had 
 already knocked them about a good deal. 
 
 This spell of fine weather also gave Dick 
 Danvers time to get on his sea-legs, and to 
 become accustomed to the duties required of 
 him. Already he had mastered the different 
 technical terms used in the working of the ship, 
 and the names of the ropes and sails. He was 
 also able to run smartly up and down the rigging 
 without any danger of falling overboard. 
 
 But, alas ! the fine weather did not last long. 
 They had been about six days out, when another 
 heavy squall blew up from the north-east, which 
 settled down into half a gale of wind. For ten 
 long days this lasted. Below, in the 'tween 
 decks, bullockers had as much as tiny could do 
 to look after the cattle and prevent them from 
 being crushed and bruised against the stalls and 
 bulkheads. While on deck the crew were kept 
 as busy putting the ship about ;it regular 
 intervals. Watch after watch rang out the 
 weary cry, "Ready about! Main tops'] haul." 
 until it completely wore out the patience of the
 
 196 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Annie's crew, who went about their work 
 growling and grumbling. But, like true British 
 sailors, the more they swore and grumbled, 
 the more heartily they sang, and the harder 
 they pulled and hauled at the braces. During 
 the bad weather several of the cattle died and 
 had ♦to be thrown overboard. This made the 
 captain and some of the bullockers swear, but it 
 was a misfortune that could not be helped. 
 
 At last the gale moderated. A light breeze 
 blew, which gradually shifted round to S.E. 
 This gave Captain Hawkins a splendid chance 
 to make for his port of call, a little place called 
 Gomen some distance to the north of Noumea, 
 On the forenoon of the twenty-first day out 
 from Newcastle, a man working on the fore top- 
 sail yardarm, called out, "Land ho !" 
 
 "Where away ?" asked the captain, who hap- 
 pened to be on deck. 
 
 " Right ahead, sir !" replied the man. 
 
 When Dick came on deck at eight bells — 
 twelve o'clock — the purple outline of a lofty 
 mountain rising out of the sea could be clearly 
 distinguished. Soon a long white line of surf 
 appeared, stretching north and south, as far as 
 the e3 r e could reach ; while behind it a blue 
 lagoon shone like a polished steel mirror. A little 
 later, belts of green, interspersed with sandy 
 (latches, sprang intoview. Nearer and nearerdrew 
 the dark purple mountains; what at lirst appeared 
 to be snow <m the summit changed into white 
 flying vapours, while their liases were distinctly 
 seen to be clothed with a dense vegetation,
 
 "LAND HO!" 197 
 
 The A miie ran swiftly through the outer reef 
 which encircles New Caledonia, Just outside 
 the reef they passed a small island with a beach 
 of dazzling whiteness, in the centre of which 
 grew several clumps of cocoanut palms. It 
 looked like an immense silver goblet with a 
 beautiful setting of emerald. They entered a bay 
 which was semi-circular in appearance, and very 
 open and unsheltered ; indeed, but for the reef, it 
 would have been little better than a roadstead. On 
 the south side a long tongue of land extended 
 out towards the reefs, at the extremity of which 
 were a few tiny islands fringed with cocoanut 
 palms. 
 
 Captain Hawkins, who knew the place well, 
 needed no pilot : though a man was kept busy 
 in the fore chains heaving the hand lead. 
 
 "Stand by your anchor!" shouted the 
 skipper. 
 
 "Let go!" — There was a heavy splash, and 
 the chain rattled out of the hawse-pipe. They 
 dropped anchor about a mile from the shore. 
 The place presented a very desolate appearance. 
 The only house that could be seen from the ship 
 was a Long; Low, wooden building, situated righl 
 on the neck <>f the peninsula. On the north side 
 of the bay, a. chain of nigged mountains rose 
 abruptly, almost from the water's edge. Bui 
 right ahead, the country, for a considerable dis- 
 tance inland, was low and Mat. and the beach 
 in this direction was studded with clumps of 
 cocoanut trees, bet ween which glistened patches 
 of sand. The only vessel to be seen in the hay
 
 198 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 was a small topsail schooner, lying alongside a 
 rude wharf, close to the building already men- 
 tioned. Presently a small boat, with the French 
 ensign floating astern, put oft' from the jetty 
 and pulled towards them. It proved to be the 
 commandant of the settlement, who came on 
 board to arrange with Captain Hawkins for the 
 discharge of his cattle. 
 
 On the following day several Frenchmen 
 came aboard to assist the sailors and bullockers 
 in their task, the preparations for which were 
 soon completed. A strong luff tackle was rove 
 and suspended by wire guys between the fore 
 and main masts. A stout sling was then passed 
 round the body of one of the beasts in the 'tween 
 decks, and the tackle fall run through a snatch 
 block on deck. At a given signal, some of the 
 men laid hold of this fall and hauled away. The 
 bullock rose high in the air, and guided by a rope 
 attached to the tackle, was gently lowered over 
 the side and dropped into the water. Two boats 
 were in readiness, the slings were quickly un- 
 loosened, and the animal towed ashore. Generally 
 speaking, they were docile enough, and not one 
 of them attempted to play up whilst in the water. 
 But sometimes they would be difficult to manage 
 as soon as they felt a footing on the sand. Great 
 was the fun when a fierce fellow, after looking 
 mound in a dazed manner, suddenly shook him- 
 self, and, lowering his head, charged the boat. 
 On another occasion, Dick happened to be stand- 
 ing in the bow, when a savage brute rushed him. 
 He had just time to throw himself into the
 
 "LAND HO!" 199 
 
 water, amidst a roar of laughter from his ship- 
 mates, when the bullock's horn ripped right 
 through the gunwale of the boat. The infuriated 
 animal then made for the shore, scattering the 
 Frenchmen, who were waiting " to take delivery," 
 in every direction. The savage beast singled out 
 one man, who happened to wear a red shirt, as 
 the special object of its wrath. The man's com- 
 panions called out to him in French to get behind 
 the nearest tree; but the poor fellow stood 
 transfixed with terror to the spot. Next moment 
 the bullock was on top of him, and gored 
 savagely at his face. The man fell beneath the 
 brute's feet. The animal sniffed at him for a 
 few seconds, and then plunged into the scrub. 
 The Frenchmen ran to pick up their wounded 
 comrade, and saw at once that he was fearfully 
 injured. The boat's crew gathered around to 
 afford what assistance they could. They found 
 that the bullock had inserted the point of his 
 sharp horn in the man's month, and almost torn 
 his tongue out by the roots. He was also 
 severely bruised about the body. The poor 
 fellow's agony was fearful ; and, unfortunately, 
 the medical man who usually attended the 
 settlement, was absent, On the following day, 
 a small steamer arrived, which was bound for 
 Noumea. The injured man was placed onboard 
 this vessel, and when she arrived at the port <A' 
 her destination he was taken to the hospital. 
 A few days later they heard thai he was in a 
 fair way of recovery. This sad accident cast a 
 gloom over the snip's company; and. though
 
 200 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 they gathered as usual when the day's work 
 was over on the fo'castle head to spin yarns and 
 sing songs, the yarns were not so lively nor the 
 songs so cheery as they used to be. They also 
 remembered their lost shipmates, and when some 
 of their old songs were sung it was not unusual 
 for one of them to stop in the midst of a 
 rolling chorus, and, turning his head aside, say : 
 " Oh, belay that, shipmates, that was one of 
 Jack's favourites." 
 
 One evening, just before sundown, when all 
 the " for'ard " hands had gathered on the fore- 
 castle — some smoking and some yarning — a 
 dingey was seen to put off from the little 
 schooner, that was lying close to the wharf, and 
 pull towards the A nnie. As it approached the 
 gangway the men on deck saw that it was 
 manned by a couple of Kanakas, while a 
 white man with a long greyish beard sat in 
 the sternsheets steering. Catching sight of the 
 knot of men on the forecastle head, lie directed 
 the dingey towards the Annies bow. When 
 within easy hail, the grey-bearded man stood 
 up and called out : " Barque, ahoy ! " 
 
 "Ay, ay," responded one of the crew. 
 
 " Is there a chap the name o' Bob Bowline 
 aboard ? " 
 
 "Yes, he's here. Bob, you're wanted over 
 the side," said one of the bullockers. 
 
 '• Who is it { " exclaimed Bob, with unaffected 
 surprise; at the same time going to the 
 bulwarks, and looking over.
 
 "LAND HO!" 201 
 
 " By Jove ! dan it be possible ? Is it you, 
 Alick Kennedy ? " 
 
 " The same, old man," replied the occupant 
 of the boat ; " I thought I recognised you yester- 
 day, Bob, pulling the boat ashore." 
 
 " Come aboard ! " 
 
 " I will, my lad ! " 
 
 The man spoke a few words to the Kanakas 
 in their native tongue, and they at once pulled 
 round to the gangway. 
 
 Alick Kennedy turned out to be an old 
 shipmate of Bob's. They had sailed together 
 in the " White Star line," and in China tea- 
 clippers, but for some years had lost sight of 
 each other. 
 
 " And what are you doing now ?" enquired 
 Bob after a warm hand-shake, and they were 
 seated comfortably in the fore hatch. Kennedy 
 jerked his thumb in the direction of the little 
 schooner, and said, " Beche-Ie-mer trade. I'm 
 skipper and owner of the hooker yonder." 
 
 " You don't say so ?" replied Bob. 
 
 " It's a fact." ' 
 
 "Well, I'm blest ; tell us the yarn, ole man." 
 
 "You remember the last time we was ship- 
 mates in the Monarch?" 
 
 "Yes; you was took sick in Sydney, and 
 the ole man gev you your discharge." 
 
 •■Well, after I got better, 1 come across a 
 chap that was goin' to the diggings; he was 
 staying at the same hoarding-house with me. 
 We got to he chums, and he asked me to go with 
 him. So, to cut the yarn short, we went up to a
 
 202 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 place called Gulgong. At first we had no luck to 
 speak of ; but one day we dropped across a nugget 
 that brought us fifty pounds each. We worked 
 away for several days longer, an' didn't get any- 
 thing. Then some swell chaps came along, an' 
 asked us to sell out to them. At first we refused. 
 They came back a few days afterwards, an' 
 offered us two hundred pounds each." 
 
 Bob gave a low whistle. 
 
 " ' Jim ! ' I sez to my mate- — his name was 
 Jim Harding — ' Jim !' I sez. ' I think we'd 
 better take it ; a bird in the hand, you know.' 
 He hung out for a bit, but at last I persuaded 
 him." 
 
 " You're a luckv do£, Alick." 
 
 " Stop till you hear the end. We took the 
 four hundred, but blowed if the swell chaps 
 didn't strike a rich patch in two days, just two 
 <lays afterwards, and we heard they made 
 thousands out of it. Jim, he took up another 
 claim, but I cleared orf to Sydney. There I 
 dropped across a decent chap who had been 
 mate of a barque trading out to China. He 
 had a bit o' money saved, about ninety pounds, 
 and between us we bought the Foam, the 
 schooner yonder. We traded together for nearly 
 two yens amongsf the islands, an' did well, but 
 he took the fever at Levuka about six months 
 ago, and when he got well I bought him out, 
 because lie wanted to return to Sydney : sine 
 then I've been about this coast buying beche-de- 
 mer, which pays better than anything else. In 
 about a fortnight I expect to fill up and sail for
 
 "LAND HOI" 203 
 
 Sydney. Then I shall return with a load of 
 trade for different islands, and in another twelve 
 months, s'help me, Bob ! I hope to have enough 
 to live on if I can sell the schooner." 
 
 Bob warmly expressed his gratification at 
 his old shipmate's success. 
 
 " I wish to goodness you would join me, 
 Bob!" 
 
 " I wish I could," replied Bob, thoughtfully, 
 " but I don't see how I can do so at present." 
 
 After a long chat about old times, Kennedy 
 stood up to call his Kanakas to the gangway. 
 " Now, Bob," he said, " think over what I've told 
 you. When can you come aboard and look at 
 my schooner ? " 
 
 "Let's see! what's to-day? Friday. We'll 
 have all day oft' on Sunday." 
 
 "Very well, then, come aboard on Sunday and 
 have dinner with me, and bring the young chap 
 you was speaking about along witli you." 
 
 " I will," replied Bob, fervently, " and many 
 thanks, ole man."
 
 204 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XXVI— NEW CALEDONIA : THE 
 ESCAPED CONVICT. 
 
 At last Sunday came, and all hands forward, 
 bul lockers and sailors, as soon as the decks had 
 been washed down and breakfast disposed of, 
 prepared for a run ashore. 
 
 So delighted were they with the prospect of 
 a day's liberty, that many of them gave vent to 
 their feelings by singing, shouting, and skylark- 
 ing with one another. Indeed, they looked and 
 behaved like a lot of school-boys just liberated 
 for a long holiday. 
 
 " Now, Bob, ar'n't you comin' with us ? ' 
 shouted one of them from the boat beneath the 
 gangway. 
 
 " No," replied Bob, seating himself comfort- 
 ably on the rail, and puffing away at his pipe ; 
 " The skipper o' the schooner 'as asked me to go 
 with him." 
 
 "Well, we can leave you on board if you 
 like ! " 
 
 "It'll be out of your way, lads ; besides, he 
 promised to come hisself with his dingey. That's 
 him I think now," he added, as he noticed a 
 small boat putting off from the schooner. 
 
 " Right you are then ! So long, for the pre- 
 sent ; we may see you ashore!" And, amidst 
 shouts and laughter and snatches of songs, two 
 boats loaded to the gunwale shoved oil'.
 
 NEW CALEDONIA : THE ESCAPED CONVICT. 205 
 
 "I say, lads!" sang out the mate after 
 them, " mind you behave yourselves, and don't 
 get into any mischief, or you'll have some of 
 those French soldiers running you in." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir," replied Dutch Charlie, " I'll 
 look after them." 
 
 A few minutes later Kennedy came along- 
 side with his two Kanaka sailors. 
 
 " Are you ready, Bob ? " he asked. 
 
 "Now, then, Dick, hurry up, if you wan! to 
 see the native gels. Ay, ay, Alick ! " exclaimed 
 Bob, " we'll be with you in a minute." 
 
 Dick came out of the forecastle, where he 
 had been rigging himself up in his best clothes. 
 And Bob remarked, as he took his seat in the 
 dingey, that he " looked quite a swell." 
 
 Bob eyed the schooner critically as they 
 approached her. "By Jove, Alick!" he said, 
 " you've got a trim little craft ! " 
 
 " She's all that," replied Kennedy ; " but wail 
 till you see her cabins and fittings.' 5 
 
 A Kanaka on deck stood by with a rope's 
 end, and the boat was hauled up to the gang- 
 way. They stepped on board. She was a small 
 topsail schooner of about a hundred ions. Her 
 deck, as usual in such vessels, was flush. There 
 was a tiny skylight aft, and a scuttle to match, 
 which led into the cabin. 
 
 "Come below fust ami have a glass o' grog," 
 said Kennedy. They followed the skipper into 
 his little sea parlour. A small table lashed to 
 ring-bolts stood in the centre of the deck 
 beneath the skylight, and above the table was
 
 206 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 suspended a rack and swinging tray for glasses 
 and a decanter. A little tell-tale compass swung 
 beside the tray. A locker, which served as a 
 seat, ran round the after end of the apartment, 
 and two small state-rooms, with bulk heads 
 painted white, opened on the starboard and port 
 sides. 
 
 " What do you think of her ? " said Kennedy, 
 with a touch of pride. 
 
 " Bully ! " replied Bob, " you're a lucky dog, 
 ole shipmate, an' you deserve it." 
 
 Kennedy produced a square-faced bottle of 
 gin from a locker, and placing three glasses on 
 the table requested his friends to help them- 
 selves. The two men filled their glasses, but 
 Dick hesitated. 
 
 '" Come along, boy, charge your glass and 
 drink to the Foam, an' may she have a pros- 
 perous voyage," said the skipper in a cheery voice. 
 " I'd rather not, if you don't mind," returned 
 Dick. 
 
 " What ! you don't belong to the blue ribbon, 
 or gospel army, surely, or you wouldn't be 
 aboard a bullocker." 
 
 " Well, to say the truth, I had enough of 
 drink the night we left Newcastle to last me for 
 a while, anyhow." 
 
 Both the men laughed. " You're right, 
 youngster, stick to your principles," said 
 Kennedy. "Here's a bottle of limejuice, that 
 will do as well, and now ytm can go on deck for 
 a hit, while Bob and I have a yarn about old 
 times,"
 
 NEW CALEDONIA : THE ESCAPED CONVICT. 207 
 
 The two men sat and talked in the cabin 
 until half-past eleven, when dinner was served, 
 after which Kennedy ordered one of the Kanakas 
 to draw the boat up to the gangway. The 
 three then descended into it, and were quickly 
 rowed ashore. They landed at a little stone 
 wharf close to the "magazine," or French store- 
 house, under the verandah of which the}' saw 
 several of the Annie's crew righting and squab- 
 bling together, evidently already half -seas over. 
 
 " There's some of your chaps," said Kennedy; 
 " they've been getting wine from the French- 
 men. There'll be a dooced row before long. 
 We'd better give them a wide berth." 
 
 He led them by a narrow path round the 
 settlement until they reached a small native 
 village, consisting of a number of beehive- 
 shaped houses. Kennedy spoke to several of the 
 natives, who were very kind and ottered them 
 fruits. Dick happened to remark that he had 
 never seen cocoanuts growing before, and would 
 like to climb one of the trees. 
 
 "Oh! I'll show you plenty," said Kennedy, 
 " if you care for a stroll over the hill to the far 
 side of the peninsula." 
 
 The others agreed, and they set off together. 
 
 "It's a hit rough," said their guide, as he led 
 them up a steep hill, over some very stony and 
 disagreeable ground. But, as they approached 
 the summit, the barren, stony soil suddenly 
 changed, and they had to wade through long, 
 dry grass. A little farther on on they came t<» 
 a beautiful green patch, surrounded by a bell of
 
 208 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 cocoanut and pandanus trees, with delicate vines 
 and creeping plants twining around some of the 
 stately stems. 
 
 " By Jove," exclaimed Dick, " what a lovely 
 spot ! " 
 
 " Do you know what it is ? " asked Kennedy. 
 
 "No; what?" 
 
 " Come and see." 
 
 They approached the entrance, and saw at 
 once that it was an extensive arbor, half natural 
 and half artificial, used by the settlers as a 
 cemetery. Within they counted about twenty 
 graves, all of them more or less tastefully 
 garnished with flowers and sea shells. Many of 
 them had crosses and decorated headstones, on 
 which were inscribed the names and virtues of 
 the departed. 
 
 " This," said Dick, remembering a verse of 
 poetry he had learned at school, " is, I suppose, 
 ' where the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.' ' 
 
 " I don't know that they've had many fore- 
 fathers here," replied Kennedy ; " but," he added, 
 gravely, " it's what we must all come to some 
 day, young man." 
 
 They walked along a shell-strewn path, and 
 were just emerging from the other end of the 
 arbor at the extreme summit of the hill, when 
 the three of them shrank back with a suppressed 
 cry of surprise and fear. A figure, that of a 
 man, had suddenly started up right in front of 
 them, whether from beneath the ground or from 
 behind one of the palm trees they could not tell. 
 At first they thought he was a native, so dark
 
 NEW CALEDONIA : THE ESCAPED CONVICT. 209 
 
 and sunburned was his body, which was clothed 
 only in a dirty and torn pair of canvas trousers 
 scarcely reaching below the knees. His feet 
 were bare and scratched, and dotted with gouts 
 of dried blood, as though he had been scrambling 
 over rough stones or through thick brushwood. 
 His hair was short and bristly, as if it had 
 recently been shorn and had begun to grow. A 
 long black beard, matted and dirty, fell down 
 over his shaggy breast. His face, but for a 
 pinched and scowling expression, might have 
 been handsome. Altogether it would be difficult 
 to imagine a more wretched and cut-throat look- 
 ing individual, in spite of his regular features. 
 
 " Good day, messieurs ! Monsieur is captain 
 of the schooner yonder?" He spoke this in 
 good English, though with a strong French 
 accent, addressing the last words to Kennedy. 
 
 " And who the dickens are you ? " asked 
 Kennedy, with a look of distrust, at the same 
 time moving back a step, for the man had 
 advanced towards him. 
 
 " I am a poor shipwrecked sailor," replied the 
 stranger. 
 
 " You look more like an escaped convict," 
 said Kennedy. 
 
 The man started, scowled, and swore a savage 
 oath in French. 
 
 " What reason have you to doubt my word ?" 
 he asked. "We were shipwrecked in a barque 
 on the other side of the island, and had to climb 
 across the mountains."
 
 210 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Your rig is not very nautical," suggested 
 Kennedy. 
 
 "Ah!" lie exclaimed with another oath, "we 
 had to throw off all our clothes and swim 
 through the surf." 
 
 " Then there are more of you ? remarked 
 Bob. 
 
 " No, Monsieur, I swear," he added, crossing 
 himself, " only myself ; the rest were all 
 drowned." 
 
 " What Avas the name of your ship ?" enquired 
 Kennedy. 
 
 The man hesitated for a moment, and then 
 replied, " The General Jackson." 
 
 " An English ship ?" 
 
 " No, monsieur, an American ; I have sailed 
 in English and American vessels." 
 
 "You speak English well: that accounts for 
 it, then." 
 
 " Wee, monsieur. Monsieur is captain of the 
 schooner ?" 
 
 " I am !" replied Kennedy ; " what of that ?" 
 " Does the captain want any hands ?" 
 
 "No!" replied Kennedy decisively, "I am 
 full up." 
 
 "lam a good sailor man. used to small 
 vessels, and would work my passage to 
 Australia." 
 
 "I dare say you would," muttered Kennedy; 
 " but you don't get the chance with me." 
 " Then Monsieur will not take me ?" 
 " I tell you I cannot."
 
 NEW CALEDONIA : THE ESCAPED CONVICT. 211 
 
 " You will not take pity on a poor ship- 
 wrecked sailor ? Curse the English ! " he 
 muttered in French, with an oatli ; " I am 
 hungry"; and, he added, pointing to his breast, 
 naked, " have pity, monsieur ! " 
 
 " Why don't you apply at the settlement for 
 relief ?" 
 
 " I am a Frenchman, they would suspect me 
 as a deserter, or—" 
 
 " Or a convict ?" said Kennedy. 
 
 " It is possible," replied the man, glaring at 
 him. 
 
 " Well, I can't take you on board my schooner ; 
 but here's a trifle," said the soft-hearted sailor, 
 moved to pity by the man's wretched appearance ; 
 at the same time throwing him half-a-crown. 
 
 The man stooped and picked up the coin 
 with a smothered curse. 
 
 " Come along, Bob," said the skipper of the 
 schooner. 
 
 As they moved away the miserable creature 
 implored them not to tell any of the people at 
 the settlement that they had seen him. The 
 man's motive was obvious, and Kennedy at first 
 refused. 
 
 " Oh, let's promise the poor devil," said Bob, 
 as the man continued calling after them. "It's 
 nothin' to do with us even if he is a runaway 
 convict." 
 
 " All right !" shouted Kennedy, " we'll not say 
 anything. 1 
 
 " Swear it !" entreated the man.
 
 212 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Oh ! hang you ! shut up ! Come along, 
 lads, let's get some cocoanuts and be off," said 
 the angry skipper. 
 
 They had now reached the top of the hill, 
 from whence they had a splendid view of the 
 surrounding country. Beneath were beautiful 
 groves of cocoanut trees, interspersed with white 
 sandy patches, which looked like pocket hand- 
 kerchiefs spread out to dry in the sun. Not 
 a single sail was visible seaward, and the deep 
 monotony of the scene was only broken by 
 the noise of billows thundering on the distant 
 reef. On the other side, the miniature town, 
 with its wooden buildings, glistened under the 
 light of the tropical sun, and beyond it stretched 
 the blue placid waters of the bay, while far 
 away the outer reef flashed like a silver cord. 
 Inland the mountains rose in a bold rugged 
 outline, and stretched away until they grew dim 
 in the distance. 
 
 The convict or sailor man, or whatever he 
 was, stood watching them for a short time, as if 
 inclined to follow, then he suddenly turned and 
 disappeared in the thick scrub. 
 
 " A good riddance," muttered Kennedy ; " the 
 man's a runaway convict right enough ; but if so 
 it puzzles me how he has escaped capture, so 
 near the settlement ; the beggar must have a 
 secure hiding-place somewhere about, and he 
 evidently knows me, and has been watching the 
 schooner on the chance of a passage." 
 
 "We'll let him rip then," said Dick. "Hurrah! 
 I'm off for cocoanuts."
 
 NEW CALEDONIA : THE ESCAPED CONVICT. 213 
 
 " Let's see who can get them first," said Bob. 
 
 The three started to run. Dick of course 
 easily outran his companions, and in a few 
 minutes had reached the nearest tree. By the 
 time they had arrived on the scene, he had 
 climbed the smooth trunk, and was busy tearing 
 off the luscious g^een fruit. 
 
 They sat for a long time beneath the cocoa- 
 nut palms, Kennedy using all his efforts to 
 persuade his companions to leave the Annie, 
 and throw in their lot with him in his South 
 Sea ventures. He so far succeeded, that Bob, 
 though averse to losing his wages, and risking 
 incarceration in a French prison, promised to 
 give the matter his earnest consideration, and to 
 let Kennedy know his decision before the week 
 was out. 
 
 " What do you think about it, Dick ?" he 
 asked. 
 
 Dick expressed his willingness to go where- 
 ever Bob went. He had gone forth to see the 
 world, and it mattered little now where he 
 drifted. 
 
 " The fact of it is," said Kennedy, as he stood 
 up and brushed his clothes ; " I'd give anything 
 for a couple of steady white men like yourselves 
 to sail along with me; you can't trust those 
 dooced Kanakas, and the only white men you 
 can pick up in the trade are drunken beach 
 combers, or blanky kidnappers, or convicts, like 
 the chap we just saw ; you'd better say the word 
 now, Bob."
 
 214 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Well ! well ! we'll see, ole man, in a day or 
 two. It's high time to be moving, if we want to 
 get back to the ship before dark. I shouldn't 
 care to meet that convict chap by myself in the 
 berryin' ground." 
 
 " I wouldn't be surprised if there's more o' 
 them about," remarked Kennedy, glancing round 
 suspiciously ; " they generally escape in twos an' 
 threes. We might as well walk round by the 
 beach for a change ; it's not much further, an' 
 not nearly so rough." 
 
 When they reached the settlement, Kennedy 
 enquired of a soldier he happened to meet if any 
 convicts had escaped recently. 
 
 " Not that I know of," responded the man in 
 broken English. "Ah!" he added, "I forgot. 
 Four desperate men did get away from Noumea, 
 about a week ago. A boat was missing, and the}' 
 are supposed to have put out to sea." 
 
 "Depend upon it," remarked Kennedy ; " the 
 el iap we saw is one of them." 
 
 " You won't forget, Bob, to let me know by 
 the end of the week," said the skipper of the 
 Foam, as they shook hands at the Annie's 
 gangway. 
 
 " I won't forget, ole man." 
 
 But before the week was out an event was 
 to happen, which in a tragic and unexpected 
 manner facilitated their departure from the 
 A nnie.
 
 THE HURRICANE. 215 
 
 Chapter XXVII.— THE HURRICANE. 
 
 The dreaded hurricane of the tropics fre- 
 quently extends as far south as New Caledonia. 
 These storms generally give notice of their 
 approach. One of the usual premonitive 
 symptoms is a strange foreboding calm, a stifling, 
 languid atmosphere, as though Nature herself 
 had grown weary, and longed for a change. 
 Sometimes the sky is clear, but usually it is 
 overcast with greasy, leaden-coloured clouds, or 
 streaked with that special formation known as 
 drio cumulus, called by the sailors " mackerel 
 sky." 
 
 For several days these premonitory indica- 
 tions of an approaching change were noticed by 
 the captain of the Annie. 
 
 During the dead calm between the land and 
 sea breezes, the waters of the bay were absolutely 
 stagnant. At night they became strikingly 
 phosphorescent. Myriads of fish of different 
 shapes and sizes, and tiny sea-serpents, darted 
 with marvellous velocityabout the surface. 
 
 "They moved in tracks of shining white, 
 And when they reared, the elfish light 
 Fell off in hoary flakes." 
 
 Sometimes the luminous body and shining 
 tin of a greai shark would appear close to the 
 ship. Some of the men amused themselves by 
 trying to harpoon these monsters from the bows. 
 They succeeded in capturing two.
 
 216 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Only a few cattle now remained to be 
 landed. 
 
 " Bear a hand !" said the mate, " and get them 
 ashore, and you can knock off after dinner." 
 
 Several wet black fins could be seen gliding 
 about the bay, and fears were at first entertained 
 that the sharks would attack the cattle while 
 they were in the water, but, strange to say, they 
 did not attempt to come nigh them ; probably 
 they were frightened by the splashing of the oars 
 and the shouts of the men. 
 
 It took longer than they anticipated, but at 
 four o'clock in the afternoon the large whale- 
 boat returned from landing the last of the cattle. 
 
 Captain Hawkins was pacing restlessly up 
 and down the deck. Every now and then he 
 descended to the cabin, and took a long and 
 anxious look at the glass ; it was falling rapidly. 
 The light breeze that had been blowing from the 
 sea died away, and was succeeded by a dead calm. 
 
 As soon as the whale-boat had been hauled 
 up, and securely fastened to the davits, 
 Captain Hawkins called out to the mate, 
 " Never mind clearing up the decks, Mr. Wood ! 
 Get those royal and to'gallant yards down ; and 
 see all clear to pay out another twenty-five 
 fathoms of chain ! " 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir ! Aloft there a couple o' hands, 
 fore and main royals." 
 
 " I never knew the glass to fall so rapidly in 
 these latitudes," said the skipper, approaching 
 the mate ; " I believe we're in for something very 
 dirty."
 
 THE HURRICANE. 217 
 
 "Well, I must say it looks an' feels like it,' 
 responded the mate. 
 
 During the next half-hour all hands were 
 busy getting the yards on deck, and paying out 
 another twenty-five fathoms of cable. 
 
 The calm still continued, but the heavens had 
 assumed a dull leaden colour, except in the north- 
 west, where a great bank, or rather wall of 
 cloud, could be seen slowly rising between the 
 mountain peaks. This black wall gradually 
 extended across the mouth of the bay, until it 
 blotted out the sun. Then all at once it grew 
 dark, although it still wanted an hour of sunset. 
 Faint sheet lightning was playing above the 
 western horizon ; but only a low rumble of 
 thunder could be heard. 
 
 " By jingo! I believe it's coming from the 
 nor'-east," exclaimed the skipper, glancing 
 anxiously up at the threatening sky. The edges 
 of the black wall had now become torn, ragged, 
 and angry looking. 
 
 " We're in a dooced awkward spot if it does," 
 he continued, " for if we give her another 
 fathom or two she'll be on to yonder reef for a 
 dead certainty." 
 
 " She will, sir, if the gale comes from that 
 direction. It's my belief that the anchors will 
 never hold on this ground, with the quantity o' 
 chain we've got out." 
 
 "I know it ! I know it!" said the captain, 
 stamping his foot passionately on the deck, " but 
 what the are we to do ? "
 
 218 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " I don't see what we can do, sir ; there's 
 nothin' else for us, unless you decide to run out." 
 
 " That's just it, Mr. Wood ; if there's a hurri- 
 cane behind that stun 1 it's the only way we can 
 save the ship. See both the cables ready for 
 slipping at once ; and your foretopniast and 
 mizzen staysails ready for hoisting ; an' take a 
 couple o' reefs in the spanker ! " 
 
 " Ay ay, sir ! " responded the mate, jumping 
 forward to cany out the captain's instructions. 
 
 Darker and darker it grew, as the great 
 cloud spread over the heavens. Occasionally a 
 vivid flash of lightning darted from its swollen 
 bosom, which would be followed by a roll of 
 thunder, which echoed away amongst the dis- 
 tant mountains. But for this, a dead silence 
 hung over the ship. The men talked in whispers, 
 or stood quiet and motionless about the deck, 
 waiting for further orders. 
 
 Suddenly a strange sound, solemn and awful, 
 like the booming of distant cannon, smote their 
 ears. 
 
 " What is that ? " asked Dick, starting up 
 from his position near the forerigging. 
 
 " It's the thunder o' the rollers from the 
 outer reef, lad," said one of the men, who had 
 been an old island trader. 
 
 " A couple o' hands throw the gaskets oft* the 
 lower taups'ls ! " rang out the skipper's voice ; 
 " stand by to slip your cables, Mr. Wood, and to 
 run up your foretopniast and mizzen staysails ! " 
 
 As he spoke a squall, which heralded the 
 tempest behind, could be seen coming down upon
 
 THE HURRICANE. 219 
 
 their starboard beam, like a solid, grey wall of 
 vapour. The sea around them was stagnant and 
 inky, but in front of the squall it had assumed a 
 ghastly, livid hue. The heat was still stifling. 
 The men who had been overhauling the cables, 
 preparatory to knocking the pins out of the 
 shackles, gasped for breath, and the perspiration 
 streamed down their faces. 
 
 Suddenly a ripple appeared on the black 
 surface of the water, and at the same time a puff 
 of wind, like a fume from a furnace, played upon 
 their faces ; a few big, warm drops of rain fell ; 
 then followed another breathless calm, but not 
 for long. All at once the men standing by the 
 windlass started, and gazed to windward. 
 
 " What is that ? " asked one ; " did you hear 
 anything ? " 
 
 It was a peculiar swirling, hissing sound, made 
 by the rushing rain upon the water as it was 
 driven before the hurricane blast. 
 
 A cool breeze immediately sprang up, which 
 quickly freshened into angry gusts. As the 
 captain had predicted., the storm was coming 
 from the N.E., and would strike them on the 
 starboard beam, as they headed tor the mouth of 
 the bay. 
 
 " Stand by to slip," shouted the skipper. 
 "Set the spanker some hands! staysail halliards! 
 Oh! well there ! make all fast — knock the pins 
 out of your shackles, Mr. Wood '. " 
 
 The ends of the cables suddenly fell with a 
 sullen splash into the water, where they were
 
 220 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 buoyed with a couple of empty casks ; so that 
 they might easily be picked up again when the 
 vessel returned. 
 
 Two men stood at the wheel. " If we can 
 only get outside before the blamed storm breaks 
 upon us, we shall be all right," muttered the 
 skipper, as he stood aft with the chief officer 
 by the binnacle. He was carefully taking the 
 bearings of some of the headlands, which were 
 still visible. 
 
 He had scarcely spoken, when a blinding 
 flash of lightning tore through the black canopy 
 overhead, and broke across the sea in a thousand 
 naming lances ; a terrific explosion, such as is 
 only heard in tropical latitudes, followed. The 
 men stood at their stations pale-faced and 
 bewildered, in the livid light, as though stunned 
 by the shock. 
 
 " Stand by ! here it comes !" shouted the mate 
 
 Next moment, with a wild roar, the storm 
 burst upon them, accompanied by a perfect deluge 
 of rain, mist and spray. 
 
 It caught them fair on the starboard beam, 
 and, the vessel being only in ballast, heeled over, 
 until her lee rail was a smother of smoke and foam. 
 
 Some of the men rushed to the peak and 
 throat halliards of the spanker, with a view to 
 letting them go, being terrified lest the vessel 
 should turn turtle. 
 
 " Hold on everything ! you confounded 
 
 lubbers ! Hold on for your lives !" bawled the 
 skipper; "over with your helium! keep her 
 away ! ease oft' those sheets ! so — steady !"
 
 THE HURRICANE. 221 
 
 In a few minutes she righted, and went 
 driving through the mist and spray, with the 
 hurricane roaring; and shrieking- off* her starboard 
 quarter. Flash after flash hung redly over the 
 yeasty water, followed by terrific claps of 
 thunder. The darkness between the flashes was 
 thick, awful, palpable. It was like doors of 
 flame, opening and shutting before the mouth of 
 hell. The uproar was fearful ; the sight hideous 
 and terrifying. Sometimes the sky seemed full 
 of blue, red, and yellow fiery serpents, writhing, 
 twisting, darting, while the air was crowded 
 with yelling, shrieking, bellowing demons, bent 
 on the destruction of the ship. 
 
 On ! on ! she tore, burying her bows in the 
 seething waters, with the foam flying like a 
 snowdrift across her decks. 
 
 If they could only drive through the narrow 
 passage into the open sea all might yet be well. 
 That was their only chance, but it grew every 
 moment more desperate, for the wind was hauling 
 ahead, and driving them to leeward, where the 
 channel bristled with coral rocks and boulders. 
 
 Fortunately, Captain Hawkins had carefully 
 considered his bearings, so that he had no hesita- 
 tion as to tlic proper course to steer for the 
 opening in the reef. Still, he endeavoured to 
 keep as much as possible to the windward. 
 
 The tempest increased in fury; it came in 
 terrific gusts, the weight of which nearly suffo- 
 cated the crew if they dared to look up to 
 windward. And now, in addition to the hellish 
 uproar around them, could be distinctly heard
 
 222 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 the awful bass note of the breakers thundering 
 upon the reef, which they were rapidly approach- 
 ing. Ever and anon, the hurricane blast would 
 catch the glimmering wave crests, and fling them 
 across the deck in hissing, stinging streaks of 
 foam, that lashed the faces and bodies of the 
 crew like whips. 
 
 Dick Danvers stood by the fore rigging, 
 holding on to a belaying-pin. 
 
 Suddenly he became aware of a strange and 
 terrible phenomenon. A peculiar and ghastly 
 light shone around him. The sea at the mouth 
 of the bay had become intensely phosphorescent. 
 It seemed as if the ship was plunging through 
 billows of fire, with flaming jets leaping over her 
 bows, and scattering in showers of sparks along 
 her decks. This lurid light revealed a frightful 
 object standing out against the darkness of the 
 storm. It was the rock}-- cliff at the north side 
 of the bay, that rose sheer from the water's edge. 
 When the lightning flashed they could see the 
 masses of dun vapours coiling and flying around 
 its summit, and streaming downward until they 
 touched the foaming waters at its base. 
 
 In his anxiety to keep well to windward of 
 the reefs and shoals which studded the south side 
 of the opening, the skipper had nearly driven his 
 ship right on to this rocky wall. 
 
 " Up with your wheel ! Hard up ! " he yelled, 
 catching hold of the spokes himself. This timely 
 light saved them from what must have otherwise 
 been certain destruction.
 
 THE HURRICANE. 223 
 
 As they passed through the opening the seas 
 were terrific. They rolled in like solid walls of 
 glimmering tire, and burst in Hashing showers of 
 foam on each side of the reef. 
 
 " Hurrah, boys ! " roared the skipper. " By 
 , we'll do it yet ! " 
 
 " Hurrah ! Hurrah ! " responded some of the 
 crew. " She's clear of the reef ! " Their voices 
 were caught by the tierce wind and whirled away 
 into the darkness to leeward. 
 
 Another minute and the Annie would have 
 been in open water and comparative safety, pro- 
 vided the hurricane continued to drive them off 
 the shore. But suddenly she gave a tremendous 
 pitch, burying the whole of her fore part beneath 
 the waves. The jibboom snapped oft' at the cap 
 like a carrot, and down came the fore-royal and 
 to'-gallant masts in a tangle of wreck about her 
 decks. At the same moment, both the topsails 
 and the foretopmast staysail blew clean out of 
 the bolt ropes and disappeared like snowflakes 
 into the darkness. The loss of the topmast staysail 
 caused her to come up in the wind. At the same 
 time a slight shock was felt by several on board, 
 as though the ship had bumped on the edge of a 
 reef or boulder. But, in the excitement of the 
 moment, little notice was taken of this circum- 
 stance. 
 
 " Show the head of your fore staysail '." shouted 
 the skipper through his trumpet. " For your 
 lives, lads ! Bear a hand ! "
 
 224 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 In a few moments the gaskets were cut adrift, 
 and several men laid hold of and hoisted away 
 on the halliards. 
 
 For a minute or two it was a question 
 whether the sheet would stand the fearful strain, 
 but it did, and, as the blast caught the sail, the 
 vessel once more rushed off before the roaring 
 wind.
 
 THE THUNDERBOLT. 225 
 
 Chapter XXVIIL— THE THUNDERBOLT. 
 
 They were now outside the reef in deep 
 water, and were beginning to congratulate them- 
 selves on having escaped the imminent danger of 
 being dashed upon one of the numerous rocks, 
 reefs, or boulders which studded the entrance to 
 the bay. Captain Hawkins had performed a 
 splendid feat of seamanship. It was now his 
 duty to execute the less difficult task of running 
 before the hurricane, and then, when a safe 
 distance from the land, heave his ship to, until 
 the fury of the tempest had passed over, or 
 spent itself. 
 
 The helm was put up, the yards squared, and 
 away drove the ship with the hurricane shrieking 
 behind her, under her two storm staysails only, 
 which was all the canvas still holding to the bolt 
 ropes. 
 
 As they increased their distance from the 
 land the seas became terrific. Livid Hashes of 
 lightning revealed yawning chasms and hideous 
 precipices of water. Great black mountains 
 rolled after them, which threatened every 
 moment to poop the ship. Between these fear- 
 ful declivities the staysails flapped in what was 
 almosl ;i dead calm. At such times the loan) 
 completely enveloped the ship like a pale phos- 
 phorescent cloud.
 
 226 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Captain Hawkins approached his chief officer, 
 and shouted in his ear : " I'm afraid to run before 
 it any longer ; we must try and heave the ship 
 to ! Get the men to their stations ! " 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir ! " 
 
 He had scarcely spoken, when a flash of 
 lightning, swift and terrible, rent the darkness, 
 right above the main royal truck. 
 
 At the same instant a tremendous explosion 
 occurred, and a shock took place, which threw 
 nearly every man off his feet. The electric fluid 
 had struck the royal-mast ; forked lances of fire 
 were seen to run down the to'gallant and top- 
 masts, and glance oft' the wire rigging into the 
 sea, shattering a portion of the port bulwarks. 
 At the same moment the top and to'gallant masts, 
 with their yards and gear, came crashing about 
 the decks, and the canvas on them was whirled 
 away in burning shreds by the fierce blast. 
 
 Three men lay dead upon the deck, either 
 struck by the lightning, or killed by the falling 
 spars — there was no time to discover which. 
 
 " She's struck ! — she's afire ! " — cried some of 
 the crew. 
 
 There was an immediate rush for the whale- 
 boat, which had been lashed to the after davits, 
 on the port side ; the small starboard quarter 
 boat had some time ago been stove in by the 
 heavy seas. 
 
 " Steady, lads ! " shouted the skipper. "Hold 
 on, all ! Don't touch those lashings ! You can't 
 lower a boat in a sea like this !"
 
 THE THUNDERBOLT. 227 
 
 He said something to his chief officer, who at 
 once crawled forward, having first obtained the 
 sounding rod. 
 
 In a few minutes Mr. Wood returned, and 
 shouted something in the captain's ear. The 
 skipper started, and in the light of the binnacle 
 lamp turned pale. 
 
 " Good heavens ! " he exclaimed, " then all is 
 lost ! But, are you quite sure of this ? " 
 
 " Yes sir ! I put some ashes on the rod, after 
 I had first sounded, to make sure ; it's a long way 
 over the rod, sir ; there must be at least six feet 
 of water in the hold — more, for all I know." 
 
 "Do you think it was the lightning, Mr. 
 Wood ? " 
 
 " Don't know, sir ; it might ha' been. There's 
 a strong sulphurous sort of smell comin' up from 
 the hold ; but it's my belief that we touched on 
 the edge of the reef and started a plank." 
 
 " Ah ! " returned the skipper, " I remember a 
 slight shock. Oh, my ! Whal are we to do '" 
 
 "There's the whaleboat, sir." 
 
 " D thewhaleboat : Imeantosavetheship." 
 
 " She's sinking, sir ! She's doomed ! " 
 
 "Is the boat sound V interrupted the skipper. 
 
 "Yes, sir; I examined it as I came aft." 
 
 " Get the hands together then, and see if we 
 can lower it ; that seems to be our only resource." 
 
 -"Ay, ay, sir !" 
 
 " Stay a moment ! Give me the rod ! " 
 
 Captain Hawkins took the sounding-rod. and 
 groped his way to the pumps, up to his waist in 
 water.
 
 228 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Lord have mercy on us ! " he exclaimed, 
 after his examination ; " She's half full of water." 
 
 It was with the greatest difficulty that the 
 mate explained to the different members of the 
 crew the state of the ship. There was absolutely 
 no hope of either discovering the leak or pump- 
 ino- her out. 
 
 In less than lialf-an-hour she must founder. 
 The longboat had been injured by the heavy seas, 
 th" quarterboat swept away ; their only hope lay 
 in the large whaleboat lashed to the after davits. 
 Even if they succeeded in floating her safely, 
 they could hardly expect her to live in such a 
 sea, and then, she would not carry much more 
 than half their number. 
 
 What were they to do '. To leave the ship 
 was terrible, but to stay meant certain destruction. 
 
 The men by this time had congregated round 
 the davits, and the mate gave the order to cut 
 away the lashings. It was their only chance, 
 and they set to work with the energy of despair. 
 They had the tackles rove, ready for lowering, 
 and some were standing by to fend her oil' the 
 side, when Bob Bowline called out. " Mold on for 
 your lives, mates: hick, give me your hand!" 
 All hands turned, and looked instinctively to 
 windward. They saw a gigantic wave rise like 
 ,i greai Mack cloud over the poop. They held 
 their breath, and those who could grasped shr< >ud^. 
 belaying-pins, or ropes. Next moment the ve 
 plunged downward, and an avalanche of water 
 rushed over her deck's. Several of the men were 
 washed overboard and drowned.
 
 THE THUNDERBOLT. 229 
 
 For some moments they thought she was 
 sinking, but slowly the ship rose with a painful 
 and trembling effort, as though she were endued 
 with life ; but all her buoyancy had gone, and 
 she met the next sea with a dull movement, 
 which plainly foretold that the end was at hand. 
 As soon as the men recovered themselves, there 
 was a desperate rush for the boat, which, fortu- 
 nately, was still uninjured. 
 
 " Lower away ! Lower away!" yelled several 
 voices. " She's sinking ! She's sinking !" 
 
 All order and discipline were at an end. The 
 two men standing by the tackle falls let go, and 
 the boat fell with a heavy splash into the sea, 
 which nearly swamped her. 
 
 About half-a-dozen men succeeded in getting 
 into her. 
 
 "Shove off! Out oars!" the}- cried, and at 
 once attempted to pull the boat's head round to 
 meet the giant sens. 
 
 The rest of the crew, including the captain 
 and his officers, jumped into the sea; but only 
 the chief officer was picked up by the whaleboat. 
 Two only were left on board — Bob Bowline and 
 Dick Danvers. When the great wave swept over 
 the ship, Dick felt a strong arm grasp him by 
 the waist, otherwise he must have been carried 
 away by the terrific rush of water, h was Bob, 
 who, recognising his friend during a lightning 
 Hash, had crept close to him, in order to help him 
 into the boat as it was being lowered. The "Te.it 
 wave left them cor some minutes gasping, panting, 
 and half drowned. When they recovered suffici-
 
 230 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 ently to look around, the boat had disappeared in 
 the darkness. For some minutes they clung to 
 one another under the lee of the bulwarks, ex- 
 pecting every moment to feel the vessel go down 
 beneath their feet. 
 
 ' : Oh ! " moaned Dick ; " this is terrible." 
 
 " Courage, ole man," said his companion, " the 
 ship may not sink after all, but only get water- 
 logged. The wind seems lighter, and the sea not 
 so heavy." As if in defiance of what he said, 
 the hurricane gave one wild, mad shriek, and 
 suddenly dropped to a dead calm. 
 
 Such abrupt cessations are not unusual, 
 when the typhoon or hurricane veers round to 
 another point, or when the vessel reaches the 
 centre of the storm. The relief to the despairing 
 wretches left on board the sinking ship was as 
 great as it was sudden. They could breathe 
 freely, talk, stand, shout. 
 
 "Thank (iod !" fervently ejaculated Bob. 
 
 " Why, the storm's over," said Dick, in a 
 surprised tone. 
 
 " Yes, lad, if it don't come on again. I 
 wonder where the boat is ?" 
 
 They gazed anxiously around, but could see 
 nothing. The darkness was intense, and 
 although there was now no wind, great moan- 
 tains of water still rolled around them, which 
 every now and then burst in a deluge across 
 the shattered bulwarks, and threatened to sweep 
 then i away. 
 
 " Ahoy ! Boat, ahoy !" they shouted, until 
 i hey were hoarse ; but no reply came.
 
 THE THUNDERBOLT. 231 
 
 " We'll be swept away here, ole man," said 
 Bob. " Let's get up into the rigging ; we may 
 catch sight o' them. But it's my belief they've 
 all gone down." 
 
 Watching his opportunity for a favourable 
 roll, Bob clambered up into the mizzen rigging, 
 and with some difficulty dragged Dick after 
 him.
 
 232 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XXIX.— FACE TO FACE WITH 
 DEATH : A DESPERATE STRUGGLE. 
 
 It was not so much a fear of being swept 
 away by the waves that prompted Bob Bowline 
 to climb up into the mizzen rigging, but an 
 instinctive desire to prolong life. 
 
 His experience as a seaman told him that 
 the vessel was not waterlogged, but slowly and 
 surely settling down. Though she did not sink 
 so quickly as they had at first anticipated, he 
 knew that in a short time the end must come. 
 
 " It's all up, ole man !" he said, as they 
 clung, side by side, to the rigging. 
 
 " Do you think she's really going down ?" 
 gasped Dick. 
 
 " Yes ; certain, lad !" 
 
 "How long do you think it will be before 
 she sinks ?" . 
 
 " In a little more than ten minutes ; her 
 bow scarcely rises above the sea now." 
 
 " Only ten minutes to live !" murmured 
 Dick, with a shudder. 
 
 He was not a coward in the ordinary sense 
 of the word ; but he did not want to die. He 
 felt that the sentence of death pronounced upon 
 him was cruel and unjust. Why should he be 
 compelled to die so young — to bid an etern.il 
 farewell to the bright world, with all beautiful 
 tilings — to give up the power of enjoyment —
 
 FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH. 233 
 
 and to go down beneath those dark waters ? 
 The strong, young life throbbing within him 
 recoiled from the thought. 
 
 Yet the terrible fact remained. He had only 
 ten minutes to live ; less than that now. In ten 
 minutes his body would be whirled away into 
 darkness by cruel eddies ; it would be tossed 
 about, the sport of billows, battered upon sharp 
 rocks, or devoured by ravenous fishes. Day- 
 light would at last come, and the sun look down 
 upon a disfigured corpse. He put his hand to 
 his breast, and felt his heart beat. That corpse 
 would be the warm, palpitating flesh lie now 
 touched. 
 
 He closed his eyes, and the whole scene came 
 so vividly before his imagination that he started, 
 and cried, " Oh, God ! It is too dreadful ! 
 Have mercy !" 
 
 " Ay, God help us !" echoed Bob. 
 
 "Oh, Bob! Is there nothing that we can 
 do? It is too dreadful to die without making 
 another effort to save ourselves." 
 
 "Nothing, lad, that I knows on;" replied 
 his companion, in a sick, despairing sort of 
 voice. 
 
 While they were working and battling 
 against the elements — though all the time Eace 
 to face with death — it did not seem so terrible 
 to die; but now that the struggle had passed, 
 and the storm had ceased, to wait their p.-isMv.- 
 and helpless for the last moment, when the 
 vessel would take her final plunge beneath the 
 waves
 
 234 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Ugh ! it ?vas dreadful." 
 
 A sudden thought struck Dick. " There 
 is one thing we can still do, Bob :" he said. 
 
 " What is that, ole man ?" 
 
 " Pray !" 
 
 " I haven't prayed since I was a little kiddie, 
 an' I can't do it now ;" said Bob, with a slight 
 tremor in his voice ; " it seems a bit cowardly to 
 try and turn religious at the last. You're better 
 nor I am, Dick ; I've been a bad 'un in my time ; 
 you pray for us both, lad ; an' while yer at it 
 put up a word for the ole woman. God bless 
 her!" he added, fervently. 
 
 It is all very well for kindly disposed critics 
 to say : " Don't introduce the religious element 
 into a sea story for boys ; it is unnatural." Why, 
 there is nothing so natural under certain 
 circumstances. Anyhow, the present writer 
 knows that strange thoughts of sin, death, and 
 immortality actually passed through the mind 
 of Dick Danvers, as he waited expecting 
 every moment to take his plunge into eternity. 
 
 Frequently on the approach of death the 
 body is racked with pain, and the senses dulled ; 
 so that the dying person is scarcely sensible of 
 the great change impending. 
 
 But here was a lad whose body was not worn 
 nor wasted by sickness, whose pulse was strong, 
 and his senses clear, to whom life was sweet 
 and enjoyable, even in its roughest aspects. 
 
 Dick did not believe in Aunt Hannah's 
 religion ; but for all that he did what the reader 
 would probably do under similar circumstances.
 
 FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH. 235 
 
 He prayed with all his heart : prayed as he 
 remembered to have prayed on a former occasion, 
 when he was a little child, and thought the 
 judgment day was at hand. Now it was close in 
 reality. " Oh !" he said to himself ; " I wish I had 
 died then, when I was a little innocent child, and 
 felt good ! What a fool I have been since, what 
 a wretch ! Oh God! spare me I Spare me but 
 this once, and I will be a different man." 
 
 Memories of the past floated back upon him. 
 His childhood's home; Kitty, would she think 
 of him, be sorry for him ? She was so good ! 
 he so evil and selfish. He thought of how he had 
 defiled the beautiful garden of his life ; and he 
 made haste to drag: out from the hidden chambers 
 of his soul things foul and loathesome, which no 
 one but God knew of, and which he himself was 
 now utterly ashamed of. If he could only 
 remember, and confess them all before he was 
 rushed into the presence of his Maker, he might 
 yet be forgiven. But the time was so short, so 
 terribly short ; surety ten, twenty minutes had 
 passed since Bob had spoken to him. and the 
 ship had not yet gone down. 
 
 It is possible for the work of years to be 
 compressed into moments. 
 
 But is it possible for the last agonies of life to 
 transform certain types of character? Death, 
 lor all we know, may be a greater purifier. 
 Anyhow, it is the writer's experience that nun 
 who have lived wicked, reckless and degraded 
 lives, have on the approach of death become 
 softened, subdued and repentant.
 
 236 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 It may be objected, that such a change of 
 character is not real and permanent ; but of this 
 it is impossible to judge ; for, should they 
 escape the threatening doom, life again fronts 
 them with its manifold temptations and snares, 
 which they would have escaped, had they gone 
 to their account at the earlier period. 
 
 Slowly the vessel was settling down ; her 
 decks were already awash ; she no longer rose 
 upon the seas, except now and again to give a 
 lazy roll, like the feeble effort of a dying person 
 to keep alive. 
 
 " Look, Dick !" suddenly exclaimed his 
 companion, pointing beneath them. " What is 
 that ?" 
 
 Dick gazed downward, and saw a large 
 hencoop floating under the mizzen rigging. 
 
 " Quick lad ! It is our only chance ! An 
 answer t<> yer prayer !" 
 
 They slid off the shrouds, and stood upon the 
 deck of the sinking ship, nearly up to their waists 
 in water. 
 
 The hencoop was entangled in a raffle of 
 ropes, which evidently had prevented it from 
 being swept away by the heavy seas. 
 
 In an instant Bob had -whipped out his sheath- 
 knife, and was busy cutting it adrift. While 
 doing so they felt a peculiar oscillation beneath 
 their feet — -it was [he final warnini>'. 
 
 Just as the last piece of tangled gear was 
 cut, the vessel gave a sudden plunge forward. 
 
 " Hold on for your life, hick ! Slick your 
 arm through this batten ! There ! "
 
 FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH. 23V 
 
 The barque's stern rose high in the air. Dick 
 saw a gigantic billow glimmering above him with 
 a pale, phosphorescent crest. A shudder ran 
 through him ; the end was at hand ; there was 
 no longer any time to pray, or even to think. 
 
 Next moment the great wave broke over 
 them. Dick felt himself being dragged down 
 through a horror of great darkness, and carried 
 to and fro in the frightful swirl and eddy of the 
 sinking ship. He gasped and battled for breath. 
 He felt himself suffocating, as though some 
 monster of the deep had grasped him by the 
 throat. Lights Hashed before his eyes, and the 
 rush of waters sounded like the booming of 
 thunder in his ears. Still, with one hand he 
 clung with the grip of the drowning to the bars 
 of the hen-coop. With the other he fought the 
 unsubstantial monster that was suffocating him. 
 
 All at once he was relieved. He was still 
 alive. He was on the surface of the water, still 
 grasping the hen-coop. Bob was beside him. 
 He instinctively moved his feet to assist in keep- 
 ing himself afloat, and shuddered to feel nothing 
 but the fleeting element beneath him. He fell 
 himself being carried away with terrific force on 
 the nvsl of a mighty billow ; then suspended in 
 mid-air; next moment, with a wild roaring tumult, 
 the waters again closed over them, I'p, up, up, 
 they were borne, bo what seemed to luck a tre- 
 mendous height ; thenfora fewmomentshe experi- 
 enced ;i dizzy, sickening feeling as though the 
 greai ocean was slipping from beneath him; then 
 down, down, down, with a swift, giddy rush into
 
 238 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 a dark valley, with a wall of water on one side 
 and a wall of water on the other. This hap- 
 pened again and again, until Dick, weary, giddy, 
 numbed, and exhausted, felt that he could no 
 longer hold on to the friendly coop. He was 
 about to let go, and drop into the dismal abyss 
 of waters. " Good-bye, Bob ! " he said in a 
 despairing voice; "I can't — ho-holdout any longer." 
 The bitter waters filled his mouth, and made him 
 splutter out the words. 
 
 " Courage, ole man," said his companion, grasp- 
 ing him by the waist so as to raise his head well 
 above the water. " Keep yer 'ed up ; never say 
 die while there's a shot in the locker. I see the 
 loom o' land o' some kind, and the current seems 
 to be driving us towards it." 
 
 Dick made another brave effort, and lifted 
 himself up on top of the hen-coop. Suddenly a 
 strange, hissing, sound came rushing over the 
 inky surface of the mighty swell. It was the 
 tail end of the hurricane blast sweeping down 
 upon them from the west. "God help us now 1" 
 sighed Bob, " we're lost for a dead certainty." 
 
 But this last effort of the hurricane proved to 
 be their salvation. In the first place, the terrific 
 blast of wind flattened down the billows, which 
 enabled them with the aid of the coop to keep 
 their heads well above the water. In the next, 
 it united with the friendlj^ current to drive them 
 straight on the little island situated at the 
 entrance of the bay. 
 
 Dick had a vague recollection of the hen-coop 
 driving through a sheet of luminous foam. Then
 
 FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH. 239 
 
 an object like a black cloud, suddenly rose up 
 before him. A tremendous shock followed, and 
 once again the waters closed over him. He 
 could feel himself being swept along with terrific 
 force, and strike against something hard ; it was 
 a sandy beach. His grasp on the hen-coop re- 
 laxed, and he lost consciousness. He would in- 
 evitably have been carried out by the under- 
 current of the wave, had not Bob caught the 
 fragment of shirt that was on him. 
 
 Then followed a fierce, brave struggle for 
 life on the part of the old sailor. Several times 
 the undertow carried them out ; sea after sea 
 rolled over them. Still Bob, clinging to his ship- 
 mate, struggled on, until a mighty billow carried 
 him within reach of some stunted bushes, which 
 he clutched at desperately, and succeeded in 
 gaining a footing on the ever-yielding sand. He 
 just had time to stagger, faint and exhausted, 
 out of reach of the next billow that came 
 thundering and raging after them, when he too 
 sank unconscious with his burden on the beach. 
 It was a desperate struggle, but the hungry sea 
 had been baffled and robbed of its prey.
 
 240 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Chapter XXX.— DAWN ON THE BEACH. 
 
 When Dick came to his senses again, he 
 found himself lying on his back on a beach, 
 under a cocoanut tree. Day was just dawning. 
 The tempest had blown itself out, and it was a 
 dead calm. 
 
 Someone was bending over him, bathing his 
 face, which was cut and bruised, with some salt 
 water held in a large palm leaf. 
 
 " How do you feel, ole man ?" enquired the 
 familiar voice of Bob Bowline. 
 
 " Is that you, Bob ? What's the matter ? 
 What has happened? Ah! I remember now," 
 he added, endeavouring to sit up. " Oh, my 
 back ; how it hurts." 
 
 "You'll be all right in a few minutes, ole 
 man. Lie down again on your side — there ! 
 Rest your 'ed on this." And Bob gathered up 
 some of the palm leaves that lay strewn about 
 the beach, and gently placed them for a pillow 
 under the lad's head. 
 
 "Thank you," said Dick faintly. "Ah! 
 I remember now. So we're not drowned after 
 
 Mil ?" 
 
 " No, lad ; but Cod alone knows how we 
 escaped. Oil ! but it was a long, fearful night, 
 Dick ; but it's come to an end. I thought you 
 were dead when I dragged you ashore with your 
 face all cut an' bleedin', an' you lyin' so white 
 an' still."
 
 WASHED V.SHORE.
 
 DAWN ON THE BEACH. 241 
 
 " Is that fresh water you've got there ?" asked 
 Dick. 
 
 " No, ole chap ; but I'll soon get you some 
 if there's any to be had on the island." 
 
 " Thank you ; I feel so thirsty." 
 
 Bob jumped up immediately, and ran to look 
 for some fresh water. He was a long time away, 
 and Dick began to wonder when he would come 
 back. As he lay there the incidents of the past 
 night came back to him. He shuddered as he 
 thought of the ship sinking beneath him. He 
 remembered the solemn vow he had made when 
 face to face with death ; that if spared he would 
 live to be a different man. 
 
 Slowly and painfully he rose to his feet and 
 looked up at the sky, which was still sullen and 
 angry with heavy leaden clouds. 
 
 He fell upon his knees and murmured, " Oh 
 God ! I thank thee ! I thank thee!" 
 
 At that moment the risen sun broke through 
 a mass of rolling vapour in the east, and cast 
 two broad shafts of golden light down the sky, 
 and along the heaving surface of the waves until 
 they seemed to touch the edge of the white sand 
 in which he knelt. And he thought of Jacob's 
 dream, and the angels of God ascending and 
 descending upon stairs of tire ; and the text he 
 had been compelled to learn as a child came 
 back to him : " And Jacob vozved a vo7v, saying, 
 If God will be with Die, and will keep me in 
 this way that I go, and will give me bread
 
 242 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 to eat and raiment to put on, so that I come 
 again to my father's house in peace ; then 
 shall the Lord be my God." 
 
 He was in this posture when Bob, returning 
 with the water, caught sight of him between the 
 palm trees. 
 
 The old sailor suddenly stopped ; he put his 
 hand to his head. If he had had a hat on he 
 would have removed it. " Ah !" he said to 
 himself, " I forgot, poor lad ! I expect he's 
 finishin' the prayer he commenced last night on 
 the mast. Perhaps only for that we wouldn't be 
 
 'ere to-day." 
 
 * * * 
 
 The little schooner had ridden out the 
 hurricane in safety. Kennedy had taken the 
 precaution, when he saw the storm approaching, 
 to run his vessel up a little creek, where he had 
 obtained good anchorage under the lee of one of 
 the lofty mountains, which overshadowed the 
 bay. 
 
 As soon as the sea went down he ordered his 
 Kanakas to lower the boat, and pull him outside 
 the reef. He wished to learn what had become 
 of the Annie. 
 
 Observing a quantity of wreckage on the 
 weather side of the island, he feared the worst. 
 
 " She's gone down, safe enough," he said to 
 himself ; " I wonder if any o' the chaps have 
 been washed ashore." He steered towards the 
 island for the purpose of landing. As he ap- 
 proached, he saw two figures standing on the 
 beach waving their hands as a signal for him to
 
 DAWN ON THE REACH. 243 
 
 approach. Though it was now a dead calm, a 
 great swell rendered landing a difficult and 
 dangerous undertaking. But Kennedy was a 
 skilful boatman, and, watching his opportunity, 
 ran the dingy on the top of a huge roller into a 
 little cove, and jumped ashore. The Kanakas 
 followed, and dragged the boat into a place of 
 safety. 
 
 " Bob," he exclaimed, recognising his old 
 shipmate, "Well, I'm jiggered! You're not 
 drowned, then ?" 
 
 " Not yet, ole man." 
 
 "And what's become o' the barque ?" 
 
 " Gone down." 
 
 " An' the hands ?" 
 
 " Gone with her to old Davy Jones' locker ; 
 so far as I know." 
 
 " All." 
 
 " All except Dick an' myself." 
 
 " Dear me ! Wonderful ! And how did you 
 get ashore ?" 
 
 " On a 'en-coop," replied Bob ; " the other 
 chaps took to the whaleboat, an' left me and 
 Dick aboard the sinking hooker ; an' that's just 
 how we came to be saved, for I expect the boat's 
 been swamped or capsized, an' the fellows in 
 her are shark's meat by this time." 
 
 "Dreadful!" murmured Kennedy. 
 
 " What about the schooner ?" asked Bob. 
 
 " Oh, she's safe enough : as fresh as paint. I 
 knew what was coming, so I ran her into a little 
 creek under the lee of yonder mountain ; it was 
 jist as safe as being in dock."
 
 244 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 They talked for some time about the wreck, 
 and had a look around the island to see if any 
 dead bodies had been washed up, but could find 
 none. Only, between the island and the main- 
 land they saw a boat floating keel up. 
 
 " It must be the whaleboat," said Bob. " Poor 
 fellows, they've all gone to their account." 
 
 "Well," said Kennedy, "you'd better come off 
 with me to the schooner. I suppose there's no 
 objection now to your taking a cruise in her ?" 
 
 " None whatever, so far as I'm concerned," 
 replied Bob. " What do you say, Dick ?" 
 
 Dick at once signified his willingness to go 
 with Kennedy. 
 
 " Right you are, then, lads !" said the captain 
 of the schooner. " We'll start for Noumea and 
 Sydney to-morrow. You chaps can get your 
 wages there, and we'll fill up with trade. Then, 
 hurrah ! for a merry and profitable life amongst 
 the islands."
 
 SUSPICIOUS CASTAWAYS. 245 
 
 Chapter XXXI. 
 
 SUSPICIOUS CASTAWAYS: ON BOARD 
 THE FOAM. 
 
 " I'm goin' down with the skipper to supper, 
 Dick. Just keep your eye on the nigger at the 
 wheel, an' see that he don't go to leeward of his 
 course." As he spoke the last words, Bob Bowline 
 disappeared into the schooner's little cuddy. 
 
 " Ay, ay !" responded Dick, walking over to 
 the binnacle to glance at the compass, proud of 
 the confidence reposed in him — that of being left 
 in charge of the schooner's deck. 
 
 The Foam was three days out from Noumea, 
 bound for Sydney. The evening was fine and 
 bright, too fine for Captain Kennedy ; for the 
 breeze was so light that the squaresails flapped 
 with every roll against the mast, She was not 
 making more than three knots. 
 
 Before going below, Bob bad sent a Kanaka 
 aloft to pass a gaskel around a dangling stay- 
 sail. 
 
 Having completed bis task, the fellow was 
 about to descend to the deck, when his eye 
 caught something on the surface of the water. 
 
 He uttered an exclamation of surprise, and 
 called out in his native tongue to the man at the 
 wheel, whereupon a jabbering conversation en- 
 sued between them.
 
 246 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Shut up that confounded chatter ;" inter- 
 rupted Dick sharply ; " attend to your steering ! 
 don't you see you're off your course?" 
 
 " Him wantee me speak you," replied the 
 man. 
 
 " What's he talking about ? Why doesn't he 
 speak English then ?" 
 
 " Him say all same boat on port bow." 
 
 " A boat !" exclaimed Dick in a tone of sur- 
 prise. 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 He went to the cuddy, took from a bracket 
 an old brass telescope, and, resting it on one of 
 the ratlines, gazed steadily in the direction in- 
 dicated by the man aloft. For a few moments 
 he could see nothing, but, as he moved the glass 
 slowly round the horizon, a white object sud- 
 denly sprang into the lens and as suddenly dis- 
 appeared into the trough of the swell. 
 
 At first he thought that it was only the crest 
 of a wave, but a moment's consideration told him 
 that the sea was too smooth for that. It must 
 be the gunwale of a white-painted boat. He 
 watched the object appear and disappear several 
 times, then walked over to the little skylight, 
 and called out — 
 
 " There's a boat, captain, or something very 
 like one, a couple of points on the port bow." 
 
 "All right," responded Kennedy; "I'll be up 
 there in a few minutes." 
 
 When the captain came on deck, he took the 
 glass and gazed for some time at the object.
 
 SUSPICIOUS CASTAWAYS. 247 
 
 " By Jove !" he suddenly exclaimed. "You're 
 right, Dick. It is a boat, sure enough ; and 
 there's a man in it, waving a shirt or something 
 to attract our attention. One — two — three ; I 
 can count four men in her," he continued, still 
 gazing through the glass. 
 
 " Keep her away a bit," he said, with a 
 motion of his hand to the man at the wheel ; 
 " so. Steady !" 
 
 " Do you think they are castaways ?" in- 
 quired Dick. 
 
 "Likely enough," responded the skipper. 
 " Their ship may have gone down in the late 
 hurricane. If so, they are trying to make for 
 the coast of New Caledonia." 
 
 " If the breeze 'ud only freshen, we'd soon 
 overhaul them and find out," said Bob. " Dick, ole 
 man, you'd better go below an' get your supper ; 
 it'll be some time before we come up with 'em." 
 
 Though the sight of the boat had aroused 
 within him a deep interest, he did not care to 
 miss his evening meal, so he at once followed 
 Bob's advice, and descended into the little cabin. 
 
 When he came on deck again the floating 
 object was visible to the naked eye. Presently, 
 as it rose on top of a long swell, they noticed 
 the flash of oars. 
 
 The sun was low in the west, and the men 
 in her were evidently pulling hard to reach the 
 schooner before nightfall. 
 
 "It doesn't look as if they'd been fasting for 
 a long time, or they couldn't pull like that," 
 observed Kennedy.
 
 248 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 In less than half-an-hour the boat was close 
 alongside, and the skipper ordered the schooner 
 to be hove-to. 
 
 " Boat, ahoy !" he sang out. " Look out for 
 a rope in the fore chains." 
 
 The sun's rim dipped as the boat, which was 
 skilfully steered, shot under the chains. It was 
 immediately made fast, and the castaways, four 
 in number, sprang aboard. 
 
 The man who had been steering was the last 
 to scramble over the rail ; he delayed for a few 
 minutes passing the painter up and making it 
 fast to a belaying pin. Then he hung back a 
 little behind the others, as if to escape observa- 
 tion. 
 
 They commenced at once to jabber together 
 in French. 
 
 Kennedy called out to them to lay to, but 
 they did not appear to understand, until he 
 beckoned with his hand, when they slowly 
 approached him. 
 
 The sun had set, but even in the rapidly 
 gathering darkness they looked a villainous 
 gang, clad in what were once coloured shirts and 
 coarse dungaree or canvas trousers, all except 
 the fellow hanging behind, who was naked to 
 the waist. Two of them had long, black, 
 tangled beards, and their dark, scowling eyes 
 gleamed restlessly from beneath bushy eye- 
 brows. 
 
 " Not a pleasant company to pick up, by the 
 look of them," muttered Kennedy, as they 
 approached. Then he said aloud, somewhat
 
 SUSPICIOUS CASTAWAYS. 249 
 
 roughly, "Now, my men, who are you? And 
 where do you come from V But the men only 
 shook their heads to imply that they could not 
 understand him. 
 
 " Are you French ?" 
 
 " Wee, monsieur !" replied the foremost man 
 with the black beard. 
 
 "Can none of you speak English .'" 
 
 The man again shook his head, and made 
 signs to indicate that their ship had gone down 
 in the late storm. 
 
 "Confound them and their lin^o," said 
 Kennedy. " I wish to goodness we had given 
 the beggars a wide berth." 
 
 Suddenly, Bob, who had been watching them 
 attentively for some minutes, approached the 
 skipper, and said — 
 
 "Do you see that fellow hanging back V 
 
 " The chap naked to the waist ? Yes." 
 
 " Ask him to step aft a bit : I believe I've 
 seen him before." 
 
 "Hi, you!" said Kennedy, beckoning to the 
 man. " Come here !" 
 
 The man slowly approached. 
 
 Bob look the binnacle lamp, and held it close 
 up to liis face. 
 
 " By .lingo!" exclaimed Kennedy, starting 
 back, "He's like the chap we saw ashore al 
 New Caledonia !" 
 
 "That's just what struck me," said Bob. 
 
 " Can't you speak English V said the skipper. 
 roughly. " Ain't you the man we met on the 
 hill at the back of ( tomen ?"
 
 250 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 The man only shook his head, and main- 
 tained a sullen silence. 
 
 " He's the dead spit of him, anyhow," said 
 Kennedy ; " though for that matter, all those 
 blanky convicts are much alike ; I don't believe 
 they've ever been shipwrecked ; but have stolen 
 a boat and put to sea. Let's go forward and 
 have a look at her." 
 
 They walked forward to where the boat was 
 still fastened to the fore-chains. The Frenchmen 
 and some of the Kanakas followed. 
 
 It was an ordinary-sized whaleboat, such as 
 is generally used by Island traders. 
 
 " Jump down, Bob, and see if there is anything 
 in her," said the skipper. 
 
 Bob threw a rope over, and lowered himself 
 down ; there was not a vestige of either food or 
 water in it. 
 
 One of the Frenchmen who was keenly watch- 
 ing their movements pointed to his mouth to 
 indicate that they wanted food. 
 
 Bob swung himself back over the rail again. 
 
 " I reckon," said the skipper, " that the best 
 thing we can do is to put some water and rations 
 in the boat, and send them adrift again." 
 
 " Hush, ole man ; don't talk so loud. I saw 
 that black-bearded fellow clutch at his knife when 
 you spoke of sending them adrift. I believe they 
 understand every word we say." 
 
 " Let's come aft, then, and talk the matter 
 over," said Kennedy. " I'm afraid we'll have 
 trouble with the rascals."
 
 SUSPICIOUS CASTAWAYS. 251 
 
 The skipper then spoke to the Kanaka cook, 
 and motioned to the Frenchmen to go to the 
 galley and get something to eat ; then he, Bob, 
 and Dick walked aft. 
 
 " What shall we do with the bloomin' boat ?" 
 asked Bob. 
 
 " Let her stay where she is at present, till we 
 settle what to do with her crew," returned the 
 skipper. Then he gave orders for the sails to be 
 trimmed, and the vessel to be kept on her 
 course. 
 
 " Dick !" said the captain, " we're going below 
 to talk this matter over. Keep a sharp look-out 
 on the Frenchmen, and, if you notice anything 
 suspicious, sing out to me at once. It's my belief 
 they are not castaways at all, but escaped con- 
 victs." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir," responded Dick ; " I'll keep my 
 eye on them." 
 
 * * * * 
 
 " Now, Bob," said Kennedy, when they were 
 seated in the little cabin, " what do you think 
 we had better do with them ? I've a great mind 
 to turn the fellows adrift," 
 
 " We're a long way from any land ; ain't we ?" 
 asked Bob. 
 
 " Let's see," said Kenned}', consulting his 
 chart; "we're about 200 miles from Norfolk 
 Island, and a little more than that from Lord 
 Howe's; Lord Howe's is a little t<> the east'ard of 
 our course." 
 
 " When could you fetch it ?"
 
 252 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " The day after to-morrow, if we can get any 
 breeze at all." 
 
 " I don't like the look of 'em," said Bob ; " at 
 the same time it does'nt seem a Christian thing 
 to turn 'em adrift, at night, too." He remembered 
 his own recent escape from death, and was 
 disposed to be merciful. " Anyhow," he con- 
 tinued, " they can't hurt us much; I suppose they 
 only want a passage to Australia." 
 
 " I'm if they get it from me, then," said 
 
 Kennedy. " Bob, it'll never do to let them stay 
 on board : they'd breed mischief with the 
 Kanakas. In fact, you don't know what devil- 
 ment they might get up to." 
 
 " Suppose they should refuse to go back in 
 the boat and show fight ?" suggested Bob. 
 
 " Then," said Kennedy, with a fierce oath, 
 " I'd shoot 'em down like dogs." 
 
 " What firearms have you got, Alick ?" 
 
 " Only my revolver ; that's good for six. I've 
 always been going to get a Winchester or two, 
 but it's risky carrying a lot of arms with 
 Kanakas." 
 
 "Well! you're skipper," said Bob. "Do what 
 you think best, but for my part I'd let 'em stay 
 aboard to-night, and send 'em adrift to-morrow 
 afternoon, givin' 'em the course to steer for Lord 
 Howe's. They can have no motive in injuring 
 us." 
 
 Kennedy pointed to his little state room. 
 " There's a box there," he whispered, " containing 
 a few hundred dollars, all I have in the world 
 except the schooner. If those scoundrels got
 
 SUSPICIOUS CASTAWAYS. 253 
 
 wind of it they'd cut our throats while we slept, 
 and run off with the schooner. By Jove ! I 
 don't care to trust 'em at all." 
 
 " But they don't know, an' they're not likely 
 to cut our throats for fun." 
 
 " Very well, Bob, I'll abide by your advice, 
 though I don't care for it much. Let's go on 
 deck and hear what Dick has to say about it." 
 
 Dick, although he considered the appearance 
 and behaviour of the castaways very suspicious, 
 was inclined to support Bob's opinion— that it 
 could not hurt to allow them to remain on board 
 for at least one night. 
 
 By this time the breeze had freshened con- 
 siderably, and the schooner was gliding through 
 the water at the rate of seven or eight knots. 
 
 " If this holds," remarked Kennedy, " we may 
 be able to sight the island by to-morrow 
 evening. Anyhow, we shall not be far off. 
 By-the-bye, where's the boat ? I hope the 
 beggars have not cut it adrift." 
 
 They went forward to look. The boat was 
 all right, and Kennedy ordered a Kanaka to 
 pass the painter aft and let it tow astern. 
 
 The Frenchmen seemed indifferent to their 
 movements, and wholly unconscious that their 
 appearance on board was causing any anxiety 
 to the captain and his companions. After 
 getting some food from the galley, they had 
 thrown themselves down on various parts of 
 the deck, apparently with the intention of 
 sleeping.
 
 254 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Our three adventurers walked aft, and after 
 another short consultation Kennedy handed Bob 
 his loaded revolver, with strict injunctions to use 
 it at once if he noticed anything suspicious on 
 the part of the strangers. He then went below, 
 leaving Dick and Bob in charge of the deck 
 until eight bells — 12 o'clock. 
 
 For four hours they paced the deck together, 
 and nothing occurred to arouse their suspicions. 
 At eight bells Dick went below to call the 
 skipper, who at once came on deck and relieved 
 them.
 
 A DARING PIRACY : A NIGHT OF TERROR. 255 
 
 Chapter XXXII— A DARING PIRACY: A 
 NIGHT OF TERROR, 
 
 Dick's bunk was underneath the weather 
 side of the schooner's quarter-deck, and next to 
 the captain's cabin. When he turned in, he 
 heard Kennedy give some order to the Kanakas 
 about trimming the sails ; then followed the 
 measured tramp of the skipper overhead. 
 
 Contrary to his usual custom, he did not 
 drop off to sleep at once, but lay awake, listening 
 to the captain's footfall, and thinking of the 
 suspicious strangers who had boarded them last 
 evening. 
 
 After one bell had struck he fell into an 
 uneasy slumber. 
 
 He was awakened by a cry from the deck, 
 which sounded like an appeal for help. 
 
 "Bob! Bob! For God's sake !" 
 
 The words died away in a low moan, which 
 was immediately followed by a dull thud over- 
 head. 
 
 Surely it was the captain's voice. Some- 
 thing dreadful had happened — what, he could 
 not tell. He sat up in his bunk and listened. 
 He heard the patter of bare feet along the deck, 
 and then the crack of a revolver from some more 
 distant part of the ship. 
 
 A dead silence followed.
 
 256 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 He listened breathlessly for some minutes, 
 but could catch no sound save the ripple of 
 waves against the vessel's side, the faint creak 
 of timbers, and the thump of his own heart. 
 
 Hark ! What was that close at hand ? He 
 started, and then smiled, as he recognised the 
 familiar noise of Bob snoring in the opposite 
 berth. 
 
 In a few seconds he had sprung from his 
 bunk, and was by his shipmate's side, shaking 
 him violently. "Bob! Bob!" he whispered. 
 " For heaven's sake turn out !" 
 
 " Ay, ay, ole man ; I'll be out in a moment. 
 What's the row about ?" 
 
 " Hush ! Don't speak so loud ; they'll hear 
 you." 
 
 "Who? What? What the deuce is the 
 matter ?" 
 
 " Oh, Bob, something terrible ! . I don't know 
 what, but I believe they've murdered the 
 skipper !" 
 
 " Who ? The Frenchmen ?" exclaimed Bob, 
 with an oath, now thoroughly aroused. " The 
 villains !" 
 
 He sprang from his bunk, and was about to 
 rush on deck, when Dick caught him by the 
 arm. 
 
 " Stay — listen ! They're coming down !" 
 
 There was a noise at the top of the cabin 
 stairs as if someone was about to descend. 
 
 " God help us !" said Dick in a hoarse whisper ; 
 " they've got the skipper's revolver." 
 
 " How do you know ?" asked Bob.
 
 A DARING PIRACY : A NIGHT OF TERROR. 257 
 
 " I heard him cry out to you for help, and 
 then fall ; a shot followed. Listen !" 
 
 Their quick ears caught the sound of some 
 one drawing the scuttle over the cuddy. Then 
 all was silent again. 
 
 " They're not coming below yet," whispered 
 Bob, " but they've battened us down ; we're pri- 
 soners, Dick." 
 
 " What shall we do ?" 
 
 " Are you sure they've killed the capt'n ?" 
 
 " I believe so, from the way he cried out and 
 groaned." 
 
 " Then they must have taken possession of 
 the schooner, the blanky pirates. Stay here a 
 moment lad; I'll slip out and see what they're upto." 
 
 " Don't !" pleaded Dick, " they'll shoot you 
 down like a dog. Hark ! they're talking." 
 
 The weather side of the little skylight was 
 open, and a confused jabber of whispering voices 
 now floated down from the deck. 
 
 Bob crept cautiously out of his berth, and 
 peered upward to where the sound came from. 
 The cabin was in darkness, a binnacle lamp 
 being generally used to see the time, and call 
 the watch. The darkness favoured his move- 
 ments. There was no moon, but it was a bright 
 starlight night. He saw three dark figures 
 standing close to the skylight ; they were talk- 
 ing together in a very low tone. One of them 
 he recognised as the half -naked Frenchman they 
 had seen ashore at Gomen. He had no doubt 
 about that now. In his right hand he held the 
 skipper's revolver.
 
 258 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 All at once, this fellow said something in a 
 louder key to his companions, and disappeared. 
 
 Next moment he caught sight of a hand 
 pointing the weapon straight down into the 
 cabin. Bob thought he was discovered, and that 
 his last hour had come. 
 
 He closed his eyes and breathed a prayer. 
 But the pirate did not see him ; he only wanted 
 to close the skylight, and levelled the revolver in 
 case of a sudden attack from below. A bare 
 arm appeared, and the hand belonging to it crept 
 down the brass bar, and unscrewed a small 
 fastener. Then the skylight lid was gently 
 lowered, and the hand and weapon were with- 
 drawn. 
 
 Bob watched his opportunity, and in a 
 moment had slipped back again to his berth. 
 
 " It's all up, Dick, ole man ! They've taken 
 the schooner, an' murdered Kennedy. I saw the 
 bloomin' Frenchman with his revolver. The 
 wretches, no doubt, fancy we are armed, and are 
 afraid of attacking us at once." 
 
 " What do you think they'll do ?" 
 " They'll sneak down presently, when they 
 think we're asleep, an' try an' murder us, or else 
 wait on deck to brain or shoot us if we should 
 venture up, depend upon it. That's why they 
 drew the scuttle over so that we couldn't make 
 a rush for it. I wonder what they've done with 
 the Kanakas ; if I was sure of 'em siding with 
 us, I'd chance it, Dick." 
 
 " What ?"
 
 A DARING PIRACY : A NIGHT OF TERROR. 259 
 
 " Chance making a rush for the deck. I've 
 got this, anyhow," continued Bob, drawing from 
 his belt a long dagger-like knife Kennedy had 
 made him a present of when he joined the 
 schooner. 
 
 ' Poor Alick," he murmured, " they must have 
 sneaked up and struck him from behind. He 
 couldn't have been dozing ; he was too suspicious 
 about the rascals. Would to God I hadn't per- 
 suaded him to let 'em stay on board." 
 
 Dick looked at the knife. It was a formid- 
 able weapon, but he thought how useless it would 
 be in a conflict with four desperate men, and one 
 of them armed with a revolver. 
 
 Several minutes passed away. The pirates 
 had again gathered close to the skylight, ap- 
 parently with the intention of watching the 
 cabin. Once more they caught the sounds of a 
 whispered conversation, broken now and then 1 >y 
 a French oath muttered in a louder key. 
 
 " Hark !" said Bob, " what's that ? One of 'em 
 is talking in English." 
 
 They strained their ears to listen, and so great 
 was the tension of their nerves, that they heard 
 distinctly the following words : — " No likee ! 
 what for ? You go tell 'em cap'n say come on 
 deck at once." 
 
 Bob shuddered. " The wretches," he muttered, 
 ' they want to get us up, and shoot us as we step 
 on deck." 
 
 " Will you go ?" asked Dick. 
 
 "No; but I hope the Kanaka will come 
 below. He'll have to join us, or else," said Bob
 
 260 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 grasping his knife, " he'll not leave this cabin 
 alive." 
 
 The voices now rose to a still higher key, and 
 a confused jabber in French followed, as though 
 some of the pirates disapproved of the proposi- 
 tion. A long silence ensued. The suspense was 
 fearful. Dick shivered, though not with cold, for 
 the night was warm and mild ; it was the agonis- 
 ing apprehension of what was about to happen 
 that made him tremble. 
 
 The silence was so great, that at times they 
 could hear each other's heart beat. 
 " Dick, ole man." 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I can't stand it no longer; if they don't come 
 quick I must rush up on deck." 
 
 "Hush !" said Dick, "they're coming." 
 At that moment they heard a low, grating- 
 noise at the top of the cuddy stairs. The pirates 
 were drawing back the scuttle, preparatory to 
 descending. 
 
 " Shall we step out and meet them ?" asked 
 Dick. 
 
 " No," whispered Bob," " you've got no 
 weapon." 
 
 " See here !" he continued, as a sudden 
 thought struck him. " You slip up into my 
 bunk, an' lie quiet there. They'll sneak into the 
 cabin an' think we're asleep, but the first that 
 comes to the door of the berth I'll drive the knife 
 into his heart. If he has the revolver, I'll wrench 
 it from him ; that's our only chance,"
 
 A DARING PIRACY : A NIGHT OF TERROR. 261 
 
 Dick obeyed. He trembled a little as he 
 climbed up into the bunk. Bob threw a blanket 
 over him. " Lie still," he said. " S'elp me, Dick ! 
 they won't touch you till they've passed over my 
 dead body !" 
 
 " The cuddy stairs creaked. They could 
 now distinctly hear steps slowly and stealthily 
 descending-. 
 
 The two shipmates grasped each other by the 
 hand. 
 
 "Good bye, ole man," said Bob, "I'm sorry I 
 brought you into this mess." His voice shook a 
 little. 
 
 " Good bye," murmured Dick, " God have 
 mercy on us !" 
 
 Bob crept noiselessly behind the door of the 
 berth, and lifted his hand, ready to strike. A 
 piece of coloured cretonne, such as is generally 
 used in island trade, hung like a curtain, partly 
 across the doorway. It would be necessary for 
 anyone entering the berth to either draw this 
 aside, or stoop beneath it. Bob fervently hoped 
 that the man who first entered would have the 
 revolver. Closer and closer drew the footsteps. 
 They were very soft, like a rat's. The would-be 
 murderer was in his bare feet, and but for the 
 extreme tension of their nerves, which caused the 
 sense of hearing to lie abnormally excitedj they 
 could not ha\e distinguished the footfalls from 
 the occasional creak of the schooner's timbers. 
 
 At the extreme end of the cabin, and close to 
 the stairway there was a door leading up on 
 deck. This was wide open, being fastened back
 
 262 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 with a brass hook. All at once a light shone 
 through it. Between the crevice in the doorway 
 of his own berth, Bob saw a man standing at the 
 entrance to the cabin. He noticed that it was 
 the Frenchman with the long black beard. He 
 held one of the binnacle lamps in his left hand, 
 his right grasped a long shining dagger. Slowly 
 he raised the lamp above his head, and peered 
 carefully into the cabin, as though he suspected 
 an ambush. Then he cautiously turned the lamp 
 towards Bob's berth ; probably he had been told 
 by one of the Kanakas where his intended victim 
 slept. The light, though dim, revealed the out- 
 line of Dick's form, and the pirate thinking that 
 the occupant of the berth was asleep, glided 
 softly into the cabin. 
 
 Bob breathed hard, and watched to see if 
 anyone else followed ; but the man was alone, 
 the others had evidently remained on deck to 
 watch the Kanakas. Placing the light on the 
 cabin floor, the man moved stealthily towards the 
 bunk where Dick was lying. 
 
 It was a fearful moment for the lad. As he 
 saw the shadow of the man drawing closer and 
 closer, he breathed a prayer, expecting every 
 moment to feel the steel blade in his flesh. 
 
 For a moment the pirate paused at the door 
 of the berth, then stooped to pass under the 
 curtain. As he did so, Bob with his left hand 
 caught him by the hair of the head, and, with 
 his right, he plunged the long sharp knife with 
 .such terrific force into the rascal's neck that the 
 point came out at his throat, while the blood
 
 A DARING PIRACY : A NIGHT OF TERROR. 263 
 
 gushed and spurted over his hands and face. The 
 knife must have severed the fellow's windpipe, 
 for he only uttered a low, gurgling cry, and 
 rolled over on the cabin floor. For a few moments 
 he struggled frightfully, the knife still sticking 
 in his throat, then gave a deep, shuddering 
 sigh, and lay still. 
 
 Bob had some difficulty in pulling out the 
 bloody knife, which was bent and twisted with 
 the man's horrible struggles. 
 
 He felt his belt and pockets for the 
 revolver. It was not on him, but he noticed 
 a small piece of ratline stuff in his left hand, 
 while his right still grasped the dagger. He 
 removed the weapon from the dead man's clutch, 
 and threw it towards Dick. In the meantime 
 Dick had sprung from the bunk. 
 
 " Quick, Bob !" he exclaimed, " they're raising 
 the skylight." Next moment the skylight was 
 lifted, and a bare arm thrust through the open- 
 ing. Bob had barely time to jump behind the 
 door of the berth, when the revolver cracked, 
 and a ball broke through the bulkhead at the 
 very spot where he had been standing. Then 
 the skylight lid was suddenly shut down with a 
 bang, and all was silent. 
 
 For some minutes they both crouched behind 
 the door of the berth, Bob breathing hard from 
 his recent exertions, and wondering what was 
 about to happen next. 
 
 " Dick !" he whispered, " lend me a hand." 
 
 " What are you going to do ?"
 
 264 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Pitch this carcase out ; its lying athwart 
 the door." 
 
 Bob grasped the still warm body by the 
 shoulders, Dick by its legs, and together they 
 thrust it out into the centre of the cabin ; then 
 slammed the door of the berth just as another 
 report rang out, and a ball crashed through one 
 of the panels over their heads. The pirates, 
 though they could not see into the cabin, guessed 
 that something had gone wrong with their com- 
 rade. Evidently they were still uncertain as 
 to whether those below possessed firearms or 
 not. 
 
 " Good !" said Bob, as he threw the mattress 
 from the bunk across the door. " That's three 
 shots they've wasted. Behind this, Dick, for 
 your life ! Now, fire away, you devils !" 
 
 But the pirates had no intention of wasting 
 any more of their ammunition in chance shots. 
 They evidently preferred to play a waiting 
 game, for the skylight was again shut down. 
 
 Once more all was quiet on board the little 
 schooner. The stars looked down with their 
 holy light, and the water rippled merrily past 
 her planking, as though no deed of crime and 
 bloodshed had recently been enacted.
 
 THE WOUNDED SKIPPER. 265 
 
 Chapter XXXIIL— THE WOUNDED 
 SKIPPER. 
 
 They sat with their backs against the barri- 
 cade which Bob had improvised with the mat- 
 tress. 
 
 There was a long, agonising silence, broken 
 only by the gurgle of water against the vessel's 
 side, and the loud ticking of the cabin clock. 
 
 Only once in his life did Dick remember to 
 have heard a clock tick so loudly before. That 
 was after the mission service at Wirrawarra 
 Station on the night he dreamt of the judgment 
 day. 
 
 He thought it ticked very fast now, as though 
 it were rushing him down to eternity. 
 
 This made him think of Kitty. Alas ! 
 Would he ever see her again ? 
 
 Nearly an hour rolled by. To Dick it seemed 
 an age, in spite of the fast ticking of the clock. 
 
 The piratea had evidently got tired of wait- 
 ing for their comrade, or had given him up for 
 dead. 
 
 At last, notwithstanding the terrors that 
 surrounded them, a weariness, or rather a sort of 
 numbness, stole over Dick, and he felt his head 
 nod, as though he were falling asleep. 
 
 Suddenly the clock struck four, with a quick, 
 clear ring, that startled them both. 
 
 " Dick !" said his companion.
 
 266 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Yes ; what is it ?" 
 
 " It will soon be daylight." 
 
 " What of that !'" 
 
 " They will attack us then, I feel sure." 
 
 " But what more can we do," said Dick, 
 wearily. 
 
 " I'll just slip over to the skipper's berth, 
 an' get his cartridge box. I know where it 
 is." 
 
 " What's the good of that, without a revol- 
 
 0" 
 
 ver f 
 
 " None, whatever ; but I'll prevent those 
 wretches from getting it. I wonder they 
 haven't been down to look for it before this. 
 You remember, they've only got three shots 
 left. If they use 'em, we'll be almost a match 
 tor em. 
 
 Bob gently removed the mattress and silently 
 opened the door. All was quiet on deck. 
 
 " Be careful, Bob," whispered his companion. 
 
 " It's all right, ole man, the skylight's closed." 
 
 Saying which he glided across the cabin, and 
 entered the captain's berth. 
 
 In a few moments he returned with a 
 cartridge box in his hand. He at once opened 
 the little porthole, and dropped it into the water. 
 
 " What did you do that for ?" asked Dick, in 
 a tone of surprise. 
 
 " So that they could not use them." 
 
 " But supposing we get possession of the 
 revolver ?" 
 
 "I'm afraid there's not much chance of that, 
 Dick."
 
 THE WOUNDED SKIPPER. 267 
 
 Emboldened by his success, Bob glided over 
 to the steward's pantry. He was away for some 
 minutes, so that Dick grew anxious and was 
 about to follow, when he suddenly re-appeared 
 with a bag full of biscuits, a jug of water, and a 
 small hatchet. 
 
 " You take this," he said; handing Dick the 
 hatchet — his own knife had been rendered 
 almost useless. " Now, we're both armed, an' 
 not only that, but prepared for a bit of a siege. 
 Up with the mattress again, Dick ; they'll be here 
 afore long, an' though it is still fearful odds, 
 we'll sell our lives as dearly as possible ; and may 
 the Lord have mercy on our souls." 
 " Amen !" responded Dick, fervently. 
 
 Presently, a soft, greyish light began to filter 
 through the deadlight overhead. Gradually it 
 grew stronger. Then, as the vessel lifted on the 
 top of a wave, they caught a glimpse — through 
 the port — of a fragment of glittering sealine. The 
 sun had risen ; another day had begun ; what 
 would it bring forth ? 
 
 Bob gently undid the bolt, opened the door 
 of the berth, and looked out. He started back, 
 for the first object that met his gaze Mas the dead 
 body of the man he had killed. It lay on it's 
 back where they had thrown it. The contorted, 
 upturned face, looked ghastly and horrible in the 
 growing light. No wonder he started back, and 
 shuddered. The motion of the schooner indicated 
 that the breeze had freshened ; and from the list
 
 268 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 to starboard, it was evident that the course had 
 been altered. He glanced up at the little tell- 
 tale compass, and saw that they were heading N. 
 by E. The pirates, then, were carrying the 
 schooner back to the islands. He could see a 
 figure standing at the forward part of the sky- 
 light, as if keeping guard over the cabin. But 
 there seemed no intention on the part of the 
 scoundrels to immediately renew their attack. A 
 few minutes were sufficient for him to note these 
 details. He then quietly closed the door, bolted, 
 and again barricaded it with the mattress, behind 
 which they crouched to await events. 
 
 Nearly half an hour must have passed, when 
 the skylight was suddenly thrown open, and a 
 voice hailed them in English — " Below there !" 
 
 It struck them as the voice of the half -naked 
 man, whom they took to be Captain, or ringleader 
 of the gang. 
 
 " Shall we reply ?" asked Dick. 
 
 " No ! lie still, and let's hear what they've got 
 to say." 
 
 " Below, there !" repeated the man ; " your 
 Captain's alive an' wants to speak with you." 
 
 " He says the Captain's alive," said Dick 
 eagerly. 
 
 " Keep still !" replied Bob ; " it may be only a 
 trick; but there can be no harm in answering him." 
 
 " If the Cap'n's alive !" shouted Bob, taking 
 care to keep well behind the mattresses," let him 
 come below !" 
 
 " He can't ; he's badly wounded ; an' wants 
 you to help him to his berth."
 
 THE WOUNDED SKIPPER. 2G9 
 
 " A likely yarn !" muttered Bob. 
 
 " Listen !" continued the pirate ; " we've come 
 to terms with your Cap'n about the schooner. 
 He'll talk to you himself, if you open the door of 
 your berth : he's very weak, an' can only speak 
 low ; he'll die if you don't attend to him : and we 
 don't want any more bloodshed." 
 
 " Why did you try to murder us, then ?" re- 
 turned Bob. 
 
 " I didn't ; that blanky fool tried to do so 
 against my wish an' orders, an' what he got 
 served him right ; besides, he promised he would 
 only lash you in your bunks. I swear to you I 
 was against murder all through the business." 
 
 " Why did you shoot down at us '.'' Bob 
 shouted back. 
 
 '■ Because I thought then you had arms, an' 
 was going to rush the deck ; are you coming up, 
 or are you going to let the man bleed to death ?" 
 
 " Bob 1 for heaven's sake don't leave me to 
 die here !" 
 
 The voice, though it sounded weak and low 
 through the closed door, was Kennedy's. 
 
 They both started and looked in each other's 
 faces. 
 
 "It's the capt'n's voice, sure enough." said 
 Bob, " or his ghost's." 
 
 Dick stood up to open the door, but his com- 
 panion stopped him. 
 
 • Steady, lad," Baid Bob, laying his hand upon 
 his arm : "I don't quite like it, it soundsun- 
 natural like — on deck there ! Is thai .you. Alick '"
 
 270 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Ay ! it's all up, Bob ; they've got the 
 schooner and my revolver, and some cartridges I 
 had in my pocket." 
 
 A muttered imprecation broke from Bob. 
 
 " I've got a bad wound in the side, 
 bleeding — to death — come up ! — quick ! " It 
 took him a long time to say this, and only by 
 straining their ears could they catch the words. 
 Two of the pirates had lifted Kennedy to the 
 edge of the skylight, so that his voice might 
 penetrate into the cabin. 
 
 " What do you say, Dick ? Shall we trust 
 em ( 
 
 " Oh, Bob ! we can't leave him to die !" 
 
 " Then, come along," said Bob, throwing open 
 the door. " Right you are, Cap'n ; we'll be there 
 in a moment !" 
 
 They were about to rush up the companion 
 stairs, when a peremptory voice called out from 
 the deck. 
 
 " Stop ! One at a time, please ; let the boy 
 remain below. One of our men can help you, if 
 necessary. If you both come on deck I'll blow 
 your brains out." 
 
 " You stay there, then," said Bob, who was 
 now seriously alarmed about Kennedy's safety, 
 and anxious to succour him. 
 
 He made two or three strides towards the 
 cuddy steps, and then paused, still suspecting 
 treachery. 
 
 " It's all right," called out the man from the 
 deck. "You needn't be afraid; I could shoot 
 you now if I wanted to,"
 
 THE WOUNDED SKIPPER. 271 
 
 Not without some misgivings, Bob ascended 
 the stairs, and stepped out on deck. 
 
 The half-naked fellow at once covered him 
 with a revolver. "There he is," he said, pointing 
 with his left hand towards Kennedy, who lay 
 moaning beside the skylight in a pool of blood. 
 " Get him below if you want to save his 
 life, and I'll settle with you after about the 
 schooner." 
 
 Bob approached the wounded captain, and, 
 stooping down, raised him into a sitting posture 
 against the skylight. 
 
 " Where are you hurt, Alick ?" he asked, ten- 
 derly. 
 
 " In the side, where that villain stabbed me." 
 
 " It was the fellow you killed in the cabin 
 did it," explained the man with the revolver, 
 who, they afterwards learnt, went by the name 
 of Desmond. " He would have shot him dead, 
 only I twisted the pistol out of his hand." 
 
 Bob took no notice of this explanation, and 
 asked if someone could lend him a hand to get the 
 skipper below. 
 
 Desmond motioned to one of the men stand- 
 ing by, and spoke something rapidly to him in 
 French ; whereupon the fellow slouched towards 
 the skylight, and assisted Bob to raise the skip- 
 per, and together they carried him below. 
 
 Kennedy started and shuddered as they en- 
 tered the cabin. Bob had forgotten about the 
 dead man, whose body still lay upon the floor. 
 The sun, which was now streaming through the 
 skylight, shone upon a pool of blood, and made
 
 272 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 the contorted face, relaxed jaw, and staring, 
 glazed eyes, a sight horrible to look upon. 
 
 "Dick," said Bob, "just drag that carrion 
 aside, an' help me to get the skipper into his 
 bunk." 
 
 Dick obeyed, and the Frenchmen left the 
 cabin at once, muttering some French oaths, 
 evidently anxious to get away from the sight of 
 his dead comrade. 
 
 They undressed the captain, and laid him in 
 his bunk ; then set to work with all the skill 
 they were capable of to doctor his wound. They 
 found a deep stab in his right side, which had 
 bled profusely; but whether it was likely to 
 prove mortal or not, it was impossible for them 
 to tell. Bob tenderly washed the wound with 
 some clean fresh water, then tore up some old 
 shirts he found in the birth, and made soft pads 
 and bandages which he bound over it. In a few 
 minutes they had the satisfaction of seeing that 
 the bleeding was stanched. 
 
 During the operation Kennedy fainted. At 
 first they thought he was dead ; but after a 
 short time he opened his eyes, and asked for a 
 drink. Bob poured some water into a glass, 
 mixed with it a little spirit, and gave it to him. 
 This seemed to relieve the sufferer, who shortly 
 afterwards fell asleep.
 
 I'llKY l.l. \\ I. THE SCHOONER.
 
 THE PIRATE OFFERS TERMS. -278 
 
 Chapter XXXIV.— THE PIRATE OFFERS 
 
 TERMS. 
 
 For some minutes they stood over the 
 wounded skipper, watching him as he slept. 
 
 " Do }^ou think lie's going to die ?" asked 
 Dick. 
 
 " No ; I fancy he'll pull through this time. 
 Anj^how, we can do no more for him at present," 
 returned Bob. 
 
 A footfall sounded on the cabin deck, outside 
 the berth. They both turned round, and the 
 man with the revolver confronted them. 
 
 " Now, look here, shipmates," he said, for 
 we are shipmates, whether we like it or not," he 
 added, with a grin, " before we go any further, 
 just let us understand one another. You heard 
 what he said on deck," continued the pirate, 
 jerking his left hand towards the sleeping form ; 
 " we've got the schooner, and intend to keep her, 
 for a while, at least. If we are caught and 
 carried back to New Caledonia, it means death, 
 or worse than death, to us. Consequently we'll 
 stop at nothing, now we've gone so far, to cany 
 out our plans — not even murder itself, though 
 we don't want to do that, understand V 
 
 Dick nodded his head ; but Bob looked 
 sullenly at the pirate, and said. " We know 
 'xactly what ye are, and what ye can do, Mr. 
 , I don't know what ye call yourself."
 
 274 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Desmond, call me Desmond ; that's a name 
 I had once." 
 
 " Well, Mr. Desmond, if ye have any terms to 
 propose, let's hear 'em, and be done with it ; 
 I s'pose you're skipper, and speak for the others.'' 
 
 Desmond nodded, and continued : " Very 
 well, I'll come to the point. My terms is these : 
 If you two promise and swear to remain quiet in 
 this cabin, and look after your Cap'n for a few 
 days, and not attempt to interfere with us, or 
 show fight, I promise and swear that, as soon 
 as we get to a certain latitood and longitood 
 we'll leave the schooner in our own whaleboat, 
 and not trouble you any more. That's fair an' 
 square enough, isn't it ?" 
 
 " How long do you want us to stay here ?" 
 asked Bob. 
 
 " Maybe a week or ten days," replied Des- 
 mond. " It all depends. If this breeze continues, 
 say seven or eight days." 
 
 " An' how do we know you'll keep your 
 promises ?" returned Bob, with a sneer. 
 
 " You'll have to trust us, that's all," said the 
 pirate angrily ; " the ship and your lives are in 
 my hands ; them's my terms, if you like to agree 
 to them, say the word ; if you don't, then, I'm 
 
 sorry for it — but, by ," and the man swore 
 
 a fearful oath, " I'll have to blow your brains 
 out." He raised the revolver as he spoke. 
 
 Bob was about to reply, when Dick, afraid 
 that he would lose his temper, interrupted him.
 
 THE PIRATE OFFERS TERMS. 275 
 
 " Hold on a moment, Bob ; it's no use getting 
 in a scot over things. We're in their hands, and 
 will have to submit." 
 
 " Now, that's what I call sensible talk," re- 
 sumed Desmond, " Wot's the use o' throwing 
 away your valuable lives for nothing ? I reckon 
 we're treating you handsome, considerin' the 
 position of affairs, and the risk we run." 
 
 " Well," continued the pirate, after ;i few 
 moments' pause, "what do you say to the terms ?" 
 
 " We agree," returned Bob, shortly. 
 
 " Swear it, then !" 
 
 They both recited a dreadful oath, at Des- 
 mond's bidding, which it is not necessary to 
 repeat here. 
 
 " Now, let me have those knives please." 
 
 Bob felt strongly inclined to refuse this latter 
 request ; but the determined look in Desmond's 
 face, and the shining barrel pointed at his head, 
 convinced him that resistance would be useless, 
 and would only lead to bloodshed. 
 
 They threw their knives on the cabin floor. 
 The pirate stooped down quickly and picked 
 them up. 
 
 He then called out in French to one of his 
 comrades on deck to send two of the Kanakas 
 below. 
 
 In a few moments they appeared. 
 
 "Lay hold of that '." he said, pointing to the 
 dead body, " and carry it on deck." 
 
 The Kanakas at first I mug back. 
 
 "Obey!" lie thundered, levelling the pistol al 
 one of them.
 
 276 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 The trembling natives immediately caught 
 hold of the corpse, and carried it on deck. 
 
 Desmond again spoke to one of the men 
 standing by the skylight, and a few moments 
 later a sullen plunge was heard by those in the 
 cabin. Dick instinctively glanced through one 
 of the ports, and shuddered as he saw a dark 
 object go floating past. 
 
 They had not even taken the trouble to 
 wrap their comrade's body in a canvas shroud, 
 or put a weight at it's feet. 
 
 " Now, young man," said Desmond, address- 
 ing Dick ; " you just hand me out the skipper's 
 sextant and chronometer, and the charts he's 
 been using, and we'll leave you in peace." 
 
 Dick sullenly obeyed. 
 
 Desmond called one of the Frenchmen below 
 to carry the instruments up on deck, then left 
 the cabin, taking care to lock, and barricade the 
 door with some battens they had prepared for 
 the purpose.
 
 MAROONED. 277 
 
 Chapter XXXV.— MAROONED. 
 
 Three weeks later the Foam was hove-to off 
 a low-lying coral island, which lay about a mile 
 away on the port beam. 
 
 All hands— except the Kanakas— were on deck. 
 The pirates had battened the natives down in the 
 forecastle, fearing that there might, at the last 
 moment, be an attempt to re-take the schooner. 
 
 As the vessel rose on top of the long swell, 
 Dick, who had for some minutes been intently 
 gazing at the land, caught a glimpse of a belt of 
 thick green foliage that lay behind a white beach 
 that glittered in the afternoon sunlight. 
 
 " Never mind, Bob," he said, " it may not be 
 so bad after all ; there's sure to be plenty of cocoa- 
 nuts and yams there, so we won't starve, anyhow." 
 
 Bob muttered a deep imprecation against the 
 pirates for their treachery in marooning, instead 
 of keeping their promise of leaving them in 
 possession of the schooner. 
 
 "Now, lads !" said Desmond. " hurry up, or 
 it will be dark before you reach the island. The 
 boat's alongside with provisions in her, as much 
 as we can spare." 
 
 " Is this the way you keep your promises V 
 demanded Bob angrily ; " I'd like to drive a 
 knife through your black heart, an send you 
 where your mate has gone." 
 
 "Dry up!" shouted the pirate, "and go quickly 
 into the boat, or by thunder I'll have to shoot the
 
 278 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 three of you. I ought to have done so before. 
 It'd have saved us a deal of trouble. This comes 
 of being merciful." 
 
 Kennedy, who had, by this time, so far re- 
 covered from the effects of his wound that he was 
 able to walk, supported by Bob, now turned 
 towards Desmond, and said, pleadingly, " You'll 
 let me take the box, it's all I have in the world ?" 
 
 " Do you think me a fool ?" said the 
 
 pirate, with a scornful laugh ; " I tell you, no 1 I 
 know what's in it. We're letting you off easy. 
 You're safe to be picked up by a passing ship in a 
 few days. The island is uninhabited, and a 
 pleasant place to live on. I know it well." 
 
 " Then what do you say to halving the con- 
 tents," persisted Kennedy. 
 
 " Overboard with you into the boat," yelled 
 Desmond with a fierce oath ; " I'll shoot the first 
 man that dares to disobey me," saying which, 
 he raised the revolver and pointed it at Kennedy. 
 
 " You scoundrel !" hissed Bob ; " you'll hang 
 some day for this. Coine along, Alick." 
 
 They could see that the pirates were deter- 
 mined to pursue the course they had adopted, 
 and any further delay might only cost one or 
 more of them their lives. 
 
 Bob and Dick carefully assisted Kennedy 
 over the side and down the gangway ladder — 
 which Desmond had placed for the captain's 
 convenient-: • — into the whaleboat. 
 
 " Let go that painter ! cut the thing adrift !" 
 called out I Jesmond, before they were well seated 
 in the boat.
 
 MAROONED. 
 
 279 
 
 Next moment the painter was cut, and the 
 pirates busy trimming sail to bear away from 
 the island. 
 
 For some minutes the three sat still in the 
 boat, and gazed despairingly after the receding 
 schooner. Then Kennedy bowed his head, gave 
 a low convulsive sob, and buried his face in his 
 hands. Bob shook his fist at Desmond, who 
 leant over the taffrail watching them, and swore 
 some day to be even with the pirates. Then, 
 turning to Kennedy, he lifted him tenderly up, 
 so that his back might rest against the stern- 
 board. 
 
 " Come, Alick, ole man," he said, " don't give 
 way like that. All's not yet lost." 
 
 " It's a hard knock, Bob ; all that I had in 
 the world," replied the old sailor, bitterly. 
 
 " Do you think you can steer ?" asked Bob. 
 
 " I'll try," he replied, brightening up a bit. 
 " Things might have been worse." 
 
 " Ship your oar, Dick ; we must try an' fetch 
 the island afore dark," said Bob, promptly. 
 
 They pulled in silence, the perspiration 
 streaming down their faces, and at length passed 
 between a broken reef, against which the rollers 
 burst in sheets of foam. The boat touched the 
 white beach just as the sun set and darkness 
 began to gather around them. The island 
 seemed to be utterly uninhabited. Their first 
 care was to secure the boat by hauling it well 
 above the tide mark, and making the painter 
 fast to a stunted palm tree, which they sa\* 
 growing close to the sandy beach.
 
 280 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHU'S. 
 
 Then they examined their stores, and found 
 that the pirates had not treated them so badly 
 as they might have expected. A bag of flour, 
 several small bags of biscuits, half a dozen tins 
 of fresh meat, and a demijohn containing about 
 a gallon of rum had been placed in the bottom 
 of the boat. 
 
 " I'm so thirsty," said Dick. " Is there no 
 water ?" 
 
 " Not a drop," replied Bob. " I expect there's 
 any amount on the island ; but it's getting too 
 dark to find it now. We shall have to do with 
 the cocoanut milk an' rum for to-night, Dick. 
 So you just shin up one of those 'ere trees an' 
 get us a few, while I look out for some place of 
 shelter. The night dew may be heavy." Dick 
 obeyed, and soon rattled down a supply of nuts. 
 
 In the meantime, Bob had found a cluster of 
 dwarf palm trees growing close to the beach, the 
 massy fronds of which, by a little arrangement, 
 he formed into a sort of natural bower. Then 
 lie gathered a quantity of soft, dry leaves, an 
 abundance of which lay strewn about, and laid 
 them on the ground for Kennedy to rest upon. 
 
 Hi' and Dick set to work to light a fire and 
 prepare supper by warming one of the tins of 
 beef. 
 
 After supper they made Kennedy as com- 
 fortable as they could for the night, and the two 
 arranged to keep watch and watch, though they 
 considered this precaution scarcely necessary, as 
 the island was evidently uninhabited, and there 
 were no wild beasts to disturb them.
 
 THE CORAL ISLAND. 281 
 
 Chapter XXXVI— THE CORAL ISLAND. 
 
 At daylight, Dick, who had the morning 
 watch " below," was awakened by his name 
 being called in a loud, excited tone : 
 
 " Dick ! Dick ! run for your life. Turn 'im 
 over ! Turn 'im over !" 
 
 Dick started up, wondering where he was, 
 or what had happened. 
 
 " Dick ! Dick ! where are you ? " again came 
 the voice. It was Bob's. 
 
 Dick looked round for Kennedy, he had gone. 
 He rushed out of the little bower. It was 
 broad daylight. The sun was now shining with 
 such dazzling brilliancy upon the white beach 
 that it made his eyes blink, so that at first he 
 could see nothing distinctly. 
 
 "Dick! Dick! Don't you see 'im close at 
 hand there ? Look ! " 
 
 He turned in the direction the voice came 
 from, and saw Bob racing like a madman along 
 the sand, while Kennedy was quietly sitting 
 down upon a grassy knoll some distance behind 
 him. 
 
 Thinking that his comrades were pursued by 
 savages, he rushed to the boat, which was only 
 a few yards distant from where he stood, and 
 caught hold of the gunwale with the intention 
 of trying to launch her. 
 
 "No! No!" shouted Bob. "Don't you 
 see >. Turtle ! Turtle ? "
 
 282 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 Looking round, he saw close beside him a 
 huge turtle, apparently asleep or sunning itself 
 upon the sand. 
 
 " Turn 'ini over ! Turn 'im over ! " repeated 
 Bob. 
 
 At last Dick comprehended what was re- 
 quired of him, and seizing one of the oars, made 
 for the turtle, which by this time was fairly 
 aroused and moved rapidly towards the water. 
 
 " Don't go behind him," shouted Bob, " or 'e 
 may blind you with the sand." 
 
 Dick threw himself in front of the reptile, 
 and so cut off its retreat. 
 
 In a few minutes Bob came up, and together, 
 with a "heave-e-o-ho," they rolled it over on its 
 back, where it lay quite helpless, with its finlike 
 legs beating the air. 
 
 " Phew ! " exclaimed Bob, taking off his hat 
 and wiping his face with the back of his hand. 
 " I thought we'd 'a lost 'im. Did I frighten you, 
 Dick ? " 
 
 " Rather. I thought a whole troop of 
 Kanakas were after you, and expected every 
 minute to feel a poisoned arrow sticking in my 
 ribs. " 
 
 " I didn't mean to give you such a start, ole 
 man. Me an' Alick were out for a short walk 
 to look for some fresh water. We left you 
 asleep. We got beautiful water in a stream just 
 opposite the opening in the reef, and was comin' 
 back, when, just as we turned round yonder 
 point, we saw a whole lot of turtles up on the 
 beach, where we're standin' now. They were
 
 THE CORAL ISLAND. 283 
 
 making for the water, all except this chap, who 
 was good enough to stay behind until I had roused 
 you out." 
 
 " I'm glad you did, Bob. It would have been 
 a pity to have lost him. Turtle soup is not bad, 
 at least I have always heard so. What a monster 
 he is ; must weigh at least 4001bs." 
 
 " I'll just go and lend Alick a hand : he's 
 still very weak. Light a fire, Dick, an' we'll 
 have some breakfast." 
 
 After breakfast, Kennedy rested in the 
 bower, while Bob and Dick started off to explore 
 the island. The eastern side, on which they had 
 landed, was low and flat : but after proceeding 
 a short distance inland, they came to a gentle 
 rise, from the top of which they could see all 
 round the horizon. Nothing in the shape of a 
 sail was in sight. 
 
 ' We'll plant a signal first here, an' gather 
 some brushwood to make a fire, in case a vessel 
 heaves in sight," observed i5ob. 
 
 No other land was visible, except a reef, or 
 tin}- atoll, about two miles to the westward. 
 
 Tin' island was of an oval shape, and very 
 small, not more than four or five miles in length, 
 and aiMnit three and a half in width. It was 
 surrounded by a coral reel', with several open- 
 ings, the largest one being that through which 
 they had entered, nearly opposite the rivulet, 
 where Bob had found that morning excellent 
 water. 
 
 The island was clad with a luxuriant vejreta- 
 (ion, which ran right down to the beach. Indeed.
 
 284 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 so thick was the growth in some places, that they 
 had great difficulty in breaking through it. 
 Long, snake-like creepers kept coiling and twist- 
 ing about their legs and arms, making progress 
 at times slow and difficult. 
 
 They saw some beautiful ferns growing by 
 the side of trickling streamlets ; and many 
 bright-hued flowers of the convolvulus kind ran 
 up the stately palm steins, while overhead, the 
 the wood was in some places alive with small 
 birds of brilliant plumages, something like the 
 Australian paraquet. 
 
 Having satisfied themselves that the island 
 was uninhabited, they gathered a lot of dry leaves 
 and brushwood, over which they piled green 
 palm leaves, to make, as Bob remarked, a " big 
 smoke," for the purpose of attracting the atten- 
 tion of any passing vessel. 
 
 They decided that one of them should light 
 the fire every evening. 
 
 " That will do as well, or better than the 
 signal post," observed Bob, as they descended to 
 the beach, to rejoin their shipmate. 
 
 They found Kennedy quietly dozing in the 
 bower, and he said that he already felt much 
 stronger and better. 
 
 The rest of the day was spent in removing 
 their stores from the boat, and building a more 
 substantial house.
 
 sail ho! 285 
 
 Chapter XXXVII— SAIL HO ! 
 
 Day followed on after day. For the first few 
 weeks Dick was delighted with his island life. 
 The situation was, to him, so novel and romantic 
 that everything he saw and did was a source of 
 interest and amusement. 
 
 They had no lack of food, such as it was. 
 The lagoon swarmed with fish ; while cocoanuts 
 grew everywhere, and bananas and breadfruit 
 on several parts of the island. They employed 
 themselves fishing, gathering nuts and fruit, and 
 such yams and roots as Kennedy knew to be 
 edible ; catching turtles, and digging in the sand 
 for their eggs. 
 
 But to the two elderly sailors the life soon 
 grew very monotonous and wearisome. Ken- 
 nedy, especially, who had seen so much of the 
 South Seas, and who had quickly recovered his 
 usual strength, was always watching and longing 
 for a sail to heave in sight. At last he seriously 
 proposed that they should leave the island in 
 their boat, and pull away to the westward, in 
 the hope of making an inhabited island, or being 
 picked up by some trader. " We can manage 
 to steer a fairly straight course by sun and 
 stars," he remarked, " so as to fetch this blooming- 
 place again, should we prove unsuccessful." 
 
 But Dick and Bob stoutly resisted the 
 suggestion, pointing out that the risk of being
 
 286 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 blown away by a squall or gale of wind was 
 too great. So Kennedy was compelled to aban- 
 don his project. 
 
 One day he was sitting under the shade of a 
 cluster of palm trees, mending the blade of an 
 oar, which had got split by striking against a 
 sharp coral boulder while they were out fishing. 
 He was trying to fasten down the bit of thin 
 hoop-iron, with which oar blades are sometimes 
 bound. 
 
 Dick was standing close beside him, with his 
 hands in his pockets, watching and waiting, for 
 they were going a-fishing. 
 
 Suddenly, Kennedy looked up and said, 
 " Dick, ole chap, see if you can find me a piece 
 of coral, or a big pebble to hammer this with." 
 
 Dick was about to start off, when he felt the 
 piece of quartz in his pocket Kitty had given him 
 a long time ago at Wirrawarra. Somehow, he 
 had kept it through all his wanderings and 
 adventures, even through the night of the awful 
 hurricane on the coast of New Caledonia, and 
 whenever he looked at it he had thought of Kitty. 
 
 " Will this do ?" he asked, hastily whipping 
 it out of his pocket and handing it to Kennedy. 
 
 The man took the piece of quartz, then 
 dropped the oar, and started to his feet. 
 
 "Dick !" he said, his voice trembling with 
 excitement, " tell me, where did you get this ? — 
 on the island ?" 
 
 " No," replied Dick, smiling at the eager- 
 ness of the question, " it came from a long way, 
 Cap'n ; from Australia. A little girl, a cousin of
 
 sail ho ! 287 
 
 mine, gave it to me while I was on a sheep 
 station up the country. It seems a long while 
 ago now," he added with a sigh. 
 
 Kennedy examined the piece of quartz care- 
 fully. 
 
 " Dick," he asked, " did you ever show this 
 to anyone." 
 
 " No, I don't remember to have done so, not 
 even to Bob." 
 
 " Did you get it off some old workings, or 
 was there a goldmine of any sort near the spot 
 where she found it ?" 
 
 " No, not within some miles, at a place called 
 Wattledown." 
 
 " Then, old chap, I'll tell you what : there's 
 plenty more gold where that came from, or I'm 
 no judge, and I've been a good bit on the diggings. 
 Please God, if we ever get oft this cursed island, 
 I'll get you to take me to that very place, Dick ; 
 and, if the ground's not took up, we'll make our 
 fortunes yet, or my name's not Alick Kennedy. 
 I've always been lucky on the diggings, but never 
 on the sea. It's a dog's life, Dick ! A dog's 
 life ! There, put it in your pocket, an' keep it 
 safe. It's a good sign for you to have kept it 
 so long.^ I'll get a piece of coral to knock this 
 tack in." 
 
 And they both sauntered down to the beach. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Six long months had passed away since Dick 
 and his companions had landed on the island. 
 They knew this by the daily and weekly notches 
 they had cut in two cocoanut trees. One even-
 
 288 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 ing, about an hour before sunset, Kennedy walked 
 up to the top of the hill to " have a look round," 
 and to light the fire, which task, for some weeks 
 past, had only occasionally been performed. He 
 had been gone about half-an-hour, when Bob and 
 Dick, who were busy preparing the evening meal, 
 were startled by a distant hail. 
 
 They paused in their work, and listened 
 attentively for some moments. 
 
 " It's Alick," remarked Bob. " I wonder 
 what he wants." 
 
 " Hark !" said Dick ; " what's that ?" 
 
 " Sail ho ! sail ho !" the words floated down 
 through the cocoanut groves, thin and small, 
 from the distant rise ; but there was no mistak- 
 ing their import. 
 
 Leaving the roasting yams and bananas to 
 take care of themselves, they rushed off; and in 
 a few minutes were standing beside their com- 
 panion. 
 
 " There she is !" said Kennedy, pointing 
 almost due south, his face working with excite- 
 ment. 
 
 They looked in the direction indicated, and 
 there, sure enough, on the verge of the horizon, 
 was a white speck, not much larger than a sea- 
 bird's wing. But, even as they gazed, it per- 
 ceptibly increased in size, for there was a strong 
 trade wind blowing. 
 
 Several minutes passed. 
 
 " It's a ship, all right," observed Bob ; "but, 
 I'm afraid she'll pass to the west'd of the island. 
 See, she's not heading in this direction," he
 
 sail ho! 289 
 
 added, as the sails grew more distinctly defined 
 against the horizon. 
 
 " An' look at the sun," continued Kennedy, 
 anxiously, " it'll be dark afore they come nigh 
 us, anyhow. Quick ! we must make a fire, Bob ! 
 a big 'un, that'll be seen miles out at sea ?" 
 
 Immediately, they commenced to gather leaves 
 and brushwood, and in a few minutes had an 
 enormous pile built up on the highest point of 
 of the island. On top of this they threw 
 quantities of green palm leaves, and then set it 
 on fire in various places. A thick column of 
 smoke was soon ascending up into the clear, blue 
 sky, which they reckoned might easily be seen 
 from the deck of the approaching ship. 
 
 The sun w T ent down, and the vessel was still 
 a long way off when darkness closed around 
 them. 
 
 All night long they stood by the fire, throw- 
 ing on palm leaves and brushwood until the top 
 of the hill looked like a volcano vomiting forth 
 thick streams of white smoke, interlaced with jets 
 of flame and showers of sparks. 
 
 There was no moon, and they had lost sight 
 of the vessel as soon as it became dark. Tlrough 
 there could be no doubt about their signal being 
 seen miles away, a terrible anxiety consumed 
 them, lest she should pass without taking notice 
 of it. 
 
 As soonas dawn reddened the cast, they looked 
 eagerly, almost fearfully, around. 
 
 Then, an exclamation of delight suddenly 
 broke from Boh.
 
 290 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 " Hurrah ! " he shouted ; " there she is !" 
 " Where ? where ?" cried the others, bursting 
 with impatience. 
 
 " Just atween those palm trees ; hove-to, not 
 mor'n a mile outside the reef." 
 
 They were almost beside themselves with ex- 
 citement. Dick first shook hands with his com- 
 panions, then danced about like a madman. 
 
 " Come," said Kennedy. " No more fooling ; 
 let's hurry down and launch the boat." 
 
 In a few minutes they were pulling as hard 
 as they could for the vessel, which turned out to 
 be a small full-rigged ship, clipper built. 
 
 " Hullo !" exclaimed Kennedy. " What's she 
 doing in this part of the world ?" 
 
 " A China trader," said Bob, " I'll bet my life 
 upon it, blown to the east'ard of her course by 
 that gale we had a few days ago." 
 
 " She don't belong to these islands, anyhow," 
 returned Kennedy. 
 
 The approach of the boat had evidently 
 caused a sensation on board the ship, for a 
 crowd of men could be seen gathered on the 
 forecastle head, and a smaller knot aft on the 
 raised poop. All hands seemed to be gazing 
 intently towards them. 
 
 In a short time they were close alongside. 
 A man stood in the forechains ready with a line. 
 
 " Look out !" he shouted. 
 
 In another minute they had clambered up 
 the ladder that had been thrown over to them, 
 and were safe on deck. 
 
 "Thank God!" fervently exclaimed Kennedy.
 
 SAIL HO ! 291 
 
 They found themselves on board the Una, a 
 pretty little tea clipper, hailing from the port of 
 Sydney, and commanded by Captain Morris, 
 who was well known throughout the Australian 
 colonies as a skilful navigator and a popular 
 skipper. He was bound for Shanghai, where he 
 intended shipping tea for London, but had been 
 driven, as Bob had conjectured, by a heavy gale of 
 wind a long way to the eastward of his course. 
 
 He readily undertook to give them a passage 
 to Shanghai, and, if they wished, from thence to 
 London, for he was short-handed and glad to 
 avail himself of their services. 
 
 Being destitute of clothes, with the exception 
 of the tattered garments they had on, Captain 
 Morris generously presented each of them with 
 a " rig out " from his slop chest, and to Dick he 
 gave, in addition, a blue serge coat with gilt 
 buttons. 
 
 " Don't he look smart in his brass-bound suit ?" 
 said Bob, gazing admiringly at his younger com- 
 panion. " Every inch a sailor — eh, Alick ?" 
 
 But Kennedy dryly observed that " yer 
 couldn't always judge the book by its cover." 
 
 They went ashore with the chief officer of 
 the Una to get a supply of fresh fruit ; and, a 
 few hours later, the lonely island that had been 
 their home for so many months was only a speck 
 on the distant horizon. 
 
 "So Dick, ole man," remarked Bob, as they 
 paced the deck thai night, and gazed out upon 
 the wide star-lit sea, "so Dick, ole man. woVc 
 goin' to take the round trip after all."
 
 292 DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS. 
 
 And so they did. After a pleasant, but un- 
 eventful voyage, they arrived at Shanghai, where 
 Captain Morris loaded a cargo of tea for London. 
 
 The voyage to London was marked by many 
 varied and a few exciting experiences. At the 
 very commencement, when being towed down 
 the river, a huge junk ran across their bows and 
 carried away their jibboom, so that they had to 
 put back to Shanghai for repairs. Then, they 
 nearly ran ashore on an island in a dense fog. 
 When becalmed close to the Straits of Sunda, 
 they were attacked by Malay pirates, and they 
 experienced a terrific tornado off the Cape of 
 Good Hope. 
 
 But time and space prevent me from relating 
 these, and other incidents in detail. 
 
 They were "paid off" in London, for Capt. 
 Morris had shipped them as regular A.B.'s at 
 Shanghai, and after a stay of six weeks in the 
 world's great metropolis, they signed articles on 
 board an Aberdeen clipper bound for Sydney, 
 where our " sailors three " duly arrived, safe and 
 sound. Dick found on reckoning up the time 
 that he had been absent just twenty months. 
 
 The three had taken up their quarters 
 for the night at a boarding-house known to 
 Kennedy. 
 
 They sat in a hot, stuffy, upstairs bedroom, 
 Dick on the only available chair, Bob and Ken- 
 nedy on their respective beds, discussing their 
 plans for the future.
 
 sail ho! 293 
 
 " First of all, let's see what ' stuff' we have 
 atween us," said Kennedy. 
 
 They emptied the contents of their pockets 
 on one of the beds, and discovered that alto- 
 gether, they possessed forty pounds and some 
 odd shillings. 
 
 "Now," continued Kennedy, "1 propose that 
 we club together and form a ' syndercate ' — I 
 think that's what they call it — and take up the 
 land on a mining lease where Dick's piece of 
 quartz was found. What do you say, Bob ? " 
 
 Not knowing anything whatever about 
 mining, Bob readily consented to risk his 
 money, and, if necessary, his life in the venture. 
 Then Kennedy further proposed that they 
 should make arrangements to start for Wirra- 
 ivarra as early as possible on the following 
 
 day. 
 
 To this Dick objected. 
 
 " Why ? " asked Kennedy. 
 
 " Because," replied Dick, " I must go and 
 see someone first." 
 
 " Of course," said Bob, "he wants to go an' 
 see his gel." 
 
 So it was arrano-ed that Dick should have 
 the day free to himself, while the others made 
 the necessary preparations for their trip to the 
 diggings. How and where he found Kitty, — 
 together with their subsequent adventures to 
 the diggings and in the South Sea^s, I must t«'ll 
 you in another volume, should you care to 
 read it. 
 
 [tue end. I
 
 ^gbiug : 
 William Brooks & Co., Printers 
 
 1900. 
 
 -r^:
 
 SOME NEW BOOKS .... 
 
 BY AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS. J* & <*> 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 WILLIAM BROOKS & CO., 
 
 SYDNEY AND BRISBANE. 
 
 " GUM LEAVES," by Ethel Turner. Most attractively 
 got up, and copiously illustrated by Mr. D. H. Souter. 
 Price, 3/6. 
 
 PRESS EXTRACTS. 
 The Sydney Morning Herald says : — " The author's freshness of 
 humour and vigour of fancy have commended her to the public taste, and 
 ' Gum Leaves ' will certainly not detract from her reputation. The book 
 generally, which is admirably illustrated by Mr. J). H. Souter, is of a high 
 order of excellence." 
 
 The Town and Country Journal says : — "A new book for young 
 people, as novel as it is delightful. ........ 
 
 A number of short, gracefully-written stories worthy of the author of 
 ' Seven Little Australians,' and helpful suggestions for bush children are 
 among the many noticeable features of this very original production." 
 
 The Sydney Mail says : — The tales are dear little stories that seem 
 to belong to the Australian nurseries. . . . filled with quaint, artistic 
 sketches. It is full of pleasant tales and articles and quips and cranks 
 for Australian children, and Mrs. (Jurlewis is now a recognised depicter 
 of child life — an eminence many desire, but few attain to." 
 
 The Stock and Station Journal says :— " It is a hook for children, and 
 it jingles, and rattles, and gurgles all the time. One of the odd things in 
 it is a whole pile of letters from children — real children, in real towns. 
 It is, by long odds, the best children's book ever issued in Australia." 
 
 The Australasian says :— " A capital collection of stories and verses 
 for the young. 'Gum Leaves' ran he cunlidcutly recommended as a 
 present for young children."
 
 The S. Australian Register says : — "The little volume, which has 
 been ornately and quaintly prepared by the publishers, is full of quiet and 
 innocent fun from cover to cover." 
 
 The Brisbane Telegraph says : — " Ethel Turner's name will sell this 
 book to those who know her ; and those who do not know her, on seeing 
 the book, will buy it for its own sake. It is a capital book for a birthday 
 present, a Xmas Box, or a New Year's Gift." 
 
 "THE VOYAGE OF THE MONSOON," 
 
 by P. McMillan. A book for boys ; also for girls and 
 grown-up people. Well Illustrated. Cloth, 2/6. 
 Paper, 2/-. 
 
 PRESS EXTRACTS. 
 
 The Sydney Daily Telegraph says : — "That is how this bright little 
 tale for boys strikes the grown-up reader, who may also find pleasure in 
 
 it as a story not artificially 'made up,' but ' growing' by 
 
 frequent telling by one who really loves and understands boys." 
 
 The Sydney Morning Herald says :— " Mr. McMillan's story is a 
 vivid narrative, which will be read with interest, even though the con- 
 ditions therein described are now out of date." 
 
 The South Australian Register says : — "The audience to whom this 
 attractive work of adventure is specially addressed will strongly appreciate 
 and enjoy it." 
 
 " LANDLOPERS," by J. le Gay Brereton. A book full 
 of interest to Australian readers. Many Illustrations. 
 Price, 3/6. 
 
 PRESS EXTRACTS. 
 
 The Bulletin says : — " It is good reading, and leaves a good memory." 
 
 The Daily Telegraph says : — "An occasional faint echo of Washington 
 Irving strikes the ear ; we get a passing touch of Morris ; but such associa- 
 tions, far away and unconscious, onty add to the pleasantness of the general 
 effect." 
 
 The Evening News says : — "Although this literary field has been 
 
 pretty well worked bare, Mr. Le Gay Brereton manages to reap some 
 
 harvest of thought from it, and his ' Landlopers ' will be followed with 
 
 nterest by most readers. The book is capitally illustrated by Mr. D. H. 
 
 Souter." 
 
 The Producer and, Exporter says : — " A volume of some charm and 
 more than slight interest. The book gains greatly from Mr. D. H. Souter's 
 sympathetic illustrations. " 
 
 The Sydney Stock and Station Journal says: — "As dealing with a 
 new Held of literature, ' Landlopers ' stands alone among our books. No 
 uiie lias told in the same easy English the beauty of bush and plain. Clever 
 illustrations add greatly to the attractiveness of the book."
 
 " BUBBLES," by R F. Irvine, M.A. An Australian 
 Fairy Tale, delightfully written and illustrated. 
 This is an exceptionally handsome gift book for 
 children. Price, 3/6. 
 
 PRESS EXTRACTS. 
 
 The Sydney Mail says :— " A book that brings back all the early 
 days of my childhood's memory, when fairy tales and fairy stories were my 
 all in all. Filled, in addition, with quaint, artistic designs, it will make 
 you, who are so fond of art in all its branches, long to possess its pictures, 
 and even have them framed, for the quaint originality of the captivating 
 sketches make me feel they deserve a better fate than being consigned to a 
 bookshelf. It seems a book likely to become destined to please not only 
 little children, but folks who have long since ceased to regard themselves as 
 juveniles, and when you receive it I feel certain you will recognise the 
 dainty merit of the publication." 
 
 The Sydney Daily Telegraph says :— "A Child's Fairyland.— Mr. 
 Irvine tells, as only a true child-lover can, of wondrous adventures among 
 fairy princes and princesses, with harps of gold, palaces of light, dark 
 woods filled with mysterious, awesomely-fascinating birds and animals, a 
 sea of blackness, a garden of delight, and all the thrilling retinue of giants, 
 magicians, and lovely maidens, who people the wonder-world of blue-eyed 
 little girls like Lulu. Such a book makes one want to be six again." 
 
 The Sydney Morning Herald says :— "Thischarming production pro- 
 mises to be the book of the year, for no one can look at its exquisite pages 
 without hungering to possess a copy. Indeed, the book is perhaps the 
 most ambitious effort of an Australian house by Australian men for Aus- 
 tralian children." 
 
 " DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS."— A new Aus- 
 tralian Story of Adventure, by Rev. S. G. Fielding 
 (St. Matthew's, Windsor, N.S.W.), author of "Southern 
 Light," &c, with illustrations by D. H. Souter. 
 Crown 8vo. ; full cloth, 2/6 ; post free, 2/10. 
 
 "DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS " is a story of the adventures 
 and perils of an Australian sailor boy in the South Seas and on the Aus- 
 tralian coast. The volume is well illustrated by 1). H. Souter, and 
 suitable for Xmas gift oook or school prize. 
 
 ROLF BOLDRK WOOD says: " 1 have read 'Down to the Sea in 
 Ships ' and consider it an attractive and well-written tale, likeh- to be a 
 favourite with 3-01111:4 people, having a good moral tone without being 
 'goody.' The sea taring parts have incidents worthy of Clark Russell, 
 and could only have been written by one personally and practically con- 
 versant witii the subject. I think, in book form, that it should have an 
 enoi inoiis sale.'' 
 
 WILLIAM BROOKS & CO., Publishers, Sydney and Brisbane.
 
 A Fascinating Amusement for the Children ! 
 
 HARBUTT'S— *~ 
 
 PLASTICINE 
 
 Is a New Modelling M aterial for 5Cl)00l$, «ltfl 
 
 
 Entirely overcoming the difficulties and discomforts of Wet Clay or 
 Wax, superseding the greasy French modelling Pastes and other 
 similar foreign preparations. Ho water required, always Plastic! 
 Guaranteed free from harmful ingredients ! 
 
 Is clean and does not soil the hands or clothes. 
 
 Is always in a fit condition for work, and improves by 
 age and use. 
 
 Is able to retain permanently its modelled shape, and 
 does not shrink. 
 
 & £2 A <g> ^ Is the Cheapest and best Modelling Paste in the 
 
 market. In colour it is a soft natural grey, but is 
 manufactured also in Blue, Red, and Yellow, for 
 Kindergarten work. 
 
 Plasticine 
 
 DlACtiHrt* Makes modelling in the home a perfectly practicable and delightful occupation 
 I IflMsVlllv without mess, litter, or loss of time ; and is a constant joy to young people who 
 can, as a rule, express their ideas in modelling before they can draw or write. 
 
 Wl^SCt'Vjirt* Is already used in many Art, Technical, and Elementary Schools, and is adopted 
 
 I IwMfUllV by the KotldOll and other School Boards, as well as by many eminent Artists, 
 
 Sculptors, and Designers with unqualified approval, and has received hundreds of testimonials. 
 
 " I and my Teachers are delighted with your ' Plastic Method ' and think it has a great future 
 bafore it. I look upon your system as a new mode of expression, and feel that modelling has now 
 come within the reach of all."— Miss. F. FRANKS, Principal, Camden House Training 
 School for Kindergarten Teachers. 
 
 "I have used many kinds of Modelling Pastes, but have found NONE OF THEM EQUAL TO 
 TOUR ' PLASTICINE:' " 
 
 "TO OUR TEACHERS OF THE BLIND your Plasticine has proved a great boon. . . I am 
 sure it has a great future before it, from the fact that it is capable of being used to illustrate almost 
 any branch of instruction."— LUCY R. LATTER, Assistant Superintendent of Method and 
 Kindergarten, London School Board. 
 
 PLASTICINE.— In lib. Boxes, Is. 9d. 
 Free, 2s. 5d. A Reduction in Bulk. 
 
 Post 
 
 The " COMPLETE MODELLER." a box fitted 
 with Plasticine in 4 colours, wire skeleton of 
 horse, modelling tool, fully illustrated in- 
 structions and all requisites, 3s. 3d. ; post 
 free, 3s. lid. 
 
 the 
 
 The "CHILD'S DELIGHT," a box for 
 Kindergarten, Is. 4d. ; post free, 2s. 
 
 PARCHMENT CARDBOARDS (Grease Proof) 
 to Model on, 9 x 6£ inches, Is. 6d. per doz. ; 
 postage, 8d. extra. 
 
 MODELLING TOOLS, from 6d. each. 
 
 SKELETONS of TWISTED IRON. 4d. each 
 
 WILLIAM BROOKS & CO., M Castlereagh Street, SYDNEY.
 
 SOME PRESS NOTICES 
 
 . . OF • • 
 
 .* PLASTICINE ^ 
 
 " We have delayed mentioning: the New Modelling- Paste, called Plasticine, until we had 
 tested its capabilities. . . . It is with pleasure we reco-mviend PLASTICINE, which is easy 
 to manipulate, has no smell, and is not affected by heat or cold." — ART JOURNAL. 
 
 "We have had 'PLASTICINE' tested by a Sculptor of repute, and 
 he reports that in many respects it is far better than any other modelling 
 medium of its kind."— THE MAGAZINE OF ART. 
 
 "PLASTICINE aertainly possesses the merit of being easy to handle, and responsive to 
 the touch, and allows both small details and large masses to be expressed effectively." — 
 THE GLOBE, 
 
 "The rising generation have cause to be grateful to Mr. Harbutt. PLASTICINE gives a 
 new pleasure to the Kindergarten, and an added zest to Elementary Education generally." — 
 B LA DUD 
 
 "The material PLASTICINE has certain exceptional advantages, for it retains its elasticity 
 under all sorts of conditions, and does not require the attention and care in use, which are 
 indispensable in the management of ordinary modelling clay." — THE STUDIO. 
 
 A FEW HINTS FOR WORKING IN PLASTICINE. 
 
 I do not need to tell you how to make Windmill.-;, Light-houses, Bridges, Castles, and 
 a thousand other things, it would weary you and take all interest out of your work. I only 
 want to suggest things and put you on the right road, then I am certain you will progress 
 successfully to the end, and you will soon find PLASTICINE as indispensable to you as lead 
 pencil or colour box. 
 
 Spread a newspaper upon the table, to keep your materials together, and have a cotton 
 rag to wipe the fingers on. Keep everything clean. 
 
 Don't be afraid of the PLASTICINE. Grasp a handful boldly, and squeeze it about — try 
 a lot of experiments. Take a piece the size of a walnut, roll it out in your hands and on the 
 table until it is 15 inches long — make a snake of it — notice the character of the head from a 
 real snake or photograph, coil it lightly round the finger, take it off and arrange in attitude 
 of striking and gliding over ground. Straighten it out again and make letter-, figures, and 
 objects such as anchors, and shape it to lie down or stand up. Take a piece, the size of a 
 hen's egg, and make a crocodile of it — open its mouth and show teeth and tongue put on 
 short, thick legs with big toes, and so experiment with a lot of animals, but always try and 
 have a real thing or a good picture near to refresh your memory, and always ol serve closely. 
 
 To clear PLASTICINE off any surface, nib it with a lump of itself held in the hand. 
 
 Do not smear the colored PLASTICINE by mixing together and muddle ii all up. but 
 roll or flatten little pieces neatly between the fingers and lay lightly in their places, distinct 
 from one another, then it can be separated again aft< rwardi . 
 
 Use your fingers alone as much as possible, but you will require the "all-round" 
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 P>y rolling, pressing and nipping the PLASTICINE by putting on "hei 
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 you will acquire the true spirit of modelling.
 
 44 
 
 Australian Simp and Wool." 
 
 * 
 
 A Practical and Theoretical Treatise. 
 By ALFRED HAWKESWORTH. 
 
 « Synopsis of Contents. « 
 
 Zoological Character of Sheep. A Fleece of Wool. 
 
 Varieties and Names. Staple. 
 
 Climate and Pasture. A Combing Wool. 
 
 Sheep-Breeding. A Clothing Wool. 
 
 History of the Merino. Quality. 
 
 A Typical Ram (Illustrated). Technical Terms Fully Explained. 
 
 Fine, Medium and Strong Merino Colour — Good and Bad. 
 
 (Illustrated). How to Tell the Strength of Wool. 
 
 A Ram to be Avoided (Illustrated). Wool Classing— Merino and British. 
 
 British Breeds (Illustrated). Advice to Wool Classers. 
 
 Judging. How to Work a Shearing Shed. 
 
 Good and Bad Points. Wool Scouring (Illustrated). 
 Flock Sheep and How to Select them. Hints to Farmers and Selectors. 
 
 Structure of the Skin (Illustrated). Crossbreeding. 
 
 Growth of the Wool (Illustrated). Manufacturing. 
 Wool Fibre (Illustrated). 
 
 PRICE, 7s 6d. POST FREE, 8s ad. 
 
 William BrOOKS g CO., Winters, Publishers, Stationers, 
 
 .... 17 Gastlereaab Street, Sydne?. 
 
 ItatTolBooFkeeping, 
 
 A Treatise on Double Entry Book-keeping 
 For PASTORALISTS. & & * * 
 
 By FRANCIS ERNEST VIGARS. 
 
 The only work published which treats exclusively with Station Accounts. 
 Invaluable to Pastoralists, Stock-owners and Agriculturists, as it applies 
 Commercial methods of Book-keeping to their everyday transactions. 
 
 PRICE— Cloth, 3/6 ; Paper, 2/6. Postage 3d. extra. 
 
 WILLIAM BROOKS & CO., 
 
 # 
 
 17 CASTLEREAGH STREET, SYDNEY.
 
 XXtb Century * 
 
 Cookery 
 
 ep ~^^~~<^ 
 
 AND (TWj^^ 
 
 Borne Decoration. 
 
 MRS. ARONSON, 
 
 ••THALIA." Sydney Mail. 
 
 e^t 
 
 Price 4s. 6cL Post Free, 5s. 2d. 
 
 WELLIAM BROOKS & CO., 
 
 « Publishers, « 
 
 SYXDZLSriE^r" <& BEISBAlSTE
 
 William Brooks & Co. , Ediu-ational Publishers > 
 Sydney and Brisbane. 
 
 ^^.BROOKS'S^^ 
 
 New Australian School Series. 
 
 (3 3*^ 
 
 Brooks's School Reading Books. 
 
 First Primer (illustrated) 
 
 Second ,, 
 
 First Reader 
 
 Second ,, 
 
 Third ,, 
 
 Fourth ,, 
 
 Fifth 
 
 Brooks's Interleaved Reading Books. 
 First Reader (Interleaved for Teachers) 
 Second ,, ,, ,, 
 
 Third ,, ,, ,, ... 
 
 Fourth 
 Fifth 
 
 »> 
 
 
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 s. 
 
 D. 
 
 o 
 
 4 
 
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 6 
 
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 9 
 
 I 
 
 3 
 
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 9 
 
 2 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
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 9 
 
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 Spelling Books and Pupils' Aids to 
 Brooks's Readers. 
 
 Spelling Book and Aid to First Reader 
 Ditto to Second Reader 
 Third ,, 
 Fourth ,, ... ... ... 
 
 Fifth „ 
 
 Senior and Junior Exam. Text Books. 
 
 William Brooks & Co. for School Stationery. Samples, where 
 practicable, sent on application. 
 
 o 
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 William Brooks & Co., Contractors to the Public Instruction 
 Department of New South Wales. 
 
 Brookss New Standard Geographies 
 
 No. i. — Geography for Third Class ... o 9 
 
 No. 2. ,, Fourth ,, ... o 9 
 
 No. 3. ,, Fifth ,, ... 16 
 
 With a large number of Maps and Illustrations. 
 
 Brooks's New Standard English 
 Histories. 
 
 No. I. — English History for Third Class, 51 
 
 illustrations hy D. H. Souter ... ... 1 o 
 
 No. 2. — English History for Upper Third 
 
 Class, with 24 illustrations in line by D. H. 
 
 Souter ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 o 
 
 No. 3. — English History for Fourth Class, 
 
 with illustrations by D H. Souter ... ... 1 o 
 
 No. 4.— Ditto, for Fifth Class 1 o 
 
 Illustrated Method for easily Learning or 
 
 Teaching French. (First Book) by Edw.Pe>ier 1 
 
 (System based on Principles of Mind development). 
 (Authorised for use by the Public Instruction Department of N.S.W.) 
 
 Drill Books. 
 
 A Drill Standard for Girls' Department ... o 6 
 An Easy System of Dumb-Bell Exercises ... o 6 
 ,, ,, Club Exercises and May- 
 pole Dance ... ... ... ... ... o 6 
 
 An Easy System of Wand Exercises ... ... o 6 
 
 This is a New Series of Hand Books for the use of Teachers, and others, 
 compiled by F. Smith, Q.M.S., and which are already acknowledged to 
 be of great assistance to those who have the Drilling of a number of children. 
 
 Brooks's 101 Arithmetic Tests (2d). 
 
 Answers to same (3d). 
 
 Brooks's Date Book of Australian History (2d). 
 
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 Note. — All School Books are supplied to Schools post 
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 THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF 
 THE MODERN WRITING MACHINE 
 IS THE 
 
 HARTFORD 
 TYPEWRITER 
 
 A machine embodying all the 
 best points of other typewriters, 
 in addition to numerous special 
 qualities entirely its own. . . 
 
 THE 1900 MODEL 
 
 Is improved up to the hour. Its 
 mechanical excellence and . 
 automatic movements render it 
 unsurpassed for producing clear 
 and beautiful work 
 
 THE HARTFORD 
 
 Holds the Highest American 
 Award, and has been adopted 
 by the London School Board 
 and by Imperial and Colonial 
 Governments 
 
 PRICE, £18. 
 
 Sole Agents for N. S. Wales 1— 
 
 WILLIAM BROOKS AND COMPY., 
 
 Printers, Lithographers, Publishers, 
 
 Manufacturing Stationers, 
 
 17 CASTLEREAGH ST., SYDNEY.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Form L9-Series 4939
 
 PR4699. F459D 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000 373 644 4