THE ACCUSATION
Captain Turton decided to lay over for some hours, as, during the
storm, his vessel had suffered some minor damage, which he wanted
repaired.
"How is Mr. Weatherby?" asked Nat, as soon as there was no longer any
need of him remaining in the pilot-house.
"He is much better this morning," replied the commander, "but he is
still quite weak, and will probably stay in his bunk all day. He says
he would like to see you."
"I'll go at once."
"Hadn't you better get your breakfast?"
"No, that can wait."
"But you have been on duty a long while, and it was a great strain on
you."
"I know it was, captain, but I'm so glad I brought the ship through
safely, that I'd be willing to go without breakfast and sleep for a
long time yet."
"You are a plucky lad, and I wish more like you were learning to be
pilots."
Nat found Mr. Weatherby quite ill, but, in spite of that, the pilot
warmly congratulated his _protege_ on the nerve he had displayed
during the storm.
"You have proved your worth, Nat," said Mr. Weatherby, "and I am proud
of my pupil."
Nat turned in for a sleep, soon after breakfast. There was little for
the crew of the _Mermaid_ to do while the repairs were being made, and
those passengers who were not yet at their destination strolled about
the town while waiting for the trip to be resumed.
The vessel that Nat had brought so skilfully through the storm, which
had ceased with the first appearance of dawn, was tied at the same
dock as that at which was the steamer they had met near the reef. One
was on one side, and one on the other, and when the dock between the
ships was not occupied by wagons and trucks, laden with freight, Nat
could look across and see the crew of the other steamer, the _Spray_,
busily rearranging the cargo that had shifted during the storm. She
was a freighter, but smaller than the _Jessie Drew_.
The appearance of one lad in the crew of the _Spray_ attracted Nat's
attention, when the young pilot arose early in the afternoon. The lad
had red hair, and his figure seemed familiar.
"If I didn't think he was a good way off from here I'd say that fellow
was Sam Shaw," mused Nat. "He looks a good deal like him."
He tried to watch, to determine if it was his former enemy, but, as
the lad kept moving to and fro, it was impossible to be certain.
"If I saw Mr. Bumstead I'd know it was Sam who was with him," went on
Nat, as he stood at the rail nearest the dock. "It might be possible
they transferred to that ship. I wonder if I hadn't better speak to
Mr. Weatherby, and ask his advice? No, he's sick, and I don't want to
bother him about my affairs. I guess I'll just take a stroll over
there and see for myself. Captain Turton won't care, as we can't sail
until late this evening."
Nat started down the gangplank, but, when he was half way down, he met
a man in uniform, who asked him:
"Is this the _Mermaid_?"
"Yes, sir."
"I am looking for a young man, named Nat Morton. Can you tell me where
I shall find him?"
"That is my name," replied our hero. He thought perhaps it might be an
officer from police headquarters, with some message concerning Mr.
Bumstead.
"Then you are just the person I want," the man went on. "You will have
to come with me."
"Come with you? What for? Is it about Mr. Bumstead?"
"Yes," replied the man. "How did you guess?"
"Well, I've been expecting a message regarding him."
"Then what you will hear will be no news to you."
"Has he been arrested?"
"Arrested? No. Why should he be arrested?"
"Why, I thought you said----"
"Perhaps I had better not say anything more until you get to
headquarters," the man went on.
"Then it surely must be about that rascally mate," thought Nat. "Mr.
Weatherby will be glad they have him."
He followed the man off the pier, and along a street on the water
front.
"I understand you piloted that boat through the storm last night,"
said the man.
"Well, I did, but I guess it was more by good luck than anything else
that enabled me to do it. Who told you about it?"
"Oh, it is pretty generally known. The crews of vessels talk more or
less when they are in dock."
They walked along in silence a little longer, and then the man stopped
in front of a small building.
"This doesn't look like police headquarters," thought Nat. "I wonder
if there's a mistake."
"Go right that way," said the officer, keeping close behind the boy.
"The harbor master is in that room."
"The harbor master?" repeated Nat. "What have I to do with the harbor
master? I don't want to see him."
"No, but he wants to see you."
A moment later Nat was ushered into a room, where at a large desk sat
a stern-looking man, and on either side of him were two men, each one
with several books and papers before him.
"Ah, so this is the young pilot, eh?" remarked the man in the middle.
"How old are you--er--Nat Morton? I believe that is your name."
"I will soon be sixteen."
"And you piloted the _Mermaid_ past Dagget's Point reef last night--in
that storm?"
"Yes, sir."
"I suppose you have a license."
"A license? No, sir. I am studying under Mr. Weatherby. He was taken
suddenly ill last night, and I had to steer the boat. There was no one
else."
"I am sorry, my lad," said the harbor master, "but I shall have to
place you under arrest."
"Arrest? What for?"
"For piloting a passenger steamer without a license. A complaint has
been lodged against you with this board--the board of control in
charge of harbors and pilots."
"A complaint? Who made it?"
"Bumstead is the name--er--Joseph Bumstead, mate of the freighter
_Spray_," replied the harbor master, reading from some documents
before him. "He says he met your boat off the reef last night, that
you were in charge, without a license, and that you nearly ran him
down. He made the complaint about an hour ago. His boat had to put
back here for some repairs. He says your boat damaged the one he is
mate of."
"That's not so--I mean that part about nearly running him down!"
exclaimed Nat. "I saw him in plenty of time, and if it hadn't been for
my warning whistle the _Spray_ would have gone upon the reef herself!"
"I am sorry, my lad, but the complaint is made in regular form, and I
shall have to hold you for a hearing. However, we will have it at
once. I have sent to summon this Bumstead. Do you wish to notify any
friends?"
"Mr. Weatherby is ill, and cannot come, but I would like Captain
Turton to come."
"Very well, we will send for him. Officer, bring Captain Turton here.
In the meantime you may sit down until we reach your case," the harbor
master motioned Nat to take a chair on one side of the big room.