Matilda stood at the open door of a house attached to a wharf situated
in that dreary district which bears the high-sounding name of “St.
Katharine’s.”
Work was over for the day. A couple of unhorsed vans were pushed up the
gangway by the side of the house, and the big gate was closed. The
untidy office which occupied the ground-floor was deserted, except for
a grey-bearded “housemaid” of sixty, who was sweeping it through with a
broom, and indulging in a few sailorly oaths at the choking qualities
of the dust he was raising.
The sound of advancing footsteps stopped at the gate, a small flap-door
let in it flew open, and Matilda Bunker’s open countenance took a
pinkish hue, as a small man in jersey and blue coat, with a hard round
hat exceeding high in the crown, stepped inside.
“Good evening, Mrs. Bunker, ma’am,” said he, coming slowly up to her.
“Good evening, captain,” said the lady, who was Mrs. only by virtue of
her age and presence.
“Fresh breeze,” said the man in the high round hat. “If this lasts
we’ll be in Ipswich in no time.”
Mrs. Bunker assented.
“Beautiful the river is at present,” continued the captain. “Everything
growing splendid.”
“In the river?” asked the mystified Mrs. Bunker.
“On the banks,” said the captain; “the trees, by Sheppey, and all round
there. Now, why don’t you say the word, and come? There’s a cabin like
a new pin ready for you to sit in—for cleanness, I mean—and every
accommodation you could require. Sleep like a humming-top you will, if
you come.”
“Humming-top?” queried Mrs. Bunker archly.
“Any top,” said the captain. “Come, make up your mind. We shan’t sail
afore nine.”
“It don’t look right,” said the lady, who was sorely tempted. “But the
missus says I may go if I like, so I’ll just go and get my box ready.
I’ll be down on the jetty at nine.”
“Ay, ay,” said the skipper, smiling, “me and Bill’ll just have a snooze
till then. So long.”
“So long,” said Matilda.
“So long,” repeated the amorous skipper, and turning round to bestow
another ardent glance upon the fair one at the door, crashed into the
waggon.
The neighbouring clocks were just striking nine in a sort of yelping
chorus to the heavy boom of Big Ben, which came floating down the
river, as Mrs. Bunker and the night watchman, staggering under a load
of luggage, slowly made their way on to the jetty. The barge, for such
was the craft in question, was almost level with the planks, while the
figures of two men darted to and fro in all the bustle of getting under
way.
“Bill,” said the watchman, addressing the mate, “bear a hand with this
box, and be careful, it’s got the wedding clothes inside.”
The watchman was so particularly pleased with this little joke that in
place of giving the box to Bill he put it down and sat on it, shaking
convulsively with his hand over his mouth, while the blushing Matilda
and the discomfited captain strove in vain to appear unconcerned.
The packages were rather a tight squeeze for the cabin, but they
managed to get them in, and the skipper, with a threatening look at his
mate, who was exchanging glances of exquisite humour with the watchman,
gave his hand to Mrs. Bunker and helped her aboard.
“Welcome on the _Sir Edmund Lyons_, Mrs. Bunker,” said he. “Bill, kick
that dawg back.”
“Stop!” said Mrs. Bunker hastily, “that’s my chapperong.”
“Your what?” said the skipper. “It’s a dawg, Mrs. Bunker, an’ I won’t
have no dawgs aboard my craft.”
“Bill,” said Mrs. Bunker, “fetch my box up again.”
“Leastways,” the captain hastened to add, “unless it’s any friend of
yours, Mrs. Bunker.”
“It’s chaperoning me,” said Matilda; “it wouldn’t be proper for a lady
to go a v’y’ge with two men without somebody to look after her.”
“That’s right, Sam,” said the watchman sententiously. “You ought to
know that at your age.”
“Why, we’re looking after her,” said the simple-minded captain. “Me an’
Bill.”
“Take care Bill don’t cut you out,” said the watchman in a hoarse
whisper, distinctly audible to all. “He’s younger nor what you are,
Sam, an’ the wimmen are just crazy arter young men. ’Sides which, he’s
a finer man altogether. An’ you’ve had _one_ wife a’ready, Sam.”
“Cast off!” said the skipper impatiently. “Cast off! Stand by there,
Bill!”
“Ay, ay!” said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and the lines fell into the
water with a splash as the barge was pushed out into the tide.
Mrs. Bunker experienced the usual trouble of landsmen aboard ship, and
felt herself terribly in the way as the skipper divided his attentions
between the tiller and helping Bill with the sail. Meantime the barge
had bothered most of the traffic by laying across the river, and when
the sail was hoisted had got under the lee of a huge warehouse and
scarcely moved.
“We’ll feel the breeze directly,” said Captain Codd. “Then you’ll see
what she can do.”
As he spoke, the barge began to slip through the water as a light
breeze took her huge sail and carried her into the stream, where she
fell into line with other craft who were just making a start.
At a pleasant pace, with wind and tide, the _Sir Edmund Lyons_
proceeded on its way, her skipper cocking his eye aloft and along her
decks to point out various beauties to his passenger which she might
otherwise have overlooked. A comfortable supper was spread on the deck,
and Mrs. Bunker began to think regretfully of the pleasure she had
missed in taking up barge-sailing so late in life.
Greenwich, with its white-fronted hospital and background of trees, was
passed. The air got sensibly cooler, and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed that
the water was not only getting darker, but also lumpy, and she asked
two or three times whether there was any danger.
The skipper laughed gaily, and diving down into the cabin fetched up a
shawl, which he placed carefully round his fair companion’s shoulders.
His right hand grasped the tiller, his left stole softly and carefully
round her waist.
“How enjoyable!” said Mrs. Bunker, referring to the evening.
“Glad you like it,” said the skipper, who wasn’t. “Oh, how pleasant to
go sailing down the river of life like this, everything quiet and
peaceful, just driftin’”—
“Ahoy!” yelled the mate suddenly from the bows. “Who’s steering?
Starbud your hellum.”
The skipper started guiltily, and put his helm to starboard as another
barge came up suddenly from the opposite direction and almost grazed
them. There were two men on board, and the skipper blushed for their
fluency as reflecting upon the order in general.
It was some little time before they could settle down again after this,
but ultimately they got back in their old position, and the infatuated
Codd was just about to wax sentimental again, when he felt something
behind him. He turned with a start as a portly retriever inserted his
head under his left arm, and slowly but vigorously forced himself
between them; then he sat on his haunches and panted, while the
disconcerted Codd strove to realise the humour of the position.
“I think I shall go to bed now,” said Mrs. Bunker, after the position
had lasted long enough to be unendurable. “If anything happens, a
collision or anything, don’t be afraid to let me know.”
The skipper promised, and, shaking hands, bade his passenger
good-night. She descended, somewhat clumsily, it is true, into the
little cabin, and the skipper, sitting by the helm, which he lazily
manœuvred as required, smoked his short clay and fell into a lover’s
reverie.
So he sat and smoked until the barge, which had, by the help of the
breeze, been making its way against the tide, began to realise that
that good friend had almost dropped, and at the same time bethought
itself of a small anchor which hung over the bows ready for emergencies
such as these.
“We must bring up, Bill,” said the skipper.
“Ay, ay!” said Bill, sleepily raising himself from the hatchway. “Over
she goes.”
With no more ceremony than this he dropped the anchor; the sail, with
two strong men hauling on to it, creaked and rustled its way close to
the mast, and the _Sir Edmund Lyons_ was ready for sleep.
“I can do with a nap,” said Bill. “I’m dog-tired.”
“So am I,” said the other. “It’ll be a tight fit down for’ard, but we
couldn’t ask a lady to sleep there.”
Bill gave a non-committal grunt, and as the captain, after the manner
of his kind, took a last look round before retiring, placed his hands
on the hatch and lowered himself down. The next moment he came up with
a wild yell, and, sitting on the deck, rolled up his trousers and
fondled his leg.
“What’s the matter?” inquired the skipper.
“That blessed dog’s down there, that’s all,” said the injured Bill.
“He’s evidently mistook it for his kennel, and I don’t wonder at it. I
thought he’d been wonderful quiet.”
“We must talk him over,” said the skipper, advancing to the hatchway.
“Poor dog! Poor old chap! Come along, then! Come along!” He patted his
leg and whistled, and the dog, which wanted to get to sleep again,
growled like a small thunderstorm.
“Come on, old fellow!” said the skipper enticingly. “Come along, come
on, then!”
The dog came at last, and then the skipper, instead of staying to pat
him, raced Bill up the ropes, while the brute, in execrable taste,
paced up and down the deck daring them to come down. Coming to the
conclusion, at last, that they were settled for the night, he returned
to the forecastle and, after a warning bark or two, turned in again.
Both men, after waiting a few minutes, cautiously regained the deck.
“You call him up again,” said Bill, seizing a boat-hook, and holding it
at the charge.
“Certainly not,” said the other. “I won’t have no blood spilt aboard my
ship.”
“Who’s going to spill blood?” asked the Jesuitical Bill; “but if he
likes to run hisself on to the boat-hook “—
“Put it down,” said the skipper sternly, and Bill sullenly obeyed.
“We’ll have to snooze on deck,” said Codd.
“And mind we don’t snore,” said the sarcastic Bill, “’cos the dog
mightn’t like it.”
Without noticing this remark the captain stretched himself on the
hatches, and Bill, after a few more grumbles, followed his example, and
both men were soon asleep.
Day was breaking when they awoke and stretched their stiffened limbs,
for the air was fresh, with a suspicion of moisture in it. Two or three
small craft were, like themselves, riding at anchor, their decks wet
and deserted; others were getting under way to take advantage of the
tide, which had just turned.
“Up with the anchor,” said the skipper, seizing a handspike and
thrusting it into the windlass.
As the rusty chain came in, an ominous growling came from below, and
Bill snatched his handspike out and raised it aloft. The skipper gazed
meditatively at the shore, and the dog, as it came bounding up, gazed
meditatively at the handspike. Then it yawned, an easy, unconcerned
yawn, and commenced to pace the deck, and coming to the conclusion that
the men were only engaged in necessary work, regarded their efforts
with a lenient eye, and barked encouragingly as they hoisted the sail.
It was a beautiful morning. The miniature river waves broke against the
blunt bows of the barge, and passed by her sides rippling musically.
Over the flat Essex marshes a white mist was slowly dispersing before
the rays of the sun, and the trees on the Kentish hills were black and
drenched with moisture.
A little later smoke issued from the tiny cowl over the fo’c’sle and
rolled in a little pungent cloud to the Kentish shore. Then a delicious
odour of frying steak rose from below, and fell like healing balm upon
the susceptible nostrils of the skipper as he stood at the helm.
“Is Mrs. Bunker getting up?” inquired the mate, as he emerged from the
fo’c’sle and walked aft.
“I believe so,” said the skipper. “There’s movements below.”
“’Cos the steak’s ready and waiting,” said the mate. “I’ve put it on a
dish in front of the fire.”
“Ay, ay!” said the skipper.
The mate lit his pipe and sat down on the hatchway, slowly smoking. He
removed it a couple of minutes later, to stare in bewilderment at the
unwonted behaviour of the dog, which came up to the captain and
affectionately licked his hands.
“He’s took quite a fancy to me,” said the delighted man.
“Love me love my dog,” quoted Bill waggishly, as he strolled forward
again.
The skipper was fondly punching the dog, which was now on its back with
its four legs in the air, when he heard a terrible cry from the
fo’c’sle, and the mate came rushing wildly on deck.
“Where’s that —— dog?” he cried.
“Don’t you talk like that aboard my ship. Where’s your manners?” cried
the skipper hotly.
“—— the manners!” said the mate, with tears in his eyes. “Where’s that
dog’s manners? He’s eaten all that steak.”
Before the other could reply, the scuttle over the cabin was drawn, and
the radiant face of Mrs. Bunker appeared at the opening.
“I can smell breakfast,” she said archly.
“No wonder, with that dog so close,” said Bill grimly. Mrs. Bunker
looked at the captain for an explanation.
“He’s ate it,” said that gentleman briefly. “A pound and a ’arf o’ the
best rump steak in Wapping.”
“Never mind,” said Mrs. Bunker sweetly, “cook some more. I can wait.”
“Cook some more,” said the skipper to the mate, who still lingered.
“I’ll cook some bloaters. That’s all we’ve got now,” replied the mate
sulkily.
“It’s a lovely morning,” said Mrs. Bunker, as the mate retired, “the
air is so fresh. I expect that’s what has made Rover so hungry. He
isn’t a greedy dog. Not at all.”
“Very likely,” said Codd, as the dog rose, and, after sniffing the air,
gently wagged his tail and trotted forward. “Where’s he off to now?”
“He can smell the bloaters, I expect,” said Mrs. Bunker, laughing.
“It’s wonderful what intelligence he’s got. Come here, Rover!”
“Bill!” cried the skipper warningly, as the dog continued on his way.
“Look out! He’s coming!”
“Call him off!” yelled the mate anxiously. “Call him off!”
Mrs. Bunker ran up, and, seizing her chaperon by the collar, hauled him
away.
“It’s the sea air,” said she apologetically; “and he’s been on short
commons lately, because he’s not been well. Keep still, Rover!”
“Keep still, Rover!” said the skipper, with an air of command.
Under this joint control the dog sat down, his tongue lolling out, and
his eyes fixed on the fo’c’sle until the breakfast was spread. The
appearance of the mate with a dish of steaming fish excited him again,
and being chidden by his mistress, he sat down sulkily in the skipper’s
place, until pushed off by its indignant owner.
“Soft roe, Bill?” inquired the skipper courteously, after he had served
his passenger.
“That’s not my plate,” said the mate pointedly, as the skipper helped
him.
“Oh! I wasn’t noticing,” said the other, reddening.
“I was, though,” said the mate rudely. “I thought you’d do that. I was
waiting for it. I’m not going to eat after animals, if you are.”
The skipper coughed, and, after effecting the desired exchange,
proceeded with his breakfast in sombre silence.
The barge was slipping at an easy pace through the water, the sun was
bright, and the air cool, and everything pleasant and comfortable,
until the chaperon, who had been repeatedly pushed away, broke through
the charmed circle which surrounded the food and seized a fish. In the
confusion which ensued he fell foul of the tea-kettle, and, dropping
his prey, bit the skipper frantically, until driven off by his
mistress.
“Naughty boy!” said she, giving him a few slight cuffs. “Has he hurt
you? I must get a bandage for you.”
“A little,” said Codd, looking at his hand, which was bleeding
profusely. “There’s a little linen in the locker down below, if you
wouldn’t mind tearing it up for me.”
Mrs. Bunker, giving the dog a final slap, went below, and the two men
looked at each other and then at the dog, which was standing at the
stern, barking insultingly at a passing steamer.
“It’s about time she came over,” said the mate, throwing a glance at
the sail, then at the skipper, then at the dog.
“So it is,” said the skipper, through his set teeth.
As he spoke he pushed the long tiller hastily from port to starboard,
and the dog finished his bark in the water; the huge sail reeled for a
moment, then swung violently over to the other side, and the barge was
on a fresh tack, with the dog twenty yards astern. He was wise in his
generation, and after one look at the barge, made for the distant
shore.
“Murderers!” screamed a voice; “murderers! you’ve killed my dog.”
“It was an accident; I didn’t see him,” stammered the skipper.
“Don’t tell me,” stormed the lady; “I saw it all through the skylight.”
“We had to shift the helm to get out of the way of a schooner,” said
Codd.
“Where’s the schooner?” demanded Mrs. Bunker; “where is it?”
The captain looked at the mate. “Where’s the schooner?” said he.
“I b’leeve,” said the mate, losing his head entirely at this question,
“I b’leeve we must have run her down. I don’t see her nowhere about.”
Mrs. Bunker stamped her foot, and, with a terrible glance at the men,
descended to the cabin. From this coign of vantage she obstinately
refused to budge, and sat in angry seclusion until the vessel reached
Ipswich late in the evening. Then she appeared on deck, dressed for
walking, and, utterly ignoring the woebegone Codd, stepped ashore, and,
obtaining a cab for her boxes, drove silently away.
An hour afterwards the mate went to his home, leaving the captain
sitting on the lonely deck striving to realise the bitter fact that, so
far as the end he had in view was concerned, he had seen the last of
Mrs. Bunker and the small but happy home in which he had hoped to
install her.