It was a bright and beautiful morning, the water as calm and peaceful as
it was possible for water to be so near the restless ocean. Ned stood on
the shore, delighted to see the little skiff cut her way through its
glassy surface, and to hear the sound of Sam's oars reverberating for a
great distance along the opposite shore.
He watched as it receded, until thinking it was about as far as he could
make them hear, hallooed with his loudest call, 'Good bye, boys!' He saw
them both look towards the shore, and heard in return, 'Good bye, Ned!'
coming as from a great distance. He took off his hat and waved it, then
went on his way to his daily task.
Sam, although not experienced in long excursions, knew enough of the
labor of rowing, not to expend his strength at starting. They had ten
miles to pass over before they could reach their place of destination,
and the latter part would require much more exertion than the
commencement of their voyage; so, like an experienced mariner, he made
but little effort at first, and suffered his boat to flow along with the
tide. Jim was quite a novice in such matters but Sam had placed him at
the helm, and given him sundry directions how to steer.
'The tide is just beginning to fall, and I guess it will bring me up
with the point without much rowing, if you will just keep her head right
there?'
'I'll try, Sam; but don't you think I had better help you to row?'
'Oh, no; it's easy work now. She goes a pretty good jog; and I only just
dip my oars and take them out again. I guess, though, there will be some
pulling when we get round the point; but perhaps we shall have a little
breeze, and then we can put up our sail.'
Sam's guessing turned out to be very correct; it required but little
effort to make the point; and as they turned their course in the
opposite direction to that in which they had been steering, and were no
longer sheltered by the island which formed their beautiful harbor, but
were fairly in the outer bay, across whose waters they could see the
haze of the ocean and the white beacon that lighted its weary voyagers
to their desired haven, the wind blew gently, and Sam lost no time in
taking advantage of it; there was just enough to carry them along
against the tide, which was no longer in their favor.
The fort to which our little voyagers were steering had been erected
about ten years. It was intended to command the channel through which
vessels of ordinary size must pass, in their way from the ocean to one
of our most valuable cities. It was built with two tiers of ports, and
of sufficient strength for heavy guns; and as our foreign relations were
in an unsettled state, it had, at the period under consideration, its
full complement of men. It was erected at some distance from the shore
on a ledge of rocks which, at low water, formed a passage to the main
land; but when the tide was in, a few only of the highest rocks could be
seen.
The nearer they approached the place of their destination, the more
serious did the matter appear to them.
'Do you think, Sam, there is danger they won't let us in?'
'I don't know; I hope not, Jim. It would be too bad, after all our
trouble, not to get even a chance to sell any thing.'
'Well, Sam, we can but try, you know. We have only to tell them what
we've come for;--but I _say_, Sam, it makes my heart beat to look at it:
what high walls it has; and see, there are the sentinels walking up and
down--how their guns glitter in the sunshine!'
'Halloo! halloo! where are you bound, my hearties?'
The boys were startled by the gruff tones in which they had been
accosted; and, turning their eyes toward the shore from whence the
sounds seemed to come, saw an elderly man dressed in a sailor's habit,
seated on a rock, and beckoning to them, or rather, by a motion,
endeavouring to stop their progress.
'Halloo! my boys; don't go ahead there, or you'll be foul of the rocks.'
Sam immediately turned the skiff toward the shore, and they were soon in
close contact with the stranger. He was sitting on the rock, with one
leg swinging backwards and forwards, and the stump of the other sticking
straight out. His dress was a true sailor's rig, of blue originally, but
now much soiled, and of many colors. Spots of tar were pretty well
sprinkled over both, coat and trousers; vest he had none; but instead
thereof, a dark blue shirt, trimmed around the collar and bosom with
something that had once been white. On his head sat (for the crown was
too low to permit much of any thing to enter into it) a glazed hat,
which, from its bright appearance, had lately received a fresh coat of
tar; large bushy locks of sandy-colored hair stood out from beneath,
based by a thick mat of whiskers, extending under his chin, and covering
his whole neck; while down his back hung a queue of enormous size,
reaching nearly to the rock on which he sat. His features, what could be
seen of them, were not forbidding, although very much doubled and
twisted by the wear and tear of time and rough weather.
'We were going to the fort,' said Jim; 'and can you tell us, good man,
if they will let us in!'
'That's accordin' as to what your business is--if you got an arr'nd to
the major or his lady, or any of his folks, or to the lieutenant and his
lady, or so on--why the case is, they'll have to pass you right in; but
if it's only one of the privates you see, that's another thing.'
'But we have no particular errand to anybody; we have got a few things
to sell, and would be glad to dispose of them at the fort.'
'Ay, ay, that's a new case--things to sell, ha! I guess it will depend
upon what things you've got. If it's contraband goods, and you're
thinking to git the better of Uncle Sam, you've come to the wrong
market; the major'll make short work with you.'
'I don't know what you mean by contraband goods or trying to get the
better of anybody,' said Jim; 'we only thought they might be in want of
a few fresh vegetables and some strawberries.'
'Ay, ay, that's clean another case, there's no contraband in them; but
where under the blessed heaven have you come from? these things can't
grow nowheres round here.'
'I shouldn't think they could,' said Jim, looking significantly at the
dreary waste of sand and stunted pine that spread as far as he could
see; 'strawberries might grow up in the pines there, but I guess not
such as these.' With that Jim stopped, and taking up a basket, pulled
off the covering of green leaves, and held them out for the old man to
look at.
'Of all sights my eyes ever looked at!----'
'I think you'll find them as good as they look,' taking a double
handful, and holding them out towards the old man.
'No, no,' shaking his weather-beaten face, 'I've no money to buy 'em;
you must go to the major.'
'Take them and welcome, sir; I had no thought of asking you for pay;
you're very welcome to them.'
'God bless your young heart!' and holding out his hands he soon showed
that he knew how to dispose of them; as soon as he had finished he
jumped down on his one leg, and adjusted his crutches.
'Now, my hearties, I tell you what do you do; steer that craft o' your'n
right straight across to the fort, and just where you see that ledge of
rocks ends, you'll come foul of a pair o' stairs; haul up there, and
wait till I hobble round to my boat, and I'll be with you afore you've
made all fast.'
Away went the old man, his crutches making the sand fly in his haste to
get to his boat, which lay a short distance from where he had been
sitting.
The boys obeyed his directions, and had scarcely made their boat fast,
ere the old man was alongside.
'Now, my hearties, you just hold on awhile here, till I see the major.'
The moments seem long when we are in suspense, and our boys, in their
anxiety, began to fear that they should see no more of the old sailor;
it appeared so long, so very long that he stayed. After gazing intently
at the gate until their eyes were aching, all at once the sentinel
stopped, made a peculiar motion with his musket, and put his hand to his
cap; a gentleman of fine appearance passed out, followed at a respectful
distance by the crutches. He came directly to the stairs, and accosting
the boys in a very pleasant manner, inquired where they had come from,
and what they had for sale. Jim, in a straightforward, manly way,
answered his queries.
'But, my little fellow, what ever put it into your head to come so far
as this in search of a market?'
'We could think, sir, of no other place where there would be the least
chance to sell any thing; the people in this region are too poor to buy
such things.'
'You may well say so, my lad, and they are like to be so; for a lazier
set I never saw; but I am glad to find that you, boys, are disposed to
do something. Peter tells me that you have some choice things for sale.'
Peter, as we must call him hereafter, touched his hat when his name was
mentioned, but otherwise remained perfectly still, at a respectful
distance, saying nothing.
Jim immediately uncovered the different articles, and with his hat off,
looked up at the officer, who smiled as he surveyed the little stock of
goods.
'You have made out a pretty good assortment--those strawberries are
fine, indeed; are there plenty such raised in your area?'
'None, sir, but in our garden; my father used to be very fond of fruit,
and he taught us to raise it.'
'Is your father living?'
'He is not, sir.'
A shade of sadness at once passed over the countenance of the officer,
and his eye settled more intently upon the boy.
'Well, my lad, have you fixed upon a price for your articles?'
'I leave that to yourself, sir, as I am entirely ignorant of their
value.'
Major Morris then ordered the different articles to be measured, and
putting down prices to them such as he was accustomed to pay, handed the
paper to Jim.
'Not reckoning the strawberries, which I must pay something extra for,
the amount is one dollar and a half.'
Jim looked up with astonishment.
'I have calculated them at city prices, but if that is not enough----'
'Oh yes, sir; yes, sir. I was not thinking of that; it is much more than
I expected.'
'And now for the strawberries, what shall I say for them? they are finer
than those I usually purchase.'
'Oh, sir, I cannot think of taking any thing for them, since you allow
me so much for the others; if you will only let me take some out and
give that good man there (pointing to Peter), you are welcome to the
rest.'
'Certainly, certainly, here Peter.' But Peter had other views of the
matter, and instead of advancing to receive them, made two or three
retrograde steps with his crutches, at the same time putting his hand
upon his long queue and smoothing it down--a custom of his when at all
confused, and rolling a tremendous quid from one side of his mouth to
the other.
'The young gentleman wishes to give you some of these, Peter.'
'Thankee, sir, thankee;' nodding his head very fast all the time; 'no
occasion at all.'
'Well, Peter, since you refuse them, take this basket and hand it to
Mrs. Morris yourself.'
'Ay, ay, sir;' and away went Peter in double-quick time.
In the meanwhile, Sam manifested no impatience, although somewhat
anxious as to what would be _his_ fate; the moment Jim could with
propriety, he directed the attention of the gentleman to Sam's little
heap of clams and oysters.
Sam took off the seaweed which he had thrown over them, and blushed
deeply as he met the keen black eye of Major Morris, which having
glanced a moment at _them_, was scrutinizing with apparent interest the
appearance of their owner.
As Sam had no more idea of fixing a price than Jim had, the buyer was
obliged to pay for them on his own terms; so handing him fifty cents, he
said,
'I fear it will not compensate you for the trouble of bringing them so
far, but it is the rate for which I buy them.'
Sam expressed his perfect satisfaction the best way he could; for the
eye of the major was so long fixed upon him, that it quite took away his
self-possession.
Having made arrangements to bring such articles as their garden afforded
twice a week, with light and happy hearts, lighter and happier than can
be well described, they pointed their sail and bent their course for
home. The rock was to be their landing-place, and long before they
reached it, Ned could be seen throwing stones and cutting capers with
Jowler.
'Well, boys, how are you? what luck--sold any thing? I know by your
looks you haven't!'
'How are you, Ned? any thing happened? You look sober.'
'No, nothing.'
All this was said while the boat was nearing shore, the moment it
touched the land Ned was on board; he looked at the empty baskets, and
then at Jim and Sam. Jim smiled, and held out his hand, full of silver
pieces, and Sam held out his; and then they told him of their success,
and what arrangements they had made for the future.
Ned was somewhat confounded at the good news; but no sooner did he
comprehend it fully, than he took hold of both of them at once, shaking
them, and pushing them about, and hallooing.
'How are you, boys? huzza! huzza!'
'Do, Ned, stop your noise, and don't carry on so; you'll have us all in
the water.'
'Never mind, Jim, we'll soon work ourselves dry. Huzza! huzza!'
'I'm afraid you'll set the old boat a leaking, Ned.'
'Well, Sam, I'll stop; but how can you fellows keep so still when you've
had such good luck?'
Sam would have been perfectly contented with the product of his clams
and oysters for his day's work, but Jim would insist upon giving him a
certain proportion of what _he_ had received, which was finally fixed at
one quarter; so that Sam was to have, besides all he could procure from
the sale of his own articles, one-fourth of whatever other things were
sold, as his pay for the boat, and his labor in rowing.
And when Sam took the money which Jim handed to him, and put it with
what he had already received, and looked at it, a crowd of thoughts
rushed into his mind. Parents, sisters, home, the past, the present, and
the future--and that future bright with prospect of employment, and the
means of making those he loved as happy as himself. He could make no
answer to the cheerful 'Good bye' of Ned and Jim, but he turned his
bright and glistening eye towards them; and they went on their way the
happier that they saw how full of joy Sam was.
Sam kept his money in his hand until he reached home, and, going
directly to his mother, put the whole of his treasure into her lap.
'Why, Sam, where did you get all this?'
'Earned it, mother;' and then he told her all about it, and what he was
expecting to do in future.
'Oh,' said his mother, laying down her work, and clasping her hands
together in strong emotion, 'isn't this good! And now, Sam, you'll have
something to do all the time, and may be, your father will help you; and
may be he'll feel encouraged to do different; and may be----.' But the
hope of what might be, was too bright for her to utter it; and so she
sat and looked at Sam, and then she turned and looked out at the window;
and who can tell what a pleasing picture was painted out before her on
the sandy shore and the glassy river.
Sam had designed that his mother should keep the money, and use it for
their need; but she refused.
'No, no; keep it yourself, Sam; or, if you please, hand it to your
father. I see he's coming yonder, and all seems to be right with him.'
And so it proved; he had been to work for a neighbor where no restraint
would have been placed upon his appetite; but, strange to say, he had
not indulged. He had received no money for his services, for there was
seldom any of that to be got; but he had a bunch of fish in one hand,
and a kettle with flour in the other.
'Why, Sam, you got back? that is clever. What luck? not much, I guess.'
Sam made no reply, but as soon as his father had laid down his things he
handed out his little store.
'Here, father, please to take this.'
'Why, Sam, you didn't sell your things for all this, did you?'
And then Sam told him all the story, while his father looked in
amazement at the money, and at Sam, and then at his wife; as soon as he
had finished he held out his hand.
'Here, my boy, go give it to your mother; it's better with her than with
me.'
'No, father, I'd rather you would take it, and do what you please with
it.'
Blessings on you, Sam, that you had the good sense and good feeling to
answer as you did. You have poured a cordial into that father's heart,
which will do more to heal his weaknesses, and strengthen his good
resolutions, than could have been done by all the world beside. He feels
that he is yet a father, all is not lost--his _children yet_ trust in
him--the bright happy look of that boy has accomplished a work which an
angel would gladly have been commissioned to perform. God bless you,
Sam, for this one act, to your latest day.
'Well, Sam, then keep it yourself, and add as much to it as you can; for
you are a good boy.'
'They shall have it tho' yet, in some way or other,' said Sam to
himself, as he put it into his little chest. 'I shan't keep it for
myself; that _I shan't_.'
It would have required two smart talkers to have answered all Ned's
questions as fast as he put them; and as Jim never talked fast, he was
not half through answering when they reached home: their lively
conversation brought their mother out to meet them as they were entering
the front yard.
'Oh mother, what _do_ you think? Jim has sold all the things for ever so
much; see the empty baskets, and (striking Jim's pocket) hear that--hear
the money jingle.'
Both smiled at Ned's earnestness; and entering the house, a little
circle was soon formed around Jim, who went through with his story in
his own way.
'And now, mother,' said Ned, as soon as his brother had finished,
'you'll see how I can work; and if you will only give me a little bite
of something, I will go at once and finish my hoeing, for I was so
anxious to see the boys come back, that I have done nothing all the
afternoon but look over to the point.'
'You now feel, boys, the benefit of having been taught to work; it is no
hardship to you now.'
'Why, mother, I would rather work than play.'
'You thought differently the other day, Ned.'
'I know that, Jim; but you see the case is altered--that plan of yours
which I laughed so much about, makes altogether a great difference. I
don't believe any body would want to work just for the sake of it, would
they, mother?'
'No doubt, my dear, we need some stimulus to make us exert ourselves
cheerfully; but your father always said that it was better to be at
work, even if it did not amount to much; it was impossible, he said, for
an idle person to be happy.'
Mrs. Montjoy said but little by way of encouragement, for she saw that
the boys were both highly elated with their success and the prospect
before them; but she secretly admired and gratefully acknowledged the
overruling of that kind Providence, which had opened a way for her
children's usefulness and the supply of their wants.
The next morning Jim and Ned did not need to be awaked; there was real
business on their hands now, and they must use their time to the best
advantage; so at it they went while the sun was but just rising, and by
the time their breakfast was prepared, had completed hilling their
cabbages: as they ceased work, Jim leaned on his hoe, and looking at his
brother,--
'I've been thinking, Ned, what we've got to do.'
'I knew you'd been thinking, for you haven't spoken a word this half
hour; twice I asked you about old Peter, and you only answered, "Ha!"'
'Did I, Ned? well, I was thinking what we are going to do about these
cabbages.'
'I don't see any thing to do about them; ain't they well hoed?'
'Yes, they are doing well enough; but what will the cow do!'
'Why, eat them; I am sure none of us wants them.'
'Yes, but Ned, how can the cow have them if we sell them?'
'That, to be sure; but where can we put any more--the garden is full?'
'We can put one here, and another there, and there in those vacant
spots; there will be room for one hundred heads and more.'
'Well, Jim; any thing more?'
'Yes, I've been thinking where we could plant some more potatoes.'
'There is no use of thinking about that, Jim; for when these cabbages
are planted, every spot will be occupied; you don't think of digging up
the walks, do you?'
'No, not exactly that, Ned; but there is that strip of turf, south of
the path running to the barn; the grass is of no value, and if mother
would let us take it, we might turn it over with our spades, and raise
twenty bushels of potatoes there.'
'Any thing else, Jim?'
'That will do for to-day, won't it, Ned?'
'I think we shall find it will--it makes my back ache already to think
about that digging. I wish it was a little cooler.'
The pleasant voice of their little sister was now heard calling them to
breakfast, for which they were both well prepared by their early labors.