ON A SICK BED--FEVER, FIRMNESS, AND FOLLY--"BOUND 'PRENTICE TO A
WATERMAN"--I TAKE MY FIRST LESSON IN LOVE, AND GIVE MY FIRST LESSON IN
LATIN--THE LOVE LESSON MAKES AN IMPRESSION ON MY AURICULAR ORGAN--
VERILY, NONE ARE SO DEAF AS THOSE WHO WON'T HEAR.
When I recovered my senses, I found myself in bed, and Captain Turnbull
sitting by my side. I had been removed to his house when the lighter
had arrived at the wharf. Captain Turnbull was then talking with Mr
Tomkins, the former head clerk, now in charge. Old Tom came on shore
and stated the condition I was in, and Mr Tomkins having no spare bed
in his house, Captain Turnbull immediately ordered me to be taken to his
residence, and sent for medical advice. During the time I had remained
in this state old Tom had informed Captain Turnbull, the Dominie, and
Mr Tomkins of the circumstances which had occurred, and how much I had
been misrepresented to Mr Drummond; and not saying a word about the
affair of Wimbledon Common, or my subsequent intemperance, had given it
as his opinion that ill-treatment had produced the fever. In this, I
believe, he was nearly correct, although my disease might certainly have
been aggravated and hastened by those two unmentioned causes. They all
of them took my part, and Mr Turnbull went to London to state my
condition to Mr Drummond, and also to remonstrate at his injustice.
Circumstances had since occurred which induced Mr Drummond to lend a
ready ear to my justification; but the message I had sent was still an
obstacle. This, however, was partly removed by the equivocating
testimony of the young clerk, when he was interrogated by Captain
Turnbull and Mr Drummond; and wholly so by the evidence of young and
old Tom, who, although in the cabin, had overheard the whole of the
conversation; and Mr Drummond desired Captain Turnbull to inform me, as
soon as I recovered, that all was forgotten and forgiven. It might have
been on his part, but not on mine; and when Captain Turnbull told me so,
with the view of raising my spirits, I shook my head as I lay on the
pillow. As the reader will have observed, the feeling roused in me by
the ill-usage I had received was a _vindictive_ one--one that must have
been deeply implanted in my heart, although, till then, it had never
been roused into action, and now, once roused, was not to be suppressed.
That it was based on pride was evident, and with it my pride was raised
in proportion. To the intimation of Captain Turnbull, I, therefore,
gave a decided dissent. "No, sir, I cannot return to Mr Drummond: that
he was kind to me, and that I owe much to his kindness, I readily admit;
and now that he has acknowledged his error in supposing me capable of
such ingratitude, I heartily forgive him; but I cannot, and will not,
receive any more favours from him. I cannot put myself in a situation
to be again mortified as I have been. I feel I should no longer have
the same pleasure in doing my duty as I once had, and I never could live
under the same roof with those who at present serve him. Tell him all
this, and pray tell little Sarah how grateful I feel no her for all her
kindness to me, and that I shall always think of her with regret, at
being obliged to leave her." And at the remembrance of little Sarah I
burst into tears, and sobbed on my pillow. Captain Turnbull, whether he
rightly estimated my character, or fell convinced that I had made up my
mind, did not renew the subject.
"Well, Jacob," replied he, "we'll not talk of that any more. I'll give
your messages just in your own words. Now, take your draught, and try
to get a little sleep."
I complied with this request, and nothing but weakness now remaining, I
rapidly regained my strength, and with my strength, my feelings of
resentment increased in proportion. Nothing but the very weak state
that I was in when Captain Turnbull spoke to me would have softened me
down to give the kind message that I did; but my vindictive mind was
subdued by disease, and better feelings predominated. The only effect
this had was to increase my animosity against the other parties who were
the cause of my ill-treatment, and I vowed that they, at least, should
one day repent their conduct.
The Dominie called upon me the following Sunday. I was dressed and
looking through the window when he arrived. The frost was now intense,
and the river was covered with large masses of ice, and my greatest
pleasure was to watch them as they floated down with the tide; "Thou
hast had a second narrow escape, my Jacob," said he, after some
preliminary observations. "Once again did death (_pallida mors_) hover
over thy couch; but thou hast arisen, and thy fair fame is again
established. When wilt thou be able to visit Mr Drummond, and be able
to thank him for his kindness?"
"Never, sir," replied I; "I will never again enter Mr Drummond's
house."
"Nay, Jacob, this savoureth of enmity. Are not we all likely to be
deceived--all likely to do wrong? Did not I, even I, in thy presence,
backslide into intemperance and folly? Did not I disgrace myself before
my pupil--and shalt thou, in thy tender years, harbour ill-will against
one who had cherished thee when thou wert destitute, and who was
deceived with regard to thee by the base and evil-speaking?"
"I am obliged to Mr Drummond for all his kindness, sir," replied I;
"but I never wish to enter his house. I was turned out of it, and never
will again go into it."
"_Eheu! Jacobe_, thou art in error; it is our duty to forgive as we
hope to be forgiven."
"I do forgive, sir, if that is what is requested: but I cannot, and will
not, accept of further favours."
The Dominie urged in vain, and left me. Mr Tomkins also came, and
argued the point without success. I was resolved. I was determined to
be independent; and I looked to the river as my father, mother, home,
and everything. As soon as my health was reinstated, Captain Turnbull
one day came to me. "Jacob," said he, "the lighter has returned: and I
wish to know if you intend to go on board again, and afterwards go into
the vessel into which Mr Drummond proposes to send you."
"I will go into no vessel through Mr Drummond's means or interest,"
replied I.
"What will you do then?" replied he.
"I can always enter on board a man-of-war," replied I, "if the worst
comes to the worst; but if I can serve out my apprenticeship on the
river, I should prefer it."
"I rather expected this answer, Jacob, from what you have said to me
already; and I have been trying if I cannot help you to something which
may suit you. You don't mind being obliged to me?"
"O, no; but promise you will never doubt me--never accuse me." My voice
faltered, and I could say no more.
"No, my lad, that I will not; I know you, as I think, pretty well; and
the heart that feels a false accusation as yours does is sure to guard
against committing what you are so angry at being accused of. Now,
Jacob, listen to me. You know old deaf Stapleton, whose wherry we have
so often pulled up and down the river? I have spoken to him to take you
as his help, and he has consented. Will you like to go? He has served
his time, and has a right to take a 'prentice."
"Yes," replied I, "with pleasure; and with more pleasure, from expecting
to see you often."
"O, I promise you all my custom, Jacob," replied he, laughing. "We'll
often turn old Stapleton out, and have a row together. Is it agreed?"
"It is," replied I; "and many thanks to you."
"Well, then, consider it settled. Stapleton has a very good room, and
all that's requisite on shore, at Fulham. I have seen his place, and I
think you will be comfortable."
I did not know at the time how much Captain Turnbull had been my
friend--that he had made Stapleton take better lodgings, and had made up
the difference to him, besides allowing him a trifle per week, and
promising him a gratuity occasionally, if I were content with my
situation. In a few days I had removed all my clothes to Stapleton's,
had taken my leave of Mr Turnbull, and was established as an apprentice
to a waterman on the Thames. The lighter was still at the wharf when I
left, and my parting with old Tom and his son was equally and sincerely
felt on both sides.
"Jacob," said old Tom, "I likes your pride after all, 'cause why, I
think you have some right to be proud; and the man who only asks fair
play, and no favour always will rise in this world. But look you,
Jacob, there's sometimes a current 'gainst a man that no one can make
head against; and if so be that should be your case for a time,
recollect the old house, the old woman, and old Tom, and there you'll
always find a hearty welcome, and a hearty old couple who'll share with
you what they have, be it good, bad, or indifferent. Here's luck to
you, my boy; and recollect, I means to go to the expense of painting the
sides of my craft blue, and then you'll always know her as she creeps up
and down the river."
"And Jacob," said young Tom;--"I may be a wild one, but I'm a true one;
if ever you want me in fair weather and in foul--good or bad--for fun or
for mischief--for a help, or for a friend in need, through thick or
thin, I'm yours, even to the gallows; and here's my hand upon it."
"Just like you, Tom," observed his father; "but I know what you mean,
and all's right."