But how was I to get aboard? How conceal myself when there?
These were the difficulties that presented themselves. I might walk on
deck as I had already done, but not without being observed by some of
the crew, and of course ordered ashore again.
Could I not bribe some of the sailors to let me go about the deck? What
had I to bribe them with? Not a penny of money. My sloop and my
clothes--these last of very poor quality--were all I possessed in the
world. I would have given the sloop, but a moment's reflection
convinced me that no sailor would set any value on an article which he
could easily make for himself; for I presumed that all sailors could
manufacture little ships at their pleasure. It would be useless to
attempt bribing any of them with such a toy, and I thought no more of
it.
But stay! I had something upon my person of some value. I had a watch.
It is true it was but a very common one--an old-fashioned silver watch,
and not worth much, though it kept time well enough. It had been given
me by my poor mother, though she had left me a much better one, which my
uncle had appropriated to himself. The old one, of little value, I was
allowed to carry about with me, and fortunately it was in my fob at that
moment. Would not this bribe Waters, or some other of the sailors, to
"smuggle" me aboard, and conceal me there till the ship got out to sea?
The thing was not unlikely. At all risks, I resolved to make trial.
Perhaps the chief difficulty would be to see Waters, or any of the
sailors, apart from the rest, in order to communicate my wishes; but I
resolved to hang about the ship, and watch till some one of them should
come ashore alone.
I was not without hopes that I might be able to steal on board of
myself--perhaps after nightfall, when the men had "knocked off" work,
and were below in the forecastle. In that case, I need not tell any of
them of my design. In the darkness, I believed I might manage to crouch
past the watch or clamber over the side and get down below. Once in the
hold, I had no fear but that I should be able to secrete myself among so
many barrels and boxes as they were stowing away.
There were two doubts that troubled me. Would the ship remain in port
until night? Would my uncle and his people not be after me before then?
For the first time, I was not very uneasy. I saw that the vessel still
carried the same placard as on the preceding day--"_The Inca, for Peru,
to-morrow_!" It was not likely she would sail upon that day. Moreover,
there were still many packages of merchandise lying on the quay--which I
knew were intended as part of her lading, from the position in which
they were placed. I had heard, moreover, that vessels, when bound for
distant parts, are not very punctual in their time of starting.
Reasoning in this way, I felt assured that the ship would not sail on
that day, and I should have the chances of boarding her in the
night-time.
But then there was the other danger--of my being captured and carried
back home. On reflection this did not appear imminent. They would not
miss me on the farm before nightfall; or if they did, they would wait
until dark before going in search of me, thinking, of course, that night
would bring me home. After all, I had no reason to be apprehensive from
this source; and ceasing altogether to think of it, I set about making
preparations to carry out my design.
I had foresight enough to perceive, that when once in the ship, I should
have to remain concealed for at least twenty-four hours--perhaps much
longer. I could not live so long without eating. Where was I to get
provisions? I had not, as already mentioned, one penny in the world,
wherewith to purchase food, and I should not have known where or how to
beg for it.
But an idea came into my head that promised to relieve me from this
dilemma. I could _sell my sloop_, and thus obtain wherewith to buy
something to eat.
The little vessel would be of no more use to me now; and why not part
with her at once?
Without farther consideration, therefore, I made my way out from among
the barrels, and proceeded along the quay to look out for a purchaser
for my little craft.
I soon succeeded in finding one. A sort of marine toyshop offered
itself; and after a little bartering with the proprietor, I closed the
bargain for a shilling. My little sloop, neatly rigged as she was, was
worth five times the amount, and, under different circumstances, I would
not have parted with her for even that sum; but the Jew dealer evidently
saw that I was in difficulties, and, like all his tribe, had no scruples
about taking advantage of them.
I was now in ample funds for my purpose; and repairing to a convenient
shop, I laid out the whole of the money on cheese and crackers. I
bought sixpence worth of each; and having crammed my pockets with my
purchase, I returned to my old place among the merchandise, and seated
myself once more upon the box. I had grown somewhat hungry--for it had
got to be after dinner hour--and I now relieved my appetite by an attack
upon the crackers and cheese, which considerably lightened the cargo in
my pockets.
Evening was now approaching, and I bethought me that I might as well
take a stroll along by the side of the ship, by way of a reconnaissance.
It would enable me to ascertain where I might climb over the side most
easily, which knowledge would be of use to me when the hour should
arrive for making the attempt. What if the sailors _did_ see me going
about? They could not hinder me from walking along the quay, and they
would never dream of my object in staying there. What if they should
take notice of me, and taunt me as before? I could talk back to them,
and thus gain a good opportunity for observation--the very thing I
wanted.
Without losing another moment, I stepped forth from my resting-place,
and commenced sauntering along, with an assumed air of indifference to
all that was passing around. I soon came opposite the stem of the big
ship, where I paused and looked up. Her deck was nearly on a level with
the pavement, because she was now heavily laden, and of course at full
depth in the water; but the high bulwarks on her quarter prevented me
from seeing the deck. I perceived that it would be easy to step from
the quay, and after clambering up the bulwarks, get over by the mizen
shrouds; and I at once made up my mind that this would be the proper
way. Of course, I should have to creep through the shrouds with great
caution. If the night should not prove dark enough, and I should be
detected by the watch, it would be all up with me. I should get
caught--perhaps suspected as a thief and punished. No matter; I was
resolved to risk it.
Everything was quiet on board. I heard neither voice nor noises. Some
of the merchandise was still lying upon the wharf, and therefore they
could not have finished lading the vessel. But the men were no longer
at work, for I was now near enough to have a view of both the gangway
and the main hatch. Whither could they have gone?
I moved silently forward, until I stood by the very end of the staging.
I had now a full view of the hatchway, and a considerable portion of the
main deck around it. I saw neither the blue jacket of the mate nor the
greasy garments of the sailors. All the men must have gone away to some
other part of the ship.
I paused and listened. Indistinctly, I could hear the hum of voices
coming from the forward part of the vessel. I knew they were the voices
of the crew in conversation with each other.
Just at that moment, I observed a man pass by the opening in the
gangway. He was carrying a large vessel that steamed at the top. It
contained coffee or some other hot viand. It was the evening meal for
the people of the forecastle, and he who carried it was the cook. This
accounted for the cessation of the work, and the absence of the sailors
from "amidships." They were about going to supper. Such was my
conjecture.
Partly impelled by curiosity, but as much by a new idea that had entered
my mind, I stepped upon the staging and glided cautiously aboard. I
caught a glimpse of the sailors far off in the forward part of this
ship--some seated upon the windlass, others squatted upon the deck
itself, with their tin plates before them, and their jack-knives in
their hands. Not one of them saw me--not one was looking in my
direction: their eyes were too busy with the cook and his steaming
copper.
I glanced hastily around; there was no one in sight. The new idea to
which I have referred became more fully developed. "Now or never!"
whispered I to myself; and under the impulse, I stepped down upon the
deck, and crouched forward to the foot of the main mast.
I was now on the edge of the open hatchway; and it was into this I
intended to go. There was no ladder, but the rope by which the goods
had been lowered, still hung from the tackle, reaching down into the
hold.
I caught hold of this rope; and pulled on it, to find if it was securely
fastened above. It proved to be so; and, grasping it firmly with both
hands, I slid downward as gently as I could.
It was a close shave that I did not break my neck--and as it was, I had
a tumble at the bottom--but I soon got to my feet again; and, scrambling
over some packages that were not yet stowed in their places, I crawled
behind a huge butt, and there ensconced myself in darkness and silence.