The waters of the Dart were dancing merrily in the bright sunshine next
morning, when, nervous and so anxious that his breakfast had been
spoiled, Jack walked between his father and the doctor toward the pier,
wondering what sort of a vessel the _Silver Star_, which had been
finished too finely for the captain's taste, would prove.
"There she is," said the doctor suddenly. "That must be the yacht, for
there is nothing else in sight at all answering her description."
"Yes, that is she, the one we saw as we came in yesterday. Why she must
be quite half-a-mile away."
"Are we to go off to the yacht in a small boat?" asked Jack nervously.
"Yes, my boy," said Sir John. "You heard that the captain, said one
would be waiting for us at ten, and it is now nearly that time. Look,
there's a man-o'-war gig coming towards the pier. How well the men look
in their white duck shirts and straw hats, and with the naval officer in
the stern sheets. Those men row splendidly."
They stopped to look at the beautiful little boat glistening and brown
in its varnish, with its three little fenders hanging on either side to
protect it from chafing against boat-side or pier, and its rowlocks of
highly polished gun-metal, and then lost sight of it behind the pier.
"Bringing the officer to land, I suppose," said Sir John. "I dare say
she comes from the _Britannia_."
"No," said the doctor suddenly. "Why that's our captain and our boat."
"Oh no," said Sir John quickly. "That was a regular man-o'-war craft."
"I don't care; it was ours," said the doctor. "You'll see."
He proved to be right, for as they went on to the pier, they saw Captain
Bradleigh climb up from a boat lying out of sight close in, and he came
to meet them.
"Morning, gentlemen," he said. "You are punctuality itself. It's
striking ten. This way. We'll go off at once, while the tide is with
us, and save the lads' arms."
He led them to the end of the pier, where the so-called man-o'-war boat
lay just beneath them, one of the sailors holding on by a boat-hook,
while the other three smart-looking fellows sat quietly waiting on the
thwarts. The gig was in the trimmest of conditions, and looked
perfectly new, while it was set off by a gay scarlet cushion in the
stern sheets, contrasting well with the brown varnished grating ready
for the sitters' feet.
"But we are never going to the yacht in that crazy little boat?"
whispered Jack nervously.
"The sailors came to shore in it," said Sir John quietly, "so why should
we mind?"
"But it seems so slight and thin," faltered the boy to his father.
"Are you afraid, Jack?" asked Sir John gravely. "If so you had better
stay on the pier while we go."
The lad was silent. That he was afraid was plainly written in his
face--plainly, that is, to those who knew him. To a stranger it would
have seemed to be the pallor of his complexion.
Sir John said no more, but made way for Doctor Instow to step down into
the boat, and at a sign he descended and held out his hand to Jack.
"I can manage, thank you," said the lad, and he jumped down on to one of
the thwarts, and then, without assistance, took his place in the stern
sheets; his father and the captain followed, the latter gave a short,
sharp order, the boat was vigorously thrust away into the stream, and
the next minute the four men were sending her along with a regular
stroke which seemed to make the slightly-built boat throb and quiver.
For a few minutes the utterly foreign sensation was absolutely painful
to the boy; and as the land appeared to glide away from them, a
sensation of giddiness attacked him as he sat hearing conversation going
on, but understanding nothing, till, as he turned his eyes in the
captain's direction, he saw that this gentleman was watching him
curiously.
A pang shot through him, and the blood began to rise to his white
cheeks, as he made a tremendous effort to master the miserable sensation
of abject fear which troubled him, and succeeded so far that in a minute
or two he was able to give himself the appearance of looking about him,
as if examining the boats they passed.
"There, young gentleman," said the captain suddenly, "there's the
_Silver Star_. What do you say to her? Doesn't she sit the water like
a sea-bird?"
Jack looked at the graceful curve and taper spars of the vessel, and
began to wonder at the way in which she seemed to grow as they drew
nearer; or was it that the boat in which he was gliding onward was
shrinking?
He had not much more time for examination of the delicate lines traced
upon the sky by the yards and cordage, for the boat was cleverly run
close up, the oars tossed on high, and as the bowman hooked on to a
ring-bolt the boat was drawn beneath a side ladder.
Jack felt the tremor returning as he thought of the danger of such an
ascent, when his father said in a low voice--
"You did that very bravely, my boy; now make another effort."
Jack was on his feet in an instant. He stepped forward, seized the
lines on either side of the ladder, and climbed up very clumsily, but
managed to reach the deck without accepting the assistance of the mate
and one of the men, who stood in the gangway and made room for him to
step for the first time in his life upon the deck of a ship.
Sir John and the doctor followed, and the captain remained silent, while
his visitors stood gazing about the clean white deck, where everything
was in the most perfect order, ropes coiled down so that at a distance
they looked like pieces of engine turning, the hand-rails of polished
brass and the ship's bell glistening in the sunshine, and the pair of
small guns seeming to vie with them. The sails furled in the most
perfect manner, and covered with yellowish tarpaulins, yards squared,
and every rope tight and in its correct place and looking perfectly new,
while the spare spars and yards were lashed on either side by the low
bulwarks, smooth and polished till they were like ornaments.
"Well," said the doctor at last, "I am not a sailor, Captain Bradleigh,
but everything here appears to be in the most perfect condition."
"I hope so, sir. My men are proud of our vessel, and we do our best."
Sir John glanced at the men, who were all at their stations, and felt a
thrill of satisfaction as he noticed that they well deserved the term of
"picked," being the smart, athletic, frank, manly-looking fellows we are
accustomed to see in the Royal Naval Reserve.
The captain then led the way to the cabins, which were thoroughly in
keeping with what had been seen on deck, elegantly decorated and
furnished, and with every inch so contrived that the greatest of
convenience was given in the smallest space. Berths, steward's room,
cook's galley, all were inspected in turn, and then the captain opened a
door with a smile.
"I don't know whether you gentlemen care for sport, but Mr Ensler had
this little magazine fitted up, and it is well furnished."
The contents seemed nothing to Jack; but the doctor and Sir John
exchanged glances of surprise, as they saw on each side the sliding
glass doors in which, in the most perfect order, were ranged double and
single fowling-pieces, rifles from the lightest express to the heaviest
elephant guns, as well as a couple of large bore for wild-fowl shooting
and one with its fittings for discharging shells or harpoons. Lances,
lines, nets, dredges, sounding-lines, patent logs, everything that a
scientific sportsman or naturalist could desire.
"There's a good magazine forward, gentlemen," said the captain, "which I
will show you by and by, with, I should say, an ample supply of
cartridges of all kinds--the best. Cartridge and ball for the big guns,
and many chests of empty brass cases, canisters of powder, and bags of
all-sized shot, and the like, so that I may say the yacht is well found
in that respect."
"But these are Mr Ensler's," said Sir John, who appeared thoroughly
interested, while his son looked on and listened in a careless way.
"Well, yes, sir, his, of course; but they go with the boat."
"At a valuation?" said the doctor.
"Oh no," replied the captain, smiling. "Everything in the yacht--
stores, provisions, extra tackle, spare anchors, cables and sails--and
I'll show you directly, gentlemen, the stores are well worth looking
at--go with the yacht at the price named. I wouldn't be answerable for
the state of some of the tinned provisions, of course, for they've been
on board some time, but they were of the best, and I have had them gone
over, and only found a few cases to condemn."
Sir John said nothing, and the captain led them on, showing them the
store-rooms, the place devoted to provisions, and then the magazine,
which he pointed out as being solidly constructed at the bottom and
sides, but exceedingly light overhead.
"So you see, gentlemen," said Captain Bradleigh, "the powder and
cartridges are so divided, that if there were an explosion it would be a
small one, though of course it would be followed by others; but with the
light construction overhead the force would fly upwards, and there would
be no fear of our going to the bottom."
There was no farther progress to be made forward, a strong iron bulkhead
lined with woodwork dividing the yacht here in two; and after the
magazine had been carefully closed, the captain opened a couple of
arm-chests, in which were rifles, bayonets, and cutlasses, the belts and
cartouche boxes hanging in a row from pegs.
"Men are all well-drilled, sir," continued the captain, "and have
regular small-arm practice, for Mr Ensler said there was no knowing
where we might find ourselves; and there's no mistake about it,
gentlemen, there's plenty of piracy out in the East still, specially in
the Malay and Chinese waters."
Jack was interested now, and he gave the captain so sharp a look of
inquiry that he smiled and nodded.
"Oh yes, young gentleman, there are plenty of cut-throat scoundrels out
there, as I know well, who would be a deal better out of the world. Now
we'll go back on deck, please."
They followed him up, and he went forward, taking them to see the engine
and stoke-hole, then down into the cable-tiers and another store-room,
where the extra tackle and various appliances were kept. Then into the
carpenter's and smith's workshops, and lastly into the forecastle, and
the men's cook's galley, the former being well-fitted, ventilated, and
supplied with a case of books. Finally, after quite three hours'
inspection, Captain Bradleigh led the way back to the saloon, where
quite an elegant lunch had been spread, and the steward and his mate
were in attendance.
"Oh, there was no need for this," said Sir John hastily.
"I am only obeying instructions, sir," said the captain, smiling. "Mr
Ensler said that if any gentlemen took the trouble to come all the way
to Dartmouth to see the yacht, the least we could do was to give them
some refreshments. I think I've shown you everything, gentlemen, as far
as I could, but of course if you thought anything of the yacht you would
have her thoroughly gone over by a trustworthy marine surveyor."
Sir John and the doctor exchanged glances again.
"Oh, there's one thing I did not show you, gentlemen," cried the
captain. "It may interest our young friend here. We have no
figure-head."
"Is the man mad?" said Jack to himself, giving him a look full of
contempt. "What interest could I possibly have in a ship's
figure-head?"
"It was a whim, a fad of Mr Ensler's. He went to a lot of expense over
it. I don't suppose you noticed it, but just out over the cut-water
close to the bowsprit, there's a great cut-glass silver star, fitted
inside with a set of the most wonderful silver reflectors, parabolic
they call them, and when the big lamp inside is lit it sends rays out in
all directions, so that when you are a way off, it looks just like the
evening star shining out over the water. Going back to-night,
gentlemen?"
"No," said Sir John quietly; "I shall not return to-night."
Jack winced and looked troubled.
"Then as soon as it's dusk, young gentleman, I'll have the star lit up.
It's of no particular use except as a bow-light, but it looks mighty
pretty, as good as the fireworks you've let off on fifth o' Novembers
many a time, I'll be bound."
"Ha! ha! ha!" roared the doctor, turning to Jack merrily.
"I!" cried the lad, impatiently, and giving the captain a scornful look;
"I never let off a firework in my life."
"I have," said the captain dryly, "many a one, and made them too. But
boys--some of 'em--are a bit different to what they were when I was
young."
"Oh, they're the same as ever, captain," said Sir John, smiling
thoughtfully, as if in recollection of the past. "As a rule, a boy is a
boy, but no rule is without an exception, you know."
"That's right, sir."
"And my son has been delicate, and has always led a studious, indoor
life."
"Ah, I see, sir, and now you are going to let him rough it a bit, and
make a man of him."
"Yes, a healthy man," said the doctor.
"Ah, doctor," said the captain merrily, "there's a beautifully fitted
medicine-chest in that cupboard, with plenty of physic and books of
instructions for that, and a bit of surgery; and I've had to dabble in
it a little myself. We captains often have to do that out away abroad.
Why, sir," he continued, with a queer humorous look at Jack, "I'd back
myself to give a pill to any man against all the doctors in
Christendom."
Jack looked disgusted.
"But," said the captain, "I was going to say, if our young friend here
goes off with his father on a voyage, he won't want you or any other
doctor, sir."
"And a good job too, captain," cried Doctor Instow, "for I like a bit of
travel and rest as well as any man. But you are quite right. It is
what I prescribed. Two or three years' voyage and travel."
"Well, gentlemen," said the captain, as they rose from the lunch-table;
"Mr Ensler wished everything to be straightforward and above-board; is
there anything else I can show you?"
"Well, yes," said Sir John, after exchanging glances once more with the
doctor; "I have come down on purpose to inspect this yacht, and I should
feel obliged if you would show me over it again."
"Certainly, sir," said the captain bluffly; "I have nothing else to do,
I'm sorry to say. Here I am at your service."
"And in the evening," continued Sir John, "I hope you will give me the
pleasure of your company to dinner at the hotel."
"Well, sir," said the captain, in rather a hesitating way, "I'm not much
of a dining-out sort of man, and besides, I should like you to go about
the town a bit, and make a few inquiries about me and my principal and
the yacht. Seaside people are pretty knowing, and you'll soon hear a
boat's character if you begin to ask questions."
"Oh yes, of course," said Sir John; "but we should like to know a little
more of you personally, Captain Bradleigh."
"Well, that's very kind of you, sir," said the captain bluffly. "Thank
you then, I'll come. But perhaps you gentlemen would like to go over
the yacht alone? I want to write a letter or two. You go about and
talk to my boys. They're not primed, gentlemen."
"Well, I think we will," said the doctor quickly, "Eh, Meadows?"
"Yes, Captain Bradleigh," said Sir John; "one does not decide upon a
thing like this in a minute."
"Certainly not, sir. You go and have a good rummage, she'll bear it,
and you jot down in your log-book anything you see that you'd like to
draw attention to. Call any of the men to move or overhaul anything you
wish."
For the next three hours, to Jack's great dismay, his father and Doctor
Instow roamed and hunted over the yacht. Nothing seemed too small for
the doctor to pounce upon, though he devoted most attention to the
magazine-room, amongst the sporting implements; but one way and another
they thoroughly overhauled the yacht from stem to stern, even to
examining the cable-tier and the well, and having several long talks
with the men, before, to Jack's great satisfaction, as he sat against
the aft bulwarks, his father came to him and said--
"Tired, my boy?"
"Wearied out, father," was the reply.
"Well, we have done now. What do you think of the yacht?"
"Nothing, father;" and then hastily, as he saw the look of trouble in
Sir John's eyes, "I don't understand anything."
"Humph! No. Of course not. Well, come down into the saloon."
The captain looked up from where he was writing, having carefully
abstained from joining them since lunch.
"Well, gentlemen," he said, smiling, and a quiet triumphant look beaming
on his face, "done?"
"Yes," said the doctor, wiping his forehead; "I haven't worked so hard
for months."
"Like the look of her, sir?"
"Very much indeed," said Sir John quietly; and a pang of misery shot
through the boy.
"Ah, you don't know her yet, sir; but I'm glad you think well of her."
Sir John took a seat and was silent for a few moments, Doctor Instow
watching him with an inquiring look, while Jack was in agony.
"Look here, Captain Bradleigh," said Sir John at last, "I do not profess
to be a judge of such matters, but everything here seems to me to speak
for itself, and I can fairly say that I never saw a vessel in such
perfect trim before."
"That's a high compliment to pay me, sir," replied the captain, "and I
thank you for it. Well, I'm glad to have met you, sir, and it is a
break in rather a monotonous life. Don't apologise, sir, I know it is a
very heavy price for the craft, and of course it is on account of her
having fittings that not one gentleman in ten would think of putting in
a yacht. You were quite welcome to see her, and as for anything I have
done--"
"I do not quite understand you," said Sir John.
"No, sir? Well, I take it that what you say is to smooth down that the
craft will not quite suit you."
"You are entirely wrong," said Sir John; "I think she would suit me
admirably, and save me a great deal of labour in preparation."
"Oh!" cried the captain; "then I was on the wrong tack."
"Decidedly. Now, Captain Bradleigh, about yourself. I judge you to be
a perfectly straightforward, honourable man."
"Thank you, sir," said the captain, smiling. "I hope for my own sake
that you are a good judge."
"I hope so too. Now, Captain Bradleigh, between man and man, will you
give me your word of honour that this yacht is thoroughly sound, and one
that you would advise a man you esteemed to buy?"
"That I will, sir, straight," cried the captain, holding out his hand,
and giving Sir John's a tremendous grip. "She's as perfect as the best
builders and fitters can make her, out of the best stuff. But you, if
you think of buying her, get down a couple of the best men you can to
overhaul her, and if they give a straightforward report, buy her you
will."
"I don't see any need for so doing," said Sir John quietly. "I would
rather have your opinion than any man's."
"But you don't know me, sir."
"I think that any observant man would know you, Captain Bradleigh, in
half-an-hour."
The captain reddened.
"Well, sir," he said, "I didn't know I had my character written on my
face."
"Perhaps not," said Sir John quietly; "but now about yourself. I don't
wish to spend more money than I can help, and I am not an American
millionaire, only a quiet country gentleman rather devoted to natural
history and a love of collecting."
"That's better than being a millionaire, sir. Money isn't everything,
though it's very useful."
"Exactly. Well, if I buy the yacht, will you go with me wherever I wish
to sail?"
"That I will, sir, with all my heart, and do my duty by you as a man."
"Thank you," said Sir John; "and now about the crew. It is rather a
large one."
"Twice too big in fair weather, sir, but not a man too many in foul."
"You think them all necessary?"
"I do, sir, unless you like to depend on steam; then you might knock off
half-a-dozen, but you'd save nothing; coals at the depots abroad are
very dear. Better trust to your sails and keep the men."
"Yes; I think you are right," said Sir John. "What do you say, Instow?"
"Quite," said the doctor.
"Very well then. Now about the crew; would they be willing: to engage
to sail with me wherever I please, to bind themselves not to break their
engagement without my leave till we return, even if it is for three
years?"
"I could say yes, sir, for they'd follow me wherever I went, but I'll
ask them."
"Do," said Sir John.
The captain touched a table gong, and the steward appeared promptly.
"Go and ask Mr Bartlett to pipe all hands aft," said the captain.
The man ascended, and the next minute the clear note of a whistle rang
out, to be followed by the trampling of feet, and the captain rose,
evidently satisfied at the promptitude with which his order was obeyed.
"They're waiting sir," he said.
Upon the party going on deck, there were the crew drawn up, quite as
smart as men-o'-war's men, and all looking as eager as schoolboys to
learn the meaning of their summons.
"'Tention!" said the captain; and, to use the old saying, the dropping
of a pin could have been heard. "This gentleman, Sir John Meadows,
Bart., is going to buy the _Silver Star_."
"Hurrah!" shouted a man.
"Steady there!" cried the captain sternly. "He means to sail right away
east, through the Canal, and along the islands, to stop here and there
where he likes--two or three years' cruise--and he wants to know if you
will sign articles to go with him, and do your duty like men."
There was a dead silence, and as the men began directly after to whisper
together, Jack, who but a minute before had felt in his misery and
despair that he would give anything to hear the men refuse, now, by a
strange perversity of feeling, grew indignant with them for seeming to
hesitate about doing their duty to his father.
"Well, my lads, what is it?" said the captain sternly. "What are you
whispering about? Can't you give a straightforward yes or no?"
There was another whispering, and the words "You speak", "No, you," came
plainly to Jack's ears, followed by one man shouting--
"We want to know, sir, who's to be in command?"
"Why, I am, my lads, of course."
"Hooray!" came in a roar; and then--"All of us--yes, sir, we'll go," and
another cheer.
"There's your answer, sir," said the captain; and then turning to the
men--"Thankye, my lads, thankye."
"Yes, that's my answer," said Sir John, "and an endorsement of my
feeling that I am doing right."
"And thank you, sir," said the captain warmly. "We'll do our duty by
you, never fear. Perhaps you'll say a word to Mr Bartlett, sir," he
whispered. "Good man and true, and a thorough sailor."
"You will, I hope, keep your post, Mr Bartlett," said Sir John, turning
to him.
"Oh yes, Sir John," said the mate; "I'm obliged to. Captain Bradleigh's
kind enough to say I am his right hand."
"And I can't go without that, can I, young gentleman?"
Jack, who was feeling unduly thrilled and excited by the novel scene,
was chilled again, and he only muttered something ungraciously.
"Mr Bartlett will join us at dinner, I hope," said Sir John; and this
being promised, the men were ordered forward, the boat was manned, and,
as the whole crew was watching every movement on the part of the
visitors, Jack shook hands with captain and mate, and stepped down a
little more courageously into the gig, but turned dizzy as he dropped
into his seat.
The next minute it was pushed off, and the thrill of excitement ran
through the lad again, as the crew suddenly sprang to the shrouds of the
three masts, to stand there, holding on by one hand, waving their straw
hats and cheering with all their might.
"Jump up, Jack, and give them a cheer back," cried the doctor.
There is something wonderful about a sharp order suddenly given.
In an instant Jack was on his feet, waving his white pith helmet in the
air, and giving, truth to tell, a miserably feeble cheer, but the crew
of the boat took it up and joined in.
Then, as it was answered from the yacht, Jack sank down in his seat
again, looking flushed and abashed, and he glanced from one to the other
to see if they were laughing at him; but nobody even smiled. Still the
lad could not get rid of the false shame, and the feeling that there was
something to be ashamed of after all.