Several days had passed by, and no news had been received from the
lieutenant. Aunt Sally began to grow anxious, though she pursued her
ordinary avocations in her usual calm manner. Desirous as she was of
being economical, she did not forget poor old Mr Shank, and Mary and
Ned were despatched with some provisions which she had prepared, and
another book from her lending-library for him. Mary, remembering his
dislike to boys, went in alone, leaving Ned to amuse himself outside.
"I'll not be long, and I want you to walk up and down out of sight of
his window, or he may, if he sees you, say something unpleasant,"
observed Mary.
Ned, though he cared very little as to what the old man might say about
him, did not wish to have Mary's feelings hurt, and promising obedience,
walked on to a spot whence he could watch for her when she came out.
She rapped at the door, the bolts were withdrawn, and she entered.
"Glad to see you, little girl," said Mr Shank, as he led the way into
his room. "No one has come here for many a day. I am well-nigh
starving, for the people in the village yonder do not trouble themselves
about the wretched old miser, as they call me; and I could not go out
yesterday to buy food--if I did, where was I to get the money to pay for
it?"
"Aunt, fearing that you might be in want, has sent you something to
eat," said Mary, unpacking her basket, and placing the contents on the
three-legged table.
The old man drew it towards him, and began to eat far more voraciously
than usual, showing that in one respect at all events his assertion was
correct. Mary, thinking that it might amuse him, mentioned the
lieutenant's journey to London and its object.
"So they intend to send that boy off to sea! The best thing they can do
with him. Boys are always up to mischief at home, and it is to be hoped
he'll never come back."
"You should not say that, Mr Shank!" exclaimed Mary, indignantly. "Ned
is a good honest boy, he never harmed you in any way, and if he had it
is your duty to forgive him, for God tells us in His Word to forgive our
enemies, and do good to those who ill-treat us."
"I don't understand that; if we are not to hate our enemies, who and
what are we to hate?" muttered the old man.
"We are to hate nothing except sin and Satan, because that is what God
hates, I am very sure," said Mary. "Doesn't the book I brought you last
week say that? And here is another which aunt has sent you, perhaps you
will like to read it," and she put the volume on the table.
"What the book says doesn't concern me. I do no harm to any one; all I
want is to lead a quiet life and be let alone," he muttered, evidently
not wishing to enter into a discussion with the little girl, fearing
perhaps that he might lose his temper. He, however, took the book she
had brought and gave her back the other, observing, "Perhaps your aunt
will lend it me at some other time if I feel ill and fancy I am going to
die; but I shan't die yet, O no, no, I want to live a great many years
longer."
"I hope that you may, if you wish it," said Mary. She did not add, "I
wonder what the poor old man can find so pleasant in his existence as to
make him desire to live?" She did not again refer to Ned, but shortly
got up, and told Mr Shank that she must be going.
"What! do you come all this way alone merely to visit a wretched being
like me?" he exclaimed, as she moved towards the door.
"No, Ned comes with me, and he is waiting to take me back," she
answered.
"Why didn't he come in and sit down until you were ready to go?" he
asked.
"Because, Mr Shank, he knows that you dislike boys," said Mary.
"Perhaps, as you think so well of him, he may not be so bad as others.
When you come again bring him in; I'll not scold him if he speaks
civilly to me, and doesn't attempt to play me tricks."
"He'll not play you tricks, and I'm sure that he'll speak properly to
you," answered Mary, considerably mollified by Mr Shank's last remark.
She was glad, however, that Ned was not in sight, as she still somewhat
mistrusted the old man. As soon as the door was closed she looked about
for Ned, and spied him hurrying up.
"He wants to see you," she said when Ned joined her, "so you must come
in when Aunt Sally next sends me to him. He is a strange being. I
wonder how he can manage to spend his time all by himself?"
They walked home chattering merrily, though Ned was a little more
thoughtful than usual, wondering why his uncle had not written; and as
soon as he had seen Mary safe at home, he hurried off to consult
Lieutenant Hanson about the matter.
"Why," said Ned to the lieutenant, "has uncle not written?"
"Simply that he has had nothing to say, or has had no time to write, or
if he has written, his letter may have gone astray," answered the
lieutenant. "You must exercise patience, my young friend; you'll find
plenty of that required in this world."
Ned returned home not much wiser than he went, but a brisk walk and the
fresh air revived his spirits. Next morning's post brought the
looked-for letter, addressed to Miss Sarah Pack. She hurriedly opened
it, while the young people looked eagerly on, watching her countenance.
That, however, betrayed no satisfaction. The lieutenant's handwriting
required time to decipher, though the characters were bold enough and
covered a large sheet of paper.
"Dear Sally," it began, "I have been to the Admiralty and seen the First
Lord, having reached this big city, and lost my way half-a-dozen times
in it, four days after I left you. We had calms and light winds the
whole distance to Portsmouth. His lordship received me with a profound
bow, as if I had been an admiral, listened attentively to all I had to
say, and I made up my mind that he was the politest gentleman I had ever
met, and fully intended to grant my request. When I had finished, he
glanced his eye down a long list, which he held up so that I could see
it, remarking that there were a number of promising lads who desired to
enter the service, but that he much feared he should be compelled to
disappoint them. My claims were great, and he was surprised that his
predecessors had not acknowledged them by promoting me; that he had no
doubt my brother-in-law would have been an ornament to the service had
he lived; that I ought to have sent his son's name in long ago, and that
he would take the matter into consideration. He desired me to leave my
address, advising me not to remain in town, as it might be some time
before I was likely to hear from him; he then politely bowed me out of
the room. Whether or not anything will come of it is more than I can
divine. In my humble opinion my visit to London will prove bootless; it
can't be helped, Sally, so cheer up, and don't let Ned get out of
spirits. I am going to call on two or three shipowners, of whom
Jenkins, who knows more of London than I do, has told me, for if Ned
cannot get into the navy, he must make up his mind to enter the merchant
service. I'll write more when I have more to communicate, so, with love
to the young ones, I remain, your affectionate brother, John Pack."
Aunt Sally had to confess to herself that the letter was not
encouraging, still she did her best to follow her brother's advice.
"Perhaps the First Lord doesn't like to make promises, but he must be a
good man, or he would not hold the position he does, and I dare say
he'll do his best. We may have a letter even before your uncle comes
back, saying that you are appointed to a ship. It can't be so difficult
a thing to make a midshipman. Had your uncle, however, asked to be
promoted, I should not have been surprised had he been refused. It is
very kind of the First Lord to receive him so well and to listen to all
he had to say; we should not expect too much from great men."
Miss Sally ran on in the same strain for some time, but all she said
failed to impart much confidence to poor Ned; still his uncle might
succeed in getting him on board a merchant vessel, and like a prudent
lad, he was ready for whatever might turn up. Next morning Ned eagerly
looked out for the postman, but no letter arrived; another and another
day passed by. It was too evident that the lieutenant had no news to
communicate.
Some days after, just as evening was approaching, a post chaise was seen
slowly descending the winding road which led down to the cottage. Miss
Sally, followed by Ned, Mary, and Tom, hurried out. Ned darted forward
to let down the steps, while Tom opened the door. The lieutenant,
leaning on the black's shoulder, stepped out. Though he smiled at
seeing those he loved, his countenance showed that he had no good news
to communicate.
"I'll tell you all about it when I have refreshed the inner man," he
said, as, after paying the driver and telling Tom to look after him, he
stumped into the house; "I am at present somewhat sharp set. It is
several hours since I took anything on board in the shape of provisions,
and my jaw tackles want greasing before I can make them work."
Aunt Sally and Mary quickly got supper ready, and the lieutenant having
said grace, took his seat at the table. Having eaten a few mouthfuls he
looked mere cheerful than he had hitherto done. His sister and the
young people were longing to hear what he had got to say.
"I told you I did not expect much from my visit to London, but it is
wrong to allow ourselves to be cast down because things don't go as
smoothly as we could wish," he at length observed. "I wrote you about
my visit to the Admiralty; well, after that, believing that their
lordships were not likely to do much for me, I called on three
shipowners to whom Jenkins had given me introductions. They were civil
enough, but all gave me the same sort of answer. They had numerous
applications to receive on board their ships youngsters whose friends
could pay handsome premiums, and in duty to themselves they were
compelled to accept such in preference to others, willing as they were
to attend to the recommendation of Lieutenant Jenkins. When I offered
to take command of one of their ships, they replied, that as I had been
some time on shore I might have grown rusty, and that they were obliged
to employ officers brought up in their own service, though they could
not doubt my abilities, and were duly grateful for the offer I had made
them. They would consider the matter, and let me know the result to
which they might come, but no promise could be made on the subject."
Miss Sally looked greatly relieved when she heard that it was not likely
her brother would go to sea, anxious as she was that poor Ned should
obtain the object of his wishes.
"We must not despair, however," said the lieutenant. "We know that God
orders all for the best, if we trust Him and do our duty; perhaps
something will turn up when we least expect it. I have been thinking,
Ned, how I can raise money enough to pay the required premium, and if I
can do that the matter will be quickly settled. After two or three
voyages to India, Australia, or round Cape Horn, you will have obtained
sufficient experience to become a mate. You will then be independent
and able to gain your own livelihood."
"That is what I wish to do, uncle," answered Ned, gulping down his
disappointment at the thoughts that he should be unable to enter the
navy, and some day become a Nelson or a Collingwood. In truth, matters
stood very much as they were before the lieutenant's journey, and he had
to confess to himself that the cost and trouble had apparently been
thrown away.
"Well, well, Ned, we'll go on with our mathematics and navigation, and
wait patiently for what may occur. You are young yet, and won't be the
worse for a few months more spent on shore if you make good use of your
time."
Ned followed his uncle's advice, and did his utmost to overcome his
disappointment.
Things went on much as usual at Triton Cottage. Ned frequently got a
pull in a revenue boat, but his great delight was to take a sail in one
of the fishing crafts belonging to the bay, when the fishermen, with
whom he was an especial favourite, gave him instruction in steeling and
other nautical knowledge, so that he learned how to handle a boat, to
furl and shorten sail, to knot and splice, as well as to row.
His uncle always encouraged him to go when the weather was moderate, but
on two or three occasions when it came on unexpectedly to blow, and the
boats were kept out, poor Aunt Sally was put into a great state of
trepidation until he came back safe. Nearly a month had passed since
the lieutenant's return home, and no letter had been received either
from the Admiralty or from any of the shipowners. The family were
seated at tea. The lieutenant could not help occasionally speaking of
the subject which occupied his thoughts, generally concluding by saying,
"Well, never mind, something may turn up!"
Just then a ring was heard at the door, and Jane put her head in to say
that Mr Hanson had called.
"I'll bring him in to take a cup of tea," said the lieutenant, rising
and stumping out of the room. He soon returned with his friend.
"Well, Pack, I've come to wish you and Miss Sarah good-bye," said their
guest. "Commander Curtis, an old friend of mine, has been appointed to
the `Ione' corvette, fitting out for the Cape station, and he has
applied for me as his first lieutenant. Though I had made up my mind to
remain on shore, as he is a man I should like to serve under, I have
accepted his offer, and am going off to join the ship as soon as I can
be relieved--in two or three days, I hope."
Ned listened, expecting that something else of interest to him was about
to follow, but he was disappointed. He was not aware that even a first
lieutenant could not obtain a berth for a midshipman.
"Very sorry to lose you, Hanson," said Lieutenant Pack; "you, I daresay
will be glad to get afloat again, as there is a better chance of
promotion than you would have on shore. We never know what may turn up.
We may be at loggerheads with the French, or Russians, or some other
people before your commission is over."
Their guest saw Ned looking at him. He divined the boy's thoughts.
"I wish that I had power to take you with me, Ned, but I have not, and I
very much fear that the commander will have given away his appointment,
and he has but one. However, when I accepted his proposal, I wrote
saying that I had a young friend who wished to go to sea, and should be
very glad if he would nominate him. I'll let you know as soon as I get
his answer, but I do not want unduly to arouse your expectations."
Ned heartily thanked his friend for his good intentions towards him, as
did his uncle.
"I knew you would serve him, Hanson, if you could, and if you are not
successful, I'll take the will for the deed," said the old lieutenant,
as he shook the hand of his guest, whom he accompanied to the door.
Two days afterwards a note came from Lieutenant Hanson, enclosing one
from the commander of the "Ione," regretting that he had already filled
up his nomination, and had just heard that the Admiralty had already
promised the only other vacancy.
"It can't be helped, Ned," said Lieutenant Pack, in a tone which showed
how disheartened he was, although he did not intend to exhibit his
feelings. "Cheer up, we must not be cast down, we'll still hope that
something will turn up. In the meantime we'll try and be as happy as we
can. Aunt Sally and Mary are not tired of you, nor am I, my boy. It's
only because I know that you wish to be doing something, and that you
are right in your wishes, that I regret this delay."
Mary, though sympathising with Ned, could not from her heart say that
she was sorry. For the last two days she had been expecting to hear
that he would have to go off immediately.
Next morning the postman was seen coming up to the door with an
official-looking letter in his hand, and another of ordinary appearance;
Ned ran out to receive them. The first was addressed to Lieutenant
Pack, R.N. He opened it with far more agitation than he was wont to
exhibit. His countenance brightened.
"Ned, my boy!" he exclaimed, "this letter has reference to you. My
Lords do recognise my services--it is gratifying, very gratifying--and
they have nominated you as a volunteer of the first class to Her
Majesty's ship `Ione,' Commander Curtis, now fitting out at Portsmouth;
the very ship of which Hanson is to be first lieutenant. This is
fortunate. If he has not started, I'll get him to take you to
Portsmouth, and arrange your outfit. He'll do it, I am sure, and will
stand your friend if you do your duty; I know that you will do that, and
become an honour to the service, as your father would have been had he
lived."
Suddenly a thought seemed to strike the lieutenant. He had forgotten a
very important matter--the difficulty of obtaining the required funds.
The balance at his banker's would not meet the expenses to which he
himself must be put, even although the commander might not insist on the
usual allowance made to midshipmen. He was silent, thinking of what
could be done, and overlooking the envelope which lay on the table
beneath the official dispatch.
"Surely there was another letter," remarked Aunt Sally. "I wonder who
it can come from?"
"Bless me! so there is," said the lieutenant, glad to have for a moment
another occupation for his thoughts. He examined the address, and then
the coat of arms on the seal, before breaking it open, which he did
deliberately, as if he did not expect to find anything of interest
within. His countenance had brightened when he saw the letter from the
Admiralty, but it lighted up still more as he read the letter.
"Well, I little expected this from a stranger, at least from one on whom
we have no possible claim. Most liberal and generous. I said something
would turn up. What do you think, Sally? I really can scarcely read it
for the satisfaction it gives me, but I'll try. It begins--
"My dear Friend,--A severe illness has prevented me hitherto from
communicating with you, and from the same cause I was unable to attempt
forwarding your nephew's views; but as soon as I was well enough I
applied to the Admiralty, and their lordships, in consideration of your
own and brother-in-law's services, promised to nominate his son to the
first ship fitting out. I have to-day heard that he has been appointed
to the `Ione.' As I am aware that his outfit and allowance while at sea
will entail certain expenses, I have requested Commander Curtis to draw
on my bankers for the latter, while I beg to enclose a cheque for a
hundred pounds, which will cover the cost of his outfit, and it will
afford me great satisfaction to defray any further expenses which
unexpectedly may occur." The letter was signed, "Your faithful and
deeply-obliged friend, J. Farrance."
The tears started into Aunt Sally's eyes as she heard the letter read.
They were tears which showed how grateful she felt at the thought of her
brother's anxieties being relieved, mingled, however, with the feeling
that dear Ned was so soon to leave them.
"How very, very kind of Mr Farrance to help you to become a midshipman,
and some day you may perhaps be made a lieutenant. I am indeed glad!"
exclaimed Mary, though her faltering voice and the tears which filled
her eyes belied her words, as she remembered that Ned must go away, and
perhaps not come back for many long years.
"This is indeed far better than I could have hoped for," observed the
lieutenant, who had been again glancing over the letter while his sister
and Mary had been talking.
Ned himself for a minute or more could not utter a word.
"We must lose no time in setting about doing what is necessary,"
continued the lieutenant. "Sally, you'll get his things ready as fast
as you can. He will only require, however, a change or two, to serve
him until he can obtain his outfit. I'll write to the Admiralty to say
that he will join the `Ione' forthwith, and to Mr Farrance to thank him
for his generous offer, which I will accept for Ned, although I might
have thought twice about it had it been made more directly in my favour.
Ned, as soon as you have breakfasted, start away for Longview station.
Give Mr Hanson my regards, and say I shall be grateful to him if he
will take you under his wing to Portsmouth, and arrange about your
outfit; it will save me the expense of the journey, though I should
wonderfully like to see you on board your ship, to introduce you to the
captain and your future messmates. Sally, give Ned some slices of bread
and butter, while Mary pours me out a cup of tea."
Ned having diligently set to work to swallow the food, in less than a
minute declared himself ready to start.
"But you have taken nothing, my poor boy!" exclaimed Aunt Sally.
"I can eat the rest on the way," answered Ned, showing a slice of bread
which he had doubled up and put into his pocket.
"All right, you'll do well!" said his uncle, nodding approvingly. "When
you receive an order, lose no time in executing it."
Ned ran off, sprang up the hill with the agility of a deer, and made his
way to the coast-guard station faster than he had ever before performed
the distance. Standing at the door he found a stranger, who inquired
his errand.
"Mr Hanson started this morning, or he would have been happy to take
charge of you, youngster," was the answer he received. "But my son
Charley is to join the `Ione' in a couple of days, and you can accompany
him. As he has been to sea before, he will look after you and keep you
out of mischief. Tell your uncle, as I don't want to bring him all this
way, that I will, with his leave, call upon him in the course of the
morning to make the necessary arrangements. I'll make you known,
however, to my son before you go back; come in and have some breakfast."
"Thank you, sir, I have already had mine, and my uncle wants me to
return as soon as possible; but I shall be glad to be introduced to your
son. Who shall I tell my uncle you are, sir?"
"Say Lieutenant Meadows; we were for a short time messmates as
midshipmen on board the old `Goliath,' and I knew his brother-in-law,
poor Garth. Was he your father?"
"Yes, sir," answered Ned.
"I'm very glad that his son and mine are to be together. Charley!" he
shouted, turning round.
At the summons, a fine-looking lad in a midshipman's uniform, about two
years older than Ned, made his appearance, his face well bronzed by a
tropical sun and sea air. Ned thought at once, from the look he had at
his countenance, that he should like him. Lieutenant Meadows introduced
the boys to each other, and they shook hands, Charley saying that he
should be very glad to be of any service to his future messmate.
Ned, after exchanging a few words, wished his new friends good-bye, and
hurried homewards, well pleased at the thoughts of having a companion on
his journey who would put him up to what he would have to do on board
ship. This would make amends for his disappointment at not being able
to accompany Mr Hanson; Ned had not then learned to hold in any
especial awe the first lieutenant of a man-of-war, or he might greatly
have preferred the society of the midshipman to that of his superior
officer.
"I would rather you had been able to accompany Hanson," observed his
uncle, when Ned made his report. "This youngster may be a very steady
fellow, and do his best to help you, or he may be much the contrary and
try to lead you into all sorts of mischief; we cannot always judge by
the outside appearance. No, I won't risk it, I'll go with you and take
charge of you both; his father won't object to that. I shall save
Hanson the trouble of getting your outfit--he'll have quite enough to
do--and I'll introduce you to your commander. Yes, yes, that will be
the best plan."
In the course of the forenoon Lieutenant Meadows and his son Charley
paid their promised visit to Triton Cottage. The two old shipmates soon
recognised each other, and were well pleased with the anticipation of
having long yarns together about former days. The visitors were
introduced to Aunt Sally and Mary.
The arrangements for the journey were soon concluded, for Mr Meadows,
knowing what youngsters are made of, was happy to place his son in
charge of a brother officer, who would look after him until he had
joined his new ship.
While Ned was sent out of the room with a message to Jane and Tom to get
luncheon ready, Mary, though somewhat timidly, managed to get near
Charley Meadows.
"I want you to be kind to Ned, to take good care of him," she whispered.
"You do not know what a good boy he is; and we are very, very sorry for
him to go away, though we try to look cheerful, as he wants to become a
sailor, and we do not like to prevent him."
"Of course, young lady, for your sake I'll take as much care of him as I
can," answered Charley, looking down at Mary's sweet face, as she raised
it with an imploring look to his.
"But I want you to take care of him for his own sake, and be a brother
to him, for he has no brother of his own, and, except Lieutenant Hanson,
who knows him, he will be among strangers."
"Mr Hanson is first lieutenant of the ship, and will be able to take
much better care of him than I can," said Charley, "but I promise you I
will look after him and fight for him if necessary; but he seems a young
fellow who can stand up for himself, though, as he has not been to sea
before, he will be rather green at first."
"Thank you, thank you!" said Mary. "I felt that I must ask you, for you
do not know how we all love him."
"He is a fortunate fellow," observed Charley, smiling, "and I daresay he
will make friends wherever he goes; at all events, I promise that I will
be his friend if he will let me."
"O yes, I am sure he will; I am so glad that I spoke to you."
"All right, little lady, set your mind at rest on that score," said
Charley. "Here comes your brother."
Before Mary could explain that Ned was not her brother, (indeed she so
completely looked upon him as a brother that she often forgot that he
was not so), he entered the room. Mary's heart was greatly relieved at
the thoughts that Ned had already found a friend among his future
messmates.