When I came on deck the next morning we were driving down-channel
before a smart northwest wind. The sky was blue overhead; the low
rollers were just capped with foam; the air was clean and tangy; the
brownish, salt-stained canvas shone in the sunlight; the cordage
hummed and droned.
Murray stood by the weather rail with the negro, Tom, at his elbow.
As I emerged from the companionway Tom leaned forward and whispered
something to his master. Murray walked straight across the deck to
my side, his eyes fastened upon my face.
"How now, Master Juggins," he said heartily, his hand outstretched,
"and did you leave your good uncle--or is it cousin?--well!"
I perceived that he took me for the lout I was dressed to represent,
and strove to play up to the disguise.
"Well enough, sir," I answered sullenly, shifting clownishly from
foot to foot.
"'Tis good!" he exclaimed. "Faith I am vastly relieved. I have a
warm regard for honest Robert Juggins. He has spoken of me, perhaps?"
The question, designed to catch my simple mentality unawares, gave me
considerable amusement.
"Oh, aye," I muttered.
"We have been rivals in our ventures, as you doubtless know,"
continued Murray, taking a pinch of snuff in a manner which the Duc
d'Orleans might have envied.
"But he doesn't take it seriously, sir," I assured him gravely.
"Eh! What's that?"
"He laughs about it, sir."
And I goggled at him stupidly. After a moment's inspection of my
countenance he seemed constrained to accept the remark as witless
innocence, for a grim light of humor appeared in his eyes.
"Laughs, does he! Zooks, I might have known it. He is a merry soul,
Robert Juggins, and I should like to see him footing a morris to a
right merry tune. Mayhap we shall see it some day. Who knows?"
"Who knows, sir?" I repeated vacantly.
"And you are to cast your fortunes in America, lad!" he resumed.
"Oh, aye, sir."
"What I might have expected from a fine, upstanding young fellow," he
applauded me. "We need many of your like. You may count upon my
good offices in New York. Faith, I shall be glad to do a favor if I
can, for Robert Juggins' nephew--or did you say cousin?"
"I am----"
But he saved me from the lie.
"Ah, here is come one of our fellow passengers," he interrupted.