"Well, you have the advantage of me, for this is my first voyage; and
Esdale didn't know the stem from the stern when he first came on board.
Now come along to the half-deck; he and I are going to dinner; I suppose
you'll join us?"
Jim and I were beginning to feel hungry, and willingly accepted Horner's
invitation.
The savoury whiffs which came out of the caboose as we passed made me
feel more eager than ever for something to eat.
Horner took us down to the half-deck, where we found Esdale, of whom he
had spoken, seated on a chest reading. He was a pale, sickly-looking
youth, taller a good deal than Jim.
He put down his book and held out his hand to shake ours.
"It's your turn to go for the dinner," he said to Horner, "and it must
be ready by this time, but I'll go if you wish it."
"Well, you may go," said Horner; "I want to do the honours to these
fellows. Take care that you don't capsize with the things as you come
along the deck."
Then, without another word, Esdale got up, and putting his book into the
chest, went forward.
"I make him do just what I like," said Horner, in a contemptuous tone.
"Take care that you don't treat him in the same way, for if he has too
many masters he may be inclined to kick."
Before long Esdale returned with a bowl of pea-soup, and a plate at the
top of it containing some potatoes, and a piece of fat boiled pork.
"Now fall to, youngsters," said Horner, in a patronising tone. "I am
sorry not to be able to offer you better fare."
While he was speaking he got out of a locker four plates and two metal
spoons and two wooden ones.
We did ample justice to the dinner, as we had been accustomed to nothing
better while we were on board the _Nancy_. After the meal was finished
we returned on deck, though Esdale did not offer to accompany us, as he
spent his watch below, as Horner had said, in reading, writing, or
singing in a low voice to himself.
We passed the afternoon looking out for the land. At length, when night
came on, in spite of my anxiety to see the coast, and the long sleep I
had had, I felt scarcely able to keep my eyes open. Still, I should
probably have remained on deck after dark had not the doctor come to us
and said, "I have spoken to the captain, lads, and he promises to put
you on shore to-morrow morning; so now go and turn in, for you require
sleep."
We went to the half-deck, where we found that the carpenter had knocked
up some rough bunks, in which some mattresses and blankets had been
placed. We were both glad enough to turn in. I observed that Esdale,
before he did so, knelt down and said his prayers. It was Horner's
watch on deck, so that he was not present.