SHIPMATES FOR A ROUND THE WORLD CRUISE
Each passing day presented some new and attractive feature along
the banks of the great river; and under other conditions Maurice
would have been delighted to go ashore and witness the operation
of grinding sugarcane, or baling cotton where the cotton gin
worked. But these things would have to keep until another
occasion, for destiny now beckoned to the two lads, and they felt
that their fortunes were wrapped up in this anticipated meeting
with the old sailor.
On the twelfth of February, at two in the afternoon, they arrived
at the upper stretch of the river metropolis, and from that time
on they kept fully on the alert so as to avoid a collision with
some passing boat.
At the same time they were also looking for a certain boatyard, to
which they had been recommended by Mr. Buckley, who knew the
proprietor well, and for whom a letter was reposing in the pocket
of Maurice's coat.
Luckily this boatyard was near the upper part of the city, so that
they did not have to pass along the entire water front, in
constant danger of a spill from the many vessels moving about,
great tows of coal barges such as they had seen on the river many
times, ocean steamers, ferry boats, sailboats and numerous other
river craft propelled by steam, gasoline or sails.
The proprietor of the boatyard looked at them a bit suspiciously
as they drew the ungainly craft that had served them as a home
during the long cruise, into his "pocket;" but upon reading the
letter Maurice presented his face changed in its expression and he
shook hands with both lads heartily.
And thus early in their experience in the world our boys realized
what a splendid thing it is at any and all times to have a friend
at court, ready to speak a good work in one's favor.
They could tie up in the yard, and he would see to keeping the
shanty-boat with some things aboard, to be given to their friend,
Bob Archiable, when he arrived.
And yet Maurice and his friend looked at the Tramp with regret in
their eyes when they were saying good-by to the craft; for they
had enjoyed many good times aboard the faithful little floating
home since leaving the Indiana town, and would have many pleasant
memories in the dim future to look back upon.
Mr. Buckley had insisted upon Maurice taking the little snapshot
camera along with him when he departed, saying that he had ordered
a larger and more expensive one; and that it was worth it to be
shown how to develop and print in the clever manner Maurice had
done.
So, as there was a roll of film in the camera, Maurice had used it
in taking pictures of the boat and Dixie while they were floating
downstream; and if these turned out well they would always have a
reminder of their staunch craft and the little yellow cur that had
helped to brighten the voyage, now given over to the friendly boat
builder, who had conceived a fancy for him.
But that night they spent in their old quarters, getting things in
shape for a move in the morning, when they expected to find some
boarding place where they could put up until the arrival of the
Campertown.
It was one of the worst nights of the trip, for the sounds that
came to them from the city streets were so strange to their ears
that, as Thad declared, they seemed to be near some boiler
factory. Of course this was mostly because they had been off by
themselves for months, and the night meant a time of solemn
silence, save for the murmur of the wind through the trees, or the
splash of the waves upon the shore, or against the side of the
boat.
When day came both boys felt a bit rocky, having rested
wretchedly; but after fixing up and sallying forth they found a
restaurant where the demands of the inner man could be satisfied,
and then things began to assume a brighter aspect in their eyes.
Maurice purchased a paper and looked up the nautical news to see
whether the steamer of his uncle had arrived, or was spoken
outside the mouth of the river.
To his delight he discovered that she was expected on the
following morning, and during the day he and Thad found their way
to the identical spot where the Campertown would be apt to lay up
when releasing her cargo and taking on another.
They spent the better part of the day in seeing the city, now in
holiday attire, for it was the last of the Mardi Gras festivities,
as Lent was close at hand.
That night was a banner one to the two lads, who had never been in
a great city before, and especially at a time when the whole
population seemed to have given itself up to gaiety.
They spent the time upon the streets until past midnight, watching
the floats go by in gorgeous procession, and mixing up with the
festive maskers bent upon having all the fun possible, since
tomorrow they must begin to mourn.
Thoroughly tired out, our boys finally said good-by to these
riotous sounds and hied away to the quiet house where they had a
room. Once abed there was no need on this night to toss and turn,
for they hardly hit the pillow before they lost all track of time
and were sound asleep.
Another dawn found them up and eager to get down to the river.
They could hardly wait to get their breakfast before putting out
at full speed.
The steamer had come in during the night, and with emotions that
would be indeed difficult to define they read the word Campertown.
How big she looked to them--for they had never seen anything larger
than a river steamboat until the preceding day; and to think that
this palatial vessel (for such the tramp appeared in their eyes)
might be their home for months, yes, years to come.
Maurice boldly asked for the captain, and was told that he was
asleep, and on no condition could he be seen until ten; so they
had to content themselves with wandering around and talking about
what the chances were for success.
Thad was very nervous, for it must be understood that as yet good
Uncle Ambrose did not even know that such a fellow existed on
earth, and his future was, to say the least, uncertain.
The possibility of being separated by a cruel fate from this chum
whom he loved so well was beginning to give Thad a heartache; and
his hands trembled in spite of his smiling face, every time he
looked at Maurice.
The time that elapsed until the hour of ten arrived was about as
weary a stretch as either of our lads ever knew; indeed, Thad
afterward declared that it was worse than on the occasion when
they had to put in an hour of dreadful suspense in the cabin of
the shanty-boat while the storm raged on the river, and it was
doubtful whether they would ever see daylight again.
But finally the time came for them to go aboard; and mustering
their courage to the fore they went up the gang plank.
A sailor directed them to the captain's room and here Maurice
discovered a big man in a uniform, whose bearded face had a kindly
look, and who at his entrance jumped up, stared at him a couple of
seconds and then pounced upon him like a great grizzly bear,
grasping both his hands and roaring:
"Jim's boy for all the world--he very image of his dad as I
remember him, I'm mighty glad to see you, Maurice, and at first
sight I know we're going to get on fine together. And you're come
down to go with old Uncle Ambrose to foreign ports, eh? That's
great. I tell you this does me good, just to see you, lad. I've
been getting kind of homesick lately--ought to have been ashamed
of myself for not looking you up sooner; but a fellow who's in all
parts of the world loses his grip on things sometimes; but never
mind, I'm going to make it up to you from now on. But who's this
with you, son?"
That made the desired opening; so Thad was introduced as the
finest fellow in all the world, and before Maurice knew it he had
launched out on a narrative of their long cruise down the great
river, in which Thad had borne himself as a true American boy
should, always ready to take his turn at duty, never shirking
peril or stress, and cooking the most delightful meals that
anybody ever ate.
Captain Haddon's eyes gleamed with humor as he heard the virtues
of the modest Thad thus extolled to the skies; he knew what was
coming, but it pleased him to keep the boys on the anxious seat a
while, for this was a every amusing happening to the old salt.
And then, when they told how they had spent a week and more with
his old "bunky" Simon Buckley, he was intensely interested;
whereupon Maurice saw fit to bring out the letter of
recommendation wherein the said Simon declared that Thad was
certainly a good, conscientious carpenter, and he could wager his
old friend would never regret it if he saw fit to give the lad a
chance on board his vessel.
Then the captain looked at Thad, sizing him up from the crown of
his head to his toes, after which he thrust out his hand and said
heartily:
"Tip us your fin, Thad, my lad. It would be cruelty to separate
two such good shanty-boat mates as you. I'll find something for
you to do aboard, and by thunder you'll see the world together.
That cruise was immense, and I'd have enjoyed nothing better
myself than to have been along with you. I expect to hear many a
yarn concerning those happenings as we sail across the big pond;
for our next port call is going to be Liverpool, where we take on
a cargo for Australia, and then to Japan, so you see before you're
a year older both of you may have gone almost around the world;
for we're likely to bring up at 'Frisco. Thad, consider that
you're as good as booked for the trip. And now go about your
business for a time. Here, Maurice, take this little amount for
expenses, and be back on board by evening. Tomorrow I'll start you
in at your work under my present man, who is quitting us by the
time we leave Orleans."
Maurice could hardly find words to thank him, and Thad was in the
same boat; but then the old sea-dog understood boys, and he knew
just how they felt, so that as each of them shook hands with him
and looked mutely in his face he only grinned and nodded and said:
"I know all about it, lads, how you feel. But you've made me
happier than you are yourselves. I was beginning to get into a
rut, and seemed to have nothing to live for. The sight of you, my
boy, has made me ten years younger. Bun along now, and don't get
into any mischief; but I can see with one eye that neither of you
have any use for grog, and there's little chance for trouble when
that is avoided."
They went ashore with light hearts; indeed, it seemed as though
they must be treading on air, and they could hardly refrain from
hugging each other, the world looked so bright in their eyes.
It was a ten dollar bill the rugged old captain had thrust into
the hand of Maurice; and one of the first things he did was to go
to a photographer and have some prints made of the films exposed
during the latter part of the voyage; for already he was feeling
some signs of homesickness in connection with the poor old Tramp,
and desirous of showing his uncle what a "bully old floater" she
was, as Thad said.
What they did not do the balance of the day would be easier to
tell than any attempt to describe the many things they saw and
experienced; but taken in all it was a red letter time, never to
be forgotten.
The future beckoned with enticing fingers, and the horizon looked
red with the glowing promise of hope; but at the same time as they
glanced backward they would always have tender feelings for every
memory connected with that river trip, and the shanty-boat on which
the voyage had been made.
THE END.
End of Project Gutenberg's The House Boat Boys, by St. George Rathborne