"I should have expected, Mr Laurel, that you would have known better
than to try and upset the discipline of the ship," he observed, in a
sarcastic tone. "How can you expect the men to obey me if you try and
make them suppose that they are better than I am?"
"I am not attempting to do so, Captain Slack," I answered, quietly.
"The more I read the Bible, the more clearly I see that it is the duty
of Christians to obey those set in authority over them; and I am very
sure that those of the crew who follow its precepts will become more
obedient seamen and more anxious to do their duty than heretofore."
"As to that, I am a better judge than a youngster who has only just left
school," he observed; "and I warn you, as I warned your friend, to take
care of what you are about."
As we were only doing what his predecessor had encouraged, the captain
did not dare to prohibit our meetings, and Dick and I continued as
before to read our Bibles, and to induce all we could to listen. The
third mate and one of the midshipmen, as well as several of the seamen
and passengers, joined us, though the rest seemed more than ever
determined to reject the truth, and to go on in their old ways.
As we neared Sydney, the captain resumed his shore-going manners, and
did his best to make himself agreeable to the passengers.
On a fine morning, soon after daybreak, we entered the magnificent
harbour of Port Jackson. As soon as the passengers had landed and the
cargo was discharged, we had to turn to and prepare the ship for sea, so
I had little opportunity of visiting the place. As we had orders to
clean up the cabins, we knew that we were to take passengers home; and
having received a cargo of wool, "Blue Peter" was hoisted, as a sign
that we were ready to sail. Several passengers immediately came on
board: among the last was a gentleman, who, by his dress, I knew to be a
missionary or clergyman, and two ladies who accompanied him. No sooner
had the younger lady stepped on deck than I felt sure she was my old
friend Miss Kitty. I ran eagerly up to her. Her surprise was even
greater than mine, for she did not recollect me. Her companions were
Mr and Mrs Newton. They all expressed their pleasure at seeing me,
and told me that they had come to Sydney, on their way to England.
Miss Kitty looked very sad. I was afraid of asking about Captain
Falconer, fearing that something painful might have occurred connected
with him. I waited, hoping to hear his name mentioned. At length I
made the inquiry of Mr Newton.
"He has paid us two visits, and is still in these seas, though hoping
soon to return home," he answered. "He is as much attached as ever to
our friend, but he is wisely anxious to secure the comforts of a home
before he marries; and though she would not have refused to become his
wife, had he pressed her, still, believing that her father is alive, and
may return home, she wishes first to obtain his sanction."
With a favourable breeze, the _Phoebe_ soon ran the coast of Australia
out of sight.