himself. "I should not be honouring my mother if I was to disobey her
wishes, even though I was to become an officer, and see all the world,
and come back with my pockets full of gold. No, no! Lieutenant
Charlton is very kind and very good--that I am sure of; but, poor dear
mother, I'll not leave her, unless she bids me, in God's name, go and
prosper."
Ben was now sufficiently recovered to return home. He went back in a
cart provided for him by the good lieutenant, who had also during his
confinement not been unmindful of his mother. Ben found that some
ladies had called on her, saying that they were the parents of the
children who had been saved by Ben's bravery and presence of mind, and
they insisted, as the least they could do, on supplying all her wants
during his absence. They also promised further aid when they had
learned how they could best bestow it. Indeed, Mrs Hadden had been
much better off of late than she had been for a long time before.
"I think, mother, that we should say, besides `Do right, whatever comes
of it,' `Whatever happens is for the best,' even though it looks to us
like a great misfortune. I thought that I was very unfortunate when I
got knocked down and had my ribs broken, and yet you see how much good
has come out of it. You have been well looked after, and I have gained
more friends than I might otherwise have found during all my life."
"Yes, Ben," answered Mrs Hadden, "yes. God orders all for the best,
there's no doubt about that; but His ways are not our ways, and we
cannot always see how that which happens is to work for our good as
clearly as we now see how your broken ribs which you speak of have
brought me many comforts I should not otherwise have enjoyed. Your
father, Ben, would have said what I do; and I often think, now that he
is in heaven enjoying perfect happiness, how he blesses God that he was
born a poor humble fisherman, with the grace and the religious
privileges he enjoyed, instead of some rich man, whose heart might have
remained unchanged, or instead of one who might have put his faith in
the Pope of Rome, or in that wicked impostor we were reading about,
Mahomet. Ah, Ben, we often are not thankful enough for all the
religious advantages we enjoy, and, above all, that we have so fully and
freely the gospel placed before us."
CHAPTER FIVE.
A TURN IN BEN'S HISTORY.
Little Ben had now sufficiently recovered to follow his former business,
for though not as strong as before his accident, he calculated on
getting an occasional lift in a cart, so as to make his rounds with less
difficulty. The first day he went down to the beach when the boats came
in, he was welcomed with a friendly smile from all the fishermen. They
had heard how he had saved the little children from being run over by
the horse and cart. First one brought him a couple of fine fish,
saying, "That's for you, Ben. Don't talk of payment this time." Then
another did the same thing, and another, and another, till his basket
was so full that he could scarcely carry it. He thanked the kind
fishermen all very much, and said that he was sure he did not deserve
that from them; but they replied that they were better judges than he
was of that matter, and that they only wished they could afford to fill
his basket in the same manner every morning. This was very pleasant to
Ben's feelings, and he got so good a price for the fish, which were very
fine, that he was ever afterwards able to pay ready money for all he
bought.
Day after day Ben went his rounds; but, though he generally got a fair
price for the fish he sold, he could scarcely gain sufficient to procure
food and clothing for himself and his mother, and firing and lights, and
to pay the taxes with which even they were charged. Sometimes he did
not sell all the fish he had bought, and, as fish will not keep long, he
and his mother had to eat them themselves, or to sell them to other poor
people at a low rate. Then he wore out a good many pairs of shoes, as
well as other clothes, as he had to be out in all weathers; for those
who wanted a dish of fish for dinner would not have been satisfied had
he waited till the next morning to bring it to them on account of a
storm of rain or snow. Mrs Hadden had thought of taking to sell fish
herself, to relieve Ben somewhat, but he urged her not to make the
attempt. She was not strong, and, although a fisherman's wife, had been
unaccustomed to out-door work. She had been in service during her
younger days as a nurse, where she enjoyed every comfort she could
desire. When she married, though no man's cottage was better kept than
John Hadden's, and no children were better cared for and brought up, she
could not help him in the way the wives of most of the fishermen were
expected to do. "But then," as John remarked, when some of his friends
warned him that he was a lout to marry a fine lady and a useless person,
"she is a God-fearing, pious woman, and she'll do her best in whatever I
wish her to do." So she did, and till the day of his death John never
had reason to regret his choice.
"God will show us what ought to be done, and give the strength to do it,
if I ought to go out and sell fish to obtain our daily food," said Mrs
Hadden, after she had one day been talking over the subject with Ben.
"Yes, mother, there is no doubt but that God will show us what ought to
be done," he answered. "But the minister was telling us on Sunday that
God brings about what He wishes to take place through human means, and
does not work what we call miracles; so I think that, if He hasn't given
you the strength of body to carry about a basket of fish through the
country, He does not wish you so to employ yourself."
The discussion was cut short by the appearance of Lieutenant Charlton,
who had ridden up to the door of the cottage. Ben ran out to welcome
him and to hold his horse, but he said, "No, we must get somebody else
to take care of the animal while you and I have a talk with your mother
over matters." Ben easily found a lad to lead his kind friend's horse
up and down on the sand, and then he accompanied the lieutenant into the
cottage.
"I have a great deal to say to you, Mrs Hadden, and so I hope that you
will hear me patiently," said the lieutenant, sitting down in the chair
John Hadden used to occupy. "First, I must tell you that I am going
away to sea. I have a mother who is a great invalid, and requires the
constant attendance of a sensible, good-tempered Christian woman who can
read to her, and talk and amuse her. I know no person so well qualified
for the post as you are. My sister, who lives with her, thinks so
likewise, and will be most thankful to have your assistance. In this
way, if you will accept our offer, you yourself will be well provided
for. Now, with regard to little Ben. Selling fish is a very
respectable occupation, but not a very profitable one, I suspect, from
what I can hear, and I think that your son is fitted for something
better. To be sure, he may some day become a full-grown fishmonger, but
that can only be some years hence; and, from what he has told me, I find
that he has a strong wish to go to sea, though, unless you were
comfortably provided for, nothing would tempt him to leave you. Now you
see my plan: you shall take care of my mother, and I will take care of
your son. What do you say to it?"
"That I am most grateful to you for your kindness, sir," answered the
widow in a trembling voice; "thus much I can say at once; but I am sure
that you will excuse me for not giving a decided answer immediately. I
should wish to lay the matter before God in prayer, and Ben and I will
go over to-morrow morning to give you our reply, if you can kindly wait
so long. I wish to do what is right; but ah, sir, it is a hard thing to
have to part from my only boy, after having lost so many!"
"Though my time is short before I must join my ship, of which I am first
lieutenant, and I am much hurried, I will gladly wait till to-morrow
morning, that you may decide for the best," answered the lieutenant. "I
shall not be, I hope, less your friend, though you may differ in opinion
with me and decline my offer." The kind officer, however, before he
took his departure, told Mrs Hadden, in case she should give Ben leave
to accompany him, what preparations she should make for him, saying that
all expenses would be borne by the friends who wished to serve her. He
assured her that Ben would be well treated, and would probably find many
good men on board ship, who would support him in doing right, though he
would of course find many who would do their utmost to lead him astray;
that, if he continued as he had begun, he would certainly be made a
petty officer, and very likely, if he wished it, a warrant-officer, when
he would be able to retire on a comfortable pension, and at all events,
in case of being wounded, he would have Greenwich Hospital to fall back
on.
Mrs Hadden and little Ben thought and talked and prayed over the
subject after the lieutenant was gone, and the result was that his offer
was accepted. Instead of leaping for joy, as Ben thought he should do
if this conclusion were come to, he threw his arms round his mother's
neck, exclaiming, "Oh, mother, mother, how can I be so cruel and
hard-hearted as to think of leaving you! I'll stay with you, and work
for you as before, if you wish it, indeed I will. I would rather stay--
I shall be very happy at home with you."
Mrs Hadden knew that these feelings were very natural, and, believing
that it was to Ben's advantage that he should go to sea with so kind an
officer as Lieutenant Charlton, she would not allow her resolution to be
shaken, though her mother's heart was saying all the time, "Let him give
it up, and stay at home with you." Children often but little understand
how much parents give up for what they, at all events, believe will
benefit those children.
The lieutenant had desired Mrs Hadden to let him know as soon as she
had decided, as, should Ben not go with him, he should take some other
boy in his place. In spite of all she could do, tears blotted the paper
as she wrote her humble thanks accepting his offer. The lieutenant
remarked it, observing, "Poor woman! I suppose it must be a trial to
her to part with her boy--I did not think much of that."
"Indeed it must be, my son," said Mrs Charlton, his mother, who
overheard him: "I found it very hard to part with you--though I did so
because I thought it was right."
"You did, mother, I am sure, and providentially I fell into good hands,
and have every reason to be thankful that I went to sea," said the
lieutenant.
"I trust that Mrs Hadden will hear little Ben say the same when he
comes back from sea," said Mrs Charlton.
"I pray that I may be able to do my duty towards the boy, and watch
carefully over him," said the lieutenant.
"Depend on it, God will aid you. He always does those who trust in Him
and desire to serve Him," answered Mrs Charlton. "Tell the boy also,
should he at any time appear anxious about his mother, that I also will
do my best to take care of her."
Mrs Hadden had indeed reason to say, "Truly God careth for the
fatherless and widows who put their trust in Him."
Ben's outfitting operations now went on briskly. Some kind ladies sent
a piece of strong calico to make him some shirts, and from morning to
night Mrs Hadden's busy fingers were plying her needle till they were
finished. Other friends supplied his different wants, and he was soon
quite ready to accompany Lieutenant Charlton. The day to leave home
came. The worst part of the business was parting from his mother; yet,
great as was the pain, it was not so great as might have been expected.
People when conscious of doing right are saved much grief and suffering;
especially, if they trust in God, they know that He can and will deliver
them out of all their troubles.
"I shall come back, mother, to you; I know I shall. God will take care
of me; I will try and do right, and serve Him faithfully; and perhaps,
mother, I may bring back Ned with me," said Ben to his mother, who had
taken up her abode with Mrs Charlton. These were his last words to her
as he again and again embraced her, and then, tearing himself away, he
ran after the lieutenant, who was walking rapidly down the street
towards the inn from which the coach started that was to convey them to
Portsmouth.
Ben felt as if he had reached a new world even as he travelled along the
road, much more so when he entered London itself, where Mr Charlton
went to the house of a relation. Ben was shown into the kitchen, and
handed over to the care of the page. He found that, at the very outset
of his career, he was to meet with temptation to do wrong. After the
late dinner, the page came down with two rich-looking dishes untouched,
and took them into a little room, where he had invited Ben to meet him.
"Be quick, let us eat them up," he said, "all but a small part of each;
the housekeeper will never find it out, and I can tell cook how much I
heard people praising them."
"No; unless the housekeeper or cook gives it to us, I will touch
nothing," answered Ben stoutly.
"Nonsense! wherever did you learn such stuff?" exclaimed the page in
surprise. "Why, we think nothing of that sort of thing; what harm can
come of it?"
"I don't see that that has anything to do with the matter," said Ben.
"I've been taught always to do right, whatever comes of it; and 'tis
doing very far from right to take what doesn't belong to one; it is
doing very wrong--it is stealing."
"I never should have thought that," said the page; "I wouldn't steal
sixpence from no one, that I wouldn't! but just taking something out of
a dish of good things that comes down from the parlour is altogether
different."
"Now I don't see any difference at all," said Ben, more earnestly than
before; "the long and the short of the matter is, that it's wrong, and
we mustn't do wrong even if we fancy good is to come out of it. Just
the contrary: we must do right, whatever we think may come out of it.
God says, `_Do right_.' He'll take care of the rest."
The page did not utter another word, and Ben had the satisfaction of
seeing him take the dishes into the housekeeper's room. This was a
great encouragement to him. "If I can persuade one person to do right
in what he thinks a trifle, I may persuade others; and, at all events, I
will go on, with God's help, doing so whenever I have an opportunity,"
said Ben to himself. "That is right, I know."
The page was not at all the less friendly after this, but he treated Ben
with much more respect, and Ben was very sorry to part with him. Nearly
his last words to him were, "Never mind what you have been accustomed to
think or to do, but just remember to do right at all times. Jesus
Christ, who came on earth to save us, and to teach us how to live and
act in the world, has left us an example that we should walk in His
steps. And if we were always to ask ourselves what He would have done
if He had been put in our place, and do accordingly, that will be the
right thing for us."
Ben spoke so naturally and so earnestly, that the page didn't think it
anything like canting; but he answered, "I'll try and do what you say,
Ben, and when you're away at sea perhaps you'll remember me, and ask God
to show me what's right. He's more likely to listen to you than to me."
"Oh no, no! don't suppose that for a moment!" exclaimed Ben. "He's
ready to hear all who call upon Him faithfully. He's very kind, and
loving, and gentle. He waits to be gracious. We should never get
better if we waited to get better of ourselves. We must go to Him just
as we are, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ to wash away our sins; that
will do it--nothing else."
Little Ben had an advantage over a very large number of people, educated
and rich, as well as poor and humble. He had been all his life
accustomed to read the Bible, and so he knew more about God and His
will, and could talk more rightly about Him, than those who do not read
God's Word can possibly do. He went daily to the fountain, and kept his
pitcher full of the water of life. They who seldom or never go, must
have their pitchers empty.
CHAPTER SIX.
LIFE ON SHIPBOARD.
Mr Charlton had been appointed as first lieutenant of the Ajax, a
thirty-six gun frigate, fitting-out for the Pacific station. On his
arrival at Portsmouth, he at once repaired on board, taking Ben with
him. As they pulled up the harbour in a shore boat towards the frigate,
which lay lashed alongside a hulk, Ben was astonished at the number of
ships he saw, and the vast size of many of them. It seemed to him as if
the wind could never affect such monstrous constructions, even to move
them along through the water; and as to the sea tossing them about as it
did the boats to which he was accustomed, that seemed impossible.
Several of them carried a hundred huge iron guns, and others even a
larger number. He saw many more on the stocks in the dockyard, and
others moored up the harbour, and he thought to himself, "Now, if people
of different nations would but live at peace with each other, and try to
do each other all the good in the world they can, instead of as much
harm as possible, and employ their time in building merchant vessels and
other works for the advantage of their fellow-creatures, how very much
better it would be!"--Many wise and good men think as did little Ben,
and yet they have to acknowledge that, while nations continue wickedly
ambitious, and jealous of each other's wealth and power, it is the duty
of governments to be armed and prepared to resist aggression.
Ben felt very much astonished, and almost frightened, when he found
himself on board the frigate, at the din and bustle which was going
forward, and the seeming confusion--the shrill whistle of the boatswain,
and the hoarse shouting of his mates, as yards were swayed up, and coils
of rope and stores of all sorts were hoisted on board. Ben could not
understand one-half that he heard, so many strange expressions were
used--indeed, there seemed to be a complete Babel of tongues, with,
unhappily, much swearing and abuse. Ben thought that the work would
have gone on much more satisfactorily without it. He observed, after a
time, that which appeared confusion was in reality order. Each gang of
men was working under a petty officer, who received his orders from
superior officers, of whom there were three or four stationed in
different parts of the ship; and they, again, were all under the command
of the officer in charge. Each man attended only to his own business,
and, let all the petty officers bawl as loud as they might, he was deaf
to the voice of every one of them except to that of the officer placed
over him. As Ben was left standing by himself alone, he had an
opportunity of making observations on what was going forward. He would
have naturally formed a very unfavourable opinion of a man-of-war, had
he seen her only thus in all the hurry of fitting-out. He was beginning
to think that he was forgotten, when a boy of about his own age, neatly
dressed in white trousers, and shirt with a broad worked collar, came up
to him, and said--
"The first lieutenant wants you: come with me."
Ben was very glad to move.
"What's your name?" asked the boy.
Ben told him.
"Mine is Tom Martin," said his companion; "I'm the boatswain's son. Mr
Charlton says I'm to look after you, and tell you what you want to know.
But you've been to sea before, haven't you?"
"Only in fishing-boats," answered Ben; "and I shall be much obliged to
you for telling me what I ought to know."
"As to that, you'll soon pick it up; for you don't look like one of
those chaps who come aboard with the hay-seed still in their hair," said
Tom. "Here we are at the gun-room door."
Mr Charlton's voice and eye were as kind as ever, though he spoke in
rather a stiffer manner than was his custom on shore. He told Ben that
he had had his name entered on the ship's books, and that the boatswain
would look after him, and give him instruction with his own son; besides
this, that he was to be one of the boys employed in attending on the
gun-room officers, which was an advantage, as it would give him plenty
to do, and some little pay besides.
"You may go forward now," said Mr Charlton. "The gun-room steward will
tell you what to do when he comes on board. And remember, Martin, I
shall depend on you to show Hadden everything he ought to know, and all
about the ship."
"Ay, ay, sir," said Tom, pulling a lock of his hair, as of course he
held his hat in his hand. Then he gave Ben a nudge, to signify that he
was to come away with him.
"You are a lucky chap to have the first lieutenant for your friend,"
observed Tom, as they went forward.
"Yes, he's a kind, good gentleman as ever lived," answered Ben warmly.
"That may be; but what I mean is, if you keep wide awake, and try to win
his favour, you'll have a comfortable time of it, and get a good rating
before the ship is paid off," observed Tom.
Ben, resolved as he was to keep to his principles, and to be ready to
own them on all fit occasions, looked at his companion, and said, "I
know, Martin, there's one thing I have to do, and that is, to do right
whatever comes of it. If I do right, I need have no fear but that, in
the long-run, I shall please the first lieutenant and all the officers;
at any rate, I shall please God, and that's of more consequence than
anything else."
"Oh, I see what sort of a chap you are!" observed Tom. "Well, don't go
and talk like that to others--they mayn't take it as I do; for my part,
I don't mind it." And Tom put on a very self-pleased, patronising air.
"I don't see that I have said anything out of the way," remarked Ben.
"It stands to reason that to do right is the only way to please God, and
that to please God is the wisest thing to do, as He gives us everything
we have; and of course He will give more to those who try to please Him
than to those who do not. There are many other reasons, but that is
one, is it not?"
"Yes, I suppose so; but I haven't thought much about such things," said
Tom.
"Then do think about them. I know that it is a good thing to do," said
Ben.
"I'll try," whispered Tom.
It must not be supposed that Ben and Tom often talked together like this
at first. There was too much bustle going forward for anything of the
sort; they, as well as everybody in the ship, were kept hard at work
from sunrise to sunset, and they were both so sleepy at night, when they
turned into their hammocks, that they instantly fell fast asleep.
Ben had thus an opportunity of observing the whole process of
fitting-out a ship. First he saw the huge, heavy guns hoisted on board,
by means of tackles, with as much ease as an angler draws a big fish out
of the water; then they were mounted on their carriages, and secured
along the sides. Tackles, he learned, are formed by reeving ropes
several times backwards and forwards through blocks. Then the topmasts
and yards were got on board, swayed up, and crossed. Next, stores of
all sorts were brought alongside--anchors, and chain-cables, and coils
of rope, and round shot, and sails, and canvas, and paint, and tools for
the various departments, and muskets, and cutlasses, and pistols, and
bullets. No powder, however, came; and Ben learned that that would not
be brought on board till the ship was out at Spithead. This rule was
made because of accidents which had occurred formerly, ships having been
blown up in the harbour, and been not only themselves destroyed, but
caused the destruction of others, and the lives of very many people.
Ben, however, saw the place where it was to be kept--a room lined with
iron, with two doors. Between the doors was a sort of anteroom, and the
outer door had an iron grating in it. There were means of flooding the
magazine, in case of the ship catching fire. Last of all, the
provisions and water were got on board--casks of beef and pork, and
flour, and groceries, and spirits; and there were candles, and clothing,
and (more necessary than most other things) water came alongside in
lighters, and was pumped up into large iron tanks at the bottom of the
ship. These tanks were large enough to allow a person to get into them
to clean them out. They were in the inside coated with lime, and Ben
was told that the water was kept in them fresh and pure for years.
The tools and stores were under the charge of three different
warrant-officers--the gunner, the boatswain, and the carpenter. The
first had everything connected with the guns, the shot, and powder; the
boatswain had charge of all the ropes, sails, anchors, and cables; and
the last of all, the woodwork, and spars, and pumps.