Reuben replied laughingly. "Do you know, I'd clean forgot everythin'
except the little beauty that we've worked over so long! If Eliakim
Doak could see her this minute, I'm reckonin' he'd jest about go crazy
'cause she don't belong to him any longer!"
"Don't talk about that old heathen!" Tommy cried imploringly. "It seems
like it would bring us bad luck even to speak his name on the first day
the 'Sally' is in the water. Take hold with me, Sam, an' we'll shove
off the dory, else Mr. Rowe'll never get through lookin' at the
schooner!"
Reuben aroused himself, as it were, and in another moment set about the
work which was necessary before the first steps toward making ready the
thanksgiving feast could be taken.
It was agreed that Tom should go aboard and build a fire in the
cook-stove, which had been made ready for use several days before the
launching, while Sam began the task of bringing the eatables from the
shanty to the shore, with the assistance of Reuben and little Joey, as
soon as the guests had been brought ashore, for the "baby of the family"
had insisted on being allowed to aid in the celebration.
Although no one had anticipated the coming of guests, it had been agreed
that Uncle Ben should not raise his hand in the way of work on this day,
therefore, according to the program already made, he had nothing to do
save act the part of host to Mr. Mansfield and his friends.
How Sam and Tom worked when the food had been brought aboard the "Sally"
and they, with Joey as assistant, were alone on the schooner! Sam had
already laid his plans as to what should be served for dinner, and such
a quantity of food had been provided that even the addition of three to
the list of feasters did not require additional preparation, save in the
way of extra dishes and stools.
Because of the visitors from Southport, Mr. Rowe suggested that a table
be set up on deck, since the cabin was too small to accommodate so many,
therefore, while the boys worked over the stove he and Joey put two
boards, that were well scrubbed with soap and water, across from the top
of the cabin to the starboard rail, and on these the feast was spread.
The bill of fare was made up of fried lobster, broiled cunners, roasted
clams, lobster chowder, stewed clams, potatoes and fresh bread in
plenty, and coffee for all in brightly-scoured tin cups.
Not until late in the afternoon was Sam willing to admit that he could
do no more, and then Mr. Rowe brought Uncle Ben and the guests on board,
after making the dory gay with a couple of old flags.
If the boys had been hoping to be complimented for their skill as cooks
they were not disappointed, for the gentlemen from Southport were loud
and profuse in their praises as they seated themselves on either side
the makeshift for a table, and Sam's eyes glistened when Uncle Ben
declared that the "family cook" was the best coffee maker "he had ever
struck."
It can well be fancied how fervent was the blessing the old lobster
catcher invoked, and a stranger might have thought that the schooner had
been presented to him without money and without price, so humbly
grateful was he to the good God for the gift of the little vessel.
Sam and Tom insisted upon waiting upon those at table, and little Joey
had been eager to assist them, but Uncle Ben declared that he wouldn't
be able to eat a mouthful unless the baby was by his side, therefore,
the two boys had the pleasure of conducting the feast unaided.
How the food disappeared after the feasters got well to work! If Sam's
skill as a cook had not already been spoken of he would have understood
that it was fully appreciated before that dinner came to an end. Even
though so much had been prepared, it was necessary to fry six more
lobsters, else the two boys would have gone hungry, for nearly
everything on the table was gone before the last man declared it was
impossible for him to eat any more.
"It's the best dinner I ever put into my mouth," Mr. Mansfield said
decidedly as he sipped the steaming coffee. "I've heard it said Sammy
Cushing could beat any cook that ever sailed out of the Port; but I
never put much faith in the talk till to-day. I allow you're buildin'
up quite a family here, Uncle Ben?"
"That's what I'm hopin' to do, William," the old lobster catcher replied
modestly. "Not havin' child nor chick of my own, it seems as if I
oughter do somethin' in the way of lookin' after youngsters what haven't
got any homes. Apple Island is big enough for a good many, an' now that
we've got this 'ere schooner to be used in fishin', I'm allowin' that we
can provide for quite a number of lads who are willin' to help
themselves. Since Reuben Rowe wants to stay with us, an' will run the
'Sally,' it stands to reason that with what the vessel brings in, added
to the lobsterin', we'll be able to do more than pay our way."
"I've allers allowed that you was a good citizen, Uncle Ben," Mr.
Mansfield said as he rose to his feet, "an' we at the Port are proud of
you, even though we haven't said very much about it. When the selectmen
got so snug that they couldn't afford to keep Joey at the poor farm, an'
you gave him a home sich as any boy can be happy in, we had a better
idee of what you was tryin' to do than if you'd spent a week explainin'
it. The upshot of the whole matter is that we of the Port made up our
minds to have a hand in the business, an' without much tryin' we've
raised a hundred dollars cash, with the agreement to give more when it's
needed, so here's the money."
Having said this, Mr. Mansfield laid before Uncle Ben a roll of
bank-notes, and then sat down with the air of a man who is nearly on the
verge of exhaustion from much speaking.
Uncle Ben was so surprised that during several moments it seemed
impossible for him to say a word; he swallowed something which seemed to
have come up in his throat suddenly, brushed his eyes as if they were
full of dust, started up to leave the table, and then sank back again as
if unable to do other than keep down the lump in his throat.
It was Mr. Rowe who put an end to what was becoming really unpleasant by
crying out loudly:
"Three cheers for Uncle Ben an' the people of the Port who've found out
what kind of a man he is!"
Then all hands, except the old man himself, cheered wildly, and in the
confusion caused by this outburst Mr. Mansfield proposed that the guests
go ashore in order that the boys might have a chance to set the deck of
the schooner to rights after the thanksgiving feast.
"It begins to look as if this 'ere family was comin' out right strong,
if the folks at the Port are lookin' after it," Tom said, in a tone of
triumph, and Sam replied sharply:
"Put all the people at the Port together, an' they wouldn't make up one
of Uncle Ben's fingers! It would have been a long day before they
thought of startin' a family, an' it wasn't until Uncle Ben had spent
about all the money he had in the bank that they woke up to the idee he
was doin' somethin' big in helpin' sich fellers as you an' me."
"Don't you count one hundred dollars any thin'?" Tom asked in surprise.
"Of course I do; but what is it for all of them to raise, when Uncle Ben
has put out more'n five times as much without winkin'?"
Then Sam, as if he had settled the matter finally, went about his work,
and the sun was not yet ready to drop out of sight behind the hills when
the deck and cabin of the "Sally D." were as cleanly and orderly as
before the feast was made ready.
Mr. Mansfield and his friends were not inclined to eat the "bread of
idleness," as was shown very shortly after they went on shore; for then
they set about bringing out ballast in the dories, under the direction
of Mr. Rowe, until a full half hour before night had shut in, the "Sally
D." was in good trim for the trial trip on the following morning.
As had been arranged, the regular crew of the "Sally" slept on board
that night in the newly-painted bunks. Reuben claimed the right as
captain to the aftermost one on the starboard side, while Sam and Tom
occupied the two forward berths opposite, and very snug and beautiful
was the cabin when the small swinging lamp had been lighted.
"It won't be anythin' more'n fun to go out fishin' in a craft like
this," Tom said sleepily, as he took one last look around before Mr.
Rowe extinguished the light for the night, and the "captain" replied
with no little of sharpness in his tones:
"It's dollars, not fun, that we'll be after, lad, when once the work is
begun. This 'ere schooner has cost a heap of money, even though Uncle
Ben did get her at a bargain, an' if she don't bring in the whole
expense of the family, with a little left over for them as may come
later, I'll say we've made a bloomin' failure of our job. Why, I've
known a craft like this to pay for herself twice over in one season, an'
while we can't count on any sich luck as that, seein' our crew will be
small, we oughter make enough to keep Uncle Ben's mind easy 'bout money
matters. Now you lads are to shut your eyes, 'cause it'll be a mighty
early call in the mornin'."
As to this last Mr. Rowe kept his word faithfully, for it seemed to the
boys as if they had no more than fallen asleep before he aroused them
with the word that they would "need to jump right lively in order to
make breakfast ready before the schooner was under way."
The sun had not yet risen when Uncle Ben, little Joey and the guests
came on board; but even then Sam and Tom had a hearty meal prepared; and
when, with every flag flying and the wind cresting the waves with foam,
the "Sally D." glided out of the cove under full sail, the day was no
more than well begun.
If only it were possible to describe the joy of the "family" on this
first trip of the schooner they had rescued from the sands! Every inch
of canvas was spread to the fresh breeze, the little craft heeling over
to it until to Joey it seemed as if she was in danger of capsizing, and
with the water spouting up from her bow into spray, she gave good proof
that Reuben had told only the truth when he said she could show her
heels to anything of her size that ever sailed out of Southport.
Mr. Rowe stood at the helm; Sam and Tom stationed themselves in the bow
as lookouts, although there was no need of any such precaution; Joey ran
to and fro screaming with delight, while Uncle Ben and his guests
remained well aft where they could watch with sailorly eyes the
movements of the jaunty little schooner.
The lads in the bow, who behaved very much as if believing the cruise
could not be made if they failed of keeping their eyes fixed upon the
waters ahead, would have been well content to spend the entire day, and
then a dozen more, cruising idly about, and it was really with a sense
of disappointment that they saw the entrance to the harbor of Southport
close under the bow.
"I reckon we've been comin' some, to get here as soon as this," Tom said
in a tone of admiration, and Sam added contentedly:
"This is the craft that can fly when she's in shape, with somebody at
the helm who knows what he's about."
It was as if the people at the Port had received early notice of the
exact time when the "Sally" was to arrive, for as she entered the harbor
flags were flying on every vessel in port, the church bells were ringing
out a noisy welcome, and the one pier was literally black with people
who had assembled to welcome the "family" and their schooner.
"It looks as if they counted on makin' a reg'lar celebration out of it,"
Sam said in delight, and then a cloud came over his face as he added in
a whisper: "S'pose Cap'en Doak should be here, an' it stands to reason
he is, we're bound to have trouble, 'cause he'll never get over sayin'
that he owns some part of the 'Sally'!"
"Well, let him say it," Tom replied carelessly. "He can talk himself
black in the face without changin' anythin', an' by this time the folks
here know what kind of a pirate he is."
"But we can't afford to have a row the very first day the 'Sally' is
under sail, 'cause it'll be bad luck!" Sam wailed.
"The luck will be whatever we're a mind to make it, an' as for that old
heathen, he won't dare to open his mouth while all these people are
around."
Reuben Rowe interrupted the conversation by giving the word to let go
the jib halyards, and by the time the "Sally" was stripped of her canvas
Uncle Ben had thrown a hawser ashore to be caught and made fast by the
many hands that were outstretched to have a part in this first landing.
The little schooner was not moored when the church bells rang out a yet
louder welcome, and Uncle Ben's weather-bronzed cheeks were actually red
as the citizens of the Port shouted themselves hoarse in his honor.
"It's a big day!" Sam whispered to Tom, "an' if only Cap'en Doak ain't
here we'll have the time of our lives!"
*CHAPTER XIX*
*THE FIRST CRUISE*
When Joey Sampson was an inmate of the poorhouse, the people of
Southport gave little heed to him as, bent on some errand, he entered
the village; but on this day it seemed as if every man, woman and child
was eager to speak a kindly word. The tiny fellow was lifted over the
rail by some of the more officious even before the "Sally D." had really
come to a full stop, while those whom he had never seen before greeted
him as a friend until he was absolutely dazed by receiving so much
attention.
Uncle Ben also found that he had suddenly grown popular, for the people
crowded around when he came over the side of the schooner, shaking his
hand so often and vigorously that the old man was really bewildered, and
whispered to Sam at the first opportunity:
"I declare, Sammy, I can't make out what has come over the folks here!
A body would think I was the best friend they ever had; it wasn't this
way when I put in here last."
"They're beginnin' to find you out, Uncle Ben, that's what's the
matter," Sam replied with a laugh, and Reuben Rowe, who had come up in
time to overhear the conversation, added:
"I'm allowin' that you can lay a good deal of this 'ere reception to
Eliakim Doak. He's been makin' so much talk, an' threatenin' to raise
sich a pile of mischief, that the folks began to think 'bout what you're
doin' in the way of raisin' a family, till all of a sudden they've found
out that you're the salt of the earth."
Then the conversation ceased because of the many people who had been
pushing their way through the throng to speak with the old lobster
catcher, and who insisted on claiming his attention; therefore Sam
modestly allowed himself to be shoved back against the rail of the
"Sally," where he was standing when Tom, who had been to the head of the
pier, came up literally breathless with excitement.
"Your old pirate is over there by the storehouse sure enough; but while
so many people are around I reckon he won't dare to show himself very
big. I've got it in my head, though, that he'll raise a row if it looks
as if he could without gettin' inter too much trouble."
Sam was no longer afraid of what Captain Doak might do. The citizens of
Southport had been so cordial in their welcome that the lad knew full
well the former owner of the "Sally D." would not dare to say or do
anything disagreeable, and he replied with a show of carelessness:
"We needn't bother our heads 'bout fair, to-day, for he's got sense
enough to keep quiet; but when we're back on the island, an' the 'Sally'
is layin' at anchor with nobody aboard, he'll be brave as a lion, cause
he knows Uncle Ben wouldn't hurt a fly no matter how many times he'd
been bitten."
Having thus dismissed Captain Doak from their minds, the boys gave
themselves wholly up to the pleasures provided for them by the citizens
of the Port, and from that time until late in the afternoon they enjoyed
every moment of the time. Then Mr. Rowe, who had come in search of them
and found both feasting on figs in Mr. Mansfield's store, announced:
"Uncle Ben says it's time we was makin' a break for home, an' I allow
he's right, seein's how we need to get an early start to-morrow, for
there's considerable work to be done after we get home."
"Where are you countin' on goin' to-morrow?" Sam asked as he followed
the captain of the schooner.
"Deep-sea fishin'. Uncle Ben has bought a barrel of bait, an' we're
goin' to see what can be done with it."
"Is it to be the first real cruise? How long are we to be gone?" Tom
asked excitedly.
"It'll be a real cruise all right, an' I'm allowin' we'll stay till we
get fish enough aboard to make it pay," and Mr. Rowe led the way to the
pier at a rapid pace. "You see Uncle Ben found a chance to buy some
bait cheap, an' since he an' Joey can look after the lobsterin' without
strainin' themselves very hard, it stands us in hand to make the 'Sally'
earn some little part of what's been put out on her."
"But we'll have to take a lot of food with us," and Tom looked anxious,
as if fearing the start could not be made as soon as Reuben had
proposed.
"I reckon it won't take you two lads long to put aboard what we'll need
in the way of pork, flour an' potatoes. It'll be a case of livin'
mostly on what we catch, or goin' hungry."
Now the boys were as eager to leave the town as they had been to visit
it, and on arriving at the schooner were well pleased at finding Uncle
Ben and Joey aboard awaiting them.
If the citizens of the Port could have had their way the little vessel
and her crew would have remained in harbor many days, but, recognizing
the fact that the old lobster catcher would be eager to make the first
experiment at deep-sea fishing, after having spent so many dollars on
the "Sally," they did what little they might toward hastening the
departure.
When the hawsers had been cast off and the Bails hoisted, the people
cheered Uncle Ben and his "family" until they were well out of the
harbor, and not until then did the boys think it possible to attend to
their duties, which were to cook supper and make preparations for the
night, Mr. Rowe having announced with an air of authority that the
"crew" would be forced to sleep on board in order to be ready for an
early start.
"We're goin' out for fish," he said, as if expecting some one would
dispute the statement, "an' what's more, we're bound to get 'em. The
first cruise must be made to pay, else we're like to have bad luck."
"I kinder had it in mind, Reuben, that the whole family oughter have a
hand in the first fishin'; but since we've got the bait, I reckon you
an' the boys will have to go out alone," Uncle Ben said with such a
mournful ring in the words that all hands understood he was disappointed
in not being able to take part in the opening venture, and Sam replied
quickly, stifling his own desires:
"You shall go, Uncle Ben, an' I'll 'tend to the pots alone. It won't be
very much of a job."
"No, no, Sammy, I shan't agree to anythin' like that, for I know how
keen you an' Tommy are to try out the 'Sally.' It's foolish in an old
man like me to hanker after what oughter be an old story at my time of
life. The baby an' I'll stay at home where we belong, an' look after
the island to see that it don't run away."
"I can't see anythin' foolish in your wantin' to go, 'specially since
you've come pretty nigh sinkin' your last dollar in this 'ere schooner,"
and Mr. Rowe spoke in a thoughtful tone, as if he was turning some plan
over in his mind. "Say, what's to hinder your goin', anyway?"
"We can't use the 'Sally' as a plaything, Reuben. Lobsterin' is what
we're dependin' on for a livin', and it mustn't be neglected."
"Who's talkin' 'bout neglectin' it?" and the captain of the "Sally"
appeared aggrieved because such a suggestion had been made. "I'm keepin'
it in mind that lobsterin' is the mainstay of this 'ere family, while
fishin' is what might be called a side issue till it's been tried out
good an' hard. What's to hinder our lookin' after the traps to-night?
We've only got one barrel of bait, an' it don't stand to reason that the
first cruise can be a very long one. Now it won't do any harm if the
pots ain't hauled for eight an' forty hours, an' we're sure to be back
before that time has gone by."
Uncle Ben's face brightened, while little Joey clapped his hands in glee
at the possibility of making the first cruise in the schooner on which
all hands had labored so long and earnestly, and Sam, now quite as eager
as either of the two, cried pleadingly:
"Take up with Mr. Rowe's offer, Uncle Ben, take it up! Tom an' I'll
pull the traps as soon as ever we get back, an' you won't be the poorer
by a single lobster, 'cause we'll put in plenty of bait so's them as get
inter the traps won't go to eatin' each other."
Then Tommy added his entreaties, while Mr. Rowe continued to "figger
out" how and why Uncle Ben could safely leave the island during two
days, with the result that the old man, after questioning the boys as to
whether they had cunners enough on hand to bait all the traps, said
slowly, much as if he was weakly yielding to temptation:
"I'm free to confess that I'm jest the same as achin' to have a hand in
the first take of fish that comes aboard the 'Sally' after she's the
same as been dug outer the sand, an' while I know it's childish to set
my heart on sich things, the baby an' I'll go. We'll not be very much
worse off for mixin' in a little play with our work, even if we have the
same as wasted this whole day."
"I don't call it a waste of time when you try out a schooner after
launchin' her," Mr. Rowe grumbled, "an' seein's how the folks at the
Port sent you a clean hundred dollars, it strikes me you was in duty
bound to carry back them as brought it."
"Yes, yes, Reuben, I'm allowin' you're right, an' we'll all hands go on
the first cruise. Look after your helm, for if the lads are to haul the
pots to-night, we need to make Apple Island as soon as may be."
It was needless to caution Mr. Rowe as to his steering, for he was doing
his best to leave the straightest of straight wakes behind him, and from
the time of leaving Southport had never once taken his eyes from the
course. However, the sheets were flattened a bit to get all the
advantage which might be had from the breeze, and Uncle Ben and little
Joey swayed down on the jib halyards to take out an imaginary wrinkle
from the canvas.
It seemed as if even the wind was favorably disposed toward Uncle Ben's
desires, for it freshened very decidedly within ten minutes after the
question had been settled, and the "Sally D." sped toward Apple Island
with a big bone in her teeth, heeling over until little Joey began to
fear she would capsize.
The sun was considerably more than an hour high when the family arrived
at the cove, and immediately the anchor had been let go Mr. Rowe said
sharply, as he began to snug down the canvas:
"You lads don't want to waste any time now, else it'll be too dark to
see the buoys before you have pulled all the pots. Get away smartly;
Uncle Ben an' I'll 'tend to matters here."
The lads were over the rail in a twinkling, only waiting to tow the old
dory alongside the "Sally" before setting off with the idea of doing
half a day's work in two hours, and Uncle Ben called after them as they
left the cove:
"Don't stay out after dark, lads, 'cause it ain't safe to pull pots
when, if one of you went overboard, the other couldn't see him. I'm
allowin' it won't be any great harm if we don't look after 'em all
to-night; we'll make up on fish what we may lose in the way of
lobsters."
To this the lads made no reply; but when they returned to the cove, a
full three hours after setting out, it was with the report that every
trap had been visited.
"The catch was so big that it didn't seem right to skip any," Sam said
by way of explanation. "We took mighty good care not to make a slip
while haulin' in, an' brought back forty-one full-sized lobsters, which
I allow is the biggest haul that's been made this season.
"Indeed it is, lad," Uncle Ben cried excitedly. "I declare for it, we
oughter stay home if lobsters are movin' at that rate!"
"Now, now, Uncle Ben, you can't go back on your word," Mr. Rowe cried as
if in alarm. "You've allowed to go with us in the mornin', an' here are
these boys wet an' hungry with tryin' to fix things so's nothin' would
prevent you takin' part in the first cruise. Supper is all ready for
you, lads, an' the sooner you fill up your stomachs the quicker you'll
be able to turn in, for a full night's rest is what all hands will be
needin' before another day's work has been done."
Then Mr. Rowe served up the remains of the breakfast, which he had
heated for the occasion, and without stopping to argue with Uncle Ben as
to the question raised by him, Sam and Tom set about eating as if they
and food had been strangers for many a long day.
Half an hour later every bunk in the "Sally's" cabin had an occupant,
and, save for the loud breathing, there were no signs of life apparent
until Mr. Rowe came out "all standing" at least an hour before daybreak.