Two days before we reached New Orleans, Stormy Jack expressed some sham
contrition for what he had done, with an inclination to return to his
duty. He was liberated, and once more the deck was enlivened by the
sound of his rough manly voice giving the necessary orders for working
the ship.
I found a favourable opportunity of telling him, that I should like to
go along with him. At first he objected to aid me, and urged me to
remain, as a reason for my doing so, urging the argument: that a boy
serving his apprenticeship was much better off than one wandering about
without a home.
To me this argument was worth nothing. The idea of remaining for seven
years in a situation chosen for me by Mr Leary, was too absurd to be
seriously entertained for a moment. I told Stormy so; and he finally
consented that I should go with him.
"My reason for objecting at first," said he, "was because I did not like
to be troubled with you; but that's not exactly the right sort o'
feeling for a Christian to steer by. One should expect to have some
trouble with those as need a helping hand, and I don't know why I should
try to shirk from my share of it."
I promised Stormy that I would try not to cause him any trouble, or as
little as possible.
"Of course you will try," said he, "or if you don't, I'll teach you
manners."
Stormy's threat did not alarm me; and our conversation at the time
ended--leaving me well pleased with the prospect of getting clear of the
ship, by his assistance.
Stormy's return to duty was only a pretence. It was done to deceive the
officers--so that he might the more easily find an opportunity of
escaping from the ship.
Two days after our arrival in the port of New Orleans, he was allowed
liberty to go ashore; and I was permitted to accompany him. The Captain
probably supposed that the wages due to Stormy would bring him back; and
the suspicion, that a boy like myself should wish to leave the ship, had
never entered into his mind.
Several of our shipmates went ashore along with us; and the first thing
we all thought of was, what the reader will readily imagine, to find a
place where strong drink was sold. This is usually a sailor's first
thought on going ashore after a voyage.
After having taken two or three glasses with our shipmates, Stormy gave
me a wink, and sidled towards the door. I followed him; and slipping
unperceived into the street, we turned a corner, and kept on through
several streets--until we had arrived at another part of the city. The
little that Stormy had drunk had by this time only sharpened his
appetite for more.
"Here I am," said he, "with clear twelve shillings in my pocket. What a
spell of fun I could have, if 'twas not for you! Seven weeks without a
spree, and now can't have it because I've you to take care of. Thought
'twould be so. Rowley, my boy! see what I'm suffering for you. You are
teaching me manners, whether I'm willing to larn 'em or not."
I allowed the sailor to go on uninterrupted with his storm of
complaints, although there was a reflection in my mind, that if I was
keeping him from getting drunk, the obligation was not all on my side.
Stormy had but twelve shillings, and I half-a-crown, which the Captain
had given to me before coming ashore.
It was necessary that something should be done, before this money should
be all spent.
Under ordinary circumstances, the sailor need not have felt any
apprehension, about being out of money. He could easily get employment
in another vessel; but as matters stood, Stormy was afraid of being
caught, should he attempt to join another ship--before that from which
he had deserted had taken her departure from the port. If caught,
Stormy knew he would be punished; and this rendered him a trifle
serious.
The next day we passed in wandering about the city--taking care to avoid
all places where we would be likely to meet with any of the officers, or
men of the ship "Hope."
Stormy's thoughts were all day in a fearful storm, commingled with
anxiety as to what we should do to make a living.
"On your account, Rowley," said he, "I'm not misinclined for a spell on
shore, if I could find anything to do, but that's the trouble. There's
not much work ashore, that be proper for an honest man to bear a hand
in. What little of such work there is here, is done by darkies, while
white men do all the cheating and scheming. Howsomever, lad, we must
try to get at something."
The next day Stormy did try; and obtained work at rigging a new ship,
that had just been launched. The job would last for a month. The wages
were good; and the storm in Stormy's mind had now subsided into an
agreeable calm.
We sought a cheap lodging-house, not far from where his work was to be
performed; and that evening the sailor indulged in a pipe and a glass,
from which he had prudently refrained during all the day.
I was unwilling that the burden of supporting me should be borne by my
generous protector; and being anxious to do something for myself, I
asked him what I should go about.
"I've just been thinking of that," said he, "and I believe I've hit upon
an idea. Suppose you sell newspapers? I see many lads about your age
in that business here; and they must make something at it. It's not
hard work, besides it appears to be very respectable. It is a lit'rary
business, as no boy should be 'shamed of."