CHAPTER XIX
THE ACCUSATION
Captain Turton decided to lay over for some hours, as, during thestorm, his vessel had suffered some minor damage, which he wantedrepaired.
"How is Mr. Weatherby?" asked Nat, as soon as there was no longer anyneed of him remaining in the pilot-house.
"He is much better this morning," replied the commander, "but he isstill quite weak, and will probably stay in his bunk all day. He sayshe would like to see you."
"I'll go at once."
"Hadn't you better get your breakfast?"
"No, that can wait."
"But you have been on duty a long while, and it was a great strain onyou."
"I know it was, captain, but I'm so glad I brought the ship throughsafely, that I'd be willing to go without breakfast and sleep for along time yet."
"You are a plucky lad, and I wish more like you were learning to bepilots."
Nat found Mr. Weatherby quite ill, but, in spite of that, the pilotwarmly congratulated his _protege_ on the nerve he had displayedduring the storm.
"You have proved your worth, Nat," said Mr. Weatherby, "and I am proudof my pupil."
Nat turned in for a sleep, soon after breakfast. There was little forthe crew of the _Mermaid_ to do while the repairs were being made, andthose passengers who were not yet at their destination strolled aboutthe town while waiting for the trip to be resumed.
The vessel that Nat had brought so skilfully through the storm, whichhad ceased with the first appearance of dawn, was tied at the samedock as that at which was the steamer they had met near the reef. Onewas on one side, and one on the other, and when the dock between theships was not occupied by wagons and trucks, laden with freight, Natcould look across and see the crew of the other steamer, the _Spray_,busily rearranging the cargo that had shifted during the storm. Shewas a freighter, but smaller than the _Jessie Drew_.
The appearance of one lad in the crew of the _Spray_ attracted Nat'sattention, when the young pilot arose early in the afternoon. The ladhad red hair, and his figure seemed familiar.
"If I didn't think he was a good way off from here I'd say that fellowwas Sam Shaw," mused Nat. "He looks a good deal like him."
He tried to watch, to determine if it was his former enemy, but, asthe lad kept moving to and fro, it was impossible to be certain.
"If I saw Mr. Bumstead I'd know it was Sam who was with him," went onNat, as he stood at the rail nearest the dock. "It might be possiblethey transferred to that ship. I wonder if I hadn't better speak toMr. Weatherby, and ask his advice? No, he's sick, and I don't want tobother him about my affairs. I guess I'll just take a stroll overthere and see for myself. Captain Turton won't care, as we can't sailuntil late this evening."
Nat started down the gangplank, but, when he was half way down, he meta man in uniform, who asked him:
"Is this the _Mermaid_?"
"Yes, sir."
"I am looking for a young man, named Nat Morton. Can you tell me whereI shall find him?"
"That is my name," replied our hero. He thought perhaps it might be anofficer from police headquarters, with some message concerning Mr.Bumstead.
"Then you are just the person I want," the man went on. "You will haveto come with me."
"Come with you? What for? Is it about Mr. Bumstead?"
"Yes," replied the man. "How did you guess?"
"Well, I've been expecting a message regarding him."
"Then what you will hear will be no news to you."
"Has he been arrested?"
"Arrested? No. Why should he be arrested?"
"Why, I thought you said----"
"Perhaps I had better not say anything more until you get toheadquarters," the man went on.
"Then it surely must be about that rascally mate," thought Nat. "Mr.Weatherby will be glad they have him."
He followed the man off the pier, and along a street on the waterfront.
"I understand you piloted that boat through the storm last night,"said the man.
"Well, I did, but I guess it was more by good luck than anything elsethat enabled me to do it. Who told you about it?"
"Oh, it is pretty generally known. The crews of vessels talk more orless when they are in dock."
They walked along in silence a little longer, and then the man stoppedin front of a small building.
"This doesn't look like police headquarters," thought Nat. "I wonderif there's a mistake."
"Go right that way," said the officer, keeping close behind the boy."The harbor master is in that room."
"The harbor master?" repeated Nat. "What have I to do with the harbormaster? I don't want to see him."
"No, but he wants to see you."
A moment later Nat was ushered into a room, where at a large desk sata stern-looking man, and on either side of him were two men, each onewith several books and papers before him.
"Ah, so this is the young pilot, eh?" remarked the man in the middle."How old are you--er--Nat Morton? I believe that is your name."
"I will soon be sixteen."
"And you piloted the _Mermaid_ past Dagget's Point reef last night--inthat storm?"
"Yes, sir."
"I suppose you have a license."
"A license? No, sir. I am studying under Mr. Weatherby. He was takensuddenly ill last night, and I had to steer the boat. There was no oneelse."
"I am sorry, my lad," said the harbor master, "but I shall have toplace you under arrest."
"Arrest? What for?"
"For piloting a passenger steamer without a license. A complaint hasbeen lodged against you with this board--the board of control incharge of harbors and pilots."
"A complaint? Who made it?"
"Bumstead is the name--er--Joseph Bumstead, mate of the freighter_Spray_," replied the harbor master, reading from some documentsbefore him. "He says he met your boat off the reef last night, thatyou were in charge, without a license, and that you nearly ran himdown. He made the complaint about an hour ago. His boat had to putback here for some repairs. He says your boat damaged the one he ismate of."
"That's not so--I mean that part about nearly running him down!"exclaimed Nat. "I saw him in plenty of time, and if it hadn't been formy warning whistle the _Spray_ would have gone upon the reef herself!"
"I am sorry, my lad, but the complaint is made in regular form, and Ishall have to hold you for a hearing. However, we will have it atonce. I have sent to summon this Bumstead. Do you wish to notify anyfriends?"
"Mr. Weatherby is ill, and cannot come, but I would like CaptainTurton to come."
"Very well, we will send for him. Officer, bring Captain Turton here.In the meantime you may sit down until we reach your case," the harbormaster motioned Nat to take a chair on one side of the big room.