CHAPTER XXI
NAT INTERVENES
One of the first things Nat did, when he had a chance to talk to Mr.Weatherby, was to repeat some of the questions that had been asked bythe board of pilots, which queries the lad had not been able to answerproperly.
"Those are the points I'm weak on," he said to his friend. "I muststudy up on them, so I'll be ready for my examination."
"That's right, Nat, and I'll help you all I can. There is a text bookI want to get for you, and I will, at the next stop we make.Meanwhile, I think you can take charge in the pilot-house for a fewdays, until I get my strength back. I'll look in on you, every once ina while, to see that you are doing all right, and we're not likely tohave another storm soon."
So Nat resumed his place at the wheel, being relieved now and then byCaptain Turton or Mr. Weatherby, who took short shifts. In a few daysthe old pilot was entirely better, and then he and Nat divided up thework, the lad learning more about the points on which he had beenpuzzled during the examination.
The _Mermaid_ had a large number of passengers this voyage, and Natwas kept pretty busy, in addition to his duties in the pilot-house.Some travelers, specially favored, occupied seats at the captain'stable at meal times, and this made additional work for the lad, as hehad to help the cabin steward. But Nat liked it all, and no task wastoo exacting for him to perform to the best of his ability. During hisleisure moments he used to watch the passengers, and in this way helearned much about the life of the comparatively wealthy travelers.
One afternoon, when the ship was within a few hours of reaching port,Nat, going along the upper deck, passed a German youth, standing bythe rail, looking down into the water, as it swept away from the bowsof the _Mermaid_. The youth, whom Nat had noticed on several otheroccasions, because of his well-fitting clothes, appeared to be inrather low spirits.
"We're making pretty good time," said Nat pleasantly, for he oftenaddressed the passengers, many of whom had formed a liking for thelad.
"Oh, yes, ve go fast enough," replied the German, who spoke with quitean accent. But he answered so gloomily, that the vessel might as wellhave been going backward, for all the satisfaction he derived from herspeed.
"We'll soon be in port," went on Nat. "I suppose you'll be glad to geton shore. It's quite rough on account of the wind."
"Oh, it makes not so much difference to me," was the answer, and theyouth did not smile. Indeed, he hardly lifted his face to glance atNat, yet he did not seem to resent being spoken to.
"It's a nice day," went on the young pilot.
"Yes, I suppose for dem vot likes der vedder," came the answer. "But,_ach_----" and then the German murmured something to himself in hisown language.
"I guess he doesn't feel well, or else he doesn't want to talk,"thought Nat, as he passed on. "Maybe he's a bit seasick, thoughthere's hardly any motion to-day."
Nat passed on, to attend to some of his duties. When he came back,about an hour later, the German youth was in the same place, moodilystaring down into the water.
"I wonder what ails him?" thought Nat. "He acts queer. But that's theway with some Germans, the least little thing makes them moody, andthen, again, they're as jolly as can be. But I suppose we are allqueer, in one way or another."
He was half-tempted to speak to the youth again, as he passed him, buthe did not want to be thought too forward, so he said nothing, nordid the German appear to notice our hero.
The vessel would arrive at port in about an hour, and would tie upthere for the night. It was just getting dusk, and Nat was going fromplace to place on the ship, getting certain records of which he hadcharge, in shape for filing at the dock office. Several times hepassed by the German, who stood in the same spot, and in the sameposition.
"He certainly is ill," mused Nat. "I guess I'll tell him we have adoctor aboard. Maybe he doesn't know it."
Nat was about to put his idea into execution, when Mr. Weatherbycalled him to perform some duty, and it was half an hour later whenthe young pilot made his way back again to where stood the youth inwhom he had begun to feel considerable interest.
"I'll just tell him where to find the doctor," thought the boy, as heapproached the place where the silent figure had been leaning over therail. But, to his surprise, the youth was not there.
"He must have gone below," mused Nat. "Probably he feels better."
An instant later he saw a strange sight. In a sheltered corner, formedby an angle of a deck-house, stood the German youth, and in the dimlight from a lantern Nat saw that he was removing his collar, tie,coat and vest. He was neatly folding his garments in a pile on thedeck.
"He must be crazy!" thought Nat. "I'll call the captain."
As he watched, the youth finished putting his clothes in order. Then,with a deliberate step, the German approached the rail, placed hishand on it, and prepared to leap over.
"Suicide!" was the instant thought that came to Nat. "He's going tocommit suicide! I must stop him!"
To think, with Nat, was to act. He sprang forward with a cry ofwarning.
"Here! Stop that! Come back!"
The German paused, hesitated an instant, glanced at Nat rushing towardhim, and leaped. But he was a second too late. The young pilot grabbedhim around the legs, and held on like grim death.
"What are you doing?" Nat cried. "Don't you know you'll be swept rightinto the propeller and be cut to pieces!"
"Let me go! Let me go!" insisted the youth in a low, intense whisper,as though he was afraid of being heard.
"Not unless you promise not to jump."
"I vill not make promises! I haf no use for to live! I vant to end itall! Let me go!"
He tried to escape from Nat's hold, but the young pilot had no gentlegrip, and his arms were strong.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
The German was pleading now.
"Not much!" panted Nat. "You can't commit suicide from this boat."
The German continued to struggle. Nat felt the legs slipping away fromhim.
"If you don't give up I'll call for help, and the captain will put youunder arrest!" threatened the young pilot. That seemed to quiet theGerman. He ceased to struggle, and became calmer.
"Vell," he said, in a voice that was choked with tears, "I gif up. Ivill not jump overboard--now."
"Nor at any other time," insisted Nat.
"I cannot promise dot, but I promise you dot I vill not jump from disboat. I care not to live longer."
Nat released his hold. The German was panting from his exertions, ashe donned his garments. The affair had taken place in a secluded spot,and no one had seen Nat's intervention in the tragic episode.
"What's the matter?" inquired the young pilot, when the German wasfully dressed again. "Are you sick? Why did you want to end yourlife?"
To his surprise the young fellow burst into tears, and sobbedpitifully.
"Come to my cabin," proposed Nat gently. "Perhaps I can help you."
"I--I like not to go vere der peoples see me."
"That's all right, I can take you to it by an outside companionway,and we'll meet no one. Come, and maybe I can help you. You seem to bein trouble."
"I am--in bad troubles," was the choking reply, as the youth followedNat below.