A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo'c'sle of the schoonerGreyhound, by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedateappearance sat crocheting an antimacassar. Two other men were snoringwith deep content in their bunks, while a small, bright-eyed boy sat upin his, reading adventurous fiction.
"Here comes old Dan," said the man with the anti-macassar warningly, asa pair of sea boots appeared at the top of the companion-ladder; "betternot let him see you with that paper, Billee."
The boy thrust it beneath his blankets, and, lying down, closed his eyesas the new-comer stepped on to the floor.
"All asleep?" inquired the latter.
The other man nodded, and Dan, without any further parley, crossed overto the sleepers and shook them roughly.
"Eh! wha's matter?" inquired the sleepers plaintively.
"Git up," said Dan impressively, "I want to speak to you. Somethingimportant."
With sundry growls the men complied, and, thrusting their legs out oftheir bunks, rolled on to the locker, and sat crossly waiting forinformation.
"I want to do a pore chap a good turn," said Dan, watching them narrowlyout of his little black eyes, "an' I want you to help me; an' the boytoo. It's never too young to do good to your fellow-creatures, Billy."
"I know it ain't," said Billy, taking this as permission to join thegroup; "I helped a drunken man home once when I was only ten years old,an' when I was only--"
The speaker stopped, not because he had come to the end of his remarks,but because one of the seamen had passed his arm around his neck and waschoking him.
"Go on," said the man calmly; "I've got him. Spit it out, Dan, and noneof your sermonising."
"Well, it's like this, Joe," said the old man; "here's a pore chap, ayoung sojer from the depot here, an' he's cut an' run. He's been inhiding in a cottage up the road two days, and he wants to git to London,and git honest work and employment, not shooting, an' stabbing, an'bayoneting--"
"Stow it," said Joe impatiently.
"He daren't go to the railway station, and he dursen't go outside in hisuniform," continued Dan. "My 'art bled for the pore young feller, an'I've promised to give 'im a little trip to London with us. The peoplehe's staying with won't have him no longer. They've only got one bed,and directly he sees any sojers coming he goes an' gits into it, whetherhe's got his boots on or not."
"Have you told the skipper?" inquired Joe sardonically.
"I won't deceive you, Joe, I 'ave not," replied the old man. "He'll haveto stay down here of a daytime, an' only come on deck of a night whenit's our watch. I told 'im what a lot of good-'arted chaps you was, andhow--"
"How much is he going to give you?" inquired Joe impatiently.
"It's only fit and proper he should pay a little for the passage," saidDan.
"How MUCH?" demanded Joe, banging the little triangular table with hisfist, and thereby causing the man with the antimacassar to drop a coupleof stitches.
"Twenty-five shillings," said old Dan reluctantly; "an' I'll spend theodd five shillings on you chaps when we git to Limehouse."
"I don't want your money," said Joe; "there's a empty bunk he can have;and mind, you take all the responsibility--I won't have nothing to dowith it."
"Thanks, Joe," said the old man, with a sigh of relief; "he's a niceyoung chap, you're sure to take to him. I'll go and give him the tip tocome aboard at once."
He ran up on deck again and whistled softly, and a figure, which hadbeen hiding behind a pile of empties, came out, and, after lookingcautiously around, dropped noiselessly on to the schooner's deck, andfollowed its protector below.
"Good evening, mates," said the linesman, gazing curiously and anxiouslyround him as he deposited a bundle on the table, and laid his swaggercane beside it.
"What's your height?" inquired Joe abruptly. "Seven foot?"
"No, only six foot four," said the new arrival, modestly. "I'm not proudof it. It's much easier for a small man to slip off than a big one."
"It licks me," said Joe thoughtfully, "what they want 'em back for--Ishould think they'd be glad to git rid o' such"--he paused a momentwhile politeness struggled with feeling, and added, "skunks."
"P'raps I've a reason for being a skunk, p'raps I haven't," retortedPrivate Smith, as his face fell.
"This'll be your bunk," interposed Dan hastily; "put your things inthere, and when you are in yourself you'll be as comfortable as a oysterin its shell."
The visitor complied, and, first extracting from the bundle some tins ofmeat and a bottle of whiskey, which he placed upon the table, nervouslyrequested the honour of the present company to supper. With theexception of Joe, who churlishly climbed back into his bunk, the mencomplied, all agreeing that boys of Billy's age should be reared onstrong teetotal principles.
Supper over, Private Smith and his protectors retired to their couches,where the former lay in much anxiety until two in the morning, when theygot under way.
"It's all right, my lad," said Dan, after the watch had been set, as hecame and stood by the deserter's bunk; "I 've saved you--I've saved youfor twenty-five shillings."
"I wish it was more," said Private Smith politely.
The old man sighed--and waited.
"I'm quite cleaned out, though," continued the deserter, "exceptfi'pence ha'penny. I shall have to risk going home in my uniform as itis."
"Ah, you'll get there all right," said Dan cheerfully; "and when you gethome no doubt you 've got friends, and if it seems to you as you 'd liketo give a little more to them as assisted you in the hour of need, youwon't be ungrateful, my lad, I know. You ain't the sort."
With these words old Dan, patting him affectionately, retired, and thesoldier lay trying to sleep in his narrow quarters until he was arousedby a grip on his arm.
"If you want a mouthful of fresh air you 'd better come on deck now,"said the voice of Joe; "it's my watch. You can get all the sleep youwant in the daytime."
Glad to escape from such stuffy quarters, Private Smith clambered out ofhis bunk and followed the other on deck. It was a fine clear night, andthe schooner was going along under a light breeze; the seaman took thewheel, and, turning to his companion, abruptly inquired what he meant bydeserting and worrying them with six foot four of underdone lobster.
"It's all through my girl," said Private Smith meekly; "first she jiltedme, and made me join the army; now she's chucked the other fellow, andwrote to me to go back."
"An' now I s'pose the other chap'll take your place in the army," saidJoe. "Why, a gal like that could fill a regiment, if she liked. Pah!They'll nab you too, in that uniform, and you'll get six months, andhave to finish your time as well."
"It's more than likely," said the soldier gloomily. "I've got to trampto Manchester in these clothes, as far as I can see."
"What did you give old Dan all your money for?" inquired Joe.
"I was only thinking of getting away at first," said Smith, "and I hadto take what was offered."
"Well, I'll do what I can for you," said the seaman. "If you're in love,you ain't responsible for your actions. I remember the first time I gotthe chuck. I went into a public-house bar, and smashed all the glass andbottles I could get at. I felt as though I must do something. If youwere only shorter, I'd lend you some clothes."
"You're a brick," said the soldier gratefully.
"I haven't got any money I could lend you either," said Joe. "I never dohave any, somehow. But clothes you must have."
He fell into deep thought, and cocked his eye aloft as thoughcontemplating a cutting-out expedition on the sails, while the soldier,sitting on the side of the ship, waited hopefully for a miracle.
"You'd better get below again," said Joe presently.
"There seems to be somebody moving below; and if the skipper sees you,you're done. He's a regular Tartar, and he's got a brother what's asergeant-major in the army. He'd give you up d'rectly if he spottedyou."
"I'm off," said Smith; and with long, cat-like strides he disappearedswiftly below.
For two days all went well, and Dan was beginning to congratulatehimself upon his little venture, when his peace of mind was rudelydisturbed. The crew were down below, having their tea, when Billy, whohad been to the galley for hot water, came down, white and scared.
"Look here," he said nervously, "I've not had anything to do with thischap being aboard, have I?"
"What's the matter?" inquired Dan quickly.
"It's all found out," said Billy.
"WHAT!" cried the crew simultaneously.
"Leastways, it will be," said the youth, correcting himself. "You'dbetter chuck him overboard while you've got time. I heard the cap'n tellthe mate as he was coming down in the fo'c'sle to-morrow morning to lookround. He's going to have it painted."
"This," said Dan, in the midst of a painful pause, "this is what comesof helping a fellow-creature. What's to be done?"
"Tell the skipper the fo'c'sle don't want painting," suggested Billy.
The agonised old seaman, carefully putting down his saucer of tea,cuffed his head spitefully.
"It's a smooth sea," said he, looking at the perturbed countenance ofPrivate Smith, "'an there's a lot of shipping about. If I was adeserter, sooner than be caught, I would slip overboard to-night with alifebelt and take my chance."
"I wouldn't," said Mr. Smith, with much decision.
"You wouldn't? Not if you was quite near another ship?" cooed Dan.
"Not if I was near fifty blooming ships, all trying to see which couldpick me up first," replied Mr. Smith, with some heat.
"Then we shall have to leave you to your fate," said Dan solemnly. "If aman's unreasonable, his best friends can do nothing for him."
"Chuck all his clothes overboard, anyway," said Billy.
"That's a good idea o' the boy's. You leave his ears alone," said Joe,stopping the ready hand of the exasperated Dan. "He's got more sensethan any of us. Can you think of anything else, Billy? What shall we dothen?"
The eyes of all were turned upon their youthful deliverer, those of Mr.Smith being painfully prominent. It was a proud moment for Billy, and hesat silent for some time, with a look of ineffable wisdom and thoughtupon his face. At length he spoke.
"Let somebody else have a turn," he said generously.
The voice of the antimacassar worker broke the silence.
"Paint him all over with stripes of different-coloured paint, and lethim pretend he's mad, and didn't know how he got here," he said, with anuncontrollable ring of pride at the idea, which was very coldlyreceived, Private Smith being noticeably hard on it.
"I know," said Billy shrilly, clapping his hands. "I've got it, I 'vegot it. After he's chucked his clothes overboard to-night, let him gooverboard too, with a line."
"And tow him the rest o' the way, and chuck biscuits to him, I suppose,"snarled Dan.
"No," said the youthful genius scornfully; "pretend he's been upset froma boat, and has been swimming about, and we heard him cry out for helpand rescued him."
"It's about the best way out of it," said Joe, after some deliberation;"it's warm weather, and you won't take no harm, mate. Do it in my watch,and I'll pull you out directly."
"Wouldn't it do if you just chucked a bucket of water over me and SAIDyou'd pulled me out," suggested the victim. "The other thing seems adownright LIE."
"No," said Billy authoritatively, "you've got to look half-drowned, andswallow a lot of water, and your eyes be all bloodshot."
Everybody being eager for the adventure, except Private Smith, thearrangements were at once concluded, and the approach of nightimpatiently awaited. It was just before midnight when Smith, who hadforgotten for the time his troubles in sleep, was shaken intowakefulness.
"Cold water, sir?" said Billy gleefully.
In no mood for frivolity, Private Smith rose and followed the youth ondeck. The air struck him as chill as he stood there; but, for all that,it was with a sense of relief that he saw Her Majesty's uniform go overthe side and sink into the dark water.
"He don't look much with his padding off, does he?" said Billy, who hadbeen eyeing him critically.
"You go below," said Dan sharply.
"Garn," said Billy indignantly; "I want to see the fun as well as youdo. I thought of it."
"Fun?" said the old man severely. "Fun? To see a feller creaturesuffering, and perhaps drowned--"
"I don't think I had better go," said the victim; "it seems ratherunderhand."
"Yes, you will," said Joe. "Wind this line round an' round your arm, andjust swim about gently till I pull you in."
Sorely against his inclination Private Smith took hold of the line, and,hanging over the side of the schooner, felt the temperature with hisfoot, and, slowly and tenderly, with many little gasps, committed hisbody to the deep. Joe paid out the line and waited, letting out moreline, when the man in the water, who was getting anxious, started tocome in hand over hand.
"That'll do," said Dan at length.
"I think it will," said Joe, and, putting his hand to his mouth, gave amighty shout. It was answered almost directly by startled roars from thecabin, and the skipper and mate came rushing hastily upon deck, to seethe crew, in their sleeping gear, forming an excited group round Joe,and peering eagerly over the side.
"What's the matter?" demanded the skipper.
"Somebody in the water, sir," said Joe, relinquishing the wheel to oneof the other seamen, and hauling in the line. "I heard a cry from thewater and threw a line, and, by gum, I've hooked it!"
He hauled in, lustily aided by the skipper, until the long white body ofPrivate Smith, blanched with the cold, came bumping against theschooner's side.
"It's a mermaid," said the mate, who was inclined to be superstitious,as he peered doubtfully down at it. "Let it go, Joe."
"Haul it in, boys," said the skipper impatiently; and two of the menclambered over the side and, stooping down, raised it from the water.
In the midst of a puddle, which he brought with him, Private Smith waslaid on the deck, and, waving his arms about, fought wildly for hisbreath.
"Fetch one of them empties," said the skipper quickly, as he pointed tosome barrels ranged along the side.
The men rolled one over, and then aided the skipper in placing the longfair form of their visitor across it, and to trundle it lustily up anddown the deck, his legs forming convenient handles for the energeticoperators.
"He's coming round," said the mate, checking them; "he's speaking. Howdo you feel, my poor fellow?"
He put his ear down, but the action was unnecessary. Private Smith feltbad, and, in the plainest English he could think of at the moment, saidso distinctly.
"He's swearing," said the mate. "He ought to be ashamed of himself."
"Yes," said the skipper austerely; "and him so near death too. How didyou get in the water?"
"Went for a--swim," panted Smith surlily.
"SWIM?" echoed the skipper. "Why, we're ten miles from land!"
"His mind's wandering, pore feller," interrupted Joe hurriedly. "Whatboat did you fall out of, matey?"
"A row-boat," said Smith, trying to roll out of reach of the skipper,who was down on his knees flaying him alive with a roller-towel. "I hadto undress in the water to keep afloat. I've lost all my clothes."
"Pore feller," said Dan.
"A gold watch and chain, my purse, and three of the nicest fellers thatever breathed," continued Smith, who was now entering into the spirit ofthe thing.
"Poor chaps," said the skipper solemnly. "Any of 'em leave any family?"
"Four," said Smith sadly.
"Children?" queried the mate.
"Families," said Smith.
"Look here," said the mate, but the watchful Joe interrupted him.
"His mind's wandering," said he hastily. "He can't count, pore chap. We'd better git him to bed."
"Ah, do," said the skipper, and, assisted by his friends, the rescuedman was half led, half carried below and put between the blankets, wherehe lay luxuriously sipping a glass
of brandy and water, sent from thecabin.
"How'd I do it?" he inquired, with a satisfied air.
"There was no need to tell all them lies about it," said Dan sharply;"instead of one little lie you told half-a-dozen. I don't want nothingmore to do with you. You start afresh now, like a new-born babe."
"All right," said Smith shortly; and, being very much fatigued with hisexertions, and much refreshed by the brandy, fell into a deep andpeaceful sleep.
The morning was well advanced when he awoke, and the fo'c'sle emptyexcept for the faithful Joe, who was standing by his side, with a heapof clothing under his arm.
"Try these on," said he, as Smith stared at him half awake; "they'll bebetter than nothing, at any rate."
The soldier leaped from his bunk and gratefully proceeded to dresshimself, Joe eyeing him critically as the trousers climbed up his longlegs, and the sleeves of the jacket did their best to conceal hiselbows.
"What do I look like?" he inquired anxiously, as he finished.
"Six foot an' a half o' misery," piped the shrill voice of Billypromptly, as he thrust his head in at the fo'c'sle. "You can't go tochurch in those clothes."
"Well, they'll do for the ship, but you can't go ashore in 'em," saidJoe, as he edged towards the ladder, and suddenly sprang up a step ortwo to let fly at the boy, "The old man wants to see you; be carefulwhat you say to him."
With a very unsuccessful attempt to appear unconscious of the figure hecut, Smith went up on deck for the interview.
"We can't do anything until we get to London," said the skipper, as hemade copious notes of Smith's adventures. "As soon as we get there, I'lllend you the money to telegraph to your friends to tell 'em you're safeand to send you some clothes, and of course you'll have free board andlodging till it comes, and I'll write out an account of it for thenewspapers."
"You're very good," said Smith blankly.
"And I don't know what you are," said the skipper, interrogatively; "butyou ought to go in for swimming as a profession--six hours' swimmingabout like that is wonderful."
"You don't know what you can do till you have to," said Smith modestly,as he backed slowly away; "but I never want to see the water again aslong as I live."
The two remaining days of their passage passed all too quickly for themen, who were casting about for some way out of the difficulty whichthey foresaw would arise when they reached London.
"If you'd only got decent clothes," said Joe, as they passed Gravesend,"you could go off and send a telegram, and not come back; but youcouldn't go five yards in them things without having a crowd after you."
"I shall have to be taken I s'pose," said Smith moodily.
"An' poor old Dan'll get six months hard for helping you off," said Joesympathetically, as a bright idea occurred to him.
"Rubbish!" said Dan uneasily. "He can stick to his tale of being upset;anyway, the skipper saw him pulled out of the water. He's too honest achap to get an old man into trouble for trying to help him."
"He must have a new rig out, Dan," said Joe softly. "You an' me'll goan' buy 'em. I'll do the choosing, and you'll do the paying. Why, it'llbe a reg'lar treat for you to lay out a little money, Dan. We'll havequite an evening's shopping, everything of the best."
The infuriated Dan gasped for breath, and looked helplessly at thegrinning crew.
"I'll see him--overboard first," he said furiously.
"Please yourself," said Joe shortly, "If he's caught you'll get sixmonths. As it is, you've got a chance of doing a nice, kind littleChristian act, becos, o' course, that twenty-five bob you got out of himwon't anything like pay for his toggery."
Almost beside himself with indignation, the old man moved off, and saidnot another word until they were made fast to the wharf at Limehouse. Hedid not even break silence when Joe, taking him affectionately by thearm, led him aft to the skipper.
"Me an' Dan, sir," said Joe very respectfully, "would like to go ashorefor a little shopping. Dan has very kindly offered to lend that porechap the money for some clothes, and he wants me to go with him to helpcarry them."
"Ay, ay," said the skipper, with a benevolent smile at the agedphilanthropist. "You'd better go at once, afore the shops shut."
"We'll run, sir," said Joe, and taking Dan by the arm, dragged him intothe street at a trot.
Nearly a couple of hours passed before they returned, and no childwatched with greater eagerness the opening of a birthday present thanSmith watched the undoing of the numerous parcels with which they wereladen.
"He's a reg'lar fairy godmother, ain't he?" said Joe, as Smith joyouslydressed himself in a very presentable tweed suit, serviceable boots, anda bowler hat. "We had a dreadful job to get a suit big enough, an' theonly one we could get was rather more money than we wanted to give,wasn't it, Dan?"
The fairy godmother strove manfully with his feelings.
"You'll do now," said Joe. "I ain't got much, but what I have you'rewelcome to." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out some loosecoin. "What have you got, mates?"
With decent good will the other men turned out their pockets, and,adding to the store, heartily pressed it upon the reluctant Smith, who,after shaking hands gratefully, followed Joe on deck.
"You've got enough to pay your fare," said the latter; "an' I've toldthe skipper you are going ashore to send off telegrams. If you send themoney back to Dan, I'll never forgive you."
"I won't, then," said Smith firmly; "but I'll send theirs back to theother chaps. Good-bye."
Joe shook him by the hand again, and bade him go while the coast wasclear, advice which Smith hastened to follow, though he turned andlooked back to wave his hand to the crew, who had come up on decksilently to see him off; all but the philanthropist, who was down belowwith a stump of lead-pencil and a piece of paper doing sums.
A BLACK AFFAIR