Ive been, as I remarked before, half round the world, and Im goin next to America. Thats a short but comprehensive answer to your question. If you have time and patience, kinsman, Ill open the log-book of my memory and give you some details of my doings since we last met. But first tell me, how is my young friend, Ned?
Oh, hes wellexcellently wellbesides being tall and strong. You would hardly know him, captain. Hes full six feet high, I believe, and the scamp has something like a white wreath of smoke over his upper lip already! I wish him to become an engineer or a lawyer, but the boy is in love with California just now, and dreams about nothing but wild adventures and gold-dust.
The captain gave a grunt, and a peculiar smile crossed his rugged visage as he gazed earnestly and contemplatively into the fire.
Captain Bunting was a philosopher, and was deeply impressed with the belief that the smallest possible hint upon any subject whatever was sufficient to enable him to dive into the marrow of it, and prognosticate the probable issue of it, with much greater certainty than any one else. On the present occasion, however, the grunt above referred to was all he said.
It is not necessary to trouble the reader with the lengthened discourse that the captain delivered to his kinsman. When he concluded, Mr Shirley pushed his spectacles up on his bald head, gazed at the fire, and said, Odd, very odd; and interesting toovery interesting. After a short pause, he pulled his spectacles down on his nose, and looking over them at the captain, said, And what part of America are you bound for now?
California, answered the captain, slowly.
Mr Shirley started, as if some prophetic vision had been called up by the word and the tone in which it was uttered.
And that, continued the captain, brings me to the point. I came here chiefly for the purpose of asking you to let your nephew go with me, as I am in want of a youth to assist me, as a sort of supercargo and Jack-of-all-trades. In fact, I like your nephew much, and have long had my eye on him. I think him the very man for my purpose. I want a companion, too, in my businessone who is good at the pen and can turn his hand to anything. In short, it would be difficult to explain all the outs and ins of why I want him. But hes a tight, clever fellow, as I know, and I do want him, and if youll let him go, I promise to bring him safe back again in the course of two yearsif we are all spared. From what youve told me, Ive no doubt the lad will be delighted to go. And, believe me, his golden dreams will be all washed out by the time he comes back. Now, what say you!
For the space of five minutes Mr Shirley gazed at the captain over his spectacles in amazement, and said nothing. Then he threw himself back on his chair, pushed his spectacles up on his forehead, and gazed at him from underneath these assistants to vision. The alteration did not seem to improve matters, for he still continued to gaze in silent surprise. At last his lips moved, and he said, slowly but emphatically
Now, that is the most remarkable coincidence I ever heard of.
How so? inquired the captain.
Why, that my nephew should be raving about going to California, and that you should be raving about getting him to go, and that these things should suddenly come to a climax on the same forenoon. Its absolutely incredible. If I had read it in a tale, now, or a romance, I would not have been surprised, for authors are such blockheads, generally, that they always make things of this kind fit in with the exactness of a dove-tail; but that it should really come to pass in my own experience, is quite incomprehensible. And so suddenly, too!
As to that, remarked the captain, with a serious, philosophical expression of countenance, most things come to a climax suddenly, and coincidences invariably happen together; but, after all, it doesnt seem so strange to me, for vessels are setting sail for California every other day, and
Well, interrupted Mr Shirley, starting up with energy, as if he had suddenly formed a great resolve, I will let the boy go. Perhaps it will do him good. Besides, I have my own reasons for not caring much about his losing a year or two in regard to business. Come with me to the city, captain, and well talk over it as we go along. So saying, Mr Shirley took his kinsman by the arm, and they left the house together.
Chapter Four.
The End of the BeginningFarewell to Old England
As Captain Bunting sagaciously remarked, most things come to a climax suddenly.
On the evening of the day in which our tale begins, Edward Sintonstill standing at zerowalked into his uncles parlour. The old gentleman was looking earnestly, though unintentionally, at the cat, which sat on the rug; and the cat was looking attentively at the kettle, which sat on the fire, hissing furiously, as if it were disgusted at being kept so long from tea.
Neds face was very long and sad as he entered the room.
Dear uncle, said he, taking Mr Shirley by the hand, Im not going to take a week to think over it. I have made up my mind to remain at home, and become a lawyer.
Ned, replied Mr Shirley, returning his nephews grasp, Im not going to take a week to think over it either. I have made up my mind that you are to go to California, and become aawhatever you like, my dear boy; so sit down to tea, and Ill tell you all about it.
Ned was incredulous at first, but as his uncle went on to explain how matters stood, and gradually diverged from that subject to the details of his outfit, he recovered from his surprise, and sprang suddenly up to 100 degrees of Fahrenheit, even in the shade of the prospect of parting for a time from old Mr Shirley.
Need we be surprised, reader, that our hero on that night dreamed the golden dream over again, with many wonderful additions, and sundry remarkable variations.
Thus it came to pass that, two weeks afterwards, Ned and his uncle found themselves steaming down the Thames to Gravesend, where the good ship Roving Bess lay riding at anchor, with a short cable, and top-sails loose, ready for sea.
Ned, said Mr Shirley, as they watched the receding banks of the noble river, you may never see home again, my boy. Will you be sure not to forget me! will you write often, Ned!
Forget you, uncle! exclaimed Ned, in a reproachful voice, while a tear sprang to his eye. How can you suggest such a
Well, well, my boy, I know itI know it; but I like to hear the assurance repeated by your own lips. Im an old man now, and if I should not live to see you again, I would like to have some earnest, loving words to think upon while you are away. The old man paused a few moments, and then resumed
Ned, remember when far from home, that there is another homeeternal in the heavensto which, if you be the Lords child, you are hastening. You will think of that home, Ned, wont you! If I do not meet you again here at any rate I shall hope to meet you there.
Ned would have spoken, but his heart was too full. He merely pressed old Mr Shirleys arm.
Perhaps, continued his uncle, it is not necessary to make you promise to read Gods blessed Word. Youll be surrounded by temptations of no ordinary kind in the gold-regions; and depend upon it that the Bible, read with prayer, will be the best chart and compass to guide you safely through them all.
My dear uncle, replied Ned, with emotion, perhaps the best promise I can make is to assure you that I will endeavour to do, in all things and at all times, as you have taught me, ever since I was a little boy. If I succeed, I feel assured that I shall do well.
My dear uncle, replied Ned, with emotion, perhaps the best promise I can make is to assure you that I will endeavour to do, in all things and at all times, as you have taught me, ever since I was a little boy. If I succeed, I feel assured that I shall do well.
A long and earnest conversation ensued between the uncle and nephew, which was interrupted at last, by the arrival of the boat at Gravesend. Jumping into a wherry, they pushed off, and were soon alongside of the Roving Bess, a barque of about eight hundred tons burden, and, according to Captain Bunting, an excellent sea-boat.
Catch hold o the man-ropes, cried the last-named worthy, looking over the side; thats it; now then, jump! all right! How are ye, kinsman? Glad to see you, Ned. I was afraid you were goin to give me the slip.
I have not kept you waiting, have I? inquired Ned.
Yes, you have, youngster, replied the captain, with a facetious wink, as he ushered his friends into the cabin, and set a tray of broken biscuit and a decanter of wine before them. The wind has been blowin off shore the whole morning, and the good ship has been straining at a short cable like a hound chained up. But well be off now in another half-hour.
So soon? said Mr Shirley, with an anxious expression on his kind old face.
All ready to heave up the anchor, sir, shouted the first mate down the companion.
The captain sprang on deck, and soon after the metallic clatter of the windlass rang a cheerful accompaniment to the chorus of the sailors. One by one the white sails spread out to the breeze, and the noble ship began to glide through the water.
In a few minutes more the last words were spoken, the last farewell uttered, and Mr Shirley stood alone in the stern-sheet of the little boat, watching the departing vessel as she gathered way before the freshening breeze. As long as the boat was visible Ned Sinton stood on the ships bulwarks, holding on to the mizzen shrouds, and waving his handkerchief from time to time. The old man stood with his head uncovered, and his thin locks waving in the wind.
Soon the boat was lost to view. Our hero brushed away a tear, and leaped upon the deck, where the little world, of which for many days to come he was to form a part, busied itself in making preparation for a long, long voyage. The British Channel was passed; the Atlantic Ocean was entered; England sank beneath the horizon; and, for the first time in his life, Ned Sinton found himselfat sea.
Chapter Five.
The SeaDangers of the Deep, and Uncertainty of Human AffairsA Disastrous Night and a Bright MorningCalifornia at last
Only those who have dwelt upon the ocean for many months together can comprehend the feelings of delight with which the long-imprisoned voyager draws near to his desired haven. For six long months did the Roving Bess do battle with the surging billows of the great deep. During that time she steered towards the Gulf of Mexicocarefully avoiding that huge reservoir of sea-weed, termed the Saragossa sea, in which the unscientific but enterprising mariners of old used to get becalmed oftentimes for days and weeks togethershe coasted down the eastern shores of South America; fired at, and shewed her heels to, a pirate; doubled Cape Horn; fought with the tempests that take special delight in revelling there; and, finally, spreading her sails to the genial breezes of the Pacific Ocean, drew near to her voyage-end.
All this the good ship Roving Bess did with credit to herself and comfort to her crew; but a few weeks after she entered the Pacific, she was met, contrary to all expectation, by the bitterest gale that had ever compelled her to scud under bare poles.
It was a beautiful afternoon when the first symptoms of the coming storm were observed. Captain Bunting had just gone down below, and our hero was standing at the weather gangway, observing the sudden dart of a shoal of flying-fish, which sprang out of the sea, whizzed through the air a few hundred feet, and fell with a splash into the water, in their frantic efforts to escape from their bitter enemy, the dolphin.
While Ned gazed contemplatively at the spot where the winged fish had disappeared, the captain sprang on deck.
Were goin to catch it, he said, hurriedly, as he passed forward; tumble up, there; tumble up; all hands to shorten sails. Hand down the royals, and furl the tgallant sails, Mr Williams, (to the first mate,) and look alive.
Ay, ay, sir, was answered in that prompt tone of voice which indicates thorough discipline and unquestioning obedience, while the men scrambled up the fore-hatch, and sprang up the ratlines hand over hand. A moment before, the vessel had lain quietly on the bosom of the unruffled deep, as if she were asleep, now she was all uproar and apparent confusion; sails slewed round, ropes rattled, and blocks creaked, while the sonorous voice of the first mate sounded commands like a trumpet from the quarter-deck.
I see no indication of a storm, remarked young Sinton, as the captain walked aft.
Possibly not, lad; but I do. The barometer has fallen lower, all of a sadden, than I ever saw it fall before. You may depend upon it, we shall have to look out for squalls before long. Just cast your eyes on the horizon over the weather bows there; its not much of a cloud, and, to say truth, I would not have thought much of it had the glass remained steady, but that faithful servant never
Better close-reef the top-sails, sir, said the mate, touching his cap, and pointing to the cloud just referred to.
Do so, Mr Williams, and let the watch below remain on deck, and stand by to man the halyards.
In less than an hour the Roving Bess was running at the rate of twelve knots, under close-reefed top-sails, before a steady gale, which in half-an-hour later increased to a hurricane, compelling them to take in all sail and lay to. The sun set in a blaze of mingled black and lurid clouds, as if the heavens were on fire; the billows rose to their utmost height as the shrieking winds heaved them upwards, and then, cutting off their crests, hurled the spray along like driving clouds of snow, and dashed it against the labouring ship, as if impatient to engulf her in that ravening maw which has already swallowed up so many human victims.
But the little vessel faced the tempest nobly, and rose like a sea-mew on the white crest of each wave, while the steersmenfor there were two lashed to the wheelkept her to the wind. Suddenly the sheet of the fore trysail parted, the ship came up to the wind, and a billow at that moment broke over her, pouring tons of water on her deck, and carrying away the foremast, main-top-masts, and the jib-boom.
Clear the wreckdown the helm, and let her scud, shouted the captain, who stood by the mizzen-mast, holding on to a belaying-pin. But the captains voice was drowned by the whistling winds, and, seeing that the men were uncertain what to do, he seized one of the axes which were lashed to the foot of the mast, and began to cut away the ropes which dragged the wreck of the foremast under the lee of the ship. Williams, the mate, and the second mate, followed his example, while Ned sprang to the wheel to see the orders to the steersmen obeyed. In half-an-hour all was clear, and the ship was scudding before the gale under bare poles.
Weve not seen the worst of it, remarked the captain, as he resumed his post on the quarter-deck, and brushed the brine from his whiskers; I fear, too, that she has received some bad thumps from the wreck of the foremast. Youd better go below, Sinton, and put on a topcoat; its no use gettin wetter than you can help.