CHAPTER XIV.TRIBULATIONS.The two men worked steadily and cheerily over the fish, sorting and dressing and packing them in salt, only leaving off long enough to eat some bread and cheese with dry salt codfish."Come, boys, dinner's ready. Step up and help yourselves," said the captain, with his mouth full of bread and cheese, which he had made into a sandwich for convenience and speed."We don't feel hungry," answered Ben, looking out from the blanket long enough to see that the captain was complacently munching his food as he sat astride of the board on which he had been dressing the fish."Don't feel hungry! That's queer.Ido, now. This salt air ought to make you eat like a shark," exclaimed the captain, as he set his teeth through an enormous piece of dried cod. "I'm hungry enough to eat those mackerel raw, if there was nothing else handy.""Oh, don't!" groaned Ralph, crawling further under the blanket, and feeling his stomach rise up and roll over uneasily.All the afternoon the fishermen worked over their "catch," and the boys did not venture out from their retreat until a great splashing of water told them that Marcus was washing the deck. Then they began to look around and breathe in the sea air, that seemed to bring a revival of spirits to the boys.Before supper-time another school of mackerel came by, and the lines were again thrown out, and lively work recommenced.The two boys watched the sport as the men tended their lines so dexterously, going from one to another, and keeping a fish in the air continually, as Ben said.[image]The two boys watched the sport.This was exciting enough to make even Ralph forget his sea-sickness for the time; but when the "school" had passed, the work of dressing mackerel began again, and this was not at all soothing to disturbed stomachs."Let's go to bed, and get out of this, Ben," exclaimed Ralph in disgust."All right."They tiptoed by the pile of fish that were still flapping feebly, and looked down into the cabin. It was not an inviting place, and Ralph hesitated."Going to turn in, boys?" asked the captain, thrusting his knife into a fish before he looked up."Yes, we thought of it.""Without any supper? That will never do. Help yourselves in there. The biscuit-barrel's in the corner, and the codfish hangs right over it. Eat a good meal, and you'll feel better. There ain't nothin' equal to dry codfish for turning sea-sickness.""Thanks; but we don't feel hungry," said Ben."That's queer. It beats me how anybody can be out to sea and not feel hungry! Well, a night's rest will make you better, like as not. You'll sleep like a couple of tops; that is, if you've got good clean consciences afore God."The boys made no reply."I hope you have. It's bad work being out to sea, or anywhere else, for that matter, with anything lying heavy on your conscience. Now, I don't pretend to be any guide for any one. I'm bad enough myself; but I always says every night, 'Just look me over, Lord, and if there is any bad in me'--and of course I know there is plenty of it--'forgive it, and help me to start better to-morrow.' It's mighty comfortin' for me to know that He sees that Imeanfairer than Ido."After these remarks the captain finished dressing the fish he held on the board, and the boys disappeared down the short flight of steps leading into the cabin.It was a close place there, and filled with odours of fish; in fact the whole vessel seemed to be stuccoed with fish-scales."Are we first or second cabin passengers, Ralph?" asked Ben laughingly, "or are we steerage?""Steerage, sure enough!""Well, it isn't the worst place that ever was. I'd rather be here than outside there in the sea, with a shark after me," continued Ben, who was far more inclined than Ralph to be jolly under difficulties."Bad as it is, I'd rather be here than on the island camping out, with Joe Chester left behind," said Ralph."Yes, of course you would. If I had my fiddle here I'd cheer you up; that is, if I didn't feel kind of gone about my own stomach." And Ben sat down suddenly on the captain's green chest in the corner, looking very pale.It was Ralph's turn now to wait uponhim, and putting his head out of the door he shouted, "Captain, where shall we sleep?""Oh, anywhere you've a mind to. Take the bunks if you want to. Marcus and I'll look out for ourselves."Ralph looked sharply at the rough bed, and said, "It isn't a royal couch, but tumble in, Ben." Ben was too sick to care where he went, and letting Ralph pull off his boots and coat, he literally tumbled in, as requested.Whether it was a lack of good consciences that the old captain had spoken of, or the strangeness of their situation, or the awful sea-sickness, the boys could not sleep. They lay and tossed in their close berths, listening to the "thud" and "swish" of the waves against the sides of the little vessel, and the creak of the yards, as the canvas swung around in the wind.It was a bright moonlight night, and the fishing was good, so the noise on deck continued nearly all night, making it still more impossible for the boys to sleep, until, their labours being over, Marcus came below for a nap. Rolling himself in a blanket, he dropped down in the corner of the cabin, and in less than five minutes he was snoring loud enough to drown the creak of the sails.Ralph and Ben slept at last, and were only aroused in the morning by the captain's voice as he hailed another fishing-vessel. Marcus was preparing breakfast, and the odour of the coffee came into the cabin to tempt the boys."That smells good," cried Ben, throwing off his blanket. "Let's get out of this pen, Ralph, as quick as ever we can. I believe I'm hungry.""Good!" said the captain, looking down into the little cabin, having overheard the exclamation. "How fare ye this morning?"The boys answered as cheerily as they could, and hastening up on deck, they washed their faces and hands in sea water, and were ready for breakfast.The deck was scrubbed clean, and the sea air was pure and sweet. Even Ralph felt hungry, and the fried mackerel, with biscuits and coffee, tasted very good. The fishing was dull that day; no schools of mackerel were to be seen, and the men busied themselves with trolling for cod and hake, or anything that would bite; and before night a long row of fish was spread out on the top of the cabin to dry, much to the boys' disgust. The second night was passed much like the first, in trying to become accustomed to their close quarters; and the third was much like the second. The only excitement was in running down schools of fish; but as this was always followed by the disagreeable work of dressing them, the dainty passengers were earnestly hoping they might not see any more."How long before you go ashore, captain?" asked Ben, as he walked the deck uneasily."Oh, when I get my load.""But what do you call a load?""Now, that's a question I never could answer. I never saw the time I couldn't get on one more haul of fish. A smack is like an omnibus--it always has room for one more," said the captain laughing."You are pretty full now.""Bless you, no! This isn't a trifle to what we ought to do. Mighty poor fishing this trip. Reckon I've got a Jonah aboard.""A couple of them, perhaps," answered Ben, with a wink at Ralph."The fog is coming on," continued the captain, looking off seaward. "We shan't be able to see our hands afore our faces to-night, like as not.""What do you do in a fog?" asked Ralph eagerly."Do? why, we make the best of it, boy. What do you suppose?""I thought, perhaps, you went ashore, or anchored somewhere," said Ralph hesitatingly."Oh, you did? The fog lasts two or three weeks sometimes. No; we go ahead, and catch every fish we can.""Aren't you afraid some other vessel will run you down?""It would be about as bad for her as it would for us," answered the captain, puffing the smoke from his pipe contentedly. "I'd rather have it pleasant; but we don't have the ordering of the weather, and I've fallen into the way of making the best of things--weather and everything else. If it's good weather, I'm glad; if it isn't, I don't fret. If the fish bite, I'm glad; if they don't, I just stay out the longer; and sooner or later I get a good load. It don't do no good to be frettin' and fussin'."The captain's words did not cheer the boys. They felt far from contented at the prospect of a fog at sea; and when it came rolling in and closing down around them, hiding not only the strip of shore in the distance, but also the island and the other vessels that were near them, they wished themselves on shore more earnestly than ever."We didn't bargain for this," said Ben, making a wry face at his companion."No, nor for anything else we have had. I'd rather be in the Rocky Mountains," grumbled Ralph."So had I, or on the top of the North Pole, provided it is planted in solid ground instead of water," was Ben's laughing reply."I'm in earnest. I hate the sea. I'm afraid of it just as soon as it begins to be rough. I don't see what possessed us to come to sea," continued Ralph, peering uneasily through the fog."We couldn't help it, if I recollect right," said Ben. "There wasn't any place to run to on land, so we took to the water like musk-rats. But we are all right. Captain Dare knows everything about vessels and fogs. I am not going to worry myself about it at any rate, unless a big storm comes; then I suppose I would be scared enough."CHAPTER XV.THE LITTLE CABIN.The captain indulged in an afternoon nap, to be in readiness for a watchful night; and the fog grew thicker and heavier as the evening came on.The great lantern was lighted early, and the wall of fog reflected the light back in a weird, ghostly way upon the boys, who sat in the bow, dreading to go down into the little cabin."I feel as if we were shut up in a tomb of fog," said Ralph dismally."Well, if 'misery likes company,' it may make you happier to know the other boys are in the fog too, over on the island," returned Ben."Yes, but they have solid ground under their feet, and are not likely to be run down as we are; besides, they'll have a jolly time in spite of the fog. I know I could if I were on shore and not sea-sick, and that fog-horn of Marcus's didn't sound so dismal. I wonder how many blasts he blows in a minute?""Let's go to bed; morning will come quicker," exclaimed Ben in desperation."If we could only sleep.""Well, we did pretty well last night.""Pretty well; but the cabin is so fishy and musty, and my stomach rolls over so many times in a minute, I can't sleep," complained Ralph."'Hark, from the tombs, a doleful sound,'" said Ben, and then laughed in spite of his discomfort. "We sit here and croak like a couple of ravens, and Marcus toots that everlasting horn; let's go below and try that," he continued.Ralph arose and staggered to the cabin steps, said good-night to the captain and Marcus, and, followed by Ben, crept into his berth. Ben tried to sing one of the school glees to cheer himself and friend, and forget his sea-sickness."Oh, hush, Ben! That makes me as homesick as a cat. I tell you that little room of ours at school was an awful cosy place, after all. Just think of that bed. We used to call that hard.""Yes, and that grate where we had a fire on cold nights.""We used to rail at it and call it stuffy, but if we were only there now I'd feel like dancing."Ben struck up another tune, and hummed it through, chorus and all, to try to keep from utter wretchedness.Ralph was quiet till he finished; then he said,--"Ben, Mr. Bernard is a good man. He had the right of it about that lying business. I hate myself for it.""So you said before," answered Ben, beginning another air."I know it," interrupted Ralph, "I mean it more and more. I mean never to deceive any one again.""Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore;' anyway never till you get into trouble again," said Ben."I don't care how great the trouble may be, I'll confess and be true. Do you know I tried saying last night what the captain told us he said. Somehow I never liked before to think the Lord was looking at me, but now I am glad he is, for he can see I really mean to do better.""It's queer you feel that way. I don't see any use worrying over a little lie. I've told dozens of them, and I never felt bad about it. I feel uncomfortable enough now, but I reckon it's my stomach and not my mind. I say, let's go to sleep."This was easier to say than do, and both boys tossed and rolled in misery with sea-sickness, home-sickness, and fear, until from sheer exhaustion they fell asleep.The morning dawned foggy, and foggy the day ended. The next day was like this; and the boys were too sick and worried to taste a mouthful of food. The fog did not prevent the fishing, and the two men kept busy with their lines, or their work of dressing the fish, and had little time to devote to the boys, even if they had known what to do for them."I wish the two little land-lubbers were safe ashore," was the fervent remark uttered over and over again by the captain, as he and Marcus worked together."A storm is coming, and this fog will get blown higher than a kite," the boys heard the captain say."Yes, it feels like bad weather," was Marcus's answer, as he gave a wise glance around their foggy prison and blew a long blast on the big horn."Hear that, Ben?" asked Ralph."What? The horn? Yes, I hear it.""No! Didn't you hear what Captain Dare said? We've got to have a storm after all. In this little vessel, too. It will go down, sure as the world," and Ralph grew paler than ever. Ben felt very much as his friend did, but said less."I hear another horn, captain.""Yes!" said the captain, listening.Marcus blew again long and loud; and again was answered from out in the fog. After a while the two vessels came within hailing distance, and Ralph, seized with a sudden longing, rushed up to the captain, and said eagerly,--"O captain, it's a larger vessel than this! Don't you suppose they would take us aboard? If there is going to be a storm, I would rather be in a large vessel; this is such a little egg-shell.""Egg-shell! not a bit of it. But I'd like nothing better than to get rid of you. I don't want passengers to look out for in a gale. My little smack has rode out many a storm, but I'd rather be alone with my one man.""Oh, ask them! beg them!" urged Ralph, more and more excited."Tell them we've got money to pay with," added Ben a little more quietly.The captain laughed, but gratified them by hailing the brig. "Here are two boys, sea-sick and scared; storm coming; no accommodation. Can you take them off my hands?""We are bound out," came the answer from the vessel, whose outlines were only dimly seen through the fog."Never mind where they are bound, tell him," said Ralph, pulling the captain's arm; "we don't care.""We've no room for passengers," added the invisible speaker on the brig."Nor I neither," grumbled the captain of the smack. "I ought to have knowed better than to take 'em;" then aloud he added, "They'll die of fright on my hands if there comes a tough gale.""Who are they?" asked the voice in the fog."Two young scamps that belong to a school that's gone on Whaleback to camp. Leastways that's what I guess.--Isn't it so, boys?""Yes."The vessels were soon far apart, and the boys, disappointed in their hopes, sat down by the captain to watch him splice a rope."How did you know we belonged to that school? and how did you know where they were going to camp?" they asked."I guessed at one and heard the other. They told me on the wharf that Bernard's school was going to camp on Whaleback; and when that boat came by, and you two ran for the cabin so sudden like and kept so still, I put two and two together and made four easy enough without a slate or pencil.""That's because you are an old tar," said Ben."But I haven't figgered out yet what you wanted to run away from that crowd for! It seems to me if I was a fellow of your age I'd rather go to camp than go aboard a fishing-smack and be sea-sick and scared to death."Neither of the boys cared to answer."You had some reason, I suppose. I'd really like to know it. Tell me truly now--were you lying when you said your folks were willing you should come?""We didn't say just that. We said they didn't expect us home for a month, and they don't," said Ralph; then, regardless of Ben's frown of disapproval, he added, "I'll tell you how we happened to leave them. I did a mean thing--a shabby joke that didn't turn out the way I meant--and then when Mr. Bernard told the boy who did it to stand, I didn't dare to.""Of course you didn't!" said Ben apologetically."No 'of course' about it!" said the captain abruptly. "An honest boy never gets out of a scrape in a mean way.""Well, I know it now, but I didn't dare to stand up. And then he pulled the line tighter by telling any one who knew the boy who did the mischief to stand; and Joe Chester was the only fellow that confessed to knowing. He gave us several chances on that, and tried to shame us out of lying; and at last, as long as Joe Chester wouldn't tell, Mr. Bernard said unless the other fellow confessed, Joe would have to lose his camping-out time with the crowd.""Did you own it?" asked the captain."Not then. I felt meaner than dirt; but I was afraid I'd be expelled. It went on that way till the night before the school left for the island; then I couldn't stand it to have Joe left behind, and I up and wrote a note and left it for Mr. Bernard, confessing all.""And what did you have to do with it, Ben?" asked Captain Dare, wondering why Ralph had not mentioned him."I? Oh, I knew about it, but I wasn't going to tell on Ralph.""Then you got behind me to keep out of their way," said Captain Dare. "Well, what is going to be the end of it all?"Ralph shook his head."None of us know, and that's a fact, boys! But it ought to be a lesson to you to keep truth on your side. Lies never pay.""So I believe," said Ralph in sober earnest."I begin to think so too," said Ben. "Anyhow, these didn't.""Now's the time to take a fresh start, then; and I hope we'll all of us live so we can be glad to have the Lord see all we do and hear all we say,--yes, and know all we think, too. That's the tough part--the heart is such a queer thing. Sometimes it looks all fair and smooth, and we feel pretty well satisfied with ourselves; but just dig down a little way and we'll find a lot of rubbish there we are ashamed of. The only way is to keep it open for the Lord to look through all the time."Then, after a silence, during which the boys looked gloomily out into the fog that seemed to be growing blacker and heavier like a pall, he added cheerfully, "Well, good-night, boys; keep up good courage. TheUnais a tough little boat, and has rode out many a stiff gale.""She's such a little thing to fight against big waves and strong wind," said Ben."Yes; when I'm down in that cabin I feel as if there was no more than a paper wall between us and the other world," added Ralph."Less than that, boy, less than that. There's only a breath 'twixt us and the other world any time, on sea or on land. What's the difference, as long as God's hand holds on to us? I feel just as safe as my little grand-baby does in his crib," said the captain."I don't," said Ben in a low tone; "I'd give all I own, and all my father owns too, if I was near enough the shore to jump on it. I'd be willing to make a long leap too.""Good-night," again said the captain, as if to dismiss them."Good-night," replied the boys; but they were restless and anxious, and could not bear to go down into the close cabin, which seemed more like a prison than ever.The storm had not commenced, and the only sign of it that the boys could see was the blackness of the fog and the peculiar feeling of the air, which seemed heated and heavy.They sat down again behind the cabin, where the captain could not see them, and spoke in whispers."Let's stay on deck all night," said Ben. "If she capsizes we would stand a better chance here.""I don't suppose we'd have the least chance in either place," was the doleful reply."That vessel might have taken us off," grumbled Ben.Ralph was feeling too badly to talk, and he stared at the fog in a despairing way. They sat there until the wind began to blow, and the spray from the big waves to dash over them; then, as a last resort, they retreated to the cabin."Good-night, captain," said Ralph dolefully as he passed."What! you two fellows on deck yet! I thought I sent you below a couple of hours ago. Down with you! You'll be washed overboard if you stay up here."CHAPTER XVI.A WRETCHED NIGHT.The boys went reluctantly into their berths, but not to sleep.Sick and frightened, they could only listen anxiously to the beating of the waves against the vessel, and the hurried movements of the two men on deck, as, tossed by the winds and the sea, theUnarolled heavily to and fro.The moments seemed hours, and the hours seemed ages.Never in their lives had they been so terrified. Several times the water rushed down into the cabin, as the waves broke over the deck; and Captain Dare looked down upon them, long enough to ask if they were drowned out."Hear the thunder!" exclaimed Ralph, as the heavy roll and crash sounded overhead, and the cabin was lighted almost continually with flashes of lurid light.Ben made no reply, but buried his head under the blanket."It's queer I don't feel so scared as I did," said Ralph soberly. "I feel something as Captain Dare does--that after all we are in God's hand. Hear that peal! It seemed to roll right over the deck."Ben made no answer, but cowered still closer under the blanket.The rain now descended in perfect sheets upon the deck; and although the cabin door was closed, the water poured down through the cracks, and came in around the small windows above the berths, adding to the discomfort of the boys, who could not escape the drenching there without stepping into the water with which the cabin floor was covered.The rain fell as if another flood had commenced; and the wind had no mercy on the little vessel--breaking her yards and snapping her topmasts; and unreefing with goblin fingers the topsails, it whipped them to tatters.At length the thunder ceased to mutter, and after midnight the rain fell no more; but the wind continued to blow, and the little vessel to run before it.It was sunrise when the captain opened the cabin door and looked down."Well, boys, get up and give thanks! The little vessel has weathered the toughest kind of a gale. We are all safe now.""Is the danger really over?" asked the boys eagerly, as they sprang from the berth upon the wet floor."The worst is over, thank God! It was a tough storm and a stiff blow, but theUnarode it out," he said proudly. "One mast got a bad wrench, and all the canvas that could get loose got ripped into rags; but that's nothin' to what it might have been, considerin' how the wind roared and howled over the sea. Folks blame the sea for these accidents; but bless you, the sea ain't to blame! How can it help rearing up, with a gale like that throwing it on its pitchfork? I don't like to see things abused, and I stick up for the sea; it behaves well enough as long as the wind lets it.""Where are we?" asked the boys, as they reached the deck and looked curiously around. "There's no land at all in sight!""No; we got blown well out to sea. It's lucky we didn't try to make a port last night: we'd have been caught among some o' them islands if we had, and knocked to pieces on the rocks.""That's so," added Marcus, with a wise shake of the head."You two fellows did first-rate last night!""You are chaffing, captain," said Ralph, looking red."No, honestly. I expected I'd have trouble with you when that storm came; but I'll say that for you--you did first-rate!""We were too scared to do any other way," confessed Ben with a laugh."Scared or not, some folks will make a rumpus just when they ought to keep stillest.--Now, Marcus, give us a good breakfast, and then we'll shake out our canvas and see where our damages are. We must be working back, for I don't propose to let this wind drive us off shore any further than I can help.--One time last night, along the first of the blow, we came very near Whaleback, boys; but a miss is as good as a mile when the danger is over.""Whaleback! Oh, I wish we were there now! No, I don't either!" exclaimed Ralph."Iwish you was there, anyhow," said the captain gruffly. "That's where you belong. I believe the master there would take you back and forgive you. You've got a good dose of punishment, if ever a couple of young liars had.""You don't know how Mr. Bernard feels about lying. He will never want the other boys to be with us again,--never!" said Ralph."I don't know about that," and Captain Dare shook his head wisely. "I know there isn't nobody hates a lie worse nor me; but it ain't for me to hold back when a fellow is sorry for it, and quits the whole business of lying.""And I mean to do that!" interposed Ralph with emphasis; "but Mr. Bernard doesn't know it.""No, and that's just what I was wishing you on Whaleback for, so you could tell him.""He wouldn't believe us!" exclaimed Ben. "We couldn't expect him to, after we lied to him as we did. No, I don't want to see him. A storm at sea is bad enough; but I believe I'd rather go through another than go ashore and face him.""I'd like to have him know how I feel about it," said Ralph. "I mean to write him a letter after I get back to father's. Of course we never can be taken back into school.""Breakfast!" shouted Marcus, flourishing the towel with which he had been polishing the tin plates."I believe the fright last night took away my seasickness," said Ralph, as he helped himself to the fish Marcus had broiled. "The fright did it, or else it died a natural death, for I had it long enough. I feel more like myself than I have since I came on board.""So do I," said Ben, following Ralph's example."When is this voyage going to end, captain?""Oh, when I get my load, I told ye before. It will take some time for this sea to go down enough to give us another chance at the fish; but with fair luck I reckon a week more will fill us."The boys groaned."What! don't you like it? You seem so fresh after the storm, I concluded you was makin' up your mind to follow my profession. Then you don't mean to take to the business as a steady thing?" Captain Dare asked, with a twinkle in the funny light-gray eyes overshadowed with bushy brows."No," answered the boys laughing. "Dry land for us."After breakfast, the two men unreefed the sails, and began to repair damages. The small boat that had been stowed on deck during the storm was again launched and towed behind.The broken topmasts were useless; but the most serious injury was to the foremast, which was sprung out of position.This they braced as well as possible, and setting all available canvas, they began the process of tacking, to regain their former-position.As the wind abated, they began to troll for fish; and in spite of the rough sea, the boys felt well enough to help with the lines."If you stay aboard long enough, I'll make good fishermen of you yet," said the captain with a chuckle, as he noticed the colour in their cheeks and the sparkle in their eyes when they surveyed the mass of fish they had helped to catch."Now, just turn to and help to dress 'em," said Marcus.The boys respectfully declined to join in this work, and went to sit in the bow as far as possible away from the board on which the fish were being prepared for drying.They had been so busy fishing, the time had passed very quickly, and, tired and sleepy, they soon went to bed, thankful that the storm was over and their seasickness gone.The morning dawned bright and clear, and when they went on deck at sunrise, Captain Dare pointed to the islands toward which they were once more sailing."Home again! home again, from a foreign shore!" sang Ben; and Ralph was at ease enough now to join in the song."That sounds good," said the captain approvingly. "Give us another. Sing us a hymn tune."After a little consulting together the two boys sang the chant, "The Lord is my Shepherd." When they ceased, the captain said,--"Give me that again; twice more, and then I'll let you off. I never heard anything so good as that!"The boys complied, and wondered, as they sang it, why there seemed so much more in the chant than they had ever noticed before in singing it at school."I never noticed that chant much," said Ralph: "it means a lot more than it used to. I wonder why?""Bless your heart, boy! you've got more feelin' in your soul now, and more thoughts in your head. I tell you that's a psalm that has to grow on you. It don't mean nothin' particular to folks that haven't had trouble, but to them that have, it keeps growin' and growin', until they see more and more in it every time they think of it. I say that psalm over and over to myself when I'm sittin' here o' nights with my hand on the helm, but I never knew it could be sung. I used to sing once; I wonder if I could learn that. I'd give 'most anything to do it.""Why, of course you can," exclaimed Ralph. "See here, it is just as easy;" and he hummed the first line. "Strike right in and sing it with us."The two boys sang the chant again and again, until the captain had mastered it; and during the day he hummed it as he worked, resolving in his joy over his success that he would go out of his way to do those lads a favour, but it should be a surprise, and he would not tell Marcus even of his intention.It proved a fine day for fishing. School after school of mackerel came by, and the boys worked industriously, helping the fishermen to gather their harvest. At night, tired and sleepy after their unusual labours, they went below early, and the captain, with a wink and crook of his finger at Marcus, beckoned him to his side."That's Whaleback yonder.""Yes, I know it is; what of it?""There's a good breeze.""Yes.""I'm going to make for that island, and anchor off the south end, where the beach is.""You are?" asked Marcus, puzzled to know what this could be for."In the mornin' when our two chaps wake up they'll be so near their mates it won't be my fault if that affair doesn't get settled," and the captain rubbed his hands and laughed softly."Oh, I see! All right. Just as you say."So while Ralph and Ben slept soundly in the cabin of theUna, the little vessel sailed on and on in the moonlight, and before midnight dropped anchor just off the south end of Whaleback. The weather-beaten face of the old captain broadened with mirth as he looked across at the cluster of tents showing white in the moonlight, and thought of the commotion he would create in the morning. As he crept down into the cabin to indulge in a nap, he laughed aloud over his manoeuvre; but the two boys were too soundly asleep to be easily disturbed.CHAPTER XVII.A SURPRISE.At the earliest dawn of day the captain and Marcus stole quietly from the cabin, closing the door carefully that the boys might sleep undisturbed. "I don't want to miss a mite of the fun I've got planned out, Marcus. I tell you I feel like a boy myself this morning."They kept very quiet, fearing that Ralph and Ben might appear too soon upon the scene. After a while they saw Jonas emerge from his tent with a fishing-rod over his shoulder. Intent on business only, thinking about the breakfast he was to prepare, he had gone nearly out to the end of the point of rocks at the side of the beach, before he discovered the fishing-smack anchored within speaking distance. The captain had already stepped into his boat, and with a few strokes of the oars he reached the rocks where Jonas stood rubbing his eyes to make sure he was not dreaming."Well, I never! Where did you come from all of a sudden?" was Jonas's greeting."Hush! Don't talk loud. I've got a couple of passengers I don't want waked up.""Who are you, anyhow?" asked Jonas, his curiosity getting the better of any politeness he might have used."I am Captain Dare of theUna.""You are the fellow that carried off two of our boys," exclaimed Jonas, with a sudden increase of interest."They took passage with me," said the captain with dignity. "Is the head-master over yonder?""Mr. Bernard? Yes, asleep still.""I want to see him.""About the boys?""Yes.""All right. How glad he'll be!""Go call him then, but don't let any one else know,--that's a good fellow.""I'll do it; but just tell me one thing. Have you got those chaps aboard?"Captain Dare nodded and laughed. Without waiting to hear more, Jonas rushed over the rocks, and made his way to Mr. Bernard's tent. The teacher was a light sleeper, and in camp he was ready at any time for a summons, so he lifted the flap of the tent at once in answer to Jonas's rap, and saw the cook making motions of secrecy. He beckoned him inside, and Jonas began, almost breathless after his run--"TheUnais anchored off here, and the captain wants to see you before the others get astir."Mr. Bernard uttered an exclamation of surprise and delight, and without waiting to ask any more questions, hastily donned his clothes and hurried after the messenger, leaving little Max asleep in the tent. Jonas led the way to the point of rocks, and there in the boat sat the captain."Captain Dare!" exclaimed Mr. Bernard."Yes, sir, that's my name.""I am Mr. Bernard."The two men shook hands most cordially."He's all right! I'll riskhim!" was the mental exclamation as the captain's twinkling eyes surveyed the teacher from head to foot. "I've got two of your boys in my cabin yonder, Mr. Bernard.""Alive and well?" asked the teacher eagerly."Yes, alive and well. Better boys, too, than when you saw them last, Mr. Bernard.""God be praised! This gives me joy," was the fervent response."And, Mr. Bernard, they've had pretty heavy punishment. I really hope you'll call it enough and forgive 'em. They are ashamed and sorry, I know. I'll answer for that."The teacher's eyes were moist, and he took off his glasses to wipe them as he said, "May I go on board with you?""That's just what I want. I told those chaps you'd forgive 'em; but they said I didn't know you, and you'd never trust 'em again. You may, though. I'll answer for 'em you may--both on 'em. You'll never catch either of 'em in a lie again.""Are the boys expecting me?""Bless you, sir, no; they don't know no more about it than your boys up yonder asleep in their tents. No, it's all a surprise;" and the old captain chuckled with delight."Say nothing about this, Jonas, and keep quiet, so the boys will sleep till we get our arrangements made.""All right, sir; I've got my fish to catch yet," answered Jonas, baiting his hook."Never mind those fish--that's slow work. I'll send my man ashore with mackerel and cod enough to last you a while."The teacher seated himself in the boat, and Captain Dare pulled quickly back to the vessel."Marcus, pick out some of the No. 1 mackerel and the best cod and hake, and pull over where that fellow is waiting," said the captain, as he stepped on the deck of theUna; then turning to his guest, he said gleefully, "Those boys are still asleep, I reckon, but there they are safe and well down in my cabin," and he opened the door a little to look in. "Yes, sound asleep, the young rascals; won't they be surprised! I said I'd go out of my way to do 'em a favour to pay 'em for learnin' me that hymn tune, but they hadn't no idea what I meant to do."The door moved by sliding, and when the captain pushed it open Ralph opened his eyes.Was he dreaming, or was that Mr. Bernard's face looking down upon him, full of kindness and forgiveness?No, it was no dream. Mr. Bernard was coming down the steps, and Ralph sprang from the berth to meet him, knowing before a word had been spoken that he was forgiven.Just then Ben opened his eyes, and sleepily looked around.What was that? Mr. Bernard with his arm around Ralph's shoulder.Surely he was still asleep, and still in dreamland."O Ben, he forgives us--he has come for us," cried Ralph with quivering lips. "Isn't it too good to believe?"Mr. Bernard held out his other hand to Ben, and drew him to his side."Where are we, Mr. Bernard, that we foundyou?" asked Ralph with a puzzled look."Ask your good captain. He has gone out of his course, in the kindness of his heart, to do us all a favour.""No favour at all," said the captain earnestly, waving his hand in token of disclaiming any obligation on their part,--"no favour at all. I like to see things get righted, and I like to have a hand in doing it.--Besides, didn't you two chaps teach me that chant that's going to help me through many a long night at the helm?""You will allow us tofeelthankful to you, captain, if we keep quiet about it, won't you?" asked the teacher laughing. "We have been anxiously watching for your vessel ever since we heard from you."Heard from us! when?" asked the captain with a puzzled look."We heard by the vessel you hailed the night before the storm.""Well, now, where did you seeher?""On the rocks just off the lighthouse.""What! cast away?""Yes: she went on the rocks the night of the storm; but the crew were saved, all but one man. They have been over at the lighthouse, waiting to see the last of the wreck, after rescuing all the cargo they could."The captain turned to the boys, and said: "That was an escape for you. If we had had our way, you would have been on that wreck too. How little we know what's best for us! I'd rather not have the ordering of things if I could. I'd be sure to make a mess of things. God knows best, and that's true every time.""It was fortunate indeed," added Mr. Bernard. "But we have been more anxious than ever, since Captain Melrose reported you.""We didn't think you would care," said Ralph with a flushed face."Why, Ralph, have you been in my school all this time and know me no better than that? There has been no time since the trouble began that I would not have received you gladly if I had known you to be honestly sorry for your fault. You know me better now, I hope."Ralph put his hand in the outstretched palm of the teacher, and said, "Yes, Mr. Bernard, I could never be afraid of you again; but I mean with all my heart never to do anything again that I shall be ashamed to tell you."
CHAPTER XIV.
TRIBULATIONS.
The two men worked steadily and cheerily over the fish, sorting and dressing and packing them in salt, only leaving off long enough to eat some bread and cheese with dry salt codfish.
"Come, boys, dinner's ready. Step up and help yourselves," said the captain, with his mouth full of bread and cheese, which he had made into a sandwich for convenience and speed.
"We don't feel hungry," answered Ben, looking out from the blanket long enough to see that the captain was complacently munching his food as he sat astride of the board on which he had been dressing the fish.
"Don't feel hungry! That's queer.Ido, now. This salt air ought to make you eat like a shark," exclaimed the captain, as he set his teeth through an enormous piece of dried cod. "I'm hungry enough to eat those mackerel raw, if there was nothing else handy."
"Oh, don't!" groaned Ralph, crawling further under the blanket, and feeling his stomach rise up and roll over uneasily.
All the afternoon the fishermen worked over their "catch," and the boys did not venture out from their retreat until a great splashing of water told them that Marcus was washing the deck. Then they began to look around and breathe in the sea air, that seemed to bring a revival of spirits to the boys.
Before supper-time another school of mackerel came by, and the lines were again thrown out, and lively work recommenced.
The two boys watched the sport as the men tended their lines so dexterously, going from one to another, and keeping a fish in the air continually, as Ben said.
[image]The two boys watched the sport.
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The two boys watched the sport.
This was exciting enough to make even Ralph forget his sea-sickness for the time; but when the "school" had passed, the work of dressing mackerel began again, and this was not at all soothing to disturbed stomachs.
"Let's go to bed, and get out of this, Ben," exclaimed Ralph in disgust.
"All right."
They tiptoed by the pile of fish that were still flapping feebly, and looked down into the cabin. It was not an inviting place, and Ralph hesitated.
"Going to turn in, boys?" asked the captain, thrusting his knife into a fish before he looked up.
"Yes, we thought of it."
"Without any supper? That will never do. Help yourselves in there. The biscuit-barrel's in the corner, and the codfish hangs right over it. Eat a good meal, and you'll feel better. There ain't nothin' equal to dry codfish for turning sea-sickness."
"Thanks; but we don't feel hungry," said Ben.
"That's queer. It beats me how anybody can be out to sea and not feel hungry! Well, a night's rest will make you better, like as not. You'll sleep like a couple of tops; that is, if you've got good clean consciences afore God."
The boys made no reply.
"I hope you have. It's bad work being out to sea, or anywhere else, for that matter, with anything lying heavy on your conscience. Now, I don't pretend to be any guide for any one. I'm bad enough myself; but I always says every night, 'Just look me over, Lord, and if there is any bad in me'--and of course I know there is plenty of it--'forgive it, and help me to start better to-morrow.' It's mighty comfortin' for me to know that He sees that Imeanfairer than Ido."
After these remarks the captain finished dressing the fish he held on the board, and the boys disappeared down the short flight of steps leading into the cabin.
It was a close place there, and filled with odours of fish; in fact the whole vessel seemed to be stuccoed with fish-scales.
"Are we first or second cabin passengers, Ralph?" asked Ben laughingly, "or are we steerage?"
"Steerage, sure enough!"
"Well, it isn't the worst place that ever was. I'd rather be here than outside there in the sea, with a shark after me," continued Ben, who was far more inclined than Ralph to be jolly under difficulties.
"Bad as it is, I'd rather be here than on the island camping out, with Joe Chester left behind," said Ralph.
"Yes, of course you would. If I had my fiddle here I'd cheer you up; that is, if I didn't feel kind of gone about my own stomach." And Ben sat down suddenly on the captain's green chest in the corner, looking very pale.
It was Ralph's turn now to wait uponhim, and putting his head out of the door he shouted, "Captain, where shall we sleep?"
"Oh, anywhere you've a mind to. Take the bunks if you want to. Marcus and I'll look out for ourselves."
Ralph looked sharply at the rough bed, and said, "It isn't a royal couch, but tumble in, Ben." Ben was too sick to care where he went, and letting Ralph pull off his boots and coat, he literally tumbled in, as requested.
Whether it was a lack of good consciences that the old captain had spoken of, or the strangeness of their situation, or the awful sea-sickness, the boys could not sleep. They lay and tossed in their close berths, listening to the "thud" and "swish" of the waves against the sides of the little vessel, and the creak of the yards, as the canvas swung around in the wind.
It was a bright moonlight night, and the fishing was good, so the noise on deck continued nearly all night, making it still more impossible for the boys to sleep, until, their labours being over, Marcus came below for a nap. Rolling himself in a blanket, he dropped down in the corner of the cabin, and in less than five minutes he was snoring loud enough to drown the creak of the sails.
Ralph and Ben slept at last, and were only aroused in the morning by the captain's voice as he hailed another fishing-vessel. Marcus was preparing breakfast, and the odour of the coffee came into the cabin to tempt the boys.
"That smells good," cried Ben, throwing off his blanket. "Let's get out of this pen, Ralph, as quick as ever we can. I believe I'm hungry."
"Good!" said the captain, looking down into the little cabin, having overheard the exclamation. "How fare ye this morning?"
The boys answered as cheerily as they could, and hastening up on deck, they washed their faces and hands in sea water, and were ready for breakfast.
The deck was scrubbed clean, and the sea air was pure and sweet. Even Ralph felt hungry, and the fried mackerel, with biscuits and coffee, tasted very good. The fishing was dull that day; no schools of mackerel were to be seen, and the men busied themselves with trolling for cod and hake, or anything that would bite; and before night a long row of fish was spread out on the top of the cabin to dry, much to the boys' disgust. The second night was passed much like the first, in trying to become accustomed to their close quarters; and the third was much like the second. The only excitement was in running down schools of fish; but as this was always followed by the disagreeable work of dressing them, the dainty passengers were earnestly hoping they might not see any more.
"How long before you go ashore, captain?" asked Ben, as he walked the deck uneasily.
"Oh, when I get my load."
"But what do you call a load?"
"Now, that's a question I never could answer. I never saw the time I couldn't get on one more haul of fish. A smack is like an omnibus--it always has room for one more," said the captain laughing.
"You are pretty full now."
"Bless you, no! This isn't a trifle to what we ought to do. Mighty poor fishing this trip. Reckon I've got a Jonah aboard."
"A couple of them, perhaps," answered Ben, with a wink at Ralph.
"The fog is coming on," continued the captain, looking off seaward. "We shan't be able to see our hands afore our faces to-night, like as not."
"What do you do in a fog?" asked Ralph eagerly.
"Do? why, we make the best of it, boy. What do you suppose?"
"I thought, perhaps, you went ashore, or anchored somewhere," said Ralph hesitatingly.
"Oh, you did? The fog lasts two or three weeks sometimes. No; we go ahead, and catch every fish we can."
"Aren't you afraid some other vessel will run you down?"
"It would be about as bad for her as it would for us," answered the captain, puffing the smoke from his pipe contentedly. "I'd rather have it pleasant; but we don't have the ordering of the weather, and I've fallen into the way of making the best of things--weather and everything else. If it's good weather, I'm glad; if it isn't, I don't fret. If the fish bite, I'm glad; if they don't, I just stay out the longer; and sooner or later I get a good load. It don't do no good to be frettin' and fussin'."
The captain's words did not cheer the boys. They felt far from contented at the prospect of a fog at sea; and when it came rolling in and closing down around them, hiding not only the strip of shore in the distance, but also the island and the other vessels that were near them, they wished themselves on shore more earnestly than ever.
"We didn't bargain for this," said Ben, making a wry face at his companion.
"No, nor for anything else we have had. I'd rather be in the Rocky Mountains," grumbled Ralph.
"So had I, or on the top of the North Pole, provided it is planted in solid ground instead of water," was Ben's laughing reply.
"I'm in earnest. I hate the sea. I'm afraid of it just as soon as it begins to be rough. I don't see what possessed us to come to sea," continued Ralph, peering uneasily through the fog.
"We couldn't help it, if I recollect right," said Ben. "There wasn't any place to run to on land, so we took to the water like musk-rats. But we are all right. Captain Dare knows everything about vessels and fogs. I am not going to worry myself about it at any rate, unless a big storm comes; then I suppose I would be scared enough."
CHAPTER XV.
THE LITTLE CABIN.
The captain indulged in an afternoon nap, to be in readiness for a watchful night; and the fog grew thicker and heavier as the evening came on.
The great lantern was lighted early, and the wall of fog reflected the light back in a weird, ghostly way upon the boys, who sat in the bow, dreading to go down into the little cabin.
"I feel as if we were shut up in a tomb of fog," said Ralph dismally.
"Well, if 'misery likes company,' it may make you happier to know the other boys are in the fog too, over on the island," returned Ben.
"Yes, but they have solid ground under their feet, and are not likely to be run down as we are; besides, they'll have a jolly time in spite of the fog. I know I could if I were on shore and not sea-sick, and that fog-horn of Marcus's didn't sound so dismal. I wonder how many blasts he blows in a minute?"
"Let's go to bed; morning will come quicker," exclaimed Ben in desperation.
"If we could only sleep."
"Well, we did pretty well last night."
"Pretty well; but the cabin is so fishy and musty, and my stomach rolls over so many times in a minute, I can't sleep," complained Ralph.
"'Hark, from the tombs, a doleful sound,'" said Ben, and then laughed in spite of his discomfort. "We sit here and croak like a couple of ravens, and Marcus toots that everlasting horn; let's go below and try that," he continued.
Ralph arose and staggered to the cabin steps, said good-night to the captain and Marcus, and, followed by Ben, crept into his berth. Ben tried to sing one of the school glees to cheer himself and friend, and forget his sea-sickness.
"Oh, hush, Ben! That makes me as homesick as a cat. I tell you that little room of ours at school was an awful cosy place, after all. Just think of that bed. We used to call that hard."
"Yes, and that grate where we had a fire on cold nights."
"We used to rail at it and call it stuffy, but if we were only there now I'd feel like dancing."
Ben struck up another tune, and hummed it through, chorus and all, to try to keep from utter wretchedness.
Ralph was quiet till he finished; then he said,--
"Ben, Mr. Bernard is a good man. He had the right of it about that lying business. I hate myself for it."
"So you said before," answered Ben, beginning another air.
"I know it," interrupted Ralph, "I mean it more and more. I mean never to deceive any one again."
"Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore;' anyway never till you get into trouble again," said Ben.
"I don't care how great the trouble may be, I'll confess and be true. Do you know I tried saying last night what the captain told us he said. Somehow I never liked before to think the Lord was looking at me, but now I am glad he is, for he can see I really mean to do better."
"It's queer you feel that way. I don't see any use worrying over a little lie. I've told dozens of them, and I never felt bad about it. I feel uncomfortable enough now, but I reckon it's my stomach and not my mind. I say, let's go to sleep."
This was easier to say than do, and both boys tossed and rolled in misery with sea-sickness, home-sickness, and fear, until from sheer exhaustion they fell asleep.
The morning dawned foggy, and foggy the day ended. The next day was like this; and the boys were too sick and worried to taste a mouthful of food. The fog did not prevent the fishing, and the two men kept busy with their lines, or their work of dressing the fish, and had little time to devote to the boys, even if they had known what to do for them.
"I wish the two little land-lubbers were safe ashore," was the fervent remark uttered over and over again by the captain, as he and Marcus worked together.
"A storm is coming, and this fog will get blown higher than a kite," the boys heard the captain say.
"Yes, it feels like bad weather," was Marcus's answer, as he gave a wise glance around their foggy prison and blew a long blast on the big horn.
"Hear that, Ben?" asked Ralph.
"What? The horn? Yes, I hear it."
"No! Didn't you hear what Captain Dare said? We've got to have a storm after all. In this little vessel, too. It will go down, sure as the world," and Ralph grew paler than ever. Ben felt very much as his friend did, but said less.
"I hear another horn, captain."
"Yes!" said the captain, listening.
Marcus blew again long and loud; and again was answered from out in the fog. After a while the two vessels came within hailing distance, and Ralph, seized with a sudden longing, rushed up to the captain, and said eagerly,--
"O captain, it's a larger vessel than this! Don't you suppose they would take us aboard? If there is going to be a storm, I would rather be in a large vessel; this is such a little egg-shell."
"Egg-shell! not a bit of it. But I'd like nothing better than to get rid of you. I don't want passengers to look out for in a gale. My little smack has rode out many a storm, but I'd rather be alone with my one man."
"Oh, ask them! beg them!" urged Ralph, more and more excited.
"Tell them we've got money to pay with," added Ben a little more quietly.
The captain laughed, but gratified them by hailing the brig. "Here are two boys, sea-sick and scared; storm coming; no accommodation. Can you take them off my hands?"
"We are bound out," came the answer from the vessel, whose outlines were only dimly seen through the fog.
"Never mind where they are bound, tell him," said Ralph, pulling the captain's arm; "we don't care."
"We've no room for passengers," added the invisible speaker on the brig.
"Nor I neither," grumbled the captain of the smack. "I ought to have knowed better than to take 'em;" then aloud he added, "They'll die of fright on my hands if there comes a tough gale."
"Who are they?" asked the voice in the fog.
"Two young scamps that belong to a school that's gone on Whaleback to camp. Leastways that's what I guess.--Isn't it so, boys?"
"Yes."
The vessels were soon far apart, and the boys, disappointed in their hopes, sat down by the captain to watch him splice a rope.
"How did you know we belonged to that school? and how did you know where they were going to camp?" they asked.
"I guessed at one and heard the other. They told me on the wharf that Bernard's school was going to camp on Whaleback; and when that boat came by, and you two ran for the cabin so sudden like and kept so still, I put two and two together and made four easy enough without a slate or pencil."
"That's because you are an old tar," said Ben.
"But I haven't figgered out yet what you wanted to run away from that crowd for! It seems to me if I was a fellow of your age I'd rather go to camp than go aboard a fishing-smack and be sea-sick and scared to death."
Neither of the boys cared to answer.
"You had some reason, I suppose. I'd really like to know it. Tell me truly now--were you lying when you said your folks were willing you should come?"
"We didn't say just that. We said they didn't expect us home for a month, and they don't," said Ralph; then, regardless of Ben's frown of disapproval, he added, "I'll tell you how we happened to leave them. I did a mean thing--a shabby joke that didn't turn out the way I meant--and then when Mr. Bernard told the boy who did it to stand, I didn't dare to."
"Of course you didn't!" said Ben apologetically.
"No 'of course' about it!" said the captain abruptly. "An honest boy never gets out of a scrape in a mean way."
"Well, I know it now, but I didn't dare to stand up. And then he pulled the line tighter by telling any one who knew the boy who did the mischief to stand; and Joe Chester was the only fellow that confessed to knowing. He gave us several chances on that, and tried to shame us out of lying; and at last, as long as Joe Chester wouldn't tell, Mr. Bernard said unless the other fellow confessed, Joe would have to lose his camping-out time with the crowd."
"Did you own it?" asked the captain.
"Not then. I felt meaner than dirt; but I was afraid I'd be expelled. It went on that way till the night before the school left for the island; then I couldn't stand it to have Joe left behind, and I up and wrote a note and left it for Mr. Bernard, confessing all."
"And what did you have to do with it, Ben?" asked Captain Dare, wondering why Ralph had not mentioned him.
"I? Oh, I knew about it, but I wasn't going to tell on Ralph."
"Then you got behind me to keep out of their way," said Captain Dare. "Well, what is going to be the end of it all?"
Ralph shook his head.
"None of us know, and that's a fact, boys! But it ought to be a lesson to you to keep truth on your side. Lies never pay."
"So I believe," said Ralph in sober earnest.
"I begin to think so too," said Ben. "Anyhow, these didn't."
"Now's the time to take a fresh start, then; and I hope we'll all of us live so we can be glad to have the Lord see all we do and hear all we say,--yes, and know all we think, too. That's the tough part--the heart is such a queer thing. Sometimes it looks all fair and smooth, and we feel pretty well satisfied with ourselves; but just dig down a little way and we'll find a lot of rubbish there we are ashamed of. The only way is to keep it open for the Lord to look through all the time."
Then, after a silence, during which the boys looked gloomily out into the fog that seemed to be growing blacker and heavier like a pall, he added cheerfully, "Well, good-night, boys; keep up good courage. TheUnais a tough little boat, and has rode out many a stiff gale."
"She's such a little thing to fight against big waves and strong wind," said Ben.
"Yes; when I'm down in that cabin I feel as if there was no more than a paper wall between us and the other world," added Ralph.
"Less than that, boy, less than that. There's only a breath 'twixt us and the other world any time, on sea or on land. What's the difference, as long as God's hand holds on to us? I feel just as safe as my little grand-baby does in his crib," said the captain.
"I don't," said Ben in a low tone; "I'd give all I own, and all my father owns too, if I was near enough the shore to jump on it. I'd be willing to make a long leap too."
"Good-night," again said the captain, as if to dismiss them.
"Good-night," replied the boys; but they were restless and anxious, and could not bear to go down into the close cabin, which seemed more like a prison than ever.
The storm had not commenced, and the only sign of it that the boys could see was the blackness of the fog and the peculiar feeling of the air, which seemed heated and heavy.
They sat down again behind the cabin, where the captain could not see them, and spoke in whispers.
"Let's stay on deck all night," said Ben. "If she capsizes we would stand a better chance here."
"I don't suppose we'd have the least chance in either place," was the doleful reply.
"That vessel might have taken us off," grumbled Ben.
Ralph was feeling too badly to talk, and he stared at the fog in a despairing way. They sat there until the wind began to blow, and the spray from the big waves to dash over them; then, as a last resort, they retreated to the cabin.
"Good-night, captain," said Ralph dolefully as he passed.
"What! you two fellows on deck yet! I thought I sent you below a couple of hours ago. Down with you! You'll be washed overboard if you stay up here."
CHAPTER XVI.
A WRETCHED NIGHT.
The boys went reluctantly into their berths, but not to sleep.
Sick and frightened, they could only listen anxiously to the beating of the waves against the vessel, and the hurried movements of the two men on deck, as, tossed by the winds and the sea, theUnarolled heavily to and fro.
The moments seemed hours, and the hours seemed ages.
Never in their lives had they been so terrified. Several times the water rushed down into the cabin, as the waves broke over the deck; and Captain Dare looked down upon them, long enough to ask if they were drowned out.
"Hear the thunder!" exclaimed Ralph, as the heavy roll and crash sounded overhead, and the cabin was lighted almost continually with flashes of lurid light.
Ben made no reply, but buried his head under the blanket.
"It's queer I don't feel so scared as I did," said Ralph soberly. "I feel something as Captain Dare does--that after all we are in God's hand. Hear that peal! It seemed to roll right over the deck."
Ben made no answer, but cowered still closer under the blanket.
The rain now descended in perfect sheets upon the deck; and although the cabin door was closed, the water poured down through the cracks, and came in around the small windows above the berths, adding to the discomfort of the boys, who could not escape the drenching there without stepping into the water with which the cabin floor was covered.
The rain fell as if another flood had commenced; and the wind had no mercy on the little vessel--breaking her yards and snapping her topmasts; and unreefing with goblin fingers the topsails, it whipped them to tatters.
At length the thunder ceased to mutter, and after midnight the rain fell no more; but the wind continued to blow, and the little vessel to run before it.
It was sunrise when the captain opened the cabin door and looked down.
"Well, boys, get up and give thanks! The little vessel has weathered the toughest kind of a gale. We are all safe now."
"Is the danger really over?" asked the boys eagerly, as they sprang from the berth upon the wet floor.
"The worst is over, thank God! It was a tough storm and a stiff blow, but theUnarode it out," he said proudly. "One mast got a bad wrench, and all the canvas that could get loose got ripped into rags; but that's nothin' to what it might have been, considerin' how the wind roared and howled over the sea. Folks blame the sea for these accidents; but bless you, the sea ain't to blame! How can it help rearing up, with a gale like that throwing it on its pitchfork? I don't like to see things abused, and I stick up for the sea; it behaves well enough as long as the wind lets it."
"Where are we?" asked the boys, as they reached the deck and looked curiously around. "There's no land at all in sight!"
"No; we got blown well out to sea. It's lucky we didn't try to make a port last night: we'd have been caught among some o' them islands if we had, and knocked to pieces on the rocks."
"That's so," added Marcus, with a wise shake of the head.
"You two fellows did first-rate last night!"
"You are chaffing, captain," said Ralph, looking red.
"No, honestly. I expected I'd have trouble with you when that storm came; but I'll say that for you--you did first-rate!"
"We were too scared to do any other way," confessed Ben with a laugh.
"Scared or not, some folks will make a rumpus just when they ought to keep stillest.--Now, Marcus, give us a good breakfast, and then we'll shake out our canvas and see where our damages are. We must be working back, for I don't propose to let this wind drive us off shore any further than I can help.--One time last night, along the first of the blow, we came very near Whaleback, boys; but a miss is as good as a mile when the danger is over."
"Whaleback! Oh, I wish we were there now! No, I don't either!" exclaimed Ralph.
"Iwish you was there, anyhow," said the captain gruffly. "That's where you belong. I believe the master there would take you back and forgive you. You've got a good dose of punishment, if ever a couple of young liars had."
"You don't know how Mr. Bernard feels about lying. He will never want the other boys to be with us again,--never!" said Ralph.
"I don't know about that," and Captain Dare shook his head wisely. "I know there isn't nobody hates a lie worse nor me; but it ain't for me to hold back when a fellow is sorry for it, and quits the whole business of lying."
"And I mean to do that!" interposed Ralph with emphasis; "but Mr. Bernard doesn't know it."
"No, and that's just what I was wishing you on Whaleback for, so you could tell him."
"He wouldn't believe us!" exclaimed Ben. "We couldn't expect him to, after we lied to him as we did. No, I don't want to see him. A storm at sea is bad enough; but I believe I'd rather go through another than go ashore and face him."
"I'd like to have him know how I feel about it," said Ralph. "I mean to write him a letter after I get back to father's. Of course we never can be taken back into school."
"Breakfast!" shouted Marcus, flourishing the towel with which he had been polishing the tin plates.
"I believe the fright last night took away my seasickness," said Ralph, as he helped himself to the fish Marcus had broiled. "The fright did it, or else it died a natural death, for I had it long enough. I feel more like myself than I have since I came on board."
"So do I," said Ben, following Ralph's example.
"When is this voyage going to end, captain?"
"Oh, when I get my load, I told ye before. It will take some time for this sea to go down enough to give us another chance at the fish; but with fair luck I reckon a week more will fill us."
The boys groaned.
"What! don't you like it? You seem so fresh after the storm, I concluded you was makin' up your mind to follow my profession. Then you don't mean to take to the business as a steady thing?" Captain Dare asked, with a twinkle in the funny light-gray eyes overshadowed with bushy brows.
"No," answered the boys laughing. "Dry land for us."
After breakfast, the two men unreefed the sails, and began to repair damages. The small boat that had been stowed on deck during the storm was again launched and towed behind.
The broken topmasts were useless; but the most serious injury was to the foremast, which was sprung out of position.
This they braced as well as possible, and setting all available canvas, they began the process of tacking, to regain their former-position.
As the wind abated, they began to troll for fish; and in spite of the rough sea, the boys felt well enough to help with the lines.
"If you stay aboard long enough, I'll make good fishermen of you yet," said the captain with a chuckle, as he noticed the colour in their cheeks and the sparkle in their eyes when they surveyed the mass of fish they had helped to catch.
"Now, just turn to and help to dress 'em," said Marcus.
The boys respectfully declined to join in this work, and went to sit in the bow as far as possible away from the board on which the fish were being prepared for drying.
They had been so busy fishing, the time had passed very quickly, and, tired and sleepy, they soon went to bed, thankful that the storm was over and their seasickness gone.
The morning dawned bright and clear, and when they went on deck at sunrise, Captain Dare pointed to the islands toward which they were once more sailing.
"Home again! home again, from a foreign shore!" sang Ben; and Ralph was at ease enough now to join in the song.
"That sounds good," said the captain approvingly. "Give us another. Sing us a hymn tune."
After a little consulting together the two boys sang the chant, "The Lord is my Shepherd." When they ceased, the captain said,--
"Give me that again; twice more, and then I'll let you off. I never heard anything so good as that!"
The boys complied, and wondered, as they sang it, why there seemed so much more in the chant than they had ever noticed before in singing it at school.
"I never noticed that chant much," said Ralph: "it means a lot more than it used to. I wonder why?"
"Bless your heart, boy! you've got more feelin' in your soul now, and more thoughts in your head. I tell you that's a psalm that has to grow on you. It don't mean nothin' particular to folks that haven't had trouble, but to them that have, it keeps growin' and growin', until they see more and more in it every time they think of it. I say that psalm over and over to myself when I'm sittin' here o' nights with my hand on the helm, but I never knew it could be sung. I used to sing once; I wonder if I could learn that. I'd give 'most anything to do it."
"Why, of course you can," exclaimed Ralph. "See here, it is just as easy;" and he hummed the first line. "Strike right in and sing it with us."
The two boys sang the chant again and again, until the captain had mastered it; and during the day he hummed it as he worked, resolving in his joy over his success that he would go out of his way to do those lads a favour, but it should be a surprise, and he would not tell Marcus even of his intention.
It proved a fine day for fishing. School after school of mackerel came by, and the boys worked industriously, helping the fishermen to gather their harvest. At night, tired and sleepy after their unusual labours, they went below early, and the captain, with a wink and crook of his finger at Marcus, beckoned him to his side.
"That's Whaleback yonder."
"Yes, I know it is; what of it?"
"There's a good breeze."
"Yes."
"I'm going to make for that island, and anchor off the south end, where the beach is."
"You are?" asked Marcus, puzzled to know what this could be for.
"In the mornin' when our two chaps wake up they'll be so near their mates it won't be my fault if that affair doesn't get settled," and the captain rubbed his hands and laughed softly.
"Oh, I see! All right. Just as you say."
So while Ralph and Ben slept soundly in the cabin of theUna, the little vessel sailed on and on in the moonlight, and before midnight dropped anchor just off the south end of Whaleback. The weather-beaten face of the old captain broadened with mirth as he looked across at the cluster of tents showing white in the moonlight, and thought of the commotion he would create in the morning. As he crept down into the cabin to indulge in a nap, he laughed aloud over his manoeuvre; but the two boys were too soundly asleep to be easily disturbed.
CHAPTER XVII.
A SURPRISE.
At the earliest dawn of day the captain and Marcus stole quietly from the cabin, closing the door carefully that the boys might sleep undisturbed. "I don't want to miss a mite of the fun I've got planned out, Marcus. I tell you I feel like a boy myself this morning."
They kept very quiet, fearing that Ralph and Ben might appear too soon upon the scene. After a while they saw Jonas emerge from his tent with a fishing-rod over his shoulder. Intent on business only, thinking about the breakfast he was to prepare, he had gone nearly out to the end of the point of rocks at the side of the beach, before he discovered the fishing-smack anchored within speaking distance. The captain had already stepped into his boat, and with a few strokes of the oars he reached the rocks where Jonas stood rubbing his eyes to make sure he was not dreaming.
"Well, I never! Where did you come from all of a sudden?" was Jonas's greeting.
"Hush! Don't talk loud. I've got a couple of passengers I don't want waked up."
"Who are you, anyhow?" asked Jonas, his curiosity getting the better of any politeness he might have used.
"I am Captain Dare of theUna."
"You are the fellow that carried off two of our boys," exclaimed Jonas, with a sudden increase of interest.
"They took passage with me," said the captain with dignity. "Is the head-master over yonder?"
"Mr. Bernard? Yes, asleep still."
"I want to see him."
"About the boys?"
"Yes."
"All right. How glad he'll be!"
"Go call him then, but don't let any one else know,--that's a good fellow."
"I'll do it; but just tell me one thing. Have you got those chaps aboard?"
Captain Dare nodded and laughed. Without waiting to hear more, Jonas rushed over the rocks, and made his way to Mr. Bernard's tent. The teacher was a light sleeper, and in camp he was ready at any time for a summons, so he lifted the flap of the tent at once in answer to Jonas's rap, and saw the cook making motions of secrecy. He beckoned him inside, and Jonas began, almost breathless after his run--"TheUnais anchored off here, and the captain wants to see you before the others get astir."
Mr. Bernard uttered an exclamation of surprise and delight, and without waiting to ask any more questions, hastily donned his clothes and hurried after the messenger, leaving little Max asleep in the tent. Jonas led the way to the point of rocks, and there in the boat sat the captain.
"Captain Dare!" exclaimed Mr. Bernard.
"Yes, sir, that's my name."
"I am Mr. Bernard."
The two men shook hands most cordially.
"He's all right! I'll riskhim!" was the mental exclamation as the captain's twinkling eyes surveyed the teacher from head to foot. "I've got two of your boys in my cabin yonder, Mr. Bernard."
"Alive and well?" asked the teacher eagerly.
"Yes, alive and well. Better boys, too, than when you saw them last, Mr. Bernard."
"God be praised! This gives me joy," was the fervent response.
"And, Mr. Bernard, they've had pretty heavy punishment. I really hope you'll call it enough and forgive 'em. They are ashamed and sorry, I know. I'll answer for that."
The teacher's eyes were moist, and he took off his glasses to wipe them as he said, "May I go on board with you?"
"That's just what I want. I told those chaps you'd forgive 'em; but they said I didn't know you, and you'd never trust 'em again. You may, though. I'll answer for 'em you may--both on 'em. You'll never catch either of 'em in a lie again."
"Are the boys expecting me?"
"Bless you, sir, no; they don't know no more about it than your boys up yonder asleep in their tents. No, it's all a surprise;" and the old captain chuckled with delight.
"Say nothing about this, Jonas, and keep quiet, so the boys will sleep till we get our arrangements made."
"All right, sir; I've got my fish to catch yet," answered Jonas, baiting his hook.
"Never mind those fish--that's slow work. I'll send my man ashore with mackerel and cod enough to last you a while."
The teacher seated himself in the boat, and Captain Dare pulled quickly back to the vessel.
"Marcus, pick out some of the No. 1 mackerel and the best cod and hake, and pull over where that fellow is waiting," said the captain, as he stepped on the deck of theUna; then turning to his guest, he said gleefully, "Those boys are still asleep, I reckon, but there they are safe and well down in my cabin," and he opened the door a little to look in. "Yes, sound asleep, the young rascals; won't they be surprised! I said I'd go out of my way to do 'em a favour to pay 'em for learnin' me that hymn tune, but they hadn't no idea what I meant to do."
The door moved by sliding, and when the captain pushed it open Ralph opened his eyes.
Was he dreaming, or was that Mr. Bernard's face looking down upon him, full of kindness and forgiveness?
No, it was no dream. Mr. Bernard was coming down the steps, and Ralph sprang from the berth to meet him, knowing before a word had been spoken that he was forgiven.
Just then Ben opened his eyes, and sleepily looked around.
What was that? Mr. Bernard with his arm around Ralph's shoulder.
Surely he was still asleep, and still in dreamland.
"O Ben, he forgives us--he has come for us," cried Ralph with quivering lips. "Isn't it too good to believe?"
Mr. Bernard held out his other hand to Ben, and drew him to his side.
"Where are we, Mr. Bernard, that we foundyou?" asked Ralph with a puzzled look.
"Ask your good captain. He has gone out of his course, in the kindness of his heart, to do us all a favour."
"No favour at all," said the captain earnestly, waving his hand in token of disclaiming any obligation on their part,--"no favour at all. I like to see things get righted, and I like to have a hand in doing it.--Besides, didn't you two chaps teach me that chant that's going to help me through many a long night at the helm?"
"You will allow us tofeelthankful to you, captain, if we keep quiet about it, won't you?" asked the teacher laughing. "We have been anxiously watching for your vessel ever since we heard from you.
"Heard from us! when?" asked the captain with a puzzled look.
"We heard by the vessel you hailed the night before the storm."
"Well, now, where did you seeher?"
"On the rocks just off the lighthouse."
"What! cast away?"
"Yes: she went on the rocks the night of the storm; but the crew were saved, all but one man. They have been over at the lighthouse, waiting to see the last of the wreck, after rescuing all the cargo they could."
The captain turned to the boys, and said: "That was an escape for you. If we had had our way, you would have been on that wreck too. How little we know what's best for us! I'd rather not have the ordering of things if I could. I'd be sure to make a mess of things. God knows best, and that's true every time."
"It was fortunate indeed," added Mr. Bernard. "But we have been more anxious than ever, since Captain Melrose reported you."
"We didn't think you would care," said Ralph with a flushed face.
"Why, Ralph, have you been in my school all this time and know me no better than that? There has been no time since the trouble began that I would not have received you gladly if I had known you to be honestly sorry for your fault. You know me better now, I hope."
Ralph put his hand in the outstretched palm of the teacher, and said, "Yes, Mr. Bernard, I could never be afraid of you again; but I mean with all my heart never to do anything again that I shall be ashamed to tell you."