"That's right, sir."

"And my son has been delicate, and has always led a studious, indoor life."

"Ah, I see, sir, and now you are going to let him rough it a bit, and make a man of him."

"Yes, a healthy man," said the doctor.

"Ah, doctor," said the captain merrily, "there's a beautifully fitted medicine-chest in that cupboard, with plenty of physic and books of instructions for that, and a bit of surgery; and I've had to dabble in it a little myself. We captains often have to do that out away abroad. Why, sir," he continued, with a queer humorous look at Jack, "I'd back myself to give a pill to any man against all the doctors in Christendom."

Jack looked disgusted.

"But," said the captain, "I was going to say, if our young friend here goes off with his father on a voyage, he won't want you or any other doctor, sir."

"And a good job too, captain," cried Doctor Instow, "for I like a bit of travel and rest as well as any man. But you are quite right. It is what I prescribed. Two or three years' voyage and travel."

"Well, gentlemen," said the captain, as they rose from the lunch-table; "Mr Ensler wished everything to be straightforward and above-board; is there anything else I can show you?"

"Well, yes," said Sir John, after exchanging glances once more with the doctor; "I have come down on purpose to inspect this yacht, and I should feel obliged if you would show me over it again."

"Certainly, sir," said the captain bluffly; "I have nothing else to do, I'm sorry to say. Here I am at your service."

"And in the evening," continued Sir John, "I hope you will give me the pleasure of your company to dinner at the hotel."

"Well, sir," said the captain, in rather a hesitating way, "I'm not much of a dining-out sort of man, and besides, I should like you to go about the town a bit, and make a few inquiries about me and my principal and the yacht. Seaside people are pretty knowing, and you'll soon hear a boat's character if you begin to ask questions."

"Oh yes, of course," said Sir John; "but we should like to know a little more of you personally, Captain Bradleigh."

"Well, that's very kind of you, sir," said the captain bluffly. "Thank you then, I'll come. But perhaps you gentlemen would like to go over the yacht alone? I want to write a letter or two. You go about and talk to my boys. They're not primed, gentlemen."

"Well, I think we will," said the doctor quickly, "Eh, Meadows?"

"Yes, Captain Bradleigh," said Sir John; "one does not decide upon a thing like this in a minute."

"Certainly not, sir. You go and have a good rummage, she'll bear it, and you jot down in your log-book anything you see that you'd like to draw attention to. Call any of the men to move or overhaul anything you wish."

For the next three hours, to Jack's great dismay, his father and Doctor Instow roamed and hunted over the yacht. Nothing seemed too small for the doctor to pounce upon, though he devoted most attention to the magazine-room, amongst the sporting implements; but one way and another they thoroughly overhauled the yacht from stem to stern, even to examining the cable-tier and the well, and having several long talks with the men, before, to Jack's great satisfaction, as he sat against the aft bulwarks, his father came to him and said—

"Tired, my boy?"

"Wearied out, father," was the reply.

"Well, we have done now. What do you think of the yacht?"

"Nothing, father;" and then hastily, as he saw the look of trouble in Sir John's eyes, "I don't understand anything."

"Humph! No. Of course not. Well, come down into the saloon."

The captain looked up from where he was writing, having carefully abstained from joining them since lunch.

"Well, gentlemen," he said, smiling, and a quiet triumphant look beaming on his face, "done?"

"Yes," said the doctor, wiping his forehead; "I haven't worked so hard for months."

"Like the look of her, sir?"

"Very much indeed," said Sir John quietly; and a pang of misery shot through the boy.

"Ah, you don't know her yet, sir; but I'm glad you think well of her."

Sir John took a seat and was silent for a few moments, Doctor Instow watching him with an inquiring look, while Jack was in agony.

"Look here, Captain Bradleigh," said Sir John at last, "I do not profess to be a judge of such matters, but everything here seems to me to speak for itself, and I can fairly say that I never saw a vessel in such perfect trim before."

"That's a high compliment to pay me, sir," replied the captain, "and I thank you for it. Well, I'm glad to have met you, sir, and it is a break in rather a monotonous life. Don't apologise, sir, I know it is a very heavy price for the craft, and of course it is on account of her having fittings that not one gentleman in ten would think of putting in a yacht. You were quite welcome to see her, and as for anything I have done—"

"I do not quite understand you," said Sir John.

"No, sir? Well, I take it that what you say is to smooth down that the craft will not quite suit you."

"You are entirely wrong," said Sir John; "I think she would suit me admirably, and save me a great deal of labour in preparation."

"Oh!" cried the captain; "then I was on the wrong tack."

"Decidedly. Now, Captain Bradleigh, about yourself. I judge you to be a perfectly straightforward, honourable man."

"Thank you, sir," said the captain, smiling. "I hope for my own sake that you are a good judge."

"I hope so too. Now, Captain Bradleigh, between man and man, will you give me your word of honour that this yacht is thoroughly sound, and one that you would advise a man you esteemed to buy?"

"That I will, sir, straight," cried the captain, holding out his hand, and giving Sir John's a tremendous grip. "She's as perfect as the best builders and fitters can make her, out of the best stuff. But you, if you think of buying her, get down a couple of the best men you can to overhaul her, and if they give a straightforward report, buy her you will."

"I don't see any need for so doing," said Sir John quietly. "I would rather have your opinion than any man's."

"But you don't know me, sir."

"I think that any observant man would know you, Captain Bradleigh, in half-an-hour."

The captain reddened.

"Well, sir," he said, "I didn't know I had my character written on my face."

"Perhaps not," said Sir John quietly; "but now about yourself. I don't wish to spend more money than I can help, and I am not an American millionaire, only a quiet country gentleman rather devoted to natural history and a love of collecting."

"That's better than being a millionaire, sir. Money isn't everything, though it's very useful."

"Exactly. Well, if I buy the yacht, will you go with me wherever I wish to sail?"

"That I will, sir, with all my heart, and do my duty by you as a man."

"Thank you," said Sir John; "and now about the crew. It is rather a large one."

"Twice too big in fair weather, sir, but not a man too many in foul."

"You think them all necessary?"

"I do, sir, unless you like to depend on steam; then you might knock off half-a-dozen, but you'd save nothing; coals at the depots abroad are very dear. Better trust to your sails and keep the men."

"Yes; I think you are right," said Sir John. "What do you say, Instow?"

"Quite," said the doctor.

"Very well then. Now about the crew; would they be willing: to engage to sail with me wherever I please, to bind themselves not to break their engagement without my leave till we return, even if it is for three years?"

"I could say yes, sir, for they'd follow me wherever I went, but I'll ask them."

"Do," said Sir John.

The captain touched a table gong, and the steward appeared promptly.

"Go and ask Mr Bartlett to pipe all hands aft," said the captain.

The man ascended, and the next minute the clear note of a whistle rang out, to be followed by the trampling of feet, and the captain rose, evidently satisfied at the promptitude with which his order was obeyed.

"They're waiting sir," he said.

Upon the party going on deck, there were the crew drawn up, quite as smart as men-o'-war's men, and all looking as eager as schoolboys to learn the meaning of their summons.

"'Tention!" said the captain; and, to use the old saying, the dropping of a pin could have been heard. "This gentleman, Sir John Meadows, Bart., is going to buy the Silver Star."

"Hurrah!" shouted a man.

"Steady there!" cried the captain sternly. "He means to sail right away east, through the Canal, and along the islands, to stop here and there where he likes—two or three years' cruise—and he wants to know if you will sign articles to go with him, and do your duty like men."

There was a dead silence, and as the men began directly after to whisper together, Jack, who but a minute before had felt in his misery and despair that he would give anything to hear the men refuse, now, by a strange perversity of feeling, grew indignant with them for seeming to hesitate about doing their duty to his father.

"Well, my lads, what is it?" said the captain sternly. "What are you whispering about? Can't you give a straightforward yes or no?"

There was another whispering, and the words "You speak", "No, you," came plainly to Jack's ears, followed by one man shouting—

"We want to know, sir, who's to be in command?"

"Why, I am, my lads, of course."

"Hooray!" came in a roar; and then—"All of us—yes, sir, we'll go," and another cheer.

"There's your answer, sir," said the captain; and then turning to the men—"Thankye, my lads, thankye."

"Yes, that's my answer," said Sir John, "and an endorsement of my feeling that I am doing right."

"And thank you, sir," said the captain warmly. "We'll do our duty by you, never fear. Perhaps you'll say a word to Mr Bartlett, sir," he whispered. "Good man and true, and a thorough sailor."

"You will, I hope, keep your post, Mr Bartlett," said Sir John, turning to him.

"Oh yes, Sir John," said the mate; "I'm obliged to. Captain Bradleigh's kind enough to say I am his right hand."

"And I can't go without that, can I, young gentleman?"

Jack, who was feeling unduly thrilled and excited by the novel scene, was chilled again, and he only muttered something ungraciously.

"Mr Bartlett will join us at dinner, I hope," said Sir John; and this being promised, the men were ordered forward, the boat was manned, and, as the whole crew was watching every movement on the part of the visitors, Jack shook hands with captain and mate, and stepped down a little more courageously into the gig, but turned dizzy as he dropped into his seat.

The next minute it was pushed off, and the thrill of excitement ran through the lad again, as the crew suddenly sprang to the shrouds of the three masts, to stand there, holding on by one hand, waving their straw hats and cheering with all their might.

"Jump up, Jack, and give them a cheer back," cried the doctor.

There is something wonderful about a sharp order suddenly given.

In an instant Jack was on his feet, waving his white pith helmet in the air, and giving, truth to tell, a miserably feeble cheer, but the crew of the boat took it up and joined in.

Then, as it was answered from the yacht, Jack sank down in his seat again, looking flushed and abashed, and he glanced from one to the other to see if they were laughing at him; but nobody even smiled. Still the lad could not get rid of the false shame, and the feeling that there was something to be ashamed of after all.



CHAPTER SEVEN.

FIRST SNIFFS OF THE BRINY.

"He's beginning, Meadows," said the doctor, as they sat together in their room at the hotel, waiting for the guests of the evening.

"Think so?" said Sir John sadly.

"Of course I do," cried the doctor.

"But it's very pitiful to see a lad of his years shrinking like a timid girl, and changing colour whenever he is spoken to. He seems to have no spirit at all."

"He has though, and plenty, only it's crusted over, and can't get out; I noticed a dozen good signs to-day."

"A dozen?" said Sir John.

"Well, more or less. Don't ask me to be mathematical. You'll want to know the aliquot parts next," said the doctor snappishly.

"I see you want your dinner," said Sir John, with a smile.

"I do—horribly. This sea-air makes me feel ravenous. But, as I was going to say, there were abundant signs of the change beginning. He's ashamed of his—his—"

"Well, say it—cowardice," said Sir John sadly. "Yes, poor fellow! he is ashamed of it, as I well know."

"But he can't help it, weak and unstrung as he is. It will come all right, only let's get him out of his misery, as we used to call it. Get him to make his first plunge, and he'll soon begin to swim. Did you see what a brave fight he made of it over and over again to-day? There, I'm sure we're right; and, my word, what a chance over this yacht."

"Yes, it would have been folly to hesitate."

"But it's going to cost you a pretty penny, my friend."

"I do not grudge it, Instow, if we can bring him back well. We'll be off as soon as I can get the preliminaries settled."

"These things don't take long when a man has the money."

"Hush!" said Sir John; "here he is. Don't say anything to upset him."

Jack came in, looking sad and dispirited.

"Ah, Jack, my boy, ready for dinner?"

"No, father."

"Hah! chance for the doctor," cried that gentleman merrily. "Let me administer an appetiser."

"No, no, Doctor Instow; I'm sure it would do no good."

"Wait till you hear what it is, O man of wisdom, and be more modest. You don't know everything yet. Now then: prescription—take a walk as far as the kitchen door, wait till it is opened, and then take four sniffs quickly, and come back. That will give you an appetite, my boy, if you want one; but I don't believe you do, for you have a lean and hungry look, as Shakespeare calls it. It's the sea-air, Jack; I'm savage."

"Some one coming," said Sir John, and a minute later the waiter showed in the two guests.

Jack did not notice it himself, but others did: he ate about twice as much as he was accustomed to, and all the while, after looking upon the dinner and the visitors as being an infliction, he found himself listening attentively to Captain Bradleigh, who was set going by a few questions from the doctor, and proved to be full of observation.

"Oh no," he said, "I'm no naturalist, but I can't help noticing different things when I am at sea, and ashore, and if they're fresh to me, I don't forget them. Let me say now, though, Sir John Meadows, how glad I am that you will buy the yacht and go on this cruise. The lads are half wild with excitement, for we've all been, as the Irishmen call it, spoiling for something to do. It has seemed to be clean and polish for no purpose, but I told them they ought to feel very glad to have had the yacht in such a state. I trust, Sir John, that you will never have cause to regret this day's work."

"I have no fear," said that gentleman. "I shall be glad, though, as soon as you receive notice of the transfer to me, if you will do everything possible toward getting ready for sea."

"Getting ready for sea, sir? She is ready for sea. Fresh water on board, coal-bunkers full. Nothing wanted but the provisions—salt, preserved, and fresh—to be seen to, and that would take very little time. As soon as you have done your business with the owner, send me my orders, and there'll be no time lost, I promise you."

Jack bent over his plate, and was very silent, but he revived and became attentive when the doctor changed the subject, and began to question the captain about some of his experiences, many of which he related in a simple, modest way which spoke for its truth.

"I suppose," said Sir John merrily, after glancing at his son, "you have never come across the sea serpent?"

The captain looked at him sharply, then at the mate, and ended by raising his eyebrows and frowning at his plate.

"That's a sore point for a ship captain, sir," he said at last, "one which makes him a bit put out, for no man likes to be laughed at. You see, we've all been so bantered about that sea serpent, that when a mariner says he has seen it, people set him down for a regular Baron Munchausen, so now-a-days we people have got into the habit of holding our tongues."

"Why, you don't mean to say that you have ever seen it, captain?" cried the doctor.

"Well, sir, I've seen something more than once that answered its description pretty closely."

"I always thought it was a fable," said Sir John.

"No, sir, I don't think it is," said the captain quickly. "As I tell you, I've seen a great reptile sort of creature going along through the sea just after the fashion of those water-fowl that are shot in some of the South American rivers."

"The darters," said Sir John; "Plotius."

"Those are the fellows, sir; they swim with nearly the whole of their body under the surface, and look so much like little serpents that people call them snake birds. Well, sir, twice over I've seen such a creature—not a bird but a reptile."

"And they are wonderfully alike in some cases," said the doctor quietly.

"So I've heard, sir, from people who studied such things. Mine was going along six or seven knots an hour, with its snake-like head and neck carried swan-fashion, and raised fifteen or twenty feet out of the water as near as I could judge, for it was quite half-a-mile away. It was flat-headed, and as I brought my spy-glass to bear upon it, I could see that it had very large eyes. I kept it in sight for a good ten minutes, and could not help thinking how swan-like it was in its movements. Then it stretched out its neck, laid it down upon the water, and went out of sight."

"And you think it was a sea serpent?"

"Something of that kind, gentlemen. Bartlett saw it too, and he was sure it was a great snake."

"Yes, I feel sure it was," said the mate quietly.

"Very strange," said Sir John, who noted how Jack was drinking it all in.

"Strange, sir, because we don't often see such things. That was in my last long voyage, a year before I was introduced to Mr Ensler, but I don't look upon it as particularly strange. Why, I hope that before very long we shall be sailing through bright clear waters where I can show you snakes single, in pairs, and in knots of a dozen together basking at the surface in the sunshine."

"What, huge serpents?" said Jack shortly.

"No," replied the captain, turning upon him with a pleasant smile, while the doctor kicked at Sir John's leg under the table, but could not reach him. "They are mostly quite small—four, five, or six feet. The biggest I ever saw was seven feet long, but I've heard of them being seen eight feet."

"Yes, I saw one once seven feet nine. It was shot by a passenger on his way to Rangoon, and they got it on board," said the mate quietly.

"Oh, but that's nothing of a size," said Jack.

"No, Mr Meadows," replied the captain; "but we know it as a fact that there are plenty of sea serpents of that size, just as we know that there are adders and rattlesnakes on land."

"Yes, poisonous serpents," said Jack.

"So are these, sir, very dangerously poisonous. I have known of more than one death through the bite of a sea snake. But, as I was going to say, we know of adders and rattlesnakes, and we know too that there are boas and pythons and anacondas running up to eight-and-twenty and thirty feet long on land. There's a deal more room in the sea for such creatures to hide, so why should there not be big ones as well as small there?"

"That's a good argument," said Sir John, "and quite reasonable."

"And you think then," said the doctor, "that yours which you saw were great serpents swimming on the surface?"

"No, sir, I thought they were something else."

"What?" said Jack, with a certain amount of eagerness.

"They struck me as being those great lizard things which they find turned into fossils out Swanage and Portland way. I dare say you've seen specimens of them in the British Museum."

"No," said Jack, colouring a little, "I have never taken any interest in such things."

"No?" said the captain wonderingly. "Ah, well, perhaps you will. Now it struck me that these things were—were—Do either of you gentlemen remember the name of them?"

"Plesiosaurus. Lizard-like," said Sir John.

"That's it, sir," cried the captain, glancing at the speaker, and then looking again at Jack. "And I tell you how it struck me, and how I accounted for their being so seldom seen."

"Yes!" said Jack, who had laid down his knife and fork, and was leaning forward listening attentively. "How did you judge that?"

"From its large eyes."

"What had that to do with it?"

"It meant that it was a deep-sea living creature. You'll find, if you look into such matters, sir, that things which live in very deep water generally have very large eyes to collect all the light they can."

"But yours were living on the top of the water," said Jack.

"To be sure," cried the doctor, giving Sir John a sharp glance. "Come, captain, that's a poser for you."

"Well, no, sir," replied the captain modestly, and with a quiet smile; "I think I can get over that. Perhaps you know that fish which live in very deep water, where the pressure is very great, cannot live if by any chance they are brought to the surface. The air-vessels in them swell out so that they cannot sink again, and they get suffocated and die."

"But if it was their natural habit to live in deep water," said Jack, "they would not come to the surface."

"If they could help it, sir," said the captain; "but when a creature of that kind is ill it may float toward the surface, and turn up as you see fishes sometimes. I fancy that my great lizard things are still existing in some places in the mud or bottom of the sea, that they are never seen unless they are in an unnatural state, and then they soon die, and get eaten up by the millions of things always on the look-out for food, and their bones sink."

"I should like to see one," said Jack thoughtfully.

"And I should like to show you one, sir," said the captain. "There's no knowing what we may see if we cruise about. Well, I'll promise you sea-snakes and whales and sharks. I can take you too where there are plenty of crocodiles for you to practise at with a rifle. Good practice too to rid the world of some of its dangerous beasts."

Jack shuddered, and wanted to say that he did not care to see anything of the kind, but he did not speak, and just then the captain rose from the table, drew up the blind, and looked out.

"There you are, sir," he said. "Come and look. The lads were ready enough when I told them to light up to-night. Looks nice, don't she?"

Jack followed to the window, to see that it was a glorious night, with the sky and sea spangled with gold, while out where he knew the yacht lay, there shone forth with dazzling brilliancy what seemed to be a silver star, and dotted about it, evidently in the rigging of the yacht, were about thirty lanterns of various colours, but only seeming to be like the modest beams of moons in attendance upon the pure white dazzling silver star.

The boy gazed in silence, impressed by the beauty of the scene, as the captain now quietly opened the window to admit the soft warm air from off the sea, while faintly heard came the sound of music from some passing boat.

"How beautiful!" said Sir John, who had come unheard behind them.

"Yes, sir," said the captain quietly, "with the simple beauty of home; but you will have to see the grand sunrises and sunsets of tropic lands to fully understand the full beauty of God's ever-changing ocean. But even now, Mr Meadows, I think you can hardly say you don't like the sea."

Jack made no reply, but drew a deep breath which sounded like a sigh.

"Well, Jack," said Sir John, when they were about to retire that night, "what do you think of Captain Bradleigh?"

"I liked him better this evening, father," said the boy thoughtfully. "He did not treat me as if I were a child, and he left off calling me 'young gentleman.'"

"Good-night, Meadows," said the doctor, a short time after; "I wish you weren't going to spend so much money, but Jack has had his first dose of medicine."

"Yes," said Sir John; "and it has begun to act."



CHAPTER EIGHT.

NED FEELS THE MOTION OF THE VESSEL.

All aboard after the preliminaries had been arranged in the most satisfactory way, Sir John's arrangements made, and Jack, like a dejected prisoner, taken down to Dartmouth one day, following Edward, who had gone on in advance with the last of the luggage.

He was waiting in the station when the train came in, looking as eager and excited as a boy, and as full of delight as his young master was depressed. Captain Bradleigh was there too, and one of the yacht's cutters hanging on at the pier, ready for rowing the party on board the Silver Star.

"The luggage, Edward?" said Sir John.

"All aboard, Sir John, and things ready in the cabins," said the man.

"Then see that our portmanteaus are placed in the boat."

"All in, Sir John. I set the porters to get 'em from the van."

"Come along then, Jack, let's take our plunge."

Jack gave a wild look round, his eyes full of despair, but he said nothing, only felt that he was bidding good-bye to home, land, ease, and comfort for ever, and followed his father to the boat.

Two hours after they were standing out to sea, with Jack, Sir John, and the doctor watching the receding shore, the two latter feeling some slight degree of compunction at the last; but Edward was below inspecting the cabins once more, and as soon as he had done this, in spite of the yacht beginning to heel over so that the cabin floor was a good deal higher on one side than the other, he folded his arms, frowned, set his teeth, and began the first steps of a hornpipe, but before he had gone far a lurch sent him head-first toward the port bulkhead. Here he saved himself by thrusting out his hands, turned, and began again.

"Very well, uphill if you like," he cried, and he danced from port toward starboard. But this time his legs seemed to have turned wild, and he staggered to right.

"Wo-ho! heave-ho! you lubbers!" he cried, and giving a lurch to right, but with desperate energy he saved himself from a fall, and tried to begin again.

"Now then," he cried, "from the beginning! Wo-ho! No, I mean yo-ho!" he muttered. "Why, it's like trying to dance on horseback. Here goes again. Tiddly-um-tum-tum! Tiddle-liddle-iddle iddle-liddle iddle-rum-tum!"—"Bang."

Edward crashed against one of the little state-room doors, cannoned off, and came down sitting on the cabin floor.

"Oh, that's it, is it?" cried the man. "Well, if you're going to dance it, I'll wait till you've done."

"Anything the matter?" said a voice, and the steward came in.

"Nothing particular," said Sir John's man, "unless it's the yacht gone mad."

"Oh, this is nothing," said the steward. "A bit lively after being at anchor so long."

"Oh, that's it, is it?" said Edward, rising. "You'll soon get used to it. Not much of a sailor I suppose?"

"Not a bit of one, but mean to be. I say, who are you?"

"Steward, and I suppose you are to be my mate?"

"Oh, am I?" said Edward; "very well, anything for a change."

The steward turned and left the cabin, for there were steps, and directly after Jack appeared at the door, tried to walk steadily to a seat, but a sudden careening over sent him to port, and he would have fallen heavily if the man had not made an effort to save him, when they went down together, the man undermost.

"Quite welcome, sir," said Edward, struggling up and helping Jack to a seat. "Sorry I ain't a bit fatter, sir; only if I was you I'd hold on till I get used to it, in case I'm not always there to be buffer."

"Oh!" groaned Jack, whose face was ghastly.

"Why, Mr Jack, sir, don't look like that. You fight it down. Feel a bit queer?"

"Horrible, Ned. Help me to get to my berth."

"Oh, I wouldn't cave in, sir. It'll soon go off."

"Will it?" groaned Jack. "I was afraid to come down for fear they should see and laugh at me. Oh, how bad I am! Why did we come?"

"I dunno, sir. It was the guv'nor's doing. But you try and keep up."

"It is impossible. You don't know how bad I feel."

"No, sir, but I know how bad I feel."

"You!" said Jack dismally. "Surely you are not going to be ill?"

"Why not, sir? I feel just as if my works had gone all wrong, but I haven't got time to be ill. Come on deck, sir."

"No. Help me to my berth."

"Right, sir," said the man; and waiting till the vessel seemed steadier, he took tightly hold of his young master's arm, helped him to his legs, and tried to guide him across the cabin to his little state-room; but at the first step Jack made a dive, and they went down together.

"Please, sir, this ain't swimming lessons."

"Let me crawl," groaned Jack.

"No, sir, don't do that. Here, give me your hand again. Up you gets. That's the way. This time does it. Told you so. Here we are."

"Don't, please don't talk to me," said Jack in a low voice. "Help me into the berth.—Yes, thank you. Now go away and leave me."

"Won't roll out, will you, sir?"

"Don't—don't talk to me. Please go."

"Poor chap!" muttered Edward. "I do wish he'd got just a little bit o' pluck in him. But it do make you feel a bit queer. S'pose I go and shake it off on deck."

He went up, saw that the gentlemen were right aft, and he walked forward to where the crew were busy here and there, and nodded first to one and then another in the most friendly way, as if he had known them all his life. Then he thrust his hands in his pockets, trying to look perfectly unconcerned, and balanced himself so as to try and give and take with the vessel.

But it was no good; he fought against the inevitable as long as he could, and finally staggered to the cabin hatch and descended to where Jack was lying. "Here's a go, sir," he cried. "I thought it only wanted a bit of pluck, and it would be all right."

"Oh, go away," groaned Jack. "Don't bother me. I'm dying."

"I'm worse than that, sir," said the man piteously. "What's to be done, sir?"

"Oh, go to your hammock or berth. I can't bear to be bothered now."

"But it will be dinner-time soon, sir, and I shall have to help wait at table. I couldn't carry the soup or fish, sir. I couldn't carry myself. What will the guv'nor say?"

"Ned, will you please to go!" said Jack with a groan.

"Certainly, sir; directly, sir; but I can't move."

"Nonsense!"

"Yes, sir, that's what I thought about you, and that you'd only got to make a try; but it isn't to be done."

"Go away," groaned Jack.

"Wish I could, sir. I oughtn't to have come. It's all through being so jolly cock-sure that I could do anything, and I can't. Wish I was at home cleaning the plate. Oh, Master Jack, can you feel how the boat's a-going on?"

"Yes, it's dreadful," sighed Jack.

"Is it going to be like this always, sir?"

"Don't! pray don't bother me. Can't you see how ill I am?"

"No, sir, not now. I can only see how bad poor miserable me is. Oh dear! did you feel that, sir? she give a regular jump, just as if she went over something.—Master Jack!"

There was no reply.

"Master Jack!" groaned the man. "Oh, please, sir, don't say you're dead."

"Will you go away and leave off bothering me!" cried the boy angrily.

"Wish I could, sir; I'd be glad to."

There was a pause, during which the yacht bounded along before a fine fresh breeze. Soon Edward began again.

"Mr Jack!"

No answer.

"Mr Jack, sir!"

"Ned! will you go!"

"I can't, sir. 'Strue as goodness, sir, I can't."

"Where are you?" moaned the boy, who was lying on his back staring with lack-lustre eyes up at the ceiling just above his head.

"I dunno, sir; I think I'm lying on the carpet, sir, close to the shelf I put you on."

"Then go away somewhere; you make me feel as if I could kill you."

"Wish you would, sir," groaned the man. "I'd take it kindly of you."

"Oh, don't talk such nonsense," sighed Jack. "Oh, my head, my head!"

"Oh, mine, sir, and it ain't nonsense at all. It's real earnest. Why was I such a fool as to come, and why did I grin at you, and say as you was a poor-plucked 'un? It's like a judgment on me. But I always was so conceited."

"Call some one to help you to your berth."

"I dursn't, sir. If I did, those sailor chaps would see as it was all over with me and pitch me overboard."

"Ned, you are torturing me," said Jack; and he turned himself a little to look down at the miserable being on the floor.

"Very sorry, sir, but something's torturing me. Do you think we've got as far as France yet?"

"Oh, I don't know."

"Do you think, if I give master warning, he'd have me set ashore at once?"

"No," said Jack, with a touch of exultation in his words; "I'm sure he wouldn't. You'll have to go with us now."

"I couldn't, sir, I couldn't really. Why, I couldn't go round this room—cabin, or whatever you call it. Oh dear! oh dear! to think of me turning all of a sudden like this! It's awful."

"Here, Jack! Jack, lad! Aren't you coming on deck?" cried a voice down through the cabin skylight.

"Oh, there's the doctor," groaned Edward. "Why don't he come down?"

"Jack! are you there? It's splendid. Come up."

"Come down, sir, please," groaned the man.

"Hullo!" said the doctor to himself. "Why surely they're not—Oh! they can't be so soon."

He hurried down the cabin steps, and came breezily into the cabin, to see at a glance the state of affairs.

"Why, Jack, my lad, this is cowardly," he cried.

"Don't, sir, don't," groaned Edward. "I said something like that. Don't you, sir, or you may be took bad too."

"Why you ought to be able to stand a little sea-going, my man," said the doctor; "this is a break down. Here, make an effort and go to your berth."

"Make an effort, sir? I couldn't do it even if the ship was a-sinking."

"Nonsense!"

"It's true. I'm afraid it's all over, and Sir John will want another man."

"There, jump up and go to your berth. You share the same cabin as the cook and steward, don't you?"

"I was to, sir, and it was a very small place, but there'll be more room for them now."

"Nonsense, I tell you; jump up."

"Jump, sir!" groaned the man; "did you say jump?"

"Well then, crawl. Here, steward!" cried the doctor, "come and help this man to his cabin."

"Can't you give me something to put me out of my misery, sir?" groaned the man.

"Absurd! There, try and get on your legs. I'll help you." For the steward had come in promptly, smiling at the state of affairs, and poor Edward was set upon his legs.

"Come, stand up," said the steward, for Edward's knees gave way like the joints of a weak two-foot rule.

"Yes, stand up," cried the doctor; "don't be so weak, man."

"'Tain't me, sir, it's my legs," said the man faintly. "Don't seem to have no bones now."

"Why, Edward, I thought you were a smart manly fellow," cried the doctor.

"That's just what I always thought of myself, sir, but it wasn't a bit true. Would you mind asking Sir John, sir, to have the yacht stopped and me put ashore?"

"Of course I would. It's absurd."

"But I shan't be a bit of use, sir; I shan't indeed. I'm ashamed of myself, but I can't help it."

"There, I know," said the doctor kindly; "get to your berth and lie still for a few hours. You'll be ready to laugh at your weakness before long."

"Laugh, sir? laugh? No, I don't think I shall ever laugh again."

The door swung to after the man's exit, and the doctor returned to Jack's cabin.

"Well," he said, "feel very queer?"

"Can't you see, doctor?" said the boy, giving him a piteous look.

"Yes, of course I can, my lad; but lie still, and you'll soon get over it. Some people do get troubled this way. Haven't you read that Lord Nelson used to have a fit whenever he went to sea?"

Jack made no reply, for he was in that condition which makes a sufferer perfectly indifferent about everything and everybody, and when it is no satisfaction to know that the greatest people in the world suffered in a similar way. All they can think of then is self.

Sir John came down soon after, and sat with his son for awhile, trying to encourage him, but poor Jack hardly answered him, and at last he began to be anxious, and went to join the doctor, who was on deck chatting with the captain.

"I wish you'd go down and see to the boy," he said; "he looks so white, I feel anxious."

The doctor shrugged his shoulders and went below, to come back at the end of five minutes.

"Well?" said Sir John anxiously.

"Usual thing; nothing to fidget about. Your man's worse."

"What, Edward?" cried Sir John, staring. "I saw him forward there chatting with the sailors not long ago."

"Yes, and now he's in his berth talking to himself about what a donkey he was to come. Who knows! perhaps it will be our turn next."

But it was not, although it began to blow hard from the west, and the sea crew rougher as the yacht dashed on.

But the next evening Edward was about again, looking rather pale, but very proud and self-satisfied, as he went to Jack's berth.

"Don't you feel any better yet, sir?" he said.

"No; can't you see how ill I am?" replied Jack faintly.

"Ah, that's because you don't try to master it. Hasn't Doctor Instow told you that you ought to try and get the better of it?"

"Yes; but what is the use of telling me that?" groaned Jack, with his eyes shut; but he opened them directly and gazed discontentedly at the man, as if feeling that it was hard and unfair of fate to let the servant recover while the master was so ill. "Are you quite well again?"

"Me, sir? Oh yes, sir," said Edward carelessly.

"And I—I feel as if I shall never live to go far."

"Ah, that's the way of it, sir, I felt just like that; but you'll come all right again before you know where you are. Like me to get you a bit of anything, sir? The kitchen place is splendid, and the cook would knock you up something nice in no time. What do you say to an omelet, sir?"

Jack ground his teeth at the man, and then closed his eyes and feebly turned his back.

"Poor chap, he has got it bad," muttered the convalescent, as he went out of the cabin on tip-toe. "But I don't think he's quite so bad as I was, after all."



CHAPTER NINE.

"WHEN THE RAGING SEAS DO ROAR."

Jack Meadows started up in his berth with a great fear upon him, and he started down again with the great fear turned for the moment into a great pain, caused by his having struck his forehead sharply, for about the tenth time, against the top of his berth.

"Am I never going to recollect what a miserable, narrow, boxed-up place it is," he said to himself angrily.

Then the fear came back, and he rolled out feeling confused and horrified.

He had turned in over-night without undressing, further than taking off jacket, waistcoat, and boots, so that he was almost dressed, for he had lain down in terror to rest himself so as to be quite ready if an alarm was given that the yacht was sinking; and he knew now that he must have been asleep, for it was early morning by the pale grey light which stole in through the glass. The weather seemed to be worse, the yacht pitching and tossing, and there was a dull, creaking, horrible sound which kept on, but was smothered out at intervals by a tremendous bump, which was always followed by a sound as if the vessel had sailed up the rapids of Niagara river and then beneath the falls.

The confusion increased with the noise, and, holding on with one hand, Jack pressed the other to his forehead as he stared straight before him at a big tin box which appeared to his sleep-muddled brain to be walking about the saloon table, when he opened the tiny state-room door.

Yes, there was no mistake about it; that box was alive, just as frightened as he was by the fearful storm, and was trying to escape, for all of a sudden, after edging its way to the end of the table, it made a bound, leaped to the floor, and began to creep and jump toward the door at the foot of the cabin stairs.

"What did it all mean?" thought Jack, and he tried hard to collect himself. Yes, they came on board three or four days before, he was not sure which. He remembered that. He had been frightfully ill, and oh, so sick. He remembered that too. Then he recalled about preparing for the worst last night, when the storm increased, and thinking as he lay down in his berth, weak as a baby, that it was very grand to be able to act as his father and Doctor Instow did, for they were perfectly resigned, and he had seen them sitting down playing a game of chess with a board full of holes into which the chess-men stuck like pegs.

Then in full force his brain seemed to assert itself. The worst had come, and it was his duty to awaken his father and Doctor Instow, so that they might all save themselves by taking to one of the boats or a raft.

Boomp! Splash. U-r-r-r-r!

A wave striking the yacht's bows—the water deluging the deck.

A spasm of fear shot through him, and he made a dash to catch up his yachting cap and pea-jacket with gilt anchor buttons which he had had on the previous night; but as soon as he quitted his hold, he was literally at sea, and the floor of his little state-room rising up, he seemed to be pitched head-first into his berth as if diving, but he managed to save himself from injury, and dropped on to the floor, crawled to his jacket, slipped it on, and then out into the saloon, to see that the tin box—one which the doctor had had brought on board full of necessaries for their fishing and collecting trips—had reached the saloon door, but could get no further.

But what was a box to a man? Jack crept to his father's door, beat upon it, and then dragged it open to find the berth empty.

"Gone and left me," groaned the lad in his misery and despair. "How horrible! No; he is making a raft, and will come and fetch me soon.— Oh!"

He clutched at the door to save himself, for the yacht suddenly made a dive, and he felt that they were going down into the vast depths of the sea; but he did not save himself, for the door played him false and helped to shoot him right across the saloon, and he was brought up by the door of the doctor's tiny room.

Recovering himself he desperately clutched at the handle, dragged the door open, and as the yacht prepared for another dive, he shot in against the berth, punching its occupant heavily in the ribs, and snatching at the clothes as he held on.

The doctor uttered a deep grunt, but did not stir. "Doctor! doctor!" panted Jack. "Wake up! Quick! We're sinking."

"Eh? All right!" came in a deep muffled voice. "Oh, wake up, wake up!" cried Jack. "I can't leave him to drown. Doctor! doctor!"

"All right!" came fiercely, as Jack seized the sleeper by the shoulders. "Tell 'em—only jus' come abed."

"Doctor! doctor!"

"Tell 'em—give—warm bath—mustard."

"But we're sinking," cried Jack wildly. "Eh? Whose baby is it? What's matter—Jack? Taken ill?"

"No, no. Quick! Come on deck."

"Just won't," growled the doctor; and he turned his back and uttered a deep snore.

Jack stared in horror, and then dropped on all fours to crawl to the foot of the cabin stairs, and fetch help to drag the drowning man on deck, being fully imbued with the idea that Doctor Instow had taken some drug in his despair, so that he might be unconscious when the yacht went down.

In passing he saw that the captain's and the mate's berths were both empty, and, how he knew not, he crawled up the cabin stairs, looked on deck, and saw that his father was standing by the weather bulwark, and the captain close by.

There was the man at the wheel, and a couple more forward in shiny yellow tarpaulins; and as he gazed at them wildly, there was a thud and a beautiful curve over of a wave which deluged the deck and splashed the two men, but they did not stir.

He saw no more then, for the yacht careened over from the pressure on the three great sails, and it seemed to the lad that the next moment they would be lying flat upon the water, so he clung to the hatchway fittings for dear life. But the next moment the Silver Star rose from the wave in front, and literally rushed on, quivering from stem to stern like a live creature, the waves parting and hissing to form an ever-widening path of foam astern.

Jack caught the full fresh breeze in his teeth as he struggled on deck, and breathlessly staggered to the side, looking as if he were going to leap overboard; then clinging to the rail, he crept hand-over-hand to where his father now stood with the captain.

"That you, Jack?" cried Sir John. "Good-morning. Well done! Come, this is brave."

"Splendid!" cried Captain Bradleigh. "Why you have soon come round."

Jack woke fully to the fact now that it was a false alarm, and strove hard to get rid of the scared look with which he had come on deck for help to drag Doctor Instow up. But still he was not quite assured, for he started suddenly as, plosh! there came another rush of water over the bows. "What's that?" he cried.

"Sea having a game with the yacht," said the captain merrily. "Splashing her nose. Look how she rises and glides over that wave. Regular racer, isn't she?"

"Yes, going so fast," panted Jack breathlessly. "But—but is there no danger—of her sinking?"

"Just about as much as there would be of a well-corked-up bottle, my lad. The more you pushed her under, the more she'd bob up again. Oh no, she won't sink."

"I'm glad you came up," said Sir John. "This breeze is glorious, and I never saw the sea more beautiful; look how the waves glisten where the moon falls upon them on one side, and how they catch the soft pearly light from the east on the other. It is a lovely effect."

"Yes, father, very beautiful," said the boy sadly. "Are we far from land, Captain Bradleigh?"

"Yes, and getting farther every minute. Don't want any steam with this breeze. If it holds, we shall regularly race across the bay."

"Bay?" said Jack, feeling that he must say something to keep them from seeing how nervous he was. "Mount's Bay?"

"Mount's Bay?" said the captain, smiling, "No; the Bay of Biscay. We passed Mount's Bay three days ago, while you were lying so poorly in your berth. Oh, that's nothing to mind," he added quickly. "I was horribly bad for a week in smoother water than you've had; you've done wonders to get over it so soon."

"Yes, you've done well, Jack," said Sir John, who looked gratified by the way in which his son was behaving. "Mind! keep tight hold of the rail."

For just then the yacht made a dive, rose, shook herself, and then, after seeming to hang poised on the summit of a green hillock, she started again with a leap.

"Yes; better hold tight till you feel more at home. One easily gets a heavy fall and bruises at first. But you'll soon find your sea-legs, and give and swing with the vessel just as if you belonged to her."

"Why didn't you bring the doctor up?" said Sir John; "he is losing a glorious sight."

"I tried hard to wake him," replied the lad, "but he was too sleepy."

"Yes; he likes his morning sleep," said Sir John.

The captain walked forward to speak to the two men of the watch, and an intense longing came over the boy to undeceive his father, who had not grasped the true reason of his appearance on the deck. But try hard as he would, shame kept him silent, and he began to give way again to the nervousness which oppressed him.

"Don't you think," he began; but his father checked him.

"Look—look—Jack!" he said; and he pointed to something about a quarter of a mile away.

For a few moments, as it appeared and disappeared, the lad could not catch sight of it; but at last he did.

"A serpent—a huge serpent," he cried. "Is it coming this way?"

"It, or rather they are not coming in this direction, but going on the same chase, my boy. No, it is not a serpent; serpents do not travel up and down in that fashion, though some people think they do, but undulate their bodies right and left."

"But look, father," cried Jack, forgetting his nervousness in the interest of what he saw. "It must be a great snake, you can make out its folds as it goes along."

"No, you look—take a good long look, and don't come on deck again without your binocular. That is a little shoal of seven or eight porpoises. They follow one another like that, and keep on with that rising and falling manner, coming up to breathe, and curling over as they dive down again. They do strangely resemble a great snake."

"But breathe, father?" said Jack; "fish breathe?"

"Those are not classed as fish, my lad. They cannot exist without coming up to get air. A fish finds enough in the water which passes over its gills."

"Yes, I've read that," said Jack; "but I had forgotten."

"Well, gentlemen, looking at the porpoises?" said the captain, coming up behind them. "Nice little school of them. They always go along like that. I used to think when I first saw them that they were like a troop of boys running along and leaping posts. They're after a shoal of fish; mackerel perhaps. Well, Sir John, how do you think the yacht runs with this breeze?"

"Splendidly," said Sir John.

"Breeze! Splendidly!" said Jack to himself, as he tried to restrain a shudder, for the breeze had seemed to him a storm.

"Well, sir, she's good on every tack. I can do anything with her; I never felt a boat answer the helm as she does. But I like to hear you talk about it; I feel a sort of vanity about her, seeing she is like a child of mine, and I want to be quite convinced that you are satisfied with your hasty bargain."

"Once for all then, Captain Bradleigh, be satisfied on that point; for I feel myself most fortunate," said Sir John.

"Thank you, sir, thank you!" cried the captain warmly. "That will do then; I will not refer to it again. By the way, Mr Jack, now you are getting your sea-legs, you will have to begin your education."

"My education?" said the lad, staring. "Yes, sir; you must not go on a two or three years' cruise without making a thorough sailor of yourself, so as soon as you feel yourself fit, I'm ready to teach you to box the compass, and a little navigation."

"Oh, thank you," said Jack coldly, and the tips of his horns, that, snail-like, were beginning to show signs of coming out, disappeared.

The captain gave Sir John a meaning look, and went on.

"You gentlemen will find Bartlett a capital fellow, and very useful. He's quite at home over all kinds of sea-fishing, and you had better begin to give him a hint, Mr Jack, that you'll want a good deal of his help. Capital knowledge of sea-fish; not book knowledge, but practical. It's of no use now with the yacht going at this rate, but when we get into calmer waters."

"Shall we soon get into calmer water?" said Jack anxiously.

"Oh yes. We're going due south now, and shan't be long first. I dare say by the time we have passed Cape Finisterre, and are running down the Spanish coast, you will find it smooth enough. Like an early cup of tea, gentlemen?"

"I? No," said Sir John, "I'll wait for breakfast. What do you say, Jack?"

Jack said nothing, but looked disgusted.

"Don't like the idea of taking anything of course, sir," said the captain; "but wait a little, I'm quite a doctor over these troubles, and I'll give you some good news."

"I'm sure he will be grateful for it," said Sir John, for Jack was silent.

"Here it is then," said the captain bluffly; "and you may believe it, for I know. You've had a sharp little spell since we left port; but it's over now, and, as we say, you're quite well, thank you."

"I quite well?" cried the lad indignantly; "I feel wretchedly bad."

"And think me very unfeeling for talking to you like this," said the captain, smiling; "but I'm nothing of the kind. Of course you feel wretchedly ill. Faint and weak, and as if you could never touch food again. That's why I wanted you to let the steward bring you a cup of tea. Human nature can't go without food for three or four days without feeling bad."

"Of course not," said Sir John.

"But now look here, Mr Jack, I talked about good news, and told you that you were well now. Here's the proof. There's a nice stiff breeze on, the water's very lively, and the yacht's dancing about so that we shall have to mind how we handle our breakfast-cups; and look at you! You are holding on because you haven't learned to give and take with the springs in your legs, but you are taking it all quite calmly. Why, the other day as soon as we began to careen over a bit, the doctor had to take you below. Now do you see the difference?"

"No," said Jack. "You cannot tell how ill I feel."

"My dear lad, I know exactly," said the captain. "Come, pluck up your courage; we're going to have a glorious day, and the wind will drop before noon. Take my advice: go below to have a good tubbing, and dress yourself again, and by breakfast-time you'll be beginning to wonder that you should have felt so queer; and mind this, sea-sickness isn't a disease: it's a—well, it's a—Ah, here's the doctor. Morning, Doctor Instow, you're just in time. What is sea-sickness?"

"A precious nuisance for those who are troubled with it," said the doctor heartily. "Morning. Morning, Meadows. Why, Jack, lad, this is grand. You've quite stolen a march on me. I say, you mean you're over your bit of misery then. My word, what a jolly morning. Hullo! going below?"

"Yes," said Jack quietly, as he began to move toward the cabin hatch.

"Take my arm, Mr Jack," said the captain kindly.

"No, thank you," said the lad. "I want to get to be able to balance."

Sir John said nothing, but stood with the others watching the lad's unsteady steps till he disappeared.

"He'll do now, sir," said the captain.

"Do?" cried the doctor; "I should think he will. Why, Meadows, he has got all the right stuff in him: it only wants bringing out. Nothing like the sea for a lad, is there, captain?"

"Nothing, sir," said that gentleman. "It makes a boy manly and self-reliant. He may turn out a bit rough, but it's rough diamond. Sir John, pray don't you think from what I say that I'm one of those carneying, flattering sort of chaps who ought to be kicked all round the world for the sneaks they are. What I say is quite honest. That's a fine lad of yours: he's as nervous now as a girl, and no wonder, seeing how weak and delicate he is, but I watched him this morning, and he's fighting it all down like a fellow with true grit in him, at a time too when he's feeling downright bad. You won't hardly know him in a month."

Sir John nodded and walked away, to go and stand by himself looking out to sea.

"Whew!" whistled the captain, turning to the doctor. "I hope I haven't offended our chief."

"Offended him? no," said the doctor, taking his arm and walking him off in the other direction. "It's all right, captain. You spoke out the truth, and he'll tell you before the day's out that he is obliged. Poor fellow! he is very tender-hearted about his boy. Lost the lad's mother, you see, and he worships him. But you're quite right, my plan's good, and I shall bring him back a healthy man."

"You shall, doctor, for we'll all try and help you; there!"



CHAPTER TEN.

JACK BEGINS TO COME ROUND.

"Oh dear, I do feel so ashamed of myself," said the doctor at breakfast that morning. "Edward, bring me another egg, and some more of that ham."

"Well, sir, if you do," said the captain, smiling, "I ought to be, but I'm not. More coffee, Sir John?"

"Thanks, no, I'm taking tea. Jack, my boy, will you try another cup?"

The lad hesitated for a moment, and then drew aside for Edward to refill his cup, with which he had been eating sparingly of some well-made toast.

"Find that rather stale, Mr Jack?" said the captain.

"No; it is very nice," said the lad. "Ah, the toasting takes it off. Four days out. That's as long as we go with the same bread. Begin making our own to-morrow."

Just then Edward handed Doctor Instow a goodly rasher of broiled ham, upon which was a perfectly poached egg; and directly after the man came round behind Jack, and quietly placed before him, with a whisper of warning that the plate was very hot, another rasher of ham, and at the first sight of it the lad began to shrink, but at the second glance, consequent upon a brave desire not to show his repugnance, he saw that it was a different kind of rasher to the doctor's, and that there was no egg. It was small and crisp and thin, of a most beautiful brown, with scarcely any fat, and showing not a drop in the hot plate. There was a peculiar aroma, too, rising from it, grateful and appetising, and after sipping at his fresh hot cup of tea—the second—twice, Jack broke off another fragment of his crisp toast and ate it slowly.

A minute passed away, his four companions eating in sea-going fashion, which is rather costly to the person that caters, and they were talking aloud meantime, but every one present made a point of not taking the slightest notice of the sensitive lad.

That hot tea at the first mouthful of the first cup was nauseating, and Jack glanced toward the door and waited before venturing upon a second. But that second mouthful was not so bad, and it seemed to him that the captain certainly had good tea provided. Then Jack had broken off a scrap of the brown toast and eaten it, feeling at the end of a minute or two that he had never before known what well-made toast was like.

And so he had gone on very slowly, but certainly surely, till that piece of broiled ham—just such a piece as might tempt an invalid—was placed before him by Edward, who winked afterwards at the steward.

Jack would have resisted with scorn the suggestion that he was an invalid, and he was in utter ignorance of the doctor having entered into a conspiracy with the steward and cook just before they sat down; but that triumvirate had conspired all the same, and the result was that dry toast and that thin shaving of brown ham, which from the moment it was placed under his nose began to tempt him.

What wonder! Three days lying in a berth aboard ship, three days of hardly touching food; and now at last sitting at a pleasant breakfast-table in an exasperating appetite-sharpening atmosphere, which came in through the open window along with the bright sunshine, while four people were cheerily chatting and eating away like men who knew how good breakfast can be.

Then, too, there was that insidious preparation—that sending in of skirmishers of dry toast to attack the enemy before a bold advance was made with the ham.

Was it strange then that after another glance round, and telling himself that it was really to keep the others from thinking him too squeamish, Jack daintily cut off a tiny brown corner of the fragrant, saline, well-flavoured ham, and placed it in his mouth?

No: it did not disgust him in the least, and he ate it, and then glanced half-guiltily at the doctor, who was bending over his plate and gilding one of his own ham fragments with yolk of egg; but the doctor had very heavy eyebrows, and from behind them he had been watching the lad's acts, and as he saw him begin to cut another piece a little browner than the last, he winked to himself twice, and then burst out with—

"I say, captain; I suppose when we get into smoother water we might get a bit of fresh fish for the table?"

"Oh, yes, something of the mackerel kind; eh, Bartlett?"

The mate entered into the conversation directly, and in a quiet, modest way chatted about the possibilities of success, but advised waiting until the yacht was gliding steadily before a light breeze.

Still nobody turned to say a word to Jack, who sat and listened, growing by degrees a little interested over some remarks that were made about "the grains," which gradually began to take shape before him as a kind of javelin made on the model of Neptune's trident, and which it seemed had a long thin line attached to its shaft, and was thus used to dart at large fish when they were seen playing about under the vessel's counter, though what a vessel's counter was, and whether it bore any resemblance to that used in a shop, the lad did not know.

It was somewhere about the time of the last remarks being made by the mate, in which "the grains" were somehow connected with the bobstay, that Jack proceeded to cut another fragment of that crisp juicy ham; but he did not cut it, for the simple reason that there was none left to utilise the knife and fork, which he laid together in his plate with a sigh.

And somehow just the most filmy or shadowy idea of the possibility that the steward might ask him if he would take a little more crossed his mind, along with a kind of wondering thought that if the man did, what he would say in reply.

But the man did not ask, and Jack glanced at the toast-rack, which was, like his tea-cup, empty.

There was a pause now in the conversation, the captain looked inquiringly round, and then tapped the table lightly and said grace.

"Like to see how we take observations by and by, Mr Jack?" he said.

"With a telescope?" said Jack quickly, feeling relieved that no one asked him how he felt now.

"Well, yes, we do use a little glass in the business attached to the sextant. But you thought I meant observations of the land?"

"Yes."

"No, we are far away from land now. We take our observations from the sun at twelve o'clock, and then I can give you the exact spot where we are upon the chart."

"That's curious," said Jack.

"Yes, sir; curious, but quite commonplace now. It's worth noticing though how cleverly scientific men have worked it out for us, and what with our instruments, the chronometer, and the nautical almanac, we only want a bit of sunshine to be able to find out our bearings and never feel afraid of being lost."

"I'll come and see how it's done."

"Do, sir, at noon; and you'll like to see the heaving of the log as well."

The captain was right; the wind dropped—and quite suddenly—a good hour before noon, and Jack found himself beginning to feel a little hungry and hollow inside just about the time when the sextant was brought out, but he felt interested in what was being done, and found himself beginning to think that perhaps after all there might be something during the voyage to compensate for the deprivations he was to suffer with respect to his regular studies and his books.

It was curious, too, how little he began to think of the rising and falling of the vessel, as she glided over the waves, which were rough enough, and sparkled brilliantly in the sunshine; but the fore-part of the deck was dry now and warm, while the yacht looked picturesque and cheery, with the crew busy over various matters connected with the navigation.

But nobody made the slightest allusion now to his having been ill, or asked how he felt, and the colour came into the lad's cheeks once as he caught his father's eyes, which somehow seemed to wear a more contented and satisfied look, but he only said quietly—

"I say, Jack, lad, do you think we could sit down in a chair now without being shot out?"

Jack felt obliged to reply, so he said—

"Let's try."



CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Jack's eyes begin to open.

"No," said Sir John, in reply to a question addressed to him by the captain, one beautiful moonlight evening, as they were running down within sight of the coast of Portugal; "unless it is necessary, or my son wishes to see the towns, I should prefer going steadily on eastward. For my part I want to get away from civilisation, and see Nature unspoiled or unimproved, whichever it is."

"And that depends upon individual taste, eh, Jack?" said the doctor.

"I suppose so," said the lad.

"Bah! he's going back again," said the doctor to himself.

"Would you like to stop at Gibraltar and see the Rock and its fortifications, Jack?"

"No, father, thank you," said the lad.

Sir John looked disappointed, but he said quietly—

"Then we'll go right on, captain, according to your plans. Let's see, what were they?"

"If you wish to get right away to the East, then I propose that we just touch at Gib, and stay long enough to fill up our water-tanks and take in fresh provisions and vegetables, run straight on to Naples, do the same there again, and then make for the Canal, unless you would care to see Vesuvius. Naples and its surroundings are very fine."

"Yes, very," said Sir John.

"Oh yes," growled the doctor; "but the place swarms with visitors. I want to get where we can land on some beautiful coast with our guns and collecting tackle, where we shouldn't see a soul, unless it's a naked savage."

"So do I," said Sir John. "What do you say, Jack?"

"Wherever you like, father," said the boy resignedly; and he rose and walked right forward to where a couple of the men were on the look-out, and Mr Bartlett was walking slowly up and down with a glass under his arm.

Sir John sighed, and there was perfect silence for a few minutes.

"It is very disappointing," he said at last.

"What is?" cried the doctor sharply. "Rome wasn't built in a day."

"But he seems to take it all as a duty, and as if he was compelled to obey me."

"And a good thing too," cried the doctor sharply. "What's better than for a son to feel that he is bound to obey his father? If I had been a married man instead of a surly bachelor, and I had had a son, I should have expected him to obey me and do what I thought was for his good; eh, captain?"

"Yes, sir, of course; and on your part, tried to be reasonable."

"Of course. Well, we—I mean Sir John—is reasonable. No, he isn't now. He wants Rome built in a day with the fresh paint on as well, and a grand procession of big drums and trumpets and soldiers with flags to march through the principal streets."

"Come, not quite so bad as that, Instow. Don't be cross."

"Then don't make me so. Now, I appeal to the captain here. Has not the boy been wandering about the deck all day with Bartlett, asking him questions about the sails, and talking to the men, and using his glass whenever there was a good bit of the land to see?"

"Well, yes."

"Well yes, indeed! What more do you want? We can only go on two legs, we men; we can't fly."

"Captain Bradleigh seems of a different opinion with this yacht. He makes us swim and pretty well fly."

"Yes, but what was Jack a month ago? Going about the house like a boy in a nightmare, or else with his hands supporting his heavy head, while he was A plus B-ing, squaring nothing, and extracting roots, or building up calculations with logs. He isn't like the boy he was when he came on board."

"That's true," said the captain quietly. "His interest is being awakened, and something else too—his appetite."

"Yes; he certainly eats twice as much, and is not so particular as to what it is."

"There!" cried the doctor triumphantly. "And what does that mean?"

"That the sea-air makes him hungry."

"Bah! that isn't all. It means that Nature keeps on asking for more bricks and mortar to go on building up the works that were begun years ago and not finished—muscle and bone and nerve, sir, so as to get him a sound body; and mind you, a sound body generally means a sound brain. Everything in a proper state of balance."

"I suppose you are right," said Sir John.

"Right? of course I am. Only give him time."

"Where is he now?"

"Along with Bartlett," said the captain.

"Yes, I can see him. They're examining something over the bows. Found something fresh. Isn't that a healthy sign? He was only a bit tired and bored just now. Look here, Meadows, you and I must not be too anxious, and keep on letting him see that we are watching him. Why, look at the other morning when he was just up from his sea-sickness. Do you think if I had begged him to eat that rasher of ham he would have touched it? Not he. Let him alone, and he'll soon be coming to us."

"Certainly that will be the best course. I should like to see though what he is doing now?"

"Better leave him alone. Sensitive chap like that, with a body like a little boy and a head like an old man, don't want to feel that he is being led about by a nurse. But there, I must humour you, I suppose. Come away."

The doctor set the example by rising, and they walked slowly forward, hearing Jack talking in an animated way as they drew nearer, and, as if in obedience to an order, one of the sailors trotted by them.

As they reached the port bows Jack turned round where he was leaning over the starboard side, as if to look for the man who had gone on some errand, and he caught sight of his father.

"Come and look here, father," he cried. "Something so curious."

"Eh? What is it?" said Sir John coolly, and, followed by the doctor, he crossed to where his son stood with the mate.

"Look over here, straight down into the black water," said Jack.

"Hah! Yes, very beautiful, looks as if we were sailing through a sea of liquid pale gold."

"And it's all black where it is not disturbed. As soon as the yacht's prow rushes through, everything is flashing out with phosphorescent light, and you can see myriads of tiny stars gliding away."

"Yes, beautiful," said Sir John. "Grand," cried the doctor.

"And Mr Bartlett here says it is nothing compared to what he has seen off Java and the other islands. Look now! it's just as if the sea as deep down as we can pierce was full of tiny stars. Oh, here's the pail."

The sailor had returned, and way was made for him to drop the bucket at the end of a rope down into one of the brightest parts, and bring it up full of the phosphorescent water.

Just then the doctor gave Sir John a dig in the ribs with his elbow, as much as to say, "Now, who's right?" While mentally agreeing that his friend was, Sir John moved out of the way, so as not to receive another poke.

Then followed rather a learned discourse from the doctor on the peculiarities of the wonderful little creatures which swarmed in the bucket, whose contents in the light seemed to be so much clear sea-water, but which in the darkness flamed with light as soon as it was disturbed by a hand being passed quickly through.

"Why, it makes my hand tingle and smart just slightly," said Jack.

"Oh yes," said the mate. "If you bathe in a sea like this you can feel quite an irritation of the skin, while the large jelly-fish sting like a nettle."

"Then are these jelly-fish?"

"Yes, almost invisible ones," replied the doctor.

"But it seems so strange. Why is it?" said Jack.

"Well, we know that fish prey upon these things wholesale, and my theory is that the tiny things have the stinging power as a defence by day, and the ability to light up to make the fish think they will burn their mouths at night and leave them alone. Sounds absurd, eh? But I believe that's it."

Jack spent an hour having bucketfuls of water drawn up from the spots where the luminous cold fire seemed to burn most fiercely, the mate and Edward, called in to assist, entering into the business with the greatest of enthusiasm, and helping, after Sir John and the doctor had gone, in another way, fetching tumblers and a glass globe from the steward, Edward having to carry these well-filled into the cabin, where, chuckling to himself, the doctor brought out his small microscope, and using a tiny water-trough designed for the purpose, proceeded to examine these little wonders of the world.

Gibraltar was reached a couple of days later, and a very brief stay made, Jack contenting himself with watching the huge mass of rock with his binocular. Then away over the rather rough sea, with a favourable wind, they ran for Naples, where it grew calmer, and at night the slow from the summit of the burning mountain was seen reflected on the clouds, while by day these clouds could be seen to be of smoke.

On again for the Canal, and the doctor confided to Sir John his belief that he was a little anxious now.

"It will be so tremendously hot down the Red Sea, that I'm afraid it will upset the lad; so as you are getting up steam for the run through the Canal, if the wind is light or contrary, I should use the screw till we get to Aden."

"And make up our coal-bunkers there," said the captain. "Yes; good advice, sir, for that is about the hottest place I know; but it's not often we get a contrary wind for the Silver Star. She'll sail closer to the wind's eye than anything I ever saw."

"But I feel disposed to say, steam through to Aden," said Sir John anxiously, "for if the wind is north-west, we shall have it like a furnace from the African desert."

"Yes, sir," said the captain, smiling, "but, according to my experience, it isn't much better from the Arabian side. There's no getting over it: the Red Sea might almost be called the Red-hot sea."

The business going on in the engine-room seemed to be a break in what so far had been rather a monotonous voyage, and, to the father's great satisfaction the following morning, he came suddenly upon Jack ascending to the deck, wiping his face, and followed by the mate, just as they were slowly steaming into the Canal.

Sir John said nothing, but noted that the lad went with the mate right aft, where they stood leaning over and gazing down at where the screw was churning up the water, the mate explaining its fish-tail-like action and enormous power in propelling the yacht.

"Have an eye upon him, Instow," said Sir John; "the heat is getting intense, and it can't be good for him to go down into that engine-room."

"Just as if I ever had my eyes off him," replied the doctor. "You let me be."

"But he seemed to be dripping with perspiration."

"Best thing for him. Open his pores, which have been shut up all his life. Grand thing for him. He couldn't be going on better. I was afraid that the heat would depress him, and lay him on his back: don't you see that so long as he keeps active he will not feel it so much?"

"I am not a doctor," said Sir John simply. "I suppose you are right."

"Well, give me a fair chance, old fellow. You've had your turn with the bow, and made an old man of him."

"Not I—his masters."

"Well, let me now try if I can't make a boy of the old man. Look at him. Can you believe it?"

Jack walked by them, in his white duck suit and pith hat, just then, with the mate.

"Find it too hot, father? Shall I fetch your white umbrella?"

"No, no, thank you, my boy; I'm going to sit under the awning and watch the shipping. But—er—don't expose yourself to the heat too much; the sun has great power."

"Yes, it is hot," said Jack quietly, "but I like it."

"Yes, Mr Jack, sir," said Edward, who had overheard his master's remarks, "and so do I like it; but it's a sort of country where you feel as if you would like to have a great deal of nothing to do, and lie about on the sand like the niggers. I've just been watching 'em, and it seems to me that they don't eat much, nor drink much. You see 'em nibbling a few dates, or swallowing lumps of great green pumpkins."

"Melons, Ned," said Jack, correcting him.

"Melons, sir? Yes, I know they call 'em melons, but they're not a bit better than an old pumpkin at home, or an old vegetable marrow gone to seed. I know what a melon is, same as Mackay grows at home, red-fleshed and green-fleshed, and netted. They're something like; but as for these—have you tried one, sir?"

"No."

"Then you take my advice, sir. Just you don't try 'em, for they're about the poorest, moshiest-poshiest things you ever tasted."

"But the people here seem to like them."

"Oh yes, they like 'em, sir. They seem as if they'd eat anything, and I suppose that's why their skins are so black. But, as I was saying, they don't seem to want beef, or mutton, or pickled pork, and yet they get fat. It's the sunshine, I believe. They go on swallowing that all day long. I mean to try how it acts as soon as I get a good chance."

"You're quite lazy enough without doing that," said Jack, laughing.

"Now I do call that 'ard, Mr Jack, sir—reg'lar out an' out hard. I'm sure I never neglects anything. You don't want, nor Sir John neither, anything like so much valeting as you do at home. There's no boots to brush, nor clothes neither. I'm sure, sir, I never neglected you, only just for that little bit when I seemed to be standing on my head because my legs wouldn't hold me up—now, have I, sir?"

"Oh no. You've always been very attentive, Ned."

"Then that's why I call it 'ard, sir. Ever since you've been growing sharp and quick, and wanting to do something else besides read, you've been getting 'arder to me, sir, and I don't like it."

"Oh, nonsense. I've only laughed at you sometimes."

"Well, sir, look at that. You never used to laugh at me at home, nor you usen't to order me about, nor you usen't to—well, you never used to do nothing, sir, but read."

Jack frowned, and reddened a little.

"I put out your clothes and boots for you, and you put 'em on—just what I liked to put for you. You used to get up when I called you, and you'd have eat anything that was put before you, and said nothing. While now you're getting particular about your food even, and you order me about— and I won't say bully me, because it ain't quite true; but you've said lots o' sharp things to me, and I feel 'mazed like sometimes to hear you, for it don't sound like you at all. It's just as if you'd got yourself changed, sir."

"Perhaps I have, Ned, for I feel changed," said the boy.

"Yes, sir, you are changed a lot, and I hope it's right."

"I hope so, Ned," said Jack, and he walked away.

"Don't even use his legs like he did a month ago. I can't quite understand it, but it ain't my business. Couldn't have been right for him to be always sitting over a book, and when he got up, looking as if he was still all among the Romans and Greek 'uns. But it seems so sudden like, and as if he might go back again. But I s'pose we shall see."

Jack at Sea—by George Manville Fenn



CHAPTER TWELVE.

A FINNY PRIZE.

The run through the Canal did not seem monotonous to Sir John, for a new feeling of satisfaction was growing within him, and everything looked bright. The crew appeared contented, and the work went on with an ease and regularity that was pleasant to see. The various objects of interest were pointed out, but Jack paid very little attention to them, his attention being principally taken up by the working of the yacht, and he was, in spite of the heat, up and down several times, the engine, with its bright machinery and soft gliding movements, so full of condensed power, having a strange fascination for him.

Then they were out in the Red Sea, with its sandy and sun-baked mountains, and the water flashing like molten silver.

Here it was perfectly calm, and Jack watched when the speed was increased; and as the captain wished to show Sir John what the yacht could do under pressure, the order for full speed ahead was given by the touch of an index, and they cut through the dazzling water, sending up an arrow-shaped wave of displacement, and for the next two miles going at a tremendous rate.

Then all at once the captain began to give orders, and the neatly-furled canvas was cast loose and hoisted, for puffs of air came from the northeast like as if from a furnace mouth, and away they glided once more. The fires were drawn, the steam blown off, and their rate decreased, though it was not far behind that of one of the great steamers which passed them on its way to China.

Once well on their way, lines were brought out from the little magazine and furnished with sinkers of lead selected by the mate to suit the speed at which glittering silvered artificial baits were thrown out to drag forty or fifty yards behind; but though every kind of lure on board was tried, hours and hours went by without a touch. But long before this Jack had turned to the mate, who was leaning over the stern on the opposite side.

"Isn't this very stupid?" he said.

"Oh no," said Mr Bartlett merrily. "It's a capital practice for patience."

"I don't know that I want to practise patience," said the lad thoughtfully. "But I say, I felt it when we started. Surely the fish will not be stupid enough to bite at these baits."

"It does not seem like it," said the mate, smiling.

"They will sometimes when the water's a bit rougher and we're going fast, but they are too clever for us to-day."

"Then we can give up," said Jack with a sigh of relief.

"Give up? No, that will never do. If we could only catch one fish, we could use it to cut up for bait."

"Ugh! the cannibals," cried Jack.

"Yes, plenty of fish are; but as we haven't one, and don't seem as if we can catch one, I'll go below and see if the cook can help me to a bit of pork skin to cut into a bait or two."

He made his line fast and went forward, while, standing now in the shadow cast by the great sail behind him, Jack held the line in a quiet listless way, gazing at the distant mountains and wondering at the beauty of the colour with which they glowed in the pure air. He felt calm and restful, and the soft sensuous warmth of the wind was pleasant. It was restful too this gliding over the sea, with the yacht gently rising and falling and careening over to the breeze. The trouble of the days to come seemed farther off, and for a few moments the germs of a kind of wonderment that he should have looked upon this voyage as a trouble began to grow in his mind.

Then he was roused from his pleasant musings as if by an electric shock attended by pain. The line he had coiled round his hand suddenly tightened with a jerk which wrenched at his shoulder and cut into his fingers, and he uttered a shout for help which made the man at the wheel turn to look. A big black-haired fellow, who was busy with a marline-spike and a piece of rope, dropped both and ran to the lad's help, but not before he had brought his left hand up to help his right, taking hold of the fishing-line and holding on with the feeling that the next minute he would be dragged overboard, but too proud to loose his hold all the same.

"Got him, sir?" said the sailor. "I've got something," panted Jack. "It's horribly strong."

"They are in here. Let him go."

"What!" cried Jack indignantly; "certainly not."

"I don't mean altogether, sir. Let him run, or the hook will break out."

"But how?"

"You've plenty of line on the winch, sir; let him have some loose to play about and tire himself."

"Oh yes, I see; but it's jerking dreadfully." The man picked up the big wooden winch upon which the line was wound and held it fast.

"Now, sir, hold on tight with your left hand, while you untwist the line from your right. That's the way. Now catch hold tight and let the wheel run slowly. There's a hundred yards more here. It will let him tire himself. That's it, he won't go very far; then you can wind in again—giving and taking till he leaves off fighting."

"Hallo! here, Mr Meadows," cried the mate; "this is hardly fair. Why you're the best fisherman after all. That's it, let him go every time he makes a dart like this: now he's slacking again. Wind up, sir, wind up."

Jack obeyed very clumsily, for it wanted practice to hold the big wooden winch steady with one hand while he wound with the other, and before he had recovered ten yards the fish made a fresh dart, not astern, but away nearly at right angles with the course of the ship, tiring itself by having to drag the now curved line through the water.

"Now again," cried the mate; "wind—wind."

Jack's inclination said, "Give the line over to the man who understands it," but pride said "No"; and he wound away till the wheel was nearly jerked from his hands by a fresh dart made by the captive.

And so it went on for some minutes, till the fish began to show symptoms of becoming exhausted; so did Jack, upon whose face the perspiration was standing in beads.

"Here, Lenny," cried the mate, "go and get the big gaff-hook. We shall have this fellow."

The man ran forward, and Jack, with eyes fixed, began to play his fish with a little more nous, but it was terribly hard work.

"Tell me when you're tired," said the mate.

"Now."

"Shall I play him for you?"

"No, no! Don't touch it," cried Jack, who was unaware for some moments that he had an audience to look on.

"Oh no, I won't touch till you tell me," said the mate.

"Bravo!" cried the doctor; "capital. Well done, Jack, that's the way. I ought to have been here. Why you've got hold of a thumper."

So it proved, for the fish showed no sign of giving in for another quarter of an hour, and various were the comments made as to the probability of its being got on deck; but at last the darts grew shorter and shorter, and far astern they saw a gleam from time to time of something silvery and creamy as there was a wallowing and rolling on the surface, and now the mate took hold of the keen hook attached to a light ten-foot ash pole.

"Perhaps you'd like to gaff him, Doctor Instow," said the mate.

"No, no," replied the doctor. "Fair play. You two were fishing. Land him yourself."

"What shall I do now?" said Jack, who was panting with his exertions.

"Let the winch go down on the deck, and haul the fish in hand over hand till you get him close in."

Jack followed his instructions, and the captive, completely exhausted, now came in fast enough, proving to be far larger than any of those present had expected to see, but about a tenth of what Jack had imagined from the strength the creature had displayed. In fact there had been moments when the lad had again been calculating whether at one of the fiercest rushes he would not have to let go and so escape being dragged over the rail.