As we went about the docks I had replied to the
barge-master's remarks as well as I could, but I had never ceased
thinking of the desire of my heart, and I resolved to make one
passionate appeal to his pity.
"Mr. Rowe," I said, in a choking voice, "please don't take me home! I
would give anything in the world to go to sea. Why shouldn't I be a
sailor when I want to? Take Fred home if he wants to go, and tell them
that I'm all right, and mean to do my duty and come back a credit to
them."
Mr. Rowe's face was inscrutable, and I pleaded harder.
"You're an old navy man, you know, Rowe," I said, "and if you
recommended me to the captain of one of these ships for a cabin-boy,
I'll be bound they'd take me."
"Mr. Charles," said the old man earnestly, "you couldn't go for a
cabin-boy, you don't know--"
"You think I can't rough it," I interrupted impatiently, "but try me,
and see. I know what I'm after," I added, consequentially; "and I'll
bear what I have to bear, and do what I'm set to do if I can get
afloat. I'll be a captain some day, and give orders instead of taking
them."
Mr. Rowe drew up to attention and took off his hat. "And wanting an
able-bodied seaman in them circumstances, sir, for any voyage you
likes to make," said he emphatically, "call for Samuel Rowe.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123