Paul Gerrard | Page 4

up what should feed others; if I go to sea, I
shall get food and clothing, and pay and prize-money, and be able to
send quantities of gold guineas home to you. Reuben Cole has been
telling me all about it; and he showed me a purse full of great gold
pieces, just the remains of what he came ashore with a few weeks ago.
He was going to give most of it to his sister, who has a number of
children, and then go away to sea again, and, dear mother, he promised
to take me with him if you would let me go. Mary and Fred will help
all the better, when I am away, to teach Sarah and John and Ann, and
Fred is so fond of books that he is certain to get on some day, somehow
or other."
What could the poor widow say to these appeals often repeated? What
could she hope to do for her boy? There was a romance attached in
those times to a sea life felt by all classes, which scarcely exists at the
present day. She sent for Reuben Cole, who, though a rough sailor,
seemed to have a kind heart. He promised to act the part of a father
towards the boy to the best of his power, undertaking to find a good
ship for him without delay. The widow yielded, and with many an
earnest prayer for his safety, committed Paul to the charge of Reuben
Cole. The honest sailor was as good as his word. He could scarcely
have selected a better ship than the Cerberus. He volunteered to join,
provided Paul was received on board; his terms were accepted, and he
thought that he was doing well for his young charge when he got him
the appointment of midshipmen's boy. The employment was very
different from what Paul had expected, but he had determined to do his
duty in whatever station he might be placed. The higher pay and
perquisites would be of value to him, as he might thus send more
money to his mother, and he hoped soon to become reconciled to his lot.
One day, however, the name of a midshipman who had just joined

struck his ear,--it was that of Devereux, the name of the family with
whom his father had so long carried on the unsuccessful lawsuit.
From some remarks casually made by one of the other midshipmen
while he was waiting in the berth, Paul was convinced that Gilbert
Devereux was a son of the man who had, he conceived, been the cause
of his father's ruin and death. Paul, had he been asked, would have
acknowledged how he ought to feel towards young Devereux, but he at
times allowed himself to regard him with bitterness and dislike, if not
with downright hatred. He well knew that this feeling was wrong, and
he had more than once tried to overcome the feeling when, perhaps,
some careless expression let drop by Gilbert Devereux, or some order
given by him, would once more arouse it. "I could bear it from another,
but not from him," Paul over and over again had said to himself after
each fresh cause of annoyance given by young Devereux, who all the
time was himself utterly ignorant that he had offended the boy. Of
course he did not suspect who Paul was; Paul had determined to keep
his own secret, and had not divulged it even to Reuben. Reuben was
somewhat disappointed with Paul. "I cannot make out what ails the
lad," he said to himself, "he was merry and spirited enough on shore; I
hope he's not going to be afraid of salt-water."
Poor Paul was undergoing a severe trial. It might prove for his benefit
in the end. While the frigate was in harbour, he bore up tolerably well,
but he had now for the first time in his life to contend with sea-sickness;
while he was also at the beck and call of a dozen or more somewhat
unreasonable masters. It was not, however, till that Saturday night that
Paul began really to repent that he had come to sea. Where was the
romance? As the serpent, into which Aaron's rod was changed,
swallowed up the serpents of the Egyptian magicians, so the stern
reality had devoured all the ideas of the romance of a sea life, which he
had till now entertained.
Yet sleep, that blessed medicine for human woes, brought calm and
comfort to his soul. He dreamed of happier days, when his father was
alive, and as yet no cares had visited his home. He was surrounded by
the comforts which wealth can give. He was preparing, as he had long

hoped to do, for sea, with the expectation of being placed