Salt Water | Page 8

those days; so
he philosophically determined to think no more about her, but to return
to the land of his birth to end his days.
She had gone through the usual vicissitudes of an unprotected female,
and at last returned to Portsmouth with a family in whose service she
acted as curse. Here, having saved up a little money, she determined to
settle as a lodging-house keeper, and she had taken the house in which
we found her.
This event, caused me very great satisfaction, for it had occurred to me
that Larry would find himself very forlorn going back to Ireland
without me to look after, and no one to care about; and now, instead, he
would have a good wife, and a comfortable house to live in. She also
would be the gainer, for he had saved some money when in our service;
and as he was a sober, temperate man, he would be able to assist her
very much in her business. On my own account also I was very glad,
because I should now have many opportunities of seeing him whenever
I returned to Portsmouth.
Several days passed away after this, during which time I must say no
one could have taken better care of me than did good Mrs Harrigan;
and I felt convinced that my old friend would likewise be well looked
after during my absence.
CHAPTER THREE.
LIEUTENANT O'FLAHERTY--MY SHIP AND SHIPMATES--THE

PILOT'S BOAT--RESULTS OF DRUNKENNESS--MY FIRST
COMMAND.
One day, on going with Larry, according to custom, to the "Star and
Garter" to learn tidings of the cutter, I saw a fine sailorlike-looking man,
with an intelligent and good-humoured expression of countenance,
talking to the landlady.
"There's the young gentleman himself," she exclaimed, pointing at me.
"What, my lad, are you indeed my nephew?" said the officer, kindly,
putting out his hand and pressing mine warmly. "Faith, I needn't ask
that, though; you are the very picture of your poor mother. Well, Neil,
the sooner you get on board and begin learning your duty, the better."
I answered that I was perfectly ready, for I at once took a great fancy to
him, and thought I should be very happy in the cutter.
He now observed Larry for the first time.
"What! old shipmate," he exclaimed, shaking him warmly by the hand,
"are you the trustworthy person Dr Driscoll told me he would send to
look after the youngster? I'm delighted to see you again, and wish I
could give you a berth on board my craft, but I'm afraid the service
won't permit that. You must, however, come and take a cruise with us,
and talk over old times."
"Faith, your honour, I'm not much fit for duty, I own, with my timber
toe, afloat, and I've just found a snug berth on shore, which I intend to
keep till Master D'Arcy settles down in the halls of his fathers, and
wants my services; but I'll gladly take a cruise with your honour, and
just see how he practises all I've taught him. You'll find him in a few
days, I'll warrant, as smart a seaman as many who've been two or three
years afloat."
To make a long story short, while Larry remained on shore with his
new-found wife, I went on board the cutter; and the following day we
ran out of harbour, round by Saint Helen's, and stood down Channel in

search of a smuggling craft, of whose movements the Commander had
received notice.
I found my uncle, on further acquaintance, to be what his looks
betokened him, a thoroughly honest, hearty sailor. His first officer was
a very old mate who had long given up all hopes of promotion in the
service. He was married; and his wife and family lived near Portsmouth.
His name was John Hanks. There was a second master and a clerk in
charge; so that, for a cutter, we made up an unusually large mess. We
had no surgeon, as we could always run into harbour if any of us
required doctoring.
My uncle, who was a poor man, had taken the command of the cutter
for the sake of his wife and family; and when I came to know my sweet
young aunt, I felt, with her smiles to welcome him when he got home,
Lieutenant O'Flaherty was a happier man far than many who roll in
their easy carriages about the streets of smoky London.
Mrs O'Flaherty, with the two children she then had, lived in a pretty
little cottage near Ryde, where he was able every now and then to go
and see her. Of course he was never wanting in an excuse, when duty
would allow him, to be off Ryde; and on one of these occasions he first
introduced me