The Lost Middy | Page 6

the slope in a wonderful way, for how he
managed to keep his balance over the rough cobbles and on the
storm-worn granite stones of the pier was a marvel of equilibrium. But
keep upright he did, solely by being always in motion; and he was not
long in elbowing his way through the crowd of boys, many of whom
overtopped him, and planting himself at the top of the pier steps, where
from old experience he knew that Aleck would land.
As soon as he was there he delivered himself of an observation.
"Look here," he growled, in a deep, angry voice, "I've been marking o'
you youngsters with my hye, and I gives you doo warning, the fust one
on yer as shies any o' that orfull at young Master Donne, or inter his
little boat, I marks with what isn't my hye, but this here bit of
well-tarred rope's-end as I've got hitched inside my jacket; so look out."
"Yah!" came in a derisive chorus, as the sailor showed the truthfulness
of his assertion by drawing out about eighteen inches of stoutish brown
rope, drawing it through his left hand and putting it back.
"Yah!" shouted one of the most daring. "Yer can't ketch us. Yah!"
"Not ketch ye, you young swab? Not in a starn chase, p'raps, but I've
got a good mem'ry and I can heave-to till yer comes within reach, and
then--well, I'm sorry for you, my lad. I know yer;--Davvy, Davvy."

The boy looked uncomfortable, and furtively dropped an unpleasant
smelling quid which he had picked up as a weapon of offence, and very
offensive it was; but another lad appropriated it instantly and sniffed at
it, smiling widely afterwards as if approving hugely of the vile odour.
Probably familiarity had begotten contempt, for none of his
companions moved away.
Meanwhile Aleck had run his boat close in and lowered his sail. Then,
as he rose up, boat-hook in hand, he was greeted with a jeering chorus
of shouts, for no other reason than that he was a so-called stranger who
did not live there and was well dressed, and belonged to a better class.
Aleck was accustomed to the reception, and gave the little crowd a
contemptuous look, before turning to the squat figure beginning to
descend the steps, to where the boy stood ten feet below.
"What cheer, Tom!" he cried.
"What cheer-ho, Master Aleck!" returned the sailor. "Hearty, my lad,
hearty." Then, turning to the boys, he growled out, "Now, then, you
heered. So just mind; whether it's fish fresh or fish foul. The one as
shies gets my mark."
The voices of the boys rose in a curious way, making a highly pitched
jeering snarl, while a number of unpleasant missiles that were held
ready were fingered and held behind backs, but from a disinclination to
become the victim of the sailor's marking, no lad was venturesome
enough to start the shower intended to greet the newcomer. It was held
in abeyance for the moment, and then became impossible, for peg, peg,
peg, peg, Tom Bodger descended the steps till he was level with the
gunwale of Aleck's boat, upon which one extremity was carefully
planted, and careful aim taken at the first thwart. The sailor was about
to swing himself in, when Aleck held out his hand--
"Catch hold!" he cried.
"Tchah! I don't want to ketch hold o' nothing," grumbled the man.
"Stand aside."

As he spoke he spun half round as upon a peg, the second wooden leg
lightly touched the thwart, and the next moment, when it seemed as if
the poor fellow's wooden appendages must go through the frail bottom
of the boat, they came down with a light tip-tap, and he was standing
up looking smilingly in the young navigator's face.
"Come along tidy quick, my lad?" he said.
"Yes, the wind was lovely. Look here, Tom; I'm going shopping--to get
some hooks and things. Mind that young rabble does not throw
anything aboard."
"All right, my lad; but I should just like to see one of 'em try."
"I shouldn't," cried Aleck. "But, look here; uncle says as there'll be a
good deal of wind dead ahead, and I shall have to tack back again,
you're to come with me."
"Course I should," said the sailor, gruffly. "Wants two a day like this."
"And he'll pay you; and you're to get one of the fishermen to pick you
up and bring you back."
"Tchah! I don't want no picking up. It's on'y about six mile across from
here to the Den, and I can do that easy enough if yer give me time."
"Do as you like, but uncle will pay for the ride."
"And I shall put the money in my pocket and