The Mate of the Lily | Page 4

kindly spirit beaming from his eyes; his hair
grizzled rather by weather than by years; his figure, of moderate height,
broad and well knit, betokening strength and activity.
We were to sail for Singapore, after which we were to proceed
eastward to trade with the various islands in that direction.
We expected to have the "Lily" ready for sea in about a week, when
just before this time Captain Bingley, who had been long absent in
command of the ship "Iris" of some four hundred tons, returned home. I
was at my mother's one evening when Uncle Jack, with Grace Bingley,
came in. She looked, I thought, somewhat out of spirits. My mother
thought so too, and asked her the cause. She hesitated for a moment as
if to master her feelings, and then said--
"It is, I have no doubt, for the best, and father wishes it. Mother and I
are to accompany him on his next voyage round Cape Horn and up the
western coast of America, then across the Pacific to Java, and so round
the world. I cannot refuse to go, and of course we should both like to
see strange lands, as well as being with father, but I had hoped to be
able to remain with you, Mary, and you know how happy I should have
been in doing so."
My poor mother looked much distressed. "Of course, if your father
wishes you to go you have no choice, but I shall miss you greatly." She
could scarcely restrain her tears as she spoke.
Uncle Jack became very grave as he heard what Grace said.
"You sail round the world! Has your father positively determined on
this?" he asked.
I guessed his thoughts; he was ready enough to encounter all the risks

and perils of the sea himself, but he was very unwilling that Grace
should be exposed to them. What if the ship should be wrecked! What
if sickness should break out on board, or a mutiny occur, or should she
be captured by an enemy! He dreaded dangers for Grace which he did
not take into a moment's consideration in regard to himself, but he
strove not to allow her to perceive his anxiety.
"Father is not a person, as you well know, to be turned from his
purpose," she answered, trying to smile. "Mother has promised to go,
and I cannot let her go without me. She or father might fall ill, for he is
not so strong as he was, and I ought to be ready to nurse them, and I
hope, my dear Jack, that we shall be back as soon as you are, though
my chief anxiety is leaving Mary; and Harry also away. Perhaps, too,
we may meet; my father doesn't know exactly where we shall go after
we leave the China seas; it must depend upon the freight obtained."
"It is a wide region, and I was hoping that I could picture you when I
was away, safe at home," answered Uncle Jack, but he refrained from
saying more. He was unwilling to create any anxiety in Grace's mind.
He certainly, however, looked more distressed than any of the party.
After this Grace could be less at our house than usual, as she had to
help her mother in preparing for their voyage. The "Iris," she told us,
was to be got ready for sea with all despatch. Uncle Jack and I one
evening went on board to have a look at the ship that, as he observed,
he might at least know what sort of a craft Grace was sailing in. The
cabins were comfortably fitted up and well suited for the
accommodation of the captain's wife and daughter, as well as for a few
other passengers. I asked him what he thought of the ship.
"She's a fine enough vessel, but I can judge better of her if she were
loaded, and I should like to know what sort of a crew she has," he
answered. "Captain Bingley is a good seaman, and I respect him as
Grace's father; but he wants to make money, and he may be tempted to
overload his ship, or visit dangerous places to obtain freight."
I did not see the parting between Uncle Jack and Grace, as I went on
board the "Lily" the night before we sailed. I had already wished

good-bye to my dear mother and all the young ones, and as she had to
look after them, she could not come to see us off. I know very well
what she must have felt, and I heartily wished, when the moment came
for leaving, that I could have remained to comfort and protect her. My
going away must have brought back to her recollection with painful
vividness