The Sea-Witch | Page 6

apologetically.
"'Nor I either,' said the captain; 'but Bill Marline deserves the cat,
though as you make it a personal matter, why I'll let him off this time,
Mr. Ratlin.'
"The captain didn't wish to let me go, but he said he wished to gratify

his mate, and so I was cast loose, and after a broadside of advice, and a
hurricane of oaths, was turned over to duty again. I didn't forget that
favor, messmates, and sink me if I wouldn't go to the bottom to serve
him any time. He commanded a brig in the South American trade after
that, and would have made a mate of me, hut somehow I've got a
weakness for grog that isn't very safe, and so he knows 'twont do. You
see him there now, messmates, as calm as a lady; but he's awake when
there's need of it. The man don't live that can handle a ship better than
he; and as for fighting, do ye see, messmates, we were running on this
here same tack, just off the--but avast upon that, I haven't any more to
say, messmates," said the speaker, demurely.
Bill Marline evidently found himself treading upon dangerous ground,
and wisely cut short his yarn, thereby creating a vast amount of
curiosity among his messmates, but he sternly refused to speak further
upon the subject. Either his commander had prohibited him, or he
found that by speaking he should in some way compromise the credit
or honor of one upon whom he evidently looked as being little less than
one of a superior order of beings to himself.
"But what do you bring up so sudden for? Pay out, old fellow, there's
plenty of sea-room, and no land-sharks to fear," said one of the group,
encouragingly.
"Never you mind, messmates, there's nothing like keeping a civil
tongue in your head, especially being quiet about other people's
business," added Bill.
"What think you, Bill, of this present vocation, eh?" asked another
companion.
"I shipped for six months, that's all I know, and no questions asked. I
understand very well that Captain Ratlin wouldn't ship me where he
wouldn't go himself."
"Well, do you see, Bill, most of us are new on board here, though we
have knocked about long enough to get the number of our mess and to
work ship together, and don't perhaps feel so well satisfied as you do."
"Why, look ye, messmates, arnt you satisfied so long as the articles you
signed are kept by captain and crew?" asked Bill Marline, somewhat
tartly.
"Why, yes, as to that matter; but where are we bound, Bill?" asked the
other.

"Any boy in the ship can make out the 'Sea Witch's' course," said the
old tar, evasively. "We're in these here Northern Trades, close-hauled,
and heading, according to my reckoning, due east, and any man who
has stood his trick at the wheel of a ship, knows that such a course
steered from the West Indies will, if well followed, run down the Cape
Verds; that's all I know."
"Port Praya and a port; that was in the articles sure enough," answered
he who had questioned Bill Marline; "but the 'Sea Witch' will scarce
anchor there before she is off again, according to my reckoning."
That the old tar knew more than he chose to divulge, however, was
apparent to his comrades, but they knew him to be fixed when he chose,
and so did not endeavor by importunity to gather anything further from
him; so the conversation gradually changed into some other channel.
In the meantime, while the crew gathered about Bill Marline were thus
speculating, the vessel bowled along gracefully, with a speed that was
in itself exhilarating to her young commander, who still gazed idly at
the passing current. Once or twice a slight frown clouded his features,
and his lips moved as though he was striving within himself either
against real or imaginary evil, and then the same calm, placid
manliness of countenance radiated his handsome features, and his lips
were composed.
Now he turned to issue some necessary order, which was uttered in that
calm, manly distinctness that challenges obedience, and then he
resumed his idle gaze over the vessel's side, once more losing himself
in his day dream.

CHAPTER III
.
THE GALE.

"THE Wind seems to be hauling," said the mate, walking aft, and
addressing his superior.
"Keep her a good full," said the captain, to the man at the helm.
"Ay, ay, sir," said the old tar, as he tried to make the sails draw by
altering the vessel's course a point or two more free.

"Here it is, sure enough," said the captain, "from the southwest. Up
with the men forward once more, Mr. Faulkner!--we must humor our
beauty."