The South Sea Whaler | Page 3

not likely to encounter the storms and dangers she had
heard of. She carried out her intentions with exemplary perseverance.
Never had the captain's cabin been in such good order. She learned all
the lessons he set her, and read whenever she had time; she plied her
needle diligently; and Mr Shobbrok took especial delight in teaching
her embroidery, in which, notwithstanding the roughness of his hands,

he was an adept. Indeed, not a moment of her time was idly spent. She
took her walks regularly on deck during the day, with her father or
Walter: and when they were engaged, Nub followed her about like her
shadow; not that he often spoke to her, but he seemed to think that it
was his duty ever to be on the watch to shield her from harm.
Walter, in the meantime, was picking up a large amount of nautical
knowledge: for he, like his sister, was always diligent, and, following
his father's advice, never hesitated to ask for information from those
about him; and as he was always good-natured and good-tempered, and
grateful for help received, it was willingly given. He was as active and
daring as any of the crew, and he could soon lay out on the yards and
assist in reefing topsails as well as anybody on board. He could soon,
also, take his trick at the helm in fine weather; indeed, it was generally
acknowledged that he gave good promise of becoming a prime seaman.
The crew were constantly exercised at their guns; and Walter, though
not strong enough to work at them himself, soon thoroughly understood
their management, and could have commanded them as well as any of
the officers. He also studied navigation under his father in the cabin,
and could take an observation and work a day's work with perfect
accuracy. He advanced thus rapidly in his professional knowledge, not
because he possessed any wonderful talent except the very important
one of being able to give his mind to the subject, and in being diligent
in all he undertook. He was happy and contented, because he really felt
that he was making progress, and every day adding to his stock of
knowledge. He had also the satisfaction of being conscious that he was
doing his duty in the sight of God as well as in that of man: he was
obedient, loving, and attentive to his father, from the highest of
motives,--because God told him to be so, not in any way from fear, or
because he felt that it was his interest to obey one on whom he
depended for support. Captain Tredeagle himself was a truly religious,
God-fearing man; that is to say, he feared to offend One who, he knew,
loved him and had done so much for him--an all-pure and all-holy God,
in whose sight he ever lived--and therefore did his best to bring up his
children in the fear and nurture of the Lord; and he had reason to be
thankful that his efforts were not in vain.

Had all his crew been like Captain Tredeagle, his would have been a
happy ship. His good mate, Jacob Shobbrok, was in some respects like
him; that is to say, he was a Christian man, though somewhat rough in
his outward manner and appearance, for he had been at sea all his Life.
He was an old bachelor, and had never enjoyed the softening influence
of female society. Still his heart was kind and gentle. Both Alice and
Walter, having discernment enough to discover that, were accordingly
much attached to him. There were several other worthy men on board.
Andrew Lawrie, the surgeon, was in most respects like Jacob,
possessing a kind, honest heart, with a rough outside. Nub has been
described. He made himself generally popular with the men by his
good temper and jokes, and by bearing patiently the ill-treatment to
which he was often subjected by the badly disposed among them. But
though kicked, rope's-ended, and made to perform tasks which it was
not his duty to do, he never complained or showed any vindictive
feeling. His chief friend was Dan Tidy. Dan, who had not been long at
sea, and consequently was not much of a sailor, was quite as badly
treated as Nub, but did not take it with nearly the same equanimity. He
generally retaliated, and many a tough battle he had to fight in
consequence. But though he was often beaten, his spirit had not given
way. A common suffering united him and Nub, and when they could
they helped each other.
A large portion of the crew were rough, ignorant, and disorderly. The
war had kept all the best men employed, and even a well-known
commander like Captain Tredeagle had a difficulty in getting good