Charles Beadle

“ The first officer, who did not appear to notice or to care if he did notice, left the bridge mumbling something to Vi about lunch being on the table. But Vi did not seem inclined for food. She stood pretending to be interested in the tumbling lights of greens and creams, regarding the second mate obliquely while he walked, steadily enough in spite of the heaving deck, to the starboard dodger, where he began to fiddle around with the binocular-box attached to the rail. ”

“ Started with 'em when old man Selwyn bought his first tramp. James Selwyn it was then, down on Water Street.”
“But,” exclaimed the girl, “why haven't you got a command by now? Why, it's——”
“Never had the price.”
“The price? Why, what——”
“I couldn't ever save—not on a mate's salary. Why, my dear young lady, for every ship there's half a dozen men holding extra-master's tickets. Those as has the money to invest gets the job.
“That's the way of the sea—or nowadays anyway. Always was, I reckon. Worst trade on earth. And yet I dunno. You know you get restless if you stop ashore for long. ”

“ They live a dog's life, cuss —— out of it—beg pardon, miss!—and yet they can't keep away.”
“Heavens, I think it's a beastly shame!” ejaculated Vi.
He glanced through the window of the wheel-house at the clock and nodded to the helmsman, who struck the ship's bell. Eight bells echoed an instant later above the swish of the sea and wind from the break of the fo'c's'le head. Immediately afterward the second mate, Carnell, came on the bridge to relieve the mate, followed by a sailor to take his trick at the wheel. ”