Frank V. Webster

“ Do you work around here?"
"I help Mr. Miller—he's the man I live with—whenever I can. He's working to-night, helping unload a vessel that was delayed by the storm."
"Yes, it's blowing quite hard. I didn't notice it so much down between those barges, but now I feel quite chilly. So you work on the pier, eh?"
"Whenever I can get anything to do. But I'd like to get a job on a steamer."
"You would, eh? What kind?"
"Well, I'd like to be a pilot, but I suppose I'd have to work my way up. I'd be willing to start at almost anything, if I could get on a vessel." ”

“ Now, Nat, I'm going to give you a chance to appreciate what it means to steer a big vessel. I'll tell you just what to do, and I think you can do it. We have a clear course ahead of us, the lake is calm, and I guess you can handle the wheel all right. You know about the compass, so I don't have to tell you. Now take your place here, and grasp the spokes of the wheel lightly but firmly. Stand with your feet well apart, and brace yourself, for sometimes there will come a big wave that may shift the rudder and throw you off your balance. ”

“ Nat hardly knew what to make of the strange turn of events. It had happened so suddenly that he had no time to prepare himself. He was positive Sam had dropped the cigarettes into his pocket, but to prove it was another matter. He knew the mate would take the side of his nephew, while Nat had no one to stand up for him.
"Unless Mr. Weatherby does," he said to himself. "I guess I'll tell him about it."
"You leave it to me," said the pilot, when Nat had related his story. "I think we can easily prove that Sam Shaw is guilty. Don't worry. I'll stand by you." ”

“ Weatherby's friend. "We'll have the law on that rascally mate. No wonder he wanted his nephew to have your place."
"Shall we go down where the Jessie Drew is tied up, and see if the mate is aboard before we get an officer, or stop at the police station first?" asked Mr. Weatherby, as he, Nat and Mr. Clayton left the hotel.
"Let's get a policeman, or a detective, first," was Mr. Clayton's answer. "We can't take any chances with a man like Bumstead. To think of him having that money more than two years, since poor Jim was drowned, and Nat suffering for what was really his own!" ”

“ So large was the wheel, in order to provide sufficient leverage, that part of it was down in a sort of pit, while the steersman stood on a platform, which brought his head about on a level with the top spokes. On some of the lake steamers there was steam steering gear, and of course a much smaller wheel was used, as it merely served as a throttle to a steam-engine, which did all the hard work.
Nat was delighted with his chance. With shining eyes he grasped the spokes, and gently revolved the wheel a short distance.
"That'll do," spoke Mr. Weatherby. "She's shifted enough." ”

“ In the cabin Nat found assembled Mr. Bumstead and Sam Shaw, besides the commander of the ship, who, looking very stern, sat in a big chair behind the table.
"I wonder where Mr. Weatherby is?" thought Nat. "He said he'd stand by me. I hope he comes."
"There's no need to state the reasons why we are here," began the captain. "I'm determined to get at the bottom of this smoking business, and put a stop to it. Does your nephew smoke?" he asked, turning to the mate. ”

“ Poor father! If he was only alive now he and I could be on some vessel and both earning a good living."
Nat was a little sad at the thoughts of his dead parent, but he did not dwell long on this gloomy side. He had his work to do, and work is one of the best things in the world to make us forget our griefs.
The Jessie Drew tied up at the wharf in Detroit early the next morning. Mr. Weatherby had his baggage all packed, and Nat at his suggestion had done the same. Nat had been paid off by Captain Marshall the night before, but the pilot received his money in the form of a check every month. ”

“ One afternoon, when the ship was within a few hours of reaching port, Nat, going along the upper deck, passed a German youth, standing by the rail, looking down into the water, as it swept away from the bows of the Mermaid. The youth, whom Nat had noticed on several other occasions, because of his well-fitting clothes, appeared to be in rather low spirits.
"We're making pretty good time," said Nat pleasantly, for he often addressed the passengers, many of whom had formed a liking for the lad. ”

“ It appeared the mate's protest to Captain Marshall, about employing Nat, had been of no effect.
"I guess Nat needed a place to work as much as did your nephew," replied Mr. Weatherby, when his protégé had gone back to the purser's cabin. "His father is dead, and you ought to be glad that the orphan son of an old lake sailor has a chance to earn his living, instead of making it hard for him." ”

“ Weatherby. "If you're going to be a pilot you must learn to keep cool. Shall I tell Captain Marshall you'll take the place?"
"Yes, and be glad to."
"Not quite so fast. Why don't you ask me what the wages are, and how long you'll have to work?"
"That's so. I didn't think of that. But I don't mind how long I have to work. It can't be much longer than I have to work now, and I get very little for it."
"Then I guess you will be satisfied with the hours and the wages paid aboard the Jessie Drew. When can you come?"
"Any time. I am not regularly hired at the dock." ”

“ As he reached the float he saw a young man hurrying down the inclined gangplank that led to the top of the bulkhead. The youth seemed excited.
"Here! What are you doing in my boat?" he cried. "Get out of it right away! I thought some [Pg 6] of you dock-rats would try to steal it if I left it alone an hour or so."
"Oh, you did, eh?" asked Nat as he stepped out on the float. "Well, you're mistaken. Next time you want to learn how to tie a knot that won't slip when you leave your boat, if you don't want it knocked into kindling wood by a steamer." ”

“ Dunn. "But what made the noise?"
"Rats, probably," replied the mate. "There are some whoppers down in that hold."
"Would you say they were large enough to topple over that bale?" asked the pilot suddenly.
"No—no—I don't know as I would," answered the mate. "Of course not. More likely the lurch of the vessel did it."
"Well, it was lucky it was no worse," spoke the captain. "If that lantern had exploded, and the blazing oil had been scattered about, there would have been a different ending to this. Nat would probably be dead, and the ship a wreck. ”

“ I know he smokes cigarettes."
"I used to," interrupted Sam, "but I've stopped."
"Your hands don't bear out that assertion," said the pilot quietly, as he pointed to the tell-tale yellow stains on Sam's fingers. "I am inclined to think you smoke pretty steadily yet."
The red-haired youth had no answer to make to this.
"Do you dare to accuse my nephew?" demanded Mr. Bumstead.
"I said I didn't care to accuse any one," replied Mr. Weatherby. "I only said I believe Nat innocent, and if he is discharged I leave also."
"I think you are taking an unfair advantage of me," said Captain Marshall. ”

“ Inside there was a sergeant on duty, who looked up inquiringly as Nat entered.
"Well?" he asked.
"I have a warrant for a man's arrest."
"Are you a detective from some other city? Where's your badge?" asked the sergeant suspiciously.
"No, I'm not a detective. I'm the person who made the complaint on which this warrant was issued," and Nat showed the one which had been returned by Mr. Scanlon. ”

“ Weatherby was in the pilot-house with him, but that was in calm weather and daylight.
Could he steer the big passenger steamer over the same course after dark, and with a storm coming up? It was a question grave enough to make even an older person than Nat hesitate.
"It's a pretty big contract for a lad," said the captain. "I'll help you all I can, but the rules require me to have a pilot in charge. I can't do it, unless you feel that you can steer the ship, with such help as I can give you. ”

“ Scanlon," said Mr. Weatherby.
"I don't mind that in the least. I am in no hurry. In fact I am on a pleasure trip, and it [Pg 130] does not matter when I get to New York. I had planned to stop at Buffalo, and spending a few days longer there than I calculated on will make no difference."
"But will your boat get to Buffalo ahead of the freight steamer?" asked Mr. Clayton.
"I think so," replied John Scanlon, with a smile. "It is one of the fastest small yachts afloat. I fancy we will be at the dock waiting for this Bumstead when his ship gets in." ”

“ It is very possible you were mistaken about the pocketbook. That form of wallet is not uncommon, and of course there are lots of men with the same name your father had. Why the mate should have a pocketbook, with some other name on it than his own, I can't explain. But we'll let matters lie quietly for a while. If you see or hear anything more out of the ordinary, let me know."
"I will," promised Nat; and then he had to go to do some work in the captain's office.
"I think you will bear watching, Mr. Bumstead," murmured the pilot, as he went back to take the wheel. ”

“ Miller said when Nat got back. "I thought you said you wouldn't be gone long on that errand."
"Neither I was."
"What kept you, then?"
"Well, I had to rescue a man."
[Pg 27] "Rescue a man? Are you joking?"
"Not a bit of it. I pulled Mr. Weatherby, the pilot, out from between two barges." And Nat proceeded to relate his adventure.
"Well, things are certainly coming your way," remarked Mr. Miller. "Maybe he'll give you a big reward."
"I'd rather he'd give me a good job," returned Nat. "Maybe he could get me a place on some boat. That's what I'd like. I could earn good money then." ”

“ You know that will make trouble, to have anything wrong with the cargo."
"I'm sure nothing is wrong," replied Nat. "I went over my list carefully, and I am positive the boxes are on board."
"And I say they're not," insisted the mate. "I guess I've been in this business long enough to know more than a green lad who has only been here a day."
"You want to be careful, Nat," went on Captain Marshall. "I have always depended on Mr. Bumstead in regard to matters connected with the stowing of the cargo." ”

“ And it is no small matter to feel that one can, by a slight shift of his hand, send a gallant craft to her destruction, or guide her to safety.
As night came on the fog grew thicker. Mr. Weatherby and his helper did not leave the pilot-house, but had their meals sent to them. Captain Marshall was in frequent consultation with them, and the speed of the vessel was cut down almost one-half as they approached the danger point.
From Mr. Dunn, Nat learned when they were in the unsafe passage, for the purser had been over that route many times. ”

“ We'll try it, Andy, but we'll both stay in the pilot-house until we're well past the dangerous point, that one where the rocks stick out."
"But there's a lighthouse there, Mr. Weatherby."
"I know there is, but if this fog keeps on getting thicker, the light will do us very little good."
Nat listened anxiously to the conversation. This was a part of the responsibilities of piloting that had not occurred to him. More than on a captain, the safety of a vessel rests on a pilot, when one is in charge. ”

“ He had been standing with his back to the little space between the ship's rail and the rail of the gangplank. Nat's blow sent him reeling backward, and a moment later Sam fell into the water between the vessel and the dock.
"Man overboard!" sang out a sailor who had witnessed the fight and its outcome. "Man overboard!" ”

“ If you do you'll not get into trouble. I shall have a friendly eye on you, and I trust you will do as well as the pilot thinks you will. Now you may report to the pur [Pg 36] ser, who really is more of a supercargo than he is a purser. He'll find plenty for you to do."
"Yes, sir," replied Nat, wondering just what his duties would be. He knew where to find the man who was to be his immediate superior, for on the way to the captain's cabin Mr. Weatherby had pointed out to Nat where the purser's office was.
"Oh, yes; you're the new boy," said the purser, whose name was George Dunn. ”

“ Nat questioned Mr. Dunn, seeking to have him recall exactly what had taken place, but the purser, much as he wanted to help his assistant, failed dismally.
"I am compelled to say I believe you gave Sam the cigarette," went on Captain Marshall, "and, much as I regret it, for I think you are a hard-working lad, I shall have to discharge you. You broke a very strict rule of the ship, one on account of which we might, in case of fire, lose all our insurance. It is too flagrant to pass over." ”

“ Miller are very poor. Her husband doesn't earn much, and I don't, either. It takes all we both get to buy food and pay the rent. I don't have any left for clothes. They're not good enough to go on board the boat with. I'm afraid I can't take the job."
"There is no use denying that the clothes might be better," admitted Mr. Weatherby gravely. "Not that I care anything about what garments a man or boy wears, so long as they are clean, and yours are that. Still, I think it would make a better impression on Captain Marshall if you were to have a newer suit. ”