James Otis

“ Tim grew nervous, more especially as he saw some of the boys who had appeared the most frightened when the stone was first thrown now smile, as if they were saying to themselves that Tip couldn’t be so very much of a bear dog after all, if he was afraid to kill one that had been found for him. ”

“ It was impossible for all hands to stand staring at Tom when the foresail needed immediate attention, and the sick runaway was allowed to roll up and down the deck at his own sweet will, or, rather, at the will of the wind, until the Swiftsure was on her course again with reduced canvas. Then Captain Harrison shouted, “Somebody catch that boy before he breaks himself all to pieces and bring him aft here to me.” ”

“ Tim repeated the captain’s words as nearly as he could remember them, and the steward looked him over carefully, with just the faintest show of pity on his face.
“You don’t look as if you’d stand it very long to work for the captain of this boat; but that’s none of my business. Whose dog is that?”
“That’s Tip: he’s mine.”
“You’d better take him ashore. The captain ain’t over and above fond of dogs, and he won’t be likely to fall in love with one as ugly as that.” ”

“ Tim refused the offering, and for the first time in his life looked upon candy as the stickiest kind of a fraud. He felt as though the kindest thing any one could do would be to throw him [86] overboard in the midst of that treacherous sea which was causing him so much internal commotion.
He had been in his berth about an hour, although it seemed to him fully a week, when Mr. Rankin came into the forecastle, and told him that Captain Pratt had given positive and angrily issued orders that he be brought on deck. ”

“ Running hastily out to the rail, where they expected to see the wharf, with its bustling crowd of hucksters and passengers, they saw to their [83] astonishment the green, rolling billows of the ocean. To Bobby, who lived on an island, the sea was no new sight, and his astonishment was only occasioned by the fact that the steamer had left the dock; but to Tim, who had never seen a body of water larger than the river in Selman, the scene was one that filled him with the greatest wonder. ”

“ They piled on the wood, stirred the potatoes, as if that was the important part of cooking that vegetable, while every few moments Tim would smell of the hen, nearly singeing the hair from his head each time. They were certainly good cooks, if keeping up a big fire could make them so. ”

“ ONE COOK SPOILS THE BROTH. The question of what was to make up the dinner bill of fare appeared to be an important one to all, and many were the suggestions made to the cooks. Some proposed that the work of raising the tent be intrusted to other hands, so that Bill and Tip could go out and bring in a deer or a bear; others thought the old hen should be killed at once, and served up as a roast; while one portion of the party seemed to think it Captain Jimmy’s duty to get his ship under way and go after some fish for a chowder. ”

“ That afternoon was a repetition of the forenoon, save that at supper-time Tim gravely informed them that there was hardly enough cooked provisions for breakfast.
Tip got along much better than the others. As soon as he learned that he could not venture outside of the tent without getting wet, he curled himself up on the pile of blankets and slept the day away, save at those times when some one would rouse him up to play—a liberty which he resented in such a manner as caused them to leave him alone very soon. ”

“ As the leaders of the party dashed into a small cleared space they saw Tip actually fighting, and this time it was no cow, but a small, dark-colored animal, which, if it really was a bear, must have been a very young one.
Bill was not afraid of so small an animal, and he jumped forward with his knife; but Tim cried:
“It’s only a young one. Let’s get him away from Tip, an’ take him home alive.”
He spoke too late to save the animal’s life, for just then Tip gave the small bundle of fur a toss in the air, and when it came down it was dead. ”

“ Tim limped away, his back and legs feeling as if they had been bathed in fire, and each inch of skin ached and smarted as it never had done from the worst whipping Captain Babbige or Aunt Betsey had favored him with. He entered [70] the cabin with eyes swollen from unshed tears, and sobs choking his breath, but with such a sense of injury in his heart that he made no other sign of suffering.
Mr. Rankin was too familiar with Captain Pratt’s methods of dealing with boys to be obliged to ask Tim any questions ”

“ Then Tim added, as if it was the last of his pitiful story, “Me an’ Tip ain’t got anybody who cares for us but each other, an’ if we don’t get a chance to work, so’s we can get some place to live, I don’t know what we will do.” Then he laid his head on the dog’s nose, and cried as though his little heart were breaking, while Tip set up a series of most doleful howls.
“You poor child,” said the good woman, kindly, “you’re not large enough to work for your living, and I don’t know what Mr. Simpson will say to your being here very long ”

“ Tim had never had any experience with drinking men; but he did not need any explanation as to the causes of the captain’s appearance, and he involuntarily ducked his head when his employer passed him.
“Now, then, what are you skulking there for, [61] you young rascal?” shouted Captain Pratt, as he fell, rather than seated himself, in his chair.
“I ain’t skulkin’, sir,” replied Tim, meekly.
“Don’t you answer me back,” cried the captain, in a rage, and seizing the milk pitcher as if he intended to throw it at the boy. “If you talk back to me I’ll show you what a rope’s end means.” ”

“ And when Tim got into Mr. Tucker’s house, where Bobby cheered until he was hoarse, and Mrs. Tucker kissed him again and again, he found it impossible even to speak, because of a great lump in his throat, which was not caused by sorrow; but he said over and over again to himself that no one should regret in the man what they had done for the homeless orphan boy. ”

“ Having the most perfect faith in the ability of his dog to kill any animal not larger than an elephant, Tim cautiously untied the ropes. But Tip did not appear to be excited by the prospect; he did not even get up from the ground, but lay [145] there wagging his stub tail as if he was playing at “thumbs up.”
“Set him on!” cried Bill, tired of the inactivity; and Tim, now afraid his pet might be accused of cowardice, set him on with the most encouraging cries of “S’t-aboy!” But Tip, instead of running toward the bear, seemed to be bewildered by the noise, for all hands were shouting at him ”

“ Sam, as he picked up a stick and started for the frog’s home.
Tim paid no attention to him; he had been sent for water, and he did not intend to waste any time until that work had been done. He leaned over the side of the hogshead to lower the pail in, when Sam shouted, “Come here; I’ve found him!”
But Tim went on with his work; and just as he had filled the pail, and was drawing it up, he heard a cry of fear, accompanied by a furious splashing, which he knew could not come from a frog, however large he might be. ”

“ To sleep under Rankin’s bridge, when he thought of it in the daytime, and with his schoolmates around him, was nothing more than a pleasant little adventure; but when it came to carrying the plan into execution it was [224] quite a different matter. The night was dark; the brook gurgled and sang in a most ghostly fashion; the air under the stone arches felt damp; and he could find no place where he could lie down with any prospect of comfort.
“It’s no use. I can’t fix any kind of a bed here, so I’ve got to sit up all night—that’s all there is to it.” ”

“ Tim could not trust himself to speak, for he knew he should cry if he did; and he carried the water to the wheel-house, going directly from there to Tip.
The dog leaped up on him when his master came where he was, as if he wanted a frolic; but Tim said, as he threw himself on the deck beside him:
“Don’t, Tip, don’t play now; I feel more like dyin’. You think it’s awful hard to stay here; [71] but it’s twice as hard on me, ’cause the captain whips me every chance he gets.” ”

“ Tip ran on, joyous at having recovered his freedom, and in a short time was out of sight. [150] Then the boys ceased even to keep a lookout for large animals, growing so careless as to watch the squirrels, hunt for birds’ nests, and act in every way unbecoming bear hunters.
But suddenly they were roused into activity and excitement by furious, angry barking some distance away.
“He’s caught one this time!” shouted Bill, as he drew his knife from his belt and started forward rapidly, followed closely or afar off by the remainder of the party, according to their degree of courage. ”

“ An open wagon was the mode of conveyance; and as the driver was quite large, while Captain Pratt was no small party, there was no other way for Tim to ride save curled up in the end, where he could keep a lookout for Tip, who was, of course, to follow on behind as fast as his short legs would permit. ”

“ Among other stories which Tim related, as showing that Tip was one of the most intelligent of his species, was the incident of his finding the cow so suddenly for Sam Simpson, which pleased Bobby greatly, and he said, in a wise tone both of praise and blame:
“He looks like a good dog, an’ he acts like a good dog; but ’pears to me his legs is kinder short if you wanted to make him run after a bear.” ”

“ Mr. Rankin helped Tim on his feet, and, finding that no bones were broken—which was remarkable, considering the force with which the blows had been given—advised him to go on deck, promising that he would serve the captain.
“But I propose that the boy shall stay here,” roared the captain. “Do you think I’m going to [65] let him sneak off every time I try to teach him anything?”
Tim struggled manfully to keep back the tears that would come in his eyes as he stood behind the captain’s chair; but they got the best of him, as did also the little, quick sobs. ”

“ But Tim had more wisdom now than he had the day he ran away from Captain Babbige, and he said, mournfully:
“Where could I go if I did run away again? Nobody wants me an’ Tip, an’ we’ve got to have somethin’ to eat.”
This way of putting the matter rather confused Bobby; he had never known what it was [92] to be without a home, and Tim’s lonely position in the world opened his eyes to a new phase of life.
“I’ll tell you what you can do: you can come to my house, an’ stay jest as long as you want to.” ”

“ By this time Tim had released his hold of Tip’s neck, and the dog walked around Sam on a [14] sort of smelling tour, very much to the boy’s discomfort.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Tim, “he won’t bite you. He’s the best and quietest dog in the world if you only let him alone.”
“I’ll let him alone,” replied Sam, still in doubt as to Tip’s good intentions. “I’ll let him alone, an’ I wish he’d let me alone.”
“He’s only kinder gettin’ acquainted, that’s all. Say, do you s’pose your father would let me sleep in his barn to-night?” ”

“ Now, Bill Thompson was a great stickler for discipline; and although he had said nothing about it when the details of the voyage were under discussion, he had a plan which he began to carry into execution as soon as the journey was fairly commenced.
“Now, we’ve got to do this thing right,” he said, as he braced himself in the bow, where he could have a view of all hands. “We must choose different ones to do different things, so’s we’ll know what we’re about. We’ve got to have cooks, an’ I nom’nate Tim Babbige an’ Bobby [163] Tucker to take care of the victuals an’ do the cookin’.” ”

“ Another fire was built, and rocks were placed in such a way around it that the kettle could rest on them. The hen was put on another stick, and again the chances for dinner looked promising.
The food which had been spread out on the ground looked very tempting to the idle ones of the hungry party, and every now and then one [178] would try to get a piece of pie or cake, until Tim, who was determined that no one should have anything to eat until all could be served, was almost at his wits’ end to prevent them from making a perfect raid on the larder. ”

“ The countenance of all the boys told that some big time was near, and more especially was that the case with Bill Thompson. By his very manner he showed that he considered himself of the greatest importance in that party, and walked on in advance, almost unable to contain himself because of his excessive dignity. Instead of going [119] up into the little town, Bill led the way around the shore; and as the boys reached the headland where Tip had first touched the land of Minchin’s Island, Bobby pointed to a small fishing schooner that lay at anchor a short distance from the shore. ”

“ Tucker’s voice.
The march to the edge of the grove was necessarily a slow one, for Tip, finding that he was encouraged to run from one side of the path to the other, did so to his heart’s content, while the boys expected each moment to see him start off like a race-horse, and were ready to spring at once to the aid of Tim and Bobby.
If their caution was great before they left the [138] field, it would be almost impossible to find a word to express their movements when they entered the woods. ”

“ Bobby Tucker was sure he could get a bushel of potatoes as his share, and a large piece of pork as Tim’s. Bill Thompson owned three of the hens in his father’s flock, one of which he agreed to carry, in order that at least one “big” dinner might be served, and he also agreed to get three dozen of eggs. Jimmy Newcomb, whose father kept a store, was certain he could get a large supply of crackers and a small supply of candy. ”

“ Tim knew the steward’s reasoning was correct, and yet he refused to be comforted. He was led below despite his struggles, but when he reached the main-deck he ran to the rail, from where he could see all that was going on in the water.
“Do you s’pose he will get ashore all right?” Tim asked of Mr. Rankin, as he watched Tip’s exertions to save himself.
“Of course he will; he’s almost there now, and in five minutes more he’ll be just as safe as ever, and a good deal cleaner.”
By this time the freight for the island had been landed, and the steamer was already leaving the wharf. ”

“ I’ve known Captain Pratt a good many years, an’ I know he will treat you just as if he was your father. Three dollars is a good deal of money for a little shaver like you.”
Tim looked at Sam for a moment doubtfully, and then he thought of what Mr. Simpson had said about his remaining at the farm.
“Can I take Tip with me?”
[45]
“Oh, that’s your dog, is it? He hain’t a very handsome one; but I suppose you can find a chance for him somewhere on the boat—yes, you can take him.” ”

“ Tim did not fancy this idea of idling when there was work to be done; and as soon as he saw the spring he hurried off, in the middle of a story Sam was telling about a rabbit he caught the previous winter.
“What’s the use of bein’ in such a rush?” asked Sam, as, obliged to end his story, he ran after Tim. “Mother don’t want the water till breakfast’s ready, an’ that won’t be for a good while yet. Jest come over on this side the pond, an’ I’ll show you the biggest frog you ever saw in your life; that is, if he’s got out of bed yet.” ”