W. W. Jacobs

“ The mate, who was suffering from symptoms hitherto unknown to him, made no reply. His gaze wandered idly from the sloping uplands, stretching away into the dim country on the starboard side, to the little church-crowned town ahead, with its out-lying malt houses and neglected, grass-grown quay, A couple of moribund ship's boats lay rotting in the mud, and the skeleton of a fishing-boat completed the picture. For the first time perhaps in his life, the landscape struck him as dull and dreary. ”

“ Captain Nibletts, slowly pacing along and smoking his pipe in the serenity of the evening, felt these things dimly. His gaze wandered from a shadowy barge crawling along in mid-channel to the cheery red blind of Boatman's Arms, and then to the road in search of Captain Barber, for whom he had been enquiring since the morning. A stout lady stricken in years sat on a seat overlooking the river, and the mariner, with a courteous salutation, besought her assistance.
“I've been looking for him myself,” said Mrs. Banks, breathlessly, “and now my Elizabeth's nowhere to be found. ”

“ Miss Tyrell sat reaping the empty reward of virtue, and bestowing occasional glances on the fine specimen of marine obtuseness in the armchair.
“I hope that I am not keeping you from a walk,” she observed, at length.
“No,” said Fraser.
He rose in confusion, wondering whether this was a hint for him to go, and after a supreme mental effort decided that it was, and murmured something about getting back to the ship. Poppy shook hands with him patiently. It is always a sad thing to see a fine young man lacking in intelligence. ”

“ The indignant Barber closed the door behind him with a bang, and, excited with the controversy, returned with a short and suspicious nod the greeting of a small man of shrunken and forlorn aspect who was sitting at the other side of the room.
“Mornin', Cap'n Nibletts,” he growled.
“Mornin, sir,” said Nibletts; “how's things?”
Captain Barber shook his head. “Bad as bad can be,” he replied, slowly; “there's no hope at all. I'm looking for a new master for my vessel.” ”

“ The mate, who was watching her closely, made no reply. He was thinking that a straw hat with scarlet flowers went remarkably well with the dark eyes and hair beneath it, and also that the deck of the schooner had never before seemed such an inviting place as it was at this moment.
“Captain Flower keeps his ship in good condition,” said the visitor, somewhat embarrassed by his gaze.
“He takes a pride in her,” said Fraser; “and it's his uncle's craft, so there's no stint. She never wants for paint or repairs, and Flower's as nice a man to sail under as one could wish. ”

“ His programme for the evening thus suddenly arrested, he walked slowly up Tower Hill into the Minories, wondering what to do with himself. Something masquerading as a conscience told him severely that he ought to keep his promise to the errant Flower and go and visit Poppy; conscience without any masquerading at all told him he was a humbug, and disclaimed the responsibility. In the meantime, he walked slowly in the direction of Poplar, and having at length made up a mind which had been indulging in civil war all the way, turned up Liston Street and knocked at the Wheelers' door. ”

“ To some men imprisonment in such a place would have been little short of ecstasy. In the heat of summer they would have sat in the cool cellar amid barrels of honest beer; in winter, they would have led the conversation cosily seated around the taproom fire. For exercise, profitable employment at the beer-engine in the bar; for intellectual exercise, the study of practical chemistry in the cellar.
To Captain Fred Flower none of these things appealed. ”

“ He'll be punished for it, I know. He's a thoughtless, inconsiderate fellow, but one of the best-hearted chaps in the world, and I guess I'll do the best I can for him.”
Flower grinned safely in the darkness. “And any little help I can give you, Jack, I'll give freely,” he said, softly. “We'll talk it over at breakfast.”
The mate took the hint, and, moving off, folded his arms on the taffrail, and, looking idly astern, fell into a reverie. Like the Pharisee, he felt thankful that he was not as other men, and dimly pitied the skipper and his prosaic entanglements, as he thought of Poppy. ”

“ Banks regarded her unfavourably.
“He's never said much,” continued Uncle Barber, in an exalted strain; “that ain't Fred's way. He takes arter me; he's one o' the quiet ones, one o' the still deep waters what always feels the most. When I tell 'im his face'll just light up with joy.”
“It'll be nice for you, too,” said Mrs. Banks, with a side glance at the housekeeper; “you'll have somebody to look after you and take an interest in you, and strangers can't be expected to do that even if they're nice.” ”

“ Lamps were lit on the wharves, and passing craft hung out their side-lights. The girl rose to her feet.
“I won't wait any longer; I must be going,” she said.
“He may be back at any moment,” urged the mate.
“No, I'd better go, thank you,” replied the girl; “it's getting late. I don't like going home alone.”
“I'll come with you, if you'll let me,” said the mate, eagerly.
“All the way?” said Miss Tyrell, with the air of one bargaining.
“Of course,” said Fraser.
“Well, I'll give him another half-hour, then,” said the girl, calmly. “Shall we go down to the cabin? It's rather chilly up here now.” ”

“ In the stone-paved yard beneath the window, a small daughter of the house hung out garments of various hues and shapes, while inside, in the scullery, the master of the house was doing the family washing with all the secrecy and trepidation of one engaged in an unlawful task. The Wheeler family was a large one, and the wash heavy, and besides misadventures to one or two garments, sorted out for further consideration, the small girl was severely critical about the colour, averring sharply that she was almost ashamed to put them on the line. ”

“ WHILE the skipper and mate slumbered peacefully below, the watchman sat on a post at the extreme end of the jetty, yearning for human society and gazing fearfully behind him at the silent, dimly-lit wharf. ”

“ Poppy Tyrell started up with a faint cry, but Flower drew her gently down again.
“We'll be married in New Zealand,” he said, softly, “and then we'll come back and I'll have my own again. Jack told me you were going out on her. Another man has got my craft; he lost the one he had before, and I want to give him a chance for a few months, poor chap, to redeem his character. Besides, it'll be a change. We shall see the world. It'll just be a splendid honeymoon.”
“You didn't tell Captain Martin?” enquired the girl, as she drew back in her chair and eyed him perplexedly. ”

“ The object of these compliments took them as a matter of course, and after hunting up the stump of last night's cigar, and shredding it with his knife, crammed it into a clay pipe and smoked tranquilly. Flower found a solitary cigar, one of the Blue Posts' best, and with a gaze which wandered idly from the chest of drawers on one side of the room to the old china dogs on the little mantel-shelf on the other, smoked in silence. ”

“ The cook had been very liberal that evening, and friendship is friendship, after all.
“That's what a chap gets by keeping hisself sober,” said the youthful philosopher, as he poured a little cold tea out of the kettle on his handkerchief and washed himself. “Other people's work to do.”
He went grumbling up to the galley, and, lighting some sticks, put the kettle on, and then descended to the cabin, starting with genuine surprise as he saw the skipper sitting opposite a pretty girl, who was leaning back in her seat fast asleep. ”

“ You know my easy-going nature.”
“But you made love to her,” expostulated the mate.
“In a way, I suppose I did,” admitted the other. “I don't know now whether she could have me up for breach of promise, because when I asked her I did it this way. I said, 'Will you be Mrs. Robinson?' What do you think?”
“I should think it would make it harder for you,” said Fraser. “But didn't you remember Miss Banks while all this was going on?”
“In a way,” said Flower, “yes—in a way. But after a man's been engaged to a woman nine years, it's very easy to forget, and every year makes it easier. ”

“ Flower thanked him warmly, and, Mrs. Barber returning, he noticed with some surprise the evident happiness of the couple for whose marriage he was primarily responsible. He had to go over his adventures again and again, Captain Barber causing much inconvenience and delay at supper-time by using the beer-jug to represent the Golden Cloud and a dish of hot sausages the unknown craft which sank her. Flower was uncertain which to admire most: the tactful way in which Mrs. Barber rescued the sausages or the readiness with which his uncle pushed a plate over a fresh stain on the tablecloth. ”

“ The mate cordially agreed with him.
“There's Poppy down at Poplar, Matilda at Chelsea, and Elizabeth at Seabridge,” continued Flower, indicating various points on the table with his finger as he spoke. “Some men would give up in despair, but I've thought of a way out of it. I've never got into a corner I couldn't get out of yet.”
“You want a little help though sometimes,” said Fraser.
“All part of my plans,” rejoined Flower, airily. “If it hadn't been for my uncle's interference I should have been all right. A man's no business to be so officious. As it is, I've got to do something decided.” ”

“ As a result of the mate's ill-behaviour at the theatre, Captain Fred Flower treated him with an air of chilly disdain, ignoring, as far as circumstances would permit, the fact that such a person existed. So far as the social side went the mate made no demur, but it was a different matter when the skipper acted as though he were not present at the breakfast table, and being chary of interfering with the other's self-imposed vow of silence, he rescued a couple of rashers from his plate and put them on his own. ”

“ The elasticity had departed from Miss Tyrell's step, and she walked aimlessly, noting with a sinking at the heart the slowly passing time. Once or twice she halted from sheer weariness, Fraser halting too, and watching her with a sympathy of which Flower would most certainly have disapproved if he had seen it.
At length, in a quiet street beyond Stratford, she not only stopped, but turned and walked slowly back. Fraser turned too, and his heart beat as he fancied that she intended to overtake him. He quickened his pace in time with the steps behind him until they slackened and faltered ”

“ She walked towards the Foam, followed by the perplexed crew, and with the able assistance of five pairs of hands reached the deck. The companion was open, and at Joe's whispered instructions she turned and descended the steps backwards.
It was at first quite dark in the cabin, but as the visitor's eyes became accustomed to it, she could just discern the outlines of a small table, while a steady breathing assured her that somebody was sleeping close by. Feeling her way to the table she discovered, a locker, and, taking a seat, coughed gently. ”

“ Captain Barber took another sip of whisky.
“I'm going to use my own judgment, Nibletts,” he said slowly. “I've always rose superior to the opinions of other people. There's nobody you know would give you a ship. I'm going to give you the Foam!”
Captain Nibletts, rising from his seat, crossed over, and taking his hand, thanked him in broken accents for this overpowering expression of confidence in him. Then he walked back, and taking his whisky from the table, threw it on the floor.
“I've had enough of that,” he said briefly. “When am I to take her over, Cap'n Barber?” ”

“ The mate came back to his dinner and finished it in silence, while the skipper kept up a rambling fire of instructions for his future guidance.
“And what about Miss Tyrell?” said the mate, at length. “Is she to know?”
“Certainly not,” said Flower, sharply. “I wouldn't have her know for anything. You're the only person to know, Jack. You'll have to break the news to 'em all, and mind you do it gently, so as not to cause more grief than you can help.”
“I won't do it at all,” said the mate.
“Yes, you will,” said Flower, “and if Matilda or her mother come down again, show it to 'em in the paper. ”

“ His whole world seemed suddenly desolate and unreal, and it was only borne in upon him slowly that there was no need now for his journey to London in search of Poppy, and that henceforth her movements could possess no interest for him. He ranged himself quietly with the bystanders and, not without a certain dignity, waited.
It seemed a long time. The horses champed and rattled their harness. The bystanders got restless. ”

“ Church receiving the correction with a polite smile, more than tinged with incredulity.
“It's wonderful what a lot of tea is drunk,” said Captain Barber, impressively, looking round the table.
“I've heard say it's like spirit drinking,” said Mrs. Church; “they say it gets such a hold of people that they can't give it up. They're just slaves to it, and they like it brown and strong like brandy.”
Mrs. Banks, who had been making noble efforts, could contain herself no longer. She put down the harmless beverage which had just been handed to her, and pushed her chair back from the table. ”

“ We've had the same crew for years.”
“He's very kind and jolly,” said the girl.
“He's one of the best fellows breathing,” said the mate, warmly; “he saved my life once—went overboard after me when we were doing over ten knots an hour, and was nearly drowned himself.”
“That was fine of him,” said Miss Tyrell, eagerly. “He never told me anything about it, and I think that's rather fine too. I like brave men. Have you ever been overboard after anybody?”
Fraser shook his head somewhat despondently. “I'm not much of a swimmer,” said he. ”

“ In their quest for good beer Mr. Green and Joe had left themselves in the hands of the other members of the crew, and had gone off with them in a body to the Cap and Bells, where, in a most pointed fashion, Mr. Green, who had been regarding the fireman's complexion for some time with much displeasure, told the boy to go back to the ship and get his face washed.
“He's all right, ain't you, Tommy?” said the cook, coming to the rescue.
“Boys ought to keep their faces clean,” said Mr. Green, impressively; “there's nothing more unpleasant than a face what wants washing. ”

“ Green's urbanity for sarcasm, sailed slowly down the river. The hands were unusually quiet, but their behaviour passed unnoticed by the new skipper, who was too perturbed by the falsehoods he had told and those he was about to tell to take much heed of anything that was passing.
“I thought you said you preferred to keep for-'ard?” he said to Ben, as that worthy disturbed his meditations next morning by bustling into the cabin and taking his seat at the breakfast table.
“I've changed my mind; the men don't know their place,” said the mate, shortly.
Fraser raised his eyebrows. ”

“ Robinson,” said the visitor, correcting herself.
“I tell you there's nobody in there except the skipper,” said the mate.
“You said it was the pantry just now,” exclaimed the other, sharply.
“The skipper sleeps in the pantry so's he can keep his eye on the meat,” explained Fraser.
The visitor looked at him angrily. “What sort of a man is he?” she enquired, suddenly.
“You'll soon know if he comes out,” said the mate. “He's the worst-tempered man afloat, I should think. If he comes out and finds you here, I don't know what he'll do.” ”

“ Captain Barber looked stealthily round, and, for the second time that evening, winked at his nephew.
“A visitor?” said Flower.
Captain Barber winked again, and then laughed into his pipe until it gurgled.
“It's a little plan o' mine.” he said, when he had become a little more composed. “She's my housekeeper.”
“Housekeeper?” repeated the astonished Flower.
“Bein' all alone here,” said Uncle Barber, “I think a lot. I sit an' think until I get an idea. It comes quite sudden like, and I wonder I never thought of it before.” ”

“ Something steady on shore is the thing.”
“I don't know,” said the tactless Mr. Wheeler. “I think if I was a gal I should like to marry a sailor; there's something romantic about them. I often wish I'd been a sailor.”
“Then you wouldn't 'ave 'ad me,” said the lady from the sofa, grimly.
Mr. Wheeler sighed, but whether at the thought of what he might have lost or what he had gained, cannot be safely determined. Still in a morbid mood, he relapsed into silence, leaving Fraser to glance anxiously to where Poppy, pale and pretty, sat listening to the clumsy overtures of Mr. Bob Wheeler. ”

“ Flower's eyes twinkled. “It's quite easy to get wrecked and picked up once or twice,” he said, cheerfully. “I'll have my story pat by the time I get home, even to the names of the craft I was cast away in. And I can say I heard of Elizabeth's marriage from somebody I met in New Zealand. I'll manage all right.”
The master of the Swallow gazed at him in helpless fascination.
“They want hands on the Golden Cloud,” he said, slowly; “but what about your discharges?”
“I can get those,” said Flower, complacently; “a man with money and brains can do anything. ”

“ It's a sacred promise.”
“Besides, you want to,” said Fraser, by no means in the mood to allow his superior any credit in the matter, “else you wouldn't do it.”
“You don't know me, Jack,” said the skipper, more in sorrow than in anger.
“No, I didn't think you were quite so bad,” said the mate, slowly. “Is—Miss Tyrell—fond of you?”
“Of course she is,” said Flower, indignantly; “they all are, that's the worst of it. You were never much of a favourite with the sex, Jack, were you?” ”

“ Miss Tyrell, somewhat taken aback, murmured her gratification.
“I should go in after you,” continued the mate who was loath to depart from the subject, “if it was blowing a gale, and the sea full of sharks.”
“What a blessing it is there are no sharks round our coast,” said Miss Tyrell, in somewhat of a hurry to get away from the mate's heroism. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Saw them in the Indian Ocean when I was an apprentice,” replied Fraser. ”

“ Green taking a jaundiced view of the world from a couple of black eyes, while the fireman openly avowed that only the economical limitations of Nature prevented him from giving him more. Fraser, a prey to gentle melancholy, called them to order once or twice, and then left them to the mate, a man whose talent for ready invective was at once the admiration and envy of his peers. ”