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Table of contents
CHAPTER I INTRODUCES GUY AND HIS FATHER
CHAPTER II WHAT GUY FOUND IN THE BLUE CHEST
CHAPTER III GUY TAKES THE FIRST STEP
CHAPTER IV IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
CHAPTER V AN ADVENTURE IN BOMBAY
CHAPTER VI GUY’S PROGRESS
CHAPTER VII GUY RECEIVES A COMMISSION
CHAPTER VIII FROM BOMBAY TO LIVERPOOL
CHAPTER IX GUY ARRIVES IN LONDON
CHAPTER X AT MILTON SCHOOL
CHAPTER XI AN INDEPENDENT PUPIL
CHAPTER XII HOW VIVIAN ESCAPED
CHAPTER XIII DR. MUSGRAVE RECEIVES INFORMATION
CHAPTER XIV GUY FENWICK REACHES MILTON SCHOOL
CHAPTER XV DR. MUSGRAVE’S HUMILIATION
CHAPTER XVI GUY FINISHES UP HIS BUSINESS IN LONDON
CHAPTER XVII HOW THINGS WENT ON IN BAYPORT
CHAPTER XVIII WILY DEACON CRANE
CHAPTER XIX PREPARING TO RECEIVE GUY
CHAPTER XX GUY REACHES BAYPORT
CHAPTER XXI DEACON CRANE IS PERPLEXED
CHAPTER XXII THE CAPTAIN OF THE OSPREY
CHAPTER XXIII ON THE WAY TO NEW BEDFORD
CHAPTER XXIV ARRANGING FOR THE VOYAGE
CHAPTER XXV CAPTAIN RICHMOND
CHAPTER XXVI A BRUTAL CAPTAIN
CHAPTER XXVII GUY AND THE CAPTAIN
CHAPTER XXVIII THE ISLAND AT LAST
CHAPTER XXIX ON THE ISLAND
CHAPTER XXX LOOKING FOR TREASURE
CHAPTER XXXI A STARTLING SUGGESTION
CHAPTER XXXII LUKE CLARK MAKES A DISCOVERY
CHAPTER XXXIII THE END OF JOHN WOLF’S NARRATIVE
CHAPTER XXXIV HOW SUCCESS BECAME FAILURE
CHAPTER XXXV THE CRUISE OF THE OSPREY
CHAPTER XXXVI RESCUED
CHAPTER XXXVII DIVIDING THE TREASURE
CHAPTER XXXVIII BACK IN BAYPORT
CHAPTER I INTRODUCES GUY AND HIS FATHER
“
I
wish I could send you to college, Guy,” said Mr. Fenwick, as they
sat in the library, reading by the soft light of a student
lamp.The
speaker was the Rev. Mr. Fenwick, the pastor of a church in
Bayport,
a few miles from New Bedford, Massachusetts.
“
I
don’t think I care much about going to college, father,” said
Guy, a bright, manly, broad-shouldered boy of sixteen.
“
When
I was of your age, Guy,” replied his father, “I was already a
student of Harvard. You are ready for college, but my means are not
sufficient to send you there.”
“
Don’t
worry about that, father. There are other paths to success than
through college.”
“
I
am rather surprised to hear you speak so indifferently, Guy. At the
academy you are acknowledged to be the best Latin and Greek scholar
they have had for years.”
“
That
may be, father.”
“
It
is so. The principal so assured me, and he would not misrepresent
just to please me.”
“
I
am glad that I have so good a reputation.”
“
With
such qualifications it seems certain you would achieve success in
college, graduate high, and, in time, become a distinguished
professional man, or perhaps professor.”
“
Perhaps
I might; but, father, in spite of my taste for study, I have one
taste still stronger.”
“
What
is that?”
“
A
taste for adventure. I want to see the world, to visit strange
countries, to become acquainted with strange people.”As
the boy spoke his face became flushed and animated.Mr.
Fenwick looked surprised.
“
Certainly,”
he said, “you don’t get this taste from me. When I was a boy I
used to stay indoors to read and study. I cared nothing for the
sports and games that interested my school companions.”Guy
smiled.
“
I
believe you, father,” he said. “You don’t go out half enough
now. Instead of shutting yourself up in your study, you would be
stronger and healthier if you would walk five miles a day.”Mr.
Fenwick slightly shuddered.He
was a pale, thin man, with an intellectual look, but had the air of
a
scholar and a recluse.
“
I
couldn’t do it, Guy,” he said. “Even if I walk a mile, I feel
that it is a hardship. It is tame and monotonous. I don’t see where
you get your red cheeks and exuberant spirits from.”
“
From
my mother’s family, I think, father.”
“
Very
likely. Your mother was bright and animated when I married her, but
she broke down under the manifold duties and engagements of a
minister’s wife.”
“
That
is true. Poor mother!”Guy
sighed, and his bright face looked sorrowful, for it was only a
twelvemonth since his mother was laid away in the little graveyard
at
Bayport.
“
You
look very much like your uncle George, your mother’s brother, as he
was at your age.”
“
He
became a sailor?”
“
Yes.
He had an extraordinary love for the sea. If he had been content to
live on land and follow some mercantile business, he would, in all
probability, be living to-day.”
“
How
did he die?”
“
He
took a fever at some infected port, and died on shipboard. The poor
fellow was still a comparatively young man, little more than
thirty,
and it seemed sad that he should be cut off at such an early
age.”
“
Was
his body brought home?”
“
No.
Sailors are superstitious, and they don’t like to sail in a ship
that has a dead body on board. So poor George was sewed up in a
sack,
and committed to the ocean depths. His chest was sent to us, and is
stored in the attic.”
“
Have
you ever opened it?”
“
Yes,
I opened it, but didn’t examine the contents. Probably there was
nothing except a sailor’s plain outfit. As to money, George was not
a man to save anything. He was extravagant and prodigal, like most
of
his class.”
“
Was
he a common sailor?”
“
No;
he was second mate, and received fair wages. He did not have your
education, but had good native talent, but nothing could divert him
from his plan of going to sea.”
“
Well,
father, I suppose there must be sailors. You would hardly want
everybody to go to college?”
“
No,
Guy.”
“
Even
if they were qualified.”
“
Still,
I should not care to have my son a sailor.”
“
I
don’t care to be one, father, but I own I should like to take a
single voyage—a good long one—so as to see a little of the world.
I think, after that, I should be more content to settle down to
some
business on shore. By the way, father, is there any objection to my
examining the contents of Uncle George’s chest?”
“
I
have no objection, Guy; but I think it will hardly repay you for
the
time.”
“
My
time isn’t of very much importance just now. Somehow I have a great
desire to see if I can find anything that will throw light on my
uncle’s life and character.”
“
Very
well, Guy; do as you like. And now, I must get to work on my sermon
for next Sunday. It is Friday evening, and I must make progress, as
I
may have one of my bad headaches to-morrow.”
“
Can
I help you, father?” asked Guy, with a humorous smile.Mr.
Fenwick smiled, too. Though so different in temperament, he was
really fond and proud of his lively son.
“
I
hardly think your additions would be for the edification of my
people,” he said.
“
Perhaps
they might suit some of the young folks,” suggested Guy.
“
Doubtless
they would. If you would like to try your hand at sermon writing
you
can write a sermon and submit it to me. If suitable, I will preach
it, and give you credit for it.”Guy
laughed.
“
I’ll
think of it, father,” he said. “I am going to make a call on one
of my schoolmates, and will leave you to do your writing
undisturbed.”The
schoolmate with whom Guy spent his evening was Tom Todd, a boy of
about his own age. He had a sister some ten years older than
himself,
who was a teacher in one of the Bayport schools. She, as well as
Tom,
liked the bright son of the minister, and he received a cordial
greeting from both.
“
So
you have got through school life, Guy?” she said.
“
Yes,
Miss Todd.”
“
And
you are fitted for college? Does your father think of Harvard for
you?”
“
He
would like to have me go, but there are two objections in the
way.”
“
What
are they?”
“
First,
he can’t afford the expense.”
“
What
is the second?”
“
I
have no desire to go.”
“
That
is the most important. If you really desired to go, I think you
could
borrow money enough somewhere, for you are acknowledged to be an
excellent scholar.”
“
Thank
you for the compliment; but it is no disappointment to me not to
go,
though it is to my father. He is a regular bookworm, you
know.”
“
I
know that he is not practical.”
“
Come,
Guy, let us have our game of checkers,” said Tom. “Let me see, I
beat you last time.”
“
Then
it is my turn to beat you now.”The
boys played for an hour and a half, then Guy rose to go.
“
What
is your hurry? It is early yet.”
“
That
is true, but father is nervous, and he doesn’t like to have me out
after half past nine o’clock. I left him writing his sermon for
Sunday.”
“
Why
don’t you offer to help him, Guy?” asked Tom, with a smile.
“
I
did.”
“
Really
and truly?” said Tom, laughing.
“
Yes;
really and truly.”
“
I
suppose,” remarked Miss Todd, “he did not accept your
offer?”
“
No;
he thought that what I would write would not be edifying.”
“
If
you would write a sermon, Guy, I would go to hear it,” said
Tom.
“
And
I, too,” added his sister, the teacher.
“
Then
I should be sure of a congregation of two. Well, I will think of
it.”Guy
took his hat to go.
“
I
will walk with you part way,” said Tom. “It is pleasant out, and
I shall sleep the better for a walk.”
“
I
shall be glad of your company, Tom.”When
they were outside, Tom said, “I had an object in proposing to walk
with you to-night, Guy. There is something I wanted to tell
you.”
“
Go
ahead, Tom.”
“
I
think it is something you ought to know. I was walking home from
singing school the other evening, when I came up behind Deacon
Crane
and another member of the church, Mr. Job Wilkins. I didn’t hear
the first part of the conversation, but as I came within hearing I
heard Deacon Crane say: ‘Yes, Brother Wilkins, I have thought for
some time that the best interests of the church required that we
should have a younger minister, who would stir up the people and
draw
in a larger number.’”Guy
flushed with indignation.
“
Deacon
Crane said that?” he ejaculated. “Why, he pretends to be one of
father’s best friends.”
“
I
think it is a pretense,” said Tom.
“
Poor
father! If he should hear this it would almost break his heart. He
is
so fond of the people here.”
“
It
is a shame; but don’t worry too much over it. I am sure the
majority of the parish don’t wish any change.”In
spite of this assurance, Guy went home in a sober frame of
mind.
CHAPTER II WHAT GUY FOUND IN THE BLUE CHEST
Mr.
Fenwick was only forty-eight years old, but his sedate and
scholarly
manner gave him an appearance of being several years older.It
came to Guy as a shock that his father should be considered too old
by his parish, and that there should be any movement in favor of a
younger minister. He knew that his father was dependent on his
salary, having very little property. A change would be disastrous
to
him.
“
I
wish I were rich,” he thought, “so that I could relieve father
from any anxiety about money matters. It is lucky I don’t want to
go to college, for if I did, it would be a good many years before I
could even support myself.”The
next morning, after breakfast, Guy thought of his sailor uncle, and
the curiosity again seized him to find out the contents of the
chest
up in the attic.He
went up the narrow stairs leading to the garret, and found himself
in
a large room covering the entire extent of the house, for the attic
had never been finished off or divided into chambers. There were
piles of old papers and magazines in one corner, old mildewed
garments hanging from nails in the rafters, and two or three old
rusty trunks.But
none of them attracted Guy’s attention. He was looking for his
uncle’s chest.At
last he found it—a typical sailor’s chest, painted blue, showing
signs of wear, for it had accompanied his uncle for years.Guy’s
face lighted up, and he hurried toward it.He
thought it might be locked, but he was glad to find that the lock
seemed to have been broken, so that he had no difficulty in lifting
the lid and examining the contents.There
was nothing unusual about these. They consisted of the plain outfit
of a sailor.There
were one or two books. One of them was a Bible, which had been
presented to his uncle George by his mother at the time he left
home
on his first voyage.Guy
lifted it carefully, for he had been taught to reverence the Bible.
Then he saw underneath, an envelope of large size, unmarked on the
outside.Opening
this, he found a large sheet of paper, folded lengthwise, with
writing upon it. Lying inside was a smaller piece of paper, also
written over, the handwriting being that of his uncle
George.This
Guy read first. The contents interested him exceedingly.The
paper is subjoined.What
I am writing here may or may not be of interest or value, yet it
may
prove of importance to those who may read it, though it is possible
this will not be till after my death. Last year (from the date Guy
saw that it was the year before his death) among my mates on the
good
ship Cyprus was a dark, thin man, the darkest in complexion, I
think,
that I ever met outside the negro race.No
one on board knew him, nor did any of us get well acquainted with
him, for he was very silent and reserved, and did not care to make
friends or confidants. Yet he did his duty well. No fault could be
found with him. He did not become a favorite, as he did not care to
talk or be sociable with the rest of the sailors. We could not help
respecting him, however, as one who strictly minded his own
business,
and never in any way interfered with others.This
man’s name was Antonio Smith, or Tony, as we should have called him
if we had been sufficiently intimate. The two names did not go well
together, and one day I asked him why it was that he had two such
names.
“
It
is easily explained,” he said. “My father was an Englishman,
named Smith, but my mother was an Italian woman.”
“
That
explains your being so dark,” I said.
“
Yes,
I suppose so,” he answered.He
did not confide in me to any further extent. As far as I could
observe, he seemed moody and morbid. It seemed as if he had
something
on his mind—something of a disagreeable nature.Well,
toward the end of the voyage he had a bad fall. He was helping to
furl sails when another sailor above him lost his hold, and fell on
him. This made Antonio lose his hold also, and he dropped to the
deck, striking his head.It
is a wonder he was not immediately killed. As it was he was fatally
injured, as it proved, and was removed to his bunk in a dying
condition. I pitied the poor fellow, and as much time as my duties
would permit I spent at his side, trying to make him
comfortable.One
evening he looked at me earnestly, and asked: “Do you think that I
can live, George?”I
shook my head. “I don’t want to deceive you,” I answered, “and
I will tell you the truth.”
“
It
is what I want to hear,” he said.
“
The
doctor says you can’t live.”He
showed no agitation, but said, thoughtfully: “That is what I
thought.”After
a pause he continued: “Before I die there is something I want to
confide to someone. You have been a friend to me, and you are the
one
I choose, if you don’t mind, to listen to what I have to
say.”
“
I
will hear it,” I said, “and if it is a message to anyone in whom
you are interested I will engage to deliver it, if
possible.”
“
No,
there is no one in whom I am interested,” he answered. “All who
once knew me are dead, or at all events are dead to me. But I have
a
secret which I once thought would be of value to me, and may be of
value to you, whom I constitute my heir.”All
this seemed very queer to me, and I half thought that the sick man
might be wandering in mind. He went on: “You must know, George, and
this is my first secret, that for five years I sailed under the
black
flag, and was a pirate!”I
looked astounded, as well I might, and he continued:
“
I
see you look surprised, but you are not more surprised than I was
when I found myself enrolled as a member of a piratical crew. I
shipped on board the Vulture, supposing it to be an ordinary
merchantman. It was not till I got well out to sea that I learned
the
true character of the vessel. Then I was asked to sign as a member
of
the crew, and knowing well it would be dangerous to refuse, I
agreed.
“
After
a while I got reconciled, in a measure, to my position. I found it
more profitable than the post of an ordinary seaman, and yet not so
much so as might be supposed. While the booty taken was very large,
it was not all divided between the officers and men. There was a
considerable portion that was set aside as a fund to be divided
some
time between us when we disbanded. For not one of the officers or
men
expected always to continue pirates. Some day we hoped to give up
this outlaw’s life and become respectable citizens, living in ease
and luxury on our share of the booty. No one would be the
wiser.
“
I
was an Englishman, and I looked forward to returning to my native
village in Devonshire, marrying, and settling down. There was a
farm
on which I had my eye, and an old schoolmate—a farmer’s
daughter—whom I thought I could induce to marry me when I returned
rich.”
“
But
where was this booty, as you call it, concealed?” I asked.
“
That
is what I was coming to. It was concealed on a small island east by
north from the great island of Madagascar, which, as you know, lies
southeast of the African continent. There is a group of islands
there. None of us, that is, none of the ordinary sailors, knew the
name of the island, if it had any. But I have thought it over, and
consulted maps, and to the best of my reckoning it is one of the
Agalegas Islands in about 57 degrees east longitude, and a little
more than 10 degrees south latitude. I estimate that it may be a
few
hundred miles from Cape Amber, the northern extremity of
Madagascar.”
“
Did
you often go there—that is, did the ship often touch there?”
“
Every
few months, when we had a good supply of money and articles to
leave
there.”
“
I
suppose there was quite a valuable collection of articles stored
there?”
“
I
can’t tell the value, but there were chests full of gold and silver
coins, boxes of bankbills, and merchandise of the rarest and most
valuable description.”
“
Is
it there now, or has it been divided?”
“
It
is there yet.”
“
How
came you to leave the pirate ship?”
“
I
did not leave it till I was compelled to do so.”
“
How
is that? Were you discharged? I should hardly think the officers
would have dared to let you go, considering your knowledge as to
the
character of the ship.”
“
You
are right there. They would not have dared to do so, but the
Almighty, whose laws had been so flagrantly defied, interfered.
There
came on a terrible storm when we were cruising in the Indian Ocean.
It was so violent and unexpected that we were by no means prepared
to
meet it.
“
In
the course of three hours the staunch ship Vulture became a wreck,
and the crew who manned it were forced to take to the boats. There
were three of these. The captain was in one, the first mate in the
second, and the boatswain in the third. The sea was so rough that
the
first and second boats were swamped before our eyes. I was in the
third. When the storm abated it was still afloat. I was one of the
men on board.
“
For
a week we drifted about, suffering everything from hunger and
thirst,
for we were able to carry but scanty stores of food and water. One
by
one I saw my comrades die, but having, perhaps, the best
constitution, unimpaired by excesses of any kind, I survived—the
last of eight men. I was very near death when I was picked up by an
American ship. Of course, I did not say a word as to the character
of
the vessel to which I belonged, and those who rescued me were not
too
inquisitive, so I reached New York without divulging any secrets.
But
my great secret was that, as the last survivor of the piratical
crew,
I was the heir and sole possessor of the treasure stored on the
island!”
CHAPTER III GUY TAKES THE FIRST STEP
Guy
drew a long breath when he had read thus far in the manuscript, and
then plunged into it again.When
I heard this stated I could not help feeling an emotion of pity for
the poor fellow who would never have the benefit of the large
treasure to which he had become heir. I could not understand
exactly
why he had revealed all this to me, but he soon made it
plain.
“
I
shall not live to enjoy it,” he continued, “but I don’t want
the secret to die with me. I would like to have it benefit someone
not utterly a stranger. You have been kind to me, and to you I will
give all right and will to this great property.”
“
But
how shall I find it?” I asked.
“
I
have prepared a document,” he replied, “in which I describe the
island, and the particular part of the island where the treasure is
concealed. Put your hand into the pocket of my blouse, and you will
feel a folded paper. Take it, and some day I hope you will be
fortunate enough to find the place where the booty is
secreted.”I
thanked him, though I was almost too bewildered to realize that a
secret had been communicated to me that might make me fabulously
rich.That
very night Antonio died. His body was sewed up in a sack, as is the
custom, and thrown into the sea. Of all who witnessed it, I was the
only one who had a kindly feeling of regret for the poor
fellow.Whether
I shall ever be able to make any use of this information, I do not
know. It would require a considerable outlay in money to fit out an
expedition, and I have very little chance of inducing anyone to
make
this outlay. I have, however, written out an account of the
sailor’s
revelation to me, in the hope that someone, perhaps after my death,
may seek and obtain a treasure which I think must be of fabulous
amount.(Signed)
George Brandon.Guy
read this letter with breathless interest. He took in the full
importance of its contents.He
realized that by the death of his uncle he became the next heir to
this far-away treasure. What should he do about it? With him there
was the same embarrassment and the same difficulty that his uncle
had
experienced.The
treasure he fully believed in, but it was located thousands of
miles
away on a small island in the Indian Ocean.It
was tantalizing to reflect that it existed, and might make him
rich,
when it seemed wholly beyond his grasp. All the capital he could
command was about twenty-five dollars in the Bayport Savings
Bank.The
next question was: Should he tell his father of the discovery he
had
made? It might be his duty to do so. He did not know as to
that.His
father had given him full permission to open and examine the chest
and its contents. Possibly the papers and the secret belonged to
him,
but he knew very well that they would be of no earthly benefit to a
quiet country minister who lived in his books and his study.To
him—Guy—on the other hand, it might prove of value. He did not
know when or how, but he was young, and to the young all things are
possible.So,
after thinking the matter over fully, Guy resolved to keep the
matter
secret.He
glanced at the second paper, and found that it was a minute
description of the island, but he had not got far enough along to
feel interested in this. It would keep.Guy
went downstairs slowly, plunged in thought. He hoped his father
would
not ask about the contents of the chest, but he need not have felt
alarmed. The matter had passed entirely out of the minister’s
thoughts.In
order the better to think over the wonderful revelation, Guy went
out
for a stroll. Like many older persons, he found a walk was
favorable
to thought.He
walked slowly up the street to the post office. At the corner of
the
second street, just opposite the dry goods store, he met a boy whom
he had never liked.It
was Noah Crane, the son of Deacon Crane, already referred to as
desiring a younger minister.The
thought of the deacon’s wish to drive his father from Bayport was
not calculated to increase Guy’s friendship for the son. Yet he
would be courteous, being naturally a gentleman.
“
Where
are you going, Guy?” asked Noah.
“
I
am only taking a walk.”
“
Some
other people may have to take a walk,” said Noah, with a coarse
laugh.
“
What
do you mean?” asked Guy, coloring, for he knew to what the deacon’s
son referred.
“
Oh,
I guess I’d better not tell,” replied Noah, in a tantalizing
tone.
“
Just
as you please,” said Guy, coolly.Noah
was disappointed, for he wanted Guy to ask him a question which he
was very ready to answer. Guy’s indifference piqued him.
“
You’ll
know soon enough,” added Crane.
“
In
that case I will be content to wait.”
“
I
don’t know that I have any objection to tell, though. I mean your
father.”
“
Take
care how you talk about my father,” said Guy, angrily. “I won’t
stand it.”
“
Oh,
is your father so high and mighty that he can’t be spoken
about?”
“
He
can be spoken about—respectfully.”
“
I
suppose you think he’s a great man because he’s a minister.”
“
I
rank a minister higher than a deacon,” retorted Guy,
quietly.
“
You
do, hey? Why, my father could buy out your father two or three
times
over.”
“
That
may be; but what does that prove?”
“
It
proves that you’d better be careful how you talk. I heard my father
say the other day that the people wanted a new minister—a young man
that would make things lively. I shouldn’t wonder if your father’d
have to take a walk before long.”
“
And
I am certain that you’ll have to walk pretty fast if you don’t
want to feel the force of my fists.”Guy
advanced toward Noah so menacingly that the latter took counsel of
prudence and retreated hastily.
“
Keep
away from me, you bully!” he cried, “or I’ll tell my
father!”Guy
laughed, and walked away, not caring to have any difficulty with
Noah. What the deacon’s son had said, however, furnished him food
for reflection.Things
began to look serious. There was evidently a movement on foot to
get
rid of his father, and this movement was headed by Deacon Crane, a
man of influence in the parish and the town.
“
If
I could only get hold of this treasure, say within a year,” thought
Guy, “I would snap my fingers at the deacon. It would make me rich,
and if I were rich my father would be rich, too, and independent of
the parish.”The
“if,” however, though a very short word, was a very important
one. It seemed about as practicable to go in search of the treasure
as to undertake a journey to the moon, and no more so.When
Guy went home to dinner he found Captain Grover, an old schoolmate
of
his father, a guest at the parsonage.The
captain and his family lived in New Bedford, and he was about to
start on a voyage from there. Happening to be in Bayport on a
little
private business, he called on the minister. Unlike some
shipmasters,
he was a man of a kindly nature, and was a favorite with
Guy.
“
So
here is Guy,” he said, as the boy entered. “Bless my soul, Guy, I
shouldn’t have known you if I had met you out of Bayport, you have
grown so. What are you going to do with him, Brother
Fenwick?”
“
I
would like to send him to Harvard, John,” replied the minister,
“but there doesn’t seem to be any chance of that,” he added,
with a sigh.
“
Why
not?”
“
Because
I am not rich enough.”
“
Oh,
well, college is all very well, but there are other things that are
good for a boy. If I had a son, I don’t think I would send him to
college.”
“
I
agree with you, Captain Grover,” said Guy, promptly.
“
Your
uncle George was a sailor?”
“
Yes,
sir.”
“
Did
you ever think you would like to go to sea?”
“
I
don’t think I should like to be a sailor, but I should like to go
to sea for a single voyage.”
“
It
would do you good. You’d learn more in a year at sea than in double
the time on land.”
“
So
I think, sir. When do you start on your next voyage?”
“
Next
week.”
“
In
what direction shall you go?”
“
I
shall go to India—probably stopping at Bombay.”
“
Will
your course lie through the Indian Ocean?” asked Guy,
eagerly.
“
Yes.”
“
I
always wished I could sail over the Indian Ocean,” said Guy.
“
Yes,
it is an interesting voyage. Are you through school?”
“
Yes;
I finished last week.”
“
Then
I’ll tell you what, Guy; if your father’ll let you go, I’ll
take you.”
“
Oh,
father, may I go?” asked Guy, in a tone of earnest appeal.
“
Go
to India?” exclaimed the minister, bewildered by the
suggestion.
“
Yes;
it would make me very happy.”In
the end, Guy, seconded by the captain, carried his point, and
obtained his father’s consent. He had, as we know, his own reasons
for wishing to make this voyage. It was something more than a boy’s
love of adventure.The
next week the Osprey sailed with Guy as a passenger. He quickly
established himself as a favorite with the sailors. He was so
bright,
handsome, and intelligent, that he seemed like a gleam of sunshine,
making the whole ship cheerful.He
cultivated the acquaintance of the crew, plying them with
questions,
and often might be seen engaged in an animated discussion with
veteran sailors who were always ready to spin a yarn for
him.Captain
Grover viewed all this with an indulgent smile.
“
I
am afraid, Guy,” he said one day, with a laugh, “that you are
picking up so much knowledge you will try to supersede me on the
next
voyage.”
“
It
will take more than one voyage to qualify me for a captain,”
returned Guy. “Still, if you need help, call on me.”
CHAPTER IV IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
Day followed day, and week
succeeded week, and the good ship Osprey kept steadily on her way.
Guy was not seasick, rather to his own surprise.
“ You seem to be cut out for a sailor. Guy,” said the
captain.
“ I don’t know about that.”
“ You enjoy the sea, do y [...]