on the next flood. Waiting for a wind in port is lubberly ...

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Pros. Why,that’smyspirit!Butwasnotthisnighshore?Ariel. Closeby,mymaster.Pros. Butarethey,Ariel,safe?Ariel. Notahairperished:Tempest.

“D’yeherethere,Mr.Mulford?”calledoutCapt.StephenSpike,ofthehalf-rigged,brigantineSwash,orMollySwash,aswasherregisteredname,tohismate—“weshallbedroppingoutassoonasthetidemakes,andIintendtogetthroughtheGate,atleast,on the next flood. Waiting for a wind in port is lubberly seamanship, for he that wants oneshouldgooutsideandlookforit.”

ThiscallwasutteredfromawharfoftherenownedcityofManhattan,toonewhowasinthetrunk-cabinofaclipper-lookingcraft,ofthenamementioned,andonthedeckofwhichnotasoulwasvisible.Norwasthewharf,thoughoneofthosewoodenpiersthatlinethearmoftheseathatiscalledtheEastRiver,suchaspotasordinarilypresentsitselftothemindofthereader,orlistener,whenanallusionismadetoawharfofthattownwhichitisthefashionofthetimestocalltheCommercialEmporiumofAmerica—asiftheremightverywellbeanemporiumofanyothercharacter.Thewharfinquestionhadnotasinglevesselofanysortlyingat,orindeedverynearit,withtheexceptionoftheMollySwash.Asitactuallystoodontheeasternsideofthetown,itisscarcelynecessarytosaythatsuchawharfcouldonlybefoundhighup,andataconsiderabledistancefromtheusualhauntsofcommerce.Thebriglaymorethana

Part 1: Chapter 1

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Jack Tier: Part 1, Chapter 1

mileabovetheHook(Corlaer’s,ofcourse,ismeant—notSandyHook)andquiteneartotheoldAlmsHouse—farabovetheship-yards,infact.Itwasasolitaryplaceforavessel,inthemidstofacrowd.Thegrumtop-chainvoiceofCaptainSpikehadnothingtheretominglewith,orinterruptitsharshtones,anditinstantlybroughtondeckHarryMulford,themateinquestion,apparentlyeagertoreceivehisorders.

“Didyouhail,CaptainSpike?”calledoutthemate,atight,well-grown,straight-built,handsomesailor-ladoftwoorthree-and-twenty—onefullofhealth,strengthandmanliness.

“Hail!Ifyoucallstrainingaman’sthroatuntilhe’shoarse,hailing,IbelieveIdid.I flatter myself, there is not a man north of Hatteras that can make himself heard further ingaleofwindthanacertaingentlemanwhoistobefoundwithinafootofthespotwhereIstand.Yet,sir,I’vebeenhailingtheSwash these five minutes, and thankful am I to find some one at last who is on board to answer me.”

“Whatareyourorders,Capt.Spike?”“To see all clear for a start as soon as the flood makes. I shall go through the Gate

on the next young flood, and I hope you’ll have all the hands aboard in time. I see two orthreeofthemupatthatDutchbeer-house,thismoment,andcantell’em;inplainlanguage,iftheycomeherewiththeirbeeraboardthem,they’llhavetogoashoreagain.”

“Youhaveanuncommonlysobercrew,Capt.Spike,”answeredtheyoungman,withgreatcalmness.“DuringthewholetimeIhavebeenwiththem,Ihavenotseenamanamongthemtheleastinthewind.”

“Well,IhopeitwillturnoutthatI’veanuncommonlysobermateinthebargain.DrunkennessIabominate,Mr.Mulford,andIcantellyou,shortmetre,thatIwillnotstandit.”

“May I inquire if you ever saw me, the least in the world, under the influence of liquor, Capt. Spike?” demanded the mate, rather than asked, with a very fixed meaning inhismanner.

“I keep no log-book of trifles, Mr. Mulford, and cannot say. No man is the worse forbowsingouthisjibwhenoffduty,thoughadrunkard’sathingIdespise.Well,well—remember,sir,thattheMollySwash casts off on the young flood, and that Rose Buddandthegoodlady,heraunt,takepassageinher,thisv’y’ge.”

“Isitpossiblethatyouhavepersuadedthemintothat,atlast!”exclaimedthehandsomemate.

“Persuaded!Ittakesnogreatpersuasion,sir,togettheladiestotrytheirluckinthatbrig.LadyWashingtonherself,ifshewasaliveanddisposedtoasea-v’y’ge,might

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begladofthechance.We’vealadies’cabin,youknow,andit’ssuitablethatitshouldhavesomeonetooccupyit.OldMrs.Buddisasensiblewoman,andtakestimebytheforelock.Roseisailin’—pulmonarytheycallit,Ibelieve,andherauntwishestotrytheseaforherconstitution—”

“RoseBuddhasnomoreofapulmonaryconstitutionthanIhavemyself,”interruptedthemate.

“Well,that’saspeoplefancy.Youmustknow,Mr.Mulford,they’vegotallsortsofdiseasesnow-a-days,andallsortsofcuresfor’em.OnesortofacureforconsumptioniswhattheytarmtheHyder-Ally—”

“Ithinkyoumustmeanhydropathy,sir—”“Wellit’ssomethingofthesort,nomatterwhat—butcoldwaterisatthebottomof

it,andtheydosayit’sagoodremedy.NowRose’sauntthinksifcoldwateriswhatiswanted,thereisnoplacewhereitcanbesoplentyasoutontheocean.Sea-airisgood,too,andbytakingav’y’geherniecewillgetbothrequisitestogether,andcheap.”

“DoesRoseBuddthinkherselfconsumptive,Capt.Spike?”askedMulford,withinterest.

“Notshe—youknowitwillneverdotoalarmapulmonary,soMrs.Buddhasheldhertonguecarefullyonthesubjectbeforetheyoungwoman.Rosefanciesthatherauntisoutofsorts,andthatthev’y’geistriedonheraccount—buttheaunt,thecunningthing,knowsallaboutit.”

Mulfordalmostnauseatedtheexpressionofhiscommander’scountenancewhileSpikeutteredthelastwords.Atnotimewasthatcountenanceveryinviting,thefeaturesbeingcoarseandvulgar,whilethecoloroftheentirefacewasofanambiguousred,inwhichliquorandtheseasonswouldseemtobeblendedinveryequalquantities.Suchacountenance,lightedupbyagleamofsuccessfulmanagement,nottosaywithhopesandwishesthatitwillhardlydotodwellon,couldnotbutberevoltingtoayouthofHarryMulford’sgenerousfeelings,andmostofalltoonewhoentertainedthesentimentswhichhewasquiteconsciousofentertainingforRoseBudd.Theyoungmanmadenoreply,butturnedhisfacetowardthewater,inordertoconcealtheexpressionofdisgustthathewassensiblemustbestronglydepictedonit.

Theriver,asthewell-knownarmoftheseainwhichtheSwashwaslyingiserroneouslytermed,wasjustatthatmomentunusuallyclearofcraft,andnotasail,largerthanthatofaboat,wastobeseenbetweentheendofBlackwell’sIslandandCorlaer’sHook,adistanceofaboutaleague.Thisstagnationinthemovementoftheport, at that particular point, was owing to the state of wind and tide. Of the first, there

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waslittlemorethanasoutherlyair,whilethelastwasabouttwo-thirdsebb.Nearlyeverythingthatwasexpectedonthattide,coast-wise,andbythewayoftheSound,hadalreadyarrived,andnothingcouldgoeastward,withthatlightbreezeandundercanvas, until the flood made. Of course it was different with the steamers, who were paddlingaboutlikesomanyducks,steeringinalldirections,thoughmostlycrossingandre-crossingattheferries.JustasMulfordturnedawayfromhiscommander,however,alargevesselofthatclassshovedherbowsintotheview,doublingtheHook,and going eastward. The first glance at this vessel sufficed to drive even Rose Budd momentarilyoutofthemindsofbothmasterandmate,andtogiveanewcurrenttotheirthoughts.Spikehadbeenonthepointofwalkingupthewharf,buthenowsofarchangedhispurposeasactuallytojumponboardofthebrigandspringupalongsideofhismate,onthetaffrail,inordertogetabetterlookatthesteamer.Mulford,wholoathedsomuchinhiscommander,wasactuallygladofthis,Spike’sraremeritasaseamanformingasortofattractionthatheldhim,asitmightbeagainsthisownwill,boundtohisservice.

“Whatwilltheydonext,Harry?”exclaimedthemaster,hismannerandvoiceactuallyhumanized,inairandsoundatleast,bythisunexpectedviewofsomethingnewinhiscalling—“Whatwilltheydonext?”

“Iseenowheels,sir,noranymovementinthewaterastern,asifshewereapropeller,”returnedtheyoungman.

“She’sanout-of-the-waysortofahussy!She’saman-of-war,too—oneofUncleSam’snewefforts.”

“Thatcanhardlybe,sir.UncleSamhasbutthreesteamers,ofanysizeorforce,nowtheMissouriisburned;andyonderisoneofthem,lyingattheNavyYard,whileanotheris,orwaslately,laidupatBoston.ThethirdisintheGulf.Thismustbeanentirelynewvessel,ifshebelongtoUncleSam.”

“New!She’sasnewasaGovernor,andtheytellmethey’vegotsonowthatthey choose five or six of them, up at Albany, every fall. That craft is sea-going, Mr. Mulford,asanyonecantellataglance.She’snoneofyourpassenger-hoys.”

“That’splainenough,sir—andshe’sarmed.Perhapsshe’sEnglish,andthey’vebroughtherhereintothisopenspottotrysomenewmachinery.Ay,ay!she’sabouttosetherensigntothenavymenattheyard,andweshallseetowhomshebelongs.”

Along,low,expressivewhistlefromSpikesucceededthisremark,thecoloursofthesteamergoinguptotheendofagaffonthesternmostofherschooner-riggedmasts,justasMulfordceasedspeaking.Therewasjustairenough,aidedbythesteamer’s

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motion,toopenthebunting,andletthespectatorsseethedesign.Therewerethestarsandstripes,asusual,butthelastranperpendicularly,insteadofinahorizontaldirection.

“Revenue,byGeorge!”exclaimedthemaster,assoonashisbreathwasexhaustedinthewhistle.“Whowouldhavebelievedtheycouldscrewthemselvesuptodoingsuchathinginthatbloodyservice?”

“InowremembertohaveheardthatUncleSamwasbuildingsomelargesteamersfortherevenueservice,and,ifImistakenot,withsomenewinventiontogetalongwith,thatisneitherwheelnorpropeller.Thismustbeoneofthesenewcraft,broughtouthere,intoopenwater,justtotryher,sir.”

“You’reright,sir,you’reright.Astothenatur’ofthebeast,youseeherbuntin’,and no honest man can want more. If there’s anything I do hate, it is that flag, with its unnat’ralstripes,upanddown,insteadofrunninginthetrueoldway.Ihaveheardalawyer say, that the revenue flag of this country is onconstitutional, and that a vessel carryingitonthehighseasmightbesentinforpiracy.”

AlthoughHarryMulfordwasneitherPuffendorf,norGrotius,hehadtoomuchcommonsense,andtoolittleprejudiceinfavourofevenhisownvocation,toswallow such a theory, had fifty Cherry Street lawyers sworn to its justice. A smile crossed his fine, firm-looking mouth, and something very like a reflection of that smile, if smiles can be reflected in one’s own countenance, gleamed in his fine, large, darkeye.

“Itwouldbesomewhatsingular,Capt,Spike,”hesaid,“ifavesselbelongingtoanynationshouldbeseizedasapirate.Thefactthatsheisnationalincharacterwouldclearher.”

“Then let her carry a national flag, and be d—d to her,” answered Spike fiercely. “I can show you law for what I say, Mr. Mulford. The American flag has its stripes fore andaftbylaw,andthischapcarrieshisstripesparpendic’lar.IfIcommandedacruiser,andfellinwithoneoftheseupanddowngentry,blastmeifIwouldn’tjustsendhimintoport,andtrythequestionintheoldAlms-House.”

Mulfordprobablydidnotthinkitworthwhiletoarguethepointanyfurther,understandingthedogmatismandstolidityofhiscommandertoowelltodeemitnecessary.Hepreferredtoturntotheconsiderationofthequalitiesofthesteamerinsight,asubjectonwhich,asseamen,theymightbettersympathize.

“That’sadroll-lookingrevenuecutter,afterall,Capt.Spike,”hesaid—“acraftbetter fitted to go in a fleet, as a look-out vessel, than to chase a smuggler in-shore.”

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“Andnogoerinthebargain!Idonotseehowshegetsalong,forshekeepsallsnugunderwater;but,unlessshecantravelfasterthanshedoesjustnow,theMollySwashwouldsoonlendhertheMotherCarey’sChickensofherownwaketoamuseher.”

“Shehasthetideagainsther,justhere,sir;nodoubtshewoulddobetterinstillwater.”

Spikemutteredsomethingbetweenhisteeth,andjumpeddownondeck,seeminglydismissingthesubjectoftherevenueentirelyfromhismind.Hisold,coarse,authoritativemannerreturned,andheagainspoketohismateaboutRoseBudd,heraunt, the “ladies’ cabin,” the “young flood,” and “casting off,” as soon as the last made. Mulfordlistenedrespectfully,thoughwithamanifestdistastefortheinstructionshewasreceiving.Heknewhisman,andafeelingofdarkdistrustcameoverhim,ashelistenedtohisordersconcerningthefamousaccommodationsheintendedtogivetoRoseBuddandthat“capitaloldlady,heraunt;”hisopinionof“theimmensedealofgoodsea-airandav’y’gewoulddoRose,”andhow“comfortabletheybothwouldbeonboardtheMollySwash.”

“Ihonourandrespect,Mrs.Budd,asmycaptain’slady,yousee,Mr.Mulford,andintendtotreatheraccordin’ly.Sheknowsit—andRoseknowsit—andtheybothdeclarethey’drathersailwithme,sincesailtheymust,thanwithanyothership-masteroutofAmerica.”

“YousailedoncewithCapt.Buddyourself,IthinkIhaveheardyousay,sir?”“Theoldfellowbroughtmeup.Iwaswithhimfrommytenthtomytwentieth

year,andthenbrokeadrifttoseefashions.Wealldothat,youknow,Mr.Mulford,whenweareyoungandambitious,andmyturncameaswellasanother’s.”

“Capt.Buddmusthavebeenagooddealolderthanhiswife,sir,ifyousailedwithhimwhenaboy,”Mulfordobservedalittledrily.

“Yes; I own to forty-eight, though no one would think me more than five or six-and-thirty,tolookatme.TherewasagreatdifferencebetweenoldDickBuddand his wife, as you say, he being about fifty, when he married, and she less than twenty.Fiftyisagoodageformatrimony,inaman,Mulford;asistwentyinayoungwoman.”

“RoseBuddisnotyetnineteen,Ihaveheardhersay,”returnedthemate,withemphasis.

“Youngish,Iwillown,butthat’safaultaliberal-mindedmancanoverlook.Everyday,too,willlessenit.Well,looktothecabins,andseeallclearforastart.Joshwillbedownpresentlywithacart-loadofstores,andyou’lltake’emaboardwithoutdelay.”

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AsSpikeutteredthisorder,hisfootwasontheplank-sheerofthebulwarks,intheactofpassingtothewharfagain.Onreachingtheshore,heturnedandlookedintentlyattherevenuesteamer,andhislipsmoved,asifheweresecretlyutteringmaledictionson her. We say maledictions, as the expression of his fierce ill-favoured countenance tooplainlyshowedthattheycouldnotbeblessings.AsforMulford,therewasstillsomethingonhismind,andhefollowedtothegangwayladderandascendedit,waitingforamomentwhenthemindofhiscommandermightbelessoccupiedtospeak.Theopportunity soon occurred, Spike having satisfied himself with the second look at the steamer.

“Ihopeyoudon’tmeantosailagainwithoutasecondmate,Capt.Spike?”hesaid.“Idothough,Icantellyou.IhateDickies—theyarealwaysintheway,andthe

captainhastokeepjustasmuchofawatchwithoneaswithoutone.”“Thatwilldependonhisquality.YouandIhavebothbeenDickiesinourtime,sir;

andmytimewasnotlongago.”“Ay—ay—Iknowallaboutit—butyoudidn’tsticktoitlongenoughtoget

spoiled.IwouldhavenomanaboardtheSwashwhomademorethantwov’y’gesas second officer. As I want no spies aboard my craft, I’ll try it once more without a Dicky.”

Saying this in a sufficiently positive manner, Capt. Stephen Spike rolled up the wharf,muchasashipgoesoffbeforethewind,nowincliningtotheright,andthenagaintotheleft.Thegaitofthemanwouldhaveproclaimedhimasea-dog,toanyone acquainted with that animal, as far as he could be seen. The short squab figure, the arms bent nearly at right angles at the elbow, and working like two fins with each rollofthebody,thestumpy,solidlegs,withthefeetlookinginthelineofhiscourseandkeptwideapart,wouldallhavecontributedtothemakingupofsuchanopinion.Accustomedashewastothisbeautifulsight,HarryMulfordkepthiseyesrivetedontheretiringpersonofhiscommander,untilitdisappearedbehindapileoflumber,waddlingalwaysinthedirectionofthemorethicklypeopledpartsofthetown.Thenheturnedandgazedatthesteamer,which,bythistime,hadfairlypassedthebrig,andseemedtobeactuallyboundthroughtheGate.Thatsteamerwascertainlyanoble-lookingcraft,butouryoungmanfanciedshestruggledalongthroughthewaterheavily.Shemightbequickatneed,butshedidnotpromiseasmuchbyherpresentrateofmoving.Still,shewasanoble-lookingcraft,and,asMulforddescendedtothedeckagain,healmostregrettedhedidnotbelongtoher;or,atleast,toanythingbuttheMollySwash.

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Twohoursproducedasensiblechangeinandaroundthatbrigantine.Herpeoplehadallcomebacktoduty,andwhatwasveryremarkableamongseafaringfolk,sobertoaman.But,ashasbeensaid,Spikewasatemperanceman,asrespectsallunderhisordersatleast,ifnotstrictlysoinpracticehimself.ThecrewoftheSwashwaslargeforahalf-riggedbrigofonlytwohundredtons,but,ashersparswereverysquare,andallhergearaswellashermouldseemedconstructedforspeed,itwasprobablemorehandsthancommonwerenecessarytoworkherwithfacilityandexpedition.Afterall,therewerenotmanypersonstobeenumeratedamongthe“peopleoftheMollySwash,”astheycalledthemselves;notmorethanadozen,includingthoseaft,aswellasthoseforward.Apeculiarfeatureofthiscrew,however,wasthecircumstancethattheywereallmiddle-agedmen,withtheexceptionofthemate,andallthorough-bredsea-dogs.EvenJosh,thecabin-boy,ashewascalled,wasanold,wrinkled,gray-headednegro,ofnearsixty.Ifthecrewwantedalittleintheelasticityofyouth,itpossessedthesteadinessandexperienceoftheirtimeoflife,everymanappearingtoknowexactlywhattodo,andwhentodoit.This,indeed,composedtheirgreatmerit;anadvantagethatSpikewellknewhowtoappreciate.

Thestoreshadbeenbroughtalongsideofthebriginacart,andwerealreadyshowedintheirplaces.Joshhadbrushedandswept,untiltheladies’cabincouldbemadenoneater.Thisladies’cabinwasasmallapartmentbeneathatrunk,whichwas,ingeniouslyenough,separatedfromthemaincabinbypantriesanddoubledoors.Thearrangementwasunusual,andSpikehadseveraltimeshintedthattherewasahistoryconnectedwiththatcabin;thoughwhatthehistorywasMulfordnevercouldinducehimtorelate.ThelatterknewthatthebrighadbeenusedforaforcedtradeontheSpanishMain,andhadheardsomethingofherdeedsinbringingoffspecie,andproscribedpersons,atdifferentepochsintherevolutionsofthatpartoftheworld,andhehadalwaysunderstoodthatherpresentcommanderandownerhadsailedinher,asmate,formanyyearsbeforehehadrisentohispresentstation.Now,allwasregularinthewayofrecords,billsofsale,andotherdocuments;StephenSpikeappearinginboththecapacitiesjustnamed.TheregisterprovedthatthebrighadbeenbuiltasfarbackasthelastEnglishwar,asaprivatecruiser,butrecentandextensiverepairshadmadeher“betterthannew,”asherownerinsisted,andtherewasnoquestionastohersea-worthiness. It is true the insurance offices blew upon her, and would have nothing to do withacraftthathadseenhertwoscoreyearsandten;butthisgavenonewhobelongedtoheranyconcern,inasmuchastheycouldscarcelyhavebeenunderwrittenintheirtrade,lettheageofthevesselbewhatitmight.Itwasenoughforthemthatthebrig

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wassafeandexceedinglyfast,insurancesneversavingthelivesofthepeople,whateverelsemightbetheiradvantages.WithMulforditwasanadditionalrecommendation,thattheSwashwasusuallythoughttobeofuncommonlyjustproportions.

Byhalf-pasttwo,P.M.,everythingwasreadyforgettingthebrigantineunderway.Herfore-topsail—orforetawsailasSpikecalledit—wasloose,thefastsweresingled,andaspringhadbeencarriedtoapostinthewharf,thatwaswellforwardofthestarboardbow,andthebrig’sheadturnedtothesouthwest,ordownthestream,andconsequently facing the young flood. Nothing seemed to connect the vessel with the landbutabroadgangwayplank,towhichMulfordhadattachedlife-lines,withmorecarethanitisusualtomeetwithonboardofvesselsemployedinshortvoyages.Themenstoodaboutthedeckswiththeirarmsthrustintothebosomsoftheirshirts,andthewholepicturewasoneofsilent,andpossiblyofsomewhatuneasyexpectation.Nothingwassaid,however;Mulfordwalkingthequarter-deckalone,occasionallylookingupthestilllittletenantedstreetsofthatquarterofthesuburbs,asiftosearchforacarriage.Asfortherevenue-steamer,shehadlongbeforegonethroughthesouthernpassageofBlackwell’s,steeringfortheGate.

“Dat’sdem,Mr.Mulford,”Joshatlengthcried,fromthelook-outhehadtakeninastern-port,wherehecouldseeoverthelowbulwarksofthevessel.“Yes,dat’sdem,sir.Iknowdatoldgrayhorsedatcarrieshisheadsolowandsorrowfullike,asahorsehasarighttododathastodragacababoutthisbigtown.Myeye!whatahorseitis,sir!”

Joshwasright,notonlyastothegrayhorsethatcarriedhishead“sorrowfullike,”butastothecabanditscontents.Thevehiclewassoononthewharf,andinitsdoorsoon appeared the short, sturdy figure of Capt. Spike, backing out, much as a bear descendsatree.Ontopofthevehiclewereseverallightarticlesoffemaleappliances,intheshapeofbandboxes,bags,etc,thetrunkshavingpreviouslyarrivedinacart.Wellmightthatover-drivengrayhorseappearsorrowful,andtravelwithaloweredhead.Thecab,whenitgaveupitscontents,discoveredaloadofnolessthanfourpersonsbesidesthedriver,allofweight,andofdimensionsinproportion,withtheexceptionoftheprettyandyouthfulRoseBudd.Evenshewasplump,andofawell-roundedperson;thoughstilllightandslender.Butherauntwasafairpictureofaship-master’swidow;solid,comfortableandbuxom.Neitherwassheold,norugly.Onthecontrary,heryearsdidnotexceedforty,andbeingwellpreserved,inconsequenceof never having been a mother, she might even have passed for thirty-five. The great objection to her appearance was the somewhat indefinite character of her shape, which seemedtoblendtoomanyofitscharmsintoone.Thefourthperson,inthefare,was

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BiddyNoon,theIrishservantandfactotumofMrs.Budd,whowasapock-marked,red-faced,andred-armedsinglewoman,abouthermistress’sownageandweight,thoughlessstouttotheeye.

OfRoseweshallnotstoptosaymuchhere.Herdeep-blueeye,whichwasequallyspiritedandgentle,ifonecanusesuchcontradictoryterms,seemedalivewithinterestandcuriosity,runningoverthebrig,thewharf,thearmofthesea,thetwoislands,andallnearher,includingtheAlms-House,withsuchadevouringrapidityasmightbeexpected in a town-bred girl, who was setting out on her travels for the first time. Let us beunderstood;wesaytown-bred,becausesuchwasthefact;forRoseBuddhadbeenbothbornandeducatedinManhattan,thoughwearefarfromwishingtobeunderstoodthatshewaseitherverywell-born,orhighlyeducated.Herstationinlifemaybeinferredfromthatofheraunt,andhereducationfromherstation.Ofthetwo,thelastwas, perhaps, a trifle the highest.

We have said that the fine blue eye of Rose passed swiftly over the various objects nearher,asshealightedfromthecab,anditnaturallytookintheformofHarryMulford,ashestoodinthegangway,offeringhisarmtoaidherauntandherselfinpassingthebrig’sside.Asmileofrecognitionwasexchangedbetweentheyoungpeople,astheireyesmet,andthecolour,whichformedsobrightacharminRose’ssweetface,deepened,inawaytoprovethatthatcolourspokewithatongueandeloquenceofitsown.NorwasMulford’scheekmuteontheoccasion,thoughhehelpedthehesitating,half-doubting,half-boldgirlalongtheplankwithasteadyhandandrigidmuscles.Asfortheaunt,asacaptain’swidow,shehadnotfeltitnecessarytobetrayanyextraordinaryemotionsinascendingtheplank,unless,indeed,itmightbethoseofdelight on finding her foot once more on the deck of a vessel!

SomethingofthesamefeelinggovernedBiddy,too,for,asMulfordcivillyextendedhishandtoheralso,sheexclaimed—“Nofearofme,Mr.Mate—IcamefromIrelandbywather,andknowsallaboutshipsandbrigs,Ido.Ifyoucouldhaveseenthetimeswehad,andthesaaswecrossed,you’dnotthinkitnadefultosaymuchtothelikesivme.”

Spikehadtactenoughtounderstandhewouldbeoutofhiselementinassistingfemalesalongthatplank,andhewasbusyinsendingwhathecalled“theoldlady’sdunnage”onboard,andindischargingthecabman.Assoonasthiswasdone,hesprangintothemain-channels,andthencevidthebulwarks,ondeck,orderingtheplanktobehauledaboard.Asolitarylabourerwaspaidaquartertothrowoffthefastsfromthering-boltsandposts,andeverythingwasinstantlyinmotiontocastthebrigloose.Work

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wentonasifthevesselwereinhaste,anditconsequentlywentonwithactivity.Spikebestirredhimself,givinghisordersinawaytodenotehehadbeenlongaccustomedtoexerciseauthorityonthedeckofavessel,andknewhiscallingtoitsminuti.Theonlyostensibledifferencebetweenhisdeportmentto-dayandonanyordinaryoccasion,perhaps,wasinthecircumstancethathenowseemedanxioustogetclearofthewharf,andthatinawaywhichmighthaveattractednoticeinanysuspiciousandattentiveobserver.Itispossiblethatsuchaonewasnotverydistant,andthatSpikewasawareofhispresence,forarespectable-looking,well-dressed,middle-agedmanhadcomedownoneoftheadjacentstreets,toaspotwithinahundredyardsofthewharf,andstoodsilentlywatchingthemovementsofthebrig,asheleanedagainstafence.ThewantofhousesinthatquarterenabledanypersontoseethisstrangerfromthedeckoftheSwash,butnooneonboardherseemedtoregardhimatall,unlessitmightbethemaster.

“Come,bearahand,myhearty,andtossthatbow-fastclear,”criedthecaptain,whoseimpatiencetobeoffseemedtoincreaseasthetimetodosoapproachednearerandnearer.“Offwithit,atonce,andlethergo.”

Themanonthewharfthrewtheturnsofthehawserclearofthepost,andtheSwashwasreleasedforward.Asmallerline,foraspring,hadbeenrunsomedistancealongthewharves,aheadofthevessel,andbroughtinaft.Herpeopleclappedonthis,andgavewaytotheircraft,which,beingcomparativelylight,waseasilymoved,andwasverymanageable.Asthiswasdone,thedistantspectatorwhohadbeenleaningonthefencemovedtowardthewharfwithastepalittlequickerthancommon.Almostatthesameinstant,ashort,stout,sailor-likelookinglittleperson,waddleddowntheneareststreet,seemingtobeinsomewhatofahurry,andpresentlyhejoinedtheotherstranger,andappearedtoenterintoconversationwithhim;pointingtowardtheSwashashedidso.Allthistime,bothcontinuedtoadvancetowardthewharf.

Inthemeanwhile,Spikeandhispeoplewerenotidle.Thetidedidnotrunverystrongnearthewharvesandinthesortofabightinwhichthevesselhadlain;but,suchasitwas,itsoontookthebrigonherinnerbow,andbegantocastherheadoffshore.The people at the spring pulled away with all their force, and got sufficient motion on their vessel to overcome the tide, and to give the rudder an influence. The latter was put harda-starboard,andhelpedtocastthebrig’sheadtothesouthward.

Downtothismoment,theonlysailthatwaslooseonboardtheSwashwasthefore-topsail,asmentioned.Thisstillhunginthegear,butahandhadbeensentalofttooverhaulthebuntlinesandclewlines,andmenwerealsoatthesheets.Inaminutethe

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sailwasreadyforhoisting.TheSwashcarriedawapperofafore-and-aftmainsail,and,what is more, it was fitted with a standing gaff, for appearance in port. At sea, Spike knew better than to trust to this arrangement; but in fine weather, and close in with the land,hefounditconvenienttohavethissailhauloutandbraillikeaship’sspanker.Asthegaffwasnowaloft,itwasonlynecessarytoletgothebrailstoloosenthisbroadsheetofcanvas,andtoclapontheout-hauler,tosetit.Thiswasprobablythereasonwhythebrigwassounceremoniouslycastintothestream,withoutshowingmoreof her cloth. The jib and flying-jibs, however, did at that moment drop beneath their booms,readyforhoisting.

Such was the state of things as the two strangers came first upon the wharf. Spike wasonthetaffrail,overhaulingthemain-sheet,andMulfordwasnearhim,castingtheforetopsailbracesfromthepins,preparatorytoclappingonthehalyards.

“Isay,Mr.Mulford,”askedthecaptain,“didyoueverseeeitherofthemchapsafore?Thesejokersonthewharf,Imean.”

“Nottomyrecollection,sir,”answeredthemate,lookingoverthetaffrailtoexaminetheparties.“Thelittleoneisaburster!Thefunniest-lookinglittlefatoldfellowI’veseeninmanyaday.”

“Ay,ay,themfatlittlebursters,asyoucall’em,aresometimesfullofthedevil.Idon’tlikeeitherofthechaps,andamrightgladwearewellcast,beforetheygothere.”

“Idonotthinkeitherwouldbelikelytodousmuchharm,Capt.Spike.”“There’snoknowingsir.Thebiggestfellowlooksasifhemightlugoutasilver

oaratanymoment.”“Ibelievethesilveroarisnolongerused,inthiscountryatleast,”answered

Mulford,smiling.“Andifitwere,whathavewetofearfromit?Ifancythebrighaspaidherreckoning.”

“Shedon’toweacent,norevershallfortwenty-fourhoursafterthebillismadeout,whileIownher.Theycallmeready-moneyStephen,roundamongtheship-chandlersandcaulkers.ButIdon’tlikethemchaps,andwhatIdon’trelishIneverswallow,youknow.”

“They’llhardlytrytogetaboardus,sir;youseewearequiteclearofthewharf,andthemainsailwilltakenow,ifwesetit.”

Spikeorderedthematetoclapontheouthauler,andspreadthatbroadsheetofcanvasatoncetothelittlebreezetherewas.Thiswasalmostimmediatelydone,when the sail filled, and began to be felt on the movement of the vessel. Still, that movementwasveryslow,thewindbeingsolight,andthevisinertioeofsolargea

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bodyremainingtobeovercome.Thebrigrecededfromthewharf,almostinalineatrightanglestoitsface,inchbyinch,asitmightbe,droppingslowlyupwiththetideatthesametime.Mulfordnowpassedforwardtosetthejibs,andtogetthetopsailonthecraft,leavingSpikeonthetaffrail,keenlyeyeingthestrangers,who,bythistime,hadgotdownnearlytotheendofthewharf,attheberthsolatelyoccupiedbytheSwash.Thatthecaptainwasuneasywasevidentenough,thatfeelingbeingexhibitedinhiscountenance,blendedwithamalignantferocity.

“Hasthatbriganypilot?”askedthelargerandbetter-lookingofthetwostrangers.“What’sthattoyou,friend?”demandedSpike,inreturn.“HaveyouaHell-Gate

branch?”“Imayhaveone,orImaynot.ItisnotusualforsolargeacrafttoruntheGate

withoutapilot.”“Oh!Mygentleman’sbelow,brushinguphislogarithms.Weshallhavehimondeckto

takehisdeparturebeforelong,whenI’lllethimknowyourkindinquiriesafterhishealth.”Themanonthewharfseemedtobefamiliarwiththissortofsea-wit,andhemade

noanswer,butcontinuedthatclosescrutinyofthebrig,byturninghiseyesinalldirections,nowlookingbelow,andnowaloft,whichhadintruthoccasionedSpike’sprincipalcauseforuneasiness.

“IsnotthatCapt.StephenSpike,ofthebrigantineMollySwash?”calledoutthe little, dumpling-looking person, in a cracked, dwarfish sort of a voice, that was admirablyadaptedtohisappearance.Ourcaptainfairlystarted;turnedfulltowardthespeaker;regardedhimintentlyforamoment;andgulpedthewordshewasabouttoutter,likeoneconfounded.Ashegazed,however,atlittledumpy,examininghisbow-legs,redbroadcheeks,andcoarsesnubnose,heseemedtoregainhisself-command,asif satisfied the dead had not really returned to life.

“Areyouacquaintedwiththegentlemanyouhavenamed?”heasked,bywayofanswer.“Youspeakofhimlikeonewhooughttoknowhim.”

“Abodyisapttoknowashipmate.StephenSpikeandIsailedtogethertwentyyearssince,andIhopetolivetosailwithhimagain.”

“YousailwithStephenSpike?whenandwhere,mayIask,andinwhatv’y’ge,pray?”

“Thelasttimewastwentyyearssince.HaveyouforgottenlittleJackTier,Capt.Spike?”

Spikelookedastonished,andwellhemight,forhehadsupposedJacktobedeadfully fifteen years. Time and hard service had greatly altered him, but the general

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resemblance in figure, stature, and waddle, certainly remained. Notwithstanding, the JackTierthatSpikerememberedwasquiteadifferentpersonfromthisJackTier.ThatJackhadwornhisintenselyblackhairclubbedandcurled,whereasthisJackhadcuthislocksintoshortbristles,whichtimehadturnedintoanintensegray.ThatJackwas short and thick, but he was flat and square; whereas this Jack was just as short, a gooddealthicker,andasroundasadumpling.Inonething,however,thelikenessstillremainedperfect.BothJackschewedtobacco,toadegreethatbecameadistinctfeatureintheirappearance.

SpikehadmanyreasonsforwishingJackTierwerenotresuscitatedinthisextraordinarymanner,andsomeforbeinggladtoseehim.Thefellowhadoncebeenlargely in his confidence, and knew more than was quite safe for any one to remember buthimself,whilehemightbeofgreatusetohiminhisfutureoperations.Itisalwaysconvenienttohaveoneatyourelbowwhothoroughlyunderstandsyou,andSpikewouldhaveloweredaboatandsentittothewharftobringJackoff,wereitnotforthegentlemanwhowassoinquisitiveaboutpilots.Underthecircumstances,hedeterminedtoforegotheadvantagesofJack’spresence,reservingtherighttohunthimuponhisreturn.

Thereaderwillreadilyenoughcomprehend,thattheMollySwashwasnotabsolutelystandingstillwhilethedialoguerelatedwasgoingon,andthethoughtswehaverecordedwerepassingthroughhermaster’smind.Onthecontrary,shewasnotonlyinmotion,butthatmotionwasgraduallyincreasing,andbythetimeallwassaidthathasbeenrelated,ithadbecomenecessaryforthosewhospoketoraisetheirvoicestoaninconvenientpitchinordertobeheard.Thiscircumstancealonewouldsoonhaveput an end to the conversation, had not Spike’s pausing to reflect brought about the sameresult,asmentioned.

Inthemeantime,Mulfordhadgotthecanvasspread.Forward,theSwashshowedall the cloth of a full-rigged brig, even to royals and flying jib; while aft, her mast was theraking,tall,nakedpoleofanAmericanschooner.Therewasataunttopmast,too,towhichagaff-topsailwasset,andthegearprovedthatshecouldalsoshow,atneed,astaysailinthispartofher,ifnecessary.AstheGatewasbeforethem,however,thepeoplehadsetnonebuttheplain,manageablecanvas.

TheMollySwash kept close on a wind, luffing athwar the broad reach she was in, untilfarenoughtoweatherBlackwell’s,whensheedgedofftohercourse,andwentthrough the southern passage. Although the wind remained light, and a little baffling, the brig was so easily impelled, and was so very handy, that there was no difficulty in

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keepingherperfectlyincommand.Thetide,too,wasfastincreasinginstrengthandvolocity, and the movement from this cause alone was getting to be sufficiently rapid.

Asforthepassengers,ofwhomwehavelostsightinordertogetthebrigunderway, they were now on deck again. At first, they had all gone below, under the care of Josh,asomewhatroughgroomofthechambers,totakepossessionoftheirapartment,a sufficiently neat, and exceedingly comfortable cabin, supplied with everything thatcouldbewantedatsea,and,whatwasmore,linedontwoofitssideswithstate-rooms.Itistrue,alltheseapartmentsweresmall,andthestate-roomswereverylow,butnofaultcouldbefoundwiththeirneatnessandgeneralarrangements,whenitwasrecollectedthatonewasonboardavessel.

“Hereebberyt’ingheartcanwish,”saidJosh,exultingly,who,beinganold-schoolblack,didnotdisdaintousesomeoftheold-schooldialectofhiscaste.“Yes,ladies,ebberyt’ing.LetCap’nSpikealonefordat!Hewon’erfulataccommodation!Notabed-bugaft—knowbetterdancomehere;jestlikedepeople,indatrespects,andkeepdeirplaceforrard.Younebberseeapigcomeondequarter-deck,nudder.”

“Youmustmaintainexcellentdiscipline,Josh,”criedRose,inoneofthesweetestvoicesintheworld,whichwaseasilyattunedtomerriment—“andwearedelightedtolearnwhatyoutellus.Howdoyoumanagetokeepupthesedistinctions,andmakesuchcreaturesknowtheirplacessowell?”

“Nuttineasier,ifyoubeginright,miss.Asfordepig,Iteachdemwidscaldin’water.WheneberIseesapigcomeaft,Igetsalittlewaterfromdecopper,andjustscaldhimwidit.Youcan’tt’ink,miss,howdatmendhismanners,andmakehimsqueelfuss,andt’inkarter.IndatfashionIsoongetdeoleonesingoodtrainin’,anddenIhasnomoretroublewithdemascomesfreshaboard;fordeolehogtelldeyoungone,and’emwon’erfulcunnin’,andknowhowtotakecareof’emself.”

RoseBudd’ssweeteyeswerefulloffunandexpectation,andshecouldnomorerepressherlaughthanyouthandspiritscanalwaysbediscreet.

“Yes,withthepigs,”shecried,“thatmightdoverywell;buthowisitwiththose—othercreatures?”

“Rosy,dear,”interruptedtheaunt,“Iwishyouwouldsaynomoreaboutsuchshockingthings.It’senoughforusthatCapt.Spikehasorderedthemalltostayforwardamongthemen,whichisalwaysdoneonboardwelldisciplinedvessels.I’veheardyourunclesay,ahundredtimes,thatthequarter-deckwassacred,andthatmightbeenoughtokeepsuchanimalsoffit.”

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ItwasbarelynecessarytolookatMrs.Buddinthefacetogetaveryaccurategeneralnotionofhercharacter.Shewasoneofthoseinane,uncultivatedbeingswhoseemtobeprotectedbyabenevolentProvidenceintheirpilgrimageonearth,fortheydonotseemtopossessthepowertoprotectthemselves.Herverycountenanceexpressedimbecilityandmentaldependence,credulityandaloveofgossip.Notwithstandingtheseradicalweaknesses,thegoodwomanhadsomeofthebetterinstinctsofhersex,andwasneverguiltyofanythingthatcouldproperlyconveyreproach.

She was no monitress for Rose, however, the niece much oftener influencing the aunt, than the aunt influencing the niece. The latter had been fortunate in having had anexcellentinstructress,who,thoughincapableofteachinghermuchinthewayofaccomplishments,hadimpartedagreatdealthatwasrespectableanduseful.Rosehadcharacter,andstrongcharacter,too,asthecourseofournarrativewillshow;butherworthyauntwasapurepictureofasmuchmentalimbecilityasatallcomportedwiththeprivilegesofself-government.

Theconversationabout“thoseothercreatures”waseffectuallycheckedbyMrs.Budd’shorrorofthe“animals,”andJoshwascalledondecksoshortlyafterastopreventitsbeingrenewed.Thefemalesstaidbelowafewminutes,totakepossession,andthentheyre-appearedondeck,togazeatthehorrorsoftheHellGatepassage.Rosewasalleyes,wonderandadmirationofeverythingshesaw.Thiswasactuallythe first time she had ever been on the water, in any sort of craft, though born and broughtupinsightofoneofthemostthrongedhavensintheworld.Buttheremustbeabeginningtoeverything,andthiswasRoseBudd’sbeginningonthewater.Itistruethebrigantinewasaverybeautiful,aswellasanexceedinglyswiftvessel;butallthiswaslostonRose,whowouldhaveadmiredahorse-jockeyboundtotheWestIndies,inthistheincipientstateofhernauticalknowledge.PerhapstheexquisiteneatnessthatMulfordmaintainedabouteverythingthatcameunderhiscare,andthatincludedeverythingondeck,orabove-board,andaboutwhichneatnessSpikeoccasionallymutteredanoath,assomuchsenselesstrouble,contributedsomewhattoRose’spleasure;butheradmirationwouldscarcelyhavebeenlesswithanythingthathadsails,andseemedtomovethroughthewaterwithapowerapproachingthatofvolition.

ItwasverydifferentwithMrs.Budd.She,goodwoman,hadactuallymadeonevoyagewithherlatehusband,andshefanciedthatsheknewallaboutavessel.Itwasherdelighttotalkonnauticalsubjects,andneverdidshereallyfeelhergreatsuperiorityoverherniece,soveryunequivocally,aswhenthesubjectoftheocean

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wasintroduced,aboutwhichshedidknowsomething,andtouchingwhichRosewasprofoundlyignorant,orasignorantasagirloflivelyimaginationcouldremainwiththeinformationgleanedfromothers.

“Iamnotsurprisedyouareastonishedatthesightofthevessel,Rosy,”observedtheself-complacentauntatoneofherniece’sexclamationsofadmiration.“Avesselisaverywonderfulthing,andwearetoldwhatextr’ornybeingstheyarethat‘godowntotheseainships.’Butyouaretoknowthisisnotashipatall,butonlyahalf-jiggerrigged,whichisaltogetheradifferentthing.”

“Wasmyuncle’svessel,The Rose In Bloom,then,verydifferentfromtheSwash?”“Verydifferentindeed,child!Why,The Rose In Bloomwasafull-jiggeredship,

andhadtwelvemasts—andthisisonlyahalf-jiggeredbrig,andhasbuttwomasts.See,youmaycountthem—one—two!”

HarryMulfordwascoilingawayatop-gallant-brace,directlyinfrontofMrs.BuddandRose,and,athearingthisaccountofthewonderfulequipmentofThe Rose In Bloom,hesuddenlylookedup,withalurkingexpressionabouthiseyethattheniece very well comprehended, while he exclaimed, without much reflection, under the impulseofsurprise—“Twelvemasts!DidIunderstandyoutosay,ma’am,thatCapt.Budd’sshiphadtwelvemasts?”

“Yes,sir,twelve!AndIcantellyoualltheirnames,forIlearntthembyheart—itappearingtomeproperthataship-master’swifeshouldknowthenamesofallthemastsinherhusband’svessel.Doyouwishtoheartheirnames,Mr.Mulford?”

HarryMulfordwouldhaveenjoyedthisconversationtothetopofhisbent,haditnotbeenforRose.Shewellknewheraunt’sgeneralweaknessofintellect,andespeciallyitsweaknessonthisparticularsubject,butshewouldsuffernoonetomanifestcontemptforeither,ifinherpowertopreventit.Itisseldomonesoyoung,somirthful,soingenuousandinnocentintheexpressionofhercountenance,assumedso significant and rebuking a frown as did pretty Rose Budd when she heard the mate’sinvoluntaryexclamationaboutthe“twelvemasts.”Harry,whowasnoteasilycheckedbyhisequals,oranyofhisownsex,submittedtothatrebukingfrownwiththemeeknessofachild,andstammeredout,inanswertothewell-meaning,butweak-mindedwidow’squestion—“Ifyouplease,Mrs.Budd—justasyouplease,ma’am—onlytwelveisagoodmanymasts—”Rosefrownedagain—“thatis—morethanI’musedtoseeing—that’sall.”

“Idaresay,Mr.Mulford—foryousailinonlyahalf-jigger;butCapt.Buddalwayssailedinafull-jigger—andhisfull-jiggeredshiphadjusttwelvemasts,and,toprove

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it to you, I’ll give you the names—first then, there were the fore, main, and mizen masts—”

“Yes—yes—ma’am,”stammeredHarry,whowishedthetwelvemastsandThe Rose In Bloomatthebottomoftheocean,sinceherowner’sniecestillcontinuedtolookcoldlydispleased—“that’sright,Icanswear!”

“Very true, sir, and you’ll find I am right as to all the rest. Then, there were the fore,main,andmizentop-masts—theymakesix,ifIcancount,Mr.Mulford?”

“Ah!”exclaimedthemate,laughing,inspiteofRose’sfrowns,asthemannerinwhichtheoldsea-doghadquizzedhiswifebecameapparenttohim.“Iseehowitis—youarequiteright,ma’am—IdaresayThe Rose In Bloomhadallthesemasts,andsometospare.”

“Yes, sir—I knew you would be satisfied. The fore, main and mizen top-gallant-mastsmakenine—andthefore,mainandmizenroyalsmakejusttwelve.Oh,I’mneverwronginanythingaboutavessel,especiallyifsheisafull-jiggeredship.”

Mulford had some difficulty in restraining his smiles each time the full-jigger was mentioned,butRose’sexpressionofcountenancekepthiminexcellentorder—andshe,innocentcreature,sawnothingridiculousintheterm,thoughthetwelvemastshadgivenheralittlealarm.Delightedthattheoldladyhadgotthroughherenumerationofthesparswithsomuchsuccess,Rosecried,intheexuberanceofherspirits—“Well,aunty, for my part, I find a half-jigger vessel, so very, very beautiful, that I do not know howIshouldbehavewereItogoonboardafull-jigger.”

Mulfordturnedabruptlyaway,thecircumstanceofRose’smakingherselfridiculousgivinghimsuddenpain,thoughhecouldhavelaughedatherauntbythehour.

“Ah,mydear,thatisonaccountofyouryouthandinexperience—butyouwilllearnbetterintime.Iwasjustso,myself,whenIwasofyourage,andthoughtthefore-rafterswereashandsomeasthesquared-jiggers,butsoonafterImarriedCapt.BuddIfeltthenecessityofknowingmorethanIdidaboutships,andIgothimtoteachme.Hedidn’t like the business, at first, and pretended I would never learn; but, at last, it came allatoncelike,andthenheusedtobedelightedtohearme‘talkship,’ashecalledit.I’veknownhimlaugh,withhiscronies,asifreadytodie,atmyexpertnessinsea-terms,forhalfanhourtogether—andthenhewouldswear—thatwastheworstfaultyourunclehad,Rosy—hewouldswear,sometimes,inawaythatfrightenedme,Idodeclare!”

“Butheneversworeatyou,aunty?”

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“Ican’tsaythathedidexactlydothat,buthewouldswearallroundme,evenifhedidn’tactuallytouchme,whenthingswentwrong—butitwouldhavedoneyourheartgoodtohearhimlaugh!Hehadamostexcellentheart,justlikeyourown,Rosydear;but,forthatmatter,alltheBuddshaveexcellenthearts,andoneofthecommonestwaysyourunclehadofshowingitwastolaugh,particularlywhenweweretogetherandtalking.Oh,heusedtodelightinhearingmeconverse,especiallyaboutvessels,andneverfailedtogetmeatitwhenhehadcompany.Iseehisgood-natured,excellent-heartedcountenanceatthismoment,withthetearsrunningdownhisfat,manlycheeks,asheshookhisverysideswithlaughter.Imayliveahundredyears,Rosy,beforeImeetagainwithyouruncle’sequal.”

ThiswasasubjectthatinvariablysilencedRose.Sherememberedheruncle,herself,andrememberedhisaffectionatemanneroflaughingatheraunt,andshealwayswishedthelattertogetthroughhereulogiumsonhermarriedhappiness,assoonaspossible,wheneverthesubjectwasintroduced.

AllthistimetheMollySwashkeptinmotion.Spikenevertookapilotwhenhecouldavoidit,andhismindwastoomuchoccupiedwithhisduty,inthatcriticalnavigation,toshareatallintheconversationofhispassengers,thoughhedidendeavourtomakehimselfagreeabletoRose,byanoccasionalremark,whenafavourableopportunityoffered.

AssoonashehadworkedhisbrigoverintothesouthorweatherpassageofBlackwell’s,however,thereremainedlittleforhimtodo,untilshehaddriftedthroughit,adistanceofamileormore;andthisgavehimleisuretodothehonours.Hepointedout the castellated edifice on Blackwell’s as the new penitentiary, and the hamlet of villas,ontheothershore,asRavenswood,thoughthereisneitherwoodnorravenstoauthorize the name. But the “Sunswick,” which satisfied the Delafields and Gibbses oftheoldentime,andwhichdistinguishedtheirloftyhallsandbroadlawns,wasnotelegantenoughforthecockneytastesoftheselatterdays,so“wood”mustbemadetousurptheplaceofcherriesandapples,and“ravens”thatofgulls,inordertosatisfyitscravings.ButallthiswaslostonSpike.Herememberedtheshoreasithadbeentwentyyearsbefore,andhesawwhatitwasnow,butlittledidhecareforthechange.Onthewhole,heratherpreferredtheGrecianTemples,overwhichtheravenswouldhavebeen compelled to fly, had there been any ravens in that neighbourhood, to the old-fashionedandhighlyrespectableresidencethatoncealoneoccupiedthespot.Thepointhedidunderstand,however,andonthemeritsofwhichhehadsomethingtosay,wasalittlefartherahead.That,too,hadbeenre-christened—theHallet’sCoveofthemariner

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beingconvertedintoAstoria—notthatbloody-mindedplaceatthemouthoftheOregon,whichhascomesonearbringingustoblowswithour“ancestorsinEngland,”astheworthydenizensofthatquarterchoosetoconsiderthemselvesstill,ifonecanjudgebytheirlanguage.ThisAstoriawasaverydifferentplace,andisoneofthemanysuburbanvillagesthatareshootingup,likemushroomsinanight,aroundthegreatCommercialEmporium.ThisspotSpikeunderstoodperfectly,anditwasnotlikelythatheshouldpassitwithoutcommunicatingaportionofhisknowledgetoRose.

“There,MissRose,”hesaid,withadidacticsortofair,pointingwithhisshort,thick finger at the little bay which was just opening to their view; “there’s as neat a coveasacraftneedbringupin.Thatusedtobeacapitalplacetoliein,towaitforawindtopasstheGate;butithasgottobemosttoopublicformytaste.I’mrural,ItellMulford,andlovetogetinout-of-the-wayberthswithmybrig,whereshecanseesalt-meadows,andsmelltheclover.Younevercatchmedowninanyofthecrowdedslips,aroundthemarkets,oranywhereinthatpartofthetown,forIdolovecountryair.That’sHallet’sCove,MissRose,andaprettyanchorageitwouldbeforus,ifthewindandtidedidn’tsarvetotakeusthroughtheGate.”

“Are we near the Gate, Capt. Spike?” asked Rose, the fine bloom on her cheek lesseningalittle,undertheapprehensionthatformidablenameisapttoawakeninthebreastsoftheinexperienced.

“Halfamile,orso.Itbeginsjustattheotherendofthisislandonourlarboardhand,andwillbealloverinaboutanotherhalfmile,orso.It’snosuchbadplace,a’terall,isHell-Gate,tothemthat’susedtoit.IcallmyselfapilotinHell-Gate,thoughIhavenobranch.”

“Iwish,Capt.Spike,Icouldteachyoutogivethatplaceitsproperandpolitename.WecallitWhirl-Gatealtogethernow,”saidtherelict.

“Well,that’snewtome,”criedSpike.“Ihaveheardsomechicken-mouthedfolksay Hurl-Gate, but this is the first time I ever heard it called Whirl-Gate—they’ll get it toWhirligig-Gatenext.Idon’tthinkthatmyoldcommander,Capt.Budd,calledthepassageanythingbuthonestupanddownHell-Gate.”

“Thathedid—thathedid—andallmyargumentsandreadingcouldnotteachhimanybetter.IprovedtohimthatitwasWhirl-Gate,asanyonecanseethatitoughttobe.Itisfullofwhirlpools,theysay,andthatshowswhatNaturemeantthenametobe.”

“But,aunty,”putinRose,halfreluctantly,halfanxioustospeak,“whathasgatetodowithwhirlpools?Youwillrememberitiscalledagate—thegatetothatwickedplaceIsupposeismeant.”

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“Rose,youamazeme!Howcanyou,ayoungwomanofonlynineteen,standupforsovulgaranameasHell-Gate!”

“DoyouthinkitasvulgarasHurl-Gate,aunty?Tomeitalwaysseemsthemostvulgartobestrainingatgnats.”

“Yes,”saidSpikesentimentally,“I’mquiteofMissRose’swayofthinking—strainingatgnatsisveryill-manners,especiallyattable.Ionceknewamanwhostrained in this way, until I thought he would have choked, though it was with a fly to be sure; but gnats are nothing but small flies, you know, Miss Rose. Yes, I’m quite of your way of thinking, Miss Rose; it is very vulgar to be straining at gnats and flies, more particularly at table. But you’ll find no flies or gnats aboard here, to be straining at,orbrushingaway,ortoannoyyou.Standbythere,myhearties,andseeallcleartorunthroughHell-Gate.Don’tletmecatchyoustrainingatanything,thoughitshouldbe the fin of a whale!”

Thepeopleforwardlookedateachother,astheylistenedtothisnoveladmonition,thoughtheycalledoutthecustomary“ay,ay,sir,”astheywenttothesheets,bracesandbowlines.TothemthepassageofnoHell-Gateconveyedtheideaofanyparticularterror,andwiththeonetheywereabouttoenter,theyweremuchtoofamiliartocareanythingaboutit.

The brig was now floating fast, with the tide, up abreast of the east end of Blackwell’s,andintwoorthreemoreminutesshewouldbefairlyintheGate.Spikewasaft,wherehecouldcommandaviewofeverythingforward,andMulfordstoodonthequarter-deck,tolookafterthehead-braces.Anoldandtrustworthyseaman,whoactedasasortofboatswain,hadthechargeontheforecastle,andwastotendthesheetsandtack.HisnamewasRove.

“Seeallclear,”calledoutSpike.“D’yehearthere,for’ard!Ishallmakeahalf-boardintheGate,ifthewindfavourus,andthetideprovestrongenoughtohawseusto wind’ard sufficiently to clear the Pot—so mind your—”

Thecaptainbreakingoffinthemiddleofthisharangue,Mulfordturnedhishead,inordertoseewhatmightbethematter.TherewasSpike,levellingaspy-glassataboatthatwaspullingswiftlyoutofthenorthchannel,andshootinglikeanarrowdirectlyathwartthebrig’sbowsintothemainpassageoftheGate.Hesteppedtothecaptain’selbow.

“Justtakealookatthemchaps,Mr.Mulford,”saidSpike,handinghismatetheglass.“Theyseeminahurry,”answeredHarry,asheadjustedtheglasstohiseye,“and

willgothroughtheGateinlesstimethanitwilltaketomentionthecircumstance.”

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“Whatdoyoumakeofthem,sir?”“ThelittlemanwhocalledhimselfJackTierisinthestern-sheetsoftheboat,for

one,”answeredMulford.“Andtheother,Harry—whatdoyoumakeoftheother?”“Itseemstobethechapwhohailedtoknowifwehadapilot.Hemeanstoboard

usatRiker’sIsland,andmakeuspaypilotage,whetherwewanthisservicesornot.”“Blasthimandhispilotagetoo!Givemetheglass”—takinganotherlonglookat

theboat,whichbythistimewasglancing,ratherthanpulling,nearlyatrightanglesacrosshisbows.“Iwantnosuchpilotaboardhere,Mr.Mulford.Takeanotherlookathim—here,youcanseehim,awayonourweatherbow,already.”

Mulforddidtakeanotherlookathim,andthistimehisexaminationwaslongerandmorescrutinizingthanbefore.

“Itisnoteasytocoverhimwiththeglass,”observedtheyoungman—“theboatseems fairly to fly.”

“We’reforereachingtooneartheHog’sBack,Capt.Spike,”roaredtheboatswain,fromforward.

“Ready about—hard a lee,” shouted Spike. “Let all fly, for’ard—help her round, boys,allyoucan,andwaitfornoorders!Bestiryourselves—bestiryourselves.”

Itwastimethecrewshouldbeinearnest.WhileSpike’sattentionhadbeenthusdivertedbytheboat,thebrighadgotintothestrongestofthecurrent,which,bysettingherfasttowindward,hadtrebledthepoweroftheair,andthiswasshootingherover toward one of the greatest dangers of the passage on a flood tide. As everybody bestirred themselves, however, she was got round and filled on the opposite tack, just in timetocleartherocks.Spikebreathedagain,buthisheadwasstillfulloftheboat.ThedangerhehadjustescapedasScyllamethimasCharybdis.Theboatswainagainroaredtogoabout.Theorderwasgivenasthevesselbegantopitchinaheavyswell.Atthenextinstantsherolleduntilthewatercameondeck,whirledwithhersterndownthetide,andherbowsroseasifshewereabouttoleapoutofwater.TheSwashhadhitthePotRock.

on the next flood. Waiting for a wind in port is lubberly ...

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Transcript of on the next flood. Waiting for a wind in port is lubberly ...