The Cruise of the Dainty | Page 6

the best you can find," said Harry. "They'll probably behave
well enough, if kept under strict discipline."
Tom was as good as his word. In the course of a few days he had
engaged ten hands--a strong crew for a vessel of the Dainty's size--six
Englishmen, a New Zealander, a Sandwich Islander, and two blacks,

natives of Tanna, an island of the New Hebrides Group. Tom confessed
that he had more confidence in the probable good conduct of the
Pacific islanders than he had in that of the white men, who, however,
when they came on board, looked more decent fellows than I had
expected.
Just as the schooner was ready for sea, Harry and I were one evening
leaving the quay, when I saw a lad in ragged clothes, who, on catching
sight of me, tried to hide himself behind a stack of planks lately landed.
In spite of his forlorn and dirty condition, I recognised him as the
young stowaway who had come out with me on board the Eclipse.
"Hillo, Dick Tilston, can that be you?" I exclaimed. "Come here. What
have you been about?"
On being called, he approached, looking very sheepish.
"Now, don't be scolding at me," he said, taking my hand, which I held
out to him. "You know how I was treated aboard the Eclipse. I couldn't
stand it any longer, so when she was about to sail I slipped ashore, and
hid away till she had gone. I've since been knocking about, unable to
get any work, for no one will engage me without a character, as they
guess that I'm a runaway, and take me for a young thief. I've sold my
clothes and everything I had for food, and have got only these rags to
cover me."
I knew that what Dick said was true. I asked him if he still wished to be
a sailor, or would rather go up the country and seek for employment,
which I was sure he would be able to obtain with my brother's
recommendation.
"I would rather be a sailor than anything else, if I could serve under a
good captain," he answered.
"Well, then, stop a moment, and I'll speak to my brother," I said; and I
ran after Harry. I told him in a few words about Dick.
"Well, he may come with us," he said. "But he must try to make

himself useful, and not fancy that he is a young gentleman to do what
he likes."
I ran back to Dick. The poor fellow was delighted, and burst into tears.
"I own, Ned, I've had nothing to eat all day in this land of plenty, for I
could not bring myself to beg, and nobody offered me anything," he
exclaimed, scarcely able for shame to get out his words.
I fortunately had a shilling in my pocket. "Here, Dick, go and get
something to eat," I said, giving it to him. I thought that he would
rather have some food first, before he came to talk with Harry. "Then
come up to my brother's house--you can easily find it--and I will speak
to him in the meantime." Dick promised to come.
While we walked home I told my brother more about Dick.
"It is very clear that the first thing we must do for him is to give him an
outfit, or he'll not be presentable on board, and then I hope, from
gratitude, that he will behave well," he observed.
On our way we stopped at an outfitter's, and Harry gave an order to the
storekeeper to supply whatever I might select for Dick. As we walked
on, he told me what things he wished me to get.
Soon after we reached home Dick presented himself at the door,
looking somewhat brighter than he did when I first saw him, but rather
ashamed of himself and unwilling to come in. Harry, however, came
and had a few words with him, and seemed satisfied that he might be
made useful on board the schooner.
As we had no place to put him up in the house, he told me to get a
lodging for him for the night, and to see that he had plenty of food. "I
say, Ned," he added, "just give him a hint to take a bath and get his hair
cut before he puts on his clean clothes."
Accordingly, telling Dick to come with me, I took him to the outfitter's.
We soon got the necessary clothing for him, and then left him at a
lodging with a person who knew my brother.

That evening was to be the last on shore for many a long day. Mary and
her sister were in high spirits at the thoughts of their trip, for which
they had got everything