The Two Shipmates | Page 9

I had only myself to think of, I would," said Ralph, liking the tone
of the old sailor's voice; "but I was to be married next week, and it's
bitter hard to be parted from the girl one loves, and harder for her."
Ralph's voice trembled as he spoke.
"Ay, mate, hard, very hard!" answered the old sailor, in a sympathising
tone; "I know what it is. I was pressed the very day I had married as
sweet a young girl, and as good too, as an honest man would wish to
have for his wife. I had five years of it out round the Cape without ever
hearing a word of her, but I knew she would be true to me, and that
kept my heart up. I got home at last, with plenty of prize-money to set
up house, but she was gone. They showed me her grave. It might have
been worse--I know that--still it seemed as if the life had been crushed
out of me. I left my money with her childless mother, and volunteered
aboard the first ship I heard of fitting out for a foreign station. From
that day to this I've been at sea, turned over from one ship to another,
and never saved a sixpence. I wish I had. I'd have got your discharge,
that I would, if money could have done it."
"Thank ye, from the bottom of my heart, old friend," said Ralph,
warmly. "Maybe I shall get my protection paper in time, and be set
free."
"Wish I could say I thought so. But you'll know at least that there's one
aboard the Falcon who can feel for you, and that's something; ay, and
will stand your friend if there's a chance. Cheer up! Cheer up! Here we
are, close alongside the frigate."
The pressed men, with Ralph and Dick among them, were sent down to
the lower deck, and placed under charge of a sentry. They were allowed
to stretch themselves on (as Dick, while bemoaning his fate, remarked)

"the softest planks they could find," for the remainder of the night.
It seemed but a moment after Ralph had at length fallen asleep, that he
heard the boatswain's shrill whistle and the deep rough voices of his
mates rousing up all hands, while the pale light of early morning
streamed down through the hatchways. The next cry which reached him
was, "Hands aloft; loose sails." Other orders were issued; he knew too
well their meaning; preparations were being made for immediately
putting to sea.
CHAPTER FOUR.
Poor Jessie had wished at once to hasten on board the Amity, to obtain
the assistance of Captain Mudge, and to get Ralph's protection, but her
grandmother persuaded her to remain till the morning, as, not knowing
where Ralph had been carried, she was sure nothing could be done till
then.
Daylight came at length, and Jessie, receiving a loving embrace from
her grandmother, set out. With a prayer for her safety, Mrs Treviss
watched the young girl, who, like a bird released from its cage, flew
rather than walked, as she made her way in the grey light of the early
morn in the direction of the port.
At last she reached the landing-place, some way off which Ralph had
told her the Amity lay. There were several boats made fast to the shore,
or moored off it; but no watermen were about. In vain she looked along
the quays on either hand; no one was stirring. Here and there, on board
some of the vessels, men were seen just coming up the fore hatchways
on deck, but they were too far off to hear her voice had she called to
them. She felt ready to give way to tears at the delay, when every
moment might be so precious. At length she saw, through the veil of
morning mist which still hung over the mirror-like surface of the
harbour, a small boat approaching the landing-place. A boy was
paddling her at his ease, singing as he slowly dipped his oars in the
water. She hurried down to meet him, as, standing up, he gave a few
more strokes and brought the boat to shore.

"Well, Miss, what's it you want?" he asked.
"Oh, boy, will you take me off to the Amity?" said Jessie. "She lies not
far away from the shore, and I will pay you well."
"Now that is curious," exclaimed the lad, the same Peter Puddle by
name to whom Ralph had entrusted his important commission. "I was
to have gone aboard her for a young chap who was pressed last night
and had left his protection behind him, but I got another job and
couldn't, though I am agoing when I've had breakfast."
"Pray take me off at