The Two Shipmates

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Title: The Two Shipmates

Author: William H. G. Kingston

Release Date: March 4, 2008 [EBook #23051]

Language: English

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Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

William H G Kingston

The Two Shipmates

Chapter One.

The stout trading brig Amity, Samuel Mudge master and part owner, was gliding up Plymouth Sound on a summer’s evening towards her accustomed berth in Catwater, a few years before the termination of the last war between England and France. She had no pilot on board; indeed, her crew averred that the old craft could find the way in and out of the harbour by herself; at all events, her master knew it better than most men trading from the port, as did his young mate, Ralph Michelmore.

The last rays of the setting sun were glancing on the topgallant mast-heads of the brig when her anchor was dropped, and by the time her sails were furled and all was made snug the gloom of night had settled down on the Pool, and twinkling lights began to appear from the houses on shore.

You’ll be wishing to go on shore, my boy, said the old master, as Ralph, the duties for the day over, came into the cabin to join him at tea, which the boy had just placed on the table. There’ll be some one who’ll be right glad to see thee, lad; and the speaker looked up at the mate, whose handsome countenance beamed with pleasure, a slight blush rising on it as he answered—

Thank you, sir; thank you heartily. I should very much like to pay Mistress Treviss—and—and her granddaughter a visit. I had few opportunities of seeing them when we were last in port, and as we have been long on this trip they may be anxious about us. But would not you prefer going on shore yourself, captain? It’s my duty to remain on board.

No, do you go, as I tell ye, replied the kind old master. I’ll stay on board and look after the ship. But I say, lad, take your protection with you. The press-gangs are sure to be out, and you may chance to fall in with one of them.

Thank you, sir, I have it here, said Ralph, producing a tin case from his pocket; and hurriedly swallowing his tea without sitting down, he went into his cabin to rig himself in his shore-going suit.

Ralph’s father, the commander of a merchant vessel, and an old friend and shipmate of Captain Mudge, had been lost at sea, washed from the deck in a heavy gale, leaving his wife and young child but ill provided for. The widow, a truly Christian woman, exerted herself to the utmost of her strength to support and educate her boy, but when he was about fourteen years of age her health gave way, and she died, committing him to the charge of good Captain Mudge.

Ralph, who had set his heart on going to sea, was taken as an apprentice on board the Amity the next voyage she made. By his steadiness, intelligence, and activity, he soon became a prime seaman. When on shore he studied navigation, and as soon as his time was out, Captain Mudge, the berth being vacant, made him his mate. Most of the crew heartily congratulated Ralph on his promotion, for they acknowledged him, young as he was, to be the best seaman among them. The only one who grumbled was Dick Bracewell, who had also been an apprentice on board the Amity, and being a year older than Ralph, and a very fair sailor, considered that he had superior claims to promotion.

I’m not going to quarrel with you about the matter, Ralph, he said, though he looked very much inclined to do so. If the skipper chooses to favour you that’s not your fault; but you can’t expect me, as good a man as yourself you’ll allow, to be jumping here and there at your orders; and so as soon as we get back to Plymouth I shall take my chest and clear out of the old ship for good. I shall easily get a berth as mate on board another craft, and if we meet again we shall be as good friends as ever, I hope.

No doubt about that, Dick, answered Ralph; I am sorry, however, that you have made up your mind to leave us; still it’s but natural, I own.

Ay, I should think so, said Dick, walking forward.

Dick might have been as active and bold a seaman as Ralph, but the captain had, notwithstanding, ample reason for refusing to make him his mate, for he was known to be wild on shore, and was often far from attentive to his duty on board; while, though he professed to have learned navigation, his calculations were not to be depended on. Still, being good-natured and brave as need be, he was liked by the rest of the crew, in spite of being thoughtless and inclined to give way to temper. Ralph had a sincere regard for him. He saw his shipmate’s errors, but believed him possessed of redeeming good qualities, and hoped that he would in time amend his bad ways.

Dick kept to his intention, and on reaching Plymouth bade his old captain and shipmates good-bye. This occurred about a couple of years before the time we are speaking of, and since then Ralph had heard nothing of Dick Bracewell.

No sailor takes long to dress. Ralph was quickly ready, and a fine young fellow he looked as he stepped back into the cabin habited in what the old captain called his shore-going toggery. Promising to be on board again before midnight, he jumped into a boat which had just come alongside, and told the waterman to pull for the landing-place.

You must keep a sharp look-out not to fall in with the press-gangs, master, observed the latter. They are out every night, and are in no ways particular on whom they lay hands.

Thank you, answered Ralph; I’ve no cause to fear them, and am not going where they are likely to be looking for their prey.

Ralph had proceeded a few paces after landing, when he heard steps behind him and felt a hand placed on his shoulder. Turning round he saw a sailor-like man, who exclaimed, "What, Ralph Michelmore, old chum! Don’t you know me? I am Dick Bracewell. I’m sure I can’t be mistaken in you, for I saw the Amity come in at sunset, and hoped to fall in with you, though I’d no fancy to go on board, do you see."

And I’m right glad to meet you, Dick, said Ralph, grasping the other’s proffered hand. Where have you been all these years?

Knocking about in one craft or another, and seeing something more of the world than you have in your jog-trot old tub, I fancy, answered Bracewell, with a laugh. I’ve just come back from a voyage to the West Indies, with my pockets full of shiners, which I’m going to try and get rid of in enjoying myself. Come along, Ralph, and help me. I only stepped on shore for the first time just as you did, so I’ve not begun yet.

Thank you, Dick; you mean it kindly, but I’m on my way to see some friends, and have promised to be on board again to-night, said Ralph, as they walked on together.

What, not take a glass or two of grog with an old shipmate! cried Dick in an aggrieved tone. Come, come, man, just for once be social.

Even if I ever took liquor, which I don’t, I haven’t time to stay with you, said Ralph, firmly; adding, after a moment’s reflection, in the hope of preventing his companion from committing the folly he meditated, Instead of doing as you propose, come along with me to see an old lady and her granddaughter. They are great friends of mine, and will welcome you for my sake; indeed, I’ll confess that I hope some day to marry the little girl.

No, no, my boy; I should be left to do the polite to the old dame, while you make love to the young one, answered Dick, with a hoarse laugh, which Ralph did not like. That sort of thing is not to my taste; still, to please you, if you’ll come in here and do as I want you, I’ll think about it. The door of a public-house stood temptingly open. Dick endeavoured to drag in Ralph, who however resisted manfully, and tore his arm away from his companion’s grasp.

Once more hear me, Dick, he said, unwilling to abandon his old friend without another effort to save him. If you take one glass you’ll take another and another, till you won’t know what you are about, and then ten to one you’ll fall into the hands of crimps who’ll fleece you of every shilling in your pocket, or you’ll get picked up by a press-gang and be carried on board a man-of-war, not to regain your liberty for years to come.

Don’t preach to me, Ralph; I know how to take care of myself; so if you go on I’ll follow you, and you shall see that I’m as sober as a judge, answered Dick, and with a laugh he darted into the public-house.

Ralph, though eager to be with his friends, waited a minute or more in the hope that he might come out, and then, as he did not appear, reluctantly walked on. At length, having passed through the town, he reached a small cottage in the outskirts, with a few yards of garden in front. Passing through the wicket-gate he stopped for a moment at the door. The window was partly open, and he could hear a sweet voice reading. He caught the words; they were from the Book of Books, which he had learned to know and value. He was unwilling to interrupt the reader. She stopped, however, having come to the end of the chapter. He knocked. May I come in? he asked. Oh, granny, it is Ralph! The words were uttered by the same person who had just ceased reading, but in a very different tone. He well knew the sweet voice. His heart beat quick. He heard the speaker come flying to the door. In a moment it was opened. Jessie, my own dear Jessie! he exclaimed, as