Part 46

XI ~ A VOICE FROM HUE AND CRY

But when the money's all gone and spent, And there's none to be borrowed and none to be lent, In comes old Grouchy with a frown, Saying, “Get up, Jack, let John sit down.” For it's now we're outward bound, Hur-rah, we're outward bound! --Song of the Dog and Bell.

Captain Mayo, when he woke, had it promptly conveyed to him that hospitality on board the Reuben and Esther had watchful eyes. While he was rubbing feeling back into his stiffened limbs, sitting there in the lee alley, the cook came lugging a pot of hot coffee and a plate heaped with food.

“Thought you'd rather have it here than in the cuddy. The miss is asleep in the house,” whispered the cook.

Captain Candage came to Mayo while the latter was eating and sat down on the deck. Gloom had settled on the schooner's master. “I don't want to bother you with my troubles, seeing that you've got aplenty of your own, sir. But I'm needing a little advice. I have lost a schooner that has been my home ever since I was big enough to heave a dunnage-bag over the rail, and not a cent of insurance. Insurance would have et up all my profits. What do you think of my chances to make a dollar over and above providing I hire a tugboat and try to salvage?”

“According to my notion your chances would be poor, sir. Claims in such cases usually eat up all a craft is worth. Besides, you may find those yachtsmen on your back for damages, providing you get her in where she can be libeled.”

“I shouldn't wonder a mite,” admitted Captain Can-dage. “The more some folks have the more they keep trying to git.”

“I was looking her bottom over while we sat there, and it must be owned up that her years have told on her.”

“I hate to let her go.”

“That's natural, sir. But I have an idea that she will be reported as a menace to navigation, and that a coastguard cutter will blow her up before you can get around to make your salvage arrangements.”

“When a man is down they all jump on him.”

“I can agree with you there,” affirmed Captain Mayo, mournfully.

“She showed grit--that girl,” ventured Candage, giving the other man keen survey from under his grizzled brows.

“I must ask you to furl sail on that subject, sir,” snapped Mayo, with sailor bluntness.

“I only said it complimentary. Lots of times girls have more grit than they are given credit for. You think they're just girls, and then you find out that they are hero-ines! I thought I had some grit, but my own Polly has shamed me. I was just down watching her--she's asleep in Cap'n Sinnett's bunk. Made the tears come up into my eyes, sir, to ponder on what she has been through on account of my cussed foolishness. Of course, you haven't been told. But confession is good for a man, and I'm going to own up. I took her with me to get her away from a fellow who is courting her.”

Mayo did not offer comment. He wanted to advise the skipper to keep still on that subject, too.

“I don't say he ain't good enough for her. Maybe he is. But I 'ain't been realizing that she has growed up. When I found she was being courted it was like hitting a rock in a fairway. You are young, and you are around consid'able and know the actions of young folks. What's your advice?”

“I don't know anything about the circumstances, sir.”

“But speaking generally,” insisted Captain Candage. “I want to do what's right. There ain't many I can bring myself to ask. I'm a poor old fool, I'm afraid. Won't you kind of grab in on this, Captain Mayo? I do need a little advice.” His rough hands trembled on his knees.

“If the young man is worthy--is the right sort,” returned Mayo, in gentler tones, “I think you are making a great mistake by interfering.”

“I'll go look that young fellow over--re-survey him, as ye might say,” stated the skipper, after a moment's meditation.

“I don't know your daughter very well, sir, but I have much faith in her judgment. If I were you I'd allow her to pick her own husband.”

“Thanks for that advice. I know it comes from a man who has shown that he knows exactly what to do in emergencies. I have changed my mind about her being courted, sir.”

“Honest love isn't a question of money, Captain Candage. Many good girls are ruined by--” He was speaking bitterly and he checked himself. “Where is Captain Sinnett going to set us ashore?”

“Maquoit. He is going to take his fish to the big market. But he said he would set us ashore anywhere, and so I said Maquoit. I might as well be there as anywhere till I know what I'm going to do.”

“Same thing holds good for me, I suppose. I don't feel like going to the city just yet.”

Captain Sinnett came rolling into the alley, and when Mayo started to thank him for the trouble he was taking he raised in genial protest a hand which resembled in spread a split codfish.

“Trouble! It ain't trouble. Was going to call into Maquoit to ice up, anyway. I know my manners even if them yachting fellows didn't.”