The Red Rover Part 43

"It is so old as to keep me from sleeping on my watch," coldly returned the boy.

"A careful mother would be better for one of your years, than the school of the boatswain. What is your age, Roderick?"

"I have seen years enough to be both wiser and better," he answered, not without a shade of thought settling on his brow. "Another month will make me twenty."

"Twenty! you trifle with my curiosity, urchin."

"Did I say twenty, Madam! Fifteen would be nearer to the truth."

"I believe you well. And how many of those years have you pa.s.sed upon the water?"

"But two, in truth; though I often think them ten; and yet there are times when they seem but a day!"

"You are romantic early, boy. And how like you the trade of war?"

"War!"

"Of war. I speak plainly, do I not? Those who serve in a vessel that is constructed expressly for battle, follow the trade of war."

"Oh! yes; war is certainly our trade."

"And have you yet seen any of its horrors? Has this s.h.i.+p been in combat since your service?"

"This s.h.i.+p!"

"Surely this s.h.i.+p: Have you ever sailed in any other?"

"Never."

"Then, it is of this s.h.i.+p that one must question you. Is prize-money plenty among your crew?"

"Abundant; they never want."

"Then the vessel and Captain are both favourites. The sailor loves the s.h.i.+p and Commander that give him an active life."

"Ay, Madam; our lives are active here. And some there are among us, too, who love both s.h.i.+p and Commander."

"And have you mother, or friend, to profit by your earnings?"

"Have I"--

Struck with the tone of stupor with which the boy responded to her queries, the governess turned her head, to read, in a rapid glance, the language of his countenance. He stood in a sort of senseless amazement looking her full in the face, but with an eye far too vacant to prove that he was sensible of the image that filled it.

"Tell me, Roderick," she continued, careful not to alarm his jealousy by any sudden allusion to his manner; "tell me of this life of yours. You find it merry?"

"I find it sad."

"'Tis strange. The young s.h.i.+p-boys are ever among the merriest of mortals.

Perhaps your office! treats you with severity."

No answer was given.

"I am then right: Your Captain is a tyrant?"

"You are wrong: Never has he said harsh or unkind word to me."

"Ah! then he is gentle and kind. You are very happy, Roderick."

"I--happy, Madam!"

"I speak plainly, and in English--happy."

"Oh! yes, we are all very happy here."

"It is well. A discontented s.h.i.+p is no paradise. And you are often in port, Roderick, to taste the sweets of the land?"

"I care but little for the land, Madam, could I only have friends in the s.h.i.+p that love me."

"And have you not? Is not Mr Wilder your friend?"

"I know but little of him; I never saw him before"--

"When, Roderick?"

"Before we met in Newport."

"In Newport?"

"Surely you know we both came from Newport, last."

"Ah! I comprehend you. Then, your acquaintance with Mr Wilder commenced at Newport? It was while your s.h.i.+p was lying off the fort?"

"It was. I carried him the order to take command of the Bristol trader. He had only joined us the night before."

"So lately! It was a young acquaintance indeed. But I suppose your Commander knew his merits?"

"It is so hoped among the people. But"--

"You were speaking, Roderick."

"None here dare question the Captain for his reasons. Even _I_ am obliged to be mute."

"Even _you_!" exclaimed Mrs Wyllys, in a surprise that for the moment overcame her self-restraint. But the thought in which the boy was lost appeared to prevent his observing the sudden change in her manner. Indeed, so little did he know what was pa.s.sing, that the governess touched the hand of Gertrude, and silently pointed out the insensible figure of the lad, without the slightest apprehension that the movement would be observed.

"What think you, Roderick," continued his interrogator "would he refuse to answer _us_ also?"

The boy started; and, as consciousness shot into his glance, it fell upon the soft and speaking countenance of Gertrude.