[A Final Reckoning by G. A. Henty]@TWC D-Link book
A Final Reckoning

CHAPTER 6: On The Voyage
13/33

While they had been waiting, the chief mate had told Reuben that, according to the captain's orders, he would henceforth be in his watch.
"As you are not regularly shipped as a sailor," the mate said, "the captain does not wish you to go aloft, unless by your own desire; but there will be plenty of work for you to do on deck, hauling at the braces, scrubbing, and so on." "I should be glad to do my work with the rest," Reuben said, "as soon as I feel I can be useful aloft.

I was up two or three times yesterday, and hope in a few days to be quite accustomed to it." "I have noticed you, my lad, and you could not be in better hands than Bill's.

He is a capital sailor, and as he has taken to you, and you are willing to learn, you will be a useful hand before we get to Sydney; and even if you never go to sea again, all your life, you will find that you have learned a great deal that is useful on board the Paramatta." The fine weather, which the Paramatta had experienced so far, speedily left her.

The sky grew overcast, and the wind freshened fast, and the next morning the ship was staggering, under close-reefed canvas, in the teeth of the southwesterly gale.
For the next three days Reuben made no advance in seamanship, being prostrated with seasickness.

At times he crept out from the forecastle, and tried to lend a hand whenever he saw a party of men hauling at a rope; but the motion of the ship was so great that he could scarce keep his feet on the slippery decks, and at last the mate ordered him to go back to the forecastle, and remain there until he recovered somewhat from his sickness.
"I see you are no skulker, my lad; but you will do no good on deck here, and are not unlikely to get a heavy fall, and perhaps a nasty hurt, so you had best lie off till you get over your sickness." Reuben was already drenched to the skin by the spray, and felt so weak that he was not sorry to avail himself of the mate's orders, and to turn in again to his bunk in the forecastle.
On the morning of the fourth day he felt himself again, and turned out.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books