BOUNDING BILLOW BEN.
The party in the forward cabin of the Ocean-Born had finished their supper, when the steamer was hailed by the yacht squadron, and were listening to the nautical talk of Ben Lunder. They all went on deck, except Neil and Don John, who entered the pilot-house to relieve Berry Owen.
“This is part of our yacht fleet,” said Don John. “Here is the Skylark on our port side, and she is Commodore Montague’s yacht.”
Berry Owen had already rung one bell, and the steamer had nearly lost her headway. A boat was putting off from the Skylark, and presently it came alongside.
“You have had hard luck, Ned,” said Commodore Montague, whilom “Little Bobtail,” as he leaped on the Ocean-Born.
“No; on the contrary, I have had good luck in falling in with this steamer.”
“Bad and good, then, for it was certainly unfortunate to have your mast carried away,” added the commodore, as he greeted the Belfast party on board.
He was then introduced to the officers of the Ocean-Born, whom he regarded with no little interest and curiosity.
“We did not expect to see you, commodore,” continued Ned Patterdale.
“We had a tremendous excitement in the city, when a despatch came from Portland that the Sea Foam had been wrecked,” replied Robert Montague.
“How in the world did they know anything about it in Portland? We were dismasted at least twenty miles to the eastward of Cape Elizabeth,” added Ned.
“A party that started for Seguin, but had to put back because it was so rough, reported you. They arrived at noon. Of course your family were terribly alarmed. Your father telegraphed to his friends in Portland to send a steamer out after you.”
“I saw a sail-boat making towards Portland,” said Don John.
“I am sorry the news got to Belfast,” added Ned, much troubled. “I suppose they are still worrying about us.”
“Of course they cannot have heard from you. The fellows in the Yacht Club were so uneasy that we decided at once to go on a cruise in search of you,” continued Ned.
“Our first business, then, ought to be to make a telegraph station,” suggested Neil. “We shall hardly get to Belfast before midnight, towing the yacht, with the tide against us. We had better put into Rockland.”
“I thought of that before; for, as the breeze has been fresh all day, we were probably expected to arrive by five or six o’clock. But I did not like to ask you to vary your course, captain,” said Ned.
“Rockland it is,” replied Neil.
The commodore of the yacht squadron bade the party good night, and returned to the Skylark. The fleet filled away again, headed up the bay, and the steamer proceeded on her course. The young ladies were very much disturbed by the knowledge that their friends at home were worrying about them, and they were not in condition to enjoy the wild talk of Ben Lunder; but before nine o’clock the Ocean-Born arrived at Rockland. Ned Patterdale went on shore, and sent off his despatch as follows: “Dismasted; picked up by steam-yacht Ocean-Born; all well; having a first-rate time; home to-morrow morning: answer.” Ned was not obliged to wait long for a reply, for his father and mother were both at the telegraph office, anxiously waiting for further intelligence.
“Thank God you are safe; all well at home _now_!” was the answer; and Ned hastened on board with it.
The young ladies were very much relieved by this message from the loved ones at home, and their spirits rose wonderfully after they had read it. The after-cabin was brilliantly lighted; Nellie played on the Chickering upright piano,--the gift of Madam Brandon,--and Ben Lunder sang his choicest songs; for he was a good singer. But the girls were very much fatigued after the labor and excitement of the day, and Neil considerately induced his companions to retire at an early hour. At his suggestion, Ned had telegraphed that the party would not return till the next morning, so that they and their friends at home might sleep in peace. Except Prince, who was steering the Sea Foam, and Don John, who was the pilot of the Ocean-Born, all the guests turned in about ten o’clock, when the steamer was off Camden. Berry Owen had his watch below, while Neil remained in the pilot-house with Don John. At half past twelve the captain let go the anchor off the boat-builder’s wharf in Belfast. In another half hour every soul on board was asleep.
As early as five o’clock in the morning some of the people on board of the steamer were stirring; but it was seven o’clock when the young ladies appeared, and eight when Neil and Don John turned out.
The beautiful steam yacht had been discovered by the people on shore, and a score of boats had visited her before breakfast. The morning meal was almost as elaborate as the supper on the preceding evening, and it was heartily enjoyed by the party.
“Now, Captain Brandon, we must go on shore, or our folks will be worrying about us again,” said Nellie Patterdale, as they retired from the table. “We are ever so much obliged to you for your kindness.”
“O, no. I am the party obliged, Miss Patterdale,” gallantly replied Neil. “I am sorry to have you go; but the boats of the steamer are at your disposal.”
“And your humble servant, also,” added Ben Lunder. “I hope I shall have the pleasure of navigating you to the blessed shore which is to receive you, in the mainto’-gallant quarter-boat.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lunder.”
“I pull the foreto’-starboard oar.”
“All right, Ben. You and I will pull the ladies ashore,” added Neil.
“Thanks, noble captain! There is a party headed for the steamer,” replied Ben, pointing to a boat in which were a lady and two gentlemen.
“My father and mother!” exclaimed Nellie.
“And my father,” said Kate Bilder.
In a few moments the boat was alongside. Ned and Nellie were affectionately greeted by their parents, and Captain Bilder folded Kate in his arms, exhibiting the most intense emotion as he did so. The latter had been in New York for a week, and had only returned the day before, just in time to hear the alarming intelligence concerning his absent daughter. Though he had been away a week, he seemed to display more emotion than the occasion called for. Captain Bilder was very pale and haggard, and it was evident to all that he had been suffering intensely, though it did not as yet appear that he had any greater cause for anxiety than the recent peril of Kate.
The visitors were duly and properly introduced to the officers of the steamer, after the first affectionate greetings had been exchanged. Then Ned and Nellie related their startling adventures at sea, and mentioned the handsome manner in which the shipwrecked party had been entertained on board of the Ocean-Born. Of course Captain Patterdale and his wife were very grateful. So, doubtless, was Captain Bilder; but he did not say so, and seemed to be rather absent-minded.
“Why don’t you say something to the captain of the steamer, father?” said Kate, mortified by his silence.
“I beg your pardon, but I am very grateful for all the service you have rendered to my daughter,” added Captain Bilder, with sudden energy. “I am sure no one could appreciate your kindness more than I. But the fact is, I am in trouble just now. If you will excuse me, Captain--Captain--”
“Captain Brandon, father,” Kate interposed, helping him out.
“Brandon!” exclaimed Captain Bilder, with a start.
“Captain Neil Brandon,” interposed Ben Lunder.
“Neil Brandon!” repeated Captain Bilder. “Where did you get that name?”
“From my father,” replied Neil.
“What was his name?”
“Neil Brandon.”
“Where is he now?”
“He died twelve years ago.”
“It is very singular!” mused Captain Bilder. “Where did he live?”
“In Philadelphia.”
“It’s the same name; but it can hardly be the same man.”
“The same as what, sir?” asked Neil, curiously.
“When I went to sea I had a mate of that name.”
“My father went to sea.”
“Indeed! It may have been the same. He was a good sailor. But, if you will excuse me, Captain Brandon, I will go on shore with Kate.”
“I hope we shall see you on board again, Miss Bilder.--And you, too, sir,” replied Neil.
“I’m afraid not.”
“Why, what’s the matter, father? How strange you seem to-day!” exclaimed Kate.
“I am in very great trouble, my child; but I am sorry only for you. I dare say you can visit the--the--the steamer again.”
“The Ocean-Born, father,” added Kate. “Isn’t it an odd name?”
“Ocean-Born!” exclaimed Captain Bilder, with another start.
“That is the name of the yacht, sir,” Neil explained.
“Ocean-Born! Why is she called by that name?”
“It was a fancy of my own,” answered Neil. “My friends liked the name, and so we christened her.”
“But why did you call her so?”
“For two reasons. We got the idea of a steam yacht when we were on the ocean, off Cape May; and therefore the idea was ocean-born. The other reason is, that I was born at sea, and sometimes my mother called me the Ocean-Born.”
“Very strange!” said Captain Bilder.
“Very strange, indeed!” added Kate, who seemed to understand her father, if no one else did.
“I don’t see anything very strange about it,” laughed Neil.
“If you will excuse us, Captain Brandon, we will endeavor to see you again. I have much to say to Kate now,” continued Captain Bilder, as he walked towards the gangway.
The father and daughter walked down the gangway steps into the boat, and the man at the oars pulled them ashore.
“What is the matter with Captain Bilder, father?” asked Nellie Patterdale, as soon as they had gone.
“He has been speculating in stocks for the last year, and to-day he is a ruined man,” replied Captain Patterdale, sadly shaking his head. “About a year ago he lost a considerable portion of his property by the failure of his brother in Baltimore, though he had enough left to afford him a handsome income. Instead of reducing his expenses, which were rather extravagant, he attempted to regain what he had lost. In order to save what he had invested, he was compelled to imperil all he had. The chances were against him, and when the current set the wrong way, everything he had went by the board. Even his house and furniture are mortgaged for all they are worth.”
“I am sorry for poor Kate,” said Minnie Darling.
“And we are all sorry for Captain Bilder,” added Captain Patterdale. “He is a noble-hearted, generous man, and everybody regrets his misfortune. At fifty, without a dollar in the world, he must commence life anew.”
“I hope Kate won’t have to leave the Dorcas Club, we shall miss her so much,” said Nellie.
After Captain Bilder’s misfortunes had been fully discussed, the visitors from the shore were shown over the steamer; and they bestowed many commendations upon the elegance and convenience of her accommodations. Ben Lunder had something to say all the time, and Captain Patterdale, senior, was rather pleased with his humor, encouraging him by laughing at his travesty of nautical terms.
“This is the mizzen to’gallant fo’castle,” said Ben, as the party descended to the apartment where the deck-hand was quartered.
“It seems to be a very comfortable place,” replied Captain Patterdale.
“Very comfortable, sir, except when the steamer rolls entirely over, like a log in a millpond, as she did early this morning; and then it makes a fellow’s head swim, as it did mine, though I am a sailor from the heel of my bobstay to the crown of my sky-scraper. I occupy the foreto’-port berth on the mainto’-starboard side.”
“Precisely so, Mr. Lunder,” laughed the old ship-master. “One can readily identify it from your description.”
“Well, any one who has been to sea can, though it might bother a land-lubber,” added Ben, scratching his head. “Before I went to sea, I used to get terribly mixed with the sea slang in the dime novels. It takes an old salt like me to understand and reel ’em off. I can do it now, though sometimes it takes all the half-hitches out my jaw-tackle to get ’em off.”
“How long have you been to sea, Mr. Lunder?” asked the captain.
“It’s about four days now, I think. I haven’t overhauled my log-book, but I believe it was four days this morning.”
“You have made remarkable progress in that time, for I have known old men, who had been at sea forty years, that could not talk half as salt as you do,” added the ship-master.
“But I give my whole mind to it, sir. I am the deck hand of the Ocean-Born, a place of great responsibility, as you are aware; and I give my undivided attention to the duties of the position. But the fore-royal scuttle gapes for our exit.”
The visitors returned to the deck. By this time the boat which had conveyed Captain Bilder and Kate to the shore had returned, and the Patterdales began to make their adieus. All the officers were engaged to dine at the elegant mansion of the retired ship-master.
“I depend upon seeing you, Mr. Lunder,” said the captain; “and I hope you will bring your nautical vocabulary with you.”
“I shall, certainly; in fact, I can hardly express myself without it now,” replied Ben. “But, I beg your pardon, we were to have the honor of pulling the ladies ashore in the mainto’-gallant quarter boat. I wish them to see how well I can handle the foreto’-starboard oar.”
“Your vanity shall be gratified, Mr. Lunder,” interposed Minnie Darling.
“Thanks.”
“But it seems a little anomalous to call a deck-hand _Mr._ Lunder,” laughed Captain Patterdale.
“I am only called so by lollipops and landlubbers,” replied Ben. “The old salts on board never call me _mister_--do they, Neil?”
“Never.”
“I am Bounding Billow Ben; but, as this name is as long as the coach-whip of the foreto’-bowsprit, they call me Ben for short.”
Captain Patterdale and his wife embarked in the shore boat; and when it had pulled away, the starboard quarter-boat was hauled up to the steps.
“Allow me to h’ist you in, Miss Darling,” said Ben, politely.
“No, I thank you, Bounding Billow Ben,” replied she. “I prefer to h’ist myself in.”
“I beg your pardon; but I only used the nautical expression for ‘assist,’” added Ben, as she took his offered hand.
“I must say I don’t think the expression is well chosen, when addressed to a young lady.”
“I acknowledge the error of my briny tongue; and I repent in ash-cloth and sashes.”
The ladies were seated in the stern-sheets, and the captain and deck-hand took their places on the thwarts.
“Where, O, where is the weather-mizzen rowlock?” asked Ben.
“Made fast with a lanyard there,” replied Neil.
“By the weather or the lee lanyard? Be explicit, great captain. Is it the skysail lanyard, or the foreto’-mizzen lanyard?”
“There it is,” added Neil, pointing to a string leading down from the rail to the ceiling.
“I see it not. I see the foreto’-royal yard, the main-yard, the back-yard, and the front yard; but I don’t see any lanyard.”
“You don’t know what a lanyard is, Ben,” laughed the captain. “That string that comes out of the hole for the rowlock.”
“That’s not kind of you, Neil,” exclaimed the deck-hand, fixing a lugubrious gaze upon the captain. “It is not kind of you to challenge my knowledge of sea things before these ladies. I am an old sea dog, crusted all over with salt, and my tongue has been in the pickle for four days. It’s cruel! it’s ungrateful! Where would you have been, if I hadn’t stood by the foreto’-backstay, when the main-royal moon-raker went by the board?”
“True, Ben. Forgive me.”
“Freely, great captain. To err is human; to forgive is the highest duty of an old ocean monster like me, who has sported for four days in the eel grass and among the dolphins. Lot’s wife was only a little salt compared with me. Now I’ll top up this lanyard, and bend on the weather rowlock.”
Ben inserted the rowlock, and shipped his oar. He was one of the college rowists, and certainly he did not lack in skill. He and Neil pulled very well together; but they had hardly gone a length from the steamer before Ben dropped his oar, stood up in the boat, and elevated both hands.
“My heyes! Shiver my topsail boom!” exclaimed he.
“What’s the matter, Ben?” demanded Neil, rather impatiently.
“Dowse my tarry top-lights! Break my benders, and mash my mizzen to’-gallant mudhook! Grind my ground-tackle, and slush down my starboard tacks!” roared the deck-hand.
“What ails you, Ben?”
“Don’t you see? Open up your dead-lights, and glance out of your port peeper.”
At this moment, three boats of the Dorcas Club, which had been concealed by the steamer, dashed up to the Ocean-Born, with their oars up. Ben, being in the bow, had seen them first, and filled the air with his mongrel slang.
“Here are three of our boats!” said Minnie Darling.
“Three of them!” ejaculated Ben. “Otto of roses! essence of peppermint, and extract of new-mown clover! Mine eyes have seen, and mine heart is gladdened!”
“There’s the Undine,” said Nellie.
“Oon-di-neh!” gasped Ben. “Bright Paracelsist vision! Haste to her ere she sinks beneath the glittering wave!”
“Why, what’s the matter, Bounding Billow Ben?” laughed Minnie.
“Five nymphs of the sea, and all in the same boat! Five Undines come up from the shadowy deep to ravish our mortal senses!”
“And the Fairy!” said Nellie.
“The Fairy! O, my! Rained down from Cloudland!”
“And the Psyche!” added Minnie.
“Psyche! Hold me down, Neil. I am Cupid.”
“Stupid, you mean,” replied the captain.
“Both--stupefied by the nymphs that dawn upon our earth-born eyes.”
Certainly the club boats were beautiful; and in the deck-hand’s estimation the young ladies, dressed in their uniform of blue, with their saucy straw hats, turned up on one side, were infinitely more beautiful. They came alongside the quarter-boats, anxious to hear about the wreck of the Sea Foam. Neil and Ben were introduced, and shook hands with the whole fifteen in the boats. The story was told by Nellie, and the three clubs dashed away again.
“All the boats will be out at three o’clock this afternoon,” said Minnie.
“Then I shall go up finally and forever,” groaned Ben. “See them! They look like Fairies, Undines, and Psyches.--Is this sea water under us, Miss Darling?”
“Certainly it is.”
“I didn’t know but it might be cream, nectar, honey, an ocean of Lubin’s extracts, or something of that sort. Of course those boats are made of sugar.”
“I think not: they would melt if they were.”
“I shall melt as it is,” replied Ben, bending to his oar. “How they go it, like a boom through a bobstay!”
In a moment the boat was at the wharf, and the young ladies were assisted up the steps.
“Good by,” said Nellie. “But we shall see you at dinner.”
“We shall call upon all the ladies who have been our guests before we leave,” replied Neil.
“You must not leave for a week yet. You must go with us on our excursion up the river.”
“I shall be glad to do so.”
The boat pulled back to the Ocean-Born, and all hands hastened to dress for dinner.