When Anne introduced him to Mrs. Freeman Amos took off his cap and bowed very politely, as he had noticed Captain Nash do. Frederick and he became friends instantly, and Amos was taken out to the workshop to see the model ship which had the American flag fastened to its mainmast, and he listened to Frederick’s plans for building ships approvingly.
“Maybe I’ll sail one of your vessels for you,” he said. “I’m going to learn navigation. I’m not planning to be on shore much after this, I can tell you.”
Frederick listened enviously; he thought Amos was a very fortunate boy to be going for a year’s voyage on the “Sea Gull.”
CHAPTER XVI
AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
“I’ll bring you some coral beads, Anne,” Amos promised as he said good-bye, and started back for the wharf. Frederick went with him, and listened admiringly to Amos’s plans of all he meant to see and do. Frederick began to think that it would be better to go to sea than to build ships. He watched the “Sea Gull’s” sails as they caught the wind, and his eyes followed the little vessel until it looked not unlike the white-winged bird whose name it bore.
As he entered the yard Rose came down the path to meet him. She had a small package in her hand.
“I want you to do something for me, Fred,” she said, “and I don’t want any one, especially Anne and Millicent, to know anything about it.”