The next day, observing his mother weeping, John said, ‘Mother, can’t I get work?’
She laid her hand on his head as she replied, ‘What could you do, my son?’
‘A heap of things,’ he said earnestly. ‘I can help to row, and mend the nets.’
‘But we are now far away from the fishing. We are in a strange place, full of people, where, in the midst of plenty, we are likely to come to want; for this is the last money I have in the world.’
‘Oh, mother!’ said the terrified boy, ‘will they let us starve? won’t some of the rich people help you?’
‘I am going in search of work,’ replied his mother. ‘Take care of your brother and sisters until I return.’
‘May I walk as far as the corner, mother?’
Giving him permission to do so, Mrs Leddam left the house.
Now John had a plan of his own, but he was puzzled to know how to bring it about. He had often accompanied his father to the vessels in the bay, and had a strong partiality for sailors. He thought if he could but make a friend of this rich captain, who lived in the fine house, how happy he should be. So, after thinking it over, he resolved to see the captain, and tell him how poor his mother was. Bidding Henry watch his baby sister, he set out for the corner; but as he walked on he felt his courage become fainter, until his young heart almost failed.
But we will turn to a new chapter to relate his introduction to the captain.