So the bargain was concluded, and Mat found afterwards that the old man had given him a liberal selection of all sorts of literature. Strolling on he entered a second-hand clothes shop, where he concluded his purchases with the addition of a few clothes and necessaries; and some hours later returned to the ship, the mate of which accosted him with,—
“Heart alive! If ’twasn’t for your ‘duds,’ I’d a thought you’d been the same youngster that came here an hour ago, but he’s down below overhauling the ship.”
So down jumped Mat, and found his brother and Jumper.
“Hullo, Tim,” he shouted, “this is splendid! How quick you’ve got here—brought the old dog to take care of you, eh?”
“No, fact is, father thought you ought to have Jumper to take care of you, amongst the niggers; and I’ve brought your clothes and some tools, and I didn’t forget the axe, and the ‘print,’ that Garrett the smith made for you; maybe you’ll want to print yer mark on to a horse out there. And I got all the books the squire gave you, and a lot more Mr. Burns shoved into a box for you. He drove me to the station in his own trap, else I’d never a’ caught the train.”
For the rest of the day, and indeed far into the night, the brothers sat up; for Mat had not only much to relate concerning his late adventures, but also many instructions to give Tim with regard to colts, which he had undertaken to break in; besides, there were innumerable messages to be conveyed to his family and friends, more especially to the squire. At length their conversation was interrupted by the voice of the mate singing out,—
“Now then, youngsters, turn in, you can find bunks in the emigrants’ quarters to-night.”
Whilst looking for these night quarters they passed the doctor’s cabin, and Mat had his leg dressed; this he had forgotten to have done ashore. The doctor, a kindly hearted Irishman, told him he must lie up as much as possible for some days, or he would have—so Mat told his brother afterwards—“hurryslippiness.”
Next morning the emigrants began crowding on board, and Mat and Tim found plenty to occupy and amuse them in scanning the new arrivals, and witnessing in particular the various farewell takings of the Irish families.
“It’s pretty nigh time for us to part too,” said Mat, “for the day’s wearing on, but I’ll write a letter home for you to take.”