“Tut, tut, boy! come down the rope! Didn’t I say so plain as day? and if I didn’t, I will now.”
Wort found a rope, made one end fast to the rail, and then, throwing the other end down to Simes, safely lowered himself into the stern of the light-keeper’s boat. In fifteen minutes more Wort was at home, to the surprise and joy of his parents.
The club boys heard about Wort’s experience, and had a word to say concerning it.
“I say, Wort,” asked Charlie, “how do you like going to sea?”
“Did you catch any waleths?” inquired Pip.
“What did the mermaids say to you?” asked the governor.
“It is the last of your going to sea, Wort. You will have to be a land-lubber,” said Sid.
This last remark touched Wort.
“No, sir! See if I don’t go to sea.” And go he did. Skipper Wentworth thought it would be pleasant to have Wort’s company the first voyage, which would terminate the latter part of the year.
Mrs. Wentworth had every thing in readiness for her boy’s comfort by the time the vessel sailed.