When the Hard-scrabble was built, Captain Rhines and Ben rigged her, and made the sails, as also those of the Casco, and the Arthur Brown; but after Reed and Atherton began to build, a rigger and sail-maker came into the place. Charlie Bell built the first pair of cart wheels, that had an iron tire. Uncle Isaac and Captain Rhines for some time had the only wagons; but in a few years, carts and wagons were more common, and a blacksmith from Roxbury, who could do carriage work and make edge tools, bought out Peter Brock.
The meeting between Captain Rhines and Arthur (his boy, as he called him), in Boston, was a most interesting one. The old captain was jubilant that all the owners were more than satisfied, and his own judgment, in respect to the capacity of the young captain, borne out by facts.
Though by no means given to the melting mood, he met his protégé with moistening eyes. It is not within the province of language to describe the joy that thrilled the breast of Arthur Brown, and shone in every feature, as he put his hand in that of the captain, resulting from the consciousness that he had more than answered the expectations and justified the confidence reposed in him by his own friends and those of his father, especially of Captain Rhines, Charlie, Lion Ben, and the others who had risked their own lives to save his, and, not satisfied with this, had also jeopardized their property, to open before him a path to usefulness and honor.
“Where are the boys?” asked Captain Rhines, after he had talked half an hour with Arthur.
“They started for home in a coaster yesterday. I have shipped them all for the next voyage.”
“Where is Peterson?”
“Gone with them.”
“Walter and little Ned?”
“They went to Salem together after the vessel was discharged; are coming back to-morrow, expecting to go home with you, or whoever came up. Then you’re fully satisfied with me, captain?”