He then told John the whole story. “I’m sorry I hurt that fellow so much; there was no need of it, for I could have handled them without hurting them so much; but they frightened Sally so, and used such language to her, that I got my temper up, and then they had to take it.”
“These same chaps (at least I think they are the ones) went to a house on Monhegan, and frightened a woman who was in a delicate condition, so that she afterwards died. Boy, what is that vessel’s name?”
“The Albatross, sir.”
“That’s the name; I remember now. Pity you hadn’t killed him.”
“Come, Ben,” said Sally, “you and John go out doors and talk; I want to clean up here; and when it’s dinner-time I’ll call you.”
“I can’t stop,” replied John; “I came to borrow your menhaden net, Ben, to catch some bait to-night, for I must go out in the morning.”
“Well, then, just stay where you are to-night; when the flood tide makes, there will be any quantity of menhaden round the Little Bull, and I’ll help you sweep round the school, and then you can go off as early as you like in the morning.”
When they left the house, the boy offered to assist Sally in cleaning the floor, brought her wood and water, and put the dishes on the table.
When he saw how different Ben appeared, now that his anger had cooled, he shrank from the idea of leaving them and going back to his prison. The tide was fast making, and the vessel would soon be afloat; and as he looked out of the door and saw that the vessel, which had lain on her broadside on the beach, had now righted up, he approached Sally, and, with tears in his eyes, said, “Mrs. Rhines, I don’t want to go with those men. I’m afraid some time when they are drunk they’ll kill me; I don’t want to be with such bad men. Can’t you let me stay with you? I’ll do all the chores; and I can catch fish, cut wood and bring it in, and do anything that I am able, or that you will show me how to do.”
Sally, who had taken to the boy the moment she had a good look at him, and heard him speak, was deeply moved by his distress. She reflected a moment, and replied, “I should be willing, with all my heart; I will see what Mr. Rhines says. Ben,” said she, going out to where he was talking with John, “that boy wants to stay with us; he is, I believe, a real good boy; he is afraid those fellows will kill him, or will be hauled up for their wickedness, and he shall have to suffer with them.”