“Yes, that’s a native, boys,” he said; “and it is a primitive place, and no mistake, but you’re right: we shall only stop here long enough to load up, and then off we go inland, pioneers of the new land.”
Man tossed up his straw hat, and cried “hooray!” his brother joined in, and the sailors forward, who were waiting to warp the great vessel alongside the rough wharf, joined in the cheer, supposing the shout to be given because, after months of bad weather, they were all safe in a sunny port.
At the cheer three ladies came out of the companionway, followed by a short, grey, fierce-looking man, who walked eagerly to the group of boys.
“Here, what’s the matter?” he cried. “Anything wrong?”
“No, uncle,” said Norman. “I only said ‘Hooray!’ because we have got here safe.”
“Did mamma and the girls come out because we cheered?” said Rifle. “Hallo, here’s Aunt Georgie too!”
He ran to the cabin entrance, from which now appeared an elderly lady of fifty-five or sixty, busily tying a white handkerchief over her cap, and this done as the boy reached her, she took out her spectacle-case.
“What’s the matter, Rifle?” she said excitedly. “Is the ship going down?”
“No, aunt, going up the river. We’re all safe in port.”
“Thank goodness,” said the lady, fervently. “Oh, what a voyage!”