[“THE OLD GUNNER STRAIGHTENED HIMSELF UP, SURVEYING BOTH SIMON AND ME.”]
“Did I understand you two lads aright this morning, when it was allowed that you’d the same as shipped aboard the America?”
“Of course you did,” I said, quickly, not realising what turn he was giving to the situation. “There could have been no mistake when we said that permission had been given us, both by Captain Ropes and my Uncle George.”
“Then it is allowed that you are the same as members of the crew, eh?”
“How else can it be?”
“That was the way I understood it, and now hark ye, lads. Is it in your mind that boys aboard ship are to be dandled an’ petted? Have you got the idee that every man Jack of us must take off his hat ’cause one of you happens to be son of the captain, an’ the other a nephew of the owner?”
I looked at Simon, not knowing what reply to make to such a question, and he gazed at me in mute astonishment.
“You may as well make up your minds as to what you count on bein’ aboard this ship, ’cause the matter’s got to be settled mighty soon,” the old gunner said, solemnly. “I took it for granted that you was rated as boys; but if it so be you’re reckonin’ on makin’ the cruise for pleasure, an’ settin’ yourselves above the others with high an’ lofty airs ’cause of your relationship, why, then, we’ll have a plain understandin’ from the start. It ain’t allowed that passengers may mosey ’round here for’ard,—leastways it never has been on any ship I was aboard of; so you’ll excuse me for takin’ the liberty of settin’ you about a sailorman’s duties, otherwise I’ll call the crew of the captain’s gig to escort you into the cabin, where you seem to belong.”
The old man tugged at the lock of hair over his forehead, as he scraped with one foot, in what he believed to be the proper kind of a bow, and started aft as if to carry out his threat.
Now, although I had never been to sea, I knew enough of a sailorman’s life to understand that if the remainder of the crew got the slightest inkling of what had just happened, our lives would be far from pleasant during the cruise; therefore, I checked him by clutching at his arm, imploringly, as I cried: