Poor Tom! All idea of enjoyment vanished at once, and again he understood that the boy who runs away is obliged to pay a very high price for what is a continual pain, rather than a pleasure.
“Why don’t you say something?” demanded Captain Harrison. “Do you think I keep this schooner jest to accommodate boys who want to run away from home?”
“No, sir,” faltered Tom; “but I don’t know what to say, because, you see, I don’t know how we can have a settlement, unless you should take the things I brought on board to pay you.”
“I’ve seen what you brought with you,” thundered Captain Harrison, acting as if he was very angry, although if any one had been observing him closely a twinkle of mirth could have been seen in his eyes. “All the traps you’ve got wouldn’t pay for your breakfast. Now listen to me and take care that you don’t forget what I say. You’ve seen fit to come aboard this schooner, which is bound on a fishing cruise, consequently you’ve got to pay my price for your fun. You’ll have to do your share of the work without grumbling, and I tell you candidly that it’ll be more than you ever dreamed of, coddled by your mother as you have been.”
It was pretty hard for a boy who had run away from home because he had been obliged to work too hard to be told that he would have so much to do that what he had been obliged to submit to at home was hardly more than petting. But he had run away, and he was obliged to pay the price. He did not even dare to offer any objections, for he understood only too well that he was in the captain’s power.
“Why don’t you go to work?” shouted Captain Harrison, after he had given Tom plenty of time in which to think the matter over.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Go forward and you’ll soon find plenty to keep you out of mischief.”
Tom did as he was directed, and he learned that the captain had said no more than was strictly true. Every one on board appeared to think that he had a perfect right to set a task for the stowaway and there was no hesitation about doing so. If the cook wanted wood split, the pots and pans scoured, vegetables pared, or any other disagreeable work done Tom was called upon, and he soon learned that it was dangerous to refuse. If any of the crew wanted an assistant at any time or on any piece of work, Tom was that assistant, and at the slightest hesitation a blow was given to remind him that in no sense was he his own master. He was the boy-of-all-work and with no opportunity to play.