Readyman could neither read nor write, but being of a most thoughtful turn of mind, he gladly seized the offer of his young friend to read some portions of the Bible whenever occasion offered.
'I'd like it well, Master Jack,' he said; 'some ships I've sailed in always held Sunday services, and all the men used to attend. Of course, they have meetings in the saloon, but I couldn't go there.'
'There are others held in the 'tween deck,' Jack returned. 'I have always gone down there on Sunday mornings.'
'Ay, ay, my son, but where you may go I dared not be seen. You know how strictly we are bidden to keep away from the passengers, and orders must be obeyed.'
'Well, Readyman,' Jack said, 'we must make up a little meeting of our own. I promised my father to read some of the Bible every day, and although at first there was some annoyance from Sorter, I have done so without fear.'
'Well done, sonny,' the quarter-master exclaimed. 'Stick to that all the time. It's the best book you can read, and no harm can come of doing so. But, harkee, lad! Don't have anything to say or to do with that rascal Sorter. He is no good. Do not let on that I told you anything, but we in the "fo'c's'le" hear a good deal of what is happening, and some of the hands are almost certain, although nothing positive can be ascertained, that he has had a finger in the robberies from the second cabin. I see him prowling about the fore-peak a good deal, and the young men there don't think much of him.'
Jack expressed much surprise at what he had been told, but he immediately fetched his Bible, and although debarred from entering the men's quarters, he and Readyman stowed themselves away comfortably on the topgallant forecastle-head, and the old sailor listened to the passages read to him. Indeed, it was not long before other men, attracted to the spot by sheer curiosity, sat down to listen, and remained in respectful attention to the close of the watch. Many similar readings were given, and no one interfered.
The 'Silver Crown' was daily drawing southward into more salubrious weather, and in due course she sighted the coast of South America in the neighbourhood of Pernambuco.
Then she tacked, and stood off toward the Cape of Good Hope. Shortly after breakfast next morning a hand aloft sang out 'Sail, O!' and within an hour the stranger became clearly visible. She proved to be the 'Merrie England,' owned by the same firm, and she had left the Thames with emigrants for Queensland some days before the 'Silver Crown' left Stonewell.
She was hailed with ringing cheers, and, in hope of speedily outsailing her, everyone offered their services in bracing the yards, setting up the canvas, and other duties.