'What! Into a cockle-shell like her? Not likely.'
Jack soon joined the new craft, which was a barque of nine hundred tons, named the 'Alert,' and into her Readyman also exchanged; but Archer, the elder apprentice, remained on the clipper.
For a few days Jack found himself cramped for 'elbow-room,' but his new quarters were far superior to those lately occupied, since he now lived aft in the fore cabin with the two officers and the steward.
A week later both vessels left Moreton Bay together, but although the 'Alert' was by no means a slow craft she could not keep pace with her larger consort, which raced away at great speed and soon disappeared. And that was the last Jack Clewlin ever saw of her.
Without noteworthy incident the barque arrived safely at Newcastle, which is situated near the mouth of the Hunter River, New South Wales, some sixty miles from Sydney. There she immediately proceeded to load coal for Batavia.
So busily employed were all hands that little opportunity for visiting the town was afforded. Some of the crew received a sound 'ducking' while attempting to walk the stout spars that kept the vessel clear of the river bank, so Jack wisely decided to remain on board.
The hold being filled, and the coal dust washed away, the sails were sent aloft and 'bent,' or fastened to the yards; at that work Jack took his place, his light weight being most suitable for the royal yards, while Readyman had shown him how the canvas should be secured. Indeed, what with his knowledge of splicing and knotting the ropes, and other valuable information imparted by his old friend, the mates soon perceived his eagerness to learn, and afforded him much more opportunity of speedy advance than would ever have occurred on the clipper.
Accompanied by a large brig and a full-rigged ship, the 'Alert' put to sea, all three vessels being bound to Java.
The 'Alert' soon made a good offing, and to Jack's extreme satisfaction Captain Thorne ordered him to relieve the helmsman, whose greater strength was needed to cat-head and secure the anchor. Under the watchful eye of the master himself, the young helmsman attained such proficiency in the art of steering, that when one of the crew presently fell ill the lad was able to take his place.
Of that advance no one felt prouder than Readyman. 'It's all through learning the compass, lad,' he said. 'You've moved into the best vessel to learn your business, and the old man means that you shall.'