CHAPTER VIII
IN THE CRADLE OF THE DEEP
It was already dusk and night was at hand when the Iroquois was ready to head for Boston. Already those off duty had eaten. The captain, however, still remained on deck. He waited to make sure the ship was on her proper course, for the new ensign was the only commissioned officer now on duty, and the captain hesitated to allow him to figure the course alone. But the ensign did it with the captain looking on, and set the course with perfect accuracy.
“Very good,” said the captain. “We have something like two hundred miles to go, and we stand on this course the entire distance. Tell the helmsman to hold her northwest three-quarters west.”
The ensign delivered the message, and the captain heard the man at the wheel respond: “Aye, aye, sir. Northwest three-quarters west.” Then the commander headed for his supper.
Henry stood at the foot of the ladder, waiting for him. “Captain Hardwick,” he said, “the quartermaster has asked me if I would take supper with him. May I?”
“So you’re tired of the old skipper already, are you?” laughed the captain.
Henry was a bit embarrassed. “No, indeed, I am not, Captain, but you see, I—I——”
“Run along, lad, and enjoy yourself. The old skipper has eaten by himself too long to be worried about one more meal à la solitaire.” And he patted Henry gently on the shoulder.
Henry was more than glad to be allowed to eat with the quartermaster. He liked him greatly, and, furthermore, the latter had offered to show him the forward part of the ship. Excepting for his hurried trip to the fireroom and back, when he had caught a glimpse of the interior of the Iroquois, Henry had as yet been nowhere below deck except in the captain’s cabin and in the wardroom. His visit to the Viking had made him curious to see just how the sailors on the Iroquois did live, anyway: and he knew he would see them in their true colors if he went with the quartermaster. There wouldn’t be any standing at attention, as might be the case if the captain was along. But before they could do any sightseeing, the two young men had to eat.
As they climbed down the steps to the mess room forward, Henry said to his companion: “I wonder why the captain prefers to live alone in his cabin. Of course it’s all right to be alone when he wants to work or read, but I should suppose he’d prefer to live with his officers.”