Totally unsuspicious of this, Alfred asked leave to accompany some of the men along the shore in search of eggs. He was refused. His eyes flashed fire; and he muttered a dreadful oath, as he turned away.
"Give me leave to take him in hand!" exclaimed Mr. Bond, the second mate; "I'll soon break him of swearing at his officers."
"You're welcome to the dirty job," replied the first mate; "I don't relish such business."
So Alfred was delivered over to the tender mercies of a man whose dignity as an inferior in command had often been offended by the lad's insolence and disrespect, though, warned by his messmates, the boy had been careful to keep within certain limits, to escape his well-merited punishment.
The captain was on board another vessel, which was being loaded with palm oil and provisions, where he was to dine; and the first mate, with some of the crew, were just starting for an expedition to the island. The coast was, therefore, clear; and Mr. Bond ordered Harding, as he called him, to appear on deck.
The lad at first refused to obey. He was burning with rage and indignation that he was not allowed the same liberty as his messmates. He also began to fear that the vessel would sail again before he should have an opportunity to escape. While cherishing such feelings, he could not brook the idea of appearing on deck to answer to any charge which might be made against him.
"You'll not find me carrying such a message as that for you," said the sailor; "and, though I owe you no favors, yet I advise you to start at once, if you don't want to be shut up in the hold."
Alfred started at this; for his present life of labor and restraint had become intolerable to him; and, if confined while in port, there was an end of his chance to escape from it.
"How dare you have the impudence to swear at your officers?" began the mate, in an angry tone.
Alfred glanced at him from under his half-closed eyelids, and sullenly remained silent.