“Jing! I’d like that first rate,” was the delighted answer.
And, as Brother Bart had no fear of danger on the “Lady Jane,” Dan entered on all the privileges of his position. While Freddy and Dud and Jim took possession of the sheltered cabin, and the dignity of the Padre (so it seemed to Captain Jeb) demanded the state and privacy of the Captain’s room, Dan swung his hammock up on deck, where it swayed delightfully in the wind, while the stout awnings close-reefed in fair weather gave full view of the sea and the stars.
He slept like a child cradled in its mother’s arms, and was up betimes to plunge into a stretch of sheltered waves, still rosy with the sunrise, for a morning bath such as no porcelain tub could offer; and then to start off with old Neb, who, like other wise householders, began the day’s work early. Neb might be deaf and dull, and, in boyish parlance, a trifle “dippy”; but he knew the ways of fish, from whales to minnows. He had a boat of his own, with its nets and seines and lines, that not even the sturdy old Captain in the days of his command dared touch.
That Dan was allowed to handle the oars this first morning proved that the second mate had already established himself firmly in Neb’s favor. But, as Wharf Rat, Dan had gained some knowledge of boats and oars; and he was able to do his part under the old salt’s gruff direction. They went far out beyond shoal and reef; beyond Numskull Nob (whose light was still blinking faintly in the glow of the sunrise), into deep waters, where the fishing fleet could be seen already at work in the blue distance hauling up big catches of cod, halibut, and other game.
“That ain’t fishing!” growled old Neb. “It’s durned mean killing.”
“And isn’t all fishing killing?” asked Dan, as they flung out their own lines.
“No,” said Neb. “When you cast a line, or a harpoon even, you give critters a chance; but them durned pirates thar don’t give a fish no chance at all.”
“Did you ever cast a harpoon?” asked Dan, with interest.
For a moment the dull eyes kindled, the dull face brightened, as some deadened memory seemed to stir and waken into life; then the shadow fell heavy and hopeless again.
“Mebbe I did, sonny; I don’t know. It’s so far back I’ve most forgot.”