“I shall not meddle with the affairs of your family; but, if it was my case, I should set the boys and girls to work,” added Captain Gildrock. “You must take the helm in your own hands.”
“It will make trouble,” said Farmer Millweed, shaking his head.
“You are very sure to have trouble if you don’t do it.”
“That’s so!” exclaimed the unhappy man. “I have always had to work hard, and I never drank a drop of liquor in my life. I’m not as smart as some, but I’ve done my best to get along. Next
month the mortgage and interest are due, and I have not a dollar to pay either. I am behindhand on my interest now. Of course Stubbs will take possession, and my family will be turned out of the house. I have no place to go, and the best I can do will be to go to work on wages; for all I have got will not pay my debts. I shall have to take the helm, as you call it, captain.”
“If I can do any thing for you, I shall be glad to do it,” added the captain.
“I haven’t any claims on you, Captain Gildrock, and it is very kind of you to offer to take my boys. I will go home, and see what can be done,” replied Farmer Millweed, as he left the captain.
There was an expression of resolution on his face as he passed out of the yard, and it was evident to the captain that he meant to do something in the emergency. The captain wondered if his pluck would hold out long enough to enable him to do it.
“If the boys are going to join the school, I want them here by nine this forenoon; for we are about to organize a ship’s company for the steam-yacht,” he called to the discouraged farmer, as he was passing through the gate.
“I intend to have them both here,” answered Mr. Millweed.