CHAPTER V.
JOHN SHEPHARD.
After passing Amsterdam Island we gradually turned our course to the northward, and without any delay in the debatable ground north of the westerly wind region, we struck the south east trades. One evening the vessel was slipping along at the rate of seven knots, with the wind two points free and the sea so smooth that motion was scarcely perceptible. A hush pervaded the ship, that seemed indicative of as much peace within the vessel as without. At six o'clock John Shephard came to the wheel, and the quiet sailing and steady steering inclined me to break the usual custom—"no conversation with the man at the wheel." "She steers well to-night, doesn't she, John?"
John blushed up to his eyelids, as was his wont when addressed by the "old man."
"Yes, sir, she steers like a pilot-boat."
"This is pleasant sailing," I added, "if going to sea was all like this we would have the old women for sailors."
"It's the pleasantest going to sea ever I saw," said John, "and things are first rate all the time now; I never in all my going to sea knew things go on so well in the forecastle; we don't have any growling or rows with each other, and if things could be like this I wouldn't mind going to sea all my life."