“Well,” continued Jenkins, “that’s Captain Scroop’s boat. She’s the best one of them all, and he’s the most obliging and gentlemanly captain that sails into Baltimore. Come on, we’ll go over her.”
They walked across the decks to the side of the schooner, and climbed aboard, over the rail. The schooner seemed deserted, save the presence of a boy of about twelve, who was engaged in chopping a block of stove-wood into kindlings, near the afterhouse.
“Hello, Joe,” said Jenkins.
The boy looked up and nodded, sullenly. He seemed, moreover, to eye Mr. Jenkins with some disfavour.
“Captain Scroop aboard?”
The boy shook his head.
“Well, we’re going to look about a bit,” said Mr. Jenkins, easily.
He conducted Harvey about the deck, forward and aft, explaining one thing and another; then showed the way to the companion that led to the cabin. “Step down,” he said to Harvey. “Nice quarters they have aboard here.” Then, as Harvey descended, he added, “Make yourself comfortable a moment. I’ll be right along.”
Seeing Harvey at the foot of the companion-ladder, he turned quickly, stepped to the side of the boy and cuffed him smartly over one ear.
“Here, you,” he said, “brace up and say something! There’s a dollar in it for you if we land him. Come to life, now!”