Manuel had to use persuasion when he divulged his plan, chiefly with Caddy, who had inherited some of her grandfather's caution, and who had never been to Boston, fifty miles away, in her life.
Young Josiah had demurred but little, and that only—as in a candid moment he afterwards confessed to Manuel—because he hadn't planned it. As for young Josiah's being afraid, like Caddy—catch him!
Caddy was afraid little Israel would be seasick, and was sure that her grandfather would jump overboard, but Manuel tapped the top of his head significantly, and upon second thoughts Caddy decided that his bump of caution would be likely to prevent that.
And at last, when the Point was already in sight, Caddy, with her chin looking pretty square, as young Josiah said, called her grandfather to come down into the Delight's very small cabin and play checkers.
Cap'n Josiah came with alacrity, for he could never get checker-playing enough; moreover, the wind was growing fresh, and it was chilly on deck. He said maybe there would be time for a game before they got home, and Manuel was a good little "Portergee" to think of the board.
"Let him beat! Make him beat! Play like fox!" whispered Manuel to Caddy, as she followed her grandfather into the cabin.
And the Delight rounded the Point and found a more favoring wind, as Manuel had predicted, and the little weather-beaten house on the shore was left desolate and alone, with the early shadows of the November afternoon closing in upon it; while Cap'n 'Siah hilariously beat Caddy at checkers, and quite forgot that it was time they should be at home. When Caddy was forced to light a lamp in the little cabin, he sprang to his feet, and demanded, in great excitement, where that "pesky little Portergee" was letting the vessel drift to.
Manuel appeared in the doorway to explain, with young Josiah looking over his shoulder—although young Josiah was but thirteen, he was taller than Manuel—and with little Israel's beaming face thrust forward between his knees.
"It is not Portuguese like Jo Fretas and me who let the vessel drift. To navigate is in our blood, like the great Colombo!" Manuel drew his spiderlike little figure up as tall as he possibly could. "We carry the first herring to Boston; the very first, because the others have wait to load more. There is fair wind, and the moon will shine bright; before morning we shall be there. To carry you off was disrespect, and I lament him." Manuel removed his small cap and bowed profoundly. "But you are known there in Boston as great ship-master; you have license to sell these many years."
Cap'n 'Siah sat down and mopped his brow—and his wen.