The gale now increased to a regular hurricane. The schooner ran before it under a close-reefed fore-topsail, but even then the seas followed so rapidly that there appeared great probability of their breaking on board. Both officers and men either remained below, or, when necessity compelled them to be on deck, kept close to the bulwarks, that they might have something to catch hold of should an accident occur. Under these circumstances no work was expected to be done; the boys were therefore allowed to do just as they pleased. They wisely kept forward among their friends the seamen. They had observed a boy about their own age eyeing them occasionally as he passed sometimes with a dish from the cook’s caboose, or with various messages with which he seemed to be generally employed; yet he had not hitherto spoken to them.
“I like his looks,” said David; “I can’t help fancying that he wants to be friendly. Next time he passes us I will say something to him; or see, I’ve got a knife in my pocket; I’ll present it to him, it will show our good-will.”
“That will be very much like purchasing kindness,” answered Harry.
In a few minutes after this the boy again came near.
“Here, garçon,” said David, pulling out his knife as he spoke, “take this, you may find it very useful.”
“Merci,” said the boy, “thank you—much obliged.”
“What! do you speak English?” asked David.
“Very little, but I know what you say.”
“Oh, we’re so glad of that,” exclaimed the two boys in the same breath.
“What is your name?” asked David.