“No, because he is such a sulky, swearing old ruffian. If he had been a decent sort of fellow, I dare say he would have begun, if he had intended to do so, just like my father, who used to read the Bible to the day of his death,” remarked the lad.
“But if Simon had begun to read the Bible when he was young, he would not have become such as you say he now is,” observed Peter. “Jesus Christ would have changed Simon Hixon’s heart, and then he could not have become a sulky, swearing old ruffian.”
“You are too deep for me,” said Bell, with a forced laugh. “I never quarrel with anybody, and don’t want to quarrel with you; but let me advise you not to go on talking in that sort of way to the other chaps aboard; you won’t hear the end of it if you do. The cook was shouting for you as I came along the deck; just hide away your Bible and go and see what he wants.”
Peter put his Bible into its case.
“You will let me read it to you sometimes, Owen?” he said, as he went out of the berth.
“Well, I don’t mind if I have a spell of it some Sunday,” said Bell, with apparent carelessness. “It would put me in mind of old times at home; but I should not like to be seen reading it on a week-day. I have no fancy to be called a Methodist, as you will be if you are found out.”
Peter, going to the caboose, asked the cook what he wanted, and was told to clean the pots and pans. He set to work with right good will.
“You have done it handsomely, boy,” observed the cook, when he had finished. “I have not had my pans so bright for many a day.”
The Primrose had a fine run down Channel. On her passage a sudden squall struck her; the watch on deck flew aloft to shorten sail. Peter, who was aft, lay out on the mizen top-gallant-sail yard, and taking the weather earring, succeeded, with Owen Bell and two others, in handling the fluttering sail. As he reached the deck the captain called to him.
“You did that smartly, youngster; it’s not the first time I have observed you. I’ll keep my eye on you. Go on as you have begun, and you will make a famous seaman.”