The captain inquired whether the man we had picked up had entered.
“He has been working very steadily,” answered the first mate, “but Harry shall ask him if he intends to remain.”
When the men knocked off work I went forward to speak to him.
“Well, Ned, what have you determined on?” I asked; “the captain wishes to know whether you will enter.”
“I will very gladly do so, Mr Harry,” he answered. “I like you and the first officer, and as I have no friends at home who care for me, I am in no hurry to get back to old England.”
“Why were you unwilling to enter before?” I inquired.
“Well, sir, I don’t mind telling you now. It was on account of those two fellows, Howlett and Trinder. I have served with them before, and us I know a thing or two about them, and that they are mutinous, ill-disposed rascals, I was afraid that they would find me out, and some dark night heave me overboard, or knock me on the head.”
“On board what ship did you serve with them?” I asked.
“On board the ‘Amphion,’” he answered. “They and several others of the crew, tarred with the same brush, stole a boat and deserted from her, leaving us so short-handed that, one of the officers and two other hands being washed overboard, when the ship caught in a typhoon we were unable to manage her, and she drove on a reef and was lost, we who remained scarcely escaping with our lives.”
“The ‘Amphion!’” I exclaimed, much astonished. “Why, that was my father’s ship! Did you say the captain escaped?”