“I mustn’t let the lad think too much of himself; but it’s just this, Captain Bland, you want him and so do I, and as I have a right to him I intend to keep him. He rejoins the ‘Eagle’ this evening.”
Captain Bland could not complain. He had received great assistance from Captain Hake, who lent him Pepper and Salt and two Sandwich islanders, with which addition to his crew, now that the rest were well, he was able to continue his fishing. Mary, however, was very indignant with Captain Hake, and went so far as to call him a hard-hearted, cruel man, who wanted me to do all his drudgery, instead of allowing me to act as an officer with her father.
The next morning we sailed, and for some time kept company. I was glad to see the “Lady Alice” shortly afterwards take two whales, for I felt as much interest in her success as in that of our own ship. Twice we were becalmed when close together, and Medley and I got leave to pay a visit to our friends. I need not say that we were most kindly received. It seemed to us like going out of the rough world into a small paradise when we entered the pretty neat cabin, and were seated at the table with Mary and good Mrs Bland. Medley had a talent for drawing, and used to make pictures of ships and scenes descriptive of whale-catching for Mary, which we thought very good and true to nature. Among them were two—one of a ship leaving port, another of one returning.
“I wish this was the ‘Lady Alice,’” said Mary, taking up the last. “It will be truly a happy day when we get back with dear father safe.”
“I hoped that you were enjoying your cruise, and would be in no hurry to have it over,” I observed.
“So I do on many accounts,” she answered. “But I am always anxious when I see father go out to attack a huge whale. Two of our men were killed by one, and father might share the same fate. Sometimes his boat is a long, long way out of sight of the ship, and we cannot tell what is happening.”
“You must just trust in God, Miss Bland,” observed Medley. “He is doing his duty, and you can pray that he may be protected.”
“I always try to do that; but still, you know, the danger is great, and that makes me wish to be safe at home again, though I fear that you will be there so long before us that you will have sailed again to some distant part of the world perhaps, and we may never see you more.”
“Perhaps the ‘Lady Alice’ will be more fortunate than you expect, and may soon get filled up,” I answered, wishing to restore her spirits, which, for some reason, were unusually low. Was it on account of some unseen danger threatening us?
For several weeks we continued in company, both ships being tolerably successful; but the “Lady Alice” certainly killed more whales than we did, simply, I believe, because a better look-out was kept. Yet Captain Bland never sent the boats away on a Sunday, while all days were alike to Captain Hake. I judged by his remarks that he was somewhat jealous of the better fortune of his brother commander. At last we lost sight of the “Lady Alice.” Whenever I could manage it I went aloft to look out for her, but though I strained my eyes gazing round and round the horizon, I searched in vain. In what direction she had gone no one could say.