“Who are you that’s afther spakin’ to me in that way? Sure, if, I’m not mighty mistaken, you’re only an apprentice yourself,” exclaimed Dan, in an angry tone.
While he was speaking I crawled along the deck out of his way, and looking up, I recognised my acquaintance on board the steamer, Andrew Medley, who replied calmly, “Whether or not I am only an apprentice, I’ll not stand by and see a young boy ill-treated who hasn’t strength to defend himself.”
The ruffian laughed hoarsely, but when he saw the blood streaming down my face as Medley assisted me to get up, he looked somewhat alarmed, for he remembered that we were not yet at sea, and that although he might then treat me much worse with impunity it would be prudent to avoid the risk of being summoned before a magistrate for an assault.
“Are you much hurt, Jack?” asked Medley, as he led me aft.
“Only my nose bleeds; though the last cuts that man gave me were not pleasant,” I replied.
“If that’s all, come below and we’ll soon get you set to rights with some cold water,” said Medley. “I am glad I came in time to save you from tasting more of Dan Hogan’s colt. Though a bully, he is a good boat-steerer, so the captain keeps him on, but, for my part, I think the ship would be better without him.”
“I should have been so, at all events, just now,” I remarked, and I went down with Medley to the half-deck.
With the help of a sponge and some cold water I was soon put to rights, and except that I felt an unpleasant sensation in the back I was not much the worse for the beating I had received. The first mate, Mr Renshaw, however, who had heard of my performance from Hogan, quickly sent for me, and after scolding me for my carelessness, ordered me to draw a bucket of water. “I’ll find something for you to do, depend on that, youngster,” he observed, and he was as good as his word.
I was not over successful in carrying out this my first piece of duty, for in attempting to secure a rope to the bucket that I might lower it over the side, I made a slippery hitch. To my dismay when I hauled in the rope the bucket was not at the end. It had gone to the bottom. I fully expected to get another taste of Dan Hogan’s colt, but Medley, who at that moment came on deck, seeing what had happened, lowered a hook and fished up the bucket. He then showed me how to make a proper hitch, and the mate kept me drawing water till my arms ached.
I was feeling very hungry, and was wondering if I should get any dinner, when Medley told me that no fires were allowed to be lighted on board, and consequently that no cooking could be carried on while the ship was in dock. I was thinking of petitioning the steward for some bread and cheese, when the captain came out of his cabin and told me to accompany him on shore. Before long we stopped close to the dock entrance, at the well-known inn, “The Dog and Duck,” and taking me to the landlady told her to supply me with whatever I wanted to eat and drink. I thanked him very much as he left me there, and the hostess asking me if I should like something at once, to which I replied, “I should think so indeed,” speedily placed a capital dinner before me. I did not fail after this, whenever I felt hungry, to pay a visit to “The Dog and Duck,” not being particular as to hours, and mine hostess always looked glad to see me.