CHAPTER XXII
THE CAPTAIN OF THE OSPREY
“Guy, my son!” said Captain Grover, his face lighting up with unmistakable joy. “It does me good to see you again. Why, you’re quite two inches taller than when we parted at Bombay.”
“Yes, captain; I think I have grown,” returned Guy, complacently. “When did you get back?”
“Only last week. You are here almost as soon as I. Have you got through working for Mr. Saunders?”
“Oh, no. I am still in his employ. I went to England to attend to some business for him, and I am now in America on the same errand.”
“And does he make it worth your while?”
“Yes,” answered Guy, smiling. “I won’t go into particulars. I haven’t done that even with my father. I will tell you, however, that since I have been home I have paid off a five hundred dollar mortgage on the parsonage.”
“That is capital! Evidently Mr. Saunders is a liberal man; and I am sure I am very glad, not only for your sake, but for the sake of my old friend, your father. How long do you stay in Bayport?”
“That depends partly upon you.”
“How is that?”
“I may be your passenger on your next voyage.”
“You mean to go back to Bombay, then?”
“Yes; or at least in that direction. How long before you will start?”
“Well, you see, Guy, that isn’t an easy question to answer.”
“Why not, captain?” asked Guy, puzzled.
“I’ll tell you. I have been cruising about for about fifteen years without any vacation, and I am minded to stay at home for six months at least, more especially as my only sister is coming on from Wisconsin, where she has been living ever since her marriage, twenty years since. There are only two of us now, for all the rest of the family are dead, and I may never see her again, as she means to go back to Wisconsin after her visit.”
“I see, captain,” said Guy, in a tone of disappointment. “Of course, I can’t blame you, but it will interfere with my plans.”
“I don’t see why that should be, Guy.”
“I can’t wait six months.”
“You won’t need to. The Osprey will sail just the same as ever, but for this one voyage it will have a different commander. You ain’t set on sailing with me, are you?”
“I should certainly prefer to sail with you, captain; but the main reason is that I should be more likely to make the arrangement with you that I desire. Who is to command the Osprey in your place?”
“It’s an Englishman, Captain John Richmond. I have seen him, but I don’t know him very well. I am told that he is a thorough seaman, however.”
“I don’t doubt that, as your owners have thought fit to employ him. But the arrangement I want to make is a very peculiar one, and I should feel more sure of doing it if you were to be still in command.”
“You puzzle me, Guy. Heave ahead, and let me know what you are driving at.”
“You are going to the house, are you not?”
“Yes. I came down to take supper with your father, and I may stay over-night if he will keep me.”
“He will be delighted to do that. It would take me too long to explain myself now, but I will go back to New Bedford with you to-morrow morning, and then we will talk the matter over. One thing, however, I will ask. Say nothing of it to father, as I do not propose to tell him.”
“Is that right, Guy?”
“Yes. Father isn’t a practical man, as you know, and could not advise me in the matter. I have talked it over with Mr. Saunders, who is a shrewd man of business, and I think we can trust to his judgment.”
“To be sure! to be sure! Let it lay over till to-morrow, then.”
By this time they had reached the parsonage, and the minister welcomed his guest with unaffected cordiality.
“Well, Fenwick, you are not sorry you trusted Guy to me, are you?”
“No! no! my old friend! Nothing but good has come to him. He has been wonderfully fortunate, and has helped me out of what might have proved a serious trouble.”
“Aye, Fenwick, he is a good boy.”
“I am only sorry that my necessities have robbed the poor boy of his hard earnings. I have been blaming myself for my selfishness in accepting it.”
“Don’t worry about that, father. I have money left, as much as I shall need. Besides, I am still in Mr. Saunders’ employ, and am receiving a liberal salary.”
“By the way, Guy,” said the captain, “how much are you receiving?”
“I would tell you, if I knew, Captain Glover, but the amount has not been decided upon. I am sure of one thing—that it will be large. Besides, I am authorized to draw what I need.”
“It is wonderful that a boy of Guy’s age should be so trusted,” said Mr. Fenwick.
“True; but Mr. Saunders is under the strongest of obligations to him.”
“How is that?”
“Didn’t Guy tell you that he had saved his employer’s life?”
“No,” answered the minister, in great surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me, Guy?”
“It didn’t come into my mind, father.”
“You are modest, Guy,” said the captain.
“On the contrary, I might have wished father to understand that it was my business ability that influenced Mr. Saunders to offer me employment.”
The story was told, and it was clear that it made Mr. Fenwick more than ever proud of Guy.
“Besides,” added Captain Grover, “if Guy had not shown business ability he would not have been trusted with so important a commission.”
Guy did not tell the captain of the thousand pounds which had been given him by Mr. Saunders as part compensation for a share in the island treasure. He did not care that anyone should know the extent of his good fortune.
Besides, if things went well, and the expedition which he was arranging should prove successful, he hoped to secure a considerably larger sum. This, however, was not certain. But whichever way things turned out, the five thousand dollars were his, and he wouldn’t be expected to return them. Even if he got no more, he would feel amply repaid for his trouble in examining his uncle George’s chest.
Nothing more was said during the evening about business. The next morning, after breakfast, Guy notified his father that he would go up to New Bedford with Captain Grover.
Upon this the minister made no comment. He had come to look upon Guy as his own master.
Considering that he had already visited India and England, this was not surprising, although Guy still lacked several years of his majority.
CHAPTER XXIII
ON THE WAY TO NEW BEDFORD
On the way to New Bedford, Guy broached the subject of engaging the Osprey to visit the Agalegas Islands during her next cruise.
“Then Mr. Saunders believes in the buried treasure?” said Captain Grover.
“He thinks there is a fair chance of it existing.”
“Let me understand, then. He is willing to pay for the extra time the voyage will be prolonged in order to make this side trip?”
“Yes, captain.”
“I think it will be a wildgoose chase, for my part,” remarked the captain, slowly.
“Perhaps so, but Mr. Saunders seems willing to take the risk.”
“Well, he is certainly able to do so. He is a very rich man.”
“Have you any idea how rich?” asked Guy, with natural curiosity.
“I have heard it conjectured that he is worth a million pounds.”
“That is five million dollars.”
“Yes.”
“That is a great deal of money.”
“True. Of course, it is only conjecture, but it is just as likely that he is worth more as that he is worth less.”
“I think there is no doubt that he will be able to pay me my salary, then,” said Guy, smiling.
“There is not much doubt about that. It occurs to me as strange, since he is so rich, that he should take any trouble about this treasure, which may not exist, after all.”
“I really think, Captain Grover, that Mr. Saunders cares very little about it.”
“Why, then, should he incur such an outlay in searching for it?”
“I will tell you what I think. Though of very little importance to him, it is of a great deal of importance to me. I think it is this consideration that influences him.”
“And very properly, too, since you saved his life.”
“That may be, but I appreciate his kindness, nevertheless.”
A little later Guy asked: “Do you think your owners will be willing to make an arrangement for this side voyage?”
“That depends on two things: First, whether Mr. Saunders will pay a sum that will compensate them for their trouble; and secondly, whether he will be able to pay the terms they may ask.”
“There can be no doubt as to the last.”
“No; and this I will assure them. I have known for years Mr. Saunders’ financial standing, and his strict sense of honor. You have documents to show that you are his accredited agent?”
“Yes, captain. Besides, I can refer them to Mr. Frazer, his New York correspondent.”
“He, too, is well known. There will be no difficulty on that score.”
“Have you seen this Captain Richmond?”
“No; but I shall probably meet him to-day.”
“I wish I were going to sail with you.”
“So do I; but you see how I am situated. If you were willing to wait six months–”
“But I could not do that. I could not remain idle for so long. Besides, I don’t think Mr. Saunders will approve it.”
“Then we will drop that idea. I will introduce you to my owners, and speak a good word for you. I am sure if they agree, they will be reasonable in their charges.”
“How soon will the Osprey be ready to start again?”
“In about two weeks. By the way, Guy, I have a suggestion to make.”
“What is it?”
“Suppose you find the island and the treasure, you can’t take charge of it single-handed.”
“I have been thinking about that, and it puzzled me. What would you advise me to do?”
“I advise you to take two good, strong, reliable men with you who will be able and willing to co-operate with you in carrying out your plans. A boy, single-handed, would be at the mercy of designing or dishonest men.”
“I see that.”
“If you were sailing with me, you would need no one else, as I would see that no one interfered with you; but that cannot be.”
“Where can I find any such men as you speak of? Do you know anyone you can recommend?”
Captain Grover looked thoughtful. Finally his face lighted up.
“Yes,” he said. “I think I can find someone. I have a brother-in-law, Abner Titcomb, living in Vernon, Maine, who is at present out of employment. He is a blacksmith by trade, and naturally a strong, muscular man. I think he would be glad to accept an appointment, if you would feel authorized to pay him good, fair wages.”
“I would do so. Now as to the second man.”
“It will be best to leave the selection to Abner. No doubt he can find some personal friend in the village who will be as well fitted as himself for the work.”
“That strikes me favorably.”
“Very well; when you have made an arrangement with the owners, and it is fully settled that you will go, I will write to Abner to come right on and talk the matter over.”
“All right, Captain Grover. You are doing me a great service.”
“Do you know, Guy, I can’t help wondering whenever I think of you, a boy of seventeen, with such a load of responsibility on his shoulders. Why, only a few months ago, I thought of you as a mere schoolboy. Now you are the leader of a very important expedition. There are men who would not be competent to fill the place that has been assigned to you.”
“I am not certain that I am competent myself,” said Guy, seriously.
“I am sure you will do your best. You are not afraid? You have no misgivings as to the outcome?”
“No. On the contrary, I think I enjoy the prospect.”
“That will help you to succeed. But here we are at the station. I will conduct you to the office of my owners, John and Charles Gray.”
CHAPTER XXIV
ARRANGING FOR THE VOYAGE
Captain Grover introduced Guy to John and Charles Gray, the shipping merchants, by whom he had been for years employed.
Looking upon Guy as a boy, they simply shook hands with him, and did not feel called upon to pay him any further attention; but when the captain explained his business they regarded him with curiosity and surprise.
“I can hardly believe,” said the senior of the two, “that this boy can have received such an important commission.”
“I am not surprised at that,” returned the captain. “It certainly does seem unlikely. I can assure you, however, that there is no mistake about it.”
“I don’t believe much in hunting for treasures, especially at the other end of the world. To my mind there is not one chance in ten of finding what is sought after.”
“Let me call your attention to this fact, Mr. Gray, that your compensation will not depend upon the finding of the treasure. Mr. Saunders, the boy’s employer, is a man of vast wealth, and he backs the enterprise. No matter if it is a failure, he will pay you what he agrees to.”
“To be sure, to be sure, that is important. If we are protected, of course, we need not trouble ourselves as to the result of the quest.”
“Exactly so.”
“The next question is, will Mr. Saunders be willing to pay enough to make up to us for the increased length of the voyage?”
“That is a matter for the boy to decide. Mr. Saunders has given him full power to act for him.”
“How much time do you think you will need, Mr. Fenwick?” asked the merchant.
“I have talked the matter over with Captain Grover, and have decided that I had better contract for two months.”
“And should the time be prolonged?”
“I will, of course, pay an additional sum.”
“That is satisfactory.”
“I ought to mention, also,” said Guy, “that I intend to have two men with me to assist me in taking possession of the treasure, if I find it.”
“Then, in addition to paying for the vessel, there will be three passengers, including yourself?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If you will call to-morrow, we will be prepared to submit our terms. We shall need to talk matters over, and estimate what sum we must ask to make ourselves good.”
“Very well, Mr. Gray. Then I will come into New Bedford again to-morrow.”
“No, Guy, you must stay at my house for the night,” interposed the captain. “It is long since you have been my guest, and my wife and daughter will be very glad to see you.”
“Thank you, captain. I shall be glad to accept your invitation.”
The next day, Guy, accompanied by the captain, called again at the office of the brothers Gray.
They submitted a proposal which, after consulting with Captain Grover, Guy pronounced satisfactory.
“Now that all is settled about the voyage, I will write to my brother-in-law.”
“I shall be glad to have him come to New Bedford at once,” said Guy, “and his friend, too. You may say in your letter that his wages will commence as soon as he reports for duty.”
“That will remove every obstacle. My brother-in-law is a poor man, and he would not be able to remain here any length of time on expense.”
Captain Grover dispatched a letter at once.
Abner Titcomb answered it in person. He brought with him a man as tall and muscular as himself, but probably about ten years younger.
Luke Clark was thirty years of age, and Abner Titcomb forty-one.
Guy was pleased with his companions. They looked honest and reliable, and in case he got into any trouble they were abundantly able to protect him.
Titcomb’s arms were hard and muscular, and Luke Clark, who was a farmer, was a good match for him.
Guy advanced the two men money to buy an outfit, and when the time came to sail all were in readiness.
It was not till the day of sailing that Guy saw Captain John Richmond, the new commander of the Osprey.
CHAPTER XXV
CAPTAIN RICHMOND
Captain Grover went on board the Osprey when she was ready to sail.
“Captain Richmond,” said the old captain, “this is my young friend, Guy Fenwick, who has engaged you to take him to one of the Agalegas Islands.”
Captain Richmond was a tall, dark-complexioned man, with a sallow skin, and an unpleasant expression of countenance.
“Humph, a boy!” he said, in a tone by no means cordial.
“Yes, a boy, Captain Richmond, but quite as much entitled to consideration as a man. He represents the wealthiest English merchant in Bombay.”
Captain Richmond shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t half like leaving the direct course,” he said. “It seems like a crazy idea.”
He seemed determined to make himself disagreeable. Guy felt it, and he more than ever regretted that he was not to sail with his friend, Captain Grover.
The latter was considerably annoyed, and he said, sharply: “I take it, Captain Richmond, that this is no concern of yours. This young man has made a contract with the owners, and he has agreed to pay them well for the extra length of the voyage.”
“It strikes me, Captain Grover, that you are taking a liberty in talking to me in this style,” said Captain Richmond, angrily. “I am the captain, not you!”
“True; but I know the captain’s duties. The owners have made a certain agreement with my young friend here, and it is as his friend that I warn you that this contract must be carried out in good faith.”
“I will thank you to mind your own business,” retorted Captain Richmond, wrathfully.
“I propose to do so, and should you attempt to interfere with Guy in carrying out his plans, I will report this conversation to the owners of the Osprey.”
This was said so sternly, and in such a determined tone, that Captain Richmond did not dare to reply. He turned on his heel without a word and walked away.
“I am afraid I shall have trouble with the captain,” said Guy, when the latter was out of hearing. “I wish so much that you were in command.”
“I wish so, too, Guy; but you understand why I have taken a vacation.”
“Evidently Captain Richmond doesn’t like the idea of leaving the direct course.”
“No; but it is none of his business. That is a matter between you, representing Mr. Saunders, and the owners.”
“I think my being a boy may lead to his treating me with less ceremony.”
“The only thing to do, Guy, is to stick up for your rights. Even if you are a boy, your rights are just the same. Should the captain break the contract, you could, of course, withhold the money you have agreed to pay the owners, and this would get him into hot water.”
“You advise me, then, to be firm?”
“Surely. It is your right and your duty. And by the way, Guy, you will remember that you are not alone. You have two strong and able assistants who are not boys, but independent men. They will help you to enforce your rights.”
“I see that your advice to me was good. Had I gone alone, I am afraid my plans would have failed. Does the captain know why I want to visit the island?”
“I presume so. Probably he thinks it a foolish enterprise, and that may account in part for his cavalier treatment of you. Of course, it is none of his business, and you need not hesitate to hint as much if he begins to talk roughly.”
Guy considered this good advice, and determined to act upon it. He felt that he must deport himself in a manner which might be unbecoming in an ordinary boy, but was called for by the fact that he was acting for Mr. Saunders. It was his duty to guard the interests of his employer.
When he bade good-bye to Captain Grover he felt a presentiment that the voyage on which he had embarked would be an unpleasant one, and that Captain Richmond would make it so. But Guy had pluck, and though he expected a conflict, he did not fear it.
The first outbreak came very soon after the sailing of the Osprey.
Dinner was announced. Guy was, of course, to eat at the captain’s table, but when he entered he found that no seats had been placed for his two assistants.
“How is this, Captain Richmond?” said Guy, as he took his seat. “I see no places at the table for Mr. Titcomb and Mr. Clark.”
“They will eat with the sailors,” replied the captain, curtly.
“I beg pardon, Captain Richmond,” said Guy, calmly, though he was very angry, “I will consent to no such arrangement.”
“You won’t, eh?” snarled the captain. “Who is the captain of this craft—you or I?”
“You, sir; but my arrangement was not made with you, but with the Messrs. Gray.”
“These men are your servants. I don’t have servants at my table.”
“They are not my servants. They, like myself, are in the employ of Mr. Saunders, of Bombay.”
“I don’t know Mr. Saunders.”
“Perhaps not; but I do. I know that unless these gentlemen are treated with proper respect and consideration he will refuse to pay the sum he has contracted to give your owners.”
“I am an English captain, and do not care to meet common men on an equality.”
“These men whom you call common are as good as you or myself. One of them is the brother-in-law of Captain Grover; the other is his friend. But, above all, they are American citizens, and as such are entitled to respect.”
“I haven’t much respect for a Yankee,” muttered the captain.
“I won’t argue with you on that point, though I am myself a Yankee,” returned Guy. “I will, however, call your attention to the contract I made with your owners, the Messrs. Gray. It is expressly stated that these men are to be received as first-class passengers, and to be treated as such. Will you be kind enough to cast your eyes over this document?”
Captain Richmond reluctantly took from Guy’s hand the paper he extended to him, and looked over it.
It was as Guy had stated. Titcomb and Clark were designated as first-class passengers, and were to be treated as such.
“I am surprised,” said the captain, in a tone of annoyance, “that Messrs. Gray should have made such an agreement.”
“It is conclusive, however,” returned Guy, coldly. “Will you kindly see that seats are placed for my two companions?”
“It shall be done at the next meal. To-day they can eat as soon as we have finished.”
Though Guy might have demanded more than this, he did not care to make a fuss. He felt that in the controversy he had carried his point.
Guy spoke of the matter afterward to the two men.
“Why,” exclaimed Abner Titcomb, “the mean upstart! So he thinks we are not fit to sit at the table with his royal highness, does he? If I had him at my home in Maine we would soon see who is the best man.”
“I wouldn’t have consented to eat with the sailors,” said Luke Clark, “though there isn’t a sailor aboard that I don’t feel as much respect for as I do for Captain Richmond. But I know that he meant to insult and degrade us, and I have too much respect for myself as an American citizen to allow that.”
Though Guy had carried his point, neither he nor his companions enjoyed their meals at the captain’s table. The only other person who sat there was the mate, and he would often be on duty, so that he would not eat at the same time with them.
His name was Forbush, and he was a New Hampshire man, as agreeable as the captain was morose.
Generally there was very little conversation at meal-time. Captain Richmond addressed Guy, but seldom vouchsafed a word to Titcomb or Clark.
“I wish Forbush were captain,” said Abner Titcomb, one day. “He is one of our own people, while Captain Richmond has no sympathy for us.”
“I wonder why the owners gave the command to such a man?” added Luke Clark.
“He is an experienced seaman, and understands his business, so Captain Grover told me. I suppose that accounts for it,” answered Guy.
“I am afraid we shall see trouble before the end of the voyage,” said Titcomb, lowering his voice. “I will tell you what I have heard of the captain from one of the sailors.”