Up The Baltic Part 58

"I am astonished to think you should expose the lives of your crew, by pushing your boat right into the path of a steamer."

"I didn't do it, sir, till the steamer had stopped her wheels. I wanted to get on board of her, and leave the ship. In Norway, I cheated the rest of the party, and led them out of the way."

"How could you do that?"

"I told Ole what to say."

"Then you wished to travel alone?"

"Yes, sir."

Sanford and Stockwell made a clean breast of it, explaining how they had lost trains and steamers, and thus avoided returning to the ship.

"Then Ole is a rogue as well as the rest of you, it seems."

"He did what I told him to do, and paid him for doing," replied Sanford.

"He is a runaway, too," interposed the boatswain, who proceeded to tell the story of the waif. "The boy has suffered a good deal from the ill-treatment of his step-father."

"I am sorry for him; but his character does not seem to be up to the average of that of his countrymen. I don't think we want him on board," replied Mr. Lowington. "As you say this Olaf has no claim for his services, we will see about him."

The Rensdyr had by this time arrived at the quay, and it was not believed that Captain Olaf would permit his step-son, whose services seemed to be of so much value to him, to escape without making an effort to reclaim him. After all hands had returned from the sh.o.r.e, he put in an appearance, and seeing Peaks in the waist, directed his steps towards him. The profusion of fine uniforms, the order and discipline that reigned on deck, and the dignified mien of the instructors who were walking back and forth, seemed to produce an impression upon the mind of the rough skipper, for he took off his hat, and appeared to be as timid as though he had come into the presence of the king.

"Good evening, Captain Olaf," said the boatswain.

"I want the boy Ole," replied the skipper, bowing, and returning the salutation.

"You must talk with the princ.i.p.al about that."

"I don't understand."

Peaks conducted Olaf to the quarter-deck, where Mr. Lowington was conversing with Mr. and Mrs. Kendall, who had come on board to visit their old friends.

"This is the man that claims Ole," said the boatswain.

"I want the boy, sir," added Captain Olaf, bowing as gracefully as he knew how.

"If Ole chooses to go with you, he may go," replied the princ.i.p.al.

"He does not choose to go."

"I certainly shall not compel him to go," continued Mr. Lowington.

"I will make him go."

"I shall allow no violence on board of this ship."

"But he is my boy; the son of my wife that is dead."

"He is not your son, and you have no more claim on him than I have.

The boy is an orphan. Have you been appointed his guardian?"

This question was out of Olaf's depth in the English language; but it was translated into Danish by Professor Badois, and the skipper did not pretend that he had any legal authority over the boy.

"But I have fed and clothed him, and he must work for me," said he.

"Ole says you did not feed him, and he had nothing but a few dirty rags on when we picked him up. I have nothing to do with the matter.

Ole is free to go or stay, just as he pleases," replied the princ.i.p.al, turning away from the skipper, to intimate that he wished to say nothing more about the matter.

"The boy is here, and I shall make him go with me," said Olaf, looking ugly enough to do anything.

Mr. Lowington glanced at Peaks, and appeared to be satisfied that no harm would come to Ole. Olaf walked back into the waist, and then to the forecastle, glancing at every student he met, in order to identify his boy.

"See here, Norway; there comes your guardian genius," said Scott, who, with a dozen others, had gathered around the trembling waif, determined to protect him if their services were needed. "Bear a hand, and tumble down the fore-hatch. Herr Skippenboggin is after you."

Ole heeded this good advice, and followed by his supporters, he descended to the steerage. Olaf saw him, and was about to descend the ladder, when Peaks interfered.

"You can't go down there," said he, decidedly.

"I want the boy," replied Olaf.

"No visitors in the steerage without an invitation."

"I will have Ole;" and the skipper began to descend.

"Avast, my hearty," interposed the boatswain, laying violent hands on Olaf, and dragging him to the deck.

Bitts, the carpenter, and Leach, the sailmaker, placed themselves beside the boatswain, as the Norwegian picked himself up.

"You may leave the ship, now," said Peaks, pointing to the accommodation stairs.

Olaf looked at the three stout men before him, and prudence triumphed over his angry pa.s.sions.

"I will have the boy yet," said he, as he walked to the stairs, closely attended by the three forward officers.

He went down into his boat, declaring that he would seize upon Ole the first time he caught him on sh.o.r.e.

"Where is Clyde?" asked Mr. Lowington, as soon as the savage skipper had gone.

"He is forward, sir; he behaves like a new man, and says he will not run away," replied Peaks.

"Send him aft."

"Ay, ay, sir."

Clyde went aft. He was a boy of quick impulses and violent temper. He had been accustomed to have his own way; and this had done more to spoil him than anything else. He had to learn that there was a power greater than himself, to which he must submit. He had twice run away, and failed both times. Three days of fear and absolute misery on board of the Rensdyr had given him time to think. He determined, when he reached Stockholm, to return to his mother, and try to be a better boy. Peaks, in the little steamer, had come upon him like a ghost. He had expected never again to see the ship, or his particular tormentor; and to have the latter appear to him in such an extraordinary manner was very impressive, to say the least. He realized that he must submit; but this thought, like that of resistance before, was only an impulse.

Clyde submitted, and was even candid enough to say so to the princ.i.p.al, who talked to him very gently and kindly for an hour, pointing out to him the ruin which he was seeking.