Page:Ballantyne--The Battery and the Boiler.djvu/306

 not being acquainted with the place, found it necessary to ask his way to the port. This somewhat sobered him, but did not quite change his mind, so that when he eventually reached the neighbourhood of the shipping, he was still going at a quick excited walk. He was stopped by a big and obviously eccentric sea-captain, or mate, who asked him if he happened to know of any active stout young fellow who wanted to ship in a tight little craft about to sail for old England.

"No I don't," said Stumps, angrily.

"Come now, think again," said the skipper, in no degree abashed, and putting on a nautical grin, which was meant for a winning smile. "I 'm rather short-handed; give good wages; have an amiable temper, a good craft, and a splendid cook. You 're just the active spirited fellow that I want. You 'll ship now, eh?"

"No I won't," said Stumps, sulkily, endeavouring to push past.

"Well well, no offence. Keep an easy mind, and if you should chance to change it, just come and see me. Captain Bounce, of the Swordfish. There she lies, in all her beauty, quite a picture. Good day."

The eccentric skipper passed on, but Stumps did not move. He stood there with his eyes riveted on the pavement, and his lips tightly compressed.