Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/25

 sides being father and son they were excellent companions, and neither was quite contented when away from the other.

The captain gazed up at the half-filled foresail. "I'm fearing it's to be light winds all the way across," he said. "I hate the thought of going into steam at my time of life, but there's no denying that a couple of screws aft there would be a big help just now. If I knew where to pick up a small steamship I'm not sure I wouldn't take her over, son, for the next voyage. It's maddening to think of all the cargoes awaiting bottoms back home, and us wallowing along at five or six knots; and in ballast, at that!"

"Mustn't be greedy, dad," answered the boy, smiling up in the dark. "We made a pile of money this trip, didn't we?"

"Money? Yes, we did pretty well," replied the captain with satisfaction. "I've been blowing east and west, north and south most of my life, son, and this is nearly the first time that big money has come my way. We ain't rich, and I'd like to see a bit more in the bank before I quit. You'll be needing some, and so'll I when I join the fireside fleet."

"You needn't worry about me, dad. I'm going to earn my own money in a year or two." 5