Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/304

 for it was good to have Mart around again. He thought of a lot he meant to tell that youth at the first opportunity, for he had always found it easy to confide in him and was sure of sympathy, but the opportunity for confidences didn't arrive until long after, as it happened. Mart and Tip kept the appointment the next forenoon, but not Nelson, and, after kicking their heels along the quay for an hour, the two decided to pay a visit to the Gyandotte and enjoy the ineffable pleasure of watching Nelson work. Tip was certain of a welcome and Mart saw no reason for being refused on board, and so they engaged a waterman and set forth.

Once aboard, Tip set off to visit the officers' quarters as a matter of duty and politeness, and Mart sought Nelson. "Sorry I couldn't make it," said the latter when he had greeted his friend, "but they've granted no liberty at all today, for some reason. Looks as if we might be going out, although we're not due to until tomorrow. Want to see what a real ship looks like?"

Mart said he did, and asked if there was one in port. Presently, viewing the engine room, they were joined by Tip, who had wrested himself from the blandishments of the ward room officers. The three were still making a lagging round of the 279