Page:Dick Sands the Boy Captain.djvu/31

 THE APPRENTICE. ^ The only one on board who was not an American was a man who had been temporarily engaged as cook. His name was Negoro ; he was a Portuguese by birth, but spoke English with perfect fluency. The previous cook had deserted the ship at Auckland, and when Negoro, who was out of employaient, applîed for the place, Captain Hull, only too glad to avoid détention, engaged him at once without inquiry into his antécédents. There was not the slightest fault to be found with the way in which the cook performed his duties, but there was something in his manner, or perhaps, rather in- the expression of his counte- nance, which excited the Captain's misgivings, and made him regret that he had not taken more pains to investigate the character of one with whom he was now brought into such close contact. Negoro looked about forty years of âge. Although he had the appearance of being slightly built, he was muscular ; he was of middle height, and seemed to hâve a robust con- stitution ; his hair was dark, his complexion somewhat swarthy. His manner was taciturn, and although, fronî occasional remarks that he droppcd, it was évident that he had received some éducation, he was very reserved on the subjects both of his family and of his past life. No one knew where he had come from, and he admitted no one to his confidence as to where he was going, except that he made no secret of his intention to land at Valparaiso. His frce- dom from sea-sickness demonstrated that this could hardly be his first voyage, but on the other hand his complète ignorance of seamen's phraseology made it certain that he had never been accustomcd to his présent occupation. He kept himself aloof as much as possible from the rest of the crew, during the day rarely leaving the great cast-iron stove, which was out of proportion to the measurement of the cramped little kitchen ; and at night, as soon as the fire was extinguished, took the earliest opportunity of retiring to his berth and going to sleep. It has been already stated that the crew of the"Pilgrîm" consisted of five seamen and an apprentice. This appren- tice was Dick Sands. C