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Every moment I expected to hear the first shot fired, and to find that the action had begun. About three minutes passed. I fancied six times the period had elapsed, when a master's mate and two men came below. "The captain gives you leave, Weatherhelm, to return to your duty," said the officer. "He hopes that you will show you are worthy of the favour."
I waited patiently as I was bid, though my arm smarted not a little, and in three days Toggles told me I might wash as much as I liked. I did wash, and there I found on my arm, indelibly marked, my new name, "Will Weatherhelm!" and at sea, wherever I have been, it has ever since stuck to me. Weather helm is a sea term.
"Quite ready, sir, certainly," replied Iffley calmly. "I add nothing and withhold nothing on the subject." Even I was startled by what Iffley said, and the way he said it. I could not help supposing that he believed what he said. "Have you anything more to say in your defence, Weatherhelm?" said the captain. "Nothing, sir, except that those men are mistaken.
However, she may be a Jersey or a Guernsey-man, they have many lugger privateers. What do you think, Andrews?" "She may be a Jersey-man, but, to my mind, that craft was built and fitted out in France, whoever now owns her," answered Andrews. "Weatherhelm ought to know, he has served aboard some of them." "I am afraid she is French, sir," said I, after I had taken a steady look at her.
He was one of the Lord Mayor's men, but notwithstanding by this time had become a pretty smart hand. He had been a pickpocket or something of that sort it the streets of London, and always spoke of himself as being a gentleman, and was fond of using fine language. "You'll render me an essential service, Weatherhelm, if you'll just do as I request.
We were both of us marked men, and when we again tried to join the officers we was held back. Every one who has ever served with Weatherhelm knows him to be a good seaman, and an orderly, well-conducted chap, who wouldn't, for to get a pocketful of gold, have become a rascally mutineer."
"I have sent for you, Weatherhelm," said the captain, "to tell you that I am very glad you have escaped what would have been a very cruel and unjust punishment. My lads, you know that this man was accused not long ago of a very great crime. I rejoice to say that I have proof, undoubted, that he is entirely innocent.
We must not allow that ruffian Iffley to obtain his ends; for ruffian he is, notwithstanding his plausible manners. It's an old story Weatherhelm would rather it were not told but there is nothing in it to do him discredit."
I saw a grin on the countenance of old Toggles as I spoke. "Will Weatherhelm!" he ejaculated. "A capital name, lad. Hurrah for Will Weatherhelm. Remember, Will Weatherhelm is to be your name to the end of your days. Come, no nonsense, we'll mark it into you, my boy. Come, give us your arm." What he meant by this I could not tell; but after a little resistance, I found that I must give in.
"I am certain that you must be an old shipmate of mine," said I as we were hauling away together. "Is not your name Flood, and were you not on board the Kite schooner when we were attacked by pirates?" "The very same, lad," said he. "And you I remember you, too, very well now you are Will Weatherhelm."
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