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Updated: June 11, 2025
I had fallen asleep, when I was awakened by hearing some men speaking close to me, though it was too dark to see who they were, and even if they had looked into my berth they would not have discovered me; but I recognised the voices of old Growles and the boatswain, and two other men, who were the worst of the crew and the leading spirits for bad on board.
Suddenly also I remembered with painful distinctness the remarks Mr Butterfield had made respecting Captain Longfleet, the commander of the "Emu," and his ruffianly crew. Certainly their appearance was not in their favour; and old Growles, who had received me so surlily, was not a good specimen of British seamen. What if the ship should prove to be a pirate, instead of an honest trader?
I suspected from this that Caesar had observed the visits of old Growles and the boatswain to the hold, and shrewdly guessed that I had been a prisoner. I could not understand, however, how the captain didn't make some fuss about it, unless he also was cognisant of the fact; but of that I was left in uncertainty.
"Heave them overboard at once, and we shall be done with them." "I'm not for that sort of thing," said old Growles. "I shouldn't like to see their white faces as they dropped astern; they'd be haunting us, depend on that." The boatswain and the others laughed. "Who's to take the ship round Cape Horn, if we do away with the officers?" asked one of the men.
My reception at home Aunt Deb again gives her advice My father and I pay another visit to Leighton Hall Our guard Interview with Sir Reginald A score that was not settled to my satisfaction My awkward position My father receives a threatening letter Aunt Deb decides on action Preparations for my departure The journey in the coach Our fellow-travellers A false alarm My aunt's character further comes out Our arrival at Liverpool Our reception Mr Butterfield I explore Liverpool My first visit to the "Emu" I gain some information I lose my way Aunt Deb's anxiety on my account A small difficulty well got out of I pay another visit to the "Emu" My ideas as to officers and seamanship receive a somewhat rude check I make the acquaintance of Gregory Growles I lose my cutter "Thief!
I thought that I should probably rise to the highest dignities of the State; perhaps become his prime minister, his commander-in-chief, or admiral of his fleet, but I found that I was too strictly watched by old Growles and the boatswain to accomplish my object. Had Mark been with me, I had little doubt but that we should have managed to escape.
In spite of the smells I was getting hungry, and I wished that the boatswain or Growles would return with the food they had promised. If only one came I made up my mind to seize him by the throat, put my fingers into his eyes, spring up past him, and try to gain the deck.
We at last reached Macao, where our cargo of furs was discharged, and for which I believe a very high price was obtained. I had no wish, from what I had heard of the Chinese, to go and live among them, and I therefore did not attempt to get on shore, although I had reason to believe that I was all the time narrowly watched by old Growles and the boatswain.
"People don't die with their eyes shut." Then a hand was placed on my face, and old Growles observed "The young chap's as alive as I am; he's quite warm. Rouse up, Dick, you rascal! But take care you don't sing out, or it'll be the worse for you." Still I endeavoured to make them believe I was really dead.
"I sees what you are after, boatswain," said old Growles. "We should be just getting rid of one captain, and having another like him in his place. We must all be free and equal aboard, or it'll never do. I propose that one is captain one day, and one another; and that you, if you can, or any one else, shall navigate the ship.
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