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Updated: June 11, 2025
It was a satisfaction to find that they were casting off the lashings from my arms and legs; but when one of them lifted up my arm I let it fall down again, like that of a dead person. This seemed to puzzle them, and old Growles gave me a cruel pinch on the arm. Though I didn't cry out, I had the greatest difficulty not to flinch. He then bent back one of my fingers.
I then announced the names of the ropes and sails. Gregory Growles, with his arms akimbo, and several of the other seamen, stood listening to me, evidently highly amused. When I had finished, they all laughed in chorus. "You know the ABC, maybe, of seamanship; but, look here, just tell us the names of some of the ropes and spars of this ship."
I rather think Julius Caesar must have fancied that I was one of his own race, and must have been greatly astonished at seeing a blackamoor washed white. When the operation was concluded, Growles again came and had a look at me. "Why, I do believe it's none other than the young chap who came aboard us at Liverpool," he exclaimed.
"Well, I've made up my mind to get a precious good tuck out," I heard old Growles say to the boatswain; "I suppose the skipper will order a good store of provisions aboard after the talk we had with him the other day." "Not so sure of that, old ship," said the boatswain; "but if he doesn't, he'd better look out for squalls, as he said to us."
"I want to become a sailor, and I'll promise to try and do my duty, and learn to be one if you'll allow me." The captain, from what I said, at once took it for granted that I had again acted the stowaway, and I flattered myself that I had not spoken an untruth, while I had avoided saying anything which would offend him. I observed that old Growles had come aft, and was then within earshot.
All hope of being rescued by my friends was gone. I knew that we must have crossed the bar while it was light, but I was allowed to remain in prison for another night. At last the door was opened, and old Growles and the boatswain appeared.
It smelt horribly of tar and rancid grease, and coils of small rope and balls of twine, mats, cans, pots, and brushes, up in the corners, showed me what was usually stowed in it. "Shall we trust the young rascal?" asked the boatswain of his companion. "He daren't break his word," answered Growles; "he knows what he'll get if he does." Thereupon they unlashed my arms and legs.
"'Cos I've seen you watching ever since she came alongside," answered Growles; "so take that and that," and hauling me inboard, he bestowed several blows with the end of a rope on my back. I ran forward to escape from him, and stowed myself away in my bunk, as it was my watch below.
"You an officer, jackanapes; why we should want a cow on board to give you milk." "What is your name?" I asked, determined not to be put down. "Gregory Growles," answered the seaman. "Well, look, Gregory Growles, if that's your name, I understand sailing this cutter as well as you do," and I began to explain how I was wont to navigate her according to Riddle's instructions.
I was awakened by a gruff voice, which I recognised as that of the boatswain. "Gregory, I do believe the young rascal is dead," he said. "It may save a world of trouble if he is," answered old Growles; "for those passengers are making a precious fuss about him. If he was to get ashore, he'd be telling tales.
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