CHAPTER III.
NEW SURROUNDINGS.
"Oh, Hope, I wish they wouldn't! Doesn't it seem too hard? Those poormothers and sisters--"
"And sweethearts," added Hope under her breath, watching with greateyes. "I don't mind so much those that make so much noise about it,like that big woman by the post, but this little group over here; theydo feel awfully, and my heart aches for them."
The girls were standing on the deck of the "International," watchingthe last adieux on shore. A small squad of British soldiery were aboutembarking, and the home friends were gathered on the wharf, waiting fora last glimpse of their beloved boys. The "big woman" Hope mentionedhad made such violent demonstrations, insisting upon following herred-cheeked son about and weeping on his shoulder, that he had fledbefore the laughter of his brothers-in-arms, and hidden in some nook onboard, leaving her to find solace in a vile-looking black pipe, whichshe was just lighting with an equanimity that did not suggest anentirely heart-broken condition. The group mentioned consisting of theintelligent-looking young officer in charge of the squad, and threewomen, who were evidently mother, sister, and friend.
They visited in low tones till the last minute, but at the finalseparation the poor mother turned from her red-coat's embrace, nearlyfainting in her daughter's arms, and the poor fellow, looking back atthe three pale faces, had staggered a little in his own walk, as ifovercome by emotion, as he rallied his men for embarkation. Just asthe gang-plank slid inside upon its rollers, however, somethinghappened which brought back the ever-ready laughter to the girls' lips.A young exquisite, with a monocle who had been hovering around oneparty, in which were two or three pretty girls whose sly fun at hisexpense he was too dense to appreciate, thought it would be a cunningthing to fling after them the handkerchief he had pretended to drenchwith regretful tears; but being very close to the edge of the wharf hemiscalculated his balance, and would have toppled into the water, butthat a burly tar, standing close by, caught him by his waistband anddragged him back to safety, swearing a round oath at him for hisfoolishness.
The poor little dandy's natty straw hat and monocle were lost, though,but worse yet was the shout of laughter that arose from ship and shore,at his expense, mingled with cheers for the big sailor. Crestfallenenough, he was glad to sink back into the crowd and becomeinconspicuous, for once. But no one on the steamer gave him furtherattention, for, as they swung out into deep water with that majesticmotion in which a great vessel seems to courtesy to the deep, there wastoo much of great interest to look at.
The girls had thoroughly examined their fine stateroom, which openedfrom their father's cabin, a day or so before, and now, having hastilydeposited the cat, parrot, and luggage within in its doors, wereprepared to spend this first hour of their journey in making good useof their eyes. It happened to be a fine day, clear and mild, withlittle air stirring, and even the most tearful of the passengers soonbegan to feel the influence of the fine air and lively scenes aboutthem.
As they passed Fort Monckton some regimental band was practising amartial air, which came in softened strains across the water, and itseemed as if Spithead roadway were fairly alive with craft of everydescription, from a gun-ship seeking dry dock for repairs, to a slenderracing wherry, whose one occupant, bareheaded and armed, flung up anoar in greeting, as the stately "International" steamed by.
Hope turned almost reluctantly from all this life and movement to watchthe fertile shores of the Isle of Wight, but Faith fell at once undertheir spell, and could scarcely be persuaded to talk, so busy were hereyes noting the rich verdure and picturesqueness of the wooded scene.As they neared Cowes she pointed to a massive tower, which loomed upamid the thick verdure, and observed,
"See, Hope, there's Osborne House, one of our queen's castles, isn't itbeautiful?"
"Yes," said Hope, "and there's a sloop flying an American flag--see?Ah! it's saluting--now watch our colors, Faith; isn't that pretty? Andaren't you glad we sail under both? There's a book named 'Under TwoFlags,' and I've wondered what it is about. Our father's steamer sailsunder both the American and British, and I'm so proud of both I want tohuzza every time I see them!"
The breeze was freshening by this, so that they felt the need of morewraps, and decided to go below for them. As they slowly paced acrossthe broad deck their eyes roved from group to group, and they beganalready to decide which would, and would not, be desirableacquaintances. In turn, many eyes followed them, and they caught suchexpressions as--"Did you ever see such a resemblance? How beautifulthey are, and how exactly alike," and the whisper, "Who are they?"passed from lip to lip, for, having roamed all over this great oceanhotel more than once, when "visiting papa," the twins now went aboutwith an assurance few passengers had yet attained to.
Besides the sight of two mere girls apparently unattended, is a mostunusual thing abroad, and so our sisters seemed, this morning, fortheir father was too busy with his many duties to attend upon them whenhe knew they were perfectly at home, here. As they entered theirpretty cabin, for so the English oftenest designate a first-classstateroom, a pitiful "miew," long drawn out, and at once answered by ahoarse "Shut up!" greeted their ears. The poor kitten was evidentlysuffering, and the naughty parrot scolding her for complaining.
"It's a wicked shame to keep my fine Angora in that cage!" cried Faith,with unusual spirit, "And you must teach that rude fellow not to scoldat her."
Hope smiled good-naturedly.
"How can I help his talking, dear? But why can't we let kitty out,now? Shut the door and have her get used to it here, first. Howpretty this room is! Wasn't it lovely of father to fit it up freshlyfor us?"
"Of course it was!" cried a well-known bass voice, and a blue-cappedhead appeared at the inner door. "Going to let Puss out, girlies?"asked the captain. "Wait, I'll assist you."
He was soon down upon his knees fumbling with the cage, the girlswatching him in eager anticipation; and this seems an excellentopportunity to describe the pretty apartment. It was about twelve feetsquare, and its two narrow white bedsteads were set side by sidebeneath the starboard portholes, and safely screwed to the floor,leaving a narrow space beyond, which gave opportunity to reach theconvenient wardrobe there. In one corner, at the foot of the beds, wasthe stationary wash-stand with cleated shelves above, and a cunningpigeon-hole arrangement for shoes below--"Anything but footless bootsclattering around in a gale!" said Captain Hosmer. In the other cornerwas a dear little toilet-stand, built in securely, and fitted belowwith triangular drawers, which shut fast with a click, and were openedwith a spring. Its top was beveled out into fanciful squares androunds, into which deep trays for toilet articles were secured, and,above, a mirror of goodly size was also screwed to place. Betweenthese was the door that led to a narrow corridor leading directly tothe deck in one direction, to one of the saloons in the other.
Along the wall space, opposite the wardrobe, were light racks forbooks, wraps, and knick-knacks, and below a long seat, or lounge,covered in white dimity, with its flounce reaching to the floor. Thetop to this could be raised, and the space beneath made a most handyplace for the bestowal of cloaks and gowns. All the decorating ofwalls and panels was in white and pale green, pricked out with gold;and a small door close beside the bed-heads opened into the captain'scabin.
This was a foot or two larger, and of irregular shape, its deck-wallforming a swell, in which were three broad windows which gave a view ofthe sea for a full half-circle of the horizon. It also overlooked theforward deck, the watchful lookout on the bridge, the busy sailors attheir tasks, and gave glimpses of the steerage at long range. It wasrichly paneled in leather, with much gilding, the draperies were ofcrimson damask, and the seat which followed the window's swell wascushioned in crimson plush, all of which gave it a snug, shut-in look.A large table with a constant litter of maps, charts, sextants,log-books, pipes, and tobacco jars, occupied the center, andcomfortable chairs were placed around in careless order. There were afew books in some wall-shelve
s, a violin case in one corner--whichinstrument the captain loved to practise on, though he was noproficient--and one or two pretty India cabinets of lacquered work,containing odd specimens, and fine curios from many countries.
His sleeping apartment, off at one side, which filled in the irregulartriangle left from the rounded end, was a mere closet with a narrowbunk, "hard as iron," as Faith often disconsolately remarked, and afolding bath. The captain asked no personal luxuries, yet no fatherever lived who was more lavish in bestowing every refinement of daintyliving upon his daughters.
The girls liked to speak of his cabin as the "library," and mostly didso, much to its owner's amusement, who seldom read any book except thelog, or the daily writings of the weather on sea and sky.
"There!" he said, as he succeeded in loosening the cage door. "Nowcome out, Mr. Puss, and make friends. What are you going to name him,Faith?"
"What would you, father? It ought to be a Persian name, oughtn't it?"
"That might do--if you don't get too much of a jaw-breaker, child.Remember, I'm not learned."
"The idea! When you can rattle off those Indian names that I cannotunderstand at all, Just as if they were everyday Hatties and Kittiesand Pollys."
He smiled.
"Oh, of course. I'm used to them. But Persian's another thing, Isuppose. Come, kitty, don't be afraid--whew!" for, in spite ofcoaxing, the frightened creature made a dash past him, as he would havestroked its silky coat, and disappeared under the white valance of thenearest bed.
Instantly Faith was on her knees, diving after, but nearly fell overwith laughter when Mr. Parrot called out promptly, in a shocked voice,"Oh, for shame!"
Amid the laughter the captain remarked quickly, "I have it! Who wasthat Persian poet you were reading about the other night, in Portsea,Faith? Why not name him that? Don't you remember, he was said to berather a shy, retiring man. Now, kitty, here, seems to have the samedisposition."
Faith was now scrambling out, warm and tumbled, Puss safe in her arms,but only half yielding to restraint, and, smiling at her father's funnyglance, she answered, gasping a little with her exertions,
"It was Hafiz, papa. I had thought of Ali Baba, but that alwayssuggests the forty thieves, you know, and I wouldn't like my prettyAngora to be accused of stealing even cream--father, do you supposehe's hungry?"
"Bless us! Just as likely as not. Wait, I'll send Joey for some milkat once," touching an electric button just above the seat. "I see Mr.Parrot has his dinner in his cage. Well, shall it be Hafiz?"
"I believe that will do," returned Faith slowly, "and what will youname your bird, Hope?"
"Oh, I'm not going so far for a name as all that, only to America, andI shall call him Texas."
Her father, smiling at her ideas of distance, joined Faith in hersurprised question, "But why?"
"Why? Because I've always thought, from things I've read about Texas,that it's a jolly, wide-awake state, but not over-refined, perhaps. Ithas always seemed to me they did rather dreadful things there, but inan off-hand, good-natured sort of way, that made them seem more funnythan really bad. I don't think I can make it quite plain to you, butthat's the way my parrot acts. He is not so wicked as he seems, and Ishall certainly call him Texas."
At this instant the boy, who had been electrically summoned, appeared.He was a Japanese, with a good face, now in a broad smile as hereceived his orders, and the quick glance by which he took in thepretty room and its lively occupants was alert and well pleased. Hehad waited upon the captain for years, spoke perfect English, and wasthe most faithful and good-tempered of lackeys. He soon reappearedwith some rich-looking milk, which poor Hafiz eagerly began to lap, sosoon as Faith had poured some into a saucer, and for the first time asoft purring sounded from his white-collared throat.
"There!" said his little mistress, watching him in great satisfaction,"he really was half starved. Now, don't you see how like our Persianpoet he is, father? You remember Hafiz liked to sing of allcomfortable things--good living, and so on. Here is my Hafiz doing thesame thing."
"Only his language is not entirely comprehensible," laughed her sister.
"Could you have understood the real poet any better?" was the archresponse, and Hope had to acknowledge that, for all practical purposes,the Angora Hafiz was as intelligible as his namesake.
All Aboard: A Story for Girls Page 3
