CHAPTER XXXIII.
DEFEATED.
In due time the _Superior_ cleared for New York, and among thepassengers were Robert and his father. Since the meeting with his sonCaptain Rushton's mental malady had completely disappeared, and hismental recovery affected his physical health favorably. His step becamefirm and elastic, his eye was bright, and Robert thought he had neverlooked better. Leaving the two to pursue their voyage home, we return toCaptain Haley.
After leaving Robert to his fate, he kept on his way, rejoicing with awicked satisfaction that he had got rid of an enemy who had it in hispower to do him harm, for what Robert might suffer in his island prison,he cared little. He took it for granted that he would never get away,but would pass his life, be it longer or shorter, in dreary exile.Though the crew did not know all, they knew that the captain hadheartlessly left Robert to his fate, and all were animated by a commonfeeling of dislike to their commander, who never under anycircumstances would have been popular. But there was no one among thembold enough to come forward and charge Haley with his crime, even whenthey reached Calcutta. The captain moved among them, and his orders wereobeyed, but not with alacrity. This satisfied him, for he cared nothingfor the attachment of those under his command.
One day in Calcutta he had a surprise.
He met Captain Rushton one day when out walking. It seemed like onerisen from the dead, for he supposed him lying at the bottom of the sea.Could his eyes deceive him, or was this really the man whom he had sogrossly injured? Captain Rushton did not see Haley, for he was partlyturned away from him, and was busily conversing with a gentleman of hisacquaintance. Haley drew near, and heard Captain Rushton addressed asMr. Smith. He at once decided that, in spite of the wonderfulresemblance, it was not the man he supposed, and breathed more freely inconsequence. But he could not help looking back to wonder at thesurprising likeness.
"They are as near alike as if they were brothers," he said to himself.
He did not again catch sight of Captain Rushton while in Calcutta.
Before Robert arrived, Captain Haley had sailed for home. But he metwith storms, and his vessel received injuries that delayed her, so thathis ship only reached New York on the same day with the _Superior_,bearing as passengers Robert and his father. Our hero lost no time incalling upon his friend, Mr. Morgan, and actually reached the office anhour before Haley, the _Superior_ having reached her pier a little inadvance of the other vessel.
When Robert walked into the office, Mr. Morgan, who was at his desk,looked up, and recognized him at once.
"Welcome back, my young friend," he said, cordially, rising to meet him."I am glad to see you, but I didn't expect you quite so soon. How didyou happen to come in advance of the captain?"
"Then you have not heard what happened at sea?" said Robert.
"Yes," said the merchant. "I heard, much to my regret, of Captain Evans'death. He was a worthy man, and I am truly sorry to lose him. What doyou think of his successor, Captain Haley? He has never before sailedfor me."
"After I have told my story, you can judge of him for yourself. I didnot return on your vessel, Mr. Morgan, but on the _Superior_, CaptainSmith."
"How is that?" asked the merchant, surprised.
"Because Captain Haley left me on an island in the Southern Ocean, boundto a tree, and probably supposes that I am dead."
"Your story seems incredible, Robert. Give me a full account of all thatled to this action on the part of the captain."
My readers shall not be wearied with a repetition of details with whichthey are already familiar. Robert related what had happened to him in astraightforward manner, and Mr. Morgan never thought of doubting hisstatements.
"This Haley must be a villain," he said. "You are, indeed, fortunate inhaving escaped from the snare he laid for you."
"I have been fortunate in another way also," said Robert. "I havesucceeded in the object of my voyage."
"You have not found your father?"
"I found him in Calcutta, and I have brought him home with me."
"You must have been born under a lucky star, Robert," said the merchant."Were your father's adventures as remarkable as yours?"
"It was the same man who nearly succeeded in accomplishing the ruin ofboth--Captain Haley was my father's mate, and was he who, in revengefor some fancied slight, set fire to the vessel in mid-ocean, and thenescaped."
Scarcely had this revelation been made, when a clerk entered, andapproaching Mr. Morgan, said, "Captain Haley would like to see you."
Mr. Morgan glanced at Robert significantly.
"I wish to know what explanation Mr. Haley has to give of yourdisappearance. There is a closet. Go in, and close the door partially,so that you may hear what passes without yourself being seen."
Robert was hardly established in his place of concealment when Haleyentered the office.
"Good-morning, Mr. Morgan," he said, deferentially, for he wished tokeep in his employer's good graces.
"Good-morning, sir," said the merchant, formally. "Captain Haley, Ibelieve?"
"Yes, sir I succeeded to the command of the _Argonaut_ upon the lamenteddeath of my friend, Captain Evans. His death happened on our passageout. I proceeded at once to Calcutta, and after disposing of the cargosailed for home."
"Your voyage has been a long one."
"Yes, we have had stress of weather, which has delayed us materially. Iregret this, but did the best I could under the circumstances. I hopeto have discharged my duties in a manner satisfactory to you."
"I cannot, of course, blame you for delay, since the weather was quitebeyond your control," said the merchant, but his tone was marked bycoldness, for which Haley found it difficult to account. He was anxiousto remain in command of the _Argonaut_, but the want of cordialityevinced by his employer made him doubtful of his success. He was nottimid, however, and resolved to broach the subject.
"I hope, Mr. Morgan," he said, "that you have sufficient confidence inme to intrust me I with the command of the _Argonaut_ on her nextvoyage?"
"He certainly is not lacking in audacity," thought Mr. Morgan. "We willspeak of that matter hereafter," he said. "Did my young friend, RobertRushton, return with you?"
Now was the critical moment. In spite of his audacity, Haley feltembarrassed.
"No, sir," he replied.
"Indeed! I expected that you would bring him back."
"May I ask if the boy is a relative of yours?"
"No, he is not."
"So much the better."
"Why do you say that? I am particularly interested in him."
"Then, sir, my task becomes more painful and embarrassing."
"You speak in enigmas, Captain Haley."
"I hesitate to speak plainly. I know you will be pained by what I haveto tell you."
"Don't consider my feelings, Captain Haley, but say what you have tosay."
"Then I regret to say that the boy, Robert Rushton, is unworthy of yourfriendship."
"This is a grievous charge. Of course, I expect you to substantiate it."
"I will do so. Shortly after the death of Captain Evans and my accessionto the command I found that this boy was trying to undermine myinfluence with the men, from what motives I cannot guess. I remonstratedwith him mildly but firmly, but only received insolence in return.Nevertheless I continued to treat him well on account of the interestyou felt in him. So things went on till we reached Calcutta. He left meat that time, and to my surprise did not return to the ship. I was ableto account for his disappearance, however, when I missed one hundred andfifty dollars, of which I have not the slightest doubt that he robbedme. I should have taken measures to have him arrested, but since youfelt an interest in him I preferred to suffer the loss in silence. Ifear, Mr. Morgan, that you have been greatly deceived in him."
"I suspect that I have been deceived," said Mr. Morgan, gravely. "It isonly fair, however, Captain Haley, to hear both sides, and I willtherefore summon the boy himself to answer your charge. Robert!"
At the summons, to Captain Haley's equal surprise and dismay, Robertstepped from the closet in which he had been concealed.
"What have you to say, Robert?" asked the merchant.
"Captain Haley knows very well the falsehood of what he says," said ourhero, calmly. "It was not at Calcutta I left the _Argonaut_, nor was itof my own accord. Captain Haley, with his own hands, tied me to a treeon a small island in the Southern Ocean, and there left me, as hesupposed, to a solitary death. But Heaven did not forsake me, and sentfirst a brave sailor and afterward a ship to my assistance. The chargethat I stole money from him I shall not answer, for I know Mr. Morganwill not believe it."
Captain Haley was not a fool, and he knew that it would be useless topress the charge further. He rose from his seat; his face was dark withanger and smarting under a sense of defeat.
"You have not done with me yet," he said to Robert, and without anotherword left the office.
Brave and Bold; Or, The Fortunes of Robert Rushton Page 33
