第33章 IN WHICH CAPTAIN NAT PICKS UP A DERELICT(3)
We're over the worst of it now.Say!you and I didn't head for port any too soon,did we?No,I should say not.I ought to have known better than to wait out there so long.I've been warned about this tide.I--S-sh-sh!YOU ought to have known better!What do you think of me?Born and brought up within sight and smell of this salt puddle and let myself in for a scrape like this!But it was so mighty fine off there on the bar I couldn't bear to leave it.I always said that goin'to sea on land would be the ideal way,and now I've tried it.But you took bigger chances than I did.Are you a good swimmer?Not too good.I hardly know what might have happened if you hadn't--S-sh-sh!that's all right.Always glad to pick up a derelict,may be a chance for salvage,you know.Here's the last channel and it's an easy one.There!now it's plain sailin'for dry ground.The old horse,breathing heavily from his exertions,trotted over the stretch of yet uncovered flats and soon mounted the slope of the beach.The minister prepared to alight.
Captain Hammond,he said,you haven't asked me my name.No,I seldom do more'n once.There have been times when I'D just as soon cruise without too big letters alongside my figurehead.Well,my name is Ellery.
Hey?WHAT?Oh,ho!ho!ho!
He rocked back and forth on the seat.The minister's feelings were a bit hurt,though he tried not to show it.
You mustn't mind my laughin',explained Nat,still chuckling.
It ain't at you.It's just because I was wonderin'what you'd look like if I should meet you and now--Ho!ho!You see,Mr.
Ellery,I've heard of you,same as you said you'd heard of me.Ellery smiled,but not too broadly.
Yes,he admitted,I imagined you had.
Yes,seems to me dad mentioned your name once or twice.As much as that,anyhow.Wonder what he'd say if he knew his son had been takin'you for a mornin'ride?Probably that it would have been much better to have left me where you found me.The captain's jolly face grew serious.
No,no!he protested.Not so bad as that.Dad wouldn't drown anybody,not even a Regular minister.He's a pretty square-built old craft,even though his spiritual chart may be laid out different from yours--and mine.From yours?Why,I supposed--
Yes,I know.Well,WHEN I go to meetin',I generally go to the chapel to please father.But when it comes right down to a confession of faith,I'm pretty broad in the beam.Maybe I'd be too broad even for you,Mr.Ellery.The minister,who had jumped to the ground,looked up.
Captain Hammond,he said,I'm very glad indeed that I met you.
Not alone because you helped me out of a bad scrape;I realize how bad it might have been and that--Shsh!shh!Nothin'at all.Don't be foolish.But I'm glad,too,because I've heard so many good things about you that I was sure you must be worth knowing.I hope you won't believe I went to your father's meeting with any--No,no!Jumpin'Moses,man!I don't find fault with you for that.I understand,I guess.Well,if you don't mind the fact that I am what I am,I'd like to shake hands with you.Nat reached down a big brown hand.
Same here,he said.Always glad to shake with a chap as well recommended as you are.Yes,indeed,I mean it.You see,you've got a friend that's a friend of mine,and when she guarantees a man to be A.B.,I'll ship him without any more questions.Well,then,good-by.I hope we shall meet again and often.And Icertainly thank you for--
That's all right.Maybe you'll fish ME out of the drink some day;you never can tell.So long!Git dap,Gen'ral Scott!He drove off up the beach,but before he turned the corner of the nearest dune he called back over his shoulder:
Say,Mr.Ellery,if you think of it you might give my regards to--to--er--the lady that's keepin'house for you.Breakfast had waited nearly an hour when the minister reached home.
Keziah,also,was waiting and evidently much relieved at his safe arrival.
Sakes alive!she exclaimed,as she met him at the back door.
Where in the world have you been,Mr.Ellery?Soakin'wet again,too!Ellery replied that he had been for a walk out to the bar.He sat down on the step to remove the borrowed boots.A small rivulet of salt water poured from each as he pulled them off.
For a walk!A swim,you mean.How could you get in up to your waist if you just walked?Did you fall down?No,not exactly.But I waited too long and the tide headed me off.Mercy on us!you mustn't take chances on that tide.If you'd told me you was goin',I'd have warned you to hurry back.Oh,I've been warned often enough.It was my own fault,as usual.
I'm not sure that I don't need a guardian.
Humph!well,I ain't sure either.Was the channels very deep?Deep enough.The fact is,that I might have got into serious trouble if I hadn't been picked up.He told briefly the story of his morning's adventure.The housekeeper listened with growing excitement.
Heavens to Betsy!she interrupted.Was the channel you planned to swim the one at the end of the flat by the longest weir leader?Yes.
My soul!there's been two men drowned in that very place at half tide.And they were good swimmers.After this I shan't dare let you out of my sight.So?Was it as risky as that?Why,Captain Hammond didn't tell me so.I must owe him more even than I thought.Yes,I guess you do.He wouldn't tell you,though;that ain't his way.Deary me!for what we've received let us be thankful.And that reminds me that biscuits ought to be et when they're first made,not after they've been dried up on the back of the stove forever and ever amen.Go on and change those wet things of yours and then we'll eat.Tryin'to swim the main channel on the flood!
My soul and body!
Captain Nat sent his regards to you,Mrs.Coffin,said the minister,moving toward the stairs.
Did,hey?was the housekeeper's reply.Want to know!