Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Juvenile fiction; Midshipmen -- Juvenile fiction; Seafaring life -- Juvenile fiction
I was in much better spirits when I rejoined my uncle than when I had
been led below by Mr Saunders. I found him standing with the captain
on the main-deck, they having just come out of the cabin.
"I should like to take a turn round the ship before we leave her, in
case I should be unable to pay you another visit," said the major. "I
wish to brush up my recollections of what a frigate is like."
"Come along then," answered the captain, and he led the way along the
deck.
As we got forward, we heard loud roars of laughter and clapping of
hands. The cause was very evident, for there was Larry in the midst of
a group of seamen, dancing an Irish jig to the tune of one of his most
rollicksome songs.
"Stop a bit, my boys, and I'll show you what real music is like," he
exclaimed after he had finished the song. "Wait till I get my fiddle
among yer, and I'll make it squeak louder thin a score of peacocks or a
dozen of sucking pigs;" and he then began again singing--
"A broth of a boy was young Daniel O'Shane,
As he danced with the maidens of fair Derrynane."
Then he went on jigging away, to the great delight of his audience,--no
one observing the captain or us.
It was very evident that Larry had without loss of time made himself at
home among his new shipmates. They treated him much as they would have
treated a young bear, or any other pet animal they might have obtained.
I had expected to find him looking somewhat forlorn and downcast among
so many strangers; but in reality, I ought to have trusted an Irish boy
of his degree to make friends wherever he goes.
"I think we may leave your follower where he is, as, should you not
require his services, he is much more likely to be kept out of mischief
here than he would be ashore," said the captain to the major.
To this my uncle agreed. We had got some way along the deck when I felt
a touch on my shoulder, and turning round, saw Larry's countenance
grinning from ear to ear.
"Shure they're broths of boys these sailor fellows, and I'm mighty
plaised to be among them; but, Maisther Terence dear, I have a favour to
ask you. Would you tell the captain that I'd be mightily obliged to him
if he would let me go back to Cork for my fiddle. I left it at the inn,
and if I had it now I'd set all the boys on board a-jigging, with the
captain and officers into the bargain."
I told him that as the captain thought it better he should remain on
board, I could not ask leave for him to go on shore; but I promised that
if I had an opportunity, I would send him his violin at once, or if not,
would be careful to bring it myself.
"You'll not be long then, Maisther Terence; for the boys here are mighty
eager to hear me play."
Assuring him how glad I was to find that he was happy, I advised him to
go back to his new friends again, promising not to forget his violin.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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