human
Cheerful, ain't it?
gpt
It's such a horrid day,
human
Beastly. It always is in London. Ain't you glad you're going to sea?
gpt
Not very, I said, after a pause.
human
It'll be better when it's fine.
gpt
Will it? said my companion, mockingly.
human
You'll see. I don't know how a chap can be such a jolly fool as to go to sea.
gpt
Why, you went!
human
Yes, I went, grumbled my companion;
gpt
Did you go out in this ship?
human
Course I didn't, else I should have known where our bunks were. My last voyage was in the Hull.
gpt
Oh! I said, looking at him as one of great experience;
human
What other voyages?
gpt
That you went.
human
Who said I went any other voyages? I don't brag. I only went that once, and it was enough for me. She's being new rigged--and time, too. That's why I'm to go out in this boat.
gpt
Then you don't know the captain and officers?
human
I know you,
gpt
Shall we have to do anything to-day?
human
I d'know. I shan't. Not likely. Don't think much of this ship.
gpt
Don't you think it's a good one?
human
No. See how that rotten old yard came down. She looks to me like a regular tub. Sort of old craft as would melt away like butter if she touched the sands. I say, how should you like to be shipwrecked?
gpt
Not at all. Were you ever wrecked?
human
Not yet. Dessay I shall be some day. I say, you're in for it. Sure to be pretty rough going down Channel. You'll have the mully-grubs pretty stiff.
gpt
Oh! I don't know,
human
Don't you? Then I do. Oh, Stooard! won't you be bad! Ever seen the sea?
gpt
Lots of times.
human
But you've never been on it?
gpt
Oh yes, I have.
human
And been sick?
gpt
I was once when we went across to Havre, but that's years ago, when my father had the Swallow.
human
Had the what?
gpt
His first little yacht. The one he has now--the Swift--is four times as big.
human
Oh, then you have been to sea?
gpt
Dozens of times, I said;
human
What's your name?
gpt
Alison Dale.
human
How old are you?
gpt
Seventeen, nearly.
human
I'm seventeen,
gpt
And what's your name?
human
Nicholas Walters; and as I'm senior, you'll have to bustle about a bit. I won't be too hard on you, but you'll have to look sharp and pick up things. I dare say I can put you up to a good deal of seamanship.
gpt
Thank you,
human
Of course, I don't know what sort of officers we've got here; but you and I can swing together, and I'll help to make it as easy for you as I can. It's rather hard for a boy making his first voyage.
gpt
I suppose so, I said;
human
Look here; is your father a gentleman?
gpt
Oh yes; he was in the army till he was invalided.
human
Then he's an invalid?
gpt
No, no, not now. He was badly wounded in the Crimea, and had to retire from the service.
human
Then why didn't you go in the army? 'Fraid of getting wounded in the Crimea?
gpt
No; I wanted to go to sea?
human
Then why didn't you go in the Royal Navy?
gpt
Because my father had a better opportunity for getting me in the merchant service.
human
Oh!