SHIP'S COMPANY

By W. W. Jacobs

THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

"What I want you to do, " said Mr. George Wright, as he leaned towards theold sailor, "is to be an uncle to me. "

"Aye, aye, " said the mystified Mr. Kemp, pausing with a mug of beermidway to his lips. 

"A rich uncle, " continued the young man, lowering his voice to preventany keen ears in the next bar from acquiring useless knowledge. "Anuncle from New Zealand, who is going to leave me all 'is money. "

"Where's it coming from?" demanded Mr. Kemp, with a little excitement. 

"It ain't coming, " was the reply. "You've only got to say you've got it. Fact of the matter is, I've got my eye on a young lady; there's anotherchap after 'er too, and if she thought I'd got a rich uncle it might makeall the difference. She knows I 'ad an uncle that went to New Zealandand was never heard of since. That's what made me think of it. "

Mr. Kemp drank his beer in thoughtful silence. "How can I be a richuncle without any brass?" he inquired at length. 

"I should 'ave to lend you some--a little, " said Mr. Wright. 

[Illustration: "What I want you to do, " said Mr. George Wright, "is tobe an uncle to me. "]

The old man pondered. "I've had money lent me before, " he said, candidly, "but I can't call to mind ever paying it back. I always meantto, but that's as far as it got. "

"It don't matter, " said the other. "It'll only be for a little while, and then you'll 'ave a letter calling you back to New Zealand. See? Andyou'll go back, promising to come home in a year's time, after you'vewound up your business, and leave us all your money. See?"

Mr. Kemp scratched the back of his neck. "But she's sure to find it outin time, " he objected. 

"P'r'aps, " said Mr. Wright. "And p'r'aps not. There'll be plenty oftime for me to get married before she does, and you could write back andsay you had got married yourself, or given your money to a hospital. "

He ordered some more beer for Mr. Kemp, and in a low voice gave him asmuch of the family history as he considered necessary. 

"I've only known you for about ten days, " he concluded, "but I'd soonertrust you than people I've known for years. "

"I took a fancy to you the moment I set eyes on you, " rejoined Mr. Kemp. "You're the living image of a young fellow that lent me five pounds once, and was drowned afore my eyes the week after. He 'ad a bit of a squint, and I s'pose that's how he came to fall overboard. "

He emptied his mug, and then, accompanied by Mr. Wright, fetched his sea-chest from the boarding-house where he was staying, and took it to theyoung man's lodgings. Fortunately for the latter's pocket the chestcontained a good best suit and boots, and the only expenses incurred werefor a large, soft felt hat and a gilded watch and chain. Dressed in hisbest, with a bulging pocket-book in his breast-pocket, he set out withMr. Wright on the following evening to make his first call. 

Mr. Wright, who was also in his best clothes, led the way to a smalltobacconist's in a side street off the Mile End Road, and, raising hishat with some ceremony, shook hands with a good-looking young woman whostood behind the counter: Mr. Kemp, adopting an air of scornful dignityintended to indicate the possession of great wealth, waited. 

"This is my uncle, " said Mr. Wright, speaking rapidly, "from New Zealand, the one I spoke to you about. He turned up last night, and you mighthave knocked me down with a feather. The last person in the world Iexpected to see. "

Mr. Kemp, in a good rolling voice, said, "Good evening, miss; I hope youare well, " and, subsiding into a chair, asked for a cigar. His surprisewhen he found that the best cigar they stocked only cost sixpence almostassumed the dimensions of a grievance. 

"It'll do to go on with, " he said, smelling it suspiciously. "Have yougot change for a fifty-pound note?"

Miss Bradshaw, concealing her surprise by an effort, said that she wouldsee, and was scanning the contents of a drawer, when Mr. Kemp in somehaste discovered a few odd sovereigns in his waistcoat-pocket. Fiveminutes later he was sitting in the little room behind the shop, holdingforth to an admiring audience. 

"So far as I know, " he said, in reply to a question of Mrs. Bradshaw's, "George is the only relation I've got. Him and me are quite alone, and Ican tell you I was glad to find him. "

Mrs. Bradshaw sighed. "It's a pity you are so far apart, " she said. 

"It's not for long, " said Mr. Kemp. "I'm just going back for about ayear to wind up things out there, and then I'm coming back to leave myold bones over here. George has very kindly offered to let me live withhim. "

"He won't suffer for it, I'll be bound, " said Mrs. Bradshaw, archly. 

"So far as money goes he won't, " said the old man. "Not that that wouldmake any difference to George. "

"It would be the same to me if you hadn't got a farthing, " said Mr. Wright, promptly. 

[Illustration: "It'll do to go on with, " he said]

Mr. Kemp, somewhat affected, shook hands with him, and leaning back inthe most comfortable chair in the room, described his life and strugglesin New Zealand. Hard work, teetotalism, and the simple life combinedappeared to be responsible for a fortune which he affected to be too oldto enjoy. Misunderstandings of a painful nature were avoided by a timelyadmission that under medical advice he was now taking a fair amount ofstimulant. 

[Illustration: "'Ow much did you say you'd got in the bank?"]

"Mind, " he said, as he walked home with the elated George, "it's yourgame, not mine, and it's sure to come a bit expensive. I can't be a richuncle without spending a bit. 'Ow much did you say you'd got in thebank?"

"We must be as careful as we can, " said Mr. Wright, hastily. "One thingis they can't leave the shop to go out much. It's a very good littlebusiness, and it ought to be all right for me and Bella one of thesedays, eh?"

Mr. Kemp, prompted by a nudge in the ribs, assented. "It's wonderful howthey took it all in about me, " he said; "but I feel certain in my ownmind that I ought to chuck some money about. "

"Tell 'em of the money you have chucked about, " said Mr. Wright. "It'lldo just as well, and come a good deal cheaper. And you had better goround alone to-morrow evening. It'll look better. Just go in foranother one of their sixpenny cigars. "

Mr. Kemp obeyed, and the following evening, after sitting a little whilechatting in the shop, was invited into the parlour, where, mindful of Mr. Wright's instructions, he held his listeners enthralled by tales of pastexpenditure. A tip of fifty pounds to his bedroom steward coming overwas characterized by Mrs. Bradshaw as extravagant. 

"Seems to be going all right, " said Mr. Wright, as the old man made hisreport; "but be careful; don't go overdoing it. "

Mr. Kemp nodded. "I can turn 'em round my little finger, " he said. "You'll have Bella all to yourself to-morrow evening. "

Mr. Wright flushed. "How did you manage that?" he inquired. "It's thefirst time she has ever been out with me alone. "

"She ain't coming out, " said Mr. Kemp. "She's going to stay at home andmind the shop; it's the mother what's coming out. Going to spend theevening with me!"

Mr. Wright frowned. "What did you do that for?" he demanded, hotly. 

"I didn't do it, " said Mr. Kemp, equably; "they done it. The old ladysays that, just for once in her life, she wants to see how it feels tospend money like water. "

"Money like water!" repeated the horrified Mr. Wright. "Money like--I'll 'money' her--I'll----"

"It don't matter to me, " said Mr. Kemp. "I can have a headache or achill, or something of that sort, if you like. I don't want to go. It'sno pleasure to me. "

"What will it cost?" demanded Mr. Wright, pacing up and down the room. 

The rich uncle made a calculation. "She wants to go to a place calledthe Empire, " he said, slowly, "and have something for supper, and there'dbe cabs and things. I dessay it would cost a couple o' pounds, and itmight be more. But I'd just as soon ave' a chill--just. "

Mr. Wright groaned, and after talking of Mrs. Bradshaw as though she werealready his mother-in-law, produced the money. His instructions as toeconomy lasted almost up to the moment when he stood with Bella outsidethe shop on the following evening and watched the couple go off. 

"It's wonderful how well they get on together, " said Bella, as theyre-entered the shop and passed into the parlour. "I've never seen mothertake to anybody so quick as she has to him. "

"I hope you like him, too, " said Mr. Wright. 

"He's a dear, " said Bella. "Fancy having all that money. I wonder whatit feels like?"

"I suppose I shall know some day, " said the young man, slowly; "but itwon't be much good to me unless----"

"Unless?" said Bella, after a pause. 

"Unless it gives me what I want, " replied the other. "I'd sooner be apoor man and married to the girl I love, than a millionaire. "

Miss Bradshaw stole an uneasy glance at his somewhat sallow features, andbecame thoughtful. 

"It's no good having diamonds and motor-cars and that sort of thingunless you have somebody to share them with, " pursued Mr. Wright. 

Miss Bradshaw's eyes sparkled, and at that moment the shop-bell tinkledand a lively whistle sounded. She rose and went into the shop, and Mr. Wright settled back in his chair and scowled darkly as he saw theintruder. 

"Good evening, " said the latter. "I want a sixpenny smoke for twopence, please. How are we this evening? Sitting up and taking nourishment?"

Miss Bradshaw told him to behave himself. 

"Always do, " said the young man. "That's why I can never get anybody toplay with. I had such an awful dream about you last night that Icouldn't rest till I saw you. Awful it was. "

"What was it?" inquired Miss Bradshaw. 

"Dreamt you were married, " said Mr. Hills, smiling at her. 

Miss Bradshaw tossed her head. "Who to, pray?" she inquired. 

"Me, " said Mr. Hills, simply. "I woke up in a cold perspiration. Halloa! is that Georgie in there? How are you, George? Better?"

"I'm all right, " said Mr. Wright, with dignity, as the other hooked thedoor open with his stick and nodded at him. 

"Well, why don't you look it?" demanded the lively Mr. Hills. "Have yougot your feet wet, or what?"

"Oh, be quiet, " said Miss Bradshaw, smiling at him. 

"Right-o, " said Mr. Hills, dropping into a chair by the counter andcaressing his moustache. "But you wouldn't speak to me like that if youknew what a terrible day I've had. "

"What have you been doing?" asked the girl. 

"Working, " said the other, with a huge sigh. "Where's the millionaire?I came round on purpose to have a look at him. "

"Him and mother have gone to the Empire?" said Miss Bradshaw. 

Mr. Hills gave three long, penetrating whistles, and then, placing hiscigar with great care on the counter, hid his face in a hugehandkerchief. Miss Bradshaw, glanced from him to the frowning Mr. Wright, and then, entering the parlour, closed the door with a bang. Mr. Hills took the hint, and with a somewhat thoughtful grin departed. 

He came in next evening for another cigar, and heard all that there wasto hear about the Empire. Mrs. Bradshaw would have treated him butcoldly, but the innocent Mr. Kemp, charmed by his manner, paid him greatattention. 

"He's just like what I was at his age, " he said. "Lively. "

"I'm not a patch on you, " said Mr. Hills, edging his way by slow degreesinto the parlour. "I don't take young ladies to the Empire. Were youtelling me you came over here to get married, or did I dream it?"

"'Ark at him, " said the blushing Mr. Kemp, as Mrs. Bradshaw shook herhead at the offender and told him to behave himself. 

"He's a man any woman might be happy with, " said Mr. Hills. "He neverknows how much there is in his trousers-pocket. Fancy sewing on buttonsfor a man like that. Gold-mining ain't in it. "

Mrs. Bradshaw shook her head at him again, and Mr. Hills, afterapologizing to her for revealing her innermost thoughts before the mostguileless of men, began to question Mr. Kemp as to the prospects of abright and energetic young man, with a distaste for work, in New Zealand. The audience listened with keen attention to the replies, the onlydisturbing factor being a cough of Mr. Wright's, which became more andmore troublesome as the evening wore on. By the time uncle and nephewrose to depart the latter was so hoarse that he could scarcely speak. 

"Why didn't you tell 'em you had got a letter calling you home, as I toldyou?" he vociferated, as soon as they were clear of the shop. 

"I--I forgot it, " said the old man. 

"Forgot it!" repeated the incensed Mr. Wright. 

"What did you think I was coughing like that for--fun?"

"I forgot it, " said the old man, doggedly. "Besides, if you take myadvice, you'd better let me stay a little longer to make sure of things. "

Mr. Wright laughed disagreeably. "I dare say, " he said; "but I ammanaging this affair, not you. Now, you go round to-morrow afternoon andtell them you're off. D'ye hear? D'ye think I'm made of money? Andwhat do you mean by making such a fuss of that fool, Charlie Hills? Youknow he is after Bella. "

He walked the rest of the way home in indignant silence, and, aftergiving minute instructions to Mr. Kemp next morning at breakfast, wentoff to work in a more cheerful frame of mind. Mr. Kemp was out when hereturned, and after making his toilet he followed him to Mrs. Bradshaw's. 

To his annoyance, he found Mr. Hills there again; and, moreover, it soonbecame clear to him that Mr. Kemp had said nothing about his approachingdeparture. Coughs and scowls passed unheeded, and at last in ahesitating voice, he broached the subject himself. There was a generalchorus of lamentation. 

"I hadn't got the heart to tell you, " said Mr. Kemp. "I don't know whenI've been so happy. "

"But you haven't got to go back immediate, " said Mrs. Bradshaw. 

"To-morrow, " said Mr. Wright, before the old man could reply. "Business. "

"Must you go, " said Mrs. Bradshaw. 

Mr. Kemp smiled feebly. "I suppose I ought to, " he replied, in ahesitating voice. 

"Take my tip and give yourself a bit of a holiday before you go back, "urged Mr. Hills. 

"Just for a few days, " pleaded Bella. 

"To please us, " said Mrs. Bradshaw. "Think 'ow George'll miss you. "

"Lay hold of him and don't let him go, " said Mr. Hills. 

He took Mr. Kemp round the waist, and the laughing Bella and her mothereach secured an arm. An appeal to Mr. Wright to secure his legs passedunheeded. 

"We don't let you go till you promise, " said Mrs. Bradshaw. 

Mr. Kemp smiled and shook his head. "Promise?" said Bella. 

"Well, well, " said Mr. Kemp; "p'r'aps--"

"He must go back, " shouted the alarmed Mr. Wright. 

"Let him speak for himself, " exclaimed Bella, indignantly. 

"Just another week then, " said Mr. Kemp. "It's no good having money if Ican't please myself. "

"A week!" shouted Mr. Wright, almost beside himself with rage and dismay. "A week! Another week! Why, you told me----"

"Oh, don't listen to him, " said Mrs. Bradshaw. "Croaker! It's his ownbusiness, ain't it? And he knows best, don't he? What's it got to dowith you?"

She patted Mr. Kemp's hand; Mr. Kemp patted back, and with his disengagedhand helped himself to a glass of beer--the fourth--and beamed in afriendly fashion upon the company. 

"George!" he said, suddenly. 

"Yes, " said Mr. Wright, in a harsh voice. 

"Did you think to bring my pocket-book along with you?"

"No, " said Mr. Wright, sharply; "I didn't. "

"Tt-tt, " said the old man, with a gesture of annoyance. "Well, lend me acouple of pounds, then, or else run back and fetch my pocket-book, " headded, with a sly grin. 

Mr. Wright's face worked with impotent fury. "What--what--do you--wantit for?" he gasped. 

Mrs. Bradshaw's "Well! Well!" seemed to sum up the general feeling; Mr. Kemp, shaking his head, eyed him with gentle reproach. 

"Me and Mrs. Bradshaw are going to gave another evening out, " he said, quietly. "I've only got a few more days, and I must make hay while thesun shines. "

To Mr. Wright the room seemed to revolve slowly on its axis, but, regaining his self-possession by a supreme effort, he took out his purseand produced the amount. Mrs. Bradshaw, after a few feminineprotestations, went upstairs to put her bonnet on. 

"And you can go and fetch a hansom-cab, George, while she's a-doing ofit, " said Mr. Kemp. "Pick out a good 'orse--spotted-grey, if you can. "

Mr. Wright arose and, departing with a suddenness that was almoststartling, exploded harmlessly in front of the barber's, next door butone. Then with lagging steps he went in search of the shabbiest cab andoldest horse he could find. 

"Thankee, my boy, " said Mr. Kemp, bluffly, as he helped Mrs. Bradshaw inand stood with his foot on the step. "By the way, you had better go backand lock my pocket-book up. I left it on the washstand, and there's bestpart of a thousand pounds in it. You can take fifty for yourself to buysmokes with. "

There was a murmur of admiration, and Mr. Wright, with a frantic attemptto keep up appearances, tried to thank him, but in vain. Long after thecab had rolled away he stood on the pavement trying to think out aposition which was rapidly becoming unendurable. Still keeping upappearances, he had to pretend to go home to look after the pocket-book, leaving the jubilant Mr. Hills to improve the shining hour with MissBradshaw. 

Mr. Kemp, returning home at midnight--in a cab--found the young manwaiting up for him, and, taking a seat on the edge of the table, listenedunmoved to a word-picture of himself which seemed interminable. He wasonly moved to speech when Mr. Wright described him as a white-whiskeredjezebel who was a disgrace to his sex, and then merely in the interestsof natural science. 

"Don't you worry, " he said, as the other paused from exhaustion. "Itwon't be for long now. "

"Long?" said Mr. Wright, panting. "First thing to-morrow morning youhave a telegram calling you back--a telegram that must be minded. D'yesee?"

"No, I don't, " said Mr. Kemp, plainly. "I'm not going back, never nomore--never! I'm going to stop here and court Mrs. Bradshaw. "

Mr. Wright fought for breath. "You--you can't!" he gasped. 

"I'm going to have a try, " said the old man. "I'm sick of going to sea, and it'll be a nice comfortable home for my old age. You marry Bella, and I'll marry her mother. Happy family!"

Mr. Wright, trembling with rage, sat down to recover, and, regaining hiscomposure after a time, pointed out almost calmly the variousdifficulties in the way. 

"I've thought it all out, " said Mr. Kemp, nodding. "She mustn't know I'mnot rich till after we're married; then I 'ave a letter from New Zealandsaying I've lost all my money. It's just as easy to have that letter asthe one you spoke of. "

"And I'm to find you money to play the rich uncle with till you'remarried, I suppose, " said Mr. Wright, in a grating voice, "and then loseBella when Mrs. Bradshaw finds you've lost your money?"

Mr. Kemp scratched his ear. "That's your lookout, " he said, at last. 

"Now, look here, " said Mr. Wright, with great determination. "Either yougo and tell them that you've been telegraphed for--cabled is the properword--or I tell them the truth. "

"That'll settle you then, " said Mr. Kemp. 

"No more than the other would, " retorted the young man, "and it'll comecheaper. One thing I'll take my oath of, and that is I won't give youanother farthing; but if you do as I tell you I'll give you a quid forluck. Now, think it over. "

Mr. Kemp thought it over, and after a vain attempt to raise the promisedreward to five pounds, finally compounded for two, and went off to bedafter a few stormy words on selfishness and ingratitude. He declined tospeak to his host at breakfast next morning, and accompanied him in theevening with the air of a martyr going to the stake. He listened instony silence to the young man's instructions, and only spoke when thelatter refused to pay the two pounds in advance. 

The news, communicated in halting accents by Mr. Kemp, was received withflattering dismay. Mrs. Bradshaw refused to believe her ears, and it wasonly after the information had been repeated and confirmed by Mr. Wrightthat she understood. 

"I must go, " said Mr. Kemp. "I've spent over eleven pounds cablingto-day; but it's all no good. "

"But you're coming back?" said Mr. Hills. 

"O' course I am, " was the reply. "George is the only relation I've got, and I've got to look after him, I suppose. After all, blood is thickerthan water. "

"Hear, hear!" said Mrs. Bradshaw, piously. 

"And there's you and Bella, " continued Mr. Kemp; "two of the best thatever breathed. "

The ladies looked down. 

"And Charlie Hills; I don't know--I don't know when I've took such afancy to anybody as I have to 'im. If I was a young gal--a single younggal--he's--the other half, " he said, slowly, as he paused--"just the one Ishould fancy. He's a good-'arted, good-looking----"

"Draw it mild, " interrupted the blushing Mr. Hills as Mr. Wright bestoweda ferocious glance upon the speaker. 

"Clever, lively young fellow, " concluded Mr. Kemp. "George!"

"Yes, " said Mr. Wright. 

"I'm going now. I've got to catch the train for Southampton, but I don'twant you to come with me. I prefer to be alone. You stay here and cheerthem up. Oh, and before I forget it, lend me a couple o' pounds out o'that fifty I gave you last night. I've given all my small change away. "

He looked up and met Mr. Wright's eye; the latter, too affected to speak, took out the money and passed it over. 

"We never know what may happen to us, " said the old man, solemnly, as herose and buttoned his coat. "I'm an old man and I like to have thingsship-shape. I've spent nearly the whole day with my lawyer, and ifanything 'appens to my old carcass it won't make any difference. I haveleft half my money to George; half of all I have is to be his. "

In the midst of an awed silence he went round and shook hands. 

"The other half, " with his hand on the door--"the other half and my bestgold watch and chain I have left to my dear young pal, Charlie Hills. Good-bye, Georgie!"