CHAPTER IX. THE "RIVER BELLE."

 As Tom took his place at the breakfast table, he mechanically lifted his eyes and glanced at his neighbors. Directly opposite him sat the gentleman whom he had brought home the evening before. Now he looked sober and respectable. Indeed, he looked as if he might be a person of some prominence¹. He met Tom's glance, and recognized him.

 

"I think you are the boy who came home with me last evening," he said.

 

"Yes, sir," answered Tom, rather embarrassed.

 

"I am afraid I was not quite myself," continued the stout² gentleman.

 

"Not quite, sir."

 

"I ought to be ashamed of myself, and I am. I don't often allow myself to be caught in that way. You did me a good service."

 

"You are quite welcome, sir."

 

"I had a good deal of money with me, and,[69] if I had drank any more, I should probably have been robbed."

 

"Why did you run such a risk, sir?" Tom could not help asking.

 

"Because I was a fool," said the other bluntly. "I have taste for drink, but when I am at home I keep it under control."

 

"Then you don't live in Pittsburg, sir?"

 

"No. My home is in one of the river towns in Ohio. I came to Pittsburg to collect money due me for produce, and but for you should probably have carried none of it home."

 

"I am very glad to be of service to you," said our hero sincerely.

 

"What are your plans, my young friend? I suppose you are only a visitor in this city."

 

"I am on my way to California. I expect to sail in the River Belle³ at nine o'clock."

 

"Then we shall be fellow passengers, and I shall have a chance to become better acquainted with you. You are young to go to California alone. You are alone—are you not?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

They went down to the boat together, and on the way Tom told his story. He learned that his acquaintance was Mr. Nicholas Waterbury;[70] that he had been a member of the Ohio Legislature, and, as he inferred, was a prominent citizen of the town in which he lived.

 

"I should be very much ashamed to have them hear at home how I had forgotten myself," said Mr. Waterbury.

 

"It need not be known," said Tom. "I shall not mention it to any one."

 

"Thank you," said Mr. Waterbury. "I would rather you did not, as the news might reach my home."

 

"Where do you live, sir?"

 

"In Marietta. I shall be glad to have you leave the boat there, and stay a day or two with me."

 

"Thank you, sir, but I am in a hurry to reach California, on my father's account. I want to send back as soon as possible the money he raised to pay my expenses out."

 

"That is very commendable⁴; I can enter into your feelings. I should like to show my obligation to you in some way."

 

"It is not worth thinking about, sir," said Tom modestly.

 

"Permit me to disagree with you. Why, my young friend, how much money do you think I had with me?"[71]

 

"I don't know, sir."

 

"Upward of six hundred dollars."

 

As Mr. Waterbury uttered these words, a young man, very dark, with narrow black whiskers, passed them. He darted⁵ a quick glance at the speaker, and walked rapidly on. Tom noticed him, but not with attention.

 

"That is a good deal of money, sir," he remarked.

 

"It would have been a good deal to lose," said Mr. Waterbury, "and I have no doubt I should have lost it if it had not been for you."

 

"I haven't so much money as you, but I came near losing it last night."

 

"How was that?" asked Tom's new acquaintance, with curiosity.

 

Tom explained the attempt of his roommate to rob him.

 

"It would have been a serious loss to you, my young friend."

 

"It would have broken up all my plans, and I should have had to work my way home, greatly disappointed."

 

"You will need to be careful about forming acquaintances. There are exceptions, however. I am a new acquaintance; but I don't think you need fear me."[72]

 

"No, sir," said Tom, smiling.

 

"While I have received a great service from you, who are a new acquaintance. But here we are at the steamer."

 

The River Belle lay at her pier⁶. Tom and his companion went on board. Both secured tickets, and Tom provided himself with a stateroom, for he expected to remain on board till they reached Cincinnati. Freight of various kinds was being busily stowed away below. It was a busy and animated⁷ scene, and Tom looked on with interest.

 

"Have you ever been on a steamboat before?" asked Mr. Waterbury.

 

"No, sir. I have never traveled any to speak of before leaving home on this journey," replied Tom.

 

"It will be a pleasant variety for you, then, though the scenery is tame. However, some of the river towns are pretty."

 

"I am sure I shall like it, sir."

 

"I wish I were going all the way with you—I mean as far as Cincinnati," said Mr. Waterbury.

 

"I wish you were, sir."

 

"I have a great mind to do it," said the[73] gentleman musingly⁸. "I should have to go very soon on business, at any rate, and I can attend to it now just as well as later."

 

"I shall be very glad if you can make it convenient, sir. We might occupy the same stateroom."

 

"Are you not afraid that I shall follow the example of your Pittsburg roommate?" asked Mr. Waterbury.

 

"I have less to lose than you," answered Tom. "Besides, I shall have to have a roommate, as there are two berths⁹."

 

"Precisely¹⁰, and I might be safer than some. I have a great mind to keep on. I shall see some one on the pier in Marietta by whom I can send word to my family. By the way, I have a son about your age, and a daughter two years younger."

 

"Have you, sir?" asked Tom, with interest.

 

"I should like you to meet them. Perhaps you may some day."

 

"I hope I may," said Tom politely.

 

"I am a manufacturer," continued Mr. Waterbury, "and sell my goods chiefly in Pittsburg and Cincinnati. From these places they are forwarded farther east and west."[74]

 

"I suppose that's a pretty good business, sir?"

 

"Sometimes; but there are intervals¹¹ of depression. However, I have no right to complain. I began a poor boy, and now I am moderately rich."

 

"Were you as poor as I am?" inquired Tom, beginning to feel a personal interest in his companion's career.

 

"Quite so, I fancy. At the age of sixteen I couldn't call myself the owner of five dollars."

 

"And you have become rich?" said Tom, feeling very much encouraged.

 

"Moderately so. I am probably worth fifty thousand dollars, and am just fifty years of age."

 

"That seems to me very rich," said Tom.

 

"I should have said the same thing at your age. Our views change as we get older. Still, I regard myself as very well off, and, with prudent¹² management, I need not fear reverses."

 

"I should think not," said Tom.

 

"You don't know how easy it is to lose[75] money, my boy. I am not referring to robbery, but to mismanagement."

 

"Your success encourages me, Mr. Waterbury," said Tom. "I am willing to work hard."

 

"I think you will succeed. You look like a boy of good habits. Energy, industry, and good habits can accomplish wonders. But I think we are on the point of starting."

 

Just before the gangplank was drawn¹³ in, two persons hastily crossed it.

 

One was the dark young man who had passed them on the way down to the boat; the other was Milton Graham.

 

"Mr. Waterbury," said Tom hurriedly, "do you see that man?"

 

"Yes."

 

"He is the man that tried to rob me."

 

"We must be on our guard, then. He may be up to more mischief¹⁴."

1 prominence   

n.突出；显著；杰出；重要

参考例句：

• He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy.他在意大利的世界杯赛中声名鹊起。
• This young fashion designer is rising to prominence.这位年轻的时装设计师的声望越来越高。

3 belle   

n.靓女

参考例句：

• She was the belle of her Sunday School class.在主日学校她是她们班的班花。
• She was the belle of the ball.她是那个舞会中的美女。

4 commendable   

adj.值得称赞的

参考例句：

• The government's action here is highly commendable.政府这样的行动值得高度赞扬。
• Such carping is not commendable.这样吹毛求疵真不大好。

5 darted   

v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔

参考例句：

• The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 pier   

n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱

参考例句：

• The pier of the bridge has been so badly damaged that experts worry it is unable to bear weight.这座桥的桥桩破损厉害，专家担心它已不能负重。
• The ship was making towards the pier.船正驶向码头。

7 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

8 musingly   

adv.沉思地，冥想地

参考例句：

9 berths   

n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位

参考例句：

• Berths on steamships can be booked a long while in advance. 轮船上的床位可以提前多日预订。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Have you got your berths on the ship yet? 你们在船上有舱位了吗？ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

11 intervals   

n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息

参考例句：

• The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers. 预报间晴，有阵雨。
• Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。

12 prudent   

adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的

参考例句：

• A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
• You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。

13 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

14 mischief   

n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹

参考例句：

• Nobody took notice of the mischief of the matter. 没有人注意到这件事情所带来的危害。
• He seems to intend mischief.看来他想捣蛋。