When our hero at last reached the Great Eastern, he soon found himself in what may be termed a lost condition. At first he was disappointed, for he saw her at a distance, and it is well-known that distance lends deception1 as well as “enchantment to the view.” Arrived alongside, however, he felt as if he had suddenly come under the walls of a great fortress2 or city.
Presently he stood on the deck of the Big Ship, as its familiars called it, and, from that moment, for several days, was, as we have said, in a lost condition. He was lost in wonder, to begin with, as he gazed at the interminable length and breadth of planking styled the deck, and the forest of funnels3, masts, and rigging, and the amazing perspective, which caused men at the further end from where he stood to look like dolls.
Then he was lost in reality, when he went below and had to ask his way as though he were wandering in the labyrinths4 of a great city. He felt—or thought he felt—like a mere5 mite6 in the mighty7 vessel8. Soon he lost his old familiar powers of comparison and contrast, and ere long he lost his understanding altogether, for he fell down one of the hatchways into a dark abyss, where he would probably have ended his career with electric speed if he had not happily fallen into the arms of a human being, with whom he rolled and bumped affectionately, though painfully, to the bottom of the stair.
The human being, growled9 intense disapprobation during the process, and Robin10 fancied that the voice was familiar.
“Come, I say,” said the being, remonstratively, “this is altogether too loving, you know. Don’t squeeze quite so tight, young ’un, whoever you be.”
“Oh, I beg your pardon,” gasped12 Robin, relaxing his grasp when they stopped rolling; “I’m so sorry. I hope I haven’t hurt you.”
“Hurt me!” laughed Jim Slagg, for it was he; “no, you small electrician, you ’aven’t got battery-power enough to do me much damage; but what d’ye mean by it? Is this the way to meet an old friend? Is it right for a Wright to go wrong at the wery beginnin’ of his career? But come, I forgive you. Have you been introdooced to Capting Anderson yet?”
“No! Who is he?”
“Who is he, you ignorant crokidile! why, he’s the capting of the Great Eastern, the commander o’ the Big Ship, the Great Mogul o’ the quarter-deck, the king o’ the expedition. But, of course, you ’aven’t bin11 introdooced to him. He don’t associate much with small fry like us—more’s the pity, for it might do ’im good. But come, I’ll take you under my wing for the present, because your partikler owner, Ebbysneezer Smith, ain’t come aboard yet—ashore dissipatin’, I suppose,—an’ everybody’s so busy gettin’ ready to start that nobody will care to be bothered with you, so come along.”
There was same truth in this eccentric youths’ remarks, for in the bustle13 of preparation for an early start every one on board seemed to be so thoroughly14 engrossed15 with his own duty that he had no time to attend to anything else, and Robin had begun to experience, in the absence of his “partikler owner,” an uneasy sensation of being very much in people’s way. As he felt strangely attracted by the off-hand good-humoured impudence16 of his new friend, he consented to follow him, and was led to a small apartment, somewhere in the depths of the mighty ship, in which several youths, not unlike Slagg, were romping17. They had, indeed, duties to perform like the rest, but the moment chanced to be with them a brief period of relaxation18, which they devoted19 to skylarking.
“Hallo who have you got here?” demanded a large clumsy youth, knocking off Slagg’s cap as he asked the question.
“Come, Stumps20, don’t you be cheeky,” said Slagg, quietly picking up his cap and putting it on; “this is a friend o’ mine—one o’ the electricians,—so you needn’t try to shock his feelin’s, for he can give better than he gets. He’s got no berth21 yet, so I brought ’im here to show him hospitality.”
“Oh, indeed,” said Mr Stumps, bowing with mock respect; then, turning to the comrade with whom he had been skylarking, “Here, Jeff, supply this gentleman with food.”
Jeff, entering into Stumps’ humour, immediately brought a plate of broken ship-biscuit with a can of water, and set them on the table before Robin. Our hero, who had never been accustomed to much jesting, took the gift in earnest, thanked Jeff heartily22, and, being hungry, set to work with a will upon the simple fare, while Stumps and Jeff looked at each other and winked23.
“Come, I can add something to improve that feast,” said Slagg, drawing a piece of cheese from his pocket, and setting it before his friend.
Robin thanked him, and was about to take the cheese when Stumps snatched it up, and ran out of the room with it, laughing coarsely as he went.
“The big bully,” growled Slagg; “it’s quite obvious to me that feller will have to be brought to his marrow-bones afore long.”
“Never mind,” said Jeff, who was of a more amiable24 spirit than Stumps, “here’s more o’ the same sort.” He took another piece of cheese from a shelf as he spoke25, and gave it to Robin.
“Now, my young toolip,” said Slagg, “havin’ finished your feed, p’r’aps you’d like to see over the big ship.”
With great delight Robin said that he should like nothing better, and, being led forth26, was soon lost a second time in wonderment.
Of what use was it that Slagg told him the Great Eastern was 692 feet long by 83 feet broad, and 70 feet deep? If he had said yards instead of feet it would have been equally instructive to Robin in his then mentally lost condition. Neither was it of the slightest use to be told that the weight of the big ship’s cargo27, including cable, tanks, and coals, was 21,000 tons.
But reason began to glimmer28 again when Slagg told him that the two largest vessels29 afloat could not contain, in a convenient position for passing out, the 2700 miles then coiled in the three tanks of the Great Eastern.
“This is the main tank,” said Slagg, leading his friend to a small platform that hung over a black and apparently30 unfathomable gulf31.
“I see nothing at all,” said Robin, stretching his head cautiously forward and gazing down into darkness profound, while he held on tight to a rail. “How curious!—when I look down everything in this wonderful ship seems to have no bottom, and when I look up, nothing appears to have any top, while, if I look backward or forward things seem to have no end! Ah! I see something now. Coming in from the light prevented me at first. Why, it’s like a huge circus!”
“Yes, it on’y wants hosses an’ clowns to make it all complete,” said Slagg. “Now, that tank is 58 feet 6 inches in diameter, and 20 feet 6 inches deep, an’ holds close upon 900 miles of cable. There are two other tanks not much smaller, all choke-full. An’ the queer thing is, that they can telegraph through all its length now, at this moment as it lies there,—an’ they are doing so continually to make sure that all’s right.”
“Oh! I understand that,” said Robin quickly; “I have read all about the laying of the first cable in 1858. It is the appearance of things in this great ship that confounds me.”
“Come along then, and I’ll confound you a little more,” said Slagg.
He accordingly led his friend from one part of the ship to another, explaining and commenting as he went, and certainly Robin’s wonder did not decrease.
From the grand saloon—which was like a palatial32 drawing-room, in size as well as in gorgeous furniture—to the mighty cranks and boilers33 of its engines, everything in and about the ship was calculated to amaze. As Slagg justly remarked, “It was stunnin’.”
When our hero was saturated34 with the “Big Ship” till he could hold no more, his friend took him back to his berth, and left him there for a time to his meditations35.
Returning soon after, he sat down on a looker.
“I say, Robin Wright,” he began, thrusting his hands into his trousers-pockets, “it looks a’most as if I had smuggled36 you aboard of this ship like a stowaway37. Nobody seems to know you are here, an’ what’s more, nobody seems to care. Your partikler owner ain’t turned up yet, an’ it’s my opinion he won’t turn up to-night, so I’ve spoke to the stooard—he’s my owner, you know—an’ he says you’d better just turn into my berth to-night, an’ you’ll get showed into your own to-morrow.”
“But where will you sleep?” asked Robin, with some hesitation38.
“Never you mind that, my young electrician. That’s my business. What you’ve got to do is to turn in.”
Jeff and another lad, who were preparing to retire for the night at the time, laughed at this, but Robin paid no attention, thanked his friend, and said that as he was rather tired he would accept his kind offer.
Thereafter, pulling out the small Bible which he had kept in his pocket since leaving home, he went into a corner, read a few verses, and then knelt down to pray.
The surprise of the other lads was expressed in their eyes, but they said nothing.
Just then the door opened, and the lad named Stumps entered. Catching39 sight of Robin on his knees he opened his eyes wide, pursed his mouth, and gave a low whistle. Then he went up to Robin and gave him a slight kick. Supposing that it was an accident, Robin did not move, but on receiving another and much more decided40 kick, he rose and turned round. At the same moment Stumps received a resounding41 and totally unexpected slap on the cheek from Jim Slagg, who planted himself before him with clenched42 fists and flashing eyes.
“What d’ye mean by interferin’ wi’ my, friend at his dewotions, you monkey-faced polypus?” he demanded fiercely.
The monkey-faced polypus replied not a word, but delivered a right-hander that might have felled a small horse. Jim Slagg however was prepared for that. He turned his head neatly43 to one side so as to let the blow pass, and at the same moment planted his knuckles44 on the bridge of his opponent’s nose and sent him headlong into Jeff’s bunk45, which lay conveniently behind. Jumping furiously out of that, and skinning his shins in the act, Stumps rushed at Slagg, who, leaping lightly aside, tripped him up and gave him a smack46 on the left ear as he passed, by way of keeping him lively.
Unsubdued by this, Stumps gathered himself up and made a blind rush at his adversary48, but was abruptly49 stopped by what Jeff called a “dab on the nose.” Repeating the rush, Stumps was staggered by a plunging50 blow on the forehead, and he paused to breathe, gazing the while at his foe51, who, though a smaller youth than himself, was quite as strong.
“If you’ve had enough, monkey-face,” said Slagg, with a bland52 smile, “don’t hesitate to say so, an’ I’ll shake hands; but if you’d prefer a little more before goin’ to bed, just let me know, and—”
Slagg here performed some neat and highly suggestive motions with his fists by way of finishing the sentence.
Evidently Stumps wanted more, for, after a brief pause, he again rushed at Slagg, who, stepping aside like a Spanish matador53, allowed his foe to expend54 his wrath55 on the bulkhead of the cabin.
“You’ll go through it next time, Stumps, if you plunge56 like that,” said Jeff, who had watched the fight with lively interest, and had encouraged the combatants with sundry57 marks of applause, besides giving them much gratuitous58 advice.
Regardless alike of encouragement and advice, the angry youth turned round once more and received a buffet59 that sent him sprawling60 on the table, off which he fell and rolled under it. There he lay and panted.
“Now, my sweet polypus,” said the victor, going down on one knee and patting the vanquished61 on his shoulder, “next time you feels tempted62 to kick a gentleman—specially a electrician—at his dewotions, think of Jim Slagg an’ restrain yourself. I bear you no ill-will however—so, good-night.”
Before passing from the subject, we may add that, the next night, Robin—whose owner was still absent—was again hospitably65 invited to share the cabin of his friend and protector. When about to retire to rest he considered whether it was advisable to risk the repetition of the scene of the previous, night, and, although not quite easy in his conscience about it, came to the conclusion that it would be well to say his prayers in bed. Accordingly, he crept quietly into his berth and lay down, but Jim Slagg, who was present, no sooner saw what he was about than he jumped up with a roar of indignation.
“What are you about?” he cried, “ain’t you goin’ to say your prayers, you white-livered electrician? Come, git up! If I’m to fight, you must pray! D’ye hear? Turn out, I say.”
With that he seized Robin, dragged him out of bed, thrust him on his knees, and bade him “do his dooty.”
At first Robin’s spirit rose in rebellion, but a sense of shame at his moral cowardice66, and a perception of the justice of his friend’s remark, subdued47 him. He did pray forthwith, though what the nature of his prayer was we have never been able to ascertain67, and do not care to guess. The lesson, however, was not lost. From that date forward Robin Wright was no longer ashamed or afraid to be seen in the attitude of prayer.
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1
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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2
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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funnels
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| 漏斗( funnel的名词复数 )； （轮船，火车等的）烟囱 | |
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labyrinths
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| 迷宫( labyrinth的名词复数 )； （文字，建筑）错综复杂的 | |
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5
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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6
mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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7
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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8
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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10
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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12
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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13
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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14
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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15
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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17
romping
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| adj.嬉戏喧闹的，乱蹦乱闹的v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的现在分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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18
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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20
stumps
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| （被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分 | |
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21
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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23
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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24
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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25
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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29
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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30
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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palatial
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| adj.宫殿般的，宏伟的 | |
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33
boilers
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| 锅炉，烧水器，水壶( boiler的名词复数 ) | |
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saturated
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| a.饱和的，充满的 | |
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35
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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36
smuggled
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| 水货 | |
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stowaway
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| n.（藏于轮船，飞机中的）偷乘者 | |
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38
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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39
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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40
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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41
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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42
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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44
knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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45
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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46
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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47
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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48
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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49
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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50
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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51
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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52
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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53
matador
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| n.斗牛士 | |
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54
expend
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| vt.花费，消费，消耗 | |
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55
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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56
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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57
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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58
gratuitous
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| adj.无偿的，免费的；无缘无故的，不必要的 | |
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59
buffet
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| n.自助餐；饮食柜台；餐台 | |
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60
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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61
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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62
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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63
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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64
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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65
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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66
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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67
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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