It was eleven o’clock at night before the Sealark was finally moored² and the dismissal words said, but there were already those alongside of whom Dickens said “they were all waiting for Jack³.” Frank and his two housemates, lounging by the rail smoking their pipes, watched the proceedings⁴, saw how earnestly the hired emissaries of the boarding-masters laboured to prevent the newly arrived men from going with the representative of the Sailors’ Home; saw, too, the passing of bottles laden⁵ with the most potent⁷ argument a sailor knows as a rule. Presently they had all departed their several ways, and the boys, tired out, retired⁸ to their bunks⁹ and slept the sweet sleep of wearied youth.

 

They were allowed to sleep it out in the morning, not being aroused until eight o’clock, and then the captain summoned them aft and handed them some money with which to telegraph to their parents and get their breakfast, telling them at the same time that until the ship was paid off they would be required to remain by her, but as the dock rules did not allow of them getting food on board without special permit, he would see about[157] getting them a lodging-place where they would be well and comfortably housed.

 

So the three sallied ashore¹⁰ together all unknowing of the intricate neighbourhood, and the story of their adventures before they found their way on board again at eleven would make a serious inroad upon this chapter. Mr. Cope received them on their return with a grave face, but when he saw that they were all right and sober he did not scold them; indeed, except that he reminded them that they were supposed to work, but not hard, he might have been, as far as his behaviour went, one of themselves. By noon they all had replies from home. Frank’s telegram ran thus: “Dear boy, so glad and thankful; are sending money by letter; come home as soon as ever you can, we are all

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