"
"That's queer," said Mr. Harris, polishing his spectacles. "Yes, he
came to me as gardener's boy--I thought it would be a pleasant change
after the ship; and he served his apprenticeship well. I remember
that in answer to my application the Secretary wrote: 'Of course we
prefer to train our lads to the sea; but when one has no aptitude for
it--'"
Mr. Harris paused, for the Schoolmaster was smiling broadly.
"Good Lord, sir!--if you'll excuse me. Link Andrew no aptitude for
the sea! Why, that lad's seamanship saved my life once: and, what's
more, it saved the whole yacht's company! Hasn't he ever told you
about it?"
"Not a word. I think," said Mr. Harris, "our friend Link chooses to
keep his past in watertight compartments. Sit down and tell me about
it."
VII.
This was the Schoolmaster's story:
"It happened on that very cruise, sir. The _Swallow_ had been
knocking around at various West Country regattas--Weymouth, Torquay,
Dartmouth, finishing up with Plymouth. From Plymouth we were to sail
for home.
"We had dropped hook in the Merchant Shipping Anchorage, as they
call it; which is the eastern side of the Sound, by Jennycliff Bay.
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