Part 2

"Ay, ay, Boggle!" exclaimed a stout weatherbeaten-looking mariner, to whom all his associates appeared to listen with great deference, arising either from his superior age or station,--"she _is_ a smart boat; as neat a one as ever floated. She'll swim better than a shark, and faster than a dolphin; and I'll wager a month's pay to a mouldy biscuit, that between this and the tother side o' the world we shan't meet with her match."

"True enough, Hearty," said the person spoken to, a lumbering, stout, short, and awkwardly-made man of about thirty, with a large head, and a stupid yet good-natured countenance, which expressed an inclination to act in the right way that was always marred by an extraordinary aptitude to do wrong. "True enough. May I walk the deck till I split into shivers, if I'm not convinced of every word you say! But every man as is a man and thinks like a man should have a notion of his own on things in general; therefore, Hearty, I don't believe it."

"Pooh!" exclaimed a younger sailor, addressing himself to the last speaker, "what's the value o' your judgment against the notions of such an old hand as Hearty? Why he must ha' sailed in a power o' different crafts afore you were launched!"

"Exactly, Climberkin, exactly," replied Boggle eagerly--"that's my opinion; it's true, there's not a doubt of it: but every man as is a man----"

"Well, may I be scrunched into everlasting smash if I know where we're bound--that's all," emphatically remarked another speaker in the group, thrusting forward a thick head of sandy hair, with a countenance sharp and meagre.

"Nor I," said another.

"Nor I," echoed several around him.

"Why you see how it is," answered Boggle, mysteriously; "there's a sort o' a secret in it. It arn't for a fellow afore the mast to be 'quisitive o' what's going on on the quarter-deck; but I likes to have right notions o' things in general, as every man as is a man and thinks like a man should. So having a pretty shrewd guess as how Scrumpydike, who's al'ays alongside the captain, knowed more o' the matter than he'd a mind to 'municate, I follows in his wake not a hundred years longer than this very mornin'; and, quite palavering like, I hails him wi' 'I say, Scrumpydike, my bo!' 'What cheer?' says he. 'P'raps you don't know nothin' o' our sailing orders?' says I, quite social. 'P'raps I do,' says he, in a manner as showed he did. I says nothin' more on _that_ subject then, cause I had a notion 'twould be no good; so I speaks him civil, and axed him to liquidate wi' me upon summat comfortable, and we went together into a snuggish sort o' a spiritual close by, and when I got him pretty 'municative I thought he'd a told the most secret thing as he knowed, cause he was letting down the cable in reg'lar style. Now's the time, thought I; so I says to him, quite familiar, as I felt sartain sure o' his telling, 'Scrumpydike, my bo!' says I, 'where be we bound?'--And what d'ye think he said?" inquired the speaker, suddenly addressing himself to his associates.

"What _did_ he say, Boggle?" anxiously inquired a young sailor, pressing forward to hear the interesting communication.

"Tell us, Boggle, tell us!" cried the others eagerly.

"Why he turns round upon me his great yellow eyes, looking as if he could ha' no secrets from a fellow who shared his earnings so handsome--'cause I stood treat all the time, and he says to me, in a slow whisper, just as a secret should be told----"

"Well, what did he say?" said Climberkin impatiently.

"'What's the odds?', says he."--The younger sailors laughed.

"And what _is_ the odds?" asked old Hearty earnestly. "Arn't we well paid, well fed, well clothed? and haven't we plenty o' every thing we want? So what's the odds where we sail? I don't care the twist o' a rope's end whether we go to India, or China, or Algiers, to any of the ports in Australia, or even to the most uncivilized settlements in Europe; and no true sailor cares on what water he floats, as long as he's aboard a good ship, meets wi' sociable mates, and is commanded by good officers."

"I'll be spiflicated if every word Hearty says isn't true," remarked Climberkin.

"And now I'll just tell you what I knows o' the matter," continued Hearty, "which amounts to something more than Boggle could tell."

"Well, what is it?" inquired Boggle, as eager as the others to hear some intelligence on the subject,--"you're smartish, clever, or I'm 'staken; but though I must say my notion o' you is tip top, we're most on us liable to a false reck'ning."

"You all know master Porphyry," said the old man, without attending to the dubious compliment of the last speaker.

"Know him! to be sure we do," replied Climberkin hastily. "Haven't we all sailed in his ships,--all but Scrumpydike there, who's asleep in the boat? and don't we know as he's the richest merchant in Columbia, and got ships laden with every sort o' precious merchandise, more than one man ever had afore--sailing from port to port all over every sea that runs. Know him! Why, who do we know, if we don't know a man as all the world knows?"

"Ay, ay," remarked the other quietly, "that's him; they do say he's as rich as the emperor. But all I know is, that while he's greatest among the rich he's kindest among the poor. He seems never happy but when he's founding some hospital,--setting afoot some charity, or doing some good, some how or other: his name is honoured in all parts o' the world. There's no merchant all over this here globe that hasn't heard of the fame of master Porphyry: and in his own country he's like a prince, scattering his bounties wherever he thinks they are likely to confer a benefit; and every one respects him, every one wishes to think as he does; and all are anxious to show their opinion of his integrity, cleverness, and all that sort o' thing. Well, what's uncommon strange, although he squanders his money about as if there was no end to it, it seems only to 'cumulate the faster; and although the emperor has signified his wish to honour him wi' lots o' distinctions many's the great man would be proud enough to gain, he refuses them all, and says he won't be nothing more nor plain master Porphyry. So master Porphyry he remains; but for all that he's a greater man than all the princes, dukes, and nobles we're likely to see in our time. Well, master Porphyry's got a son, as smart a figure of a youth as ever you see'd aboard ship; and after 'ducating him in all sorts o' learnin', till he's fit to be launched in the great ocean o' life, he wishes him, nat'rul enough, to go and see foreign parts, that he may get plenty o' notions o' different kinds o' people, and countries, and governments, that when he comes back he may be able to do credit to his father. So master Porphyry gets a ship built o' purpose, and a lovelier vessel than the Albatross it arn't possible to look on; and has her stored wi' every kind o' valuable merchandise likely to sell to a profit at the ports she may visit, and wi' all sorts o' necessaries and comforts for the crew; has her manned wi' a prime set o' picked hands from his other vessels,--engages a 'sperienced captain, and accompanied by the most celebrated teacher o' learnin' he could meet with, to show all the 'markable things as might be overhauled, and give the proper 'splanations about their breed, seed, and generation, I expects him here every minute to go aboard; and 'mediately arter that, up wi' her cleaver, out wi' her wings, and good bye to old Columbia." (2.)

"Now let me twist the rope a little," (3.) said Climberkin, while his messmates continued to listen with the same interest they had shown all the time Hearty had been speaking. "You see, mates," continued the young sailor, apparently attempting to make the sleeves of his check shirt roll above his elbows with more convenience, but more probably trying to attract attention from the heightening colour of his cheek,--"you see, mates, I've been sailing in convoy with a mighty smartish craft, who's a sort o' cook's mate,--(now what are you jiggering at?" cried the speaker sharply to a young fellow who had indulged himself with a grin,)--"who's a sort of cook's mate in the noble family of Philadelphia; and she being always among her messmates, hears a smartish lot o' notions 'cerning her officers, which, when we've been yard-arm and yard-arm sailing in company through the parks, or at anchor in the jollity houses, she 'municates to me by way o' divarsion: and she tells me as how master Porphyry has a snuggery up the country, 'bout a cable's length from one belonging to the noble Philadelphia, and that the two families were as sociable as a shoal o' herrins. Philadelphia has a daughter, by all accounts a reg'lar-built angelic; and master Porphyry having a son, an equally smartish sort o' young chap, it was as sartain as a ship would sail afore the wind, that they two while consortin' would pick up some notions about gettin' afloat together; and as no signals o' a diff'rent natur' were hung out by their commodores, they linked their hearts pretty close, and never could see which way the wind blowed 'cept when they were alongside o' each other. Well, somehow or other, there came on a squall,--the powerful noble Philadelphia and the rich merchant Porphyry parted company about politics: one took one side and t'other took t'other, and they went on different tacks in no time. Philadelphia, who's as proud as a port admiral, when he found as master Porphyry wouldn't follow in his wake, blowed great guns, cut his cable; and without letting his daughter the Lady Eureka have any 'munication with her consort, he makes her set sail along wi' him, and the young ones arn't been allowed to come in sight o' each other ever since. Well, arter that, master Porphyry, who's as proud as an honest man should be, wern't a going to strike his flag to nothin' o' the sort; so seeing as his young'un looked cloudy weather, to 'leviate his disappointment he thinks o' trying to make him forget the whole circumbendibus. So he plans this here voyage."

The loud huzzas of an approaching multitude put an end to the conversation; and Scrumpydike, who appeared to have been asleep, but had listened attentively to every word that had been uttered, suddenly started from his recumbent position in the boat, presenting a muscular form, with a yellow, rough, and scowling face, sufficiently forbidding in its appearance, yet possessing an odd sort of twist about the corners of the mouth that much disguised its natural ferocity.

"Thunder and lightning!" (4.) shouted Scrumpydike, hastily regaining his legs, "here they come!"

Some of the sailors ran up the stone steps leading to the foot of the bridge, and there a noble and gratifying sight presented itself. The whole length of the magnificent street of stately mansions approaching the water seemed filled with a countless multitude of citizens, each huzzaing with extraordinary zeal some persons in a procession that was proceeding along the centre of the thoroughfare. Windows, housetops, bridges, and boats were thronged with spectators; and all the vessels in the river were dressed with flags, which, streaming from the masts in a variety of pleasing colours and devices, gave an animated and picturesque character to the scene.

"_There's_ master Porphyry!" exclaimed Hearty.

"Where?" inquired half a dozen voices at once.

"That stately-looking man on the tall grey horse who is bowing to his fellow-citizens. Every body seems to have got a notion that the merchant's son was going on his first voyage; so, you see, they're resolved to show how much they respect the father, and all the city turns out to a man (aye and to a woman too, as you may see at the windows), and here they are throwing up their caps, waving their handkerchiefs, and shouting like mad; the ladies scattering flowers upon his head, and bands o' music playing all the way. And there's young master Porphyry riding by his side, a fine handsome sort o' chap, and as like his father as one whale's like another. And in the open carriage behind them is the learned Professor Fortyfolios, who's written more big books than any on us could carry; and opposite him's our Captain Compass, and next him's little Log, the captain's clerk; and opposite him's Doctor Tourniquet, our surgeon; and there's a lot more on 'em followin' in different carriages, who ha' been promoted to a birth aboard the Albatross. These dignified bodies in long robes, and some on 'em wi' gold chains round their necks, are great magistrates and merchants belonging to the city, and they look up to master Porphyry as head on 'em all. But we must get to our oars, my mates, or else we shall nap it pretty considerably." So saying he returned to the boat, quickly followed by his companions, and they all began to be very busy preparing for the comers.

The appearance of the procession as it neared the bridge was very imposing; for, as far as the eye could see, were carriages and horsemen bearing streaming banners, and decorated with ribbons and flowers; and every spot that could command a view of the scene from the land or from the water was crowded with animated spectators, shouting their good wishes for the son and praises of the father. The chief attraction in this grand spectacle, master Porphyry, was a man apparently between forty and fifty years of age, of a commanding figure and noble countenance. When he took off a sort of coronetted velvet cap that shielded his head from the sun's rays, as he bowed his grateful acknowledgments for the plaudits of his fellow-citizens, his high forehead, eloquent eyes, and benevolent smile made his features assume an expression more nearly approaching the highest degree of beauty, intelligence, and philanthropy in a man advanced in life, than anything it is possible to conceive; and the robe of honour which encompassed his powerful limbs, denoting his office as the chief civic magistrate, gave a majesty to his deportment that increased the effect of his personal appearance.

The youth who rode by his side could not have numbered much more than twenty years, and bore a great resemblance both in the form of his limbs and in the expression of his countenance to master Porphyry; yet while from a feeling of enthusiastic reverence for his parent he rode bare-headed by his side, as he noticed the admiration his father excited among the countless myriads who thronged their way, the fire that was glowing in his eyes and the pride that was swelling at his heart gave evidence of feelings to which the elder Porphyry was a stranger. The youth sat on his steed, that pranced and curvetted with the same high spirit in his blood as was possessed by his rider, showing that elasticity of limb that marks the young and vigorous; and as the breeze swept from his forehead the luxuriant curls of rich shining hair that clustered upon his brows, while it fluttered in the folds of his handsome tunic, the young men whose dreams had been of glory fancied that they saw in his noble bearing the hero of their visions, and the young women who had begun feeding their youthful minds with loving idealities gazed in ecstasy upon his graceful figure, and recognised in him the god of their idolatry. The impression created was evidently gratifying to him; but it did not satisfy his desires. Oriel Porphyry was ambitious--he aspired to be something greater than he was: he panted for power as well as popularity. The shouts of the multitude seemed music to his ears, but it was of too calm a character--it was not that in which he could have taken most delight. He desired to act a more imposing part than that of a merchant's son. It was a military age in which he lived, when men had been raised to empire by a daring valour and a dazzling splendour in their actions that made every heart drunk with enthusiasm. Conquest had been the key to greatness, and a victory had led to a throne. But the general peace which had lately commenced seemed to shut out from him all hopes of the distinction he coveted; the peaceful ways of traffic, in which his father had achieved an universal renown, presented to him no attraction: and as he rode along he lamented the apparent ingloriousness of his destiny.

The feelings of the merchant were of a far higher, better, kinder character; for his was a mind not to be led away by the false glitter of pride and ambition, and he entertained no sentiment that was not in harmony with the philanthropy of his actions. His heart was full of generous sympathy for his fellow-men; and till he alighted at the foot of the bridge he thought only of how he could best advance the interests of his country.

The father and son descended the stone stairs, at the bottom of which the boatmen were waiting; and after all who were going to the ship had entered the boat except the merchant's son, master Porphyry took him affectionately by the hand, and thus addressed him:--

"Oriel Porphyry! I have desired that you should visit the most remarkable nations of the world, that you might gain from close observation of their people and government knowledge such as may the better fit you for your duties as a citizen and as a man; that when I have passed away from the fading splendours that surround me, I shall know that I leave one worthy to fill the high place I have held in the affections of my fellow-citizens. Take these papers," continued the merchant, in a voice that appeared to tremble with emotion, as he produced a sealed packet--"they contain the directions I desire you to pursue, and some intelligence with which I wish you to become acquainted: consult them when you have been out at sea about a week. I shall find means of communicating with you as often as may be desirable; and if there is any thing you require that yonder vessel does not possess to render your voyage more comfortable, you have only to send word by the first of my ships you may meet, and you will have it supplied at the next port. All noble sentiments and benevolent wishes attend you!"

"Father!" exclaimed the youth, falling on the neck and kissing the hand of his parent, "I trust I shall never discredit the education I have received, nor the parent from whom I sprung."

In a few minutes master Porphyry was standing on the brink of the water, surrounded by the wealthiest merchants of Columbus, following with his eyes the rapid course of the receding boat; while his son, throwing himself back in his seat, indulged in the enjoyment of a thousand conflicting emotions, from which he was not roused till he gained the side of the Albatross.

While the machinery was set in motion to draw up the anchor, a small boat was seen to dart from the numerous vessels of a similar class that were floating on the river, and rapidly come alongside the ship. A young handsome creole immediately leapt on board; and after giving orders about some packages contained in the boat, advanced to that part of the deck where Oriel Porphyry stood. The age of the new-comer did not seem more than fifteen or sixteen. He was delicately formed, with features whose expression lost something in its character among critics of manly beauty by its feminine softness. On his head he wore a rich netted silk cap, the gold tassel of which hung down towards his left shoulder; his robe was a short tunic of embroidered cloth, bound by a broad silk sash. An inner vest of rose-coloured silk, open at the breast, disclosed a camese of the purest white; the lower part of his body was wrapt in a sort of petticoat of thick linen made very full, below which appeared leggings of rich silk, and small shoes trimmed with rosettes,--the usual costume of the pages of Columbian ladies of rank. The merchant's son was leaning against a mast, seemingly pondering over the fond remembrances of a happier time; for his features had lost that glow of excitement which a few minutes since his ambitious desires had created, and a shadow of deep yet tranquil melancholy had passed over them,--when he was roused from his reverie by the approach of the stranger.

"Master Oriel Porphyry!" said the page, taking off his cap and allowing a profusion of dark ringlets to fall upon his shoulders, and then taking from his vest a small sealed packet,--"Master Oriel Porphyry! The Lady Eureka sends you this."

"Ha!" exclaimed the young merchant, gazing earnestly upon the features before him as if they were immediately recognised; then finding the recognition not reciprocal, he turned away with a deep expression of disappointment: yet, while breaking the seal of the envelope, and before he read the letter, he renewed his gaze two or three times, as if there was an attraction in the page's handsome countenance he could not withstand; but the large dark eyes that met his own were bent steadily upon him with respectful attention; and, bewildered by the strange disturbance of his thoughts, he at last attempted to read the letter. It ran thus:--

"DEAREST,

"Accidentally I have become acquainted with your intended departure from Columbia, to dare the dangers of the waters, to risk a thousand perils, and, more than all, to be separated by a long and dreary boundary from a heart you have made so devotedly your own. Every attempt I have made to communicate with you, has been rendered of no avail. I believe you all I would have you be; but I am fearful your impetuous nature will hurry you into continual dangers, and, as I cannot myself watch over your safety, I would have near you some one on whose zeal, fidelity, and care I can place the utmost confidence. Zabra, whom you will readily recognise as a child of my father, has been brought up as my page; his Indian mother died in his infancy, but his education has not been neglected. You will find him both useful and entertaining, and may rely on his perfect devotion. Let him remain about you--let him be my representative--and let him serve to keep in your remembrance one whose soul clings to your footsteps,--who has no ambition but in possessing your exclusive affections, and knows no pride but that which is created by thinking herself, _your_

EUREKA."

The letter was read many times, and with an increasing pleasure at each re-perusal; and the bearer was received with such an abundance of welcomes as must have convinced him his servitude would be very light. But while his future master kept scanning his dusky physiognomy, as if comparing his features with the brilliant beauty of her who had so long been the glory of his existence, the page retained the same unmoved demeanour which he had from the first evinced.

During these proceedings the anchor had been weighed, the sails trimmed, and, amid the firing of cannon from the houses on each bank, and the deafening shouts of the spectators, the Albatross majestically sailed down the river, and having reached the ocean, soon lost sight of the city of Columbus, its noble quays, its stately palaces, its generous merchant, and its grateful citizens.

NOTES.

(1.) "The _graceful Swan_" and "rapid _Fish_" are probably intended to be the names of pleasure boats, derived from the creatures they were built to resemble; and the "gigantic _Hippopotamus_" and "slow _Tortoise_" must be meant for the larger kind of barges and heavy coasting vessels used in traffic.

(2.) "Up wi' her _cleaver_, out wi' her _wings_, and good bye to Old _Columbia_." The anchor and sails of the vessel are no doubt here alluded to; and the names Columbus and Columbia which are met with throughout these pages, evidently distinguish the metropolis from the empire.

(3.) "Now let me twist the rope a little." This sentence must be similar in its meaning with the nautical phrase "spinning a yarn."