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I began to grow very uncomfortable indeed。 Was it by design or
chance that he thus dogged my steps？ If he was aware of my presence；
why didn't he speak to me at once？ 'Why did he steal round； making no
sign； like a particularly unpleasant phantom？ Maybe it wasn't Sailor Ben。 I
peeped at him slyly。 There was no mistaking that tanned； genial phiz of his。
Very odd he didn't see me！
Literature； even in the mild form of a country newspaper； always had
the effect of poppies on the Admiral。 'When I stole another glance in his
direction his hat was tilted over his right eye in the most dissolute style；
and the Rivermouth Barnacle lay in a confused heap beside him。 He had
succumbed。 He was fast asleep。 If he would only keep asleep until we
reached our destination！
By and by I discovered that the rear car had been detached from the
train at the last stopping…place。 This accounted satisfactorily for Sailor
Ben's singular movements； and considerably calmed my fears。
Nevertheless； I did not like the aspect of things。
The Admiral continued to snooze like a good fellow； and was snoring
melodiously as we glided at a slackened pace over a bridge and into
Boston。
I grasped my pilgrim's bundle； and； hurrying out of the car； dashed up
the first street that presented itself。
It was a narrow； noisy； zigzag street； crowded with trucks and
obstructed with bales and boxes of merchandise。 I didn't pause to breathe
until I had placed a respectable distance between me and the railway
station。 By this time it was nearly twilight。
I had got into the region of dwelling…houses； and was about to seat
myself on a doorstep to rest； when； lo！ there was the Admiral trundling
along on the opposite sidewalk； under a full spread of canvas； as he would
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have expressed it。
I was off again in an instant at a rapid pace； but in spite of all I could
do he held his own without any perceptible exertion。 He had a very ugly
gait to get away from； the Admiral。 I didn't dare to run； for fear of being
mistaken for a thief； a suspicion which my bundle would naturally lend
color to。
I pushed ahead； however； at a brisk trot； and must have got over one or
two miles…my pursuer neither gaining nor losing ground…when I concluded
to surrender at discretion。 I saw that Sailor Ben was determined to have
me； and； knowing my man； I knew that escape was highly improbable。
So I turned round and waited for him to catch up with me； which he
did in a few seconds； looking rather sheepish at first。
〃Sailor Ben；〃 said I； severely； 〃do I understand that you are dogging
my steps？〃
〃'Well； little mess…mate；〃 replied the Admiral； rubbing his nose； which
he always did when he was disconcerted； 〃I am kind o' followin' in your
wake。〃
〃Under orders？〃
〃Under orders。〃
〃Under the Captain's orders？〃
〃Sure…ly。〃
〃In other words； my grandfather has sent you to fetch me back to
Rivermouth？〃
〃That's about it；〃 said the Admiral； with a burst of frankness。
〃And I must go with you whether I want to or not？〃
〃The Capen's very identical words！〃
There was nothing to be done。 I bit my lips with suppressed anger； and
signified that I was at his disposal； since I couldn't help it。 The impression
was very strong in my mind that the Admiral wouldn't hesitate to put me
in irons if I showed signs of mutiny。
It was too late to return to Rivermouth that night…a fact which I
communicated to the old boy sullenly； inquiring at the same time what he
proposed to do about it。
He said we would cruise about for some rations； and then make a night
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The Story of a Bad Boy
of it。 I didn't condescend to reply； though I hailed the suggestion of
something to eat with inward enthusiasm； for I had not taken enough food
that day to keep life in a canary。
'We wandered back to the railway station； in the waiting room of
which was a kind of restaurant presided over by a severe…looking young
lady。 Here we had a cup of coffee apiece； several tough doughnuts； and
some blocks of venerable spongecake。 The young lady who attended on us；
whatever her age was then； must have been a mere child when that
sponge…cake was made。
The Admiral's acquaintance with Boston hotels was slight； but he
knew of a quiet lodging…house near by； much patronized by sea…captains；
arid kept by a former friend of his。
In this house； which had seen its best days； we were accommodated
with a mouldy chamber containing two cot…beds； two chairs； and a cracked
pitcher on a washstand。 The mantel…shelf was ornamented with three big
pink conch…shells； resembling pieces of petrified liver； and over these
hung a cheap lurid print； in which a United States sloop…of…war was giving
a British frigate particular fits。 It is very strange how our own ships never
seem to suffer any in these terrible engagements。 It shows what a nation
we are。
An oil…lamp on a deal…table cast a dismal glare over the apartment；
which was cheerless in the extreme。 I thought of our sitting…room at home；
with its flowery wall…paper and gay curtains and soft lounges； I saw Major
Elkanah Nutter （my grandfather's father） in powdered wig and Federal
uniform； looking down benevolently from his gilt frame between the
bookcases； I pictured the Captain and Miss Abigail sitting at the cosey
round table in the moon…like glow of the astral lamp； and then I fell to
wondering how they would receive me when 1 came back。 I wondered if
the Prodigal Son had any idea that his father was going to kill the fatted
calf for him； and how he felt about it； on the whole。
Though I was very low in spirits； I put on a bold front to Sailor Ben；
you will understand。 To be caught and caged in this manner was a frightful
shock to my vanity。 He tried to draw me into conversation； but I answered
in icy monosyllables。 He again suggested we should make a night of it；
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