按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
left at the house。
At last； after much pulling and tugging； we got the anchor up and
undid a lot of mooring…ropes。 Then the Curlew began to move gently
down the river with the out…running tide； while the people on the wall
cheered and waved their handkerchiefs。
We bumped into one or two other boats getting out into the stream；
and at one sharp bend in the river we got stuck on a mud bank for a few
minutes。 But though the people on the shore seemed to get very excited at
these things； the Doctor did not appear to be disturbed by them in the least。
〃These little accidents will happen in the most carefully regulated
voyages；〃 he said as he leaned over the side and fished for his boots which
had got stuck in the mud while we were pushing off。 〃Sailing is much
easier when you get out into the open sea。 There aren't so many silly
things to bump into。〃
For me indeed it was a great and wonderful feeling； that getting out
into the open sea； when at length we passed the little lighthouse at the
mouth of the river and found ourselves free of the land。 It was all so new
and different： just the sky above you and sea below。 This ship； which was
to be our house and our street； our home and our garden； for so many days
80
… Page 81…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
to come； seemed so tiny in all this wide water so tiny and yet so snug；
sufficient； safe。
I looked around me and took in a deep breath。 The Doctor was at the
wheel steering the boat which was now leaping and plunging gently
through the waves。 （I had expected to feel seasick at first but was
delighted to find that I didn't。） Bumpo had been told off to go downstairs
and prepare dinner for us。 Chee…Chee was coiling up ropes in the stern and
laying them in neat piles。 My work was fastening down the things on the
deck so that nothing could roll about if the weather should grow rough
when we got further from the land。 Jip was up in the peak of the boat with
ears cocked and nose stuck out like a statue； so stillhis keen old eyes
keeping a sharp look…out for floating wrecks； sand…bars； and other dangers。
Each one of us had some special job to do； part of the proper running of a
ship。 Even old Polynesia was taking the sea's temperature with the
Doctor's bath…ther…mometer tied on the end of a string； to make sure there
were no icebergs near us。 As I listened to her swearing softly to herself
because she couldn't read the pesky figures in the fading light； I realized
that the voyage had begun in earnest and that very soon it would be night
my first night at sea！
THE THIRD CHAPTER
OUR TROUBLES BEGIN
JUST before supper…time Bumpo appeared from downstairs and went
to the Doctor at the wheel。
〃A stowaway in the hold； Sir；〃 said he in a very business…like seafaring
voice。 〃I just discovered him； behind the flour…bags。〃
〃Dear me！〃 said the Doctor。 〃What a nuisance！ Stubbins； go down with
Bumpo and bring the man up。 I can't leave the wheel just now。〃
So Bumpo and I went down into the hold； and there； behind the flour…
bags； plastered in flour from head to foot； we found a man。 After we had
swept most of the flour off him with a broom； we discovered that it was
Matthew Mugg。 We hauled him upstairs sneezing and took him before the
81
… Page 82…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
Doctor。
〃Why Matthew！〃 said John Dolittle。 〃What on earth are you doing
here？〃
〃The temptation was too much for me； Doctor；〃 said the cat's…meat…
man。 〃You know I've often asked you to take me on voyages with you and
you never would。 Well； this time； knowing that you needed an extra man； I
thought if I stayed hid till the ship was well at sea you would find I came
in handy like and keep me。 But I had to lie so doubled up； for hours；
behind them flour…bags； that my rheumatism came on something awful。 I
just had to change my position； and of course just as I stretched out my
legs along comes this here African cook of yours and sees my feet sticking
outDon't this ship roll something awful！ How long has this storm been
going on？ I reckon this damp sea air wouldn't be very good for my
rheumatics。〃
〃No； Matthew it really isn't。 You ought not to have come。 You are not
in any way suited to this kind of a life。 I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy a long
voyage a bit。 We'll stop in at Penzance and put you ashore。 Bumpo； please
go downstairs to my bunk； and listen： in the pocket of my dressing…gown
you'll find some maps。 Bring me the small onewith blue pencil…marks at
the top。 I know Penzance is over here on our left somewhere。 But I must
find out what light…houses there are before I change the ship's course and
sail inshore。〃
〃Very good； Sir；〃 said Bumpo； turning round smartly and making for
the stairway。
〃Now Matthew；〃 said the Doctor； 〃you can take the coach from
Penzance to Bristol。 And from there it is not very far to Puddleby； as you
know。 Don't forget to take the usual provisions to the house every
Thursday； and be particularly careful to remember the extra supply of
herrings for the baby minks。〃
While we were waiting for the maps Chee…Chee and I set about
lighting the lamps： a green one on the right side of the ship； a red one on
the left and a white one on the mast。
At last we heard some one trundling on the stairs again and the Doctor
said；
82
… Page 83…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
〃Ah； here's Bumpo with the maps at last！〃
But to our great astonishment it was not Bumpo alone that appeared
but THREE people。 〃Good Lord deliver us！ Who are these？〃 cried John
Dolittle。
〃Two more stowaways； Sir；〃 said Bumpo stepping forward briskly。 〃I
found them in your cabin hiding under the bunk。 One woman and one man；
Sir。 Here are the maps。〃
〃This is too much；〃 said the Doctor feebly。 〃Who are they？ I can't see
their faces in this dim light。 Strike a match； Bumpo。〃
You could never guess who it was。 It was Luke and his wife。 Mrs。
Luke appeared to be very miserable and seasick。
They explained to the Doctor that after they had set