"On an eight months' cruise, up the Down East coast, and then to England."
An eight months' cruise! What a time to stay on shipboard! But perhaps I might escape before the end of the period.
"What's the first landing?"
"New Bedford."
That was not so bad. If I could leave the vessel at that place I could easily find my way up to Boston, and a sojourn in that city would just suit me. All trace of my going there would be lost, and it was not likely that my uncle would look for me so far from New York.
"Here's your bunk, and here's some old clothes to put on," went on Lowell, as he pointed the things out. "You had better save your good clothes for shore. Knocking around the ship will wear them out in no time."
"What am I to do on board?" I asked, as I surveyed the greasy shirt and trousers with some dismay.
"Learn to do your duty as a foremast hand. If you obey orders and don't kick up any muss you'll have a first-class time of it," was his reply.
I was somewhat doubtful of the truth of this statement, but as nothing was to be gained by refuting it, I bit my lips and said nothing.
