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My thoughts revert to this particular spring more frequently than to
any other period of my boyhood； for it was marked by an event that left an
indelible impression on my memory。 As I pen these pages； I feel that I am
writing of something which happened yesterday； so vividly it all comes
back to me。
Every Rivermouth boy looks upon the sea as being in some way mixed
up with his destiny。 While he is yet a baby lying in his cradle； he hears the
dull； far…off boom of the breakers； when be is older； he wanders by the
sandy shore； watching the waves that come plunging up the beach like
white…maned seahorses； as Thoreau calls them； his eye follows the
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lessening sail as it fades into the blue horizon； and he burns for the time
when he shall stand on the quarter…deck of his own ship； and go sailing
proudly across that mysterious waste of waters。
Then the town itself is full of hints and flavors of the sea。 The gables
and roofs of the houses facing eastward are covered with red rust； like the
flukes of old anchors； a salty smell pervades the air； and dense gray fogs；
the very breath of Ocean； periodically creep up into the quiet streets and
envelop everything。 The terrific storms that lash the coast； the kelp and
spars； and sometimes the bodies of drowned men； tossed on shore by the
scornful waves； the shipyards； the wharves； and the tawny fleet of fishing…
smacks yearly fitted out at Rivermouth…these things； and a hundred other；
feed the imagination and fill the brain of every healthy boy with dreams of
adventure。 He learns to swim almost as soon as he can walk； he draws in
with his mother's milk the art of handling an oar： he is born a sailor；
whatever he may turn out to be afterwards。
To own the whole or a portion of a row…boat is his earliest ambition。
No wonder that I； born to this life； and coming back to it with freshest
sympathies； should have caught the prevailing infection。 No wonder I
longed to buy a part of the trim little sailboat Dolphin； which chanced just
then to be in the market。 This was in the latter part of May。
Three shares； at five or six dollars each； I forget which； had already
been taken by Phil Adams； Fred Langdon； and Binny Wallace。 The fourth
and remaining share hung fire。 Unless a purchaser could be found for this；
the bargain was to fall through。
I am afraid I required but slight urging to join in the investment。 I had
four dollars and fifty cents on hand； and the treasurer of the Centipedes
advanced me the balance； receiving my silver pencil…case as ample
security。 It was a proud moment when I stood on the wharf with my
partners； inspecting the Dolphin； moored at the foot of a very slippery
flight of steps。 She was painted white with a green stripe outside； and on
the stern a yellow dolphin； with its scarlet mouth wide open； stared with a
surprised expression at its own reflection in the water。 The boat was a
great bargain。
I whirled my cap in the air； and ran to the stairs leading down from the
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The Story of a Bad Boy
wharf； when a hand was laid gently on my shoulder。 I turned and faced
Captain Nutter。 I never saw such an old sharp…eye as he was in those days。
I knew he wouldn't be angry with me for buying a rowboat； but I also
knew that the little bowsprit suggesting a jib； and the tapering mast ready
for its few square feet of canvas； were trifles not likely to meet his
approval。 As far as rowing on the river； among the wharves； was
concerned； the Captain had long since withdrawn his decided objections；
having convinced him…self； by going out with me several times； that I
could manage a pair of sculls as well as anybody。
I was right in my surmises。 He commanded me； in the most emphatic
terms； never to go out in the Dolphin without leaving the mast in the boat…
house。 This curtailed my anticipated sport； but the pleasure of having a
pull whenever I wanted it remained。 I never disobeyed the Captain's orders
touching the sail； though I sometimes extended my row beyond the points
he had indicated。
The river was dangerous for sailboats。 Squalls； without the slightest
warning； were of frequent occurrence； scarcely a year passed that six or
seven persons were not drowned under the very windows of the town； and
these； oddly enough； were generally sea…captains； who either did not
understand the river； or lacked the skill to handle a small craft。
A knowledge of such disasters； one of which I witnessed； consoled me
somewhat when I saw Phil Adams skimming over the water in a spanking
breeze with every stitch of canvas set。 There were few better yachtsmen
than Phil Adams。 He usually went sailing alone； for both Fred Langdon
and Binny Wallace were under the same restrictions I was。
Not long after the purchase of the boat； we planned an excursion to
Sandpeep Island； the last of the islands in the harbor。 We proposed to start
early in the morning； and return with the tide in the moonlight。 Our only
difficulty was to obtain a whole day's exemption from school； the
customary half…holiday not being long enough for our picnic。 Somehow；
we couldn't work it； but fortune arranged it for us。 I may say here； that；
whatever else I did； I never played truant （〃hookey〃 we called it） in my
life。
One afternoon the four owners of the Dolphin exchanged significant
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glances when Mr。 Grimshaw announced from the desk that there would be
no school the following day； he having just received intelligence of the
death of his uncle in Boston I was sincerely attached to Mr。 Grimshaw； but
I am afraid that the death of his uncle did not affect me as it ought to have
done。
We were up before sunrise the next morning； in order to take
advantage of the flood tide； which waits for no man。 Our preparations for
the cruise were made the previous evening。 In the way of eatables and
drinkables； we had stored in the stem of the Dolphin a generous bag of
hard…tack （for the chowder）； a piece of pork to fry the cunners in； three
gigantic apple…pies （bought at Pettingil's）； half a dozen lemons； and a keg
of spring…water…the last…named article we slung over the side； to keep it
cool； as soon as we got under way。 The crockery and the bricks for our
camp…stove we placed in the bows； with the groceries； which included
sugar； pepper； salt； and a bottle of pickles。 Phil Adams contributed to the
outfit a small tent of unbleached cotton cloth； under which we intended to
take our nooning。
We unshipped the mast； threw in an extra oar； and were ready to
embark。 I do not believe that Christopher Columbus； when he started on
his rather successful voyage of discovery； felt half the responsibility and
importance that weighed upon me as I sat on the middle seat of the
Dolphin； with my oar resting in the row…lock。 I wonder if Christopher
Columbus quietly slipped out of the house without letting his estimable
family know what he was up to？
Charley Marden； whose father had promised to cane him if he ever
stepped foot on sail or rowboat； came down to the wharf in a sour…grape
humor； to see us off。 Nothing would tempt him to go out on the river in
such a crazy clam…shell of a boat。 He pretended that he did not expect to
behold us alive again； and tried to throw a wet blanket over the expedition。
〃Guess you'll have a squally time of it；〃 said Charley； casting off the
painter。 〃I'll drop in at old Newbury's〃 （Newbury was the parish
undertaker） 〃and leave word； as I go along！〃
'Bosh！〃 muttered Phil Adams； sticking the boat…hook into the string…
piece of the wharf； and se