In Search of the Castaways Book One Chapter VI - An Unexpected Passenger

**Jules Verne** (0:21)
CHAPTER VI. The ladies passed the whole of the first day of the voyage in their births, for there was a heavy swell in the sea, and toward evening the wind blew pretty fresh, and the Duncan tossed and pitched considerably.
But the morning after the wind changed, and the captain ordered the men to put up the foresail, and brigantine and foretopsail, which greatly lessened the rolling of the vessel. Lady Helena and Mary Grant were able to come on deck at daybreak, where they found Lord Glenarvon, Major McNab's, and the captain.
And how do you sand the sea, Miss Mary? said Lord Glenarvon. Pretty well, my lord. I am not very much inconvenienced by it. Besides, I shall get used to it. And our young Robert— Oh, as for Robert, said the captain, whenever he is not poking about down below in the engine-room, he is perched somewhere aloft among the rigging. A youngster like that laughs at seasickness. Why, look at him this very moment! Do you see him? The captain pointed toward the foremast, and, sure enough, there was Robert, hanging on the yards of the top-gallant mast a hundred feet above in the air.
Mary involuntarily gave a start, but the captain said, Oh, don't be afraid, Miss Mary. He is all right. Take my word for it. I'll have a capital sailor to present to Captain Grant before long, for we'll find the worthy captain depend upon it. Heaven grant it, Mr. John, replied the young girl. My dear child, said Lord Glenarvon, there is something so providential in the whole affair that we have every reason to hope.
We are not going, we are led, we are not searching, we are guided. And then see all the brave men that have enlisted in the service of the good cause. We shall not only succeed in our enterprise, but there will be little difficulty in it. I promised Lady Helena a pleasure trip, and I am much mistaken if I don't keep my word. Edward, said his wife, you are the best of men. Not at all, was the reply, but I have the best of crews and the best of ships. You don't admire the Duncan, I suppose, Miss Mary. On the contrary, my lord, I do admire her, and I'm a connoisseur in ships, returned the young girl. Indeed? Yes, I've played all my life on my father's ships. He could have made me a sailor, for I dare say at a pinch I could reef a sailor plate a gasket easily enough. Do you say so, Miss? exclaimed John Mangles. If you talk like that, you and John will be great friends, for he can't think any calling is equal to that of a seaman, and he can't fancy any other, even for a woman. Isn't it true, John? Quite so, said the captain, and yet, your lordship, I must confess that Miss Grant is more in her place on the poop than reefing a top sail. For all that, I am quite flattered by her remarks. And especially when she admires the Duncan, replied Glenarvon. Well, really, said Lady Glenarvon, you are so proud of your yacht that you make me wish to look all over it, and I should like to go down and see how our brave men are lodged. Their quarters are first rate, replied John. They are as comfortable as if they were at home. And they really are at home, my dear Helena, said Lord Glenarvon. This yacht is a portion of our old Caledonia, a fragment of Dumbartonshire, making a voyage by special favour, so that in a manner we are still in our own country. The Duncan is Malcolm Castle, and the ocean is Loch Lomond. Very well, dear Edward, do the honours of the castle, then. At your service, madam, but let me tell Obenet first. The steward of the yacht was an excellent maître d'hôtel, and might have been French for his airs of importance, but for all that he discharged his functions with zeal and intelligence. Obenet, said his master, as he appeared in answer to his summons, we are going to have a turn before breakfast. I hope we shall find it ready when we get back. He said this just as if it had been a walk to Tarbert or Lock Catrine they were going, and the steward bowed with perfect gravity in reply. Are you coming with us, Major? asked Lady Helena. If you command me, replied McNabs. Oh! said Lord Glenarvon. The Major is absorbed in his cigar. You mustn't tear him from it. He is an inveterate smoker, Miss Mary, I can tell you. He is always smoking, even while he sleeps. The Major gave an assenting nod, and Lord Glenarvon and his party went below.