During the remainder of the journey by rail Captain Spark gave Bob some good advice as to how to conduct himself while aboard the ship.  He imparted some useful information concerning navigation, and promised to show Bob more about it after they had sailed.

“I’m anxious to get out on deep water,” said the mariner.  “I don’t like this city life.  There are too many risks in it.”

In due time they arrived at the seaport town, and, having seen that Bob’s baggage would be transported to the dock, Captain Spark led the way to where the Eagle was waiting the hoisting of her white sails to catch the ocean breezes.

The ship was a large one, square-rigged, and had three masts, it being of good tonnage.  As the voyage was a long one great care had to be taken in loading the cargo, and this had caused a little delay.  Not all the freight was aboard yet.

“Well, Mr. Carr, how are things moving?” asked the captain of a tall, thin man who stood near the gangway as he and Bob went up the plank.

“Very well, sir.  I think we shall be loaded by to-morrow.”

“I hope so.  This lying at dock doesn’t suit me.  By the way, let me introduce a friend of mine.  This is Bob Henderson.  His mother is a relative of mine, and Bob is taking a voyage for his health.  Bob, this is my first mate, Mr. Carr.”

“He looks healthy enough,” remarked the first mate as he cordially shook hands with Bob.

“Things are not always what they look like,” replied the captain with a smile.  “Bob found matters rather too lively for him ashore, and his folks think it will quiet him down to go with me.”

“I see,” replied Mr. Carr in answer to his commander’s sly wink.  He now understood something of the situation.

“I’ll leave you here a while,” went on the commander to the boy.  “You can look about a bit while I go below and work on my manifest.  Mr. Carr will tell you anything you want to know.”

But Bob was so interested in watching the sailors at work stowing away the cargo, while others were cleaning various parts of the ship, that he did not ask many questions.

All the rest of that day the loading went on.  Bob and the captain went ashore for their meals, as the commander had some business to attend to in the port, but Bob spent that night in his bunk.  It was the first time he had ever slept in a ship’s berth, and he rather liked the novelty.

The next day the loading was rapidly proceeded with, and by noon all the cargo was stowed away.

Captain Spark was below in his cabin, making out the final papers and waiting for his clearance documents from the harbor master.  Mr. Carr and his assistants were busy getting the Eagle ready to sail, while Bob stood near the rail, watching with curious eyes everything that was going on.

While he stood there he saw a short, stout, pale-faced man coming up the gangplank.  The man carried a valise in each hand, while behind him walked a ’longshoreman with a trunk on his shoulder.