"Martain Rattler" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ballantyne R.M)

straighten his crushed hat, in which attempt he failed; took his leave, and
promised to call again very soon, and went back to the Old Hulk- chuckling.
[CONTENTS]



CHAPTER V
Martin, being willing to go to sea, goes to sea against his will
FOUR years rolled away, casting chequered light and shadow over the little
village of Ashford in their silent passage - whitening the forelocks of the
aged, and strengthening the muscles of the young. Death, too, touched a heart
here and there, and carried desolation to a home; for four years cannot wing
their flight without enforcing on us the lesson-which we are so often taught,
and yet take so long to learn - that this is not our rest, that here we have no
abiding city. Did we but ponder this lesson more frequently and earnestly,
instead of making us sad it would nerve our hearts and hands to fight and work
more diligently - to work in the cause of our Redeemer - the only cause that is
worth the livelong energy of immortal beings - the great cause that includes all
others; and it would teach us to remember that our little day of opportunity
will soon be spent, and that the night is at hand in which no man can work.
Four years rolled away, and during this time Martin, having failed to obtain his
aunt's consent to his going to sea, continued at school, doing his best to curb
the roving spirit that strove within him. Martin was not particularly bright at
the dead languages; to the rules of grammar he entertained a rooted aversion ;
and at history he was inclined to yawn, except when it happened to touch upon
the names arid deeds of such men as Vasco da Gama and Columbus. But in geography
he was perfect; and in arithmetic and book-keeping he was quite proficient, to
the delight of Mrs. Dorothy Grumbit, whose household books he summed up, and to
the satisfaction of his fast friend, Mr. Arthur Jollyboy, whose ledgers he was -
in that old gentleman's secret resolves - destined to keep.
Martin was now fourteen, broad and strong, and tall for his age. He was the idol
of the school - dashing, daring, reckless, and good-natured. There was almost
nothing that he would not attempt, and there were very few things that he could
not do. He never fought, however - from principle - and his strength and size
often saved him from the necessity. But he often prevented other boys from
fighting, except when he thought there was good reason for it; then he stood by
and saw fair- play. There was a strange mixture of philosophical gravity, too,
in Martin. As he grew older he became more enthusiastic and less boisterous.
Bob Croaker was still at the school, and was, from prudential motives, a fast
friend of Martin. But he bore him a secret grudge, for he could not forget the
great fight.
One day Bob took Martin by the arm and said, "I say, Rattler, come with me to
Bilton and have some fun among the shipping."
"Well, I don't mind if I do," said Martin. " I'm just in the mood for a ramble,
and I'm not expected home till bed-time."
In little more than an hour the two boys were wandering about the dockyards of
the seaport town, and deeply engaged in examining the complicated rigging of the
ships. While thus occupied, the clanking of a windlass, and the merry "Yo heave
ho! and away she goes" of the sailors attracted their attention.
"Hallo! there goes the Firefly, bound for the South Seas," cried Bob Croaker.