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Page 31
"Ballast in the hold in proportion," said Paul.
"Then you will sink the whole hull too low. But here, to have less smoke
in time of battle, especially on the lower decks, you proposed a new
sort of hatchway. But that won't do. See here now, I have invented
certain ventilating pipes, they are to traverse the vessel thus"--laying
some toilette pins along--"the current of air to enter here and be
discharged there. What do you think of that? But now about the main
things--fast sailing driving little to leeward, and drawing little
water. Look now at this keel. I whittled it only night before last, just
before going to bed. Do you see now how"--
At this crisis, a knock was heard at the door, and the chambermaid
reappeared, announcing that two gentlemen were that moment crossing the
court below to see Doctor Franklin.
"The Duke de Chartres, and Count D'Estang," said the Doctor; "they
appointed for last night, but did not come. Captain, this has something
indirectly to do with your affair. Through the Duke, Count D'Estang has
spoken to the King about the secret expedition, the design of which you
first threw out. Call early to-morrow, and I will inform you of the
result."
With his tawny hand Paul pulled out his watch, a small, richly-jewelled
lady's watch.
"It is so late, I will stay here to-night," he said; "is there a
convenient room?"
"Quick," said the Doctor, "it might be ill-advised of you to be seen
with me just now. Our friend here will let you share his chamber. Quick,
Israel, and show the Captain thither."
As the door closed upon them in Israel's apartment, Doctor Franklin's
door closed upon the Duke and the Count. Leaving the latter to their
discussion of profound plans for the timely befriending of the American
cause, and the crippling of the power of England on the seas, let us
pass the night with Paul Jones and Israel in the neighboring room.
CHAPTER XI.
PAUL JONES IN A REVERIE.
"'God helps them that help themselves.' That's a clincher. That's been
my experience. But I never saw it in words before. What pamphlet is
this? 'Poor Richard,' hey!"
Upon entering Israel's room, Captain Paul, stepping towards the table
and spying the open pamphlet there, had taken it up, his eye being
immediately attracted to the passage previously marked by our
adventurer.
"A rare old gentleman is 'Poor Richard,'" said Israel in response to
Paul's observations.
"So he seems, so he seems," answered Paul, his eye still running over
the pamphlet again; "why, 'Poor Richard' reads very much as Doctor
Franklin speaks."
"He wrote it," said Israel.
"Aye? Good. So it is, so it is; it's the wise man all over. I must get
me a copy of this and wear it around my neck for a charm. And now about
our quarters for the night. I am not going to deprive you of your bed,
my man. Do you go to bed and I will doze in the chair here. It's good
dozing in the crosstrees."
"Why not sleep together?" said Israel; "see, it is a big bed. Or perhaps
you don't fancy your bed-fellow. Captain?"
"When, before the mast, I first sailed out of Whitehaven to Norway,"
said Paul, coolly, "I had for hammock-mate a full-blooded Congo. We had
a white blanket spread in our hammock. Every time I turned in I found
the Congo's black wool worked in with the white worsted. By the end of
the voyage the blanket was of a pepper-and-salt look, like an old man's
turning head. So it's not because I am notional at all, but because I
don't care to, my lad. Turn in and go to sleep. Let the lamp burn. I'll
see to it. There, go to sleep."
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