ound, and missed his daughter.
That yarn was never finished, for he rushed on deck, and sure enough
found those two promenading arm in arm. He tore the girl away, and
carried her below, shouting out to Wyck: 'I'll come back and deal with
you directly, you infernal scoundrel. You reprobate, etc., etc.' 'A nice
evening, Mr. Goodchild,' answered Wyck, as cool as possible, 'I'm sorry
you are cross.' Well, old Goody kept his daughter down below, and
wandered about himself in a frenzied condition. My watch was up at
twelve, and we had a whiskey together before turning in. About four
bells I heard a tremendous row; jumped out of my bunk, and ran up on
deck, and the sight that met my eyes nearly killed me with laughter. It
appeared that both Miss Goody and Wyck had made the acquaintance of an
engaged couple who spent the whole voyage in spooning. They did not like
to go on deck by themselves at such an early hour, and so had arranged
that Wyck and Miss Goody should join them. This plan was carried out,
and all four were having a jolly time when old Goody, unable to sleep,
came on deck for a little fresh air, and was in the midst of them before
they guessed their danger. Then the fun commenced. Wyck pushed Miss
Goody on one side, and the old chap, with a war-whoop, made for him, but
came seriously to grief by catching his foot in one of the hawsers; and,
falling on his stomach, lay there yelling 'Murder!' Both Wyck and his
daughter tried to help him up, but when he found who it was, he chased
him round the deck. The noise was terrifying, and the picture the ship
presented was intensely amusing. Ladies and children in their
night-gear, gentlemen in pyjamas, all had rushed up in their excitement,
feeling sure the ship was wrecked and, seeing Goody racing about, forgot
all about their appearance, and enjoyed the fun. Suddenly an old maid
appeared in her dressing-gown and, catching sight of her niece in worse
than _deshabille_, shouted out, 'Maria, come here, you disgraceful
creature. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.' That was the signal for
them all to realise their position, and it was a case of 'rats to their
holes.' In two minutes the deck was clear. It was the joke of the
voyage, but did not end there, for when old Goody, looking very cross,
accompanied his daughter to breakfast next day, he took care to seat her
and himself in two vacant chairs which were occupied on either side.
Goody had an excellent appetite, and did full