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It was on seeing that boy that I understood, for the first time, my
situation. I had thought up to that moment of the adventures before me,-not at
all of the home that I was leaving; and now at sight of this clumsy stranger,
who was to stay here in my place beside my mother, I had my first attack of
tears. I am afraid I led that boy a dog's life; for,as he was new to the work,
I had a hundred opportunities of setting him right and putting him down, and I
was not slow to profit by them. The night passed, and the next day, after
dinner, Redruth and I were afoot again and on the road. I said good-by to
mother and the cove where I had lived since I was born, and the dear old
Admiral Benbow—since he was repainted, no longer quite so dear. One of my
last thoughts was of the captain, who had so often strode along the beach with
his cocked hat, his sabercut cheek, and his old brass telescope. Next moment we
had turned the corner, and my home was out of sight.
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C’est à la vue de ce garçon que je commençai à comprendre ma situation.
Jusque-là j’avais pensé uniquement aux aventures qui m’attendaient, et
non à la demeure que je quittais ; aussi, en voyant ce gauche étranger
destiné à tenir ma place auprès de ma mère, j’eus ma première crise de
larmes. J’ai bien peur d’avoir fait une vie de chien à ce garçon, car,
étant neuf au travail, il m’offrit mille occasions de le réprimander et de
l’humilier, et je ne manquai pas d’en profiter.
La nuit passa, et le lendemain, après dîner, Redruth et moi nous remîmes
en route. Je dis adieu à ma mère, à la crique où j’avais vécu depuis ma
naissance, et au cher vieil
Amiral Benbow
… un peu moins cher toutefois
depuis qu’il était repeint. L’une de mes dernières pensées fut pour le
capitaine, qui avait si souvent rôdé sur la grève avec son tricorne, sa
balafre et sa vieille lunette de cuivre. Un instant plus tard, nous prenions le
tournant, et ma demeure disparaissait à mes yeux.
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