Chapter 5

‘Run along, Johnny,’ said Simon, as if to a mere toddler. ‘You’ve done enough for one day. Go somewhere and rest your dizzy head.’

Flushed with humiliation, John moved slowly across the net and walked with uncertain steps toward the bow. James watched him with troubled eyes.

‘I think I shall go too,’ he said.

‘Maybe you’d better ask permission,’ advised his father.

‘You may go, James,’ growled Simon. ‘Talk your flighty brother out of this nonsense and bring him back when he’s cured of it.’

‘My brother may not want to come back,’ said James, ‘after the shameful treatment he has had!’

‘He may do as he likes about that,’ snapped Simon hotly. ‘The fleet can get along without him…And you needn’t come back, either, if you’re so easily offended.’

‘Hear that?’ shouted Zebedee. ‘You’ll be losing your job if you aren’t careful!’

James made no reply, but followed his brother. A moment later the silent sailors heard the clatter of oars in a dory’s rowlocks. Craning their necks, they saw the little boat making toward the beach. Simon stood to watch it, frowning darkly. He turned about and faced Andrew.

‘I’ll not go out today,’ he said. ‘Finish with the net, and take the fleet over to the south shore where we fished yesterday.’

Andrew followed him as he stalked forward, overtaking him amidships.

‘What do you want done with this young tramp?’ he inquired.

Simon gave a wry smile and stroked his jaw. Now that Johnny had turned out to be an ungrateful fool, he would teach him a lesson by giving his flouted friendship to this ragged waif. Johnny would come creeping back tomorrow to find that he had lost his place as the skipper’s pet. He beckoned to Joe, who came promptly to his side.

‘Come with me, son,’ he said, kindly. ‘You shall have a clean bed to sleep in tonight.’

Old Zebedee had wriggled forward and stood by, rubbing his wrinkled hands.

‘I’m sorry my boys acted that way,’ he whimpered.

‘You’d do well to mind your own business,’ growled Simon.

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