Anything was
better than inaction, so, as his money was all gone and he would
have some difficulty in obtaining a position as Captain or even as
mate, he shipped as a foremast hand, and took his place with the crew.
Right glad would he have been to have changed places with any one of
the jolly tars around him; their songs and jests, however, diverted
the current of his thoughts and kept him from his bitter reflections
for a time at least.
In a short time they were out at sea and, having plenty of work to
do handing sails, reefing and steering, he almost forgot his great
and deep heart-wound, and, although he could not be prevailed upon
to sing a song or even to join in a chorus, yet he listened
attentively to the yarns of the sailors, and always applauded their
songs.
The vessel was trading between Glasgow and Montreal, and within a
short time they were anchored at the latter port; the sailors all
went ashore as soon as the vessel was safely moored, and Fairfield
having nothing else to occupy his mind, went up the wharf in search
of Bertrand's parents house. He was directed to a house on St.
Bonaventure street, where he found the mother of Arline Bertrand all
right, but her daughter was not at home. She had gone as stewardess
abroad again and married there.
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