Het lijden van den scheepsjongen

Summary

A little lad tells his widowed mother that he wants to be a sailor like his father. He is shipped on one of the fishing boats, the skipper and mate of which are drunkards. With them the boy has a bitterly rough time. Moreover, the boat is not sea-worthy, and one night it springs a leak. The boy, unable to arouse his masters from their drunken sleep, spends an exhausting night in partially stopping the leak with his hand and arm.

Next morning, when the mounting water wakes up the men, the boy is found unconscious. His pluck and grit earn their respect from that day on, for, thanks to him, their lives have been saved. They reward him with the money they have. When the boat returns to the harbour, the cabin-boy is greeted lovingly by his mother.