‘You said you were an orphan. What happened to your parents?’

‘My ma died when I was just a nipper. She got ill. I never knew my da. He was a sailor. He went away soon after I was born and never came back. Ma said he was “lost at sea”.’ He looked up at Mason. ‘That doesn’t have to mean he’s dead, does it? Lost isn’t the same as drowned. I’m going to look for him one day. That’s why I wanted to go to sea.’

Mason shook his head and sighed, but all he said was, ‘Don’t you have any family at all? Uncles, aunts …?’

‘I’ve got a sister, May. We were in the workhouse together, but she had to go into service. I haven’t seen her since.’

‘That seems … cruel.’

Mason fell silent so Gus was emboldened to ask a question of his own. ‘Beg pardon, sir, but your way of speaking’s different from the folk round where I live.’

Mason smiled. ‘That’s because I’m from Texas.’

‘Texas? Is that in America?’

‘Sure is.’

‘Is that where we’re really going?’

‘The only man on this ship who knows for certain where we’re headed is the captain. But even if I knew, I couldn’t tell you.’

‘It’s just, my da used to sail for the Americas. He might still be there. Maybe he can’t get back because of the war.’ Gus reached back in his memory for a conversation with Captain Thomas. ‘Is Texas in the south or the north?’

‘Texas is one of the southern Confederate states, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s God’s Own Country.’

Gus frowned. ‘You still think it’s right to keep slaves.’ He remembered Will’s shocked look as he said, ‘But that’s wrong, surely?’

Mason did not seem to be disturbed. ‘Seems to us it’s the natural way of things.’ He yawned suddenly. ‘I’m going to hit the hay. You’d better get your head down, too. Have you been given a berth?’

‘Beg pardon?’

‘Have you got a place to sleep?’

‘Oh, no. Only in the galley.’

‘Get down between decks. That’s where the crew sleep. Someone will find you a hammock.’ He turned away. ‘Goodnight, Gus.’

‘Goodnight, sir.’