Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas Read Free

shuffleboard and Ping-Pong.”
    “I love Ping-Pong, I love Ping-Pong,” said Jacob. “Oh, those games are for the big kids,” said Mr. Scrounger with a glint in his eyes. “I’ve got something special for the smaller children.”
    “Come on, Marfa, Noah, and Emma. Let’s head for the games room!” said Daniel.
    So the big kids ran off, leaving Jacob and Cindy behind. Mr. Scrounger steered them forward. “This way, you two. Let’s go and have some extra-special fun.” He pushed them through a small metal door and shooed them down a winding iron staircase. They walked across the lower deck, where the sleeping cabins were, through another metal door, and down into the belly of the ship. It began to get warm. Jacob’s skin felt clammy. A grinding noise grew louder and louder; thumps and clangs added to the din.
    “Are you sure that children are allowed down here?” Cindy asked.
    “Of course I’m sure,” said Mr. Scrounger, who wasn’t smiling any longer. “Are you telling me that you aren’t having a grand time? Here’s the last door. Look out now, there will be a blast of hot air when I open it. But it’s nothing to worry about!”
    Mr. Scrounger grasped the handle of the door with both hands and pushed with all his might. The door opened, and an awful, hot, sooty blast struck them all in the face. “Hurry up, I can’t hold this door all day!” growled Mr. Scrounger. Jacob grimaced as he and Cindy went through the door, followed by Mr. Scrounger. The door slammed behind them.
    They were in the enormous engine room. Here, great wheels turned and iron shafts chugged up and down. In the center stood the engine that ran the ship. Its door was open and giant red flames could be seen inside. Beside the engine was a mountain of shining, black coal, and standing on top of the coal was a huge man. He wore dirty trousers and a ripped T-shirt. His big face strained with effort as he threw a shovelful of coal. When the coal hit the flames, it made them roar even higher.
    Mr. Scrounger put his hands around his mouth and shouted. “Morgenbesser! Come here!” But the man couldn’t hear over the noise of the engine. “Morgenbesser!”
    This time the huge man stopped. He turned with a frown. When he saw them, he raised his shovel and plunged it into the pile of coal, leaving it standing upright. He took one big stride after another until he reached them and came to a stop, crossing his massive arms. Jacob felt his knees shaking. Both he and Cindy took a step back.
    “What is it?” the giant man said in a deep voice.
    “Here are two helpers for you. Jacob Two-Two and Cindy. Put them to work – and don’t go easy on them. Do you understand?”
    Morgenbesser looked at the two children and smiled. “I understand,” he said.
    Mr. Scrounger laughed as he turned around, pulled open the door, and let himself out. Jacob and Cindy were now alone with the huge man. Jacob felt Cindy nervously take his hand.
Be brave
, Jacob told himself.
    “Hello, Morgenbesser,” Jacob managed to squeak out. “It’s nice to meet you, nice to meet you.”
    Morgenbesser stared at them harder. He put his tremendous hand into his trouser pocket and brought it out again. He held out his fist and slowly opened his fingers.
    “Would either of you like a piece of gum?”
    Jacob looked down at Morgenbesser’s open hand. In his palm rested two wrapped squares of Pinko-Winko Extra-Stretch Bubble Gum, which happened to be Jacob’s favorite. He wasn’t sure if he should take it, but Cindy whispered to him, “It would be most impolite to refuse.” They each took a piece. The wrapper was smudged with coal dust, but inside the gum was fresh. Jacob popped it into his mouth.
    “Thank you,” Jacob said. “Are you going to make us shovel coal now? Are you?”
    For the first time, Morgenbesser smiled. “I’m supposed to do whatever Mr. Scrounger tells me. But I don’t like him very much. He isn’t a nice man. No doubt he isn’t putting the