They said her decks were as white as snow- holystoned every
morining, like a man-of-war's; everything on board "shipshape and
Bristol fashion;" a fine crew, three mates, a sailmaker and carpenter,
and all complete. "They've got a man for mate of that ship, and not a
bloody sheep about decks!"- "A mate that knows his duty, and makes
everybody do theirs, and won't be imposed upon either by captain or
crew." After collecting all the information we could get on this
point, we asked something about their new captain. He had hardly been
on board long enough for them to know much about him, but he had taken
hold strong, as soon as he took command;- sending down the top-gallant
masts, and unreeving half the rigging, the very first day.
Having got all the news we could, we pulled ashore; and as soon as
we reached the house, I, as might be supposed, proceeded directly to
opening my bundle, and found a reasonable supply of duck, flannel
shirts, shoes, etc., and, what was still more valuable, a packet of
eleven letters. These I sat up nearly all the night to read, and put
them carefully away, to be read and re-read again and again at my
leisure.
Pages:
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294