Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-07

or two miles spends me Tn pleasurln'; but I've swum eight miles to save my life, and stranded fresh as new hooked cod. Whats your intentions, sirY'
 To sail the schooner home," said I, eff I can get help. She's too good to abandon She'll fetch money in England"
 'Ay, as show" ernly, and carry your forecastle deck into the head, captain, and she's brave ship, fit for Baltimore ey9'
 He stroked down the hair upon his chin.
 Dip, captain; dip, my lads, there's enough of this to drown ye in the hold," said 1, pointing to the bowl "Come, this is a happy meeting for me; let it be merry one Captain, drink to the Susan Tuckern
 "Sir, your servant. Here's to your sweet heart, be she wife or maid. Bill, jump on deck and take look around. See to the boat"
 One of the men went out
 Captain" said I, ''you are a full ship"
 "Thats so."
 "Bound home?'
 "Right away"
 "You have men enough and to spare. Lend me three of your hands to help me to the Thames, and I'll repay you thus: There should be near 100 tons of wine and brandy, of exquisite vintage and choice with age be- wound language, in the hold. Take what you will of that freight; theren be ten times the value of your lay in your pickings, modest as you may prove Help yourself to the clothes in the cabin and forecastle; they will turn to account. For the men you will spare, and who will volunteer to help me, this will be my undertaking: the ship and all that is in her to be sold on her arrival, and the pro- ceeds equally divided. Shall we call it e1 900 apiece? Captain, she's well found-her in- ventory would make a list long as you; I'd name bigger sum, but here she is-you shall overhaul her hold and judge for your self.
 I watched him anxiously. No man spoke, but every eye was upon him. He sat pulling down the hair on his chin, then jumping up on a sudden and extending his hand, he cried: ''Shake!-it's a bargain, if the men'u jine."
 "I'l jiner' exclaimed man.
 There was pause.
 "And me- said the negro.
 was glad of this, and looked earnestly at the others.
 "Is she tight?' said man.
 "As bottle," said I.
 They fell silent again.
 "Joe Wilkinson and Washington Crom- well-them two jines," said the captain. "Bullies, he wants third. Don't speak all together"
 The man named 'sBill" at this moment re- turned to the cook room and reported all we'll above. My offer was repeated to him, but he shook his head
 ''This is the Horn, mates, ," said he. "There's a deal O water tween this and the Thames. How do she sail? No man knows"
 "I want none but willing men," said I. HAmericans make as good sailors as the English. What an English seaman can face any of you can There is another negro in vne boat. Will you let him step aboard, captain9 He may join"
 A man was sent to take his place. Pres ently he arrived, and I gave him cup of punch
 "'Splain the business to him, sir," said the captain, filling his pannikin; "his names Billy Bitt."
 I did so; and when told him that Wash ington Cromwell had offered, he instantly said: "All right, massa, I'll be ob yah."
 This was exactly what I wanted, and had there been a third negro I'd have preferred him to the white man.
 "But how are you going to navigate this craft home with three men?' said the man Bill to me.
 'Therell be four-we shall do. The fewer the more dollars, hey, Wilkinson?'
 He grinned, and Cromwell broke into a ventral laugh.
 They seemed very we'll satisfied, and so was l.