Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-02-22
The Captains Daughter.


schooner Jessie, Capt Martin, plyint
regularly between Sydney, New South
Wales, and Hobartstown, Van Die,ESNM
Land. We had a trim craft, easil Ses
died, and our crew never exceed, h
men. There was no second maj eosf |
the Captain stood his own watchsr.es
year before l engaged with her she hac
been captured by convicts from the pena
settlement, and when recovered, aftei
two Or three days she had been supplied
with an arsenal.
The trip which gave rise to the Incl
dents am about to relate, brought I ht
Captains daughter on board for the I
time, she having been away TO schoo
couple Of years. The schooner a
named after her, and if a vessel 9,
feel proud of anything then the Jtv,I
would have been puffed up over Ink
good looks of the girl whose name She
bore. Miss Martin was a typical Eng
lish girl, and just as handsome as the
best of them. She was then 10 years
old, in the best of health and spirits
and it was as good as medicine for Q
sick person to hear her sing and laugh.
As our voyages were short and safe we
had been able to keep the same crew for
a long time, but on this trip we were all
broken up. Two of the old men had
been taken / i while we were loading, a
third had mysteriqusly absented him
self, and on the day we were to sail the
cook walked ashore in huff. There
was 40 g - -'s;z y .s's.. s,sss :. =
four vacanc75s. Indeed, they vert ~
piled for as soon as vacated. The
was another colored man with goM ~
commentator, while the three
ors were English-speaking and of j
lish nativity. They were III $,
looking fellows, and | would
have trusted them not to rol,
but | took them just the same.
sea they would have their stations
their orders, and the discipline of ,hp
sci discourages all exhibitions of I'M en'
dence towards officers. Our crew Am
now composed of six sailors, Captain
mate and cook, and the girl jess brought
the number on board up to ten.
1t is run of over 500 miles almost
due south from Sydney t. Hobartstown,
but until passing Cape Howe we had
the coast in view, and knew where shell
ter could be had in case of storm
Our crew went cheerfuliy to work, the
weather favored us, and for three days
everything went as smoothly as you
please. l had two of the old men and
one of the new in my watch, and on the
fourth night, as we just held steerage-
way during my watch, the man at the
wheel, whose name was Needham, and
who had been with us several voyages,
fused around for a tine, and finally
said;
'Mr. Loring, I'd like to speak with
you about matter"
'Very well; what is it9"
81 don't like them new men, sir"
''For what reason9"
They've got their heads together too
often, sir, and they've talked to Bill and
Tom, my old mates, until they've upset
them"
'.About what9"
"Well, sir, about pirates and islands
and treasure, and such stuff / didn t
take to 'em, and they didn't take to me,
and so they don't trust me, but l can't
help but think there's something wrong
in the wind"
wasn't startled-not even worried.
Sailors are always talking such nonsense
among themselves and aboard of every
craft there is always tale bearer who
wants to curry favors. Needham was
distant and peculiar, as had heard the
men say, and that was why the trio had
not taken to him. ] thought the matter
over for some time, and then thanked
the man for his information and asked
him to keep his eyes open. We had a
light breeze all night, and the
next day was very mild. We
got stiff breeze from noon to midnight,
and on the morning of the sixth day
were below the cape. Then the wind
died out flat and dead, ami all day-long
we hadn't sufficient to luflle feather.
had been watching the new men close
ly since Needham stated his suspicious,
but not thing could discover to con-
firm his statements. They were cheer.
full, prompt and respectful, and l quite
dismissed any thought Of conspiracy. II
Needham had heard or seen anything
further he had not reported it, although
invited to do so.
The captains trick that night was
from to y. At 9o'clock was asleep
in my berth, the captain was lounging
and smoking, and Jess was in the cabin
after some article Of clothing. There