, 1889-08-03
A LUCKY SHOT.

Some years since, when I was n young
fellow of six-and-twenty, / was mate of
n West Indian trading regularly to Nevis
and st. Kits. She was n bark of $50
tons, and her name was the Robert,
and she sailed from Bristol. We were on
our homeward passage when the incident
/ am about TO describe took place. l
must premise that we had o passen-
gers, two gentlemen and two ladies'; the
latter the wife and daughter of n planter,
by name Carmichael. The elder lady
was about 40, n handsome, gracious sort
of woman, such rs n planters wife ought
to be, and such as were not
in the days of which l am writing. The
daughter was about two-and-twenty; a
beautiful girl, with all the bewitching
graces and fascinating charms of n true
born creole.
We were twenty-one days out from
Charlestown, and Notwithstanding that
old bark was by no means a fast sailer,
we had made good progress, and were rs
near as possible in mid-ocean. 1t was
the end of July, and the weather had
been of the most glorious description,
and very hot; but, nfter the sultry heat
of the tropics, we did not find it oppres-
sive. For two days past VIC had made
little progress. The wind had been light
and variable, and now it was n dead
calm. The ship was motionless as far as
progress was concerned; but her head
was boxing all round the compass. We
had awnings up fore and aft; for, where
there was nothing to intercept the burn
ing rays of the July sun, the decks were
30 hot that the pitch boiled out of the
seams.
The dinner was over; the sun was
slowly sinking in the west, and we had
all come on deck, being anxious to get
as much air as we could, for the cabin
of n sugar ship is generally stuffy. The
deep, placid sea was. more peacefully
calm than l had ever before seen it.
Not q flaw, not a ripple, not an undula-
ton broke the tranquil surface of the
glass-like sea. Capt. Sarsfield and the
two gentlemen, Mr.. Cheeseman and Mr..
Thompson, were sitting on the taffrail
smoking their cigars, and Mrs. Car.
michael and Miss Julia were reclining
in wicker chairs and tanning them.
selves. At the young lady's feet lay a
large Newfoundland dog belonging to
Capt. Sarsfield, blinking in the sunlight
which came slanting in under the avn
ing, and o and again looking up into
her face and putting out his tongue, as
much as to say; Its dreadfully hot,
isn't it,"
Nc one who has not seen a creole girl
reclining at her ease can realize the
beautiful picture which Julia Carmi-
chael presented as she sat there languidly
tanning herself. Apart from the beauty
of her features and the striking fairness
of her skin, her figure was almost fault
less In its symmetry, in the curve of its
lines, and beautiful in its flexible sinu.
osity. She had, too, that natural grace
that untrammeled ease, hat refined vo-
righteousness of attitude and movemen
which are the natural gifts of the creole,
and which no art can counterfeit. But
the browning charm of all was her sweet
and gentle disposition. Mrs. Carmichael
was a general ~favorite, but Julia was
queen of h ship. Capt. S~arsfield, the
gentlemen, and the ships company gen
orally were her devoted slaves.
She had been sitting In silence gazing
out on the calm sea. Suddenly she turned
her head and spoke;
capt. oarsnelu, she said, IN n soft,
musical voice, II think we are going to
have a breeze"
Certainly By all means, my dear
young lady. l see no signs of it at pres
ent; but If you say there is a breeze com.
ing, there is no one on board this ship
would think of contradicting you"
mo; but-Capt. Sarsfield"-
mot another word, my lear lady.
Mr.. Turnbull, see all clear for a breeze"
LAY, ay, sir" l answered. Forward,
therel Run up the ~foretopmast staysaili
there's a breeze coming"
Mr.. Turnbull," demonstrated Julia,
you are too bad! You are worse thar
the captain. What will the men say?'
Say, Miss Carmichel2-that the ad-
miral has given his orders, and we must
obey. So hol Well there with the hal
yards. Which side will you have the
sheet trimmedY'
"You may trim it to starboard, Mr..
Turnbull. she replied with great gravity.
Take a pull OF the starboard sheet" l
called out. "Well, there! belayl What
next, Miss JuliaT"
Lower one of the quarter boats, and
take me for a row. The sea looks very
beautiful, and l think it would 40 me
good"
1 elevated my e~yebrows, and said;
What about the breeze, Miss Car
michael?'