Connecticut western news., 1889-02-20
The Captains Daughter.

For two years had been mate of the schooner Jessie, Capt. Martin, plying regularly between Sydney, New South Wales, and Hobartstown, Van Dieman's Land. We had trim craft, easily han dled, and our crew never exceeded six men. There was no second mate, and the Captain stood his own watch. A year before engaged with her she had been captured by convicts from the penal settlement, and when recovered, after 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 the Captains daughter on board for the first time, she having been away to school for couple of years. The schooner was named after her, and if Q vessel could feel proud of anything then the Jessle would have been puffed up over the good looks of the girl whose name she bore. Miss Martin was a typical Eng fish girl, and just as handsome as the best of them. She was then 19 years old, In the best of health and spirits and it was as good as medicine for 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 long time, but on this trip we were all broken up. Two of the old men had been taken il while we were loading, third had mysteriously absented him. self, and on the day we were to sail the cook walked ashore in a huff. There was no trouble, however, in filling the four vacancies. Indeed, they were ap- piled for as soon as vacated. The cook was another colored man with go,d re- commendation, while the three sall- ors were English-speaking and of Eng fish nativity. They were hard looking fellows, and I would not have trusted them not to rob me, but I took them just the same. At sea they would have their stations and their orders, and the discipline of 6 ves- sel discourages all exhibitions of impu- dence towards officers. Our crew was now composed of six sailors, Captain, mate and cook, and the girl Jess brought the number on board up to ten.
 It is a run of over 800 miles almost due south from Sydney to Hobartstown, but until passing Cape Howe we had the coast in view, and knew where shel- ter could be had in case of storm. Our crew went cheerfully to work, the weather favored us, and for three days everything went as smoothly as you please. 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 time, and finally said:
 "Mr. Loring, I'd like to speak with | you about matter"
 ''Vcry well; what is it9"
 | ''I don't like them new men. sir" | sFor what reason2"
 "They'vc got their heads together too often, sir, and they'v talked to Bill and Tom, my old mates, until they've upset them"
 "About what2"
 "Well, sir, about pirates and islands and treasure, and such stuff. Ididn't take to lem, and they didn't take to me, and so they don't trust me, but can't help but think there's something wrong in the wind"
 | Iwasn't startlcd-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 I 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 8 light breeze aE 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 aud dead, and all day long
 we hadn't sufficient to Iufflc feather
 had been watching tho new men close
 ly since Ncedham stated his suspicious
 but not thing could discover to con firm his statements. They were cheer
 ful, prompt and respectful, and quite
 dismissed any thought of conspiracy. |
 Needham had heard or seen anything
 further he had not reported it. although
 invited to do so.
 The captains trick that night wa
 from to 12. At g o'clock I was aslee,
 in my berth, the captain was loungine
 and smoking, and Jess was in the cab
 s'tr some article of clothing. Thsr