Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-02
TIE CREW OF THE PSYCHE.
lwritten for sne suspAY UsIos BY Len.l

her snowy sails furled, her ropes coiled IN
round, even coils, and everything ship
shape, snug and taut, her decks white as
deep sea foam, her brass work shining Ike
gold in the afternoon sun. Her owner.
George Hensly, paced the deck with a
frown on his handsome face. He had
made all his preparations for fishing
trip, and at the last moment his crew, con-
sisting of two men and boy, had gone
ashore at Rockaway, and boatman
brought him word that they were all
slight as ticks" in a sea-beach saloon. To
make matters worse, fine sailing breeze
had sprung up, and the Psyche could have
made the point without tack fair in
the winds eye" The sea gUlls screamed
mockingly as they flew past the yacht,
Juggling at her hawser, as anxious as they
were to fly over the bounding pillows and
leave the land to leeward Southeast the
sun was rejecting on the windows of Fire
Island Lighthouse till each pane glowed
like gem, scintillating, flashing, the long;
low stretcA of land like background of
amethyst, SO purple were the shadows on
it. The various sand beaches were dotted
with people, looking in the distance like
sand-pipers, for the color of their suits
were not distinguishable. The horizon
was dimly seen through the golden haze
| and warm mistiness of the June day.
Every now and then a ships sails would
be silhouetted against the creamy back
ground, or steamers smoke float skyward,
as if fire had Suddenly started between
sea and sky.
Here and there down the bay were pilot
boats looking for foreign ships, to escort
them in past the dangerous places, and
painting, fussy little tugs were hurrying
along. Everyone seemed moving except
the Psyche. Her disconsolate owner
stopped his deck-pacing to glance shore
ward. He noticed boat putting off from
Jamaica point. He took his sea glass
from its rest and looked long and earnestly
at the approaching boat Surely" said
he, aloud, 1.-TWO women; what under the
blue dome are they coming this way for!
Fresh vegetables, suppose, or fruit; posi-
bly, eggs" He replaced the glass and re.
sumed his impatient walk. When the
boat got within hailing distance, one Of
| the occupants put her two hands to her
mouth and shouted:
"Ahoyl Is that the vat Soikee, sorr~
eyes," answered George, laughing to
himself at the Irish pronunciation of the
yachts name. As they came nearer he
saw with surprise that the other occupant
was tall, well-made girl, with clear cut
face, slightly tanned, dark blue eyes, and
| curly golden hair cut short, a sailor hat OF
oilskin on her head, and dark blue serge
skirt and blouse, belted tight around the
slim waist. AS she stood up, grasping the
side of the yacht to steady her boat, she
did not look more than twenty.
as this Captain Hensly ?" she asked in
a clear, sweet voice. George bowed, and
answered "Yet."
81 heard" she continued, shat you
wanted crew to go blue-fshing. As /
understand sailing, also the work con-
nected with fishing, will you employ Mary
Ann and myself She can bear hand at
anything and cook. l can give you refer
ence if you need it," she said anxiously, as
he hesitated.
"Really, miss" said George, 81 don't
think you would suit. The work don't
seem suited to you, either"
| "Oh, Pm quite accustomed to it." she
replied. "My father, Captain Elliott of
pilot-boat No. 9, taught me thoroughly,
and Mary Ann" turning to the middle
aged woman, "is willing to take the trip"
"Yis, sorr. Pm ready to go from here to
anywhere, and can kape me stummick
with the best of yes, and cook betune
whiles."
'Well, when can you Gomez" said
George.
DAT wanst, sorr. Our kit is in the boat
beyant there"
"What wages do you want % he asked
Twenty EIGHT for Miss Frank, seven
teen for me, sorr, month, if yers willin'."
every well, that will answer; but who
will take your boat back ?"
"Tow her." said Mary Ann. "She will
follow like dock" The girl had been
silent after her first request. AS George
said yes, she stepped lightly on board, fol-
lowed by Mary Ann, who proceeded to
make the boat fast in methodical fashion
that showed she was accustomed to her
work
"What name did you say?" said George.
"My employers call me Frank, sir"
every WE'LL" said George, taking things
as practically as he could, for astonish-
ment was still uppermost in his
mind. 1--WE will start at once, You
may hoist the mainsail, and gaff topsail, l
will see to the glib sheets, and Mary Ann
you weigh anchor"
"Aye, aye sorr," said that individual,
hauling in the hawser hand over hand and
| deity coiling her slack. This accom-
plished, George took the helm and the
Psyche came round in fine shape and was
soon cleaving the waves with her canvas
stretched to the breeze.
Frank exchanged her hat for cloth
cap, and drew on a short beaver-cloth
jacket, for the wind was cool. Then she
asked to take the helm, while George
showed Mary Ann the yachts stores and
quarters.
The cabin proper had the seats around
the sides upholstered in plush. Angora
rugs covered the floor. Over the table
swung a case filled with glassware with
the Pysche monogram. A handsome lamp
swung from the ceiling. The tiny state
rooms had Turcorman portierres of rich
hue that concealed the berths and station
airy washstands. The cooks quarters had
fine range for cooking, and dishes and
every convenience was there in swinging
brackets that kept them from breaking.
Lockers were well provisioned for three
months cruise if necessary. Altogether
the Pysche was marvel of comfort and
luxury, and all so compact. Mary Ann
went up on deck and told Frank that she
was "just in exstickices over the convayne-
inces of the yat."
The wind died away to a light breeze.
To Georges intense disgust they were in
for calm night, SO he decided to anchor
off the Nayesink light and spear Holsters
near the shore where the seaweed ended.
The moonlight, silvery, enhancing, shone
on the bay.
And every wave with dimpled crest
That leaped upon the cir,
Had caught star in its embrace
And held it trembling there"
The air was cool, salty and delicious.
George provided himself with a torch, for
the shoal water was in the shade, and two
poles, with two springy wooden barbs
turned inward-for spearing.
He went in the small boat, and as he
was preparing to push off Mary Ann said !:
s'Do you want me, sorr, to hold the torch /?
I'll hould it stiddy as ould Liberty her
self, on Bedloe's Island"
l. II