The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-03

made up of ten able-bodied seamen and
master and mate. The sailors were
all natives or residents Of San Diego,
experienced men and glad of an oppor-
tunity TO serve under Capt. Allaire. The
mate was an excellent officer, Harry
Shelton by name. Although he was
Allaire's senior by five or six years,
this fact didn't gall him the least bit
nor did an envious or jealous thought
ever enter his mind. He was the first
20 acknowledge that Allaire was the
man for the post. They had been mess
mates for years and had learned TO APP
preciate each other. Besides, whatever
William Hollister did was well done.
Rod Shelton and his men were devoted
to him, body and soul. Most of the
crew had already shipped on some one
or other of his vessels, and the officers
and men were really like one family.
So favorable, therefore, was the out
look that but one thought seemed TO be
uppermost in the minds of the fathers
and mothers, wives and sweethcarts
who congregated on the wharf TO bid
good-by TO these fortunate seamen, and
six months, flying trip between Cali
fornia and India, an excursion from
San Diego to Calcutta, and not one OF
those commercial or exploring expedi-
tions which keep ship at sea for years,
exposed to the most dangerous waters
of both hemispheres. This crew knew
what such expeditions were, and their
families had often seen them sail away
under conditions well qualified to cause
grave apprehensions.
The work of getting the Dreadnaught
ready for sea was nearly completed.
The ship was lying pretty well out in
the harbor, SO that when the time
should come for her to weigh anchor,
she would stand in need of no tug to
tow her through the narrows. AS q
good breeze was blowing off shore, all
she would have to do would be to trim
sails and get away. Capt Allaire
er or more favorable wind TO carry him
out of these waters which glistened in
the morning sun far beyond the Coro-
nado isles.
BY ten o'clock every man was at his
post. There were to be no more per-
mits to go ashore. II might almost be
said that the voyage had actually be-
gun. Several yawls had come up along
side the ship at tho starboard ladder to
take off those who had gone on board
20 bid friends or relatives a last good
by. Among these were Andrew Hollis
ter, senior partner of the firm of Hollis
ter e. Co., and Mrs. Allaire, followed by
servant in charge of little Walt. With
the captains wife were Lewis Barker
and his wife Kate, Molly's first cousin.
The mate, Harry Shelton, not having
any family, had no parting scenes to go
through with; but he was more than
certain that Mr.. Hollister and Capt.
Johns wife would not fail to wish him
good speed and safe return.
Just then Shelton was standing on
the forecastle where half dozen men
were already at the capstan weighing
anchor. and the click of the capstan's
pawls could be heard. The Dreadnaught
had already swung around little and
the cable had begun to crcak in the
hawseholc. The national colors were
flying from the mizzenpeall and from
the main truck was displayed the house
flag, bearing the initials of Andrew
Hollister a. Co. The sails were loosened
and all ready to be hoisted the moment
the ship should get a little Roadway
under the pressure of her forestay sails
and jibs.
Standing on tho quarterback, with
his watchful eye taking note of every
thing about him, was John Allnire, lis.
tening to the last instructions of Mr..
Andrew Hollister, in reference to the
vessel and her cargo.
AS the merchant handed the ships
papers and bills of lading to the young
captain. he said:
"John, II circumstances should re-
qpire you to modify your course, act ac-
cording to your best judgment and let
me hear from you from the first place
you touch at. Perhaps you may touch
ut one of the Philippines, for don't sup
pose you intend to pass through Torres
strait?"
mo, Mr.. Hollister," replied Captain
John, III have no notion OF rislSing the
Drcadnaught In the dangerous seas
north of Australia My route will be
the Sandwich islands. the Marianas,
Mindanao Of the Philippines, the Celebes
of Macassa strait in order TO reach Sin
gapore through the Java sea. It's plain
sailing from this point 10 Calcutta.
don't think that any winds that may
meet with in the West Pacific will force
me to change this course. However,
should you want 20 telegraph me, be
kind enough 10 address me either at
Mindanao, where may touch, or at Sin
gapore, where certainly shall"
"Very well, John, and don't neglect
TO advise me at the very earliest possible
moment OF market prices in Calcutta.
II may be that your report would lead
me TO make some changes wi tn respect
10 the Drcadnaught's cargo on her re-
turn trip"
"You may rely upon me, Mr.. Hollister,"
replied Allaire.
AT this moment shelton approached:
"The anchors atrip. captain"
"And the ebb?"
"Is making itself felt"
Stand by, thcnI"