The National tribune., 1893-11-09

"a sailors life is rough one. Ask any OF
| these sailors"
The boy looked at the sun-browned crew,
but no expression of doubt entered his blue
| eyes when he answered:
| But it's better than trying to get living
along tho beach. It's hard work and not much
money to make. If could 60 to sea I'd be
happy"
Would you like to go so much? But what
| would your father and mother say 2"
The Captain regretted the question. for the
| eyes blinked little as Wendell answered:
al haven't any-only an uncle and aunt"
The Captain kicked at rope on the deck
and gave simple order to one of the sailors.
| Then. looking past Wendell, he said:
"Pve got a valuable cargo on board, and
| when / leave it in New York Pm going TO
| South America on long trip. need cabin
| boy-one who is willing TO work-and I'll pay
| him well. One that knows something about
| ships would be preferred"
WendePs eyes opened wide in anticipation,
| but the last sentence brought shadow of dis
appoin tment over his face.
"But," the Captain continued. al like you.
| If you can get your uncle's consent I'll take
| you at SS month and board"
81 know they'll consent" the boy gasped.
"pll go with you tonight"
No; meet me in New York"
The boys face grew worried, and the Cap
tain. divining the reason, added:
Bnt if you prefer come tonight. III let
you guide the schooner out of these shoals
when we're ahoat."
Wendell took hasty leave of his new friend,
for lie had to pack up his few belongings and
be back to the vessel before midnight.
I'VE can't wait for you," Capt. Dougherty
said, leaning over the side of the schooner.
" If you're not here time l must leave you
soon's the ship is aAoat."
"Pll be here never fear" Wendell replied
4 Il
letter and bring it to my office in New York.
You'll be received all right"
He threw letter, addressed to the Captain
of the Sea Sprite, in the skff. and in few
moments Wendell rowed off with it.
When he reached the beach the afternoon
was waning rapidly. The focks of snipe and
plovers did not seem to notice his presence so
much as before, and they gathered their food
from the beach within so feet of him."
lyon know / wouldn't shoot you now" he
laughed to himself, for Pm too busy. "Pm
going to sea-"
His uuce's home was an old fsherman's
cabin, resting on the brow of large sand
dune. Several other shanties of similar con-
struetion were scattered around, and the
poverty of the people was manifest in all of
their surroundings
Uncle, Pm going to sea-" Wendell shouted,
as he met a dark-browed. dirty-looking man.
"1 have good chance, and must go at once"
ION that schooner off the shoals?" queried
bis uncle
Eyes; but she'll be aioat tonight, and Pm
going with her,"
What kind of cargo has she?" the man
asked, not noticing the boys enthusiasm"
Silks, spices, merchandise, and lots of
things. The Captain said it was very valuable.
1t would be fortune lost if the ship should go
to pieces"
"HemI" muttered his uncle, clearing his
m uaEa iartt aha
Yes; right in the middle of it,"
"Got big crew aboard2"
No; only six men, and one of them is sick.
The Captain is short handed, and that's why
he wants me-"
The man continued to look at the big
schooner, and then, as he turned and walked
away. he said, indifferently:
Well, if you want to go get ready. I amt
going to keep you from going to sea, for you've
always wanted to 90. But" he added, reflect
lively, don't think she'll get away tonight"
oh, yes she will, uncle, for I've been out
to her.
James Merritt made no further comment, but
strolled leisurely up to one of his companions
rude huts. Wendell hurried into the cabin,
and began hastily packing his few clothes and
possessions.
"Oh, aunty, Pm going to leave you" he said
when his aunt entered the room. Pm going
to sea-"
At first Mrs Merritt refused to let him go,
but after reflection she decided otherwise.
She was a coarse, gruf woman, and Wendell was
always a nuisance to her. She did not see why
she had to bring up aud support other peoples
children.
"Pve had work enough in my days without
bringing that brat up" she complained to her
husband more than once.
But there was sufficient brotherly affection in
her husband to make him feel that he owed his
nephew a home, and he overcame his wfes
prejudice. Wendell had found many things
unpleasant about the home, but being an un-
usually good -natured child he succeeded in
getting along fairly well. No love affection
was lost upon him. and he sought the murmur-
ing ocean and the birds of the beach to fill up
forlorn gap in his life.
Night came on. and everything was ready for
the boys departure. He was going to say
good-by on shore, and then he would row out
to the schooner. and take his skif along with
him. In New York he might sell it for some-
thing. and get little ready money.
His uncle did not como in for supper, and he
ate 1t alone with his aunt The evening wore
away slowly, and he wondered why his uncle
did not come to bid him good-by. As the time
for his departure approached he grow anxious,
and at last he started out in search of him.
The night was dark. and wind was moaning
over the sea. The wash of the waves intimated
that swells were rolling in from the ocean.
Wendell trudged up to one of the rude cabins,
where he saw light. As he passed one of the
windows he caught sight of dozen fishermen
in the small room. apparently assembled for
some particular work. They were all clad in
heavy oil-skin coats, with ropes and haUd-spikes
in their arms. The boy stopped for an instant,
and wondered at this strange scene.
"We want to start in halfa hour" he heard
his uncle say. "Wendel won't leave until we
get back. He's waiting for me at the house."
"Ye're sure that they have only crew of half
a dozen?" asked brswny fisherman.
Yes. only six, and one sick; that's what he
said. We can easily overcome them if they
want to fight. Well make big haul to
night"
''You bet, and nobody will be the wiser for
it," added another fisherman, winking know
inely.
Wendell retreated from the light near the
window. In vague way he comprehended
everything. The fishermen were preparing to
to go out to the stranded ship to relieve her of
part of the rich cargo. 1t was hard to believe
that his uncle would enter into such an unlaw-
full expedition; but he had more than once
heard rumors about the wreckers of Rock ledge
Beach. When a mere child he remembered
seeing several officers of the revenue service
patrolling the beach, and he had wondered at
their bright uniforms. The fishermen ap-
peared to consider them enemies, and many
silent curses were directed against their heads.
h. hs.I Nl.l~ H. III -