Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-05-04

was loaded, and, while she had good
beam, was not overround in the bows,
and was well and loftily spared. She
was painted black, with a gilded streak,
and showed no break for ports, which,
indeed was not surprising, as few mer-
chantmen at that time carried their
guns otherwise than on deck. All her
tops seemed to be provided with shields,
or barricadoes, and on the poop and
along the bulwarks l could resolve the
outlines of several sakers and swiyels.
Besides these she might carry some
heavy piece, and, in fact, / caught
glimpse, through an open gang-port,
of shape in tarpaulin which could
hardly be other than a long-range gun.
The whole appeared to show that she
was fitted to fight as well as to fly,
which was passing needful in those
troublesome times. Her burthen (as |
afterward learned) was $50 TONS and as
we approached her, and she flashed up
her great black side, she looked even
larger. AS we drew near, some heads
showed above the bulwark, and I made
out ladder hanging over at that place.
We pulled up to it, and when we rose on
the next wave the sailor reached out n
boat-hook and steadied us to it, and
we were speedily up the side.
AS l glanced about, taking in the
fashion of the deck and such arrange
ments as had not been visible from the
water, a short, broad man, in a kind
of Dutch blouse and heavy sea boots,
came from some place forward and ac-
costed the captain. l inferred that he
must be the mate, and so indeed, it
proved, and upon being presented |
found his name was Giles Sellinger
ard that he hailed from Southampton.
He had a resolute, honest-looking coun-
tenance, albeit the smallpox had pitted
him rather severely, and thought had
the air of good seaman and compe-
tent officer. The captain explained the
meaning of my being aboard, and said
that he doubted not l should suit them
well, though it might be | should halt
in some things at the beginning. Mas
ter SelIinger received this explanation
in a way favorable to my pride.
We made no further delay, but re
turned to the town, and at the hour ap-
pointed to be fetched off | was ready,
clothes-bag in hand. The tide had
fallen since morning, and / had to walk
to the edge of the jetty before I could
espy the boat, which then perceived at
the foot of the long fight of wet steps.
The two sailors, who were the crew,
were alone in her, and so | saw that |
was beforehand with my companions.
7 toll r,,.;t J.
the sailors (but not too freely, lest they
conceive me an easy sort, which would
not do), and presently | heard the voice
of the captain. The sailors pushed the
boat more fairly to the foot of the
stairs, and directly the captain ap-
peared at the top.
aye, Master Ardick is here" heard
him say back to some one behind him,
and almost with the words the person
he had addressed joined him. The
supercargo, for such, of course, the sec
ond man was, l found to be a nimble,
erect little gentleman, in age perhaps
60, with some gray in his beard, but
a good fresh skin, and dressed very
handsomely in sad-colored velvet, low
crowned bat with feathers, yellow hose,
and high-heeled French shoes, with
blue rosettes. His head was covered
with fashionable flowing wig, and his
broad sword-belt supported a good sub
stantial sword with silver hilt.
AS soon as Capt. Houthwick had put
us on our course he presented me to
the supercargo, giving his name as Mr..
Tym, and informing him with some
little pride that he would find me 9TH
er than the common sort of sailor, be-
ing a man of considerable parts, and of
family above the ordinary, my father
having been an owning shipmaster and
the son of a justice of the peace, and my
mother the daughter of knight.
After a somewhat tedious pull, the
wind being in part contrary and quite
| sea beginning to run, we drew near,
and | got up and made ready to seize
the ladder. 1t was of rope, with wooden
rungs, the top and bottom made fast,
| and presently | succeeded in catching
il, and drew the bow of the boat as near
as was safe. The ship rose and sank
and churned about in a troublesome
| fashion, but | managed to hold on, and
passed me and swung over to the ladder.
| The old supercargo was as steady and
| sure-footed as rope-dancer, and it i'm
mediately occurred to me that he might
| be veteran seagoer, conclusion
| which was confirmed as | saw how cool
| ly he waited on the ladder till the cap
| tain was out of the way, though the
| ship was rolling and pitching and send
| ing frothing fiings of water up to the
very soles of HIS dainty shoes. In mo-
ment the captain had passed over the
bulwarl, and Mr.. Tym began to fol-
| low, and it was then that | made a sur
prising discovery. ] had noticed that
, the old fellow had kept his cloak part
| ty about him, and | had maryeled at it,
as the day was so warm, but now, as he
| began to climb, the wind caught the
| garment and blew it out, and behold,
Io 10 l. e. 1.F pIn