Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-05-18
CHAPTER III.-CONTINUED.

They first devoted their attention for
G brief space to the Dutchman, who
was still by Titles falling behind,
though he had at last set some manner
of fore topsail, and continually dog
gedly to follow us, and when this scru
tiny was ended they walked over to
where l was standing.
well, Master Ardick," began Mr.
Tym, doubtless you and the crew
would by this time relish some informa
tion as to the future business of the
voyage. Master Sellinger and l have
taken counsel together, and think,
please God to go presently on with it.
We shall stand forthwith into Sid
mouth, where we hope to procure first
mate, which done, with Master Sellin-
ger raised to be captain, we shall
straightway fetch our course again for
Tavana."
OF course my opiRiOn was not sought,
but merely my curiosity was vouch-
safed to be satisfied, so | only bowed,
and said that the decision would please
the forecastle, as it did me, and with
that ! withdrew and went forward.
After time the Industry's course
was changed, and she was laid with
her nose almost due north, and this she
held as the Devonshire coast gradu-
ally rose and cut clearer outline. By
this time poor Hans Butterbox had be-
come discouraged and given up the
chase.
l was beginning to be surprised that
nothing had been done touching the
disposal of the bodies of the captain
and Dingsby, which were still extend
ed on the quarterback, covered with
the tarp ,lins, but | was now 10 un-
derstand the reason of the delay and
apparent neglect. Master-or l must
now say Captain-Sellinge presently
came to the confines of the quarter
deck, and, having called us before him,
told us that it was Capt. Houthwick's s
oft-expressed desire &c be buried in the
sea, which desire, he said, he had de-
termined to comply with. As Dings-
by was an old sailor, and was not
known to have any family, it was the
opinion of Mr.. Tym sand himself that
it would be well and fitting TO let his
body accompany his old captains. No
one raised any opposition to this, or
indeed struck in with a word, and so
the sea burial for both these brave
mariners was settled upon. We sewed
the two bodies up in their canvas
shrouds, heavy weights were placed at
their feet, and they were balanced on
planks across the bulwark. All un-
covered, and Mr.. Tym read a prayer.
As a rough voice or two Joined in the
amen, Capt. Sellinger gave the signal
aud the bodies were shot into the
water. The splashing they made was
lost in the racing by of the next sea,
and we solemnly drew in the bare
planks and the doleful business was
over.
We ran into Sidmouth without
trouble or delay, and when the anchor
was cast Capt. Sellinger ordered the
gig, and was pulled ashore. He did
not return till morning, and then
fetched with him a stranger, whom
he presently declared to us as the
new mate l Immediately fell into
some wonderment at the looks of this
man He was tall-taller by an inch
than round backed, gaunt, and mar
velously old looking in the face, though
he could not have been above five-and-
thirty. His hair was jet black and
coarse, and there was scarce thread
Of gray in it, despite that his coun-
tenanCe was so worn.
| could hardly conceive why Capt.
SelI;nger should choose such man,
for il seemed to me that he must be
harsh and of an i'll temper, which the
captain was not, and had never seemed
to approve of. 1t soon came out that
the port was almost bare of good sea
men, as some were gone in the new
fleet (of the ..ing's}, and others had
shipped in the many vessels bound for
America. so that choice of mates,
as the case stood must needs be pass
ing narrow.
We soon made sail, and after time