Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-21

SsuIO tilU SCd, 1oi, nO Al5Itcl JO WudI | point he might happen to sail, his ship would take him away from Barbadoes, and that would very we'll suit her. She was getting tired of Maj. Bonnet She did not believe he had ever been a very good soldier; she was positively sure that he was not a good farmer; and she had the strongest kind of doubt as to his ability as a commercial man. But as this new business would free her from him, at least for time, she was we'll content; and. although she should feel herself somewhat ham dicapped by the presence of Kate, she did not intend to allow that young lady to interfere with her plans and purposes during the absence of the head of the house. So she went her way, saying nothing derisive about the nautical life, except what she consid- cred 1t necessary for her to do, in order to maintain her superior position in the household.
 Maj. Bonnet was now very much en- gagged and a good deal disturbed. for he found that projected sailing, even in ones own craft, is not always smooth sailing. He was putting his vessel in excellent order, and was fitting her out generously in the way of stores and all manner of nautical needfuls, not for getting the guns necessary for de- fence In these somewhat disordered times. and his latest endeavors were towards the shipping of suitable crew. Seafaring men were not scarce in the port of Bridgetown, but Maj. Bonnet, now entitled to be called captain" was very particular about his crew, and it took him a long time to collect suitable men. . As he was most truly a landsman, knowing nothing about the sea or the various intricate methods of navigat- ing a vessel thereupon, he was com pelled to secure'a real captain-one who would be able to take charge of the vessel and crew, and who would do, and have done, in a thoroughly sea- manlike manner, what his nominal skipper should desire and ordain
 This absolutely necessary parsonage had been secured almost as soon as the vessel had been purchased, before any of the rest of the crew had signed ships articles; and it was under his general supervision that the storing and equipment had been carried on. His name was Sam Loftus. He was a big man with 8 great readiness of speech. 3There were, perhaps, some things he could not do, but there seemed to be nothing that he was not able to talk about. As has been said, the rest of the crew came in slowly, but they did come, and Maj Bonnet told his daughter that when he had secured four more men, it was his intention to leave port.
 And sail for Jamaica?" she ex- claimed.
 'Oh, yes," he said, with an affection ate smile, land I will leave you with your Uncle .Delaplaine, where you can stay while I make some little cruises here and there."
 And so I am really to go?" she ex- claimed, her eyes sparkling.
 Really to go,'' said he.
 She was very happy, and she laughed. ... @ ...
 Yours will be an easily laden ship" said she, flor you take in with you no great store of goods for traffic But I suppose you design to pick up your cargo among the islands where you cruise, and at less cost, perchance, than it could be procured here?"
 '"Yes, yes,'' he said; you have hit it fairly, my little girl, you have hit it fairly"
 New annoyances now began to beset Maj. Bonnet. What his daughter had remarked in pleasantly, the people of the town began to talk about unpleas- antly. Here was a good-sized craft about to set sail, with little or no car larger than her requirements, but not large enough for the desires of her owner. To be sure, as Maj. Bonnet did not know anything about ships, he was bound to do something odd when he bought one and set forth to sail upon her, but there were some odd things which ought to be looked into; and there were people who advised that the attention of the colonial authorities should be drawn to this ship of their farmer townsman. Maj. Bonnet had such high reputation as a good citi- zen, that there were few people who thought it worth while to trouble themselves about his new business ven- ture, but a good many disagreeable things came to the ears of Sam Loftus, who reported them to his employer, and it was agreed between them that it would be wise for them to sail as soon as they could, even if they did not wait for the few men they had consid- cred to be needed.
 Early upon cloudy afternoon, Maj. Bonnet and his daughter went out in small boat to look at his vessel, the Sarah Williams, which was then lying short distance below the town.
 Now, Kate" said the good Maj. Bonnet, when they were on board, Il have fitted up a little room for you be- low, which I think you will find com- fortable enough during the voyage to Jamaica. I will take you with me when l return to the house, and then you can make tip little package of clothes which 1t will be easy to convey to the river bank when the time shall come for you to depart. I cannot now say