Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-11-28
A THANKSGIVING ESCAPE.

nc UllS SdiiiCu thS uSuoi vi 81 VI
horses, potatoes, onions, apples, cheeses
and Goldfish.
Robert Hill, the nephew OF Captain
Burton who commanded the vessel, went
with his uncle as cabin boy.
"Unless we are wrecked, or captured
by pirates, expect to bring Robert back
here to eat his Thanksgiving dinner"
Captain Burton said TO his sister, Mrs.
Hill, on the day of sailing. 81 don't fear
pirates much, though, and French and
Spanish authorities have executed so
many leaders that the crews are now
pretty we'll broken up.
Mrs. Hill smiled calmly. She was the
daughter OF one sea-captain and the wild
ow OF another. She loved more than she
feared the ocean. She hoped that some
day Robert would, himself, command as
fine vessel as the Zephyr.
"Good-by, my boy" lshe said, when
the hour OF parting came, land whatever
happens, be brave and true. Obey your
uncle cheeriully, for to practice obedience
is the first and greatest duty OF the sea-
man. You must learn to obey, Robert,
if you would hope ever to command.
Don't forget your prayers. ! shall pray
for you night and day."
The Zephyr was a beautiful sight as
she glided maiestically out OF port, her
white sails gliSte ming in the sunlight like
gulls' wings. Robert waved last fare
well, then his imagination scared far
ahead OF the brig 10 those tropical scenes
he had so often heard described by his
uncle. What stories he would have to
relate upon his return home.
The brig had the reputation OF being
the fastest craft Of her kind belonging to
Belcher's Cove. But, from the start,
wrong things seemed to happen to her.
She was only four days out when she
met with a gale that partially disabled
her, compelling her to proceed slowly
and laboriouslY.
When she reached the "Horse Lati-
tudes," the great equatorial belt OF calms,
where sailing vessels bound to the West
Indies so often had to throw their car
goes OF horses overheard to make prog
ress possible, she lay for days idly float
ing. Not a breath shook her canvas, not
ripple disturbed the CLASSY surface OF
the water
The superstitious sailors looked mean
ingly at one another.
"This here v'yage'll be an onlucky
one." old Peter Jones predicted, shaking
his grizzed head. "Tain't begun right
and misdoubt it'll end right"
But, at last, MatanzaS was reached.
Robert found plenty OF use for eyes and
ears while the cargo was being unloaded.
He never tired of the sights about him,
the streets with their one-story stone
buildings with shuttered, glassless Win
dows. the throng of people, white and
black, the pack mules and pack horses,
OK carts, and volanteS constantly moving
back and forth, the strange trees, the
tropical fruits, the vessels OF many coun-
tries in the harbor, the stores and booths
filled with commodities, many OF which
were unknown to him by name. Oh,
yes, Robert told himself, he should have
wonderful tales TO relate to the boys he
had left behind at home.
After the cargo had all been gotten out
the Zephyr was repaired thoroughly.
Robert was not sorry to be delayed in
Matanzas, for he was rapidly picking up
knowledge of Spanish, and, becomingin in
terested in the musical language, was
anxious to increase his vocabulary. Old
Peter Jones, who could, as he himself ex-
pressed it, ''iabber like a native" gave
the boy lessons after peculiar method
of his own. Robert proved an apt pupil,
and could soon converse tolerably well.
The lad wrote long letter 10 his moth
er which he dispatched by the "ASprey"
of New Bedford. 81 expect that | shall
spend Thanksgiving on the ocean, he
said in closing. at will be a strange ex-
perience and you may be sure shall
think of you and the roast turkey and
fixings with regret. But what can't be
cured must be endured"
AT last the Zephyr was pronounced TO
be in good sailing condition, and, after
taking on cargo OF molasses, sugar and
fruits turned her Prov toward home. The
sailors forgot their prophesies OF i'll for
tune, in the prospect OF soon seeing the
Rhode Island shores again.
Captain Burton, too, felt well pleased.
He had disposed OF the cargo carried out
at excellent prices. The horses had net
ted very handsome sum, owing TO the
fact that, as il ithappened. animals that sea-
son were scarce on the island. Some
where on the brig-only the captain knew
lust where-there was hidden a canvas
bag filled with gold pieces.
On the morning of the third day out
Robert stood on the deck, his thoughts far
away from the tropics. 1t was Thanks
giving and, in imagination, he was at
Belcher's Cove in his own dear home.
"My, but Can almost smell the turkey
and dressing" he mused. Sand see the
pumpkin pies on the pantry shelf. lwish
had one here. could eat it ALL
He was reused from his meditations by
his uncle's voice.