The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-06
CHAPTER XIV

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 Morning found them off the American coast opposite what ap- peared to be Delaware or Maryland A shout went up from the sailors Polly wept openly for joy, and Jer- rvs commands to the sailors were husky with feeling. That dim shore line was beautiful with the magic of home. Even Cabell Banks lost his blase man-of-the-world manner and tossed his hat jubilantly.
 To the north several sails were presently spied by the lookouts Jerry and Cabell consulted. They would maneuver nearer, they de- cided; if they were American ships they would speak them and learn their exact location.
 The maneuvering was done, and almost with disaster. The ships were discovered to be British frigates blocking Delaware Bay, the approach to Philadelphia. The Gray Gull's course was promptly shifted southward, and no harm done, save to taut nerves. The approach to Washington spread clear before them.
 On board there were several re- liable sailors who had gone out from Baltimore on the Gray Gull more than once and had stayed hopefully with her while she lay docked at Carteret. These men now proved of infinite value. They were able to help their New England officers round the treach- erous Cape Charles and enter Chesapeake Bay.
 The long blue Bay stretched away before them, free of hostile sails. AS they passed the mouth of the York and later of the Rap pahannock River, Cabell stared hard at the Virginia shore. On these rivers and on the James and Potomac, he knew, there lived the Virginia landed gentry who were said to feel themselves superior even to rich Boston bankers and importers. Englishmen under Sir Walter Ralegih had landed on these shores before the Mayflower had sailed to Plymouth Rock. It was very annoying to a young Bostonian to have to think of it. He was forced to call his new ound patriotism into play to dis l.el his malice. Virginia was one If the United States. he reminded himself. and no doubt was very agreeable place if you didn't mind the heat and if you could excuse the girls for being better educated in their heels than their heads |. Take Prudence Winthrop now. She could talk about other things than the latest dance figure.
 "A penny for your thoughts" i" Polly said. American money"
 T was thinking I must write two letters home and post them in Washington. One of them to my family" They both laughed.
 Jerry and Cabell supposed the most direct way to reach Washing ton would be to sail up the Poto- mac. The Baltimore sailors, how ever, with seaman's old distrust of rivers, advised avoiding the curving Potomac and sailing direct to Balti- more. From there, they suggested, Captain Banks could easily go to Washington by coach or horseback and procure the papers.
 This they agreed to do, Jerry the more readily because of Polly. Baltimore had good coach service to Philadelphia, and from the lat ter city she would have no trouble reaching home.
 When they had entered Balti- more harbor Jerry went to Polly who stood at the bulWark watch ing the men drop anchor. "Go below and get ready now, Polly. A sailors wife must be brisk"
 Get ready for what, Jerry?"
 "To go ashore, my sweet, with your dog and trunk"
 But, Jerry! You'd not put me ashore in Maryland when I belong in Connecticut" Her face showed honest amazement.
 Didn't you know, Polly, that I'd put you ashore at the first port? Did you suppose I'd keep you an hour longer at sea than I had to?"
 "Oh. Jerry! I'd not figured it out but I supposed you'd take me home to Lyme after you got your papers. might as well be honest and say I hoped you'd decide to keep me on board, Jerry. The way some of the shippers out of New England used to keep their wives aboard. I know an old woman at home who's been around the Horn on her husbands ship seven times.
 This is war time, Polly" He spoke with finality and with such regret that she could not make it harder for him.
 "All right, Jerry! But it's going to take Cabell a couple of days to go to Washington and back. Can I stay here till then?"
 "I'd thought to put you on a stage coach, Polly, and see you Gtarted on your way. I'd feel easier about you"
 But he could not resist her
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