A SUSPICIOUS CRAFT. 287 



Nevertheless, the vessel was not to be driven from 

 my mind, and I determined to risk at least one 

 trip in her. 



I boarded her the following day, and heard from 

 her crew that they were all going to leave. 



" No white man can stand such a wretch two 

 voyages," said an old tar to me. " You have no 

 thought of going in her, have you, boy? " 



I hesitatingly acknowledged my desire to make 

 a voyage in the Annie. 



" You're a fool that's all. But you're in lov 

 with the little craft." 



" Small blame to him," spoke up another of the 

 crew. " Sure, every one of us was in the same fix 

 this day two months ago." 



" Well, she's a darling," said a third, with a sigh, 

 " but the master is the devil." 



I could not find out in what respect the captain 

 resembled the individual last mentioned. Her 

 crew were going to leave; and with a jealousy 

 somewhat characteristic of British seamen, pre- 

 ferred to let me learn by experience the disagree- 

 able traits in the captain's character. 



So I determined not to be frightened at shadows, 

 but being able to do my duty, to ship in her, fear- 

 less of consequences. "When the captain made hia 

 appearance on deck, I walked aft, and asked him 

 for a berth for his next voyage. 



" You're a Yankee lad, are you not? " he asked, 



I replied in the affirmative. 



"Hav you heard any thing about me ashore? 



