8 M Y fc A . 34t 



in their conversation, as is the manner of Cape 

 men, were kind-hearted, hard-working people. 



They were plainly unused to the company of 

 such an outlandish fellow as I had by this time 

 grown to be. Every article of my clothing seemed 

 a curiosity to them. My old sea chest was an object 

 of mysterious interest to the little cook, who 

 evidently connected it in his mind with number- 

 less romantic adventures. The shrewd little fellow 

 lost no time in finding out my weak side, and hav- 

 ing once, as he judged, established himself in my 

 good graces, straightway importuned me for a 

 yarn ; and I soon found that Smyra that was his 

 singular name faithfully repeated my tough 

 yarns to his father, who used to smile good-na- 

 turedly at his childish enthusiasm, and at my, to 

 Mm, queer ways. 



For myself, the company of the child was grate- 

 ful to my feelings. I liked his unsophisticated 

 frays and ingenuous talk. And so I tried, and 

 juccessfully, to win his regards. These little Cape 

 boys start early into active life. Smyra had been 

 eook since his eighth year, and now at ten, with 

 all of the child about him yet, was as self-reliant 

 and shrewd, in matters appertaining to his pecu- 

 liar life, as many a young man at twenty-one. 



Our crew had their homes in a little village en 

 the Cape. It was the captain's custom to lay by 

 here for a day or two, on each trip. Accordingly, 

 when we were through the Yineyard Sound, on* 

 course was shaped toward Harwich, and by noo 



