THE MATE'S STORY. 



came out and asked for him on deck, but no one had 

 seen him there. The men said that he was on the 

 poop when the guy gave way ; there was a general call 

 throughout the ship, but the captain was not found. 



" The first mate and I then went on the poop, and looked 

 well all round. On the bulwarks near the stern there 

 was a slight dent, and close beside it a streak of blood : 

 there was no doubt that the boom in its first swing had 

 knocked the skipper clean overboard, and the chances 

 were, had smashed some of his limbs too. We never saw 

 him more. The first mate took the command, and I told 

 him about the captain's vision; he laughed at me, and 

 told me I was a fool to believe in such rubbish, and 

 recommended me not to talk about it. I quietly tore the 

 leaf out of the log-book, and have got it now. I will 

 show it you." Saying this he went down to his cabin 

 and brought me up the sheet of paper ; which I read, and 

 found it as he had described. "We went on to the 

 Mauritius, loaded, and returned to England. I had no 

 opportunity of fulfilling my promise of writing to the 

 captain's wife, so immediately I could leave the ship 

 I started for Gosport to tell her about his loss. 



" I found her house from the address she had given me, 

 and walked once or twice up and down to consider all I 

 should say to her. It was any way a difficult thing and 

 one I did not like doing, having to relate the death of 

 her husband; and besides, women are inclined to think 

 there is always some neglect in others if an accident 

 happens to those they love. At last I plucked up courage 

 and knocked at the door. A decent-looking servant 



