A PLEASANT AFTERNOON. 289 
fair wind, and every prospect of a short run. The schoon- 
er was a remarkably fast sailer, built after the model of 
one of our modern yachts, low and close to the water, with 
plenty of beam, and long, tapering, rakish spars. 
Her decks were without hamper, and showed from their 
whiteness that holystone was not spared; while the crew, 
which consisted of six men, the redoubtable Jock, and a 
sturdy negro, were as efficient, clean, and smart as could 
well have been found. The captain took a deal of pleasure 
in his craft, and handled her as none but a man of experience 
could; besides, he was half owner, and this made him have 
an interest in all the details that one employed by the month 
or cruise would be unlikely to possess. In talking to the 
skipper, reading, and looking over my tackle, the day pass- 
ed rapidly, and as night closed in and the breeze lessened, 
I concluded that I had seldom passed a pleasanter day. 
After supper, MacGregor produced his rods and fly-book 
for my inspection, and a long and careful examination we 
had of these common subjects of interest. His rods were 
remarkably heavy, longer than I should deem necessary, 
while his flies were coarsely tied, although the coloring was 
all that could be desired. If one had been dismembered, I 
have little doubt, from the dubbing and feathers of which 
it was composed, three, or at least two, of my treasures 
could have been fabricated. Of course, I soon produced 
my tools, to all of which he gave an abundance of praise, 
but doubted if they could do more execution than his own. 
My reel alone he acknowledged to be better than his, and 
coneluded, if ever he went to New York,* he’d be guilty of 
purchasing its counterpart. Bed-time arrived, and, having 
discussed a night-cap, I turned into my bunk, while the cap- 
tain went on deck to keep the middle watch with the sec- 
* Made by Andrew Clerk and Co., of Maiden Lane. 
13 
