334 



INQUIRY FOR OGDEN. 



[1829. 



for business. They inquired after the health of the crew, and dropped 

 several manly tears for the fate of young Ogden, one of them exclaim- 

 ing, " Ah ! who shall tell his widowed mother this ! His sisters too — 

 'twill break their hearts to hear the dreadful news." 



I now took my leave, and in a few minutes more held a dear form 

 in my arms which had been rendered senseless by the sudden joy 

 arising from my unexpected appearance. But such revulsions of na- 

 ture are seldom fatal. 



" But recollection whispered yet a joy 



'Twas hers to give, and from the trance she starts, 

 Puts in his arms their little infant boy, 

 Love's precious pledge, that closer binds their hearts." 



CHAPTER VII. 



A Sister's Inquiry for her Brother — An Evasive Answer — The Fatal Truth dis- 

 closed — A Mourning Family — Pious Resignation — A Funeral Sermon — Dis- 

 charge the Cargo — Visit Stonington — Preparations for another Voyage in the 

 Antarctic — Domestic Affairs — A Wife resolved to accompany her Husband — 

 Vain Expostulations — Arguments pro and con — The Embarkation — The Pilot 

 dismissed. 



Thus far all had been pleasure and congratulation. Several friends 

 had dropped in to wish us joy, and welcome my return. Among the 

 rest a beautiful young lady, who had formed an intimacy with my 

 wife during my absence, made her appearance. Owing to the agita- 

 tion and confusion ever attendant on such joyful occasions, the usual 

 etiquette of a formal introduction was forgotten or neglected, and my 

 fair visiter opened the conversation without ceremony, her eyes spar- 

 kling with vivacity and pleasure as she spoke. 



" Oh, Mrs. Morrell, I congratulate you with all my heart. Captain, 

 I am so glad that you have returned. I hear that your beautiful new 

 vessel the Antarctic is at quarantine. I suppose she will be detained 

 some time. How soon do you think she will be up 1 — Or will your 

 men be allowed to come to the city to see their friends 1 You must 

 let my brother William come up, if it is only for one night, or else we 

 shall all go down to see him, and board you by force of arms. Your 

 Antarctic, with all her guns, cannot oppose a female press-gang, who 

 have so strong a claim on one of your crew. We must have Wil 

 liam." 



" William ! What William !" I inquired, as a very unpleasant sus- 

 picion flashed across my mind. " We have several fine fellows of that 

 name. Which of them do you claim, miss ?' 



" Why my brother, to be sure, William Ogden, the last man you 

 shipped, the very day before you sailed ; he gave us the slip at a few 

 hours' notice, for which I mean to give him a round scolding, after I 



