H. A. Lamb

“ He would report truthfully what I had done, I told him, and ask that I be listed for duty on the Madeleine when the schooner returned to the islands and picked me up.
“Aye, Mr. Haskins, that may be,” said McShea grimly, “but I’ll be bringing another government agent with me, for ’tis not likely ye will join me.”
Once the die was cast, I saw to it that we got the best outfit possible from the stores of the Madeleine. McShea had the best of everything on the schooner and he did not stint us—even adding some quinine and sherry of his own to our slender stock. ”

“ At Big Bay McShea landed his returns. And then Jack Stuart told the skipper that he planned to leave the Madeleine. Not only that, he intended to take enough tucker and stuff to get along for two weeks.
McShea sought for—and found—words to fit the occasion.
“Man,” he cried, “have ye lost the wits the Lord has given ye? What will ye do for two weeks on yon benighted stretch o’ weeds an’ hills an’ foul rivers? The Madeleine will not lay off Santo for two weeks to dry-nurse ye!” ”

“ When I met McShea again, some three years later, I thanked him for his kindness. He said then that he had hoped to dissuade the lad up to the last and had pulled off to the ship with a heavy heart. There was much good feeling under the gruffness of the skipper. Quin, as I have said, was killed shortly after. An Irishman does not belong in the labor trade. ”