H. Bedford-Jones

“ Though he saw her down the deck once or twice, Hampton had no further speech with Nelly Barnes all day; at the same time, he began to realize that the gossip must be hard for her to bear, since it filled all the ship and was swift to create dissension. His brother officers and many of the Beverly men who knew him, were warm to back his love-match; but the older men among the gold seekers, all of them hard-headed New Englanders of some position and means, were as swift to back up harsh Jed Barnes. ”

“ A fine day, eh?”
“Very,” said Hampton, and found Nelly's hand in his for a moment. Then he realized what had just been said, and looked at Johnson with a slight hardening of his eyes. “What's that? Jed Barnes wants to see me? Then let him come——”
The pleading look of the girl checked his words, and Adam Johnson chuckled.
“Upon my word, sir, I think you'd do well to obey the summons! We must all be friends aboard; it won't do to reach the gold fields with dissension in our midst. United we stand, divided we fall—an excellent axiom for our company, sir! ”

“ Wake up for'ard! Weather coming along fast, mister!”
The mate hastily abandoned the forecastle to Hampton and joined the skipper and the men. Caustic comments on the appearance of the hands were exchanged as the watches were picked, then the captain sent his starboard watch to get the gold company and their baggage stowed, and left the deck to the mate. Hampton had a glimpse of Nelly Barnes, standing with the other three women passengers, before they went below, as soon as the bar was crossed and the roll called. ”