Harriet L. Wedgwood

“ If I drop them into the sea, you will have nobody to man your two ships. If I release them as they are, they will kill you and escape with the gold.”
“That is very true,” said the Mining Mariner. “But I had rather try my luck alone than with these men.”
“Perhaps,” said Billy; “but I have a mind to make these men serve you.”
At this the Pirates raged, and one of them
“‘Now,’ said Billy. ‘Take me to the pirates.’” said: “We have never served any man, and we will not serve this Mining Mariner. You may do many things, Big Man, but you cannot make us do this.” ”

“ First he went to the Old Woman of the Wood, and rapped three times on the door.
“Who ’s there?” asked the Old Woman of the Wood.
“It ’s I, Billy Bowline, going for to set out on my adventures.”
“How long shall you be gone?” asked the Old Woman.
“A year, I guess, or more or less,” replied Billy, “depending on the time it takes. What will you give me for my journey?”
“This stick,’ said the Old Woman. “Strike it on the ground to give yourself the strength and stature of a giant; wave it in the air when you wish to grow small.”
“Thank you, Old Woman of the Wood,” said Billy. ”

“ But I think you will have to wait, for I have nothing at all for you now.”
“Nevertheless,” said Billy, “I must have a boat now. I will take one of these models.”
“I cannot part with any of them,” said Hans; “they are my patterns, and I cannot spare them.”
“No doubt you can make others,” said Billy, “and I will pay you well’; and he laid three pieces of gold in the Shipbuilder’s hand.
Then Billy took his pick of all the models, and chose one with a very large sail and a small wooden sailor standing in the bow. ”