Ralph D. Paine

“ Staunton was far more convincing as a figure of authority.
For several days the voyage was placidly uneventful. It was, indeed, more like a yachting-cruise. Punctually a black sailor took another's place at the wheel, the meals were served at the stroke of the bell, and the watch on duty trimmed the sheets or worked at such odd jobs as splicing, painting, carpentry. Occasionally Captain Tredick consulted his charts, pencilled a straight line with ruler and dividers, or squinted at the sun through a sextant and covered a sheet of paper with figures. ”

“ Unsteadily she recited, halting between the hateful sentences:
"A friend warns you to be careful of your husband. There is a woman in the case. He has been devoted to her for some time. That is where his money goes. She may meet him in Norfolk next trip. He sees her as often as he can, and you are foolish to keep your eyes shut."
Silence followed the indictment. The very sound of it moved Sadie Marion to tears. Captain Tredick shifted in his chair, drew a long breath, gazed up at the skylight, and deliberately affirmed:
"It is all true, so help me, Sadie Marion." ”

“ There is a soft streak that sometimes shows when a man passes forty. I have known cases of it. They sort of forget their bearings and tack into trouble. Then it's time for their wives to stand lookout. Nothing personal intended, Mrs. Tredick. I am stating a general proposition."
She could not help glancing at the master of the Fannie Ellsworth, who stood at the taffrail examining the dial of the log. The mate smiled to himself and waited until she said:
"Wouldn't it be a kindness to warn a wife, Mr. Staunton?" ”

“ Oh, damn the rotten old basket of a James K. Haskell! You are too conscientious. You won't be leaving her in the lurch. I fixed that up with your owners to-day. They are delighted to see you shove ahead and they've found a man to go in her. You accept? All right. At my office, nine o'clock sharp to-morrow. Good-night, Captain Tredick."
Disregarding the curious postmaster, he hurried into the darkness and halted to collect his thoughts. This would be great news for Sadie Marion, but his native caution warned him to withhold it until confirmed beyond a chance of doubt. ”

“ This was an unusual display of feeling, but Sadie Marion ignored its tragic aspect, responding with a shade of criticism.
"But you cannot retire and live ashore. That is out of the question unless you can lay up money faster than this. With more push and ambition, Charles, would you be so resigned to remaining in a small four-master?"
This silenced him, and his wife relaxed to recover strength in a favorite chair. He had often tried to persuade her to live aboard the vessel with him, or at least make a voyage now and then, but her refusal was absolute. ”

“ Drive for the beach instead of standin' off to get sea-room? That's one sure way to send us all to hell. If your ground-tackle don't hold——"
"It was made to hold," interrupted the skipper, without heat. "You don't know what to do with a big schooner like this, Mr. Staunton. You have only sailed a few fair-weather voyages in her. It's sure disaster for one of 'em to be blown offshore in a gale like this."
"You never set foot in an Ellsworth schooner until this trip," truculently boomed the mate. ”

“ So that's your style," snorted the owner. "I am hiring you to make money in her. The other man found no fault."
"He let her run down, Mr. Ellsworth. Winter is coming on and I take no chances with worn-out stuff. Quick passages mean dividends, and I understand she hasn't been earning them."
"What if I tell you to go to the devil with your extravagant nonsense. Captain Tredick?"
"Then you can look for another skipper, sir," was the sharp retort.
"You'll do," boomed Marvin Ellsworth. "A bantam with spurs, hey? ”

“ My turn next for giving you the plain truth?"
"Your turn next, you big, ignorant lubber," challenged Captain Charles Tredick. "Jump on deck. Go for'ard and drag out enough men to wear ship and steer the course I set. Shall I show you how?"
"Anchor with the lee shore under our bow, in a murderin' gale of wind?" growled the other.
A light chair was lashed against the wall with twine. The sinewy hands of Captain Tredick plucked it loose and, as a bludgeon, he swung it in a sidelong blow. It crashed and splintered against the head of Mr. Staunton, who fell sprawling. ”

“ I understand, Sadie Marion," he interrupted, a little nervously. "A fine run from Norfolk, with a regular snoozer of a fair wind, brought us in two or three days earlier than I had reckoned."
"Isn't that nice! I must rest a few minutes while you tell me about it. You are looking so well, Charles."
"Why not? Just twiddled my thumbs and let the James K. Haskell jam her cargo of coal along. You are a very handsome woman, my dear, and growing more so. ”

“ Until midnight they toiled in preparation and Captain Tredick's wife found that she was not altogether pretending a youthful zestfulness. The excitement of the adventure caused her to forget herself. They were ready to close the house, leave the cat next door, and depart for Portland in the earliest morning train. ”

“ His lip quivered and his eyes were suffused as he gently told her:
"A man in my trade has to win such an honor without any pull or favor. I was hoping you'd like to run down with me in the morning and look the ship over. ”