The Last Cruise of the Spitfire; or, Luke Foster's Strange Voyage

e hatch was closed over me. Luckily I fell upon a pile of

d not know what had happened. Then I gradually became wide awake, and realized th

ce, but never dreamed that such a thing could occur so

For an instant I thought the affair might be my uncle's work, bu

on of the vessel, as the sailors got her under way,

see little or nothing. On all sides not a light was to be seen, and overhead only a single streak

I heard the creaking of the blocks as the sails were being hoisted, and the tramp of the sailors as they hurried arou

an inch or two this way and that, and for an instant I was alarmed lest a case of goods should by some chanc

udged it must be about the middle of the afte

have climbed up to the hatch, or shoved it open. But nothing

lty. I longed for a drink of water, and wondered how long I could

aw. Presently the hatch was raised, letting in a fl

ere!" he

out," I

easy if we do

ds. Why was I b

you bel

culated. "I don't be

t know anything about it myself. Here

thing would be better than remaining in the hold, I complied with

s a tall, lank individual, with a red beard and hair. The look on his face

imed. "So you're up at last.

ght on this shi

ll, now, that's a mighty good one

on board," I went on, "and I wa

ain gave

on board to speak to me in that fashion. You

I brought

you bel

t belon

es, yo

I never saw or heard

. Didn't you sign papers wit

e, and second, because Lowell was the name of one of the men I had overheard talking in the lumber sh

I replied. "I don't know Lowel

nse. L

aye,

seen upon the dock in

oster that signed

capt

than ever. How had the

o go forward with Lowell. He'll show you the ropes. Come, step lively. We allow no skul

st out in deep anger at the way I was being treated. "It is tr

ere is to it. Perhaps you were drunk when yo

and such was and is a fact

or I'll crack your head open with a marlinspike! I don't a

old man gets his dander up it will be a

d swimming for liberty. But land could be seen fully a good half-mile away, and

er before had I been so completely taken in. Sure

" I asked, as we rea

wo-masted schooner as sails, is the Spit

are we

ise, up the Down East co

o stay on shipboard! But perhaps I mig

he first

Bed

up to Boston, and a sojourn in that city would just suit me. All trace of my going there

ell, as he pointed the things out. "You had better save your good clot

ked, as I surveyed the greasy sh

ou obey orders and don't kick up any muss you'l

statement, but as nothing was to be gained by

hen it storms is the time all hands work lively, for their own sake as much as for the sake of any one else

atswain-for such Lowell