wal--don’t forget me.”
“Never,” cried Bart, as he grasped his hand in farewell. The melancholy
captain then went round, and shook hands with all of them in silence.
Then he went on board of his schooner. The Antelope had been renovated.
All the traces of her mishap had been obliterated. A coat of neat
coal tar covered her fair outlines. Another coat of grease adorned
her tapering masts. Sundry patches were here and there visible on her
flowing sails. That hold which had once carried the boys over Minas Bay
was now filled with potatoes. The tide was high and on the turn. The
wind was fair. Corbet took the helm. The man Wade, whose old ‘oman’s
name was Gipson, who had been mate on their memorable cruise, sailed now
with Captain Corbet in the following capacities:--
1st mate,
2d mate,
Steward,
Carpenter,
Cook,
Cabin boy,
Boatswain,
Boatswain’s mate,
Crew.
The lines were cast off.
The Antelope caught the breeze, and yielding at the same moment to the
tide, she moved away from the land, and down the tortuous channel of Mud
Creek.
The boys followed along the banks of the creek till they reached its
mouth. Here they stood in silence.
Outside, a thick veil of fog covered the water, and hid all the scene
from view.
The Antelope sailed on, and, passing the boys, entered the water beyond.
The boys tossed up their hats, and breaking the solemn silence, sent
over the water loud shouts of good by.
The shout reached the ears of the captain. He turned. His mild face was
visible for a few moments as he waved his hand again and again in token
of adieu.
Then he turned again.
And so the boys stood there watching, until at last the Antelope entered
a thick fog bank, and bore the captain slowly away from their gaze.