As she thought of all his kindness to
her, she was silent; and as the negro drew the mantle more closely about
her, he wondered if the little drop which fell upon his hand was of dew.
Preparations for the sailing of the Tantalizer were rapidly going on.
She was a stout-built ship of three hundred tons burthen, the pride of
her owners; and why should she not have been? for many a rich cargo had
she brought to them, thousands and thousands of dollars had she added to
their possessions; many a hurricane had she outrode, and as she sat so
proudly on the water, she looked as if she might outlive many more.
Captain Grosvenor had sailed master of her upon six successive voyages,
making a "telling" voyage each time, until, his fortune becoming
sufficiently ample, he had thought to spend the rest of his days on
shore; but, after a respite of seven years, he had become so restless,
and so longed to try his fortune upon the water again, that, receiving a
flattering offer from those in whose employ he had formerly sailed, he
consented, as he said, "for the last time," to make a voyage in his
favorite Tantalizer. Mrs. Grosvenor had earnestly hoped that her husband
would follow the sea no more, knowing that their means were sufficient
to supply all their wants; and since God in his providence had consigned
this little one to their care, she had congratulated herself that there
was one more tie to bind her husband to his home; and, indeed, the child
was as dear to him as if she had been his own flesh and blood; and as
those last seven years upon shore stood up before him, now that he was
about to leave all that was dear to him, as having been spent more in
keeping with God's laws than in any previous part of his life, he felt
that he was a better man.
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