"I have succeeded in engaging the first officer I wanted," added the young
man, "and he is now busy in looking up and shipping hands, at Stonington.
We must get half-a-dozen reliable men on the main, and then we can take
some of our neighbours here, as beginners, just to please them."

"Yes; ship a goodly number of green hands," said the deacon, zealously.
"They work at cheap 'lays,' and leave the owners the greater profits.
Well, well, Captain Gar'ner, things seem to be doing well in your hands,
and I will leave you. About two hours after dinner, I shall want to have a
word with you in private, and will thank you just to step across to the
house, where you will be certain to find me. Baiting Joe seems to have
hooked something there, in 'arnest."

"That has he! I'll answer for it that he has a sheepshead at the end of
his line that will weigh eight or ten pounds."

The words of Gardiner proved true, for Joe actually pulled in a fish of
the description and weight he had just mentioned. It was this sight that,
in the lightness of his heart, tempted the deacon to a little
extravagance. Joe was called ashore, and after a good deal of chaffering,
the deacon bought the prize for half a dollar. As Mary was celebrated for
her skill in preparing this particular fish, the deacon, before he left
the wharf, with the sheepshead hanging from one hand, fairly invited
"Captain Gar'ner" so to time his visit to the house, as to be present at
the feast.

Nor was this all. Before the deacon had settled with Joe, the Rev. Mr.
Whittle came on the wharf, confessedly in quest of something to eat. The
regular occupations of this divine were writing sermons, preaching,