However, the
manifest was cheerier. There's about five thousand
dollars of the whole value in silks and teas and nut-
oils and that, all in the lazarette, and as safe as if
it was in Kearney Street. The brig was new coppered a
year ago. There's upwards of a hundred and fifty
fathom away-up chain. It's not a bonanza, but there's
boodle in it; and we'll try it on."
It was by that time hard on ten o'clock, and we turned
at once into the place of sale. The FLYING SCUD,
although so important to ourselves, appeared to attract
a very humble share of popular attention. The
auctioneer was surrounded by perhaps a score of
lookers-on--big fellows for the most part, of the true
Western build, long in the leg, broad in the shoulder,
and adorned (to a plain man's taste) with needless
finery. A jaunty ostentatious comradeship prevailed.
Bets were flying, and nicknames. "The boys" (as they
would have called themselves) were very boyish; and it
was plain they were here in mirth, and not on business.
Behind, and certainly in strong contrast to these
gentlemen, I could detect the figure of my friend
Captain Trent, come (as I could very well imagine that
a captain would) to hear the last of his old vessel.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234