Left on Labrador | Page 5

or hear of anything at all to our minds in our harbor, and
came up home at about seven, P.M. Kit and Raed had not got back; nor
did they come in the morning, nor during the next day. A few minutes
before eight in the evening, however, we received a despatch from
Portland, Me., saying, "Come down and see it."
We went down on the morning train. The boys were at the dépôt.
"Couldn't find a thing at Gloucester nor Newburyport nor Portsmouth,"
said Raed. "But I think we've struck something here, if we can stand the
expense."
"Eight out here at the wharf," said Kit.
We walked across.
"There she is!" pointed Raed.
A pretty schooner of a hundred and seventy tons lay alongside.
"One year old," Raed explained. "Clean and sweet as a nut. Here from
Bangor with pine-lumber. Captain's a youngish man, but a good sailor.
We inquired about him. Appears like a good fellow too. Has been on a
cod-fisher up to the Banks; also on a sealer off Labrador. He's our man,
I think."
"And the best of it all is," said Kit, "he owns the schooner; can go if
he's a mind to. So we sha'n't be bothered with any old musty-fusty
owners."
"Well, what does he say?" asked Wade.
"He says he will put us up there this summer if we will give him a
hundred dollars per month, pay full insurance fees on the vessel, hire

him six good seamen, and give three hundred dollars for the use of
schooner; we, of course, to furnish ship-stores and provide a cook."
"Gracious! that's going to cost us something," said I.
"Yes; but it's about the best and only thing we can do," said Kit.
"Why does he want a new crew?" Wade asked. "Why does he not keep
these he has?"
"Says that these are all inexperienced,--green hands," replied Raed. "If
we are going up there among the ice on a dangerous coast, he wants
Gloucester boys,--Gloucester or Nantucket; prefers Gloucester. Thinks
six Gloucester lads will be about the right thing."
"Where is he?" asked Wade.
"Up at the Preble House."
We went up; when Wade and I were formally introduced to Capt.
George Mazard of the schooner "Curlew." Had dinner with him. Liked
him. He appeared then, as we have since proved him, a thoroughly
good-hearted, clear-headed sailor. As Raed had hinted, he was quite a
young man,--not more than twenty-seven or eight; middle height, but
strong; face brown and frank; features good; manner a little serious;
and attentive to business when on duty. On the whole, the man was
rather grave for one of his years. Occasionally, however, when
anything particularly pleased him, he developed a vein of strong, rich
mirth, which would endure for several hours. He impressed us at once
as a reliable man,--one to be depended on under any ordinary
circumstances. We decided (very wisely as I now think) to accept his
offer; and, after dinner, went down to the Marine Insurance Office to
take out a policy on the vessel. On learning that we were intending to
enter Hudson Straits, the agent refused to underwrite us: it was too ugly
a risk. He either couldn't or didn't want to understand the object of our
voyage. Here was a stick. Capt. Mazard declined to sail uninsured
unless we would take the risk. We did not much like to do that. Finally
Raed offered on our side to assume one-half the risk. After some

hesitation, this was agreed to; and a paper to that effect was drawn up
and signed.
We then went down to the wharf where "The Curlew" lay.
A fine, shaggy Newfoundland dog, black as a crow, came growling up
the companion-way as we jumped down on deck, but, perceiving the
captain, began to race and tear about with great barks of canine delight.
"That's a jolly big dog!" Kit remarked. "Keeps watch here while you
are off?"
"Yes, sir. Don't want a better hand. Never leaves the schooner without I
bid him. Wants his dinner too, I guess. I haven't been here since last
night."
"What's his name?" said Wade.
"Guard."
"He's a noble fellow," observed Raed. "Hope you will take him along
with you."
"I should be loath to go off without him."
Some changes below deck seemed necessary; and we arranged for
having the hold floored over, and a sort of rough saloon made, running
nearly the whole length of the vessel. Off the forward end of this saloon
was to be parted a cook's galley, with another section for the seamen's
berths. Also arranged for a skylight in the deck; in short, for having the
schooner made as convenient as possible for our purpose, at our
expense.
Leaving Capt. Mazard to superintend these