ou're coming about it, yes, yeou be," bawled the almost
frantic skipper, as the distance between him and his vessel was
increasing. "Put her abeout and head her up the ba-a-y!" But it was no
kind of use in talking, for Hezekiah could not raise the jib; and his
imperfect nautical knowledge, under such a snarl, completely bewildered
and disgusted him with the prospect. So saying over the seven
commandments and other serious lessons of youth, Hezekiah resigned
himself to the tumultuous elements, and concluded it philosophical and
scriptural resignation to let Providence and the old schooner fix out
the programme just as they might. It is commonly reported, that our
mackerel catchers, when a storm or gale overtakes them on the briny
deep, lash all fast and go below, turn in and let their smacks rip along
to the best of their knowledge and ability. They seldom founder or get
severely scathed; and these facts, or perfect indifference, having
entered the head of Hezekiah Perkins, he became perfectly unconcerned as
to future developments. Night coming on, the skipper saw his schooner
fast departing out to sea, and when she was no longer to be seen, he
made tracks for Boston, to report the melancholy facts to the owners of
the vessel and cargo, and see about the insurance.

Next morning, the skipper having discovered that the insurance was safe,
he found himself in better spirits; so he walked down along the wharves,
to take a look out upon the bay and shipping--when lo, and behold, he
sees a vessel so amazingly like his Two Pollies, that he could not
refrain from exclaiming:

"Hurrah! hurrah! By Christopher Columbus--if thar don't come my old
beauty and Hez Perkins, too--hurrah!"

The overjoyed skipper went off into a double hornpipe on a single
string; and as the veritable schooner came booming saucily up the bay
before a spanking breeze, with her jib spread, the skipper called out in
a voice of thunder and gladness:

"Hel-lo! Hez Perkins, is that yeou?"

"Hel-lo! Cap'n, I'm coming, by pumpkins! Clear the track for the Two
Pollies!" And putting her head in among the smacks of Long Wharf, Hez
let her rip and smash chock up fast and tight. When the captain landed
on his own deck, he rushed into the arms of his brave mate Hezekiah, and
they had a regular fraternal hug all round--and Hezekiah Perkins, in
behalf of his wonderful skill, perseverance and luck, was unanimously
voted first mate of the Two Pollies on the spot. It a