eerage,
and Mr. Morton and the girl had a good half hour's discourse to
themselves in the cabin."

"I should be sorry to have Mr. Morton try to engage the poor girl's
affections; and if I thought he had any improper intentions towards her,
I would go ashore immediately, and speak to the old governor about it."

"Well now, Captain Hazard, I guess there isn't no danger on that tack.
Mr. Morton may go adrift now and then among the girls, and where's the
man that doesn't? No, no; Charlie Morton isn't none of them sort that
would gain a poor girl's affections only to ruin her. No no; he's too
honorable and noble-spirited for such a rascally action as that."

"Well, I am of your opinion. So now, Mr. Coffin, we'll set up our
fore-rigging for a full do; for we must sail Wednesday evening, right or
wrong."

"Ay, ay, sir."

When Morton returned to the ship at night, he hastened to lay before
Captain Hazard the history of his love, and his plans for bringing it to
a successful crisis, declaring that his intentions were strictly
honorable, and that the lady might easily pass upon the crew as a
passenger. The old seaman heard him to an end, as he urged his request
with all the fervor of youthful eloquence and love; and, having
scratched his head for a while, as if to rouse himself, and be convinced
that he was awake, replied:

"A queer sort of business this altogether, my son; I don't exactly know
what to make of it--what will your father say to your bringing home a
young cow-whale, in addition to your share of the oil?"

"Make yourself easy on that score, my dear sir; I know my father wishes
to have me quit going to sea, and marry."

"Yes, but is not a wife, brought into your family in this way, liable to
be looked upon as a sort of contraband article--run goods like?"

"I am not much afraid of that, on my father's part," said Morton; "and
if," he continued, laughing, "if the grave old ladies of my
acquaintance find fault, I can quiet them in a moment, by quoting the
conduct of the tribe of Benjamin, in a similar situation, by way of
precedent."

"Ah, Charlie! your scheme, I am afraid, is all top-hamper, and no
ballast; wont the enemy give chase? I am sure that Don--Don--what's his
name, that young officer, more than suspects your good standing in the
young lady's affections: wont he alarm the coast, and put the old folks
up to rowing guard round her, so that you can't communicate? Ay, that he
will."

"Trust me for t