termined to have an answer from him, if he
beat it out with his fists; and though his heart revolted at the bare
thoughts of passing at least a year in the same ship with such a stupid
creature, yet it seemed to be his only chance for reaching the coast of
Mexico in season; "yes sir, and the owners have directed me to you; they
know that I am very desirous of going out in the ship, and they approve
very much of my recommendations and certificates. My name is Charles
Morton; I am the son of old General Jonathan Morton, of New Bedford; I
was out last voyage with Captain Isaiah Hazard, of Nantucket, in the
whaling ship Orion; I am perfectly well acquainted with the west coast
of South America, from Baldivia to St. Joseph, and up the Gulf of
California; I am about five-and-twenty years of age, and have been three
voyages as mate of a vessel; for further particulars, I beg leave to
refer you to the papers in my pockets; I am somewhat in a hurry, and
should feel very much obliged if you would let me have your answer as
speedily as possible."

Captain Slowly, who had never heard an oration of one quarter part the
length addressed to himself before, seemed for a few minutes completely
bewildered. At last, after drawing a prodigious long breath, he
ejaculated, "Well, I declare, I never."

Morton, having waited a reasonable time to give the man a chance to
recover his scattered faculties, at last asked, "Well, Captain Slowly,
what do you think of it? shall we make a bargain?"

The captain was now completely startled out of his half existent state,
and began to talk and act like a man of middle earth; that is, he began
to ask questions.

"Well, let's see; you say you was 'long of old Captain Isaiah Hazard?"

"Yes; are you acquainted with him?"

"I've heard tell on him. Let's see, where do you belong?"

"To New Bedford; are you much acquainted down that way?"

"Some."

"Perhaps, then, you may know my father, old General Morton?"

"I've heard tell on him"----A pause, during which Captain Slowly took a
fresh chew of tobacco, and Morton looked at his watch with great
impatience----"Well, let's see; what kind of a time did you have on't
'long with old Captain Hazard?"

"Very good."

"Make a pretty good v'y'ge?"

"Middling: thirty-two hundred barrels."

"Well, I declare"--another pause--"well, let's see. Calculate to go
round that way again?"

"Yes; and that's what I have called to see you about: the owners approve
o