he wanted."

"Yes," replied Captain Jabez, "but this ain't New York city. No, sir,
not by a long shot. I am just as willin' to accommodate a fellow-man, or
a fellow-woman, for that matter, as any reasonable person is; but if the
President of the United States, and Queen Victoria, and the prophet
Isaiah was to come to me of a Saturday night, after I'd just got home
from a week's work, and ask me to start straight off and take them to
Sanpritchit, I'd tell 'em that I'd be glad to oblige 'em, but it
couldn't be done: and that's what I say to ye, sir,--neither more nor
less." And with this he picked up his basket and went into the house.

I was not discouraged, however, and when the captain came out I proposed
to him that he should take me to Sanpritchit the next day.

"No, sir," said he. "I never have sailed my grocery boat on Sunday, and
I don't feel like beginnin'."

I walked away, but shortly afterward joined him on board his vessel,
which he was just about to leave for the night.

"Captain," I asked, "when does Sunday end in this part of the country?"

"Well, strictly speaking, it's supposed to end at sunset, or commonly at
six o'clock."

"Very well," said I; "if you will start with me for Sanpritchit at six
o'clock to-morrow evening, I will pay you your price."

I made this offer in the belief that, with ordinary good fortune, we
could reach our destination before the Raynor yacht weighed anchor on
Monday morning.

Captain Jabez considered the matter. "I am going to Sanpritchit on
Monday, any way," said he; "and if you're in such a hurry to be there
the first thing in the morning, I'd just as lieve sail to-morrow evening
at six o'clock as not."

It was not much after the hour at which some people in that part of the
country, when they have a reason for it, still believe that Sunday comes
to an end, that the grocery boat left her pier with Captain Jabez,
Abner, Walkirk, and me on board. There was nothing at all exhilarating
in this expedition. I wanted to go rapidly, and I knew we should go
slowly. I had passed a dull day, waiting for the time to start, and, to
avoid thinking of the slow progress we should make, I soon turned in.

I woke very early, and went on deck. I do not know that I can remember a
more disagreeable morning. It was day, but the sun was not up; it was
not cloudy, but there was a filmy uncertainty about the sky that was
more unpleasant than the clouds. The air was cold, raw, and oppressiv