the young captain was walking fast towards the dwelling
of Deacon Pratt, Watson came on deck again, and hailed Baiting Joe, who
was fishing at no great distance from the wharf. In a few minutes Watson
was in Joe's boat, bag and all--he had not brought a chest on board--and
was under way for the Harbour. From the Harbour he sailed the same
evening, in a whale-boat that was kept in readiness for him, carrying the
news over to Holmes's Hole that the Sea Lion, of Oyster Pond, would
certainly be ready to go out as early as the succeeding week. Although
Watson thus seemingly deserted his post, it was with a perfect
understanding with his real employers. He had need of a few days to make
his own preparations before he left the 41st degree of north latitude to
go as far south as a vessel could proceed. He did not, however, leave his
post entirely vacant. One of Deacon Pratt's neighbours had undertaken, for
a consideration, to let the progress of events be known, and tidings were
sent by every opportunity, reporting the movements of the schooner, and
the prospects of her getting to sea. These last were not quite as
flattering as Roswell Gardiner hoped and believed, the agents of the
Vineyard company having succeeded in getting away two of Hazard's best
men; and as reliable sealers were not to be picked up as easily as pebbles
on a beach, the delay caused by this new stroke of management might even
be serious. All this time the Sea Lion, of Holmes' Hole, was getting ahead
with untiring industry, and there was every prospect of her being ready to
go out as soon as her competitor. But, to return to Oyster Pond.

Deacon Pratt was in his porch ere Roswell Gardiner overtook him. There the
deacon gave his young friend to understand he had private business of
moment, and led the way at once into his own apartment, which served the
purposes of office, bed-room and closet; the good man being accustomed to
put up his petition to the throne of Mercy there, as well as transact all
his temporal affairs. Shutting the door, and turning the key, not a little
to Roswell's surprise, the old man faced his companion with a most earnest
and solemn look, telling him at once that he was now about to open his
mind to him in a matter of the last concern. The young sailor scarce knew
what to think of it all; but he hoped that Mary was, in some way,
connected with the result.

"In the first place, captain Gar'ner," continued the deacon, "I must ask
you to