on board, and very
busy getting ready for sea.

"So you are off to-morrow, Levee?" said I, before all the people on
the deck.

"Yes," he replied.

"I wish I was, too; but I am to remain ten days longer, I find."

"I was in hopes we should have cruised together," replied Captain
Levee; "but we must do as our owner wishes. What detains you?--I
thought you were ready."

"I thought so too," I replied; "but we find that the head of the
mainmast is sprung, and we must have a new one. I have just come from
the owner's, and must set to work at once, and get ready for shifting
our mast. So, fare you well, if I do not see you before you sail."

"I am to see the owner to-night," replied Levee. "Shall we not meet
then, and take a parting glass?"

"I fear not, but I will come if I can," I replied; "if not, success to
the Arrow!"

"And success to the Sparrow-Hawk!" replied Levee, "and God bless you,
my good fellow."

I shook hands with my kind friend, and went over the side of the
lugger into my boat, and then pulled for my own vessel. As soon as I
got on board, I sent for the officers and men, and said to them--

"We are to shift our mainmast for one that is three feet longer, and
must work hard, that we may be able to sail as soon as possible. I
cannot allow any of you to go on shore till the work is finished; when
it is done, you will have leave as before till we sail."

That afternoon I sent down the topsail-yard and topmast, unbent the
mainsail, main-topsail, and gaff--sent down the topmast and
running-rigging on deck--cast loose the lanyards of the lower rigging,
and quite dismantled the mainmast, so as to make it appear as if we
were about to haul to the wharf and take it out. The men all remained
on board, expecting that we should shift our berth the next day.

On the following morning I laid out a warp to the wharf, as if
intending to haul in; and at the time appointed, I went on shore to
the owner, and told him what I had done.

"But," he said, "I find that you will have to sail this night as soon
as it is dark. How will you get ready?"

I replied that at nightfall I would immediately replace every thing,
and in an hour would be ready for sea.

"If such be the case, you have done well, Mr. Elrington, and I thank
you for your zeal on my behalf, which I shall not forget. Every thing
has been arranged, and you must come up here with some of your seamen
as soon as you are ready to sail. Your men, or rather