maybe we sail for
Matanzas de Cuba, to take aboard a sugar freight for the
Baltic--either Stockholm or Cronstadt; so that when we make
Boston-light it will be November, certain. How does that suit ye,
gentlemen?"

I was forced to muster all my stoicism to refrain from whimpering; Mr.
Langley gave utterance to a wish, which, if ever fulfilled, will
consign the cities of Cronstadt, Stockholm, and Matanzas to the same
fate which has rendered Sodom, Gomorrah, and Euphemia so celebrated.
Mr. Brewster alone seemed indifferent. That worthy gentleman snapped
his fingers, and averred that he didn't care a d--n where he went to.

"Besides," said he, "a trip up the Baltic is a beautiful summer's
work, and we shall get home in time for thanksgiving, if the governor
don't have it earlier than common."

"Matanzas!" inquired Langley; "isn't there where Mr. Stowe moved to,
captain?"

"Yes," replied the skipper, "he is Mr. Byrnes' correspondent there--"

"Egad, then, Frank, we shall see the girls, eh, old fellow!" and Mr.
Langley began to recover his serenity of mind.

"Beside all this," added the skipper, "Frank has a cousin in
Matanzas--a nun in the Ursuline Convent."

"So I have just found out," said I; "father bids me to be sure and see
her, if possible, and says that I must ask you about it. It is very
odd I never have heard of this before. By the bye, Bill, my boy, look
at this here!" and I displayed a draft on Mr. Stowe for $200.

At this moment Mr. Stewart's state-room door opened, and he appeared.
It was evident that he had heard bad news. His face was very grave,
and his manner forced.

"Frank," said he, "you must excuse my company to-night. Langley will
be glad to go with you; and as we sail so soon, I have a good deal to
do--"

"But," said I, hesitating, "may I inquire whether you have received
bad news from home?"

"On the contrary, very good--but don't ask any questions, Frank; be
off, it is very late to go now."

"Langley," said I, as we were supping at a _cafe_, after the closing
of the theatre, "isn't it odd about that new cousin of mine?"

"Ay,", replied my companion, "and it is odd about Stewart's actions
to-night; and it will be odd if I don't kiss Mary Stowe; and it will
be odd if you don't kiss Ellen; and it will be odd if I arn't made
second mate after we get home from this thundering long voyage; and,
finally, it will be most especially odd if we find all our boat's crew
sober when we get down