his greatly valued document, and give it
as it is:

"DEAR PARENTS,--We expect to arrive to-morrow morning. We have had
a devil of a voyage, and saw the _Silverspray_ founder, and asked
the skipper of the smack to report us. One pump going all the time
nearly. Then the decks were stove in and she nearly foundered
before it was discovered. I hope the _Spray's_ crew were safely
landed and reported us, as you would be anxious. We had to run
north before the hurricane until there was no daylight. She
wouldn't lie to. My word, what a sea! It was fearful to look at,
and the captain said we hadn't to, while steering. One day we saw a
barque founder with all hands. They were in the rigging waving, but
we could render no assistance. We got into 65 degrees north, then
the wind changed. It was very cold. Excuse bad writing, I am doing
it on the galley seat. We are very bad with saltwater boils and cut
hands. The two Swedes have their feet frostbitten: they are a
sight. Hoping this will find you all well as it leaves me at
present, except for the sores. We have had a fearful time. I
thought you would like to know soon, so I am writing this before
getting into port. Will add something more then. No more at
present.

"Your loving son,

"J. ROBINSON.

"PS.--The doctor says the Swedes will have to have the soles of
their feet cut off. Perhaps their feet altogether. I won't go back
in her again. If I have to be drowned, I want it to be fair. The
other men are leaving as well. We've been on short allowance for a
couple of days, the water was spoiled as well. We are going to have
a good feed now. Suppose we have to buy it ourselves."

II

CAPTAIN PLUNKER

The _Cauducas_ was a brig of 120 tons dead-weight. She was very old,
very rotten, and very leaky, and was constantly employed carrying coals
from a north-east coast port to France or London. The crew consisted of
the master, mate, cook, and able seaman, and three apprentices, one of
whom was cabin-boy. No one cared to inquire as to when and where she
was built. Wherever paint and tar could be used to cover up defects it
was liberally applied, but that did not prevent the water rushing into
her holds, causing the crew to have to carry her with the pumps from
port to port, as it were, in their arms. The winter voyages taxed their
skill and endurance so that scores of