at poetic and imaginative, the
figure was still a very decidedly moderate one, if the craft only proved
to be in somewhat as good condition as she was represented to be. This
also meeting with my carefully qualified approval, it was suggested
that, as the craft herself was lying in the East India Docks, I should
run down and look at her. My new friend and I accordingly took train,
and in due time arrived alongside.

It was hard work to restrain the expressions of admiration and delight
that sprang to my lips when my eyes first rested upon her, for she was a
little beauty indeed. Dirty as she was, and disordered and lumbered-up
as were her decks, it was impossible for the professional eye to
overlook her many excellencies; and before I had even stepped on board
her I had already mentally determined that if her hull were only sound,
the little barkie should be mine, and that in her I would seek for Dick
Saint Leger's long-lost treasure. For she not only came up to but far
surpassed in appearance the ideal craft upon which I had set my mind.
She was as handsome as a picture; with immensely taunt and lofty spars;
and though her hold was absolutely empty, her royal yards were across,
and the strong breeze that happened to be blowing at the time made
scarcely any perceptible impression upon her. She carried a small
topgallant forecastle forward, just large enough to comfortably house
two pig-pens, which in this position were not likely to prove an
annoyance to people aft; and the accommodation below for the crew was
both roomy and comfortable. Abaft the foremast, and between it and the
main hatch, stood a deck-house, the fore part of which constituted the
berthage for the steerage passengers, while the after-part consisted of
a commodious galley fitted with a large and very complete cooking-range.
The after-part of the deck was raised some two and a half feet, forming
a fine roomy half-poop, pierced only by the saloon companion, the saloon
skylight, and two small skylights immediately abaft it, which lighted a
pair of family cabins situated abaft the main saloon. The wheel was a
handsomely carved mahogany affair, elaborately adorned with brasswork;
the binnacle also was of brass, with a bronze standard representing
three dolphins twisted round each other; and the belaying-pins also were
of brass, fore and aft. These, and a few other details that caught my
eye, seemed to indicate that no expense had been spared in the