Laura Brayton — page 157: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

148 : LAURA BRAYTON. a shadow. They are taking in sail when there isn’t wind enough to fan a baby’s cheek, and scarce a cloud in sight.” “Why is it? I cannot bear delay. I so long to reach the shore. Ido not wish to die atsea. IfI . can stand once more in my native city, look once more on scenes where J was blessed, I would die contented, if not happy.” 3 : “If Twas incommand you’d be in Baltimore in less than forty-eight hours, if I had to buy a tug to tow us there,” muttered the mate. “This morning at sunrise, I’d have beta year’s pay I’d be talking to my Sadia in four-and-twenty hours. Now, the next thing we’ll do after the canvas is in will be to stick our head seaward, like those porpoises. Just as sensibly, too. ’m going below to take a nap. If I can’t see Baltimore [’ll dream of it, by thunder.” The invalid, for such he evidently was, resumed his position by the ship’s rail, and again bent his wild, eager gaze upon the distant land. The seamen seemed to feelas the mate did about taking in sail, for though they obeyed every order the captain gave, it was not with that cheerful promptitude with which they would have set it. There they were, homeward bound, almost in an anchorage, no signs of a gale visible to them, yet preparing for it, and apparently lessening their best chance for a speedy end to a long and tiresome voy- age. Hor that ship, laden with teas and spices, had come from the far off Indies of the East, and for over half-a year had been winging her way toward the port now so close at hand. _ But men who have studied weather signs from boyhood up to old age seldom forget the lessons of a life time. GComicbooks.co