The Blue Clipper — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

rd - SE sin ,- “Ste. > s “4 - © e * od A . “ 4 ™ v A NEW HAND. 67 “Me,” answered Bend: “I’m a poor castaway that wants to ship.” = A rope was thrown him, and he clambered aboard; to. be | surrounded by a number of sailors, among them the officers-of the watch. “What do you want here?’ inquired the Iatter. “ Who are you ?” “ My name’s Jim Catch,” answered Bend, stroking his chin. 7 “ — was wrecked in the schooner Packer, off this coast. I've made my way here, hopin’ you’!] ship me, as your vessel is the only American one in these diggin’s.” As Bend’s manner seemed sincere, the officer said he would speak to the captain. He did so, and Watson at once came on deck to look at the man. He inspected him closely, without recognizing him, as. it had been too dark for him to obtain a good view of this per- son, on that night when he went to the assistance of Wand at Mr. Clare’s mansion. . The quick eye of the captain at once showed him that Bend was every inch a sailor. As he needed a couple of men, he immediately consented to ship the new-comer. “I pull a good oar,” said Bend, “ and would like, if you've no objection, to pull in your boat.” As this request was a natural one, the capt#in thought no- thing of the remark. He said he would see to it, Bend’s assumed name was put down upon the book. He was sent forward to at once attend to his duties, At about midnight, the captain had his quarter-boat jowered. - Bend had been chosen to pull. the amidships, in place af a man who, owing to the shortness of his arms, did not give sat-“ isfaction in handling so long an oar. The boat soon struck the beach. Muffled in a cloak, the captain departed, after-exthanging a few words with his cox- Soon after he was gone, Bend sauntered along the beach. The coxswain called him back. “ Who gave you orders to leave the boat ?” “T was only going a little ways,” answered Bend, “ you sar. tinly won't object to that.” ) - ; ¥ ; on, : conmicldooolks.Conn