It is a bad reef, and any considerable sea would
knock her bottom out. You settle down here, skipper, and rest up and get
the fever out of your bones. When the _Flibberty-Gibbet_ comes back,
you'll take charge again, of course."
After Dr. Welshmere and the _Apostle_ departed and Captain Oleson had
turned in for a sleep in a veranda hammock, Sheldon opened Joan's letter.
DEAR MR. SHELDON,--Please forgive me for stealing the
_Flibberty-Gibbet_. I simply had to. The _Martha_ means everything
to us. Think of it, only fifty-five pounds for her, two hundred and
seventy-five dollars. If I don't save her, I know I shall be able to
pay all expenses out of her gear, which the natives will not have
carried off. And if I do save her, it is the haul of a life-time. And
if I don't save her, I'll fill the _Emily_ and the _Flibberty-Gibbet_
with recruits. Recruits are needed right now on Berande more than
anything else.
And please, please don't be angry with me. You said I shouldn't go
recruiting on the _Flibberty_, and I won't. I'll go on the _Emily_.
I bought two cows this afternoon. That trader at Nogi died of fever,
and I bought them from his partner, Sam Willis his name is, who agrees
to deliver them--most likely by the _Minerva_ next time she is down
that way.
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