'Most ev'ry man owns some kind of
a boat; and o' course a man's cap'n of his own craft--or 'doughter be.
But I reckon Abe Silt aimed his title honest 'nough."
"How?" urged Lawford.
"When Abe fust come here to Cardhaven there was still two-three wrecking
comp'nies left on the Cape. Why, 'tain't been ten years since the
Paulmouth Comp'ny wrecked the _Mary Benson_ that went onto Sanders Reef
all standin'. They made a good speck out o' the job, too.
"Wal, Abe bought into one o' the comp'nies--was the heaviest stockholder,
in fac', so nat'rally was cap'n. He never headed no crew--not as I ever
heard on. But the title kinder stuck; and I don't dispute Abe likes it."
"But about his brother--this Captain Amazon?" The line of Cap'n Joab
Beecher's jaw, clean shaven above his whisker, looked very grim indeed,
and he wagged his head slowly. "I don't know what to make of all this
talk o' Cap'n Abe's," was his enigmatical reply.
Lawford turned to gaze curiously at the storekeeper. He certainly looked
to be of a salt flavor, did Cap'n Abe Silt, though so many of his years
had been spent behind the counter of this gloomy and cluttered shop.
Pages:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42