“She’s an unlucky concern, skipper,” said the mate as he brought the axe to take the battons off the forehatch.  “A fellow might as well try to work a crab at low tide as to keep her to it in a blow like that.  She minds her helm like a porpoise in the breakers.  Old Davy must have put his mark upon her some time, but I never know’d a lucky vessel to be got as she was.  She makes a haul on the underwriters every time she drifts across; for I never knew her to sail clear since I shipped in the old tub.  If she was mine, I’d find a place for her at somebody’s expense.”

The sea became smooth, the water was found to have receded, the wind, light, had hauled to W.S.W., and Cape Antoine was judged by dead reckoning to bear S.S.W. about thirty miles distant.  The larboard fore-shrouds were found to have been scorched by the lightning, which had completely melted the tar from the after-shroud.  All hands were now busily employed repairing the wreck, which by two o’clock P.M. they had got so far completed as to stand on their course in the gulf, at the rate of six knots an hour.

The skipper now consulted in his mind as to the expediency of making for Havana or proceeding on his cruise.  The leak had materially diminished, and, like all old vessels, though she gave a good portion of work at the pumps, a continuation of good weather might afford an opportunity to shove her across.  Under these feelings, he was inclined to give the preference to his hopes rather than yield to his fears.  He considered the interest of all concerned—­consulted his mate, but found him governed by his superstition, and looking upon the issue of his life about as certain whether he jumped overboard or “stuck by the old tub.”  He considered again the enormous port-charges imposed in Havana, the nature of his cargo in regard to tariff, should his vessel be condemned, and the ruinous expenses of discharging, &c. &c. together with the cost of repairs, providing they were ordered.  All these things he considered with the mature deliberation of a good master, who has the general interests of all concerned at heart.  So, if he put away for a port, in consideration of all concerned, his lien for general average would have strong ground in maritime law; yet there were circumstances connected with the sea-worthy condition of the craft—­known to himself, if not to the port-wardens, and which are matters of condition between the master and his owners—­which might, upon certain technicalities of law, give rise to strong objectionable points.  With all these glancing before him, he, with commendable prudence, resolved to continue his voyage, and trust to kind Providence for the best.