“Didn’t you like to have him shove you ahead when you was a boy, sir?”
That was a thrust which Fred knew not how to parry, and he was silent.
“Don’t feel so bad, Mr. Williams. My brother William is only eighteen months younger than I am; he would like to come in here, and would get well broke in before I shall want to go.”
“But he’s a Griffin, too,” said Fred, despondingly, “and will clear out just as he becomes useful.”
When the ship was ready for sea, half the boys in the neighborhood wanted to go in her. Isaac took four, and several young men, who had been some in coasters, as ordinary seamen.
She was called the Casco.
Fred was married to Elizabeth Rhines the day before she sailed, the wedding being somewhat hastened, in order that Isaac might be present.
This was a most eventful year. Uncle Isaac, one Saturday night, created surprise enough by riding down to the store with his wife in a wagon, the first one that had ever been seen in the place.
“You’ve got yourself into business, Isaac,” said the captain. “Either you or Charlie have got to make me one this winter.”
“Then I must do it, Benjamin; for Charlie’s got enough to do this winter to take care of that baby.”