Chapter 10 - Page 2

the very port of all others that was best suited to supply the
present wants of Roswell Gardiner. Pine timber, and spars of all sorts,
abounded in that region; and the "Banker," who acted as pilot, told our
young master that he could get the very sticks he needed, in one hour's
time after entering the haven. This term of "Banker" applies to a
scattering population of wreckers and fishermen, who dwell on the long,
low, narrow beaches which extend along the whole of this part of the
coast, reaching from Cape Fear to near Cape Henry, a distance of some
hundred and fifty miles. Within lie the capacious sounds already
mentioned, including Albemarle and Pimlico, and which form the watery
portals to the sea-shores of all North Carolina. Well is the last headland
of that region, but one which the schooners did not double, named Cape
Fear. It is the commencement, on that side, of the dangerous part of the
coast, and puts the mariner on his guard by its very appellation,
admonishing him to be cautious and prudent.

Off the entrance of Beaufort, a very perfect and beautiful haven, if it
had a greater depth of water, the schooners hove-to, in waiting for the
tide to rise a little; and Roswell Gardiner took that occasion to go on
board the sister craft, and express to Daggett a sense of the obligations
he felt for the services the other had rendered.

"Of course, you will not think of going in, Captain Daggett," continued
our hero, in dwelling on the subject, "after having put yourself, already,
to so much unnecessary trouble. If I find the spars the Banker talks of, I
shall be out again in eight-and-forty hours, and we may meet, some months
hence, off Cape Horn."

"I'll tell you what it is, Gar'ner," returned the Vineyard mariner,
pushing the rum towards his brother master, "I'm a plain sort of a fellow,
and don't make much talk when I do a thing, but I like good-fellowship. We
came near going, both of us--nearer than I ever was before, and escape
wrackin'; but escape we did--and when men have gone through such trials in
company, I don't like the notion of casting off till I see you all a-tanto
ag'in, and with as many legs and arms as I carry myself. That's just my
feelin', Gar'ner, and I won't say whether it's a right feelin' or
not--help yourself."

"It's a right feeling, as between you and me, Captain Daggett, as I can
answer for. My heart tells me you are right, and I thank you from it, for
these marks of friendship. But, you must not forget there are such persons
as owners, in this world. I shall have trouble enough on my hands, with my
owner, and I do not wish you to have trouble with yours. Here is a nice
little breeze to take you out to sea