It is a fine vessel, so far as I can judge, being a landsman." "Yes," said she, "and I have been on board of her and have gone all over her, and have seen many things which are queer and strange to me.

But the strangest thing about her, to my mind, being a landswoman, is, that she should belong to my father.

There are many things which he has not, which it would be easy to believe he would like to have, but that a ship, with sails and anchors and hatchways, should be one of these things, it is hard to imagine." Young Newcombe thought it was impossible to imagine, but he expressed himself discreetly.
"It must be that he is going to engage in trade," he said; "has he not told you of his intentions ?" "Not much," said she.

"He says he is going to cruise about among the islands, and when I asked him if he would take me, he laughed, and answered that he might do so, but that I must never say a word of it to Madam Bonnet, for if she heard of it she might change his plans." The wicked young man found himself almost wishing that the somewhat bad-tempered Madam Bonnet might hear of and change any plan which might take her husband's daughter from this town, especially in a vessel; for vessels were always terribly tardy when any one was waiting for their return.

And, besides, it often happened that vessels never came back at all.
"I shall take a little trip with him even if we don't go far; it would be ridiculous for my father to own a ship, and for me never to sail in her." "That would not be so bad," said Master Martin, feeling that a short absence might be endured.