Page:A Thousand-Mile Walk To The Gulf.djvu/233

Rh &quot;Well,&quot; said he, pointing toward the middle of the harbor, &quot;there is a trim little schooner loaded with oranges for New York, and these little fruiters are fast sailers. You had better see her captain about a passage, for she must be about ready to sail.&quot; So I jumped into the dinghy and a sailor rowed me over to the fruiter. Going aboard, I inquired for the captain, who soon appeared on deck and readily agreed to carry me to New York for twenty-five dollars. Inquiring when he would sail, &quot;To-morrow morning at daylight,&quot; he replied, &quot;if this norther slacks a little; but my papers are made out, and you will have to see the American consul to get permission to leave on my ship.&quot;

I immediately went to the city, but was unable to find the consul, whereupon I determined to sail for New York without any formal leave. Early next morning, after leaving the Island Belle and bidding Captain Parsons good-bye, I was rowed to the fruiter and got aboard. Notwithstanding the north wind was still as boisterous as ever, our Dutch captain