Australian Tales - Setis

and went on deck to take a look at the weather. There was a light air
from the north-west, with a clear sky overhead; so I said to the mate, ‘If
the breeze freshens at all, after the tide has slackened a bit, Mr. Shackles,
we'll up stick and be off; so see all clear for a start.’
“ ‘Ay, ay, sir,’ said the mate, but he looked rather dismal at me, for his
wife and children lived in a little house on the hill, just abreast of us, and
I think they were expecting him on shore for the day. However, he didn't
grumble, poor fellow! and I was sorry after a bit, that I had not let him go
on shore to say good-bye to them. Well, away he went forward and
turned the hands to, to hoist up the boats, and secure the deck lumber.
About ten o'clock I saw a lot of other vessels getting ready for sea, so I
gave the orders to heave the cable short, and cast the gaskets off the
yards. Just at that time I saw a boat put off from a rakish-looking
schooner, lying at anchor about a cable's length to wind-ward of me; and
as the boat passed close under the stern of my ship, I hailed the captain,
with whom I was slightly acquainted.
“ ‘Halloa, friend; where are you bound to?’ said I. ‘Arn't you going to
get under way, with this fine leading wind? or are you going for a day's
fishing?’
“ ‘No, sir,’ said he, ‘I'm going to church. I never sail out of harbour on
Sundays, for there is nothing gained by it, and it is not fair play to my
men to deprive them of their lawful day's rest. Besides, my owner
wouldn't allow it.’
“ ‘My blocks and sheaves! that's a superfine yarn, too,’ said I. ‘It's no
wonder you did not stay long in Messrs. Bousem, Tawt, and Co.'s
employ. Now I understand why they so soon unshipped you; for I
recollect hearing old Bousem himself arguing that very point, like a sea
lawyer, with one of his skippers; and proving, to his own satisfaction,
that it was right and proper to sail on Sunday; indeed, he showed very
clearly, that in some cases it was a sin not to do so. For instance, if the
wind was fair, he argued that it would be a contempt of God's
providential favours not to make use of it; consequently, the captain who
would not top his boom and be off to sea, if his ship was ready, was a
wicked sinner. It's a lucky thing for you, my friend,’ said I, ‘that old
Bousem is not your owner now, or you'd nap it pretty smartly for going
to church, and letting this fine fair wind blow to waste.’
“ ‘I have listened to old Bousem's logic,’ replied the little skipper,
smiling, ‘but it never induced me to ignore the Divine command, to keep
holy the sabbath day. My principle is to obey that law, even if I offend
owners. You had better pay out your chain again, captain, and come
ashore with me; and let your hands enjoy a day's rest, which is their due,
and you have neither legal nor moral right to deprive them of it.’
“ ‘Hoist the fore top-sail, Mr. Shackles,’ said I to the mate. My friend
in the boat took that for an answer, I suppose, for he shook his head and