“Oh, the _Anne_, Captain Williams,” said Peterson, with a contemptuous smile,—“the last and the most insignificant vessel which leaves our port. The owner, P. Gregg, is not a liberal person to deal with; the captain is a good seaman, but a stubborn brute,—quite as unfit for the society of ladies as Captain Ayre. To tell you the truth, we have little choice in these matters. It is not the manners of the men we employ we generally look to, but to their nautical skill. There is, however, one great objection to your taking passage in the _Anne_, which I think it right you should know. She has a most objectionable freight.” “In what respect?” “She is loaded with brandy and gunpowder.” “By no means a pleasant cargo,” said Lyndsay. “What do you say to that, Flora?” turning to his wife. “I will tell you to-morrow: do wait until then.” In order to pacify her evident uneasiness, Lyndsay promised to postpone his decision. When they reached their lodgings, they found a short, round-faced, rosy, good-natured looking individual, waiting to receive them, who introduced himself as Mr. Gregg, the owner of the _Anne_. He had learned from Captain Williams, that they had been inspecting the capabilities of his vessel. “She is a small ship,” said he, “but safe; the captain, a steady, experienced seaman; and if Mr. Lyndsay engaged a passage for himself and family, he would grant the most liberal terms.” Lyndsay mentioned his objections to the freight. “Who told you that?” asked the little owner, somewhat excited. “Mr. Peterson. We parted from him only a few minutes ago.” “The scoundrel! the mean, dirty scoundrel!” said Gregg, stamping on the floor. “Why, Sir, Mr. Lyndsay, his own ship carries the same freight. What did he say about that?” “He told me yesterday, she took out a general cargo——” “Of brandy and gunpowder. Both vessels are employed by the same house, and take out the same freight. You must, however, please yourself, Mr. Lyndsay. The _Flora_ has a great number of passengers of the lowest cast,—is old and crank; with the most vicious, morose captain that sails from this port. I know him only too well. He made two voyages for me; and the letters I received, complaining of his brutal conduct to some of his passengers, I can show you at my office.” “You have said enough, Mr. Gregg, to deter me from taking my wife and child in the _Flora_. The deceitful conduct of Mr. Peterson alone would have determined me not to contract with him. And now, what will you take us for? Our party consists of my wife and infant, a lad of thirteen years who accompanies us, a servant-girl, and myself.” Mr. Gregg considered for some minutes. “Well,” he said, “there is a large party of you; but I will give your wife, child, and self, a cabin passage, finding you in the same fare as the captain, and the lad and servant a second cabin passage, but the privilege of the cabin-table, for thirty pounds. Is that too much?” “It is very liberal indeed. Peterson asked fifty.”