Has the old bundle of
bones got him at last?" - "No; better than that. The California
has arrived." Letters, papers, news, and, perhaps, - friends, on
board! Our hearts were all up in our mouths, and we pulled away
like good fellows; for the precious packet could not be opened
except by the captain. As we pulled under the stern, the clerk
held up the package, and called out to the mate, who was leaning
over the taffrail, that the California had arrived.
"Hurrah!" said the mate, so as to be heard fore and aft;
"California come, and news from Boston!"
Instantly there was a confusion on board which no one could account
for who has not been in the same situation. All discipline seemed
for a moment relaxed.
"What's that, Mr. Brown?" said the cook, putting his head out of
the galley - "California come?"
"Aye, aye! you angel of darkness, and there's a letter for you
from Bullknop 'treet, number two-two-five - green door and brass
knocker!"
The packet was sent down into the cabin, and every one waited
to hear of the result. As nothing came up, the officers began
to feel that they were acting rather a child's part, and turned
the crew to again and the same strict discipline was restored,
which prohibits speech between man and man, while at work on
deck; so that, when the steward came forward with letters for
the crew, each man took his letters, carried them below to his
chest, and came up again immediately; and not a letter was read
until we had cleared up decks for the night.
