60 THE CRATER; city. Betts knew nothing of navigation, while Bigelow might find his way into port on a pinch. On the other hand, Betts was a prime seaman a perfect long-cue, in fact whereas the most that could be said of Bigelow, in this respect, was that he was a stout, willing fellow, and was much better than a raw hand. The governor named Betts as his first, and Bigelow as his second officer. Brown remained behind, having charge of the navy in the gover nor s absence. He had a private interview with Mark, however, in which he earnestly requested that the governor would have the goodness " to pick out for him the sort of gal that he thought would make a fellow a good and virtu ous wife, and bring her out with him, in whatever way he might return." Mark made as fair promises as the cir cumstances of the case would allow, and Brown was satis fied. It was thought prudent to have eight white men on board the ship, Mark intending to borrow as many more of Ooroony s people, to help pull and haul. With such a crew, he thought he might get along very well. Wattles chose to remain with his friend Brown ; but Dickinson and Harris, though ready and willing to return, wished to sail in the ship. Like Brown, they wanted wives, but chose to select them for themselves. On this subject Wattles said nothing. W 7 e may add here, that Unus and Juno were united before the ship sailed. They took up land on the Peak, where Unus erected for himself a very neat cabin. Bridget set the young couple up, giving the furniture, a pig, some fowls, and other necessaries. At length the day for sailing arrived. Previously to de parting, Mark had carried the ship through t.h^ channel, and she was anchored in a very good und safe ^-o^dstead, outside of everything. The leave-taking took ^ace on board her. Bridget wept long in her husband s prxis, but finally got so far the command of herself, in ?at^ me an air of encouraging firmness among the Mh^r w^mct . By this time, it was every way so obvioi** Mark s pr sence would be indispensable in America, tb 3 * hi*-. ?,b<?en ? WHS regarded as a necessity beyond control S<vM ; t wa- hard to part for a year, nor was the last r j >-?" entire) free from anguish. Friend Martha Betts tr > w?. of f . ien "
