"Here's your papers, Tommy," he says.

"Which?" I says.

"Captain's articles for Tommy Buckingham. Sign 'em," he says, "anddon't be monotonous," and I was that scawhite I signed my name so itlooked like a rail fence. I contracted to be master of the ship_Good Sister_, the same to go to Hong-Kong Manila, Singapore,and return.

"You go up to 'Frisco and 'list the crew," he says. "I'm comingmyself by-and-by to look 'em over."

It was my first ship, and long ago, but the pride of it sticks outof me yet.