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"There was a good sea that day," he said, "and more than half a

gale out of the northeast. If it had been any other day I

shouldn't have taken the old May out at all, because she was

loaded very deep. But the whole trip was a hurry call and they

wanted me to get back to Mignon with the salt as soon as I could.

"Old Burns saw me on the wharf and asked if he could go along as

passenger. I said he could, and we started early in the morning.

Now that day wasn't anything unusual, Elsa. I've been in a lot

worse gales in the May, but not with her so deep; but I didn't

think anything would happen.