Cruise of the Lily.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 57, 14 October 1890, Page 3

Cruise of the Lily.

Written for the “ Pelorus Guardian

{All Bights Reserved.)

In the meantime Captain Hatfield lodgings for himself and in a respectable part of the town, crew had all left and gene to try '’their fortunes at the diggings, but be had secured the services of an old salt to look after the vessel. ' ' When Arthur arrived he found both Captain and Mrs Harfield complaining ot the heat, both said that Australia was too hot for them, and stated their intention of going to New Zealand, where the climate they had beard was far more pleasant. Arthur said that he quite agreed with them as he did not admire being roasted himself, so it was arranged that they should leave for New Zealand as soon as Harry returned. In the meantime Arthur gave Rose no peace until she consented to an early wedding, and he bribed her mother and sister to hurry on the preparations with some beautiful and costly presents. At the end of three weeks Harry tu-ned up. He having had a good opportunity, bad sold out his claim, and with the proceeds and the gold he had got himself, .came back a richer man by a thousand pounds than when he left. Hd was very glad when he heard of his father-in-law’s intention of going to New Zealand, for like the rest he found the climate far too hot,.especially when the hot winds blew. He said that he should always feel grateful to Australia for the nice little rise she had given him, but he had never ceased to feel like a tallow caudle since he landed on her golden shore, and really believed that if he stayed much longer there would be nothing of him left but his skeleton, and then his wife would apply for a divo r ce. This opinion procured him a smart box on the ear from the charming Lily, and then he had to wrestle for a kiss, which no’ doubt added greatly to his warmth.

A few days after Arthur and Rose were married, and Captain Harfield set about engaging another crew at once, and at the end of a fortnight they were all once more afloat on the deep blue sea.

Thev laid in Wellington for six weeks,’ ard the Captain with Harry and Arthur made several excursion? inland. The young men were greatly pleased with what they saw, but nothing suited the Captain, who, when it came to the pinch, could not reconcile himself to settle in what he called an uninhabited country. Finally he declared his intention of .returning to England via the Indian Archipelago. He told his sons-in-law to please themselves if they preferred to jtay, but that of course he would far rsooner they went with him. However, {they were not allowed much choice tor {the ladies settled that they should all return to England, and not break up tthe family party Accordingly they put to sea with a iine fair wind, and in a few hours the grand mountains of New Zealand with their ever-green shrubs and snowcapped pf-aks vanished for ever from their view.

Passing through Torres Strait they made the Island of Tiraorlant when they. brought up and remained for a month, for although they were to the north; of Australia the Trade Winds kept the air cool and pleasant, and they enjoyed themselves very much. At length the Captain, growing impatient, they resumed their voyage, and sailing through the Straits of tiunda best of their way to the Cape of Good Hope, For family reasons they had to make a long stay at the Cape, and there Lily, Mrs Lyford, presented her husband with the first pledge of their affection in the shape of a lusty young son. They had an average voyage from the Cape to Old Knglahd, and were nearly three months at sea.' However, they sighted, the, laud of their birth at last, and once more, anchored safely in the River Thames,

Jhere Captain Harfield,; through the importunity of his wife, aud by the advice of his sons-in-law,, sold the barque and bought a small farm in ‘Devonshire, or rather he aud Harry Lyford bought it between ihem, as they had agreed to live together. Arthur bought an estate close to •them, any with his lovely Rose lived in ihappiness and peace. As the years rolled by they brought both sons and daughters to Arthur and ijjfcry, much to the delight of the old The Captain has quite got over his restless disposition now, and, as he says, has settled down for the rest of his natural life, but he is never tired of relating over and over again to his grand children all that happened in his last

Cuuise in the Lily.

The End.