In less than an hour I returned with the paper, and this is a copy of my father's announcement--
WANTED.--Twelve ex-naval men to form the crew of an auxiliary yacht about to make a trip round the world. Twelve months' engagement. Must be single men of exemplary character.--Apply by letter, giving full particulars of rating, etc., to Box 1245, office of this paper.
"That's satisfactory," said the pater. "We'll run up to Plymouth to-morrow and call at the _Naval and Military Record_ offices, and get the letters."
"Aye; there'll be a score of replies in the post by now, if I'm not mistaken."
We went to Plymouth as arranged, and, upon calling at the office, we were handed a large wicker tray crammed full with letters and post-cards.
"All these for me?" asked the pater. "Yes, sir, and almost as many again will be in by to-night's post, I daresay."
"Then please destroy the rest, and insert a notice stating that the vacancies have been filled, for I've no doubt that I can suit my requirements from this budget."
From the newspaper office we went to a large firm of provision merchants, and ordered casks and tins of provisions to be sent round to Fowey for shipment on the "Fortuna," and thence to a sailmaker's, where my father ordered a huge square sail to be made to the design which he had drawn.
"What's that for?" I inquired as we left the sail-loft. "The 'Fortuna' does not carry square yards."
"Not at present," replied my father; "but she will do so ere long. I found that on our run down from Hamble, for with the wind dead aft there is always the danger of a gybe with a fore and aft rig, whereas with a square sail the comfort and freedom from mishap is infinitely greater. In the 'Trades' I have no doubt that the sail will be used for days together."
Then twenty suits of clothing for tropical and home use had to be ordered, together with numerous stores from a ship's chandler's, till, almost worn out with the exertions of the day, we returned home--but not to rest, for the huge budget of applications had to be read and classified.
It was a curious mixture. Some letters were well written, others mere scrawl; but the general tone of the whole batch was a willingness to undergo any hardship rather than starve in England.