THE SHIP SAILS AWAY

Summer was passing quickly now, and it would soon be time for the "long vacation" to come to an end.

Before they had to go the Sachem—that was the name of the new ship—was ready to put to sea. The children had admired her "figure-head," an Indian chief, gilded and painted in bright colors. The ship had taken on her whole cargo, the hatches were closed, and everything made tight and taut for her long voyage. She was bound for the Far East, the Captain told them. First she would touch at some South American ports, then go across the ocean to Africa, stopping at Cape Town, and other less important ports, then around the Cape and up the Indian Ocean to India; then to China and Japan. With the goods she had taken aboard she would trade with the different ports, either selling or exchanging what she had for the things made or raised in those far-away countries, which she would bring back home to sell in our markets. This was the way, Captain Hawes explained, that we got many good things that we couldn't raise in our own country.

The day the ship sailed, everybody turned out to wish her a good voyage.

With all sails set she was a beautiful sight; a gentle land breeze filled her sails and slowly and gracefully she drew away, headed for the open sea. The steamers and the tugs in the bay whistled salutes.

Captain Hawes, with a sigh, told the children that probably that was the last square-rigged ship they were likely to see leaving this port, as the old-style ship was now almost a thing of the past. The "fore-and-aft" rig was more practical and generally used where sailing vessels were still employed. But even they were all giving way before steam. Nowadays steamers, freighters, did nearly all the carrying trade.

They watched the ship till far, far away, as the sun was setting, she showed as a small black spot on the horizon.

And now it was time to leave Quohaug, for this summer vacation was ended. At home again they were just in time to see the review of the country's war fleet on the Hudson. This was the latest development of sea power, great, massive steel vessels, with no sails, driven by steam. They were grandly impressive, but just wait till you hear Bob and Betty tell of Quohaug and then you will know what ships with sails mean.