Upon alighting from the train, I besought me to find an hotel at which I was not long and booked at the White Hart Hotel tho' I never noted the street. Had my luggage brought up from the station and then tidied up a bit after the dusty journey. I would have been justified in going to bed immediately to regain some of the sleep that was denied me on the journey but I was too impatient to see it through. Having come all this way in pursuit of an object, should I now lie down to sleep when perhaps to do so would let it to slip out of my reach? No, carry on, see it thro'. I locate the U.S. Consulate and inquire about the PHYLLIS. He curtly informs me that she had shipped all her men a few days ago and was even now lying in the readstead awaiting her skipper's pleasure. All the way down, I had feared such an answer, yet when I received it full in the face I was not dismayed, strange to say. I bustled into the train for Port Adelaide ever hopeful of the other grain-ships in port for there were three others. Sitting there in the train, dog-tired from my journey I must have presented a woebegone appearance to the other occupants of the carriage many of whom were bound out to Semaphore Beach for a day's bathing. Of an aspect denoting disappointment and a body worn by fatigue I sat there and thought how fortunate to be a "part of things," firmly established so to say and not be obliged to flit hither and thither in chase of ambition. But when I lit off the train and espied the rigging of a ship far down the street my fatigue was gone and my feet bounded over the pave with a spring. At last, I was coming to grips with Fate; bringing the matter to a head and soon I'd know what a bed I had made for myself. I liked the heavy, ponderous appearance of the British four-masted barque GARTHPOOL and as she lay alongside, her black hull and massive stump-to-gallant rigging reflected in the placid water shimmering in the noonday heat, I thought to myself, "There's a ship, boy." I climbed aboard and made inquiries, first of an apprentice, then of the 2nd Mate who was in charge, the Mate being laid up. Her crew had run away and only her cadets, ten in number were left, so there'd be no trouble getting in her. I hung about till the Old
Man tramped aboard and he was anxious to ship men right off, instantly. He'd pay nine pounds and I was to come aboard in the morning via the Customs Boat at Semaphore, for even now the vessel was expecting a towboat momentarily to go to an anchor outside. He had below and held the articles open for my inspection but I balked. It was altogether too fast, too breath-taking to suit me. I must first find out about my passport and shipping permit at the Customs and provide myself with a few needs. Then I must perform considerable letter-writing and most urgent of all I needed a good rest. And here was a ship being offered me! Under any other circumstances it's very likely that I would have shipped, but I backed out at any rate and don't rue it. Her focsle amidships was gloomy and dark and I heard she fed poor. Then, she was going up to finish loading at Melbourne and load grain for Europe which would likely occupy her over a month. In that time I'd probably lose heart and quit thus throwing my plans out of line again. No, I reckon I did best to hang out. As I stepped ashore from her I felt like a man who has just escaped the possibility of being coaxed into a bad bargain and I felt the better for it. I strolled leisurely about the dusty street of Port Adelaide, never minding even their names but observant of the Seaman's Mission, Sailor's Home, the Customs House and places I thought it would be to my advantage to know. I learned that Paul & Gray, the shipchandlers handled the providing of the boat PHYLLIS and I made for their stores. They told me where I'd probably find Capt. Haskell and hence I bustled to the Royal Arms Hotel where I found him at dinner. As he made his exit, or rather as I noted a smooth-shaven, cautious-stepping old gent come out, I asked him if he was Capt. Haskell. Receiving reply in the affirmative I stated my business and he repeated what the Consul had already told me. "However," said he, "the Captain of the SKAREGROM, the Norwegian full-rigger wants two men, why not see him?" At this time I was but little interested and told him I had banked on the PHYLLIS. Later by way of diversion I strolled over
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