Now the caulkers began their part of the job.  When caulked and scraped, she was painted, her rigging was overhauled and got into its places, the masts and yards were sent aloft, and all the sails were overhauled.  A tier of casks, filled with fresh water, was put into her lower hold for ballast, and all the stores necessary for the voyage were sent on board her.  Among other things overhauled were the provisions.  Most of the beef and pork was condemned, and no small part of the bread; still, enough remained to take the ship’s company to a civilized port.  So reluctant was the governor to come to the decision concerning the crew, that he even bent sails before a council was again convened.  But there was no longer any good excuse for delay.  Betts had long been back, and brought the report that the sandal-wood was being hauled to the coast in great quantities, both factions working with right good will.  In another month the ship might be loaded and sail for America.

To the astonishment of every one, Bridget appeared in the council, and announced her determination to remain behind, while her husband carried the ship to her owners.  She saw and felt, the nature of his duty, and could consent to his performing it to the letter.  Mark was quite taken by surprise by this heroic and conscientious act in his young wife, and he had a great struggle with himself on the subject of leaving her behind him.  Heaton, however, was so very prudent, and the present relations with their neighbours—­neighbours four hundred miles distant—­were so amicable, the whole matter was so serious, and the duty so obvious, that he finally acquiesced, without suffering his doubts to be seen.

The next thing was to select a crew.  The three men who had declined becoming citizens of the colony, Johnson, Edwards, and Bright, all able seamen, went as a matter of course.  Betts would have to go in the character of mate, though Bigelow might have got along in that capacity.  Betts knew nothing of navigation, while Bigelow might find his way into port on a pinch.  On the other hand, Betts was a prime seaman—­a perfect long-cue, in fact—­whereas the most that could be said of Bigelow, in this respect, was that he was a stout, willing fellow, and was much better than a raw hand.  The governor named Betts as his first, and Bigelow as his second officer.  Brown remained behind, having charge of the navy in the governor’s absence.  He had a private interview with Mark, however, in which he earnestly requested that the governor would have the goodness “to pick out for him the sort of gal that he thought would make a fellow a good and virtuous wife, and bring her out with him, in whatever way he might return.”  Mark made as fair promises as the circumstances of the case would allow, and Brown was satisfied.