Chapter I: Preface

"CRINGLE AND CROSS-TREE" is the fourth of the UPWARD AND ONWARD SERIES, in which Phil Farringford, the hero of these stories, appears as a sailor, and makes a voyage to the coast of Africa. His earlier experience in the yacht on Lake Michigan had, in some measure, prepared him for a nautical life, and he readily adapts himself to the new situation. Being a young man of energy and determination, who puts his whole soul into the business in which he is engaged, he rapidly masters his new calling. His companions in the forecastle are below the average standard of character in the mercantile marine; but Phil, constantly true to his Christian principles, obtains an influence over some of them,--for vice always respects virtue,--which results in the permanent reform of two of his shipmates.

Fifteen years ago the fitting out of a slaver in New York harbor was not an uncommon occurrence, though, happily, now the business is wholly suppressed. What was possible then is not possible now; but the hero of the story, and many of his shipmates, regarded the horrible traffic with abhorrence, and succeeded in defeating the purposes of the voyage upon which they were entrapped. In such a work their experience was necessarily exciting, and the incidents of the story are stirring enough to engage the attention of the young reader. But they were battling for right, truth, and justice; and every step in this direction must be upward and onward.

In temptation, trial, and adversity, as well as in prosperity and happiness, Phil Farringford continues to read his Bible, to practise the virtues he has learned in the church, the Sunday school, and of Christian friends, and to pray on sea and on land for strength and guidance; and the writer commends his example, in these respects, to all who may be interested in his active career.

HARRISON SQUARE, BOSTON, August 21, 1871.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. IN WHICH PHIL TALKS OF GOING TO SEA, AND MEETS AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.

CHAPTER II. IN WHICH PHIL STARTS FOR NEW YORK, AND IS STOPPED ON THE WAY.

CHAPTER III. IN WHICH PHIL GOES EAST, AND MEETS CAPTAIN FARRADAY.

CHAPTER IV. IN WHICH PHIL VISITS THE BARK MICHIGAN, AND LOOKS AFTER HIS FINANCES.

CHAPTER V. IN WHICH PHIL MORALIZES OVER HIS LOSS, AND HEARS FROM ST. LOUIS.

CHAPTER VI. IN WHICH PHIL SIGNS THE SHIPPING PAPERS, AND RECOGNIZES THE NEW MATE.

CHAPTER VII. IN WHICH PHIL ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE FROM THE BARK MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER VIII. IN WHICH PHIL FINDS HIMSELF A PRISONER, AND FINDS SOMETHING ELSE.

CHAPTER IX. IN WHICH PHIL FINDS HIMSELF RATED AS AN ABLE SEAMAN IN THE PORT WATCH.

CHAPTER X. IN WHICH PHIL STANDS HIS WATCH, AND TAKES HIS TRICK AT THE WHEEL.

CHAPTER XI. IN WHICH PHIL MAKES A CRINGLE, AND VISITS THE CROSS-TREES.

CHAPTER XII. IN WHICH PHIL ASCERTAINS THE DESTINATION OF THE MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER XIII. IN WHICH PHIL GOES AFT, WITH OTHERS OF THE CREW, AND THEN GOES FORWARD.

CHAPTER XIV. IN WHICH PHIL SPEAKS FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE, AND A SAIL IS DISCOVERED.

CHAPTER XV. IN WHICH PHIL IS ASSIGNED TO AN IMPORTANT POSITION BY HIS SHIPMATES.

CHAPTER XVI. IN WHICH PHIL FINDS HIMSELF A PRISONER IN THE STEERAGE.

CHAPTER XVII. IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH THE CABIN STEWARD.

CHAPTER XVIII. IN WHICH PHIL AND OTHERS VISIT THE CABIN OF THE BARK.

CHAPTER XIX. IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS COMPANIONS OBTAIN POSSESSION OF THE MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER XX. IN WHICH PHIL ARGUES A POINT WITH WATERFORD, AND MOUNTS GUARD IN THE STEERAGE.

CHAPTER XXI. IN WHICH PHIL BECOMES SECOND MATE OF THE MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER XXII. IN WHICH PHIL LAYS DOWN THE LAW, AND IS AFTERWARDS MUCH ALARMED.

CHAPTER XXIII. IN WHICH PHIL COUNSELS PRUDENCE, AND RESORTS TO STRATEGY.

CHAPTER XXIV. IN WHICH PHIL PREPARES FOR A STRUGGLE, AND OPENS THE FORE SCUTTLE.

CHAPTER XXV. IN WHICH PHIL COMPLETES THE VICTORY, AND EMPTIES THE RUM BARRELS.

CHAPTER XXVI. IN WHICH PHIL REACHES NEW YORK, MEETS THE GRACEWOODS, AND ABANDONS CRINGLE AND CROSS-TREE.

CRINGLE AND CROSS-TREE;

OR,

THE SEA SWASHES OF A SAILOR.