We rowed back to the Duncan with the survivors. Nine men gone--it was a hard story to take home with us, but we had it to do. It was all a part of fishing life, and so we put back for Gloucester.
XXII
ON THE CAPE SHORE
While we were into Gloucester, after taking home the crew of the Ruth Ripley, our vessel was put on the ways. That was after a talk between the skipper and Mr. Duncan. There is always something that needs attending to on a fisherman, and this time it was our water-tanks. And while they were being looked after, the Johnnie was overhauled, her bottom scrubbed and topsides painted. Old Mr. Duncan, we found, was beginning to take a lot of pride in our vessel and balked at no expense to have her in trim. And now that the Ripley was lost, he would have only two vessels to repre
