In the version from the Forget Me Not Songster (1840), her lover tries to have her thrown overboard after discovering she is aboard. The basic story in all versions in the same: The woman disguises herself to get on her lover's ship, either to pursue him as her lover or to have him arrested for leaving her. (She usually has some other sailor help her get on board). When she is discovered her lover wants to get rid of her either because he isn't really interested in her or he doesn't want to be arrested. The crew want to throw her overboard, the captain intervenes and saves her. When they get to Canada she eventually marries the Captain. So, the answer to the OP's question is that the lover she initially pursues either does not really want her and she falls in love and marries the captain instead. Mick
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