SATISFACTION ON BOARD 131 



would say when the intelligence reached their ears. 

 We afterwards heard that both favourable and un- 

 favourable opinions were expressed. For the moment 

 we could not trouble ourselves very greatly with that 

 side of the matter; my brother had undertaken to 

 announce the way we had taken, and I cannot say that 

 I envied him the task. After we had all given him 

 a final hearty shake of the hand he left us, and thereby 

 our communication with the busy world was broken off. 

 We were left to our own resources. No one can say 

 that the situation oppressed us greatly. Our long 

 voyage was entered upon as though it were a dance; 

 there was not a trace of the more or less melancholy 

 feeling that usually accompanies any parting. The men 

 joked and laughed, while witticisms, both good and bad, 

 were bandied about on the subject of our original situa- 

 tion. The anchor came up more quickly than usual, 

 and after the motor had helped us to escape from the 

 oppressive heat of the harbour, we had the satisfaction 

 of seeing every sail filled with the fresh and cooling 

 north-east trade. 



The dogs, who must have found the stay at Funchal 

 rather too warm for their taste, expressed their delight 

 at the welcome breeze by getting up a concert. We 

 felt we could not grudge them the pleasure this time. 



It was pure enjoyment to come on deck the morning 

 after leaving Madeira; there was an added note of 

 friendliness in every man's " Good-morning," and a smile 



