UNCERTAINTY OF PERIOD OF OUR RETURN. 365 



an earlv return, because it was so much the more 

 desirable, and in accordance with my hourly wishes. 

 But such, I can safely say, was not the case ; for 

 even now, at the present writing, (January 31st, 

 1859,) I cannot, neither can any other in the ship 

 except the captain — all assurances to the contrary 

 notwithstanding — set a time, which they can firmly 

 believe themselves will be that at which we shall 

 real]}' start for home. So, I must be absolved from 

 the charge of writing at random ; and the blame 

 must rest, where it should : upon the captain's waver- 

 ing, and his being so easily influenced by others. 



31* 



