NARRATIVE RESUMED. 389 



CHAPTER XV. 



But I have digressed long enough. I now return 

 to the old Pacific and her inmates, as she was when 

 we crossed the line, or a few degrees to the southward 

 of it ; at which time we lost sight of the Magellan 

 clouds. Shortly after this the glorious Southern Cross 

 disappeared from our view. These two constella- 

 tions had been for years our landmarks in the hea- 

 vens, (pardon the incompatibility of the expression,) 

 and had become so familiar that at night the horizon 

 seemed to us incomplete without them ; but still we 

 hailed their retirement from our view with delight, 

 for it was an earnest of home. For several nights 

 afterward we strained our eyes and patience in un- 

 availing search for the North Star. At last it was 

 sighted by a close observer. It was hailed by a 

 general shout, that made the welkin ring ; and hearts 

 warmed as day after day in our passage north we 

 opened still farther the glories of the northern sky ; 

 our own, with its fleecy scud and resplendent tints, 

 shedding refulgence on our free and happy land. 



And now, as we progressed day by day, it may be 

 wondered, what were the plans of our crew for the 

 future : all having gained little else than experience, 

 and that not being a disposable commodity at our 

 place of destination. But, kind people ! do not think 

 that any one of us felt poverty-stricken, or dependent 

 33* 



