268 THE WHALEMAN'S ADVENTURES. 



There are few so alone in the world as not to 

 have some dear friends to love and be anxious 

 about ; and two or three years will often make 

 sad ravages in even the smallest circles. All 

 this every one, that has had much experience 

 of life's realities, thinks about, and hopes, and 

 fears; and the flutter of blended anxiety and 

 joy increases, the nearer one gets to his father- 

 land. 



Moreover, it is true, as matter of fact, that 

 dangers actually multiply as you make the land ; 

 and you think how many events may step yet 

 between you and home ; and you remember 

 how many that have braved the dangers of 

 foreign travel, and remote, inhospitable seas, 

 have been lost in returning, on the rocks and 

 breakers of their own rude coast. You call to 

 mind those lines of Dante : 



" For I have seen the bark, that all day long 

 Sail'd straight and steady, perish at last, 

 Even in the haven's mouth !" 



There is not a captain out of Massachusetts 

 Bay, coming in from the southward and east- 

 ward, from a long voyage, a little in doubt, per- 



