A Thousand-Mile Walk 



One day soon after her arrival I went over 

 the key to the harbor, for I was now strong 

 enough to walk. Some of her crew were ashore 

 after water. I waited until their casks were 

 filled, and went with them to the vessel in their 

 boat. Ascertained that she was ready to sail 

 with her cargo of lumber for Cuba. I engaged 

 passage on her for twenty-five dollars, and 

 asked her sharp-visaged captain when he would 

 sail. &quot;Just as soon,&quot; said he, &quot;as we get a 

 north wind. We have had northers enough 

 when we did not want them, and now we have 

 this dying breath from the south.&quot; 



Hurrying back to the house, I gathered my 

 plants, took leave of my kind friends, and 

 went aboard, and soon, as if to calm the cap 

 tain s complaints, Boreas came foaming loud 

 and strong. The little craft was quickly 

 trimmed and snugged, her inviting sails spread 

 open, and away she dashed to her ocean home 

 like an exulting war-horse to the battle. Islet 

 after islet speedily grew dim and sank beneath 

 the horizon. Deeper became the blue of the 

 [ i44l 



