3G6 TEE CRUISE OF TEE " CACEALOT» 



the sea with our double burthen, so much so that one of 

 the coasting steamers changed her course a bit to range 

 up by our side in curiosity. We were scarcely going 

 two and a half knots, in spite of the row we made, and 

 there was hardly room for wonder at the steamboat 

 captain's hail, "Want any assistance?" "No, thank 

 you," was promptly returned, although there was little . 

 doubt that all hands would have subscribed towards a 

 tow into port, in case the treacherous weather should, 

 after all, play us a dirty trick. But it looked as if our 

 troubles were over. No hitch occurred in our steady 

 progress, slow though it necessarily was, and as morning 

 lifted the heavy veil from the face of the land, we 

 arrived at our pretty little haven, and quietly came to 

 an anchor. The Chance was in port wind-bound, looking, 

 like ourselves, pretty low in the water. No sooner did 

 Paddy hear the news of our arrival in such fine trim 

 than he lowered his boat and hurried on board of us, 

 his face beaming with delight. Long and loud were his 

 congratulations, especially when he heard that we should 

 now be full. Moreover, he offered — nor would he take 

 any denial — to come with the whole of his crew and help 

 us finish. 



For the next four days and nights, during which the 

 wind prevented the Chance from leaving us, our old ship 

 was a scene of wild revelry, that ceased not through 

 the twenty-four hours — revelry entirely unassisted by 

 strong waters, too, the natural ebullient gaiety of men 

 who were free from anxiety on any account whatever, 

 rejoicing over the glad consummation of more than two 

 years' toil, on the one hand ; on the other, a splendid 

 sympathy in joy manifested by the satisfied crew under 

 the genial command of Captain Gilroy. With their 

 cheerful help we made wonderful progress ; and when at 



