TO THE BLUFF, AND HOME. 379 



the wicked neglect of the most elementary duty of any 

 man calling himself a seaman. 



Then a period of regular Western-ocean weather set 

 in. It was early spring in the third year since our 

 departure from this part of the world, and the north- 

 easter blew with bitter severity, making even the 

 seasoned old captain wince again ; but, as he jovially 

 said, " it smelt homey, n' he warn't a-goin' ter growl at 

 thet." Neither were any of us, although we could have 

 done with less of a sharp edge to it all the same. 



Steadily we battled northward, until at last, with full 

 hearts, we made Cape Navesink (" Ole Neversunk "), and 

 on the next day took a tug and towed into New Bedford 

 with every flag we could scare up flying, the centre of 

 admiration — a full whale-ship safe back from her long, 

 long fishing round the world. 



My pleasant talk is done. I wish from my heart it 

 were better performed ; but, having done my best, I must 

 perforce be content. If in some small measure I have 

 been able to make you, my friendly reader, acquainted 

 with a little-known or appreciated side of life, and in 

 any wise made that life a real matter to you, giving you 

 a fresh interest in the toilers of the sea, my work has 

 not been wholly in vain. And with that fond hope I 

 give you the sailor's valedictory — 



(4) 

 so LONG I 



