swiftly past. I then rose, and felt my way up
the companion steps, not doubting to find the same black, weeping night
I had left; instead of which my mind was instantly relieved by the
spectacle of a high, clear sky, crowded with stars, with the firm ebony
line of the horizon showing sharp against the distant starry reaches,
and within half a mile of us on our starboard beam the huge shape of an
ocean steamer, some vessel from who shall tell what distant part of the
world--the Cape, the Indies, the far-off Australias--sliding past us it
seemed almost half as fast again as we ourselves were going, a vast
symmetric shadow, like an island, with ore bright point of light only
visible to my eyes.

I waited until she had drawn ahead, then turned in afresh, this time
between the sheets, and slept like a top.

The change of weather, the clearness of the night helped us, and some
time about two o'clock on the afternoon of Monday the _Mermaid_, with
the _Spitfire_ in tow, was steaming into Mount's Bay. I stood with
Grace on my arm looking. The land seemed as novel and refreshing to
our sight as though we had kept the sea for weeks and weeks. The sun
stood high, the blue waters delicately brushed by the light wind ran in
foamless ripples, the long curve of the parade with the roofs of houses
past it dominated by a church came stealing out of the green slopes and
hills beyond. A few smacks from Newlyn were putting to sea, and the
whole picture that way was rich with the dyes of their canvas.

The steamer was brought to a stand when she was yet some distance from
Penzance harbour, but long before this we had been made out from the
shore, and several boats were approaching to inquire what was wrong and
to offer such help as the state of the _Spitfire_ suggested. Caudel
and Captain Verrion came to us where we were standing, and the former
said:

"I'm going aboard the dandy now, sir. I'll see her snug and will then
take your honour's commands."

"Our address will be my cousin's house, which is some little distance
from Penzance," I answered; "here it is," and I pulled out a piece of
paper and scribbled the address upon it. "You'll be without anything
in your pocket, I daresay," I continued, handing him five sovereigns.
"See to the boy, Caudel, and if he wants to go home you must learn
where he lives, for I mean to sell that yacht there, and there'll be
money to go to him. And so farewell for the present," said I, shaking