one's hand, and a general scramble resembling a panic ensued. Down came
the main topsail yard with a run, and broke in halves as soon as the
sudden jerk came on the lifts. In almost as little time as it takes to
write it, there was none of the revellers to be seen.

After the novelty has worn off, there is never any particular desire to
put to sea on the part of youngsters; but on this occasion the anxiety
to get out of the harbour was very marked. Many of the vessels got away
before the damage done to the _Silverspray's_ yard and sail became
generally known. The captain did not know that anything of the sort had
happened until he came down to take the vessel to sea, and being a
commonsense sort of man, instead of joining in the chorus of screaming,
as his owner was doing, he adjured him to cease wasting time in
declaiming against those who had done the mischief.

"We must set to work," said he, "and have the damage repaired; that is
more important than theorising as to who did it."

By the time the repairs were set in full swing, nearly the whole of the
culprits had passed over the bar aboard their respective ships into the
booming waves of the German Ocean. Many of them were destined never to
reach their destination, and many never more to see the paradise that
had given them so many ineffable days and nights. Sad hearts were
grieving over the sudden parting from those who were loved because they
were lovable. They seemed to be musing thoughts of poetry.

The _Silverspray's_ repairs were completed in two days, and she and
another vessel, that had been detained owing to her pump gear not being
ready, were towed out of the harbour in the face of a strong easterly
wind and a lowering glass. The portly, ruddy appearance and pronounced
lurch or roll of Captain Thomas Arlington left no doubt as to his
calling. He spoke with an assumed accent which resembled the
amalgamation of several dialects. He was usually called Tom by his
intimate friends, but mere acquaintances were not permitted to address
him in any such familiar fashion. In his younger days he gained
notoriety for having made several voyages to the West Indies, the
Brazils and Constantinople, and he was therefore looked upon as a
far-sailed and much-learned person. Owners vied with each other in
sounding his praises and competing for his services. They looked upon
him as a captain of the first rank, both in seamanship and education.
There was no question about t