To speak honest, I have no love for the brine.

I never had much.

But if it comes to a question of a fortune for you and the lads, it is another thing.

That's the only way to it for one born and bred a seafarer as I.' 'Would it take long to earn ?' 'Well, that depends; perhaps not.' The next morning Shadrach pulled from a chest of drawers the nautical jacket he had worn during the first months of his return, brushed out the moths, donned it, and walked down to the quay.

The port still did a fair business in the Newfoundland trade, though not so much as formerly.
It was not long after this that he invested all he possessed in purchasing a part-ownership in a brig, of which he was appointed captain.
A few months were passed in coast-trading, during which interval Shadrach wore off the land-rust that had accumulated upon him in his grocery phase; and in the spring the brig sailed for Newfoundland.
Joanna lived on at home with her sons, who were now growing up into strong lads, and occupying themselves in various ways about the harbour and quay.
'Never mind, let them work a little,' their fond mother said to herself.
'Our necessities compel it now, but when Shadrach comes home they will be only seventeen and eighteen, and they shall be removed from the port, and their education thoroughly taken in hand by a tutor; and with the money they'll have they will perhaps be as near to gentlemen as Emmy Lester's precious two, with their algebra and their Latin!' The date for Shadrach's return drew near and arrived, and he did not appear.