A SURPRISE--MORE ABOUT BEMBO THE sight of the island was right welcome.

Going into harbour after a cruise is always joyous enough, and the sailor is apt to indulge in all sorts of pleasant anticipations.

But to us, the occasion was heightened by many things peculiar to our situation.
Since steering for the land, our prospects had been much talked over.
By many it was supposed that, should the captain leave the ship, the crew were no longer bound by her articles.

This was the opinion of our forecastle Cokes; though, probably, it would not have been sanctioned by the Marine Courts of Law.

At any rate, such was the state of both vessel and crew that, whatever might be the event, a long stay, and many holidays in Tahiti, were confidently predicted.
Everybody was in high spirits.