The trade-wind was still blowing fresh, and could be safely counted on now down to the coast of Madagascar, if not beyond that, for it was still early in the season.
I had no wish to arrive off the Cape of Good Hope before midsummer, and it was now early winter.

I had been off that cape once in July, which was, of course, midwinter there.

The stout ship I then commanded encountered only fierce hurricanes, and she bore them ill.

I wished for no winter gales now.

It was not that I feared them more, being in the _Spray_ instead of a large ship, but that I preferred fine weather in any case.