When she arrived off the port the pilot-ship, a fine, able steam-tug, came out to meet her, and led the way in across the bar, for it was blowing a smart gale and was too rough for the sloop to be towed with, safety.

The trick of going in I learned by watching the steamer; it was simply to keep on the windward side of the channel and take the combers end on.
[Illustration: Captain Joshua Slocum.] I found that Durban supported two yacht-clubs, both of them full of enterprise.

I met all the members of both clubs, and sailed in the crack yacht _Florence_ of the Royal Natal, with Captain Spradbrow and the Right Honorable Harry Escombe, premier of the colony.

The yacht's center-board plowed furrows through the mud-banks, which, according to Mr.Escombe, Spradbrow afterward planted with potatoes.

The _Florence_, however, won races while she tilled the skipper's land.
After our sail on the _Florence_ Mr.Escombe offered to sail the _Spray_ round the Cape of Good Hope for me, and hinted at his famous cribbage-board to while away the hours.