For, as our captain said, all power and human energy and strength are always going westward, and when they come here they must stop, or else they would be going eastward again, which they never yet have done.

His argument may have been right or wrong--and, indeed, it must have been one or the other--but who could think of such things now, with a grander thing than human power--human love fading away behind?
I could not even bear to see the glorious mountains sinking, but ran below and cried for hours, until all was dark and calm.
The reason for my sailing by this particular ship, and, indeed, rather suddenly, was that an old friend and Cornish cousin of Mr.Gundry, who had spent some years in California, was now returning to England by the Bridal Veil.

This was Major Hockin, an officer of the British army, now on half-pay, and getting on in years.

His wife was going home with him; for their children were married and settled in England, all but one, now in San Francisco.

And that one being well placed in the firm of Heniker, Banks, and Co., had obtained for his father and mother passage upon favorable terms, which was, as we say, "an object to them." For the Major, though admirably connected (as his kinship to Colonel Gundry showed), and having a baronet not far off (if the twists of the world were set aside), also having served his country, and received a furrow on the top of his head, which made him brush his hair up, nevertheless, or all the more for that, was as poor as a British officer must be without official sesame.