Vessels were often delayed for days and mebbe weeks.
The Royal William was a week overdue--and then two--and then three.
And at last we began to be frightened, and it got worse and worse.
Fin'lly I couldn't bear to look into John Selwyn's eyes.

D'ye know, Mistress Blythe"-- Captain Jim lowered his voice--"I used to think that they looked just like what his old great-great-grandmother's must have been when they were burning her to death.

He never said much but he taught school like a man in a dream and then hurried to the shore.
Many a night he walked there from dark to dawn.

People said he was losing his mind.

Everybody had given up hope--the Royal William was eight weeks overdue.