I dared not carry anything oversea that was not vitally necessary, and what good were pearls to me on my fearful journey, convoying four other people out into the unknown in a crazy, home-made boat?
Even masses of virgin gold were of very little use to me in the years that followed; but of this more anon.

My condition, by the way, at this time was one of robust health; indeed, I was getting quite stout owing to the quantity of turtle I had been eating, whilst Yamba's husband was positively corpulent from the same reason.
That glorious morning in the last week of May 1866 will ever be graven in my memory.

As I cast off from that saving but cruel shore, I thanked my Maker for having preserved me so long and brought me through such awful perils, as well as for the good health I had always enjoyed.

As the boat began to ripple through the inclosed waters of the lagoon, the spirits of the four blacks rose so high that I was afraid they would capsize the little craft in their excitement.
There was a strong, warm breeze blowing in our favour, and soon my island home was receding swiftly from our view.

The last thing to remain in sight was the shell hut, but this, too, disappeared before we had covered three miles.