If the ship be in harbour, he also glances his eye at their accounts; and he generally takes occasion to indulge in a little kindly gossip about their mess, their love of the sea, and the last letters they received from home.
Thus the gallant skipper, as well as his gallant crew, has seldom much spare time on his hands during the forenoon of Sunday.

I should be right glad, indeed, to be informed what day, or hour, or even what half-hour, in the whole week, from end to end, the captain can fairly call his own.

Not one! Every other person on board has his hour, or his four hours, or his eight hours of rest, and of relief from all anxiety; but the poor captain has not a minute.

He is the chief over all, it is true; but he pays dearly and deeply for this distinction in the shape of heavy responsibilities, and perpetual trials of various kinds.

Our poet says, "uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"-- I am quite sure that unburdened never lie the shoulders that wear two epaulettes.