I should say fifteen months at the earliest; and if double that time passes, without your hearing aught, then I should say you may give up all hope of ever seeing us again." "I am disposed even now, Reuben, to regret that I ever embarked in this venture--not, as you surely know, from any fear of losing the money that I have put into it, but from the risk that will be run by you and the lad Roger, who are both very dear to me." "Whatever comes, you must not blame yourself in that matter, Diggory.

You have only yielded to my solicitations, and if we go to our death it is our choosing, and none of thine." "Should the Swan come back without you, Reuben--as may possibly be, for if there be any danger you are sure to expose yourself in the front of it--Roger shall be as a son to me; and shall either in time have a ship to command, and a share in her, as thou hast; and he shall come in our business, when he has had enough of adventure at sea, and is willing to settle down on land." Reuben wrung his cousin's hand silently, and then said: "Let us take one more glass of strong water, Diggory, and then get a few hours' sleep before morning.

It is past midnight now, and I must be up by four; for at that hour the boat must go off for the first batch of our new hands." Day broke, just as the last batch of men were brought on board.

As soon as these had gone below the whistle was sounded, the old crew came up on deck, and the preparations for making sail commenced.
The anchor was hove short, the lashings of the sails were loosened, the flags run up to the mast heads, the last casks and bales lowered into the hold, the hatches put on, and the decks washed down.
Before these preparations were all complete, a little group was seen, standing at the end of the wharf.
"There is your good wife, Diggory, and the girls.

She has kept her word to be up, betimes, to see the last of us." At last all was ready, and Diggory shook hands with Reuben, and turned to Roger, when the captain said: "The lad can go in charge of the boat that takes you ashore, Diggory, and just say another word of parting to them there." In five minutes, Roger stood on the wharf.
"I cannot wait, Cousin Mercy," he said, "for all is ready for hoisting the anchor; but my father said I might just come ashore, for one more goodbye." "May God protect you, Roger," Mistress Mercy said, as she folded him in a motherly embrace.