Sail was made again as soon as tide turned and, on turning out next morning at daylight, for he had not yet been assigned to a watch, Reuben found that the ship was lying at anchor in the Downs.
Two or three hours passed.
"What are we doing here, Bill ?" "We are waiting for the passengers.

They are all coming on board here.

I expect that big lugger you see, running out direct for us, 'as got them on board." "I wonder they didn't come on board when we started," Reuben said.
"I should think it would have been pleasanter than coming all the way down to Dover by coach." "So I should think, my lad; but you see, it ain't every time as a ship has the luck we've had.

It's a long job coming down to the Downs, if the wind don't serve.

We might have been beating about there, at the mouth of the Thames, for a week.