From India we proceeded back again to Australia, going to Melbourne this time; finally coming home to England, round the Cape of Good Hope--a good two years after I joined my new ship; for it was in October that I landed in Liverpool, while I had started away from Cardiff in the _Esmeralda_ two years and five months previously exactly.
I was, however, all the better for my absence; for I had saved up over a hundred and fifty pounds, and I had grown a big strapping chap, with whiskers and beard in a small way, of which I was very proud.
Need it be asked where I first bent my steps on leaving my ship at Liverpool?
Why, to Plymouth, of course! I got there early in the morning; and, being acquainted with Sam Pengelly's every-day practice, I knew exactly where to come across him, that is, unless he should happen to be ill; for every morning--except Sunday, when he always went to church, unless he chanced to be on board his little foretopsail schooner, which was not likely at this time of the year--he was invariably to be found on the Hoe, seated on one of the benches in front of Esplanade Terrace, looking over at the vessels out in the Sound, below and beyond.
Here I sought him; and here I found him, sure enough! He did not see me coming; so, going behind the seat on which he was sitting, I clapped him suddenly on the back, exclaiming at the same time, in slight paraphrase of his old address to me that memorable December day when I first heard his friendly voice-- "Hallo, old cockbird! How are you ?" Gracious me, you should only have seen him jump!.