The next day I went aboard the 'Semiramis,' where, when I appeared upon the quarter-deck, I found myself an object of some interest.

The report that I was the man about to command the 'Brian,'-- that was the real name of the old craft,--had caused some curiosity among the officers, and they all spoke to me with great courtesy.
After waiting a short time I was ordered to go below, where the admiral, his flag-captain, Dawkins, and the others were seated.

They repeated at greater length the conversation of the night before, and finally decided that I was to sail in three weeks; for although the old schooner was sadly damaged, they had lost no time, but had her already high in dock, with two hundred ship-carpenters at work upon her.
"I do not shorten sail here to tell you what reports were circulated about Cove as to my extraordinary change in circumstances, nor how I bore my altered fortunes.

It is enough if I say that in less than three weeks I weighed anchor and stood out to sea one beautiful morning in autumn, and set out upon my expedition.
"I have already told you something of the craft.

Let me complete the picture by informing you that before twenty-four hours passed over I discovered that so ungainly, so awkward, so unmanageable a vessel never put to sea.