As I have just said, I am my own master and can do as I please, and I pleased to do that.

But for all the opportunity which a voyage sometimes gives, I did not succeed in making her acquaintance on shipboard, much as I desired it.

I was ill for the first three days and timorous the rest.

I could only watch her moving about the decks and wait for the happy moment in which I might be able to do her some service.

But that moment never came, and now it never will come." The mournfulness with which this was uttered seemed genuine.