It was in no cheerful mood that I joined Pepper at the end of the wharf.
I found that young gentleman leaning against the bulkhead gazing intently towards the islands in the harbor.

He had formed a telescope of his hands, and was so occupied with his observations as to be oblivious of my approach.
"Hullo!" cried Pepper, dropping his hands.

"Look there! Isn't that a bark coming up the Narrows ?" "Where ?" "Just at the left of Fishcrate Island.

Don't you see the foremast peeping above the old derrick ?" Sure enough it was a vessel of considerable size, slowly beating up to town.

In a few moments more the other two masts were visible above the green hillocks.
"Fore-topmasts blown away," said Pepper.