Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance. The term of her probation was eight days.

But where, after all, would be the poetry of the sea were there no wild waves?

Now, it it well known that one cannot step on a tack without saying something about it.

To be taken into account were some years of schooling, where I studied with diligence Neptune's laws, and these laws I tried to obey when I sailed overseas; it was worth the while.

If the Spray discovered no continents on her voyage, it may be that there were no more continents to be discovered. She did not seek new worlds, or sail to pow-wow about the dangers of the sea.

...as the day wore on I watched the birds all flying in one direction, and said, Land lies there.

To young men contemplating a voyage I would say go.