re loosed, and the order had been
given to heave up the anchor, when a boat was seen coming off from the
southern shore of the Mersey. A seaman sprung up the ship's side, and a
couple of chests were hoisted up after him. I was aloft. I looked down
on deck and saw Newman. I found that he had written to the captain, who
had reserved a berth for him, but it was still before the mast. He had
the promise, he told me, of a mate's berth should a vacancy occur; but
he observed, "I am not ambitious. With what I have I am content." He
asked no questions as to what I had been doing. It was not his way. He
was certainly free from vulgar curiosity; neither did he volunteer to
give me any account of himself. I told him one day what I had done with
the proceeds of the last voyage.

"Ah, you are wiser than I am, Williams," he answered, with a tone of
bitterness. "I thought so, or I should not have tried to make you my
friend. I have been seeing life, as it is called. I wanted to discover
what changes had taken place in the world during my absence--as if the
world could ever change. I found it deceitful, vain, and frivolous as
before. I have been buying experience. The whole remainder of my
possessions lies stowed away in those two chests. The most valuable
portions are a few new books for you and I to read and discuss; and this
time I have not forgotten a suit of shore going clothes, in case I have
to appear again in the character of a gentleman. And now, farewell--a
long farewell to England's shores! It may be that I shall never tread
them again! Why should I regret it? There are brighter skies and
richer lands in another hemisphere."

We had a quick run to Cape Horn, which we rounded in safety; and then
standing across the Pacific, we steered for the fishing-ground off the
coast of Japan. We were, as in our former voyage, very successful
indeed. I suspect that success in whaling, as in most other affairs of
life, depends very much on the practical knowledge, the perseverance,
and talent of those engaged in it. The master of a successful whaler
will be found to unite all these qualifications. He meets with whales,
because, exercising his judgment, and making use of the information he
has collected, he goes to the ground where they are likely to be met
with; he catches them, because he sets about it in the best way; and he
brings his ship home in safety, because he never for a moment relaxes
his care and watch