arly attired. I did not see you yesterday, being
busy with the cargo, so that it's all the more pleasant to meet here.
But work is the order of the day now. You'll give me a good
character to the captain, won't you? Good-bye for the present.'

"I cannot tell how much this meeting has depressed me. Certainly I
have no reason for disbelieving the man's story, but the frequency
and strangeness of our meetings make it hard to believe them
altogether accidental. I saw Railton in the afternoon: he is greatly
altered for the worse, and, I should think, had been drinking heavily
before he shipped; but the captain was evidently too short of hands
to be particular. I think I will give the Concanens my tin box to
hide in their cabin. Of course I can trust them, and this will
baffle theft; the clasp I will wear about me. This is a happy idea;
I will go to their cabin now and ask them. It is 9.30 p.m., and the
wind is still fair, I believe.

"July 20th.--We have so far kept up an average speed of seven and a
half knots an hour, and Captain Holding thinks we shall make even
better sailing when the hands are more accustomed to their work.
I spend my time mostly with the Concanens--who readily, by the way,
undertook the care of my tin box--and find them the most agreeable of
fellow-travellers. Mrs. Concanen has a very sweet voice, and her
husband has learnt to accompany it on the guitar, so that altogether
we spend very pleasant evenings.

"July 21st, 22nd, 23rd.--The weather is still beautiful, and the
breeze steady. Last night, at about six in the evening, it freshened
up, and we ran all night under reefed topsails in expectation of a
squall; but nothing came of it. I trust the wind will last, not only
because it brings me nearer home, but also because without it the
heat would be intolerable. The mention of home leads me to say that
Mrs. Concanen was most sympathetic when I spoke of Margery. It is
good to be able to talk of my wife to this kind creature, and she is
so devoted to her husband that she plainly finds it easy to
sympathise. They are a most happy couple.

"July 24th.--Our voyage, hitherto so prosperous, has been marred
to-day by a sad accident. Mr. Wilkins, the mate, was standing almost
directly under the mainmast at about 4.30 this afternoon, when
Railton, who was aloft, let slip a block, which descended on the
mate's head, striking it with fearful force and killing him
instantly. He was an honest,