Of the
city starting into sight, as the darkness came on; and at nine
o'clock the clangor of the bells, ringing their accustomed peals;
among which the Boston boys tried to distinguish the well-known
tone of the Old South.
We had just done furling the sails, when a beautiful little
pleasure-boat luffed up into the wind, under our quarter, and the
junior partner of the firm to which our ship belonged, jumped on
board. I saw him from the mizen topsail yard, and knew him well.
He shook the captain by the hand, and went down into the cabin,
and in a few moments came up and inquired of the mate for me.
The last time I had seen him, I was in the uniform of an undergraduate
of Harvard College, and now, to his astonishment, there came down
from aloft a "rough alley" looking fellow, with duck trowsers and
red shirt, long hair, and face burnt as black as an Indian's.
He shook me by the hand, congratulated me upon my return and my
appearance of health and strength, and said my friends were all
well. I thanked him for telling me what I should not have dared
to ask; and if -
"the first bringer of unwelcome news
Hath but a losing office; and his tongue
Sounds ever after like a sullen bell - "
certainly I shall ever remember this man and his words with
pleasure.
