"
The force of discipline could no farther go than to flog zeal for falling
overboard: so, to avoid anticlimax in that port, Robarts weighed anchor
at daybreak; and there was a southwesterly breeze waiting for this
favourite of fortune, and carried him past the Azores. Off Ushant it was
westerly, and veered to the nor'-west just before they sighted the Land's
End: never was such a charming passage from the Cape. The sailor who had
the luck to sight Old England first nailed his starboard shoe to the
mainmast for contributions; and all hearts beat joyfully--none more than
David Dodd's. His eye devoured the beloved shore: he hugged the treasure
his own ill luck had jeopardised--but Robarts had sailed it safe into
British waters--and forgave the man his ill manners for his good luck.
Robarts steered in for the Lizard; but, when abreast the Point, kept well
out again, and opened the Channel and looked out for a pilot
One was soon seen working out towards him, and the _Agra_ brought to. The
pilot descended from his lugger into his little boat, rowed alongside,
and came on deck; a rough, tanned sailor, clad in flushing, and in build
and manner might have passed for Robarts' twin brother.
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