N. said he should like to go ashore upon the
island and examine a spot which probably no human being had ever set
foot upon; but the captain intimated that he would see the
island- specimens and all,- in- another place, before he would get out
a boat or delay the ship one moment for him.
We left the land gradually astern; and at sundown had the Atlantic
Ocean clear before us.
CHAPTER XXXIII
CRACKING ON--PROGRESS HOMEWARD--A PLEASANT SUNDAY--A FINE
SIGHT--BY-PLAY
It is usual, in voyages round the Cape from the Pacific, to keep
to the eastward of the Falkland Islands; but as it had now set in a
strong, steady, and clear south-wester, with every prospect of its
lasting, and we had had enough of high latitudes, the captain
determined to stand immediately to the northward, running inside the
Falkland Islands. Accordingly, when the wheel was relieved at eight
o'clock, the order was given to keep her due north, and all hands were
turned up to square away the yards and make sail. In a moment, the
news ran through the ship that the captain was keeping her off, with
her nose straight for Boston, and Cape Horn over her taffrail.
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