In fact, we could hardly get
clear of them, to go aloft and furl the sails. Sail after sail, for
the hundredth time, in fair weather and in foul, we furled now for the
last time together, and came down and took the warp ashore, manned the
capstan, and with a chorus which waked up half the North End, and rang
among the buildings in the dock, we hauled her in to the wharf.
Here, too, the landlords and runners were active and ready, taking a
bar to the capstan, lending a hand at the ropes, laughing and
talking and telling the news. The city bells were just ringing one
when the last turn was made fast, and the crew dismissed; and in
five minutes more, not a soul was left on board the good ship Alert,
but the old ship-keeper, who had come down from the counting-house
to take charge of her.
CONCLUDING CHAPTER
I trust that they who have followed me to the end of my narrative,
will not refuse to carry their attention a little farther, to the
concluding remarks which I here present to them.
This chapter is written after the lapse of a considerable time since
the end of my voyage, and after a return to my former pursuits; and in
it I design to offer those views of what may be done for seamen, and
of what is already doing, which I have deduced from my experiences,
and from the attention which I have since gladly given to the subject.
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