I made
the best face I could, for the lass's sake and my own credit; but
the truth is I felt like a lost sheep, and my heart beat in my
bosom with anxiety. Once or twice I inquired after the harbour or
the berth of the ship Rose: but either fell on some who spoke only
Hollands, or my own French failed me. Trying a street at a
venture, I came upon a lane of lighted houses, the doors and
windows thronged with wauf-like painted women; these jostled and
mocked upon us as we passed, and I was thankful we had nothing of
their language. A little after we issued forth upon an open place
along the harbour.
"We shall be doing now," cries I, as soon as I spied masts. "Let
us walk here by the harbour. We are sure to meet some that has the
English, and at the best of it we may light upon that very ship."
We did the next best, as happened; for, about nine of the evening,
whom should we walk into the arms of but Captain Sang? He told us
they had made their run in the most incredible brief time, the wind
holding strong till they reached port; by which means his
passengers were all gone already on their further travels.
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