I should like to dance your children on my knee, Guy, and lull the
songs of the sea into their little ears. I've a fine collection by
now, Guy--you've no idea--ringing chanties to get a ship under way,
and roaring staves of the High Barbaree, ballads of the gale, and
lullabies of west winds and summer nights. And your children, Guy,
will grow up none the less brave gentlemen and fine ladies for the
strengthening salt of the sea in their blood and the clearing whiff
of the gale in their brains. So a fair, fair Trade to you and
Shiela--the fair warm Trades which kiss even as they bear us
on--and do not forget the tides of youth are flooding for you. Take
them and let them bear you on to happiness and wisdom.

I felt weak and dizzy, but I rose to my feet and started down the hill.
Shiela caught me and held me. "Look!" She was pointing out to sea.

[Illustration: There she was, the _Dancing Bess_, holding a taut bowline
to the eastward. And there were the two frigates, but they might as well
have been chasing a star]

There she was, the _Dancing Bess_, holding a taut bowline to the
eastward. And there were the two frigates, but they might as well have
been chasing a star.

"Look!" She handed me the glasses. I looked and saw her ensign dipping.
I took off my hat and waved it, hoping that with his long glass he could
see. He must have seen, for the ensign dipped three times again, and
from the long-tom in her waist shot out a puff of smoke. We waited for
the sound of it. It came.

Farewell that meant. I watched her till her great foresail was no