"I'm goin' to meet him at Farguson's ship-yard
when the Polly comes in," rejoined the captain in a
positive tone, as if his mind had long since been
made up regarding details, and he was reciting them
for her guidance--"and take him straight to my
house, and then come for you. You kin have it out
together. Only one thing, Miss Jane"--here his
voice changed and something of his old quarter-deck
manner showed itself in his face and gestures--"if
he's laid his course and wants to keep hold of the
tiller I ain't goin' to block his way and he shall make
his harbor, don't make no difference who or what gits
in the channel. Ain't neither of us earned any extry
pay for the way we've run this thing. You've got
Lucy ashore flounderin' 'round in the fog, and I had
no business to send him off without grub or compass.
If he wants to steer now he'll STEER. I don't want
you to make no mistake 'bout this, and you'll excuse
me if I put it plain."
Jane put her hand to her head and looked out of
the window toward the sea. All her life seemed to
be narrowing to one small converging path which
grew smaller and smaller as she looked down its
perspective.
"I understand, captain," she sighed.
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