With a rattling breeze and all sail set, out went the vessel on her voyage toward San Francisco.
Of that trip nothing need be said. A splendid breeze carried them safely across the last portion of the Pacific, and, as though fortune seemed determined to make up for all previous trials and difficulties, nothing worthy of the name of gale delayed their progress.
On passing through the entrance of the magnificent bay, under a full press of canvas, the schooner raced along on inclined bilge, until at last the anchor was dropped in two fathoms near the city, and there awaited the appearance of the health officer, to allow the surviving emigrants to land.
'Well, captain,' the doctor exclaimed, as he stepped on board, 'you are a good while overdue. Surely you have not come all across the Pacific in a cockle-shell like this?'
Captain Thorne laughed. 'Not exactly,' he said; 'yet small as she is she has brought us here much more quickly than was expected. I have not more than forty of my emigrants shipped at Hong Kong remaining.'
'By the way, captain, did not the "Alert" belong to a certain Liverpool firm?'
'Yes, sir, and I only joined her at Brisbane.'
'Well, then, I do not think you'll be long out of employment. In short, captain, one of your company's ships is here now loading grain for the United Kingdom, but, most unfortunately, her master met with a fatal accident—fell into the hold—last week, and died yesterday. You should see the agent, and secure the vacant position.'
'Is not her chief officer in charge?' the skipper inquired. 'He will likely take her home.'
'He is not qualified to do so,' the doctor returned. 'Lose no time, captain.'