And weak souls turn to water, his awakes

Like bright salvation among martyrdoms.

Then, with the danger mastered, once again

He goes behind his doors and draws the chain.

 

Captain Cary, who had made the Pathfinder a famous ship, thought him the best officer he had ever had.

Pathfinder

The Pathfinder was the last and finest of Messrs. Wrattson & Willis’s sugar clippers. She made some famous passages in the sugar and wool trades before she went the way of her kind. She has been mentioned in several sonnets:

Pathfinder

She lies at grace, at anchor, head to tide,

The wind blows by in vain: she lets it be.

Gurgles of water run along her side,

She does not heed them: they are not the sea.

She is at peace from all her wandering now,

Quiet is in the very bones of her;

The glad thrust of the leaning of her bow

Blows bubbles from the ebb but does not stir.

Rust stains her side, her sails are furled, the smoke

Streams from her galley funnel and is gone;

A gull is settled on her skysail truck.

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