Unfortunately, the kaflila of Mandingos would not be ready to start
for two or three weeks, whereas, in a day or two at most the ship in which
I was going would sail. This would be a lonely interval of time for
them ; but there was some encouragement in the reflection that it was
short, and would soon pass.
KALOOLAH. 153

Again and again had I to repeat tlie promise of coming to Framazugda.
Kaioolah dwelt upon it every hour of the three days that elapsed before
my departure, and at the last moment she exacted its solemn renewal.
" I shall watch the fall of the almond's silver leaves," were her last
words ; " the fourth time, and you come not, they fall on my grave.
Farewell ! "

" Farewell, Kaioolah ! "

Gracious heaven ! I like not, even now, to think of the horrible chok-
ing sensation with which those words were pronounced. Not ten miles
from land, and I would have given the world to have returned and linked
my fate indissolubly with hers. But it could not be, and well it could
not. Mysterious agencies were weaving the threads of destiny far more
skilfully than we could have done had we had complete control of warp
and woof.
CHAPTER XIX.
TKe Duke of Wellington — Jack Thompson — The Ship's Reckoning — A New Rule in Naviga-
tion — The Captain's Notion of I.unars — A Curious Phenomenon — Breakers on the Weather-
Bow — Missing Stays — Wearing Ship — The Ship Ashore — Getting out the Boat — An Anxious
Consultation — Jonathan's Plan — Preparations for Landing.
