CHARLES DICKENS DOMBEY AND SON CHAPTER I Dombey and ...

or saved. When I wrote next--that, I think, was from Demerara, wasn't it?'
'That he thinks was from Demerara, warn't it!' said the Captain, looking
hopelessly round.
'--I said,' proceeded old Sol, 'that still there was no certain information
got yet. That I found many captains and others, in that part of the world,
who had known me for years, and who assisted me with a passage here and
there, and for whom I was able, now and then, to do a little in return, in
my own craft. That every one was sorry for me, and seemed to take a sort of
interest in my wanderings; and that I began to think it would be my fate to
cruise about in search of tidings of my boy until I died.'
'Began to think as how he was a scientific flying Dutchman!' said the
Captain, as before, and with great seriousness.
'But when the news come one day, Ned,--that was to Barbados, after I got
back there,--that a China trader home'ard bound had been spoke, that had my
boy aboard, then, Ned, I took passage in the next ship and came home;
arrived at home to-night to find it true, thank God!' said the old man,
devoutly.
The Captain, after bowing his head with great reverence, stared all round
the circle, beginning with Mr. Toots, and ending with the Instrument-maker;
then gravely said:
'Sol Gills! The observation as I'm a-going to make is calc'lated to blow
every stitch of sail as you can carry, clean out of the bolt-ropes, and
bring you on your beam ends with a lurch. Not one of them letters was ever
delivered to Ed'ard Cuttle. Not one o' them letters,' repeated the Captain,
to make his declaration the more solemn and impressive, 'was ever delivered
unto Ed'ard Cuttle, Mariner, of England, as lives at home at ease, and doth
improve each shining hour!'
'And posted by my own hand! And directed by my own hand, Number nine Brig
Place!' exclaimed old Sol.