The next day there was a stiff breeze from the southwest, which continued for several days. If the Clearchus had been at all fast, or even an average sailer, she would have made the Hatteras grounds in a couple of days; but that was a big “if,” as my father would have said with his quiet smile. Captain Nelson, knowing her well, made no attempt to crowd her, but went on under easy sail, so that we were a long time in getting to Hatteras. We got there toward the latter part of an afternoon. Cape Hatteras, of course, was not in sight, nor even the lightship on Diamond Shoals; but there was one vessel in sight. I tried to make myself believe that I knew it for the Desdemona or the Palmetto, but Captain Nelson said that neither of those ships was there. However, he announced his intention of going aboard of her, and said he would take me if I wanted to go. {44} I was delighted, and regarded it as a mark of special favor. It was. Captain Nelson was continually showing me those marks of favor, although if I had not behaved myself he would have stopped very soon. But I cannot remember that it ever occurred to me to do otherwise, and if I failed in any respect it was not by intention. Captain Nelson was very easy on those of good intentions, if they were not fools, and inclined to be indulgent toward harmless mischief, but very hard on malice or slacking, and showed them no mercy. Like many another man of action and results he had little patience with a fool. I think he blamed himself for this, and regarded it as a weakness, although he never said anything to me about it. I sympathize with him. All my life I have never been able to abide a fool, and there are many kinds; and I have been aware that it is a fault of character, and that I should have patience with them, for they cannot help their condition. But I have never been without faults, thank God, although I suppose that I was a good boy, on the whole. And I suppose that I should be ashamed of that, too, but I am not, and I never was. I do not believe that I ever thought about it.