An hour later, when, with all sail set, the _Viking_ had gathered headway before the light land-breeze, taking her first steps into the world, Captain Bradley went to the stern-rail and gazed back at the lessening town. He stood there a long while, lost in thought. He could still make out the familiar pattern of streets and houses. Home. It seemed to him as if he had always been either leaving or returning. His short, quick boyhood was already half-forgotten, like a snatch of another existence. Five years before, his mother had died there in the town; he had received the news on his arrival in Singapore. His father had vanished in a sea tragedy long before he could remember. No home for him remained, either there or here; he would have to make one. What was this seafaring life, that he had now asked a young girl to share? Every day he heard men call it a dog’s life, growl that the game wasn’t worth the candle. Perhaps so—but she knew all about it. She had been born in a ship’s cabin; she loved the sea. And here was the _Viking_, young, strong and beautiful—what better? A fierce determination swept over him to _make_ life worth while, even the life beyond the horizon; to give her a worthy gift, a home of love and happiness, all he had. Any life could be worth while, if full enough of love. Glancing over his shoulder, to make sure that no one observed him, for it would not do to give his men the materials of a jest, he leaned across the rail and waved his handkerchief toward the town. She would expect it—would be watching with the glasses from that southern window. Sailor women saw the last of their grief; they didn’t turn away and hide. "I’ll try to make up for the waiting, Grace" he whispered; then swung forward resolutely, to face the coming years. *II* Autumn returned to the old seaport, and with it the _Viking_, back from her first China voyage. Captain Bradley was welcomed with a hearty "well done" The voyage had been prosperous; the homeward run from Hong Kong had been made in the remarkably fast time of eighty-two days. Hereafter the _Viking_ would be a favourite among Chinese shippers. A month after his arrival, young Captain Bradley was married in the high house fronting the bay. That night he and his wife left town to join the ship, loading in New York for Yokohama.