I forgot to say that
Mrs. Concanen is taking a native maid home to act as her nurse.
"July 11th.--We start in a week's time. I had a long talk with
Captain Holding to-day; he hopes to make a fairly quick passage, but
says he is short of hands. I have not seen the Concanens since.
"July 16th.--We sail to-morrow afternoon. I have been down to make
my final preparations, and find my cabin much to my liking.
Captain Holding is still short of hands.
"July 17th., 7.30 p.m.--We cast off our warps shortly after four
o'clock, and were quickly running homeward at about seven knots an
hour. The Concanens stood on deck with me watching Ceylon grow dim
on the horizon. As the proud cone of Adam's Peak faded softly and
slowly into the evening mist, and so vanished, as I hope, for ever
out of my life, I could not forbear returning thanks to Providence,
which has thus far watched over me so wonderfully. There is a fair
breeze, and the hands, though short, do their work well to all
appearances. There were only fifteen yesterday, three having been
missed for about a week before we sailed; but I have not yet seen
Captain Holding to ask him if he made up his number of hands at the
last moment.
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