Three months had passed away—­three long months of separation, which were extremely painful to Mrs. Weldon.  Meanwhile her young child was restored to health, and she was at liberty to depart, when she was informed of the arrival of the “Pilgrim.”

Now, at that period, in order to return to San Francisco, Mrs. Weldon found herself under the necessity of going to Australia by one of the vessels of the Golden Age Trans-oceanic Company, which ply between Melbourne and the Isthmus of Panama by Papeiti.  Then, once arrived at Panama, it would be necessary for her to await the departure of the American steamer, which establishes a regular communication between the Isthmus and California.  Thence, delays, trans-shipments, always disagreeable for a woman and a child.  It was just at this time that the “Pilgrim” came into port at Auckland.  Mrs. Weldon did not hesitate, but asked Captain Hull to take her on board to bring her back to San Francisco—­she, her son, Cousin Benedict, and Nan, an old negress who had served her since her infancy.  Three thousand marine leagues to travel on a sailing vessel!  But Captain Hull’s ship was so well managed, and the season still so fine on both sides of the Equator!  Captain Hull consented, and immediately put his own cabin at the disposal of his passenger.  He wished that, during a voyage which might last forty or fifty days, Mrs. Weldon should be installed as well as possible on board the whaler.

There were then certain advantages for Mrs. Weldon in making the voyage under these conditions.  The only disadvantage was that this voyage would be necessarily prolonged in consequence of this circumstance—­the “Pilgrim” would go to Valparaiso, in Chili, to effect her unloading.  That done, there would be nothing but to ascend the American coast, with land breezes, which make these parts very agreeable.

Besides, Mrs. Weldon was a courageous woman, whom the sea did not frighten.  Then thirty years of age, she was of robust health, being accustomed to long voyages, for, having shared with her husband the fatigues of several passages, she did not fear the chances more or less contingent, of shipping on board a ship of moderate tonnage.  She knew Captain Hull to be an excellent seaman, in whom James W. Weldon had every confidence.  The “Pilgrim” was a strong vessel, capital sailer, well quoted in the flotilla of American whalers.  The opportunity presented itself.  It was necessary to profit by it.  Mrs. Weldon did profit by it.

Cousin Benedict—­it need not be said—­would accompany her.

This cousin was a worthy man, about fifty years of age.  But, notwithstanding his fifty years, it would not have been prudent to let him go out alone.  Long, rather than tall, narrow, rather than thin, his figure bony, his skull enormous and very hairy, one recognized in his whole interminable person one of those worthy savants, with gold spectacles, good and inoffensive beings, destined to remain great children all their lives, and to finish very old, like centenaries who would die at nurse.