CONCLUSION
As we neared Amsterdam I began to think, with some trepidation, of my
inevitable meeting with Pauline. It was now three years since I had set
out upon my second voyage in the "Golden Seahorse", compelled to this
course by reason of the incompatibility of temper which existed between
my wife and me, making a happy union between us impossible. Yet when I
took myself to task I could not but blame myself for much that had
occurred. Pauline was vain, but so are most women, and most men too for
that matter, for while a woman seeks admiration for her personal charms
a man is equally proud of his achievements, and he is never so happy as
when he is being praised for what he has done. So, on reviewing the
matter of our matrimonial squabbles calmly and dispassionately, I came
to the conclusion that there had been faults on both sides, and I made
up my mind to be more conciliatory and less exacting in my conduct
toward Pauline in the future, hoping by these means to effect a
reconciliation so that I might live with some degree of comfort in my
own house. To this end also I resolved to give Pauline my share of the
pearls aid as ransom by King Thedori, in order that she might possess a
necklace unequalled at Amsterdam. Besides which I had my rubies.
Hartog also had become graver and more reserved than was his habit
before we had set out upon this voyage. He seemed to regret the
well-deserved fate which had overtaken Donna Isabel Barreto, and he
would have asked nothing better than to set off on a voyage of
discovery in search of her.
So it was with subdued and chastened spirits that Hartog and I arrived
at Amsterdam, where it was arranged that Hartog should dispose of our
rich cargo and apportion the profits of the venture. As a peace
offering to Pauline I took with me twenty splendid pearls and six
silver fox-skins, and, thus provided, I presented myself at my house
at Amsterdam, to which I was at first denied admittance by the
man-servant, who opened the door to me, and who had no knowledge of
my identity.
While we were arguing the matter; however, Pauline appeared in the
hall, into which I advanced to meet her. She was changed, I thought,
and her face had wonderfully softened. I held out my arms to her, and
she came to me, nestling into my embrace as though she indeed belonged
to me. Then she rested her head upon my shoulder, and gave way to
tears. I was touched by this kindly greeting, and had begun to mentally
upbraid myself for my former conduct, and to promise amendment in the
future, when the cause of my wife's changed disposition was suddenly,
in a flash, revealed to me by a series of yells from a room upstairs,
accompanied by a low voice of pleading in remonstrance, and what
sounded like the, throwing about of some hard substance on the floor.
I looked into my wife's eyes, and read in them the secret of the great
happiness which had come to me.
"He is quarrelling with his nurse," she said, smiling up at me through
her tears. "He is such a masterful baby."
Next moment I was bounding up the stairs, and on entering the nursery I
saw my boy seated on the floor, his face red with passion, while with
his chubby little hands he was tearing the sails off a toy ship that
had been given him to play with. The clever lad, even in his infancy,
must have noticed that the wretched apology for a ship which they
offered him was not rigged in seaman-like fashion. Well, I promised
myself that I would make him a model of the "Golden Seahorse", perfect
in every detail, and big enough for him to sail in. When I came into
the nursery he stopped crying and looked at me, but the nurse kept on
saying, "Oh, Master Peter, Master Peter, you must not be naughty like
that," as though she were repeating a formula.
I ran to Master Peter and picked him up, when he tried to bite my hard
hand with his little pearly teeth. Ah, what a lad of spirit he was! He
was not a bit afraid of me or of anyone. A boy after my own heart. Then
he looked at me, and the passion in his rosy face melted into a dimpled
smile. He knew me, I am certain of it, and putting his little arms
round my neck, he seemed to ask pardon for his wilfulness. We were
comrades from that moment, he and I, and although not a word was spoken
we understood each other thoroughly.
Pauline and the nurse watched us. Both women were weeping, as is the
way with women when they seek to relieve their feelings. But the tears
they shed were tears of joy.
When we were more composed, Pauline and I and young Peter went together
to look at the presents I had brought back with me. Pauline was
delighted with the pearls and the fox-skins, but she at once decided
that the skins would make a warm winter coat for baby, and a splendid
rug for his little carriage. I believe she would have given Master
Peter the pearls to play with had he shown a fancy for them, but
fortunately he did not notice them, so taken up was he in burying his
face in the thick fur of the silver fox-skins.
What a home-coming this was for me after so much tossing upon the
ocean, and so many wanderings into unknown lands, and how I trembled
when I thought on the dangers I had passed, and how easily I might have
lost my life, and thus forfeited the happiness that I knew was in store
for me!
Well, my voyages were over now. Never again would I leave my wife and
child for the hazards of the sea.
When I told Hartog of my great good fortune he was warm in his
congratulations. I took my boy on board the "Golden Seahorse", and
presented him to Hartog.
"We must make a sailor of him," said Hartog, when he had sat Master
Peter upon the table between us in the cabin. "He is a sturdy lad, and
has the look in his eyes that seeks for space--the look of the sailor,
whose natural home is the sea."
Could it be? Who can tell? Little Peter had a steadfast, far-off look
in his eyes. I had not noticed it until Hartog directed my attention to
it. Was it the call of the ocean? The call to the Dutch, and the
English--seeking for space?