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.
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