Three weeks and two days after their departure from Hong Kong, they sailed into San Francisco Bay. Crow and Earl stood at the rail flanked by the crew of The Black Crow. As the ship made ready to come alongside the wharf, a cheer went up from the men as they saw their families and friends. Stump saw Miss Birch. He raised his hat and waved. She smiled and waved back.
Crow saw Mary holding their new son in her arms. The older children were there too, they pointed excitedly when they spotted Crow. Charles Banister stood behind Mary and raised his hat to Crow. Crow removed his hat to return the salute. The bright sun of home washed across his face, and the darkness that had shrouded his spirit lifted, and he smiled.
“Welcome home, Jed,” said a relieved Earl.
“Yes, Earl,” said Crow resting a
