Part 16 (1/2)

Though I have not mentioned it, I had often talked with dick of all Miss Kitty had taughtelse had supported us; and I aht not have been able to explain hiress indeed under Miss Kitty's instruction; thus, although for some time I at first found it difficult to read the New Testaained the knowledge I had lost

The kind captain, after the conversation I have reat pains in instructingUntil I could do so myself, he read a portion of God's Word, which he explained to me in a very simple and clear e to be ashanorance, especially when I found that the two shi+p's boys read and wrote far better than I did Every moment that I was off duty I was at ress Ito work to learn to read himself I did my best to help hiht instruct himself In about four months I could read with perfect ease and write very fairly, besides having gained soraphy As to history, I found I had a very confused knowledge, and juotten dear Miss Kitty, and I often talked about her, and wondered whether she and the ht they had, as Mr Falconer was a good navigator, and that they were very likely to have fallen in with some whaler, as he was sure to have steered his course over the groundfor sohted one at which the captain said he intended to touch, as the natives were Christians, and they could supply all his wants on equitable terms, without the risk of treachery, which he nised the scenery, and on asking dick, he told me it was the very island at which the _Dolphin_ had touched when Miss Kitty and Mr Falconer had gone on shore to the house of the missionary

As soon as the anchor was down, the captain ordered a boat to be lowered, and told ht accompany him

Mr Newton, the -place to welcome him, and conduct hiniseto address hiether

”Co outside ”You are heartily welco-roouessed was Mrs Newton, careet him as an old acquaintance; the other rose, and as she did so and turned her face towards me,as bright and bloo as ever

”Miss Kitty!” I exclaimed; ”is it you? is it you?”

The first ed She took bothinto my face, she said--

”Charley, Charley Laurel, are you indeed alive and well? I had greatly feared that you were lost And has honest dick too escaped?”

She made me sit down by her side, and I rapidly told her all that had occurred

”And how did you escape, Miss Kitty?” I asked; ”ere fearfully anxious about you”

”You had reason to be so,” she answered ”Mr Falconer had expressed soht prove treacherous while ere away in the boats, and, on our return, he was re that he must try and induce the captain to keep a strict watch on board, and to allow only a few natives at a tilass, he observed that the shi+p was surrounded by canoes, and that the natives in great nu on board Still we sailed on,a dreadful explosion, and shortly afterwards several canoes ca after us

Mr Falconer pointed thereed with hies, and that by some accident they had blown her up He i to me, 'For your sake ill do our best to escape!' The wind increased: ere standing out into the open ocean Had it not been on one back at all risks to ascertain the fate of those on board The fact, however, of the canoes following us, showed the hostile intentions of the natives, and the men declared that even had I not been in the boat they would not have run their heads into danger for no purpose

”As the wind increased we lost sight of the canoes, which were unable to contend with the heavy sea to which the boat was now exposed

”The prospect before us was a fearful one, but the alternative of returning to the shore orse Still we could rely on the protecting care of our heavenly Father, in e both trusted We had but a sreatest economy, could only last us three days Mr Falconer, however, encouraged thethem that he hoped, before the end of that time, to make an island, ht obtain water and provisions

”Happily the wind, though continuing fair, did not increase, and, exactly at the tiht, when the last drop of water had been exhausted Coasting around the island, we found a sreeted our sight, fringing the shore, and near the of fresh water Mr Falconer shot several birds, and having fishi+ng-hooks and lines, the ht a supply of fish They then put up a hut for ht, also, a nu on the sandy beach to lay their eggs, and we thus had no longer any fear of suffering from starvation

”So well satisfied were the , rather than venture again to sea Mr Falconer inquired my wishes I knew that I could implicitly trust hiht appear I begged that, if the e They agreed at length to do as he wished

”Besides the casks, a number of cocoa-nuts were filled ater; birds, and fish, and turtle, were salted, and four live turtle and a number of cocoa-nuts were taken on board Thus aain set sail

”We had been a week at sea, when a vessel was seen, hove-to in the distance We steered for her Her boats were away in chase of a whale

We received a kind welcome on board the shi+p, which was the _Harmony_, from Captain Landon and his wife, ere Christian people My satisfaction was very great when I found that the captain intended touching at this island, to refit his shi+p before proceeding to other fishi+ng-grounds The second ladly accepted it At the end of three weeks I had the happiness of finding myself with these kind friends

”I kne Mr Falconer felt when he told h he trusted on his arrival in England to be able to obtain the coht return here

Since then no letter fros of him Still I feel perfect confidence that he is faithful and true, and that he will return as soon as he can find theso”