Part 20 (1/2)

I was one day seated with :

”A sail in sight! a sail in sight! She is standing this way!”

We hurried to the top of the hill above the hut A large shi+p was approaching the island The as off shore, the sea cal some provisions, put them on our raft, and shoved off, determined to run every risk rather than allow her to pass us It et back if we failed to intercept her We had brought a long pole with a flag at the end, to attract her attention We exerted all our strength to paddle off The as light, but in our favour On she stood, as if intending to give the island a wide berth We had got a considerable distance fro to and fro

”We are seen, we are seen!” he exclaimed, as the shi+p altered her course directly for us In a short time she hove-to; a boat was lowered and pulled up to us We sprang into her Questions were eagerly asked as to ere

”And what shi+p is yours?” inquired Mr Raglan

”The _Harmony_, Captain Falconer,” was the answer

I rejoiced to hear this

We were quickly on deck, and welcoers by Captain Falconer, who did not recogniselan was I need not say how great was his satisfaction on receiving this information He bestowed all the care and attention he possibly could on the old officer, and treated him as a son would a father

I had not, while on the island, lan, who had, therefore, no idea that he was his daughter's affianced husband

”I consider your friend one of the finest officers of the merchant service I ever met,” he said to h for the attention he shows me”

The _Harmony_ was homeward-bound

As there was no one to do the duty of third ratifiedhoell pleased he ith the way I performed my work The discipline of the shi+p was excellent, favourably contrasting with that of the _Phoebe_ Captain Falconer, following the exa and evening in his cabin, and a regular service for the men on Sundays, while he had a supply of excellent books for their instruction

Mr Raglan was always ready to enter into conversation on religious subjects with the captain, and froent reader of the Bible

We had a quick passage to England As soon as we reached the Thao on shore, that I ht visit my kind friend Mr Dear, ould, I knew, be under the belief that I had been lost

Mr Raglan accompanied me, as I hoped that Mr Dear would be able to infor He had left his office e arrived, and we therefore took a coach and drove to his residence

We were shown by the servant into the drawing-rooarden The as open, andhi a path, acco-room

”Oh, itation, as he took iven you up as lost My ill, indeed, be rejoiced to see you; and there is another lady here ill be glad to find that you are in the land of the living Poor girl, e heard her history we invited her to stay here, and positively refused to let her leave us”

He said this before he appeared to notice Mr Raglan I felt soht it best to introduce him before Mrs Dear and Miss Kitty came in

I scarcely knehat effect the sudden announceht have on the old officer I resolved, in the first instance, simply to tell Mr Dear that his unknown visitor was a naval officer, who, having been shi+pwrecked, had coet hiht consult hilad to see you, sir,” exclaimed Mr Dear ”Pray be seated on this sofa, and excusefriend here has a word or two to say to , Charley,” and we left the rooe I told him who the officer was

”Bless hted Will you go back and tell hihter will soon be with hiain, and ill prepare Miss Kitty I want your assistance, for I a the truth out too soon”

I felt soed to break the news to arden We found the ladies seated in an arbour at the further end Miss Kitty, knowing me at once, uttered a cry of surprise, and ran forith outstretched hands to hosts,” she said, ”or I ht have supposed that I saw yours How did you escape?”

”What, is this Charley Laurel?” cried Mrs Dear, giving me a kind welcome, before I could answer Miss Kitty's question, which she herself repeated