Part 28 (1/2)

”What! are you the mids.h.i.+pmen I thought lost, with so many other poor people?” exclaimed the captain, starting back with astonishment, and then holding out his hands towards them. ”Yes, I am surely not mistaken; and have the rest, too, escaped?”

”Yes, sir; Mrs and the Miss Morleys, Harry Shafto, Mrs Rumbelow, and the boatswain are all safe, though they would be very glad if you would run down to the Auckland Islands, where we left them a fortnight ago, and take them away. They are very hard up for food, I am afraid, and it is not the pleasantest of countries to live in.”

w.i.l.l.y and his companions received the warmest congratulations from all the officers; and the news soon ran round the s.h.i.+p that those whom they supposed had long been numbered with the dead were still alive and well.

”It will do the sergeant's heart good when he hears that that first-rate wife of his is all right and well,” observed the quarter-master, who was one of the first to catch the news.

w.i.l.l.y and Peter felt great satisfaction on hearing that Colonel Morley, with his regiment, was at New Zealand, and though grieving at the supposed loss of his wife and daughters, had been greatly supported in his affliction, and enabled to perform his duty like a true soldier.

”But how, sir, did the 'Ranger' escape?” asked w.i.l.l.y. ”We thought we saw her go down.”

”She was well-nigh doing so, my lad,” answered Commander Newcombe; ”but by the courage and perseverance of the men, through G.o.d's mercy, she was kept afloat till we could get an additional sail under her bottom, when, as we steered to the northward, we fell in with a s.h.i.+p which towed us to the Mauritius. There the s.h.i.+p being repaired, we were sent on to New Zealand to land the troops. So confident were all on board that the boats had gone down, it was at first deemed hopeless to look for you.

At length, however, from the representations of Colonel Morley, I was despatched to visit the islands at which you might possibly have touched, on the merest chance of gaining some tidings of your fate.”

As soon as the commander heard of the requirements of the schooner, he sent a supply of provisions and water on board. The ”Young Crusader”

then steered for Auckland, near which Colonel Morley was stationed, to convey to him the glad tidings of the safety of his wife and daughters, while the ”Ranger” proceeded to the Auckland Islands. She quickly arrived at Charnley Sound, and brought up in the deep bay near its entrance, on the north side. Hence, with w.i.l.l.y Dicey as pilot, her boats were sent up to the inner harbour. As they approached, w.i.l.l.y's heart beat high at the thought of the joyful intelligence he was bringing. The first person he met was Harry Shafto who, on seeing the boats approach, had hurried down to the bay. Harry recognised several well-known faces of his old s.h.i.+pmates. A few words served to tell how the ”Ranger” had escaped. The two friends hurried to communicate the intelligence to Mrs Morley and her daughters. On their way they met Mrs Rumbelow, who had seen the arrival of the boats. She, too, had recognised the faces of their crews. w.i.l.l.y took her hand, and shook it warmly.

”Happy news, Mrs Rumbelow,” he exclaimed; ”the sergeant is alive and well. I heard of him on board; and I hope in a few days you will see him in New Zealand.”

”You are a good angel, Mr Dicey, to bring me such tidings,” she exclaimed, putting her arms round his neck, and bursting into tears.

”My good brave husband! I'll never forget who it was that told me I should meet him again down here on earth, for I felt sure we should be joined up aloft there.” And the strong-minded energetic woman, who had held out so bravely, never allowing a tear or complaint to escape, sobbed for very joy.