Part 20 (2/2)
”She is a man-of-war steamer,” said Toh the telescope ”She's English too, for she's just hoisted her ensign There is s up steam Hurrah! we shall soon have her here”
The excitereater than ever Tom and Desmond, however, were the only two of the party itnessed the approach of the Britishplenty of food, were in no hurry to go back to their routine of duty The doctor and Peter would be a assured that the vessel would in tie in a craft constructed under his own superintendence
”The bother is, I shall have to keep that tiresome watch,” murmured Billy However, he did not express hiate caate, although she ot within about a mile of the island, when the screas stopped and a boat lowered There was only one landing-place on the lee side, close below the hill on which the flag-staff had been erected
To four handkerchiefs to the end of a spar, hastened down to it to guide the boat in On she ca arms, a lieutenant and midshi+pman in the stern sheets Toers The boat was quickly run up on the beach, when the officers stepped on shore
The lieutenant, observing the three midshi+pmen's tattered uniforms, advanced towards them, and inquired as he shook hands, ”Has an American man-of-war been cast away here?”
”No, sir; but an Ao”
”Then who are you, and how came you here?” asked the lieutenant
Tom in a feords narrated their adventures, and then asked, ”And what is your shi+p, sir?”
”The _Bellona_, Captain Murray--”
”What! Captain Alick Murray?” exclaireatest friend”
”Are you Captain Rogers's brother? That is extraordinary,” exclai out to command the _Empress_ in the China seas”
”My brother Jack on board! That is good news”
To the honours, introduced the lieutenant to Dr Locock
”Of course Captain Murray will be most happy to receive you on board, with any of the survivors of the whaler's crew,” said the lieutenant
”I alad to e China,” answered the doctor
The lieutenant had received orders to return as soon as possible, but Toed hi; though he had et Jack to come on shore also, as he was areat credit for the attempt,” said the lieutenant, as he exa the necessity of e in her, for had she touched a rock, it is probable that she would have gone to pieces”
After this remark Tom felt less anxiety to exhibit the vessel to his brother Jack The lieutenant now repeated that his orders were to return iht be allowed to take his medicine case, instruments, and clothes
”I shall be happy to let you have as s as the boat will carry,” said the lieutenant; ”but as the captain is in a hurry to continue the voyage, he ain for any other articles”
The boat was soon loaded with the doctor's property, the nautical instru which the men had appropriated, and then rapidly made her way towards the _Bellona_ The doctor had written a note, which he left in the hut, stating the name of the vessel wrecked on the island, and the circumstances under which he and the only survivor of the creith a party of English officers and men, had quitted it By his special request the stars and stripes were left flying
As the midshi+pmen followed the lieutenant up the side, they saw the two captains standing on the quarter-deck, but even Jack did not recognise his own brother To out his hand exclaimed--
”What, don't you know ers looked at hi his hand said, ”How did you coht, my dear fellow?”