commander.

The lad only shook his head, as if he did not understand his question--
still keeping his hand extended, with the pearls in it.

"He no speakee English," said Popo, who had just scrambled into the
canoe.

"Why, Dicky Popo," cried the commander, "you here, my boy!"

I could not resist shaking Popo by the hand, so delighted was I to see
him.

"Yes, massa cappen; me no drownee," he answered.

"That's very evident," said the commander; "and I shall be glad to know
how you escaped. But first I want you to set the mind of this poor lad
at rest, as he seems in a great fright. Tell him we are friends, and
will do him no harm, for he does not understand what I say to him."

Popo, more by signs than words, quickly succeeded in tranquillising the
lad.

"Who is he?" asked the commander, "for his skin is as white as ours; and
I cannot suppose that he is a native."

"He not say who he is," answered Popo; "but by-and-by perhaps talkee
more."

"Well, we must wait patiently," said the commander. "Ask him if he has
any objection to accompany us; and if he is ready to come we will take
you and him into the gig, while we tow the canoe astern." After a few
more signs and incomprehensible words had passed between Popo and the
white boy, they both stepped into the gig; the latter still holding the
pearls in his hand, which, as soon as he was seated, he again offered to
the commander, who this time received them, and after examining them put
them into his pocket. The canoe was then made fast to the gig astern,
and we continued our course round the island.

The commander was engaged in noting its headlands and bays and other
features, and could not give his attention to the lad; but I lost no
time in trying to learn from Popo how he had escaped,--also drawing from
him anything he knew about the white boy. On the first point he quickly
enlightened me.

On falling overboard, he had caught sight of the life-buoy which Peck
had providentially let go; and being a good swimmer, he had reached it,
and climbing up, had made himself fast to it. With a feeling of dismay
he saw the ship sailing on, but he did not gave way to despair, as after
some time he discovered that the life-buoy was drifting towards the
land. Still, he knew that, should it be driven among the breakers, he
should in all probability be dashed to pieces on the rocks. However, as
he told me, he hoped for the best, and clung on, finding himself gettin