ay as any other place we are likely to fall in with; and I have
no doubt but that round on the lee side of it we shall meet with smooth
water and a beach upon which to effect a landing."

"So I think," returned Williams. "At all events," he continued, "we
will run round to leeward and have a look at the place. And in the
meantime you may as well go and tell the skipper and young Manners to
hold themselves in readiness to leave the ship--if the place looks
promising I shall land them _both_ here. And when you have spoken to
them you may look out a few things--as well as all their own
belongings--which will help to make them comfortable. We have no ill-
feeling toward either of them, and it will be a satisfaction to remember
that we left them with the means of taking care of themselves."

"All right," said Ned; "I will do so." And he hurried away upon his
errand, which he was anxious to fully accomplish whilst Williams'
extraordinary fit of good-nature still remained upon him.

Captain Blyth and young Manners were, it will be remembered, confined in
the forward deck-house; and thither Ned at once made his way. The
sliding-door was closed, and secured by a hasp and staple which had been
put on since Ned had last visited the place. Withdrawing the pin and
folding back the hasp, the lad slid the door open and entered--to start
back horrified at the sight which met his gaze. The two prisoners were
there, with their feet in irons, the skipper being seated on one side of
the small table which occupied the centre of the berth, and Manners on
the other side. It was not their condition, however, nor the fact that
they were in irons, which startled Ned; they were clean and comfortable-
looking enough, both in person and in dress, to show that they had been
fairly well looked after; it was the dreadfully haggard and worn look of
the skipper. The poor fellow looked twenty years older than when Ned
had seen him last; he was wasted almost to the condition of a skeleton.
The skin of his forehead and the outer corners of his eye-sockets was
furrowed and wrinkled and crow's-footed like that of an old man of
eighty; and his hair was thickly streaked with grey.

As Ned entered, both prisoners rose to their feet, and Captain Blyth,
stretching out his hand in welcome, exclaimed with emotion:

"At last--at last! I _knew_ you would be true to me, Ned, my dear lad--
I said so, over and over again; did I not, Manners? And now you a