d me up to
it. She and her husband gave me the best of everything they had; that
is to say, as many potatoes and as much buttermilk and bacon as I could
swallow. I was so eager to get home that, after a night's rest, I told
them I wished to start on my journey. I was, I knew, on the west of
Ireland, and I hoped that, if I could manage to get to Cork, I might
from thence find means of crossing to England. Though my host had no
money to give me, he agreed to drive me twenty miles on the way,
promising to find a friend who would pass me on; and his wife pressed on
me a change of linen, and a few other articles in a bundle. With these
I started on my long journey.

I was not disappointed, for when I told my story I was fully believed,
and I often got help where I least expected it.

At length I reached Cork, where I found a vessel just sailing for
Liverpool. The captain agreed to give me a free passage, and at last I
safely landed on the shores of old England. I must confess that I had
more difficulty after this in making my way homeward, and by the time I
reached the neighbourhood of my father's house my outer clothing, at all
events, was pretty well worn to rags and tatters.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

I REACH HOME AND THINK I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THE SEA.

It was the early summer when one evening I came in sight of my home.
The windows and doors were open. Without hesitation I walked up the
steps, forgetting the effect which my sudden appearance might produce on
my family. One of my youngest sisters was in the passage. I beckoned
to her. "What do you want?" she asked; "you must not stop here; go
away."

"What! don't you know me?" I asked. "No," she answered; "who are you?"

"Jack--your brother Jack," I answered. On this she ran off into the
drawing-room, and I heard her exclaim, "There's a great big beggar boy,
and he says he is Jack--our brother Jack."

"Oh no, that cannot be!" I heard one of my other sisters reply. "Poor
Jack was drowned long ago in the _Naiad_."

"No, he was not," I couldn't help exclaiming; and without more ado I ran
forward.

My appearance created no small commotion among three or four young
ladies who were seated in the room. "Go away; how dare you venture in
here?" exclaimed one or two of them.

"Will you not believe me?" I cried. "I am Jack, I assure you, and I
hope soon to convince you of the fact."

"It is Jack, I know it is!" exclaimed one of them, jumping up and comin