shore.

When I came to myself I found that I was in a comfortable bed with
curtains round it, the sun shining brightly through the open window of
the room, which looked neater and prettier than any I had ever slept in.

Hearing a footstep, I peered through the curtains, and saw a lady and a
little girl come in, carrying in their hands some things which they
placed on the table.

"I think the poor boy is awake, auntie," whispered the little girl. "I
heard him move."

"Perhaps he was only moving in his sleep, but I will see," answered the
lady, and she approached the bed.

I was looking all the time at the little girl, who seemed to me like an
angel or a fairy, or some being altogether brighter than I had ever seen
before--even than my sister Mary.

"Yes, marm, I am awake, thank you," I said, as she opened the curtains,
"and please, I want to get up and go aboard the brig to look after her
and to see that our old captain is buried."

"He was buried by the minister the day you came, and the brig is taken
very good care of," she answered. "My father, Mr Angus Troil, has
written to the owners to inform them of what has happened to her and of
your brave conduct. He hopes soon to hear from them."

"Thank you, marm," I again said, puzzled to know what the lady meant
about hearing soon from Mr Gray, for I had supposed that Shetland was a
long way from England. My first thought, however, had been about Jim.

"Please, marm, where is the other boy, my shipmate?" I asked.

"He was very ill only for three or four days, and is now well enough to
go down to the brig with my father," she replied. "But I must not let
you talk too much. You were to have some food, the doctor said, when
you came to yourself. Here, Maggie, bring the broth and toast."

Thereon the little girl brought the tray to the bedside and gazed
compassionately at me, while the lady put the food into my mouth, for I
was too weak to do so myself.

It now dawned on me from what the lady said that I must have been in a
state of unconsciousness for many days, and such I found was the case.
I recollected nothing that had passed since I was placed in the boat. I
could not speak much, but when I had finished the basin of broth I
said--

"I am very thankful to you and your little daughter, marm, for all you
have done for me."

"You deserve to be taken care of, my boy," she answered; "but this
little girl is not my daughter. Her father was my brother.