at the first inn he came to that he might obtain
some food. He at length reached Exeter, but as he saw seamen moving
about and ships in the distance, he was afraid of stopping there, and,
passing through it, he again found himself in the country.

Many a weary mile he trudged on. What might be in store for him he
could not tell, but anything would be better than going back. Puzzling
questions were often asked him, and he ran, on several occasions, great
risk of being detected. His sun-burnt countenance and seaman's roll,
which he had already acquired, often nearly betrayed him.

As he approached his home, the anxiety to get safely to his journey's
end increased. At length, passing through Christchurch, he recognised
the familiar scenery of his native district. The high white cliffs of
the Isle of Wight, the Needle rocks below them, and the tall lighthouse
of Hurst, with its cheese-like castle, bathed in a rich glow from the
rays of the setting sun. He sat down on the top of the cliff, and
considered--while he ate some bread and cheese he had obtained at his
last stopping-place--in which direction he should bend his steps.
Longing as he did to go home, he was anxious to fulfil Ben's commission
by delivering the money entrusted to him for Susan. He decided to do
this first.

"She'll be longing, poor woman! to hear of her husband; and it won't
make much difference to father and mother whether I get home an hour or
two later."

Having come to this resolution, he hurried on, wishing to reach Keyhaven
soon after dark, as he had no desire to be seen by any one. He reached
Susan's cottage.

"Who's there?" asked a voice from within, in reply to his knock.

"Open the door, and I'll tell you," he answered.

Susan herself admitted him, though he would scarcely have known her, so
pale and wan did she look. She did not know him, and he had to tell her
who he was. She then began to make inquiries about "her good man."

Dick had no very satisfactory account to give. All he could say was
that Ben had intended to desert and come home, but that in all
probability he had been caught and kept on board. "He did not forget
you, however," said Dick, presenting ten guineas to the poor woman.

At the sight of the money Susan's countenance brightened. "Bless him!
he was always kind and ready to give when he had it; but it is the last,
I much fear, I shall ever get from him!" she exclaimed, and then burst
into tears.

"I