them
on our raft, and shoved off, determined to run every risk rather than
allow her to pass us. It might have been a hard matter to get back if
we failed to intercept her. We had brought a long pole with a flag at
the end, to attract her attention. We exerted all our strength to
paddle off. The wind was light, but in our favour. On she stood, as if
intending to give the island a wide berth. We had got a considerable
distance from the land. Mr Raglan moved the flag to and fro.

"We are seen, we are seen!" he exclaimed, as the ship altered her course
directly for us. In a short time she hove-to; a boat was lowered and
pulled up to us. We sprang into her. Questions were eagerly asked as
to who we were.

"And what ship is yours?" inquired Mr Raglan.

"The _Harmony_, Captain Falconer," was the answer.

I rejoiced to hear this.

We were quickly on deck, and welcomed cordially as strangers by Captain
Falconer, who did not recognise me. I lost no time, however, in making
myself known, and in telling him who Mr Raglan was. I need not say how
great was his satisfaction on receiving this information. He bestowed
all the care and attention he possibly could on the old officer, and
treated him as a son would a father.

I had not, while on the island, mentioned Captain Falconer's name to Mr
Raglan, who had, therefore, no idea that he was his daughter's affianced
husband.

"I consider your friend one of the finest officers of the merchant
service I ever met," he said to me, one day. "A noble fellow. I can
never be grateful enough for the attention he shows me."

The _Harmony_ was homeward-bound.

As there was no one to do the duty of third mate, Captain Falconer gave
me the berth, and much gratified me by saying how well pleased he was
with the way I performed my work. The discipline of the ship was
excellent, favourably contrasting with that of the _Phoebe_. Captain
Falconer, following the example of her former commander, had prayers
every morning and evening in his cabin, and a regular service for the
men on Sundays, while he had a supply of excellent books for their
instruction.

Mr Raglan was always ready to enter into conversation on religious
subjects with the captain, and from the day we got on board he became a
diligent reader of the Bible.

We had a quick passage to England. As soon as we reached the Thames,
Captain Falconer gave me leave to go on shore, that I might visit my
kind friend Mr D