turn in and take a good
snooze, for you want it, I think."

The poor little girl was almost falling asleep at table. Mr Marlow
thanked me for my good advice, which he said he and his daughter would
follow.

When I went on deck I found that the cutter had taken the ship in tow,
and that we were running up Channel. My uncle soon came on board, and
praising me for my behaviour, said he should try and carry our prize
into Portsmouth. He was in high spirits, for he expected to get a good
round sum for salvage. The breeze held favourable, and in two days we
were steering safely through the Needles passage.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

ALICE AT DAISY COTTAGE--A BOAT'S CREW CAPSIZED--PICK UP DICKY SHARPE--
OUR FRIENDSHIP COMMENCED.

I may as well say that my uncle got a fair round sum for the salvage of
the good ship the _Poictiers_, and a very welcome addition to his year's
pay. Our passengers went on shore at Portsmouth, and as soon as we
arrived there, I thought I was to see no more of them, when, having
accompanied them to the door of the George Hotel, I was about to bid
them farewell.

"What! we are not going to part yet," said Mr Marlow. "Come in, young
gentleman--come in."

There was the usual bustle consequent on the arrival of a party at an
inn. It soon subsided. Rooms were selected, and we found ourselves
seated in a parlour, which looked doubly comfortable after the deck of
the dismasted ship and the small cabin of the cutter.

"You will come and dine with us to-day, Mr D'Arcy; and I must beg you
to convey an invitation to your uncle," said Mr Marlow.

As midshipmen are not always their own masters, I had to explain that I
would, if I could; though I did not think my uncle would refuse me
leave. I was not disappointed; and at six o'clock I found myself seated
at Mr Marlow's dinner-table, and opposite my Commander. I thought the
little lady, Miss Alice, still looked very much fatigued.

"She is scarcely yet fit to perform the journey to London," observed her
father. "Still I am anxious to be there, and must also visit Liverpool
in the course of a few days."

"If you will allow her to remain with Mrs O'Flaherty, I can answer for
my wife being most happy to receive her," said my uncle.

To my great joy, though I was afraid of showing if, Mr Marlow at once
acceded to the proposal.

"I will, then, bring Mrs O'Flaherty over to fetch her," added my uncle.
"You will, I suspect, agree very well, Miss Alic