thing to do but to make my peace with
Heaven. It's charity--`Charity covereth a multitude of sins,' saith St.
Paul. Recollect 100 pounds--that's the bargain. I'll send Mrs James
to you; you must not call again till she's on the other side of the
water."

"Many thanks, sir," replied Bob. "I won't call till I hear she is safe,
and then I'll bring you some tobacco to smoke, such as you don't often
pick up nowadays."

"Happy to see you, Captain Cross, and your friend there," replied the
old man.

We then took our leave. Mrs James, after we were gone, praised the
appearance of Captain Cross, as such a nice-looking man, and old Waghorn
evidently thought well of him by the answer he made. Mary, however,
pretended to prefer me.

As soon as I returned on board, I told young Vangilt what I had been
about. He wrung my hand, and the tears started in his eyes. "You, as
an officer, are indeed risking much for me. As to the money, you know
me, I trust, too well, not to be sure of receiving it as soon as I can
send it; but I never can repay your kindness."

"Perhaps you may be able to help me one of these days," I replied. "Who
knows? It's fortune of war, my good fellow; but it's as well not to be
seen too much together." So saying, I left him.

The next day, Mrs James came off with the necessary garments and bonnet
for his escape, and they were given me by Bob Cross. The day after was
pay-day; and the ship was in such a state of confusion, and there were
so many people on board, that there was no difficulty whatever. Vangilt
changed his clothes in the midshipmen's berth, which was empty, and Bob
Cross handed him down the side into the boat, where Mrs James waited to
receive him. Bob and I had both been paid, and we gave her the 100
pounds for old Waghorn. The boat shoved off; Vangilt arrived safe at
Waghorn's house, where he was kept concealed for eight days, when, for
the sum of 20 pounds, he was safely landed on the French coast, old
Waghorn having pocketed 80 pounds by the transaction which, considering
he acted out of pure charity, was a pretty good reward.

Having thus successfully managed, by being guilty of high treason, in
aiding and abetting the enemy, I bade farewell to Bob Cross, leaving him
to follow up his amour, while I went to Chatham to pay my respects to my
mother. I had made up my mind how to act. I was no longer a child, but
a man in reflection as well as appearance.

I arrived, and haste