to desert her and Michael, it is impossible to say.

Michael had become a fine and active young man. As a sailor he was not
inferior to Eban. He had been able to support Nelly and her grandmother
in comfort, and to save money besides. He had invested his profits in a
share of Uncle Reuben's large fishing-boat, and was thus able to employ
himself in the deep-sea seine fishing for the greater part of the year,
as well as that of the inshore fishing which he had hitherto pursued.
His only regret was that it compelled him to be absent from home more
frequently and for longer periods, but then he had always the advantage
of returning to spend every Sunday with Nelly.

Those Sundays were indeed very happy ones; he did not spend them in idle
sloth, but he and Nelly, accompanied by her grandmother, set off early
to worship together, never allowing either wind or rain to hinder them,
although they had several miles to go. On their return they spent the
remainder of the day in reading God's Word, or one of the few cherished
books they possessed. They had received some time back two or three
which were especially favoured, sent by Mrs and Miss Tremayne, with a
kind message inquiring after Michael and Dame Lanreath, and hoping that
the "Dove" had answered Michael's expectations and proved a good and
useful sea-boat. Nelly undertook to write a reply.

"That she has, tell them," said Michael. "I often think, when I am at
work on board her, of their kindness, and what I should have done had
they and Mr Tremayne not given her to me."

After this, however, they received no further news of their friends, and
though Nelly wrote to inquire, her letter was returned by the
post-office, stating that they had left the place.

Refreshed by his Sunday rest, Michael went with renewed strength to his
weekly toil.

Uncle Reuben's boat was called the "Sea-Gull." Michael was now
constantly on board her, as he had from his prudence and skill been
chosen as mate. When Reuben himself did not go out in her, he had the
command.

The merry month of May had begun, the "Sea-Gull" was away with her
drift-nets. Reuben hoped to be among the first to send fish to the
Helston market. Dame Lanreath and Nelly, as well as several other
female members of Reuben's family, or related to his crew, were ready to
set off with their creels as soon as the boat returned.

Nelly had gone as far as Uncle Reuben's house to watch for the
"Sea-Gull." She had