he hand; while Nub and Dan were
exchanging greetings with the crew, and learning something about each
other's adventures. The captain then accompanied the party to the
house, and on the way they briefly told him what they had gone through.
He also had a long story to tell. He was much pleased with the
appearance of their house, and expressed his deep gratitude to the
faithful men who had so carefully watched over his children. On seeing
the pile of sandal-wood, with the nature of which he was well
acquainted, he remarked that it was of considerable value, and although
he could carry but a small portion of it at present, it would be well
worth while to send a vessel back for a cargo. As he had several people
on board the small schooner, he was anxious to continue the voyage to
Sydney--to which port he was bound--without delay. He therefore took
off his children, with the doctor, Nub, and Dan; while the mate remained
to ship the provisions they had in store,--which the captain said would
be very welcome,--as well as a small quantity of sandal-wood.

By noon the whole party had embarked, and the little schooner, under all
sail, was standing on her course for Sydney.

"She's a strange-looking craft this of yours, captain," observed the
mate, as he stepped on board.

"Not more strange than the way in which she was built," answered Captain
Tredeagle.

"Oh father, that's what Alice and I want so much to hear about!"
exclaimed Walter.

The captain, however, had no leisure to satisfy his children's curiosity
till they were seated at tea in the cabin. They had in the meantime
recognised many of their old shipmates, besides whom there were several
strangers on board.

Alice having resumed her old place at the table, and poured out tea for
those assembled, the captain began the narrative of his adventures:--

"You may imagine my agony of mind, when I reached the neighbourhood of
the spot where I had left the ship, and found only a few blackened
pieces of wreck, which too surely told me what had happened. Still I
hoped that some, if not all, had escaped, and that I should be picked
up; so I searched all round. But the necessity of making land where we
could obtain some provisions and water compelled me to direct our course
towards the nearest island I knew of. A heavy gale coming on, severely
tried the boat, and we were almost despairing of reaching a place of
shelter, when we caught sight of a small island, and ste