essly on deck.

He was a tall man, young, and almost English-looking, save that his
complexion was tinged by the hot sun of his country; and his whole face
and bearing were those of an educated and civilized man. His dress was a
light vest and short trousers, while his palm-leaf hat was adorned with
a bunch of brilliant feathers.

"Who are you?" asked the astonished captain, gazing at this strange and
unexpected apparition.

"I am Thursday October Christian, the son of the mutineer, and there,"
pointing to the other canoe, now close to the ship, "is Edward Young."

The mystery was now explained: the ships had anchored at the island
where the mutineers, long sought in vain, had taken refuge.

The officers crowded round their visitors, asking question after
question, of their age, the number of people on the island, their habits
and mode of life.

"Who is your king?" they asked.

"Why, King George, to be sure," replied Christian, quickly.

"Have you been taught any religion?"

"Yes," they replied, "a very good religion; that which the Bible
teaches."

The young men were led into every part of the ship; they looked with
great interest at the many things they saw around them, the uses and
even the names of which were unknown to them, and their questions showed
much thought and intelligence.

In the course of the morning they were led to the stalls where the
ship's cows were kept.

"What immense goats!" cried Christian; "I did not know there were any of
such a size."

Just then a little dog, belonging to some one on board, attracted the
attention of one of the new-comers. "I know what that is," he said,
"that is a dog, I have read of such things;" and turning to his
companion, "it is a pretty thing to look at, is it not?"

[Illustration: The Captain's Cabin.]

When noon came, the two guests were taken into the captain's cabin to
lunch, but before touching the food which was spread before them, they
both folded their hands, and without troubling themselves at all about
the presence of the officers, in the most simple and natural manner
asked God's blessing on all that they should eat and drink.

Many of those who were present turned away to hide, not a smile, but a
blush of shame that they, the sons of a Christian land, should need to
be reminded of their duty to their God by these half-taught islanders.

Lunch over, the two captains went on shore, rowed by their guests, to
whose strong and skilful hands