u
up for lost long ago. May Leather, too, has been much the same way of
thinking, so she has naturally been a great comfort to your mother."

"God bless her for that. She's a good little girl," said Charlie.

"Little girl," repeated both elderly gentlemen in a breath, and bursting
into a laugh. "You forget, lad," said the Captain, "that three years or
so makes a considerable change in girls of her age. She's a tall,
handsome young woman now; ay, and a good-looking one too. Almost as
good-lookin' as what my missus was about her age--an' not unlike my
little Mag in the face--the one you rescued, you remember--who is also a
strappin' lass now."

"I'm very glad to hear they are well, Captain," said Charlie; "and,
Shank, what of--"

He stopped, for the grave looks of his friends told him that something
was wrong.

"Gone to the dogs," said the Captain.

"Nay, not quite gone--but going--fast."

"And the father?"

"Much as he was, Charlie, only somewhat more deeply sunk. The fact is,"
continued Crossley, "it is this very matter that takes us down to
Sealford to-day. We have just had fresh news of Shank--who is in
America--and I want to consult with Mrs Leather about him. You see I
have agents out there who may be able to help us to save him."

"From drink, I suppose," interposed our hero.

"From himself, Charlie, and that includes drink and a great deal more.
I dare say you are aware--at least, if you are not, I now tell you--that
I have long taken great interest in Mrs Leather and her family, and
would go a long way, and give a great deal, to save Shank. You know--
no, of course you don't, I forgot--that he threw up his situation in my
office--Withers and Company. (Ay, you may smile, my lad, but we
humbugged you and got the better of you that time. Didn't we, Captain?)
Well, Shank was induced by that fellow Ralph Ritson to go away to some
gold-mine or other worked by his father in California, but when they
reached America they got news of the failure of the Company and the
death of old Ritson. Of course the poor fellows were at once thrown on
their own resources, but, instead of facing life like men, they took to
gambling. The usual results followed. They lost all they had and went
off to Texas or some such wild place, and for a long time were no more
heard of. At last, just the other day, a letter came from Ritson to
Mrs Leather, telling her that her son is very ill--perhaps dying--in
some out o' t