e a heavy splash into the water, and I heard
her implore me to endeavour to make for a small shrub that grew in a
hollow of the rock, at a very short distance from the tuft of seaweed
that had become so serviceable.

I looked down. The sharks had all disappeared; I knew, however, that
they would shortly return, and lost not a moment in making an effort to
better my position in the manner I had been directed. Mrs Reichardt
had thrown a heavy stone into the water among the sharks, the loud
splash of which had driven them away. Before they again made their
appearance, I had caught a firm hold of the twig, and flung myself up
into a position of perfect safety.

"Thank God he's safe!" I heard Mrs Reichardt exclaim.

The sharks did return; but when they found their anticipated prey had
escaped, they swam lazily out to sea.

"Are you much hurt, Frank Henniker?" she presently cried out to me.

"I have not a scratch," I replied.

"Then thank God for your deliverance," she added.

I did thank God, and Mrs Reichardt joined with me in prayer, and a more
fervent thanksgiving than was ours, it is scarcely possible to imagine.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

I had several times pressed Mrs Reichardt for the conclusion of her
story, but she had always seemed reluctant to resume the subject. It
was evidently full of painful incidents, and she shrunk from dwelling
upon them. At last, one evening we were sitting together, she working
with her needle and I employed upon a net she had taught me how to
manufacture, and I again led the conversation to the narrative my
companion had left unfinished. She sighed heavily and looked
distressed.

"It is but natural you should expect this of me, my son," she said; "but
you little know the suffering caused by my recalling the melancholy
events that I have to detail. However, I have led you to expect the
entire relation, and, therefore, I will endeavour to realise your
anticipations."

I assured her I was ready to wait, whenever it might be agreeable for
her to narrate the termination of her interesting history.

"It will never be agreeable to me," she replied mournfully; "indeed I
would forget it if I could; but that is impossible. The struggle may as
well be made now, as at any time. I will therefore commence by
informing you, that during our long voyage to the Sandwich Islands, I
found ample opportunity for studying the disposition of my husband. He
was much changed since he f