od anchorage, and plenty
of timber. It would not take long to get there, though, considering the
damaged state of the ship, it might take some months before they could
get her into a fit state to continue the voyage. Accordingly, they
altered their course, with heavy hearts, for the emigrants were
disappointed at having their voyage again interrupted, while the
Rigondas were depressed at the thought of the prolonged anxiety of their
parents.

"Now this _is_ a bad business, isn't it?" said Otto to the doctor, with
a groan, when the course was decided.

"Looks like it, my boy; but it isn't," replied the doctor, who
nevertheless, being himself but a frail mortal, was so depressed that he
did not feel inclined to say more.

In this gloomy state of matters Pina's sweet tones broke upon them like
a voice from the better land--as in truth it was--saying, "I will trust
and not be afraid."

About this time the cloud which hung over the emigrant ship was darkened
still more by a visit from the Angel of Death. The mother of Brown-eyes
died. At that time Pauline was indeed an angel of mercy to mother and
child. After the remains of the mother were committed to the deep, the
poor orphan clung so piteously to Pauline that it was scarcely possible
to tear her away. It was agreed at last that, as the child had now no
natural protector, except an uncle and aunt, who seemed to think they
had already too many children of their own, Pauline should adopt her.

When the emigrants reached the island-harbour, without further mishap,
they were surprised to find a large steamer at anchor. The captain of
it soon explained that extensive damage to the machinery had compelled
him to run in there for shelter while the necessary repairs were being
effected.

"Where are you bound for?" asked Dominick, who with Dr Marsh and Otto
had accompanied Malines on board the steamer.

"For England."

"For England?" almost shouted Dominick and Otto in the same breath.

"Yes. Our repairs are completed, we set off to-morrow."

"Have you room for two or three passengers?"

"Yes, plenty of room. We shall have to put several ashore at the Cape,
where I hope to get a doctor, too, for our doctor died soon after we
left port, and we are much in want of one, having a good many sick men
on board."

"Otto," whispered Dr Marsh, "our having been diverted from our course
has not turned out such a bad business after all, has it?"

"On the contrary, the