inutes silent. He then continued:--

"The ship was the _Mountaineer_. We had been three weeks at sea, and
had had frequent calms, when we met with the fearful gale from which she
suffered so much. Papa was going out as British Consul to --, in the
Brazils; and as mamma died a year ago, and he had no one to leave us
with, he determined, to our great joy, that we should accompany him.
Emily had been at school; but when mamma was ill she came home to stay
with her, and after that papa could not hear the thoughts of again
parting with her. I had been at Winchester School, and had intended
going into the army; but papa lost his fortune soon after mamma's death,
and told me that I must give up all thoughts of that, as he could not
purchase my commission, and I could not be in the army without money.
The loss of his property tried him very much. He had to take me away
from school; and he used to say he was afraid we should all die of
starvation. However, when he got the appointment he was in better
spirits, and Emily and I hoped we should see him once more like
himself."

"But have you no relations or friends, young gentleman?" asked the
captain, in a kind tone.

"I do not know about friends," answered Walter; "but I have some
relations. Unfortunately, however, my father was not on good terms with
them. His elder brother--my uncle--had quarrelled with him. Why, I do
not know. But when, before we were leaving England, papa desired to be
reconciled to him, he refused; and I know, from what I have heard, that
he would on no account have anything to say to Emily or me."

"But had your mother no relations?" asked Captain Davenport.

"Not many. She had, I know, a brother, and I think I recollect him when
I was a little boy; but he left England many years ago, and I know has
not for a long time been heard of. Papa, besides his brother, had some
cousins. One, I know, is Lord Heatherly; but I never saw him, and I
think papa kept up no communication with him. We now and then saw his
brother, Mr Tom Heathfield--for the family name is the same as ours.
He is a very good-natured, merry person, and used always to try to make
us laugh when he called. And our eldest uncle had some sons, but I
never met them; indeed, I am sure their papa would never have let them
come to the house."

"From all accounts, then, the only relation you know anything about is
your father's cousin, Mr Tom Heathfield. Do you know where he lives?"