ffer.

"You shall have half a dozen of my men for those who are already knocked
up," said Captain Rover.

Meantime Aveline and her maiden had been carefully lowered into one of
the boats. Sir Thomas and Richard followed.

"Can I desert my charge?" I said to myself. "No; that were a disgrace
while I have strength. If Captain Davis remains, so will I."

I did not forget Aveline when I came to this resolution. It was in
spite of the strong wish I had to accompany her. Yet she would be in
safety on board the _Falcon_, and I trusted that the _Diamond_ would yet
swim, and enter port at last. I therefore bade Sir Thomas farewell,
telling him that I would remain by the ship and her cargo, of which I
had charge.

"You do well, Ernst," he exclaimed; "and your service shall not be
forgotten."

I fancied, but it might have been vanity, that Aveline looked up at me
anxiously, as if she wished that I had accompanied her; but my resolve
was taken, I was doing my duty, and prepared for the consequences.

Captain Rover, with our worn-out men and passengers, returned to the
_Falcon_; while we, once more making sail, stood on our course towards
the mouth of the Thames. The six fresh hands which had been left with
us soon reduced the depth of water in the hold. Yet as night came on
our anxiety returned. Though the wind had fallen, the sea was still
somewhat rough, and the night was dark, and we could with difficulty
keep the _Falcon_ in sight. As the wind fell, a fog came on, and at
last completely shut her out. Thus we were all alone on the dark ocean.
Now and then the men at the pumps would cheer and pass jokes to each
other, but those who had knocked off lay without speaking, resting from
their toil. The only other sound was the creaking of the yards against
the masts, and the splashing of the sea against the vessel's bows. I
had had no rest the previous night; at length, overcome with fatigue, I
descended to the cabin, and threw myself into my berth. I had scarcely
time to offer up a prayer before my eyelids closed in sleep. And yet,
while I asked for my own safety, more fervently did I petition for that
of Aveline. The cabin, and many of the articles which she had left
about in the hurried departure from the ship, brought her vividly to my
mind. Yet surely I did not require any visible things to recall her. I
knew full well that there were still many dangers to be encountered.
Another gale might arise. Even