great cause to be so, and especially have I reason to be grateful
to my dear friend Green. You will be curious to know how I became
acquainted with him; it happened in this wise. Many years ago I was
making a voyage, when my ship caught fire, and I--with the officers and
crew--escaped in three of the boats. The other boats were lost; and
after several of my companions had died of hunger, we were picked up by
a ship to which Green belonged. All the officers and crew treated us
with kindness; Green especially took care of me, and pressed on me the
use of his purse when we arrived in England, where I was also treated
with great kindness. Such conduct can never be forgotten, and I have
ever endeavoured to imbue the hearts of my pupils with a love for
England, and for everything English."

"We are very much obliged to you and Green," said Higson, "since we have
benefited so largely by your instructions."

As there was no longer any danger, Higson proposed going back into the
drawing-room. The young ladies, however, first showed him and Tom their
drawings and embroidery, and numerous other samples of their handiwork,
which passed the time very agreeably. When they went downstairs, they
found a huge samovar bubbling and hissing on the table, and such tea was
offered them as they had never before tasted. Higson, indeed, in
compliment to his hostess, begged to have his cup replenished again and
again, till he had drunk six or eight cups-full; though, to be sure,
they were not of any unusual size. Herr Groben undertook to take charge
of Higson and Tom for the night, and to give them due warning should
there be any danger of their being discovered, though he thought that
this was not likely; still, he acknowledged that there were some persons
who might prove treacherous should they hear of English officers being
in the house; and he begged them on no account to make their appearance
out of doors without him, a caution which they promised to observe.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

GREEN RETURNS WITHOUT HIGSON AND TOM--JACK GOES IN SEARCH OF THEM--
COLONEL PASKIEWICH'S HOUSE--HIGSON AND TOM CAPTURED BY COSSACKS--TOM'S
ESCAPE--MISS FEODOROWNA'S JOY--THE FORT BLOWN UP--THE MOSQUITO FLEET--
GALLANT EXPLOIT OF CAPTAIN LYONS--JACK HEADS EXPEDITION INLAND--ESCAPE.

Murray and Rogers had been employed during the day in removing the guns
from the fort, while Adair and his party watched over the prisoners. It
was their intention to blow