day; he hopes to make a fairly quick passage, but
says he is short of hands. I have not seen the Concanens since.

"July 16th.--We sail to-morrow afternoon. I have been down to make
my final preparations, and find my cabin much to my liking.
Captain Holding is still short of hands.

"July 17th., 7.30 p.m.--We cast off our warps shortly after four
o'clock, and were quickly running homeward at about seven knots an
hour. The Concanens stood on deck with me watching Ceylon grow dim
on the horizon. As the proud cone of Adam's Peak faded softly and
slowly into the evening mist, and so vanished, as I hope, for ever
out of my life, I could not forbear returning thanks to Providence,
which has thus far watched over me so wonderfully. There is a fair
breeze, and the hands, though short, do their work well to all
appearances. There were only fifteen yesterday, three having been
missed for about a week before we sailed; but I have not yet seen
Captain Holding to ask him if he made up his number of hands at the
last moment. Mrs. Concanen has invited me to their cabin to have a
chat about England.

"July 18th.--I am more disturbed than I care to own by a very curious
discovery which I made this morning. As I issued on deck I saw a man
standing by the forecastle, whose back seemed familiar to me.
Presently he turned, and I saw him to be Simon Colliver. He has most
strangely altered his appearance, being dressed now as a common
sailor, and wearing rings in his ears as the custom is. Catching
sight of me, he came forward with a pleasant smile and explained
himself.

"'It is no manner of use, Trenoweth; we're fated to meet. You did
not expect to see me here in this get-up; but I learnt last night you
were on board. You look as though you had seen a ghost! Don't stare
so, man--I should say 'sir' now, I suppose--it's only another of
fortune's rubs. I fell ill after that journey to the Peak, and
although Railton nursed me like a woman--he's a good fellow, Railton,
and not as rough as you would expect--I woke up out of my fever at
last to find all the money gone. I'm a fellow of resource,
Trenoweth, so I hit on the idea of working my passage home; by good
luck found the _Belle Fortune_ was short of hands, offered my
services, was accepted--having been to sea before, you know--sold my
old clothes for this costume--must dress when one is acting a part--
and here I am.'

"'Is Railton with you?' I asked.

"'Oh, yes, simil