tranger sprang by them, and Jessie heard Mrs
Chandos exclaim, "My son! My own dear boy!" In another instant Jessie
was weeping tears of joy, supported in the arms of Ralph.

They were soon joined by her father and Dickenson, who, after spending a
few hours with his friends, set off to afford a happy surprise to his
own family in Hampshire.

Their voyage home had been prosperous, excepting the loss of a man
overboard who had joined the brig at the Cape.

"He was in a wretched condition, produced by drunkenness; but the
captain could not refuse him a passage," observed Ralph. "I knew him
directly he came on board, though he entered under a feigned name, as my
old shipmate Dick Bracewell; but I don't think he recognised me. He no
longer appeared the smart seaman he once was; indeed, he could with
difficulty perform his duty. I intended, however, to make myself known,
and to speak to him with earnestness and kindness, when during the only
gale we encountered, directly after leaving the Cape, he fell from the
fore-topsail yard, and before an effort could be made to save him he had
sunk for ever."

Jessie did not till long afterwards tell Ralph of the way his old
shipmate had behaved to her.

"I forgive him," said Ralph. "When a man once leaves the right course
and takes to drinking as unhappy Dick did, it is impossible to say of
what vile actions he may be guilty."

Ralph and Jessie were married shortly after the return of the _Hope_.
And Chandos, who acted as best-man to his old messmate, declared that it
was the happiest day of his life.

They neither of them again went to sea, Ralph having been appointed to
the coastguard, in which service he obtained a situation for Jacob
Crane; while Captain Flamank enjoyed an ample competency from the
treasure he had brought home in the _Hope_. Of that vessel, which the
captain purchased, honest Peter, in the course of a few years, obtained
the command. She proved a more fortunate craft than the _Amity_, and
being well formed, and well manned, and well commanded, never failed to
bring in to him and her liberal owner a good return.

Ralph and Jessie enjoyed many years of happiness, ever acknowledging
that all the trials and anxieties through which they had gone had been
ordered for the best, and ever grateful for the present blessings
bestowed on them.

THE END.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Two Shipmates, by William H. G. Kingston

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