d me her grave. It might have been
worse--I know that--still it seemed as if the life had been crushed out
of me. I left my money with her childless mother, and volunteered
aboard the first ship I heard of fitting out for a foreign station.
From that day to this I've been at sea, turned over from one ship to
another, and never saved a sixpence. I wish I had. I'd have got your
discharge, that I would, if money could have done it."

"Thank ye, from the bottom of my heart, old friend," said Ralph, warmly.
"Maybe I shall get my protection paper in time, and be set free."

"Wish I could say I thought so. But you'll know at least that there's
one aboard the _Falcon_ who can feel for you, and that's something; ay,
and will stand your friend if there's a chance. Cheer up! Cheer up!
Here we are, close alongside the frigate."

The pressed men, with Ralph and Dick among them, were sent down to the
lower deck, and placed under charge of a sentry. They were allowed to
stretch themselves on (as Dick, while bemoaning his fate, remarked) "the
softest planks they could find," for the remainder of the night.

It seemed but a moment after Ralph had at length fallen asleep, that he
heard the boatswain's shrill whistle and the deep rough voices of his
mates rousing up all hands, while the pale light of early morning
streamed down through the hatchways. The next cry which reached him
was, "Hands aloft; loose sails." Other orders were issued; he knew too
well their meaning; preparations were being made for immediately putting
to sea.

CHAPTER FOUR.

Poor Jessie had wished at once to hasten on board the _Amity_, to obtain
the assistance of Captain Mudge, and to get Ralph's protection, but her
grandmother persuaded her to remain till the morning, as, not knowing
where Ralph had been carried, she was sure nothing could be done till
then.

Daylight came at length, and Jessie, receiving a loving embrace from her
grandmother, set out. With a prayer for her safety, Mrs Treviss
watched the young girl, who, like a bird released from its cage, flew
rather than walked, as she made her way in the grey light of the early
morn in the direction of the port.

At last she reached the landing-place, some way off which Ralph had told
her the _Amity_ lay. There were several boats made fast to the shore,
or moored off it; but no watermen were about. In vain she looked along
the quays on either hand; no one was stirring. Here and there,