d.

The boat had got a considerable way up the harbour before Jessie gave
signs of returning consciousness. The old captain sat watching her with
the affectionate care of a father. With a deep sigh she at length
recovered, and a flood of tears relieved her aching heart. She turned
her eyes seaward and gazed long and steadfastly at the proud ship which
bore Ralph away, till the man-of-war could no longer be distinguished
from the crowd of other vessels which surrounded her. The good old
captain could fully sympathise with her in her grief, for he himself
felt very sad at having his mate, whom he loved as a son, taken so
unjustly away from him.

As the boat passed the _Amity_, Peter Puddle looked over the side and
hailed, "Haven't you got the mate in?"

The captain shook his head.

"Then I've lost my guinea," cried Peter; "but I mind more about the
mate, that I do."

"Never mind your guinea, lad. I'll see after you. Stay on board till I
come back," answered the captain.

They soon reached the shore. Captain Mudge insisted on escorting Jessie
home, for he could not bring himself to leave her till he had seen her
safe with her grandmother, who would, he fancied, comfort her better
than he could. On reaching home, Jessie, throwing herself into her
granny's arms, gave way to her tears.

"It will do her good, and Ralph won't find fault with her when he hears
of it," observed the old captain. "Fine young man, that mate of mine,
Mrs Treviss. He's a great loss to me, no doubt about that; but it may
turn out for his good after all. Shouldn't be surprised, as I said to
Jessie just now, if he was to come back an officer in his Majesty's
Service. He'd not be the first pressed man who has risen to be an
admiral. We can all pray for him too, you know, Mrs Treviss; and
that's a great comfort, isn't it?"

Jessie in a short time became calm again, and even looked up and smiled
at her kind old friend. Captain Mudge had a good deal of business to
attend to, so after a short chat, promising to return soon to see how
they were getting on, he took his departure.

CHAPTER FIVE.

The _Falcon_ sailed down Channel with her convoy of merchantmen. She
was to see them safe across the Atlantic to different ports in the West
Indies, and then to proceed on her voyage to the East.

Early in the morning, Ralph, with the other pressed men, had been sent
up on deck and their names duly entered in the ship's books. Still he