he trouble of
picking up; but, on the other hand, she might; and finally, after taking
the first-mate into debate, it was decided to steer a point or two to
the west and pick her up.

"For who knows what she may have aboard, or what good ship may have been
wrecked?" the skipper said to one of the passengers brought on deck by
the news of a boat in sight, for such an event broke the monotony of the
tedious voyage.

As the news spread through the ship the rest of the passengers came on
deck, and when the boat was neared, the captain, as he stood inspecting
the object through his glass, began to be satisfied that the find was in
good condition, and then the announcement came from aloft that there
were two bodies lying in the bottom.

The excitement now became fierce; one of the ship's boats was swung out
on the davits ready for lowering, manned, and dropped, and finally the
prize was brought alongside, with its freight still alive, but
apparently at their last gasp.

Fortunately the captain was a man of old experience in the tropics, and
noting that there was neither food nor water on board, he put the right
construction upon the poor fellows' condition--that they were dying of
hunger and thirst, after escaping from some wrecked or sinking vessel.

Merchant captains have a smattering of knowledge, and a medicine chest
on board, and there were willing hands to take charge of "the poor
shipwrecked men;" but it was a hard fight with the raging fever and
delirium from which both suffered, and again and again they were given
over, and were still too weak to answer questions when Bristol port was
reached, and they were taken to hospital ashore.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was quite a month before the journey home could be taken in the old
stage-coach bound from Bristol to Plymouth.

But Nic bore it well, for Captain Revel was seated by his side, holding
his hand as if afraid that after all his son might slip from his grasp
and the old suffering recommence.

"It nearly killed me before, my boy," he said piteously, as he urged his
son to be careful not to exert himself in the least. "I gave you up for
dead, and I was following you fast, Nic, for I don't believe I should
have lived another year."

"I'll take care, father; never fear," said the young man cheerily, for,
though thin and worn, his eyes were brightening, and there were signs of
returning health in his cheeks