le
people of Uppernavik farewell, and, spreading their canvas to a fair
breeze, set sail for England.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

THE RETURN--THE SURPRISE--BUZZBY'S SAYINGS AND DOINGS--THE NARRATIVE--
FIGHTING BATTLES O'ER AGAIN--CONCLUSION.

Once again we are on the end of the quay at Grayton. As Fred stands
there, all that has occurred during the past year seems to him but a
vivid dream.

Captain Guy is there, and Captain Ellice, and Buzzby, and Mrs Buzzby
too, and the two little Buzzbys also, and Mrs Bright, and Isobel, and
Tom Singleton, and old Mr Singleton, and the crew of the wrecked
_Dolphin_, and, in short, the "whole world"--of that part of the
country.

It was a great day for Grayton, that. It was a wonderful day--quite an
indescribable day; but there were also some things about it that made
Captain Ellice feel somehow that it was a mysterious day, for, while
there were hearty congratulations, and much sobbing for joy on the part
of Mrs Bright, there were also whisperings which puzzled him a good
deal.

"Come with me, brother," said Mrs Bright at length, taking him by the
arm, "I have to tell you something."

Isobel, who was on the watch, joined them, and Fred also went with them
towards the cottage.

"Dear brother," said Mrs Bright, "I--I--Oh, Isobel, tell him! _I_
cannot."

"What means all this mystery?" said the captain in an earnest tone, for
he felt that they had something serious to communicate.

"Dear Uncle," said Isobel, "you remember the time when the pirates
attacked--"

She paused, for her uncle's look frightened her.

"Go on, Isobel," he said quickly.

"Your dear wife, Uncle, _was not lost at that time_--"

Captain Ellice turned pale. "What mean you, girl? How came you to know
this?" Then a thought flashed across him. Seizing Isobel by the
shoulder he gasped, rather than said:

"Speak quick--is--is she alive?"

"Yes, dear Uncle, she--"

The captain heard no more. He would have fallen to the ground had not
Fred, who was almost as much overpowered as his father, supported him.
In a few minutes he recovered, and he was told that Alice was alive--in
England--_in the cottage_. This was said as they approached the door.
Alice was aware of her husband's arrival. In another moment husband,
and wife, and son were reunited.

Scenes of intense joy cannot be adequately described, and there are
meetings in this world which ought not to be too closely touched upon.
Such was th