means of scaling ladders, they forced their way in, and in a few
minutes became masters of the castle.

Very naturally the officers and crew of the "Sylvia" regretted that they
had not been there to share in the honour of the achievement.

Some months passed away in a satisfactory manner to Owen, as numerous
places of interest were visited, especially the spice-producing islands,
where he had an opportunity of seeing numberless objects of natural
history. Birds of rare plumage, shells of magnificent size, tinted with
the most beautiful colours, as well as curious animals, such as were to
be seen in no other region. Owen, who was a fair swimmer, took every
opportunity, when the ships were at anchor and bathing was possible, to
improve himself in the art. Although others bathed with him, very few
took as much pains as he did. His frequent companion on such occasions
was John Langton, a master's mate, who, being older, was a superior
swimmer, and seemed to take much pleasure in giving him instruction.
They did their best to induce others to join them, but very few would
take the trouble to learn to swim.

"We never can tell what may happen," remarked Langton. "A time may come
when you may earnestly wish that you had learnt to swim. A person who
can do so may be the means of saving not only his own life but that of
others."

It was necessary, however, to be very careful, as many places in these
seas swarmed with sharks and other marine creatures. They had always to
select some lagoon, cut off from the ocean, or to keep a bright look-out
when swimming along the shore, and never to venture far out. Owen,
though still inferior to Langton, soon became an expert swimmer.

Two mails had come out from England, which, according to Owen's
calculations, might have brought him letters, but none arrived, and he
began to fear those he had written home had been lost. Not that he was
very anxious to leave the ship, as he had already succeeded in
overcoming the prejudices of his messmates, and even the most
ill-natured had to acknowledge that he was not a bad fellow, although he
might be somewhat mean-spirited. John Langton had from the first stood
his friend in a judicious way. He had not defended him in his presence
when attacked, seeing how wisely Owen was conducting himself, but he had
taken good care to speak in his favour when he was not present.

Langton was a quiet-mannered, somewhat silent young man, but those who