anoe, well
manned, will bring Orlando and me back to you in a week or so. It is
the first time I shall have left you for so long since our wedding. You
won't be anxious, little woman?"

"I would not be anxious if I were sure you went with good people,"
returned Marie, with a slightly troubled look; "but are you sure of the
captain?"

"I am sure of nobody except you, Marie," returned her husband, with a
smile that contained a dash of amusement in it.

"And me, father," said Orlando, assuming an injured look.

"Well, Orley, I can't say that I am quite sure of you, you rascal,"
returned his father playfully. "That spice of mischief in your
composition shakes me at times. However, we will leave that question to
another time. Meanwhile, what makes you doubt the captain, Marie?"

"Ebony seems to doubt him; and I have great faith in Ebony's judgment."

"So have I; but he is not infallible. We should never get on in life if
we gave way to groundless fears, dear wife. Besides, have we not the
promise, `Lo, I am with you alway?'"

On the following afternoon a fresh breeze sprang up and the
piratical-looking schooner, bowing gracefully before it, sailed across
the now ruffled lagoon and stood out to sea, while Marie with the
missionary and his wife, and a crowd of natives, stood at the end of the
coral wharf, waving farewell to Zeppa and his son as long as their
figures could be distinguished. After that, they continued to gaze at
the diminishing vessel until it melted like a little speck at the
meeting-place of sea and sky.

That night an event which had been long pending was precipitated.

Captain Daniel had given way to his fierce temper so often during the
voyage, and had behaved with such cruel tyranny to his crew, that they
had resolved to stand it no longer. His harsh conduct to the mate, in
particular, who was a favourite with the men, had fostered the spirit of
indignation, and the mate himself, being a man of no fixed principles,
although good-natured enough when not roused, had at last determined to
side with the men. He was a man of fierce passions, and had been roused
by his superior's tyranny and insolence to almost uncontrollable fury;
but he had not at that time been guilty of absolute insubordination.

When the vessel's course had been laid that night--which chanced to be a
Friday, as some of the crew afterwards remembered--and the cabin lamp
had been lighted, the captain sent for the mate, wh