e he seated
himself composedly in a deck-chair to smoke his pipe and watch my
proceedings.

I soon found a tomahawk, and, armed with this, I went up the mizzen-
rigging, intending to work my way forward. It was hard work single-
handed; but by noon I had succeeded in clearing the whole mass away, and
the ship soon drifted free of it, leaving her upper spars a confused
floating mass upon the water.

As soon as this was done, I got an eight-inch hawser off the top of the
house forward, and managed with considerable labour to get it coiled
down afresh upon the poop. I then bent on a heaving-line to one end of
the hawser, which, by this means, I got to the cutter, when we moored
her securely astern of the ship.

Bob then came on board up a rope which I had lashed to the mizzen boom-
end for his accommodation; and we found time to look around us.

As soon as our fair hostess saw me fairly at work upon the wreck aloft,
she had betaken herself to the galley; and I saw her from time to time,
during the intervals of my labour, busying herself in sundry culinary
operations; and she now came upon the poop where Bob and I were
standing, and announced that dinner was ready, adding, "And I am sure
you must stand in need of it after your hard morning's work."

I thanked her and said, "But before we go below, permit me to introduce
myself. My name," raising my hat and bowing, "is Henry Collingwood, and
I am the owner of the small craft now hanging on astern. This,"
indicating Bob, who took off his hat and made a most elaborate "scrape,"
"is my friend and well-tried shipmate, Robert Trunnion, who, with
myself, will do all we can to make you comfortable on board the cutter,
and will stand by you to the death if need be, until we have placed you
in perfect safety."

The fair girl seemed much affected by my speech, but bowing most
gracefully in return, she said, "And my name is Ella Brand. I have been
left alone in this ship by what I cannot but believe was a dreadful
mistake, and I accept your hospitality and help as frankly as you have
offered it. And now, gentlemen, that we are properly introduced," with
a gay laugh, "permit me to conduct you to the cabin. Come, pussy."

This last invitation was bestowed upon a pretty little playful kitten
which had been following the girl about the ship all the morning.

When we entered the cabin, which, as is the case in most large ships,
was on deck, we found a most sumptuous meal pre