he asked forgiveness, and forgives
me!" Then, with frantic exclamation, he continued: "Wretch that I am,--
would that I had died for thee, my son--my son!" and clasping his hands
over his head, he fell back in a state of insensibility.

The vicar, much affected with the scene, rang the bell for assistance,
which was obtained; but the wretched man had received a shock which
hastened his dissolution. He was too much exhausted to sit upright, and
they were obliged to carry him to the bed, from which he never rose
again. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered to be able to converse,
he waved the servants from the room, and resumed in a faltering voice--

"But, sir, he mentions his child--my grandchild. Where is he? Can I
see him?"

"I am afraid not, sir," replied the vicar, who then entered into a
recital of the arrangements which had taken place, and the name of the
ship on board of which our hero had been permitted to remain, under the
charge of Adams, the quartermaster.

The admiral listened to the recital of the vicar without interruption,
and, as soon as it was finished, to the great joy of the worthy pastor,
expressed the most anxious wish to make every reparation in his power.
Aware that difficulties might arise, from the circumstance of our hero's
existence not being suspected by his collateral heirs, who had for some
time considered as certain their ultimate possession of his large
entailed property, he directed a will to be immediately drawn up,
acknowledging his grandchild, and leaving to him all his personal
property, which was very considerable; and praying the vicar to take
upon himself the office of guardian to the boy--a request which was
cheerfully complied with. The admiral would not listen to the repeated
requests of the vicar, to take the repose which his excited and sinking
frame required, until the necessary document had been drawn out, signed,
and duly witnessed. When all was complete he fell back on the pillow,
in such a state of exhaustion as threatened immediately to terminate his
career. It was late when the vicar took his leave, after having
administered some little consolation to the repentant and dying man, and
promised to call upon him early on the ensuing morning.

But the vicar had other duties to perform, which induced him to defer
his visit until the following noon. Others were sick, others were
dying, and needed spiritual consolation; and he made no distinction
between the