ight darted his creese into Courtenay's breast; then, as
if satisfied, with an air of mingled defiance and derision, immediately
sank under the bottom of the pinnace, and was seen no more.

"Ungrateful viper!" murmured Courtenay, as he fell into the arms of his
men.

The boats hastened back to the frigate; they had but few men hurt,
except those mentioned in our narrative; but the wounds of Courtenay and
of Prose were dangerous. The creeses of the pirates had been steeped in
the juice of the pine-apple, which, when fresh applied, is considered as
a deadly poison. The Aspasia soon afterwards anchored in Madras Roads,
and a removal to a more invigorating clime was pronounced essential to
the recovery of the two officers. Courtenay and Prose were invalided,
and sent home in an East India-man, but it was many months before they
were in a state of convalescence. Captain M--- gave an acting order as
lieutenant to Seymour, and when he joined the admiral, expressed himself
so warmly in his behalf that it was not superseded; and our hero now
walked the quarter-deck as third-lieutenant of H.M. ship _Aspasia_.

If the reader is not by this time tired of India, I am. To narrate all
that occurred would far exceed the limits of this work. I shall
therefore confine myself to stating that, after three years, Captain
M--- quitted the country, having during his stay gained much in
reputation, but lost more in constitution. When we return to the
frigate, she will be well advanced on her passage home.

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.

When souls which should agree to will the same--
To have one common object for their wishes,
Look diff'rent ways, regardless of each other,
Think what a train of wretchedness ensues!
ROWE.

But we must return to England, or we shall lose sight of the Rainscourt
family, in which much that is interesting has occurred since our hero's
absence in the East.

Mr Rainscourt made occasional visits to the Hall, with the hope of
inducing his wife to break through her resolution, and once more to
reside with him under the same roof; but in this he could not succeed;
for although Mrs Rainscourt received him with kindness and urbanity,
she was too well aware, by information received from many quarters, of
the life of excess which he indulged in, ever again to trust her
happiness in his keeping. Nevertheless, pursuing his point with an
obstinacy that seemed surprising, Rainscourt always was to be found