nce that she had taken the crew off a wreck of
some kind, and as soon as the anchor was dropped their boat came
alongside.

The captain had as they neared the shore asked Tripper about inns, and
at once sent the crew ashore in charge of the mate, with orders to go to
the "Bell," and to see that they had everything they required, saying
that he would himself, as soon as the ladies were on shore, go to one of
the shops and order a supply of clothes to be sent up for them.

The ladies were next taken ashore, and then the injured man carried up
and placed in a boat, a stretcher being sent off for him to be laid on.
A messenger had been already sent up to the doctor on the top of the
hill to come down to the Ship Inn, where the party now went. The ladies
had become so thoroughly warmed by the heat in the little cabin that
they declined to go to bed, and having been supplied with dry garments
by the landlady, they were soon comfortable.

The surgeon on his arrival pronounced the fracture of the passenger's
leg, which was a few inches above the ankle, to be a simple one, and not
likely to be attended with any serious consequences whatever. After
setting it he bandaged it in splints, and said that although he should
recommend a few days' perfect quiet, there was no actual reason why the
patient should not be taken up to London if he particularly wished it.

Ben Tripper had gone with the captain, and a pile of flannel shirts,
stockings, guernseys, trousers, and shoes had at once been sent up to
the "Bell." Furious as was the gale, it was possible to speak so as to
be heard in the street of Leigh, and Ben now learned for the first time
some particulars about the wreck.

"The _Petrel_ was a seven hundred ton ship," the captain said, "and on
her way home from Australia. She belongs to James Godstone & Son. There
is no James Godstone now. The son is the passenger you saved; he is the
owner of a dozen vessels all about the same size as the _Petrel_. His
wife and daughter are two of the ladies saved. They went out with us to
Australia. The girl was not strong, and had been recommended a sea
voyage.

"I had been married when I was at home last time, and was taking my wife
out with me; so Mr. Godstone arranged that his wife and daughter should
go with me. We carried no other passengers; the other woman saved is the
stewardess. Mr. Godstone himself did not go out with us, but went across
by Suez and joined us there for the homeward