s ago, and have been waiting for a vessel to
return home, with several other persons. One of them is Miss Pemberton,
Ellen's great friend. Poor girl! she had a severe trial, and she and
Ellen have sympathised with each other. You saw her at Bellevue with
that fine soldier, Major Malcolm. They were engaged to marry, having
been smitten at first sight, but he and young Belt, who so gallantly
defended Bellevue, were sent in pursuit of the rebel blacks. They had
followed the rascals into their mountain fastnesses, and, regardless of
the danger to which they exposed themselves, pushed on ahead of their
own men into a defile, where they were both shot down by a party of
negroes lying in ambush. For some time we thought Fanny would never get
over it; but she has been advised change of scene and air, so we are
taking her with us to Ireland. Archie Sandys, that brave young fellow
whom you had on board the _Champion_, also forms one of the party. He
has lately come into a good property, so he has given up his situation
out here. And now, what are you going to do?"

Norman Foley, eager at once to see Ellen, replied that he must first
deliver up the _Ouzel Galley_ to the prize agents, and as soon as that
duty had been performed he would accompany Mr Ferris on shore.

"By-the-by, I was forgetting she was no longer my ship, though I
conclude that after the regular forms have been gone through, she will
be restored to us at a nominal value," observed Mr Ferris.

"The commander has already made an arrangement with her former master,
Captain Massey, on the subject," answered the lieutenant.

From the _Ouzel Galley_ Mr Ferris proceeded on board the _Research_ to
congratulate his friends on their escape, when he invited them all to
his house in Kingston, where those who were able to do so at once
accompanied him.

Commander Olding and his officers had, of course, to report themselves
to the admiral, and to give an account of the loss of the _Champion_.
They had to undergo the usual court-martial, and were, as was expected,
honourably acquitted.

In the mean time the _Ouzel Galley_, having been restored to her former
owners, was quickly fitted for sea, while the _Research_ was purchased
into the navy, and the command given to Lieutenant Tarwig.

Commander Olding and several of his officers had made up their minds to
return home by the first opportunity, but most of the rest, as well as a
portion of the _Champion's_ crew, jo