ith the three big trees at the top
of it, and then make for a stream you will see shining in the distance.
There's a bridge over it, which leads to the station."

The directions being sufficiently explicit, we set off without fear of
losing our way. A walk of rather more than an hour's duration brought
us in sight of the stream, with a plank-bridge thrown over it; on which,
as we got nearer, we saw two black men. They were not, however, such as
we had been accustomed to meet with, but were decently clothed.
Saluting us civilly in English with "Good morning, friends," they told
us that this was the station of which we were in search, and that if we
went on a little farther we should find the master, who would be glad to
see us.

Passing some huts, we soon saw before us a low, bungalow-looking
building, with a broad verandah. Directly afterwards there issued forth
a middle-aged gentleman, who advanced towards us. "Glad to see you, my
friends, wherever you come from," he said, putting out his hand. "You
look as if you had had a long tramp of it. I take it you are ready for
breakfast. Come in at once. We were just upon the point of sitting
down when I caught sight of you from the window."

"Thank you, sir," answered Mudge. "Your shepherds, at whose hut we
slept, gave us some breakfast; but we accept your hospitality, as, for
my part, I should be ready for a little more; and so, I dare say, will
my friend Rayner,--at all events, midshipmen have the credit of being
able to stow away two or three meals in succession without
inconvenience, and we have been on short allowance for some days past."

"What, are you naval officers?" exclaimed the captain, eyeing us
attentively. "I thought so from the way you spoke. However, come in.
You can tell me all about yourselves afterwards; it doesn't come up to
my notions of hospitality to bother strangers with questions before they
have eaten, and drunken, and rested themselves after their journey."

Saying this, our host led the way into a neat parlour, where two ladies
were seated at table; one evidently his wife, the other very young. I
looked from her to the elder lady, then, springing forward, I put out my
hand and exclaimed, "Mrs Hudson!"

She shook it with a look of surprise; then, turning round, I added,
"Captain Hudson, I am sure it is you, sir;" and looking at the young
lady, I said, "I don't know your name, but I remember you very well
indeed, and have never for