trast it presents to that of northern climates. The day
does not slowly gather in the East, changing by imperceptible degrees
from the depth of gloom to the fulness of light, but springs as it were
with a single effort into brilliant splendour--an image of the great
Creator's power when He created the earth and skies--not toiling through
long ages of successive processes and formations, as some would have us
believe, but starting at one bound from shapeless chaos into life and
harmony.

The doctor cast an anxious look at the horizon, and was relieved to find
that the _Hooghly_ was nowhere visible. "Well out of that," he
muttered. "If we could only bring poor Jennings round, I shouldn't so
much regret what has happened. But I am afraid that can't be." He
again felt the old man's pulse, and found that he was now conscious
again, though very feeble.

"Is that Mr Lavie?" he said, opening his eyes. "I'm glad to see you've
come off safe, sir. I hope the young gentlemen are safe too."

"All three of them, Jennings, thank you," was the answer; "not one of
them has so much as a scratch on him."

"That's hearty, sir. I am afraid poor Joe--it's all over with him,
isn't it?"

"I am afraid so, Tom. But he didn't suffer. The ball struck him right
on the temple, and he was gone in a moment."

"Yes, sir, and he was killed doing his duty. Perhaps if he'd remained
among them villains, he'd have been led astray by them. It's best as it
is, sir. I only hope you may all get safe to land."

"And you too, Tom," added Frank, who with his two companions had joined
them unperceived.

"No, Mr Frank, I shall never see land--never see the sun set again, I
expect. But I don't know that I'm sorry for that I'm an old man, sir,
and my nevvy was the last of my family, and I couldn't have lived very
long any way."

"No," said Mr Lavie, "and you too have met your death in the discharge
of your duty. When my time comes, I hope I may be able to say the
same."

"Ah, doctor, it's little good any on us can do in this world. It's well
that there's some one better able to bear the load of our sins than we
are! But I want to say a word or two, sir, while I can. I advised you,
you'll remember, to run straight for the nearest point of the coast,
which I judge is about eight hundred miles off. But I didn't know then
where them pirates meant to take the _Hooghly_ to. Their officers only
let it out last night over their drink. They we