k to get a breath or two of fresh air. He found the schooner
slipping along at a fine pace under every stitch of canvas she could
spread, including studding-sails, with the breeze about two points on
the starboard quarter, a clear sky above her, and a clear sea all round.
Away astern, as the light grew stronger, could be seen a dark patch of
smoke low down upon the horizon, indicating the position of "Albatross
Island;" but the land itself had sunk below the horizon long before.

My story is now ended; very little more remains to be told, and that
little must be told as tersely as possible.

The _Petrel_ made a very rapid and prosperous passage home, and in due
time arrived at Plymouth--long before which, however, the wounded had
all completely recovered. Here the passengers landed; whilst Captain
Staunton proceeded with the schooner to London, where the craft was
safely docked and her crew paid off. The skipper then made the best of
his way to the office of the owners of the _Galatea_, where he was
received with joyous surprise, his story listened to with the greatest
interest, and himself congratulated upon his marvellous escape from the
many perils which he had encountered. And, best of all, before the
interview terminated, his owners showed in the most practical manner
their continued confidence in him by offering him the command of a very
fine new ship which they had upon the stocks almost ready for launching.

I must leave it to the lively imaginations of my readers to picture for
themselves the rapturous welcome home experienced by the other
personages who have figured in this story, merely remarking that it left
absolutely nothing to be desired, its warmth being of itself a
sufficient compensation for all the hardship and suffering they had
endured.

The gold which Bob's forethought had been the means of securing was duly
divided equally between all who could fairly be regarded as entitled to
a share; and, though it certainly did not amount to a fortune apiece, it
proved amply sufficient to compensate the sharers for their loss of
time.

On the receipt of his moiety, Bob gave a grand supper to all his friends
in Brightlingsea, the which is referred to with justifiable pride by the
landlady of the "Anchor" even unto this day.

It was whilst this eventful supper was in full swing that Lance Evelin
unexpectedly made his appearance upon the scene. He was
enthusiastically welcomed by Bob, duly introduced t