ast a flotilla of
canoes which looked as if on their way to the island, but were lying-to
as if startled from landing by the explosions which kept coming from the
crater.

"Quite time our adventures ceased, Jack," said Sir John, "when they were
becoming as dangerous as this. It seems that we have just had another
escape."

"Yes, father," said Jack quietly. "I am sorry to leave the place; but,
as you say, it was quite time to go."

Peaceful sea voyages in fine weather, from one of the well-known ports
to the other for coal and other supplies, have been described too often
for Jack Meadows' quiet journey to China, from thence to Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, and then round the Horn to Rio, Barbadoes, and
then homeward, to need recapitulation here. Let it suffice that it was
within six weeks of two years from starting that Sir John's yacht
steamed into Dartmouth harbour once more.

Two years--from sixteen to eighteen--work strange alterations in some
lads; they had done wonders here, and Sir John and the doctor exchanged
glances as Jack stepped down into the boat amid the cheers of the men,
after he had shaken hands all round.

"Good-bye!" he shouted. "Remember that in six months we start on
another cruise."

A deafening cheer was the answer to this, and the men sprang up into the
rigging, to stand waving their caps to the lad--the young man who had
been almost carried on board.

That evening as the express steamed into Paddington, and Ned met his
master on the platform to say that the luggage was all right, the man
seized the opportunity to whisper to Jack--

"Home again, sir! I say, what will they think of you there? They won't
know you!"

"Not know me, Ned? Am I so much changed?"

"Changed, sir? What, don't you know it?"

"I--I think I'm stronger, Ned, and grown a little."

"Why, sir, you're as strong and as big as me."

"My cure, Jack!" said the doctor, shaking hands with him as they reached
the old home. "I say, Meadows, what am I to charge for this?--No: I'm
paid already in the sight of my old friend's son."

It's rather a hard thing to do, but it is to be done. I mean for three
people to shake hands at once. These three--Sir John, the doctor, and
Jack Meadows--did in self-congratulation at being safe and sound at
home.

It is done like this--No, you can find that out yourselves.

THE END.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack at Sea, by George Manville Fenn

*** E