he usual cry
of "Sail ho!" but as we had to follow our boats we could not go to meet
her. As she drew nearer, I observed that her fore-topmast, her
main-topgallant-mast, and main-topsail yard were gone, and that she was
evidently in other ways much damaged. The stranger passing within hail,
a voice inquired, "What ship is that?" The third mate, Mr Reece,
answered, and put the usual questions in return, but before these could
be replied to, gliding by she had rounded to a short distance off. As I
watched her I saw two females, who had apparently just come on deck to
look at us. Presently a boat was lowered which soon came alongside,
when who, to my surprise, should step on board but my old friend Captain
Bland. I at once concluded that the two females I had seen were Mary
and her mother, and my heart gave a bound at the thoughts of meeting
them. Our visitor first inquired for Captain Hake, and hearing that he
was away in one of the boats his eye ranged along the deck as if in
search of somebody. Though I was near him he did not recognise me till
I advanced, when his eye brightened, and putting out his hand he shook
mine cordially.

"Mrs Bland and Mary will be right glad to see you, Jack, and to give
you all the news from home, and you must try to cheer them up by telling
them all you have been about, for they have had a trying time of it for
some months past. As soon as Captain Hake returns I will get him to
allow you to accompany me on board the `Lady Alice.'" He then addressed
Mr Reece: "Your ship and mine belong to the same owners, and I want as
many of your men as can be spared to assist my people in repairing our
damages, for we are terribly short-handed. We encountered fearful
weather in coming round Cape Horn, when we had the misfortune to lose
four men overboard, three more were killed by the only whale we have yet
taken, two deserted at Juan Fernandez with the idea of playing Robinson
Crusoe, though they'll very soon get sick of that, and five others are
too sick to come on deck. Three days ago we were caught in a gale, and
before the hands could shorten sail the topmasts were carried over the
side, so you'll understand that we want all the help we can get."

"I've no doubt that the captain will afford it, sir," answered Mr
Reece; "but we ourselves are sadly wanting in able seamen--we haven't
more than three hands who can be trusted to take the helm with any sea
on."

Medley and I smiled at the ma