I hurried down to the
"hard," and, engaging a boat, put off and got alongside before any of
the Portsmouth boats. I soon found that I was right. The first person
I saw on stepping on deck was Harry himself; he hurried forward to shake
me by the hand.

"Father," he said, "we have had a glorious fight, and the captain has
been good enough to speak highly of me; after an hour's fighting,
broadside to broadside, we got foul of the enemy, and I had the honour
of leading the boarders."

I asked him if he had received Captain Leslie's letter; he had not.

"I am then the first to bring you the good news," I said; and I told him
in as few words as I could how Jerry had discovered who his parents
were, and that he might before long see one of them. He was naturally
eager to go on shore at once, but he could not desert his duty; so,
sending the boat back with a message to Susan, I remained on board till
the frigate with her prize went into harbour. Reginald was as much
rejoiced at his friend's prospects as Harry was himself. As soon as
they could get leave they accompanied me over to Ryde.

We landed at the very spot where, about twenty years before, I had
stepped on shore with Harry in my arms, all wet and draggled, followed
by the sheep which had saved his life. And now he stood by my side, a
fine, well-dressed young man, with the thorough cut of a naval officer.
He had had time to get rigged out in a new uniform, and looked
handsomer, I thought, than ever. Somebody else would think so, too, I
had a notion.

We hurried up to our cottage, where Susan was on the look-out for him.
He took her in his arms and kissed her, just as he would have done
before he went to sea.

"Mother," he said, "you are looking well, and thankful I am to come back
to you."

"You've another mother now, Harry," she said, gazing in his face, and
the tears fell from her eyes.

"I shall not love you the less," he answered, "though I had a dozen
mothers."

"There are more than her to share your love, Harry," she replied.

"Well, mother," he said, smiling, "I hope my heart is large enough for
all."

"That it is, I am sure, Harry," she answered; "and I'll not grudge what
you give to others."

Reginald had stayed outside the garden; when I looked out, I found that
he had gone off home. Harry cast a wistful glance in the same
direction; still he did not like to leave Susan in a hurry. She guessed
what was passing in his mind.

"I mustn'