he had given her heart, and her perfect trust that all was
ordered by God for the best.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

ON STILTS.

I felt very sorry at the thought of leaving Miss Kitty, and would gladly
have remained with her and Mr and Mrs Newton, but Dick would not hear
of my doing so; and Captain Renton insisted that I should return home
with him, and go to school and obtain that instruction which I certainly
greatly required.

"We will take good care of the young lady, Charley," said Mr Newton;
"and should you meet with Mr Falconer, tell him that she is still as
well cared for as at first."

Once more the _Phoebe_ was at sea. Captain Renton gave me a berth in
his cabin, and took so much pains to instruct me, that before the voyage
was over I had made good progress in various branches of knowledge.

"Why, Charley," said Dick, who was proud of the information I displayed,
"you have become quite a scholar. Should not be surprised to hear of
your bearing up to be a judge, or a bishop, or a big-wig of some sort."

"No, no, Dick," I answered; "my only wish is to be a sailor, though I
own I should like to be a captain some day or other, though, of course,
I must study to become that."

"No fear of you, if you go on as you have begun," remarked Dick, gazing
approvingly at me.

We were about the latitude of Madeira, when one morning we sighted a
ship standing to the south'ard. As the day drew on, just as we were
close to her, it fell calm, and she made a signal that she would send
letters on board us to carry home. A boat put off from her, and came
alongside. The second mate of the ship came on deck with the letters.

"Captain Falconer, of the _Harmony_, begs that you will post these on
your arrival in England," he said, presenting them to Captain Renton, by
whose side I was standing.

"Captain Falconer!" I exclaimed, turning eagerly to my captain. "May I
go on board and see him, sir? I cannot help thinking that he was the
mate of the _Dolphin_, who saved that young lady from the savages."

Captain Renton at once ordered a boat to be lowered, to carry me on
board the _Harmony_, letting Dick accompany me. Dick, who pulled the
stroke-oar, gave way with a will, for he felt as eager as I was about
the matter. We were soon alongside, and without waiting for the mate,
who commanded the boat, I scrambled on board, followed by Dick. There,
to my great delight, I saw Mr Falconer. He did not recognise me, as
witho