raight in the face and make quite sure that you mean
it. For better or for worse. No undoin' _that_ knot, Nigel, once it's
fairly tied! And, third, you must make quite sure that Winnie is sure of
her own mind, an' that--that--"

"We're all sure all round, father. Quite right. I agree with you. 'All
fair an' aboveboard' should be the sailing orders of every man in such
matters, especially of every seaman. But, will you explain how I am to
make sure of Winnie's state of mind without asking her about it?"

"Well, I don't exactly see my way," replied the captain slowly. "What
d'ee say to my soundin' her on the subject?"

"Couldn't think of it! You may be first-rate at deep-sea soundings,
father, but you couldn't sound the depths of a young girl's heart. I
must reserve that for myself, however long it may be delayed."

"So be it, lad. The only embargo that I lay upon you is--haul off, and
mind you don't let your figurehead go by the board. Meanwhile, here
comes the boat. Now, Nigel, none o' your courtin' till everything is
settled and the wind fair--dead aft my lad, and blowin' stiff. You and
the hermit are goin' off to Krakatoa to-day, I suppose?"

"Yes. I am just now waiting for him and Moses," returned Nigel.

"Is Winnie going?"

"Don't know. I hope so."

"Humph! Well, if we have a fair wind I shall soon be in Batavia," said
the captain, descending to business matters, "and I expect without
trouble to dispose of the cargo that we landed there, as well as that
part o' the return cargo which I had bought before I left for
Keeling--at a loss, no doubt, but that don't matter much. Then I'll come
back here by the first craft that offers--arter which----. Ay!--Ay!
shove her in here. Plenty o' water."

The last remark was made to the seaman who steered the boat sent from
the vessel in the offing.

A short time thereafter Captain Roy was sailing away for Batavia, while
his son, with Van der Kemp, Moses, Winnie, and Spinkie, was making for
Krakatoa in a native boat.

The hermit, in spite of his injuries, had recovered his wonted
appearance, if not his wonted vigour. Winnie seemed to have suddenly
developed into a mature woman under her recent experiences, though she
had lost none of her girlish grace and attractiveness. As for
Moses--time and tide seemed to have no effect whatever on his ebony
frame, and still less, if possible, on his indomitable spirit.

"Now you keep still," he said in solemn tones and with warnin