until then we
feel confident that He who has hitherto preserved us will keep us in
safety. And what do you intend doing, Mr Shafto?"

"My duty is clear. I will remain, for the same reason, Mrs Morley," he
answered. "And Dr Davis desires also to stay with us; indeed, few, I
believe, of the `Ranger's' people wish to quit the island. I will,
however, send young Dicey, with his brother and sisters, and he will
apply to the senior officer on the station, who will probably send a
man-of-war, or some other vessel, as soon as one can be despatched."
The question was put to the various members of the community, "Whether
or not they would desire to remain."

"Remain! to be sure I will," exclaimed Mrs Rumbelow, when she was
asked. "While the wife or child of one of the men of our regiment stops
here, it's my duty to stay and look after them. And especially if the
colonel's lady stays, do you think I would desert her, Mr Shafto? Her
husband was like a father to the regiment, and I would as soon desert my
own mother as her."

The Diceys, however, and Mr Paget, as well as Tom Loftus and Jack
Ivyleaf, resolved to sail in the "Young Crusader." Though Captain
Westerway warned them that the voyage might prove boisterous, and not
without danger, still Charles was anxious to reach the colony, that he
might begin the life of a settler, and write home to relieve the anxiety
of his family. The greater number of the emigrants, however, begged to
remain, unwilling again to encounter the dangers of the sea, especially
when they compared the size of the "Young Crusader" with that of the
large ship which had brought them to the island. She had come up to the
settlement in order to land such stores as could be spared, and to take
others, as well as her intended passengers, on board. As Harry surveyed
her, he was well pleased with her appearance. She was a stout little
schooner of about 30 tons, and he felt satisfied to entrust his friends
on board her, especially under the guidance of such experienced seamen
as Captain Westerway and Bill Windy.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

CONCLUSION.

THE "YOUNG CRUSADER" SAILS--VOYAGE ALONG THE COAST--A STORM--SCHOONER
PUTS INTO HARBOUR--FATE OF THE MUTINEERS--THE "YOUNG CRUSADER" PROCEEDS
ON HER VOYAGE--STORMY PASSAGE--NEW ZEALAND SIGHTED--ENTERS A BEAUTIFUL
HARBOUR--HOSTILE APPEARANCE OF NATIVES--MR PAGET ADVISES FLIGHT--THE
SCHOONER MAKES SAIL--ESCAPING FROM THE HARBOUR--PURSUED BY CANOES--
MAN-OF