nvey to him the glad tidings of the safety of his wife and daughters,
while the "Ranger" proceeded to the Auckland Islands. She quickly
arrived at Charnley Sound, and brought up in the deep bay near its
entrance, on the north side. Hence, with Willy Dicey as pilot, her
boats were sent up to the inner harbour. As they approached, Willy's
heart beat high at the thought of the joyful intelligence he was
bringing. The first person he met was Harry Shafto who, on seeing the
boats approach, had hurried down to the bay. Harry recognised several
well-known faces of his old shipmates. A few words served to tell how
the "Ranger" had escaped. The two friends hurried to communicate the
intelligence to Mrs Morley and her daughters. On their way they met
Mrs Rumbelow, who had seen the arrival of the boats. She, too, had
recognised the faces of their crews. Willy took her hand, and shook it
warmly.

"Happy news, Mrs Rumbelow," he exclaimed; "the sergeant is alive and
well. I heard of him on board; and I hope in a few days you will see
him in New Zealand."

"You are a good angel, Mr Dicey, to bring me such tidings," she
exclaimed, putting her arms round his neck, and bursting into tears.
"My good brave husband! I'll never forget who it was that told me I
should meet him again down here on earth, for I felt sure we should be
joined up aloft there." And the strong-minded energetic woman, who had
held out so bravely, never allowing a tear or complaint to escape,
sobbed for very joy.

They found Mrs Morley, with Fanny and Emma, just leaving their cottage.
"God has indeed been merciful to me," were the only words Mrs Morley
could utter. Fanny unconsciously gave Harry Shafto her hand. "How my
dear father will thank you for all the care you have taken of us," she
said. "We can never sufficiently show our gratitude." Harry kept the
hand thus offered him. What Harry said in return it is not necessary to
repeat.

As there was but little property to carry away, in a few minutes every
individual was ready to embark. Harry Shafto was the last person to
leave the shore. The boats, laden with passengers, pulled down the
harbour. The sea was smooth, and without accident they, before
nightfall, got alongside the "Ranger."

A bright moon enabled them to put to sea that night, and, the weather
continuing unusually fine, within a week they landed in New Zealand.

Harry Shafto gained his well-earned promotion, and in two years b