must commune with my God, and pray for forgiveness. The
space between me and eternity is but short."

Tom threw himself into my arms, where he remained for some minutes; he
then broke gently away, and pointed to the door. I once more took his
hand and we parted.

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

IN WHICH, AS USUAL IN THE LAST CHAPTER OF A WORK, EVERYTHING IS WOUND UP
MUCH TO THE READER'S SATISFACTION, AND NOT A LITTLE TO THE AUTHOR'S, WHO
LAYS DOWN HIS PEN, EXCLAIMING, "THANK GOD!"

I went back to the inn, and ordering the horses to be put to, I
explained to all but Mary the propriety of their now returning home.
Mary was lifted in, and it was a relief to my mind to see them all
depart. As for myself, I resolved to remain until the last; but I was
in a state of feverish agitation, which made me restless. As I paced up
and down the room, the newspaper caught my eye. I laid hold of it
mechanically, and looked at it. A paragraph rivetted my attention.
"His Majesty's ship _Immortalite_ Chatham, to be paid off." Then our
ship has come home. But what was that now? Yet something whispered to
me that I ought to go and see Captain Maclean, and try if anything could
be done. I knew his commanding interest, and although it was now too
late, still I had an impulse to go and see him, which I could not
resist. "After all," said I to myself, "I'm of no use here, and I may
as well go." This feeling, added to my restlessness, induced me to
order horses, and I went to Chatham, found out that Captain Maclean was
still on board, and took boat off to the frigate. I was recognised by
the officers, who were glad to see me, and I sent a message to the
captain, who was below, requesting to see him. I was asked into the
cabin, and stated to him what had occurred, requesting his assistance,
if possible.

"Faithful," replied he, "it appears that Tom Beazeley has deserted
twice; still there is much extenuation; at all events, the punishment of
death is too severe, and I don't _like_ it--I can save him, and I will.
By the rule of the services, a deserter from one service can be claimed
from the other, and must be tried by his officers. His sentence is,
therefore, not legal. I shall send a party of marines, and claim him as
a deserter from the Navy, and they must and shall give him up--make
yourself easy, Faithful, his life is as safe as yours."

I could have fallen on my knees and thanked him, though I could hardly
believe that such go