d Mark that he could come into
the cabin and study with the rest of us.

Our studies were interrupted when the ship entered Sydney harbour. We
lay there for some days, discharging our cargo, and taking on board
bales of wool, which was now being produced in considerable quantities
in that magnificent country, though the shipments of a whole year were
not equal to what was afterwards exported in a month.

As I knew that the "Emu" was bound for Sydney, I anxiously inquired
whether she was there. She had not come in; but, as I thought she might
possibly make her appearance, I was afraid to go on shore, lest I should
encounter Captain Longfleet or the mates or the men. I felt sure,
should they see me, that I should be captured, carried on board, and
punished tremendously for stealing the boat. On returning on board,
however, one day, Tom Trivett told me that he had heard a report that
the "Emu" had been lost in a gale which had occurred some time before,
as part of her stern had been picked up with her name upon it. This
account having been confirmed, left no doubt on my mind as to her having
been wrecked, and, as none of those on board ever appeared, that all had
perished. I had thus still greater reason than ever to be thankful that
I had made my escape from her when I did. But Captain Mason blamed me
for the way in which I had done so.

"You've done many things that were wrong, my lad," he said, "there's no
doubt about that; but all I can urge you is to be heartily sorry for
them."

I confess I found it very difficult to be sorry that I had run away with
the boat, since I had saved my life by so doing. Then I might
afterwards have lost it on the rock; and the matter has been a very
puzzling one to me ever since.

We sailed with a fair wind, which carried us down the coast of
Australia. The wind then shifted to the eastward, and we passed through
Bass's Straits, between the mighty continent and Van Diemen's Land, as
it was at that time called, the captain intending to go home by the Cape
of Good Hope instead of across the Pacific and round Cape Horn, as ships
of the present day generally do.

I have few incidents to describe during our homeward voyage. I was far
happier than I had been on board the "Emu." Somehow or other I had no
longer that affection for a sea life which I fancied I possessed. I
dreaded, however, the reception I should meet with, on my return home,
from Aunt Deb and Mr Butterfield, an