, as we anxiously turned our eyes towards the shore, the
chief's canoe was seen coming off.

"Our prayer has been answered," exclaimed my father, who was watching it
through a spy-glass. "There is a child by his side."

The sailors sprang into the rigging, and every one on board eagerly
watched the approach of the canoe. It was soon alongside, and the
little girl we had been looking for was handed up on deck, followed by
the old chief. She was dressed in a clean white frock, and her hair was
neatly braided, and ornamented with flowers and feathers; but she looked
thin and ill, and sadly scared. When my mother approached the gangway
she flew towards her, and threw herself into her arms, as if she was
sure that she should find in her a loving friend.

"Mamma! mamma!" she exclaimed; but she could utter no other words; and
had it not been for those sounds we should have supposed that she had
lost the power of speech. My mother could not restrain her tears, as
she held the forlorn little creature to her heart.

Such was the way in which we met with little Maud.

Nothing would induce her to leave my mother while the old chief remained
on board; and although he and his people might have treated her kindly,
they certainly had not won her love.

Having received the promised reward, to which the captain added a few
other articles, the chief prepared to take his departure, evidently very
well satisfied with the transaction. The captain, however, warned him,
that should he venture to attack another vessel he would not escape a
severe punishment; but that if he would promise to behave well towards
white people in future, they would come and trade with him, and bring
him a greater blessing than he could at present comprehend. The captain
said this, because he hoped that some day he might be able to convey a
missionary to the place, that he might spread the blessings of the
gospel among the heathen inhabitants.

After the ship was refitted we put to sea, but she was some time engaged
in catching whales, so that our voyage was a very long one. The little
girl who had been rescued from the savages was utterly unable to explain
anything that had happened to her.

Weeks passed away, and not a word did she utter, and my father and
mother began to fear that the hardships she had gone through had
deprived her of her senses. For a long time she could not be induced to
leave my mother's side, and seemed to mistrust every one e