NTO PORT--PASSENGERS KEPT PRISONERS ON THE ISLAND.

When the "Osterley" left Calcutta she stood across the Bay of Bengal,
and there appeared to be every prospect of a favourable commencement of
the voyage. She had a good many passengers, but not so many as she
would have had, probably, had she been going home direct. They were
chiefly married ladies, accompanying their children; or civilians, or
military men returning after many years' service; or invalids, hoping to
regain their health in the land of their birth.

Altogether, Miss Armytage did not expect to find much to interest her
among the companions of her voyage, as they, one after the other, made
their appearance on the poop-deck of the Indiaman, on which she was
seated. It is possible that, while the pilot vessel continued in sight,
she might have taken an occasional glance to ascertain how the little
vessel was performing her voyage, and afterwards it is certain that she
was lost in a reverie, from which she was not aroused till her mother
had several times addressed her with the inquiry whether she was not
excessively hungry, and would go down and get ready for dinner. Mrs
Armytage was a very good-natured woman, and not destitute of sense, but
she had no romance in her composition. She was a great contrast to her
unhappy sister, Hilda.

Edda aroused herself. "Yes, mamma; if it is necessary to appear at
dinner, I will go down with you."

"Of course, dear; and here is Captain Winslow coming to offer you his
arm."

However, he offered it to Mrs Armytage herself, and with his most
polite of bows, begged that they would take their seats near him at
table. Captain Winslow was courteous to all his passengers, but he
certainly paid more attention to the Armytage party than to all the
rest.

After dinner, most of the passengers were collected on the poop,
watching two vessels which appeared in the distance. One was evidently
a native craft, a Dhow or Pattarmar, from her high stern,
curiously-projecting bow, and lofty lateen sail. She had apparently
communicated with the other stranger, which was a ship of some size, and
was now working in towards the land.

The ship engrossed the chief attention of the passengers. She was a
flush-decked vessel or corvette--large for that class of craft, with
very square yards. Miss Armytage hoped that her mother would not
overhear the observations which the appearance of the strange sail
called forth. She was looke