me.

"It has been, as you say, a sad business indeed. Six lives have been lost,
and, as it appears to me from your story, unnecessarily; it was a grievous
mistake going up that river. I can understand Mr. Towel's anxiety to
obtain a stock of provisions of some sort to victual the boat for a long
cruise, but he should have endeavoured to ascertain first, by following
the bank on foot, whether there were any native villages there before
venturing up in the boat; and to fire guns until he had ascertained that
there were no enemy near, is another instance of that fatal carelessness
that costs so many lives. However, the poor fellow of course acted for the
best, and he has paid dearly for his error. That expedient of yours for
lighting a fire, Steve, was a very ingenious one, and does you a great
deal of credit. I don't think that it would have occurred to me.
Altogether, young gentlemen, you seem to have behaved extremely prudently
and well. I am sorry to tell you that your comrade Archer was washed
overboard in the cyclone, and two of the men were killed by being struck
by a spar that got adrift."

The news of Archer's death greatly destroyed the pleasure of the lads at
finding themselves safely on board the _Tiger_ again, and they took up
their work with very sorrowful hearts.

For another two months the _Tiger_ continued her cruise among the islands
without any adventure occurring. By the end of that time they had disposed
of their goods and had taken in a large number of the native productions
in exchange, and the ship's course was laid north again for Calcutta,
where they filled up with Indian produce and then sailed for home.

Five months later they arrived in the Thames, the only bad weather they
had encountered being a storm as they entered the Channel. They anchored
at Gravesend, and the captain told Stephen to land and take a post-chaise
up to London, and report to Mr. Hewson that the _Tiger_ would come up on
the tide next morning. It was eight o'clock in the evening when Stephen
arrived at his employer's. Mr. Hewson received him with great kindness.

"I am always very glad when I hear that one of my ships is safe in port,"
he said; "for however great my confidence, there are times when human
skill and strength are of no avail. I did not expect that the _Tiger_
would be back for another month or so, and am heartily glad to hear that
she has returned. All has gone well, I hope?"

"I am sorry to say, sir, that