here, my lads: I will serve you if I can. You made a
great mistake in deserting. I detest pressing men; but it is done, and
it is not my duty to oppose the proceeding. Now, will you take my
advice?"

"What is it, sir?"

"Throw yourself on our captain's mercy. Your ship has sailed for China;
we are going home short-handed. Volunteer to serve the king till the
ship is paid off, and perhaps you will never hear of having deserted.
What do you say?"

"The same as Jem Wimble does, sir. I can volunteer, and fight, if you
like; but I can't bear to be forced."

"Well said!" cried the officer, smiling at Don's bit of grandiloquence;
and, an hour later, after an affectionate parting from Ngati, who
elected to stay with Gordon, Don and Jem were Jacks once more, marching
cheerily with the main body, half a mile behind the guard in charge of
the convicts.

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR.

HOME.

It was a non-adventurous voyage home, after the convicts had been placed
in the hands of the authorities at Port Jackson; and one soft summer
evening, after a run by coach from Plymouth, two sturdy-looking brown
young sailors leaped down in front of the old coaching hotel, and almost
ran along the busy Bristol streets to reach the familiar spots where so
much of their lives had been passed.

Don was panting to get back into his mother's arms, but they had to pass
the warehouse, and as they reached the gates Jem began to tremble.

"No, no; don't go by, Mas' Don. I dursen't go alone."

"What, not to meet your own wife?"

"No, Mas' Don; 'tarn't that. I'm feared she's gone no one knows where.
Stand by me while I ask, Mas' Don."

"No, no, Jem. I must get home."

"We've stood by one another, Mas' Don, in many a fight and at sea, and
on shore. Don't forsake your mate now."

"I'll stay, Jem," said Don.

"Mas' Don, you are a good one!" cried Jem. "Would you mind pulling the
bell--werry gently? My hand shakes so, I shall make a noise."

Don gave the bell a tremendous peal, when Jem looked at him
reproachfully, and seemed ready to run away, as the lesser gate was
snatched angrily open, and a shrill voice began,--

"What d'you mean by ringing like--"

"Sally!"

"Jem!"

Don gave Jem a push in the back, which sent him forward into the yard,
pulled the gate to, and ran on as hard as he could to his uncle's house.
He had laughed at Jem when he said his hand trembled, but his own shook
as he took hold of the knocker, and gave