We were very sorry when, the captain having concluded his business, we
had once more to get into our palanquins, and to commence our return
journey to the coast. We met with no adventure worthy of being noted,
though we saw a number of curious and interesting plants and shrubs. At
length once more we trod the deck of the _Triton_. The anchor was hove
up, the topsails hoisted, and with a fair breeze we stood to the
southward. We touched at Cape Town, but I will not describe it or the
Table Mountain, of which every one has heard over and over again. One
day we were all on deck, when the Captain and mates and Jerry and I were
taking observations. "I thought so," exclaimed Captain Frankland; "we
have just put a girdle round the world; and now, lads, you will have
spare time enough to tie the knot." In a few weeks after this we
reached the shores of Old England in safety, and though we had heartily
enjoyed our voyage, right glad and thankful too were we to see once more
its snow-white cliffs.

I spent three days with Captain Frankland's family, and then Jerry and
old Surley, who must not be forgotten, accompanied me to my own home.
All were there for the Christmas holidays, and what between my dear
father and mother's embraces, and my sisters pulling me here and there
to get another and another kiss at my well-browned cheeks, and my
brother's reiterated and hearty thumps on the back, I was almost in as
much danger of being pulled to pieces as I had during any time of the
voyage, and had not Jerry been there to draw off the attention of some
of the party, I do not know what would have been the result. Cousin
Silas soon afterwards joined us, and remained while the ship was
refitting. We spent a very merry Christmas, and no one seemed tired of
hearing us recount our adventures. Old Surley used to sit at our feet,
and he nodded his head and winked his eyes, as much as to say "It is all
true, and if I could but speak I would tell you the same story." I hope
that my readers will receive it in as favourable a way as did my family.
We had learned many lessons during our trip. We had been taught to
respect other people, their manners, and even their prejudices, and to
reflect what we ourselves should have been had we laboured under similar
disadvantages, while at the same time we had seen every reason to love
Old England more and more, and to be deeply grateful for the numberless
inestimable blessings she enjoys. We had