t air
into my lungs."

"Ah! you'll have enough of that. 'Tother lady is down yet, eh? She has
not got up."

"No."

"Are you all going to the same place?"

"I believe so."

"Missionaries, eh?"

"Yes."

"Think you'll get those dark fellows to listen to you?"

"Why not?" said Eleanor brightly.

"It's all make-believe. They only want to get your axes and hatchets,
and such things."

"Well, we want their yams and potatoes and fish and labour," said
Eleanor; "so it is a fair bargain; and no make-believe on either side."

"Why don't you stay in the Colonies? there is work enough to be done;
people enough that need it; and a fine country. Everything in the world
that you need; and not so far from home either."

Eleanor made no answer.

"Why don't you stay in the Colonies?"

"One can only be in one place," said Eleanor lightly.

"And that must always be the place where somebody else is," said the
captain maliciously. "That's the way people will congregate together,
instead of scattering where they are wanted."

"Do you know the Colonies well?" said Eleanor coolly, in answer to this
rude speech.

"I ought. I have spent about a third of my life in them. I have a
brother at Melbourne too, as rich in flocks and herds almost as Job
was. That's the place! That's a country! But you are going to Sydney?"

"Yes."

"Friends there?"

"I have one friend there who expects me."

"Who's he? Maybe I know him."

"Egbert Esthwaite is his name."

"Don't know him, though. And so you have left England to find yourself
a new home in the wilderness?"

"Yes."

"Pretty tough change you'll find it. Don't you find it already?"

"No. Don't you know," said Eleanor giving him a good look, "when one's
real home is in heaven, it does not make so much difference?"

The captain would have answered the words fast enough; but in the
strong sweet eye that had looked into his so full, there was something
that silenced him. He turned off abruptly, with the internal
conviction--"_That_ girl thinks what she says, anyhow!"

Eleanor's eyes left contemplating the waters, and were busy for some
time with the book which had lain in her lap until her colloquy with
the captain. Somebody came and sat down beside her.

"Mr. Amos! I am glad to see you," said Eleanor.

"I am glad to see you, sister," he replied; "and glad to see you able
to be here. You look well again."

"O I am."

"Mrs. Amos cannot raise her head. What are you doing