his Society, for it is pre-eminently useful, and no one can
tell when he may require its assistance.

The Lifeboat Institution and the Shipwrecked Fishermen's and Mariners'
Society are distinct bodies, but they do their benevolent work in
harmonious concert. The one saves life, or tries to save it; the other
cherishes the life so saved, or comforts and affords timely aid to
broken-hearted mourners for the dead.

Both Institutions are national blessings, and as such have the strongest
possible claim on the sympathies of the nation.

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Note 1. In case any reader should sympathise with us, and desire to act
on the above hint, we subjoin the following address, to which money may
be sent: The Secretary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, 22
Charing Cross Road, London, W.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

A MEETING--A DEATH, AND A DISCOVERY.

Resuming our story, we remind the reader that we left off just as the
Ramsgate lifeboat had gained a glorious victory over a great storm.

Availing ourselves of an author's privilege, we now change the scene to
the parlour of Mrs Foster's temporary lodgings at Ramsgate, whither the
worthy lady had gone for change of air, in company with her son Guy, her
daughter-in-law Lucy, her little grandson Charlie, and her adopted
daughter Amy Russell.

Bax is standing there alone. He looks like his former self in regard to
costume, for the only man approaching his own size, who could lend him a
suit of dry clothing, happened to be a boatman, so he is clad in the
familiar rough coat with huge buttons, the wide pantaloons, and the
sou'-wester of former days. His countenance is changed, however; it is
pale and troubled.

On the way up from the harbour Guy had told him that he was married, and
was surprised when Bax, instead of expressing a desire to be introduced
to his wife, made some wild proposal about going and looking after the
people who had been saved! He was pleased, however, when Bax suddenly
congratulated him with great warmth, and thereafter said, with much
firmness, that he would go up to the house and see her. On this
occasion, also, Bax had told his friend that all the produce of his
labour since he went away now lay buried in the Goodwin Sands.

Bax was ruminating on these things when the door opened, and Guy
entered, leading Lucy by the hand.

"Miss Burton!" exclaimed Bax, springing forward.