saw that now was the time to speak, and that if the stranger
should prove to be Jack Askew, the news he brought would do him good.
"But, my friend, do you think that a fond mother so easily forgets her
sailor son?--do you think a young loving sister forgets her brother?--do
you suppose that an old sailor father does not know that a person may be
cast on shore on a desert island in these little-known seas, and remain
for years undiscovered?"

"Why do you ask those questions?" asked the lad, leaning forward with
earnest eyes, and eagerly seizing Charley's arm--"How do you know that I
have a sailor father, a fond mother, and a young sister?"

"If you are Jack Askew I know it very well, for your parents and dear
little sister Margery have never ceased to think of you," answered
Charley.

"I am! I am!" exclaimed the lad, throwing his arms round Charley's
neck. "You tell me that they are alive still, father and mother, and
Margery--dear, dear Margery! And are they well?--do they ever expect to
see me?--can they believe that I am alive? All you tell me nearly turns
my head with joy, but it won't kill me; I must live to go back to them."

Charley assured Jack that all were well, and that the only drawback to
their happiness was his absence.

"And Margery! dear, dear little Margery; you must tell me all about
her," exclaimed Jack, after a lengthened pause. "Is she grown?--is she
as fair and bright and beautiful as she was? You don't know how I loved
that little girl. I have often dreamed of her as an angel coming to
look for me and take me home; and I have thought that she was flying
away with me, holding my hand, over the sea and over the land; and oh,
how bitter was the disappointment when I awoke and found that I was
alone."

"You see, Jack, that she was constantly praying for you, and going in
spirit to look for you, and her prayers were heard in heaven, as I am
sure that sincere prayers, rightly prayed, are heard," observed Charley.
"But you must not talk any more just now; have a little more soup, and
go to sleep, if you can, for a short time, and then we will go on
board."

"Thank you; you are very kind indeed, quite like a brother; and I want
to know more about you--who you are, and why you came to look for me?"
said Jack.

"Time enough for that when we get on board," answered Charley; "we have
a somewhat long voyage before us, and it will be well to keep something
in store to talk about."

Jack made