er something of Ireland. He
had accidentally met my father, and introducing himself to him, all my
family had shown him and Mary the greatest kindness; and he added that
my sisters had formed a warm friendship for her.

My heart beat when I heard this; but I did not trust myself to say
anything. "And now, Peter," said Captain Dean, as we reached the door,
"I will go in and break the joyful news to all hands."

What a tumult was in my heart, as for ten minutes I walked up and down
before the house, waiting to be summoned! At length Captain Dean opened
the door, and beckoning to me, pulled me in. "They all suspect the
truth," he observed. "But I would not tell them till I had got you all
ready to show; so now I'll go back and tell them I have brought a lad
who will let them know all about the long-lost Peter."

They heard him speak, and guessing what was the case, they came flying
down the stairs; and before I had got through the half, I was once more
in the loving arms of my truest and best friends. Even my mother did
not faint, though she sobbed aloud for very joy that her truant son had
returned.

One sweet little girl hung back from the eager crowd. I espied her, and
breaking through them, she received a not less affectionate greeting
than had my sisters.

With my subsequent life I need not trouble my readers.

"Well, Peter," said my father, after I had been washed and clothed, and
had put on once more the appearance of a gentleman, "you have come back,
my lad, poorer than you went away, I fear." He made this remark with
the kind intention of filling a purse my sisters and Mary had given me.

"No, father," I answered, "I have come back infinitely richer. I have
learned to fear God, to worship Him in His works, and to trust to His
infinite mercy. I have also learned to know myself, and to take advice
and counsel from my superiors in wisdom and goodness."

"Then," said my father, "I am indeed content; and I trust others may
take a needful lesson from the adventures of PETER THE WHALER."

THE END.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Peter the Whaler, by W.H.G. Kingston

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PETER THE WHALER ***

***** This file should be named 21474.txt or 21474.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/4/7/21474/

Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

Updated editions will replace the p