Walter thought a moment. "No," he answered; "somewhere in London, I
know, and I daresay I can find out."

"Well, we must do our best to discover him when we get on shore," said
the captain.

It was evident to him that the young people had not realised their
thoroughly destitute condition. Whatever property their poor father
might have had must have been lost in the _Mountaineer_. "However," he
thought to himself, "if the brother's heart cannot be moved to take care
of the orphans, perhaps this Mr Tom Heathfield or Lord Heatherly will
do so. In the meantime, I must look after them."

The _Bussorah Merchant_ reached the Thames in safety, and went into the
docks to discharge her cargo.

"You must come with me, my young friends, till we can find out your
cousin," said the kind captain. "My good wife, Mrs Davenport, will be
very glad to see you, as will our little girl Grace. You must be
content with such fare as we can offer, and you may be sure of a hearty
welcome."

"Thank you, sir," said Walter. "Emily and I, I am sure, shall be very
happy with you. Do you live in the West End of London?"

"No," answered the captain, smiling; "I live at Poplar. It is a
different sort of locality; but I have had a good many losses, and am
not so well off as some masters of ships. But my life has been
preserved when others have lost theirs, and I retain my health and
strength. I have a good wife and an affectionate little girl, and I
have therefore reason to be thankful; and so I am."

Captain Davenport, as soon as he was at liberty, accompanied by his
young charges, set off for his home. It differed, however, greatly from
the sort of house Walter and Emily had been accustomed to live in. But
it was very neat; with green palings in front, and neatly-painted
shutters, and the whitest of stone steps leading up to the hall door.
The captain had had no time to tell his wife of the guests she might
expect. After, therefore, the first greetings between them were over,
and he had embraced his little daughter Grace, Mrs Davenport naturally
inquired who the young strangers were. No sooner had she heard their
history than she gave an affectionate embrace to Emily.

"Yes, indeed, you are welcome here," she said; "and if you are content
with this house, we shall be glad to have you remain in it. And I am
sure Grace will do her best to make you at home, young lady," she said,
placing the girls' hands in each other's.

The