Owen to go in the boats, anxious
as they were to ascertain the fate of their shipmates.

The night passed away; the boats had not returned. It was not until
late the next day that they appeared.

"Hurrah! they have a number of people on board; some of the poor fellows
have escaped then!" was uttered by those on the look-out.

On the boat coming alongside, fourteen people were handed up on deck,
all in a weak state, some dreadfully burned and otherwise injured by the
explosion. Among them was Mr Leigh, who, though weak, was but slightly
hurt. Owen was for many reasons rejoiced to see him. By his exertions
a raft had been constructed, on which the survivors had reached the
shore. They were there seized by a party of natives, who were on the
point of carrying them off into captivity when the boats had arrived and
they had been rescued. These, with the four already on board the
corvette, had alone escaped of all the frigate's gallant grew, several
men having died on the wreck. The other incidents of the "Kestrel's"
cruise need not be described. A loud cheer was uttered as she bade
farewell to the Indian seas, and her course was shaped for the Cape on
her way to England.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Owen did duty as a midshipman on the voyage home. He confided to Mr
Leigh the strange account which Ashurst had related just before his
death. Mr Leigh was more inclined to believe it than Langton had been.

"At all events, Hartley," he said, "it is a matter which must be looked
into immediately on our arrival in England. I am glad you have
mentioned it to no one else, and as Lord Arlingford is not aware that
his brother had confessed the truth to you, he will be the less prepared
to resist your claim. If you can find an honest lawyer I would advise
you to put the matter into his hands Langton and your other companions
on the raft can prove Ashurst's death, and I can give evidence of the
extraordinary animosity he always exhibited towards you."

"I hope that it will not be necessary to mention that subject," said
Owen. "I would rather not have to refer to the poor fellow's
ill-treatment of me. In regard to a lawyer, I know of one in whom I
have thorough confidence. He will by this time, I hope, have set up for
himself, and I could not place the matter in better hands."

Owen had frequent conversations with Mr Leigh and Langton, but no one
else on board had any idea that the apparently friendless young
midshipman