ness to which the blow
had reduced me; and in contemplating such indomitable courage I not only
learned a lesson that I trust has benefited and toned my whole life
since then, but I also gathered fresh courage and resolution to face the
responsibilities and demands of the immediate present.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE RECAPTURE OF THE BARQUE.

Under the soothing influence of her brother-in-law's admirable manner,
Miss Merrivale soon recovered her wonted serenity of manner; while Lady
Emily seemed never to have lost hers, so absolute was her trust and
confidence in her husband, and his power to strengthen and reassure her.
In less than half an hour, therefore, after the departure of the boat
we were all sitting in a circle upon the sandy beach of the basin,
regaling ourselves upon some of the fruit that the ladies had gathered
earlier in the day, and discussing, meanwhile, the possibilities of our
situation.

Notwithstanding the brutally callous behaviour of Rogers, I still hoped,
and Sir Edgar fully believed, that a majority of the men on board would
be sufficiently swayed by motives of humanity to insist upon bringing us
ashore our clothing, and at least a few of the more obvious necessities
of life, such as a spare sail, a coil or two of line, a few nails, a
hammer, a saw, a trifle of crockery, some cooking utensils, and, above
all, our fowling-pieces and some ammunition. Miss Merrivale, however,
was positive that they would not; and as the time dragged slowly by
without any sign of the reappearance of the boat, I began at last to
fear that she would prove to be right.

A brightening in the sky to the eastward, over the crest of the lofty
heights that towered above us in that direction, at length announced the
rising of the moon, and, at the same time, made us aware that some four
hours had elapsed since sunset. As the mild radiance of the silver
luminary met my gaze I started to my feet, and said--

"There is the moon rising, and we shall soon have light enough to make
our final dispositions for the night. Meanwhile, as you are all
perfectly safe here, I will endeavour to make my way round to the beach
abreast of the ship, and see what they are about on board. If they
intend to go to sea to-night they will soon be making a move to get
under way; and if they do _not_, there may yet be a chance for us to do
something, with Martin's assistance."

"What!" exclaimed Sir Edgar, "do you still believe in that fe