Desmond could have
been on board. If so, we may hear of him from Batavia, or one of the
Spice Islands, to which the stranger was bound."

Tom, as he surveyed the still haggard-looking crew and their commander,
felt how unfit they were to continue the voyage to England, and proposed
that he should request the captain of the _Bellona_ to strengthen her
crew, and assist in navigating her to Saint Helena, or back to the Cape.

"No, thank you, sir," replied the stout-hearted master, "you have set me
to rights, and given me food and water, and I will touch at Saint Helena
or Ascension for more, if necessary, and hope, with God's providence, to
find my way safe up the Mersey. I have been in a worse plight than
this, and provided the leak doesn't break out again, or my men fall
sick, and we don't run short of provisions and water, we shall get home
in time. You will come below, sir, before you leave, and let my wife
thank you. She is grateful for all you have done for us. It is the
only return we can make, under present circumstances."

Tom accepted the invitation, and found the master's wife seated on sofa,
and a very ladylike person she seemed to be, though she looked
dreadfully ill.

"I shall be better soon, I trust, now that I have some wholesome food;
but we are in God's hands. He knows best what is good for us, and we
must not repine. You and your men, sir, have saved our lives, for we
could not have held out many hours longer; and accept our gratitude.
Our prayers will be offered for your safety wherever you go."

Tom could remain but a couple of minutes. His men having performed
their tasks, had returned to the ship, and his boat was the only one
alongside. He jumped into her, feeling very doubtful whether the _Argo_
would ever reach home in safety.

"Go ahead!" cried the captain, as Tom's boat was hoisted up, and the
_Bellona_ soon left the unfortunate _Argo_ astern. In a few hours,
however, they met a strong breeze, which they hoped would fill her sails
and waft her on her way.

In consequence of the expenditure of so much coal, the _Bellona_ had to
touch at the Cape. Jack and Tom made every possible inquiry for Lord
Saint Maur, but they could gain no tidings of the Dutch ship.

"He must, then, have gone on to Batavia. I was in hopes that he might
have put in here," observed Tom.

Jack was surprised that the _Empress_ had not got in, as he thought that
she could have done so before him, in conse