exhibited giving way. "My
poor people will be saved!"

The joyful news soon spread from boat to boat and raft to raft. At
length feeling the wind, sail was set, and the little squadron steered a
course as close to it as was possible, not to near the ship, but to get
further off from the island. As soon as they had gained what Adair
considered a safe distance, he ordered the first lieutenant, who was in
one of the boats, to cast off and stand towards the stranger, whose
topsails by that time could be seen. He had now only earnestly to pray
that the weather would continue calm until they were all on board.
Meantime he had cast many an anxious glance towards the land, which
seemed, at the distance they were now from it, to be at rest, though the
rumbling sounds which reached them and the thick clouds of smoke and
flame ascending, showed them that they had good reason to be thankful
that they had escaped it.

The first lieutenant's boat was eagerly watched as she glided rapidly
over the smooth water. At last her white speck of canvas disappeared
beneath the horizon, and a further period elapsed.

The stranger was pronounced by the cut of her canvas to be a British
man-of-war. At last she was seen to change her course, and to stand
directly for the rafts. Soon afterwards the glorious ensign of England
blew out at her peak. The sight was welcomed by a cheer from the whole
crew. There could be no doubt that the first lieutenant had got on
board. On she came until she approached, when her canvas was reduced.

"Hurrah! she's the _Bellona_!" exclaimed Saint Maur and Adair at the
same moment. They both knew her, and in another minute they recognised
Captain Rogers and several old friends. Adair and Desmond, springing up
the side, were heartily welcomed.

"We have come expressly to look for you," said Jack, as he grasped their
hands, and he told them of the information he had received from the
master of the Australian trader. The _Bellona's_ boats had been lowered
and now approached to take off the crew from the rafts, as well as the
provisions and water.

"We have arrived in the nick of time," said Jack; "but as your island
now seems tolerably quiet, we may as well remove the stores, the men's
bags, and your own things, which it will be a pity to lose, and I shall
be glad to leave some of these boats which we cannot take away."

The _Bellona_ accordingly steamed on towards the entrance of the
harbour, keeping