With the Dyaks of Borneo: A Tale of the Head Hunters

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER II

  Eastward Ho!

  How's that, my lad? There, open your eyes and look about you, and thentake a sip at this glass."

  Tyler felt a strong arm about his shoulders, and a hard rim of somethingcold against his teeth. Then a few drops of water flowed into hismouth, and instantly he was awake, though only half conscious of hissurroundings.

  "Eh," he murmured, "what's the matter? Time to get up? Oh!"

  He gave vent to a little cry of pain as he suddenly became aware of thefact that a red-hot band seemed to encircle his waist. Then he quicklyrealized the cause, and sat up with a start, remembering that he hadplaced a coil of rope about him, and that the loop to which the officerwas hung must have pulled strongly upon him.

  "Feeling sore, my lad?" was asked in tones which seemed familiar. "Therope had hitched as tight as a hangman's noose, and we had to cut itadrift before we could free you. No wonder you have pain, for I expectthat your sides and chest are badly chafed. But you're alive, thank God!And have come to at last. Gracious! What a fright you have given us all!But come, see if you cannot stand on your feet and walk about, for itwill do you all the good in the world."

  "Stand! Rather! I should think I could!" responded Tyler eagerly,suddenly becoming aware of the fact that the elderly naval officersupported him. "Thank you, sir! I'll get up at once."

  "Then heave, and there you are."

  Placing his hand beneath Tyler's arms, the officer helped him to riseto his feet, and then, fearful lest he should be giddy and fall, stoodbeside him holding him by the coat.

  "Feel steady?" he asked. "A bit shaky, I've no doubt, but another sipand a little water on your head will put you right. Here, one of youlads give a hand and we'll take him to the nearest pump."

  There was a group of sailors standing around watching Tyler withinterested eyes, and instantly a number sprang forward to support him.Then with faltering steps, and gait which would have caused him to reelfrom side to side had it not been for their help, they led him acrossthe dock to a shed some little distance away. A pump was erected besideit, and before many seconds had passed a stream of ice-cold water wasgushing from the spout into the trough below.

  "Now, off with his coat and shirt, and one of you boys hop right alongto fetch him a towel," cried the big American, who happened to form oneof the party. "Slick's the word, my lad, and back with it smartly. Here,stand right aside, and let me hold on to the youngster."

  A big, muscular arm was put around Tyler's tottering figure, and hewas deftly placed in such a position as would enable the water to flowupon his head and shoulders. Gush! It came surging from the pump at thehandle of which one of the men worked vigorously, and in a little whileTyler was glad to withdraw with dripping head and face, gasping forbreath with almost as much energy as had been the case after his firstascent from the hold. Then a towel was thrown over his shoulders, andwilling hands set to work to dry him.

  "Feel more like yourself, eh? Just bring along that comb, sonny, andwe'll fix him up, proper," said the American. "Now, on with your shirtand coat, and where's the boy that's holding on to his cap?"

  Their friendly attentions almost bewildered Tyler, for he was unusedto them, and, in fact, at another time would have blushed for shame atfinding himself treated so much like a child. But in spite of the colddouche to his head he still felt dizzy. His brain swam with the effectsof the choking gas, which had been given off by the cargo of corn, whilehuge black spots seemed to float dreamily about in the air and disturbedhis vision. Then, too, though he manfully endeavoured to keep his figureerect, his legs would tremble in spite of himself, while his knees shookand knocked together in a manner which threatened to bring him headlongto the ground.

  "I'm a baby!" he managed to gasp in tones of vexation. "Just fancy afellow of my age not being able to stand up alone!"

  The thought distressed him so greatly that once again he made a futileeffort to remain on his feet, only to find himself in much the samehelpless condition. Then a biscuit-box was placed beneath him, and hesat down with a feeling of relief.

  "Baby! No sich thing, let me tell you, sir!" exclaimed the big Americanindignantly. "You're just shook up, and that's the truth of it, for Ireckon that that 'ere gas wur strong enough to upset a Red Injun, andmuch more a chap of your constitootion. Jest you sit tight and hold onto your tongue while we pour a few drops of this stuff down yer throat.Baby! Ho!"

  With a shake of his head the big sailor turned to one of his comradesand took from him a cracked glass containing a dark and evil-smellingliquid.

  "Up with your chin," he said, placing the glass to Tyler's lips. "Now,down with this at a gulp."

  Obedient to the order, Tyler opened his mouth and swallowed the draught.Then he shivered again, for the spirit was strong and pungent. But inspite of its nasty flavour, and of the uncomfortable sense of burningwhich it left in his throat, he was bound to confess that the draughtdid wonders for him. Indeed, scarcely five minutes were gone beforestrength came back to his legs, while his brain and eyes seemed tohave cleared wonderfully. A pat on the back from the big hand of theAmerican encouraged him to stand again, and with a gay laugh he foundhimself on his feet.

  "That's better!" he exclaimed in cheery tones. "What's become of theofficers?"

  "I reckon they're jest like you, a trifle shook up and put out, don'tyer know," was the answer. "Yer must understand, young fellah, that chapscan't go right down into a hold what's full of that gas without feelingmighty bad. You've all had a near squeak for yer lives, I reckon, and efit hadn't er been for you, young shaver, them two officers would havebeen awaiting their funeral right now. I tell yer, me and the othercovies is jest hoping to make yer acquaintance. We'd be proud to gethold of yer fingers, and, Jehoshaphat! as soon as you're well we hope todo it. Now, will yer come aboard and take a sleep in one of our bunks,to drive the muddle out of yer head, or will yer go slick away home?Jest say the word, and we'll help you, whatever's the case."

  "One moment, please. I desire to speak to this young gentleman," calledsomeone from outside the circle, and as the sailors sprang aside thenaval officer who had already befriended Tyler entered the circle andgrasped the latter warmly by the hand.

  "You are more yourself now," he said with a friendly smile, "and Ican therefore speak to you as I would have done half an hour agohad you been in a fit condition to listen to me. On behalf of thetwo young officers, whose lives you so gallantly saved, I thank youfrom the bottom of my heart. The deed was a noble one, for, seeingtheir insensible figures lying in that poisonous hold below, you,like everyone else, must have realized instantly the great risk to beincurred by attempting their rescue. The warning which the mate gavetold you that gas lay below the hatchway, and that it had been the causeof striking down my officers. In spite of that you rushed to help them,and I must admit that the promptness of your action, the remarkablerapidity with which you took in the situation and formed your plans,filled me with amazement. To be candid, I myself was so dumbfoundedand taken aback that I stood there helpless. But then, you see, I am nolonger a young man, and have lost that keenness with which the juniormembers of my service are invariably filled.

  "Now that I come to look into the facts carefully it is a matter ofsurprise to me that you did not rush to the ladder the instant yourealized the necessity for action. But how could you possibly haverescued either of those unfortunate fellows by that means? Obviously twomen at least would have been required for the task. You saw that, andat once decided upon an easier and more effective plan. No one couldhave made his preparations more completely or more rapidly. Your loopswere made in a sailor-like manner which does credit to your father'steaching. For the rest, I am too full of gratitude to you to say muchat this moment. Your courage and resolution have delighted me and Icongratulate you most heartily."

  Placing one hand upon Tyler's shoulder the officer grasped his fingerseagerly with the other, and squeezed them in a manner which showedbetter than words how much his feelings were aroused. In
deed he mighthave remained there for many minutes, patting Tyler gently upon theback meanwhile, had it not been for the enthusiastic sailors who stoodaround, and who had without exception pressed eagerly forward to hearwhat he had to say. Seeing his final action, however, at once remindedthem of their own decision, expressed by their burly comrade, who oncemore came to the front.

  "You'll excuse us, Admiral," he said with a slouching salute, "but likeyou we're firm set on shaking. Say, young fellow, we're proud to knowyer."

  Unabashed by the presence of an officer of such seniority in the navy,they crowded forward, and each in turn grasped the blushing Tyler bythe hand. Then, as if that had been insufficient to satisfy them, theytossed their caps high in the air, and gave him three rousing cheers.

  "There," said the officer, lifting his hands as soon as the shout haddied down, "like myself you have shown your appreciation; and now, ifyou will leave this young gentleman to me, I will see that he is takenhome. Come," he continued, turning to Tyler with a smile, "you are stillshaken and feel the effects of that poisonous gas. It will be as wellif you return to your father, and rest for the remainder of the day.Hail a conveyance, my lads, and tell the man to drive right on to thedock, for we must not allow this young man to walk too much at present.Yes, those are the doctor's orders, and I am here to see that they arestrictly enforced," he went on, as Tyler directed an appealing glancetowards him. "Fortunately for you and my two officers, one of our ship'ssurgeons happened to be passing as you were hauled up from the hold,and he was able to attend to you at once. Seeing that you were cominground he left you in my hands and devoted all his care to the others,who were in a very grave condition. They, too, I am thankful to say,have regained consciousness, so that I no longer feel anxiety on theirbehalf. Permit me, young gentleman, here is the conveyance."

  Taking Tyler by the arm, he led him to a fly which had just driven up,and having ushered him in, took the remaining vacant seat himself.

  "Drive to Captain John Richardson's," he called out, and then resumedhis conversation with Tyler, telling him as they went that the mate ofthe American ship, who had pluckily helped in the rescue, had sufferedno ill effects. Half an hour later, much to the astonishment of thecaptain, who still sat in his porch keeping watch upon the long strip ofwater which ebbed before his cottage, a conveyance came rolling alongthe main Portsmouth road, and halted just opposite the wicket whichgave access to his garden. At once his spy-glass went to his eyes, forhe was somewhat short-sighted, and his amazement was profound when hediscovered Tyler walking towards him, looking pale and shaky, and arm inarm with a gray-headed naval officer. Had it not been for his shatteredhip he would have risen to his feet to greet the new-comer, for navalofficers seldom or never came his way. As he had said when speaking tohis son, he was a poor old hulk, doomed to live in that out-of-the-wayspot, forgotten or unknown by men who might have been his comrades hadill-luck not assailed him. In his excitement, the clay pipe and boxof matches went tumbling to the ground, where the former smashed intoa hundred pieces. Then the old instincts of discipline came back tohim and he lifted his hand to his cap with all the smartness he couldcommand.

  It was fine to see the way in which this stranger approached thecaptain. Halting there for one moment, and drawing himself stifflyerect, he returned the salute swiftly. Then he sprang forward andgreeted the old sailor effusively.

  "Proud to meet you, Captain Richardson!" he exclaimed. "Delighted tomake your acquaintance, and to know the father of this gallant youngfellow. But, surely we have met before? Richardson? Tell me, sir, whendid you enter the service?"

  "Forty years ago the fifth of November next. Midshipman aboard theflag-ship _Victory_, bound from Portsmouth for the Mediterranean. Andyou?"

  "An old ship-mate of yours or I much mistake?" exclaimed the officerwith eagerness. "Don't you remember Davies--Tom Davies, of the_Victory_--my first commission too. Why, of course you do. A year afterI joined I was drafted into another ship, and so we were separated, andhave remained so until this moment."

  "And I remained aboard for five solid years," burst in the captainenthusiastically, his face all aglow at the recollection of his earlierdays. "Then I was transferred to the _Bellerophon_, and again to anothership. We cruised in the East, and many's the brush we had with rascallyslave-dealers. Then came war with France, and, returning to home waters,we coasted along the enemy's country, popping in here and there tosurvey the forts, and dropping upon any vessels that we could comeacross. At Brest we were under a heavy fire, and that, sir, was thetime when the rascals winged me with a shot. It broke me up, and as aconsequence of the wound I was laid aside for good in this old cottage."

  As the two spoke they still gripped hands, while tears of excitement andhappiness streamed down the sunken cheeks of the captain. Poor fellow!It was joy indeed to him to meet a comrade after all these years, andstill greater happiness to find himself conversing with a man stillupon the active list of the service to which he had belonged. For manyyears now he had occupied that cottage, and owing to the wound whichhad crippled him had seldom moved beyond the garden. Occasionally theold salt who lived with him, and acted as his only servant, placed himtenderly in a wheeled chair, and took him for an airing. But Southamptonwas beyond his reach, and Portsmouth utterly out of the question, andso it had fallen out that the captain had on very few occasions metwith officers of the royal navy. A few who had retired lived in theneighbourhood, but they were active men, able to get about, and seldomdropped in for a chat at the cottage. Therefore this unexpected visit,the meeting with a man who had skylarked with him when they were lads,roused him out of his melancholy, and raised his spirits to the highest.

  Seating himself beside Captain Richardson, Admiral Davies,--for thatwas the rank to which the officer had attained,--conversed with him inanimated tones for more than half an hour, telling him of the rescuefrom the hold, and of the gallant conduct of his son.

  "I am thankful that it occurred to me to visit the shipping myself," hesaid. "As a rule two officers would have been considered sufficient forthe task, and it is most unusual for one of my rank to undertake sucha duty. However, on this occasion I felt bound to go, for the Lordsof the Admiralty are trying an experiment. The greater part of theirflour is home-grown, but prices are high, and England is not a largecorn-growing country. For that reason cargoes have been ordered fromAmerica, and when the ships arrive a careful inspection of the grainis necessary. Had that not been the case I should have remained in myoffice, for I am in charge of the station, and thereby should have lostthis opportunity of renewing our friendship. But about your son; haveyou decided what to do with him? He is a fine young fellow, and wouldlook well in naval uniform."

  "And he himself longs for the life," exclaimed the captain. "Though Imyself had the worst of fortune in the service, and in spite of thefact that their lordships have not treated me too well, I still thinkthat there is nothing like a commission in Her Majesty's fleet. But itis out of the question, for to obtain a nomination nowadays influenceis required, and also I have not the means to supply the proper outfit.The lad would be miserable, for he would not have a sixpence to jinglein his pocket, and would have the mortification of living with comradeswho were better off than himself. And besides, he is too old. To haveobtained a commission I should have applied three or four years ago. Nowhe is seventeen, and almost a man."

  "In pluck and resolution he is at any rate," said the admiral warmly,"and he deserves far more than words of thanks for his gallant actionof this morning. Now listen to me. I like the lad, and, as in yourcase, I too am devoted to the navy. I have by chance come across ayoung fellow eminently fitted for the service, and I shall not standaside and allow Her Majesty to lose the opportunity of obtaining sucha suitable young officer. As your son he has a claim on the Admiralty,and when I describe to their lordships the manner in which he rescuedtwo of my officers they will at once waive all question of his age,and I feel sure will promptly appoint him to a ship. But influence, asyou very truly say,
is necessary to push a young man on in the world.I do not mean that a midshipman cannot fight his way upwards withoutfriends, for that has been done on scores of occasions; but it gives alad a better chance if he is put under the eye of some commander whowill take an interest in him. Then he will get opportunities of specialduties, and if he is a smart lad he may distinguish himself. Will youleave the matter in my hands, and trust to me to do the best for him? Iwould take him myself, as I have a decided interest in him, but then, asI have told you, I have a shore billet, and his duties would give himbut few chances of promotion. He must be appointed to a ship cruising inforeign waters, and he must be placed under an officer who is a friendof my own. There will be no difficulty about the matter, for one of therescued officers happens to be of excellent family, and a son of one ofthe sea-lords. He will see to it that the commission is granted, andI have little doubt that within a few weeks I shall be able to returnto you with the information that your son is appointed to the Chinasquadron, and under the friendly wing of Keppel, a smart young officerwith whom I am well acquainted. There, say no more, for I see that youfully agree. Good-bye for the present! I shall hope to have the pleasureof calling again."

  Rising from his seat the admiral squeezed the captain's hand, and then,having gone through the formality of saluting, an act of courtesy whichpleased his host vastly, he walked with Tyler towards the gate, one handplaced affectionately on his shoulder.

  It would be impossible to describe the delight and happiness with whicheach inhabitant of the tiny cottage was filled at the good news whichthe admiral had brought. Captain Richardson could scarcely containhimself for joy, and but for the hip which crippled him would havestrutted about the place puffed up with pride at the action of his son.As for Tyler, the prospect of a commission was so fascinating and soabsolutely unexpected that he felt in a whirl, and, finding conversationimpossible, snatched at his cap and went bounding along the great mainroad.

  A month later, as the captain occupied his accustomed seat in the porchof the cottage, a cloud of dust and the clatter of wheels attracted hisattention in the direction of Southampton, and instantly up went hisspy-glass, one hand steadied the end, and he looked casually to see whatmight have caused it; for to this poor crippled officer anything, eachconveyance which passed, was of interest, and served to brighten thelong days. He was familiar with each of the coaches which drove alongthe main road, the drivers in every case saluting him with their whipsas they came rattling by, and no doubt turning the next moment to thepassengers seated upon the box to describe the old salt who occupied thecottage. On this occasion, however, it was no coach which had given riseto the cloud of dust, but a smaller conveyance, at the sight of whichthe captain was thrown into a condition of excitement.

  "There's not more than one which passes here in a week," he said, "andfor that reason I am sure that that will be the admiral. Tyler! Tyler!Where are you? Just run down to the gate and be ready to meet him."

  It proved to be the admiral, as he had prophesied, and within a littlewhile that officer was standing before him, greeting him with a heartyshake of the hand, and looking at him with a smile the sereneness ofwhich told that he had been successful. Behind him stepped the same twoofficers who had been rescued from the hold, and these at once cameforward to be introduced. Then they turned to Tyler and gripped his handin a manner which showed their gratitude.

  "For you," said the admiral, suddenly producing a long blue envelope,and handing it to Tyler. "I will save you the trouble of reading it bytelling you that you have been given a commission, and that orders areenclosed within for you to sail without delay for the China station.Your post will be on H.M.S. _Dido_, and your commander will be theHonourable Henry Keppel, Captain in the Royal Navy. And now, if you willkindly show my officers over the garden, I will discuss a little matterwith your father.

  "I have more to say," he went on, addressing Tyler's father, whenthe three had moved away, "and my news, I hope, will give you greatpleasure. When I left you I went straight to those in authority andrepresented matters as I had found them. They agreed with me that itwas a scandal and a shame that an officer should be treated as you havebeen. I pointed out that your pension was insufficient, with the resultthat it has been largely increased, and will enable you to reside, ifyou wish it, in a more populated district. Another point, you can nowsee your way to giving your son a small allowance, and so putting himupon an equal footing with his comrades. Then, too, I propose to help,for I am a single man, and my pay is of ample dimensions. I have takena liking to the lad, and I mean to push his fortunes to the utmost.And now let us consider the question of his outfit, which must begone into immediately. He will require uniform suited to this climateand also to the China seas, and must be equipped as well as the mostfortunate of youngsters. That, again, I shall make my business if youhave no objections, for you must recollect that you cannot easily seeto the matter yourself, and, besides, it would gratify me to be allowedto provide all that is necessary. Unfortunately it turns out that noship belonging to our fleets is bound for the East at this moment, andtherefore Tyler will have to make the passage in a merchantman. But thatwill do no harm, for it will give him an opportunity of getting used tothe sea, and will prepare him for his coming duties."

  "Quite so," gasped the invalid captain, scarcely able to believe thegood words to which he had been listening, or to understand the suddenchange in his fortunes. "But he is no landlubber, let me tell you,Admiral, for he has hosts of friends in these parts, and during theholidays has often put to sea for quite a week at a time. He can spliceand knot, for Tom Erskine, the old pensioner who acts as my servant, hastaught him thoroughly. But how can I thank you?"

  "Thank the lad, my dear Captain. Tyler is the one to whom you must showyour gratitude, and I, too, feel indebted to him; for had it not beenfor his gallant action you and I would still have remained ignorant ofone another, though living separated by but a mile or two. Think of theyarns we shall have together, and of the tales of our boyhood's dayswhich we shall be able to spin. You must come and live close into thetown, and I know of a little house there which would suit you admirably,for it is posted high up, and there is a sheltered seat before it fromwhich a more extensive view even than this can be obtained. Thereis many an old sailor living there who will be delighted to come inand smoke a pipe with you, and instead of sitting here alone for thegreater part of every day you will find that you have a new and happierlife before you; for you are a man who loves companionship, and inSouthampton you will make many a friend.

  "And now to complete this matter, for we have very little time in whichto delay. Sit here and think quietly about the question of the house,and let me know in a couple of days or more, when I return to visit you.Meanwhile I will take Tyler to my quarters, and will see to his outfit.Let him come for a week, which will give sufficient time to the tailorsto try on the various garments. Then he can return to you, and can spendthe remainder of his time in England at home."

  It wanted very little persuasion on the part of the admiral to convinceCaptain Richardson that he had made a staunch friend, who was acting forhis and Tyler's benefit. And therefore he placed no difficulty in theway of the latter's proposed visit to Southampton, but instead at onceshouted for him.

  "The admiral has kindly asked you to go into the town with him for aweek," he called out. "Run to your room at once, like a good fellow, andpack your best clothes into a bag, for you must remember that you arenow a Queen's officer and must dress becomingly."

  Half an hour later the admiral and the two officers who had accompaniedhim to the cottage took their leave of Captain Richardson, and havingbeen joined by Tyler, crowded into the hackney-coach which had conveyedthem from the town of Southampton, and went trundling away along theroad. Behind them they left the captain, jubilant at the good fortunewhich had suddenly come to him and his son, and eagerly looking forwardto the change before him. No longer was he troubled by the question ofTyler's future, for now that was thoroughly settled. The
n, again, thelong dreary winter, which had usually dragged by miserably for him,was likely to prove in the coming months the happiest he had spent formany a year; for he would certainly leave this out-of-the-way spot, towhich ill-health and inadequate income had fixed him, and would makehis future home in Southampton, where he would be within easy reachof any who cared to show their friendship. In addition he would havethe patronage of Admiral Davies, and that, together with the fact thatthey had been shipmates together in their earlier days, would secure anumber of acquaintances--and, with such a man as Captain Richardson was,acquaintanceship would lead to certain and lasting friendships. Yes,the prospect was a bright one, and on that day, as the old white-headedsailor sat back in the porch, pipe and spy-glass in hand, and the oldfamiliar scene before him, he felt that he was about to commence anotherexistence altogether; he looked younger, the sunken cheeks seemed tohave filled out a little, whilst the eyes sparkled in an unusual manner.Indeed, so alluring was the future that the captain remained at hispost long after the hackney-coach had reached its destination, and onlyretired within the cottage when night was falling. Then, seated in hiscosy parlour, he took up the _Navy List_ and looked up the names of afew of his old comrades and that of the officer under whose commandTyler was to be.

  "Yes," he murmured, "the lad will have every opportunity, for I haveheard of Captain Keppel, and everyone agrees that he is a dashing anddistinguished officer."

  When Tyler returned to the cottage a week later his father scarcelyrecognized the spruce young fellow who came walking through the gardentowards him, for our hero had now discarded civilian clothes and wasdressed in a blue uniform which suited him admirably. Behind him he hadleft in the admiral's quarters his sea-chest and a very complete outfitwith which his generous friend had provided him. In addition, he cameprimed with the information that he was to sail at the end of threeweeks, and that his destination was to be Singapore, where the _Dido_would eventually put in to victual.

  The remaining days of his stay in England were extremely busy ones, for,once Admiral Davies had taken an interest in any matter, he was notthe man to permit of delay. Indeed, within a very few hours of Tyler'sreturn he drove up in a hackney-coach prepared for the reception of theinvalid, with a comfortable couch and thick soft cushions stretchedbetween the seats. On this Captain Richardson was gently placed, andthe trio at once drove to the house which the admiral had selectedas a likely residence. Arrived there, the captain was carried to thesheltered seat of which mention had been made, and was then shown theinterior of the dwelling.

  "It will do splendidly!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm as they returnedto the cottage. "For, thanks to my increased income, I shall easily beable to pay the rent demanded by the agent. Then, again, the furniturein the cottage will be sufficient to fill the rooms, while outside thereis a garden which with Tom's help will produce all the vegetables thatwe require. But more than all, the sheltered seat commands a view up anddown the Water, and from it I can see not only the ships sailing there,but can look right into the harbour, while the Portsmouth road stretcheslike a white ribbon clearly before me, and my own seat in the porch isunder view. No doubt on many a day in the future I shall fix my glassupon it, and bear in mind the times when a poor old crippled sailorsat there forlorn and eager for friends. If it can be arranged I willchange houses before Tyler starts; and there should be no difficulty inthe matter, for the cottage is held on a monthly tenancy, while theresidence in Southampton is ready and waiting for me."

  Accordingly notice was promptly given to the owner of the cottage,while certain necessary decorations and repairs were made to the newhouse. Then a large van arrived, to which, under the admiral's friendlysuperintendence, the goods and chattels belonging to the captainwere transferred, while that individual was once more put into thehackney-coach and driven to temporary quarters in the town. A few dayslater he was settled in his new residence, and when Tyler set sailfrom the harbour _en route_ to Plymouth, where he was to embark upon amerchantman bound for Singapore, he had the satisfaction of knowing thathis father was in comfortable surroundings, with many friends at hand.Standing by the after-rail he steadied himself against it and fixed thespy-glass, with which he had been presented by the officers whom hehad rescued, upon the sheltered corner high up in the town. There wasthe old crippled captain, his gaze directed through his glass at thevessel which bore his son away. That he realized the fact of Tyler'spresence there upon the poop was evident, for as the latter snatchedat his cap and waved it about his head, the old sailor dragged a hugered handkerchief from his breast-pocket and let it blow out in thebreeze. Thus did father and son take leave of one another, the former tocommence a life of happiness to which he had been too long a stranger,and the latter to cross the sea, where many adventures were to befallhim.