BACON AND BISCUIT--LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE--THE PATERNAL BENEDICTION--AN APPARITION--A MOTHER NOT EASILY DECEIVED--THE ADIEU--THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE--IN HOC SIGNO VINCES--THE SAILOR'S POSTSCRIPT--CAESAR AND HIS FORTUNES--RECOLLECTIONS--MRS.

BECKER PLUCKS STOCKINGS AND KNITS ORTOLANS--HOW DELIGHTFUL IT IS TO BE SCOLDED--THE BODIES VANISH, BUT THE SOULS REMAIN.
On their return from Shark's Island, Fritz and Jack were deeply affected, not by the dread of the perils they were destined to encounter--these never gave them a moment's uneasiness--but by the knowledge that a merciless vulture was preying upon the vitals of their beloved mother.
Willis on the contrary, appeared as lively as if he had just received notice of promotion; but whether the idea of again dwelling on the open sea had really elevated his spirits, or whether this gaiety was only assumed to encourage Becker and his sons, was best known to himself.
It was arranged amongst them that no one, under any circumstances, should be made acquainted with the design they had in contemplation.
By this means all opposition would be vanquished, and the regrets of separation would, in some degree, be avoided.

Besides, if the project were divulged, might not Frank and Ernest insist upon their right to share its dangers?
This eventuality alone was sufficient to impress upon them all the urgency of secrecy.

The really strong man knows his weakness, and therefore dislikes to run the risk of exposing it, so Becker dreaded the tears and entreaties that this desperate undertaking would inevitably exercise, were it generally known beforehand to the rest of the family; whereas, if once the pinnace were fairly at sea, it could not be recalled, and time would do the rest.
Since, then, all the preparations had to be made in such a way as not to excite suspicion that any thing extraordinary was on foot, the progress was necessarily slow.

Willis, under pretext of amusing himself, refitted the pinnace, and strengthened it so far as he could without impairing its sailing efficiency.