He raised his eyes from the book he held in his hand, and gazed tranquilly at the three figures who had so abruptly interrupted his reveries.
"May I inquire," said he, "to what we owe this intrusion on our privacy, gentlemen ?" "We have to apologise for our rudeness," said Fritz; "but are you not the Rev.Mr.Wolston ?" "My name is Charles Wolston, and I am a minister of the gospel, and missionary of the church." "Then, sir," continued Fritz, "I am the bearer of a message from your father." "From my father!" exclaimed the missionary, starting up; "you come then from the Pacific Ocean ?" [Illustration] Here the second gentleman raised his head, and looked as if he had just awakened from a dream.

He gazed at the speakers with a puzzled air.
"Do you know me, captain ?" said Willis.
Littlestone, for it was he, continued to gaze in mute astonishment, as if the events of the past had been defiling through his memory; and he probably thought that the figures before him were mere phantom creations of his brain.
"Willis! can it be possible ?" he exclaimed, taking at the same time the Pilot's proffered hand.
"Yes, captain, as you see." "And the two young Beckers, as I live!" cried Littlestone.
"Yes," said Jack, "and delighted to find you at last." Littlestone then shook them all heartily by the hand.
"It is but a poor welcome that I, a prisoner in the enemy's country, can give you to Europe; still I am truly overjoyed to see you.

But where have you all come from ?" "From New Switzerland," replied Jack.
"But how ?" "By sea." "That, of course; and I presume another ship anchored in Safety Bay ?" "No, captain.

Seeing you did not return to us, we embarked in the pinnace and came in search of you." "Your pinnace was but indifferently calculated to weather a gale, keeping out of view the other dangers incidental to such a voyage." "True, captain; but my brother and I, with Willis for a pilot and Providence for a guardian, ventured to brave these perils; and here we are, as you see." "And your mother consented to such a dangerous proceeding, did she ?" "It was for her, and yet against her will, that we embarked on the voyage." "I do not understand." "For her, because, when we left, she was dying." "Dying, say you ?" "Yes, and our object in coming to Europe was chiefly to obtain surgical aid." "And have you found a surgeon ?" "Not yet, but we are in hopes of finding one." "If money is wanted, besides the value of the cargo I landed for you at the Cape, you may command my purse." "A thousand thanks, captain, but the merchandise we have here is likely to be sufficient for our purpose.

Unfortunately, gold is not the only thing that is requisite." "What, then ?" "In the first place, a disinterested love of humanity is needful; there are few men of science and skill who would not risk more than they would gain by accepting any offer we can make.