Fritz, Jack, Captain Littlestone, the missionary, and Willis, were all standing on deck, eagerly scanning the shore.
"There is father!" cried Jack, "armed with a telescope; and now I see Frank and Mrs.Wolston." "There comes Mr.Wolston and Master Ernest," cried Willis, "as usual, a little behind." "But I see nothing of my mother and the young ladies!" said Fritz.
"Very odd," said Captain Littlestone, sweeping the horizon with his glass "I can see nothing of them either." A horrible apprehension here glided into the hearts of the young men.
They knew well that, had their mother been able, she would have been the first to welcome them home.

Perhaps, under the inspiration of despair, their lips were opening to deny the mercy of that Providence which had hitherto so remarkably befriended them, when at a great distance, and scarcely perceptible to the naked eye, they descried three figures advancing slowly towards the shore.
One of these forms was Mrs.Becker, who was leaning upon the arms of Mary and Sophia Wolston.
"God be thanked, we are still in time," cried Fritz and Jack.
A loud cheer, led by Willis, then rent the air.

Half an hour after, the two young men leaped on shore; they did not stay to shake hands with their father and brothers, but ran on to where their mother stood.

It was a long time before they could utter a syllable; the greeting of the mother and her children was too affectionate to be expressed in words.
Next morning, at daybreak, preparations for a serious operation were made in Mrs.Becker's room.

The entire colony was in a state of intense excitement, and an air of anxiety was imprinted on every countenance.