“You will be so kind as to send one of your men with me to take back a basket which I promised to send the captain,” said Justin to Lieutenant Ethel, as the boat touched the sands.
“Yes, certainly; go, Jones,” said the young officer.
And the sailor to whom he gave the order arose and followed Justin on shore and then up to the house.
And then before even giving Britomarte an account of his visit to the ship, he called Judith to bring a large covered basket, and with his own hands he filled it with chickens, eggs, fresh butter, cheese, milk, fruit and fish, and gave it to Jones, directing him to take it with his compliments to the captain of the Xyphias.
And Jones touched his hat and went back to the boat.
Justin passed into the parlor, where Britomarte, with tea ready, waited for him.
“Oh, Justin! what a joy to think that we shall leave this lonely isle, and sail for our native land once more!” she exclaimed.
“Yes, an unutterable joy!” replied Justin.
“Ah! what a change has a few hours brought about. This morning, when we arose, we had no more idea of being rescued from this island than we had had on any day in the two years and a half that we have spent here!”
“No, indeed! Let us thank the Lord for this great deliverance.”