And next it was the turn of Justin and Britomarte to be equally astonished and delighted, for they learned that the lifeboat containing the missionary party, after drifting about the ocean for several days, had been picked up by a Dutch merchantman bound for the Cape of Good Hope, and all the passengers rescued; that the Elys and the Bretons had remained guests at Silver Tree Grove for a month, during which subscriptions had been taken up in all the churches to raise a fund for their relief, and at the end of which, being entirely refitted out, they had sailed in the East Indiaman Djalma for Calcutta, en route for their distant field of missionary labor, where in due time they had safely arrived.
Mrs. Burney was able to assure Miss Conyers that her friends were well and doing well, for she heard from them by every Indian mail.
Great was the surprise and joy of Justin and Britomarte on hearing this news.
“Then, after all, the crew of that boat must have relented and taken the two men on board,” said Justin.
“I suppose when Captain McKenzie refused to leave the ship he left room in the boat for one, and they managed to make room for the other,” observed Britomarte.
They dined with the Burneys, but were obliged to decline all further hospitality, as the length of their ship’s stay at Cape Town was very uncertain.
So they took an affectionate leave of their friends, and returned on board the Xyphias, in good time for the captain’s early supper table, which was spread with all the luxuries to be obtained at Cape Town.
“I have news of the Sea Scourge. She touched here on the day before yesterday, remained a few hours to get in wood and water, and also to pick up a few seamen, and then she sailed again,” said the captain, as they sat down to supper.
“Where?” eagerly inquired Justin.
“East and north. Going, no doubt, to meet returning East Indiamen from Calcutta. We must go in pursuit of her, and lose no time about it either. So, Mr. Rosenthal, we sail with the first tide to-morrow.”