“Here! here!” we both shouted in a breath.
Next minute a light shone glimmering through the keyhole, and we knew Mrs. Herbert had lit the lamp.
Then an axe was vigorously applied to our prison door, and in a short time we were free.
Mrs. Herbert had fainted in her husband’s arms.
She slowly recovered consciousness, and then could tell us all she knew.
The mutineers had rifled the ship; they had broken open my cabin and boxes, expecting to find treasure, and as soon as the vessel struck had lowered the boats and left the ship.
But where was Bernard?
And where was the ayah?
Alas! neither could be found. And from that day to this their fate is a mystery.
The storm was little more, after all, than a series of tropical squalls. The vessel did not break up just then, and when daylight broke the sea all around us was as calm and blue as baby ’Theena’s eyes.