"You may go, my dear son," I replied; "and God bless all our plans and resolutions. The whole earth is the Lord's, and where, as in his sight, you lead good and useful lives, there is your home.
"And now that I know your wishes, the only question is whether Captain Littlestone will kindly enable you to carry them out?"
All eyes were fixed eagerly upon him, and after a moment's pause the gallant officer spoke as follows:
"I think my way in this matter is perfectly clear, and I consider that I have been providentially guided to be the means of once more placing this family in communication with their friends and with the civilized world.
"My orders were to search for a shipwrecked crew.
"Survivors from two wrecks have been discovered.
"Three passengers express a wish to leave my ship here, instead of at the Cape, while, at the same time, I am requested to give to three persons a passage to England.
"Could anything suit better? I am most willing to undertake the charge of those who may be committed to my care.
"Every circumstance has been wonderfully ordered and linked together by Divine Providence, and if England gains a prosperous and happy colony, it will prove a fitting clasp to this fortunate chain of events. Three cheers for New Switzerland!"
Deep emotion stirred every heart as the party separated for the night. Many felt that they were suddenly standing on the threshold of a new life, while, for myself, a weight was rolled from my heart, and I thanked God that a difficulty was solved which, for years, had oppressed me with anxiety.