"Yes, that is it. Often it has been on the tip of my tongue, and then it slipped away from me. But, tell me, how came you here?"
"I am indebted to the kindness of this gentleman—Captain Smith, father—who rescued me from great peril."
This scene, of course, excited great astonishment among the boarders, and the worthy landlady who had been uniformly kind to Captain Rushton, was rejoiced at his sudden recovery. Feeling that mutual explanations in public would be unpleasant, she proposed to send dinner for both to Captain Rushton's room, and this offer was gladly accepted.
"And how did you leave your mother, Robert?" asked the captain.
"She was well, father, but mourning for your loss."
"I wish I could fly to her."
"You shall go back with me in Captain Smith's vessel. I am sure he will take us as passengers."
"So we will. You are sure your mother is well provided for? But Mr. Davis has, no doubt, supplied her with money?"
"Not a cent, father."
"Not a cent! I deposited five thousand dollars with him for her benefit, just before sailing!"