They looked with highly-pleased astonishment at the master fisherman, who wearied and worn, still sat at the rudder. He returned the glance with the same visible contentment and pleasure.
“We are indebted to you, my good fisherman, for your incomparable conduct towards us. We shall scarcely be ever able to show you sufficient gratitude,” he said.
“Not at all: we must deal well towards those who conduct themselves in a proper manner to us,” said the fisherman, in the best manner he could; “now I am at home again; I am on my own gulf,—where do you wish to be landed, sir?”
“Land us wherever you please: we will be always able to make our way to Cedros,” answered the priest.
“To Cedros? I shall take you there at once,” answered the master fisherman, and then turned the cutter’s head to that part of the island.
“Agnes,” whispered the priest, “I have always found much that is to be admired in the humbler classes; they require but proper treatment, as all other men do.”
“This seems to be a very worthy man,” replied Agnes, more in respect to the priest than from any desire to converse, for Agnes had ceased to be over communicative since the capture of the vessel in which she had been a passenger.
The sugar-cane fields arose more conspicuous and beautiful to the view as the vessel drew nearer and nearer to the land; and within a few hours Agnes arrived on the plantation and was locked in the affectionate embrace of her aged father.