"She has indeed! She is the finest little craft that ever floated; and I shall love her as long as I live. In that great gale a week ago, she was under water half the time, I believe. We had to batten down everything, and lash ourselves to the deck."
"That was a fearful storm. I hope I shall never see another such. How grateful we ought to be for our preservation!"
"I trust we are grateful to God for his goodness and his mercy," replied Levi, devoutly.
On the following day the yacht took a pilot, and came to anchor in the harbor of Melbourne. Mat Mogmore had kept out of sight since he came on board, spending all his time in the forecastle; but when the anchor was dropped he appeared on deck.
"I think I will go on shore now, Levi," said he, with an assumed coolness.
"I think not," replied Levi, decidedly.
"What do you mean by that?" demanded the young villain.
"I mean that you shall not leave this vessel, unless you leave it in irons. I shall state the case to the American consul; and I think you will return to the United States as a prisoner."
"Why, what have I done?" asked Mat.
"What have you done!" exclaimed Levi, indignantly. "Besides being guilty of meanness and treachery, you have committed a crime which will send you to the state prison for the next ten years."