Chapter Twenty Six.
The return—The surprise—Buzzby’s Sayings and Doings—The Narrative—Fighting Battles o’er again—Conclusion.
Once again we are on the end of the quay at Grayton. As Fred stands there, all that has occurred during the past year seems to him but a vivid dream.
Captain Guy is there, and Captain Ellice, and Buzzby, and Mrs Buzzby too, and the two little Buzzbys also, and Mrs Bright, and Isobel, and Tom Singleton, and old Mr Singleton, and the crew of the wrecked Dolphin, and, in short, the “whole world”—of that part of the country.
It was a great day for Grayton, that. It was a wonderful day—quite an indescribable day; but there were also some things about it that made Captain Ellice feel somehow that it was a mysterious day, for, while there were hearty congratulations, and much sobbing for joy on the part of Mrs Bright, there were also whisperings which puzzled him a good deal.
“Come with me, brother,” said Mrs Bright at length, taking him by the arm, “I have to tell you something.”
Isobel, who was on the watch, joined them, and Fred also went with them towards the cottage.
“Dear brother,” said Mrs Bright, “I—I—Oh, Isobel, tell him! I cannot.”
“What means all this mystery?” said the captain in an earnest tone, for he felt that they had something serious to communicate.
“Dear Uncle,” said Isobel, “you remember the time when the pirates attacked—”