“Why, Charley,” said Dick, who was proud of the information I displayed, “you have become quite a scholar. Should not be surprised to hear of your bearing up to be a judge, or a bishop, or a big-wig of some sort.”
“No, no, Dick,” I answered; “my only wish is to be a sailor, though I own I should like to be a captain some day or other, though, of course, I must study to become that.”
“No fear of you, if you go on as you have begun,” remarked Dick, gazing approvingly at me.
We were about the latitude of Madeira, when one morning we sighted a ship standing to the south’ard. As the day drew on, just as we were close to her, it fell calm, and she made a signal that she would send letters on board us to carry home. A boat put off from her, and came alongside. The second mate of the ship came on deck with the letters.
“Captain Falconer, of the Harmony, begs that you will post these on your arrival in England,” he said, presenting them to Captain Renton, by whose side I was standing.
“Captain Falconer!” I exclaimed, turning eagerly to my captain. “May I go on board and see him, sir? I cannot help thinking that he was the mate of the Dolphin, who saved that young lady from the savages.”
Captain Renton at once ordered a boat to be lowered, to carry me on board the Harmony, letting Dick accompany me. Dick, who pulled the stroke-oar, gave way with a will, for he felt as eager as I was about the matter. We were soon alongside, and without waiting for the mate, who commanded the boat, I scrambled on board, followed by Dick. There, to my great delight, I saw Mr Falconer. He did not recognise me, as without ceremony I hurried aft, but when he saw Dick, he started, and then looked inquiringly at me.
“What, are you Dick Driver?” he exclaimed, as Dick, not forgetting his manners, touched his hat to him.
“Yes, sir. I am myself, and I am right glad to see you alive and well; and this is Charley Laurel, who, may be, you remember.”
“Indeed I do,” said Mr Falconer, shaking me warmly by the hand, and inviting us down in his cabin. “I feared that you had been both killed by the savages.”