I happily recollected many important passages from the Scriptures, which I quoted.
The old officer said he would think over the subject, and I left him in his hut, evidently meditating seriously on it. Day after day he introduced it, and now seemed only to take pleasure in talking of it. He was surprised to find how much Bill knew, and how clearly he could explain himself.
When people have absorbing subjects of conversation the time passes rapidly by.
I was one day seated with my new friend in the hut, when Bill rushed in, exclaiming:
“A sail in sight! a sail in sight! She is standing this way!”
We hurried to the top of the hill above the hut. A large ship was approaching the island. The wind was off shore, the sea calm. We hoisted the flag, and then hastily collecting some provisions, put them on our raft, and shoved off, determined to run every risk rather than allow her to pass us. It might have been a hard matter to get back if we failed to intercept her. We had brought a long pole with a flag at the end, to attract her attention. We exerted all our strength to paddle off. The wind was light, but in our favour. On she stood, as if intending to give the island a wide berth. We had got a considerable distance from the land. Mr Raglan moved the flag to and fro.
“We are seen, we are seen!” he exclaimed, as the ship altered her course directly for us. In a short time she hove-to; a boat was lowered and pulled up to us. We sprang into her. Questions were eagerly asked as to who we were.
“And what ship is yours?” inquired Mr Raglan.
“The Harmony, Captain Falconer,” was the answer.