Day after day passed by, and Harry and his shipwrecked companions began
to despair of escaping from the island. If Jack Headland had lived
there so many years without seeing a ship, it was possible that they
might have to continue an equal length of time unless they could build a
vessel in which to make their escape; but no wood was procurable, nor
did they possess tools fit for the purpose.
A gale of almost equal violence to that which wrecked their ship was
blowing, when Jacob, who had been on watch at the hill, rushed into the
camp with the intelligence that a sail was visible in the offing. Most
of the party hurried up to have a look at her. The general opinion was
that she had made out the island, and was endeavouring to give it a wide
berth.
"I am afraid that is more than she will do," observed Jack. "She is
fast driving towards the shore."
"Can she be the _Thisbe_?" exclaimed Jacob.
"I think not," observed Harry, "her canvas has not to my eye the spread
of a man-of-war."
As the stranger drew nearer, most of the party agreed that Lieutenant
Castleton was right, she was certainly not a man-of-war.
Their flag blew out distinctly in the gale.
Their anxiety for the ship's safety were at length set at rest. She
weathered the outermost point of the reef, but now they began to fear
that she would pass by and leave them to their fate.
Scarcely had she cleared the reef, however, than the sound of a gun
gladdened their ears: their flag was seen, and the ship hauling her wind
stood along the shore till she gained a shelter under the lee side of
the island.
The gale had by this time considerably abated, and it was hoped that a
boat might be sent on shore. They hurried across the island.
Just as the beach was reached a boat was seen leaving the ship. She
soon landed with the first officer, who no sooner heard Lieutenant
Castleton's name than he greeted him with a hearty welcome. It had been
feared, he said, that he and his boat's crew had been lost, for that the
_Thisbe_ had herself been in great danger, and had with difficulty,
after suffering much damage, got back to Calcutta. He added that his
ship was the _Montrose_, homeward-bound, and that after touching at
Bencoolen, she had been driven by the hurricane out of her course, when
the island had been sighted in time to weather it, though no one on
board was before aware of its existence.
As the wind might change, the captain was anxious to be away as soon as
possible, and the whole party therefore hurried on board.
Fortunately, soon after the _Montrose_ got into her proper course, she
fell in with an outward-bound fleet, and by one of the ships Harry sent
a despatch to Captain Headland, which he hoped might prevent the
_Thisbe_ from sailing in search of him and his companions. In it he
also communicated the important information of his discovery of his
friend's old protector Jack Headland, and of his wonderful meeting with
Mr Hastings on board the _Culloden_. Mr Hastings also wrote a private
letter to Captain Headland, the contents of which he did not allow Harry
to see.
"From the high character you give of your friend, I have spoken to him
of matters in a way I should not otherwise have ventured to do, and
which I do not wish to make known to any one but my son," he observed to
Harry. "That he is my son I have not the slightest doubt, and I feel
confident that I can convince your father of the fact."
The Montrose continued her homeward voyage. She was fortunately a good
sailer, and a bright look-out being kept she escaped the enemy's
cruisers, and arrived safely in the Downs. Here Harry and Mr Hastings
with Jack Headland and Jacob, landed and proceeded at once to London.
Harry knowing how anxious Adam and the dame would be to see their son,
sent Jacob off immediately by the coach expecting that he would reach
Hurlston soon after the ladies at Downside had received a letter he had
written from Deal.
The captain and passengers of the _Montrose_ had pressed on Harry and
Mr Hastings the loan of as much money as they would accept, so that
they had no difficulty about their expenses.
It was late in the evening, when after rattling through the ill-lighted
streets they drove up to the Golden Cross, then the principal inn in the
West end of London.
"I will remain here while you go and announce your arrival to your
father, Mr Castleton," said Mr Hastings. "As many years have passed
since I travelled by land, I am weary with my journey, though I shall be
happy to accompany you to-morrow, to renew the acquaintance which
existed between us long ago, and for my son's sake I am anxious to do
so. I must beg you however not to mention my name, or if you do you can
tell your father that you have reasons to believe it is an assumed one
and that with my real name he is well acquainted."
Harry had gone into the coffee-room while waiting for a coach which he
had directed the porter to call for him. He was walking through the
centre when a person started up from one of the stalls and grasping his
hand exclaimed.
"What, Harry my boy, is it you, sound in limb and present in body
instead of being buried fathoms deep beneath the ocean wave? I said so,
I was sure of it, I knew we should see you again. I am heartily
delighted, my dear boy."
Harry having recognised in the speaker his old friend General Sampson,
briefly explained what had happened and said that he was on the point of
starting to see his father.
"I will save you the trouble then; he left town this morning for
Texford, where he has invited me to join a party of friends--three or
four marrying men high born and wealthy; but between ourselves I suspect
that their visit will be in vain as far as the object the baronet may
have in view is concerned.
"Well, it is fortunate I fell in with you, as I have saved you a long
drive and a visit to an empty house. I was just taking a chop before
going to see the great stars of the theatrical world John Kemble and
Mrs Siddons act Macbeth and his wife; but I will give up my intention
for the pleasure of passing the evening with you unless you will
accompany me."
Harry confessed that even those great performers could not attract him,
and begged the general to come to his private room, being assured that
his friend Mr Hastings would be happy to make his acquaintance.
"I left him about to retire to his chamber to rest, but I daresay he
will join us during the evening. In the meantime I have a matter of
much interest to talk to you about," he added as he led the way
upstairs.
"I never believed that you were lost, though your father and all the
family went into mourning for you," said the general, as they proceeded.
"Your sister never gave up hopes of seeing you again, nor from what she
wrote me, did another young lady who is interested in your welfare. Mr
Shallard as in duty bound proved your will, but I understand she would
not consent to touch a penny of the fortune you left her. If however
you have a fancy for making her take it, all you have to do is to go to
sea again and get killed or drowned in reality."
"Thank you for your advice, general," answered Harry laughing. "I trust
that I may find a more satisfactory mode of settling the question."
"I hope so, my boy, and I promise you I will lay siege to your father,
and it will not be my fault if I do not compel him to surrender at
discretion should he refuse to capitulate on honourable terms."
As soon as they were seated, Harry told his old friend of the various
occurrences with which the reader is acquainted.
The general was delighted.
"For my part I believe that any man would be glad to claim your friend
as his son. But I am doubly pleased at the thought that your father
will no longer object to Headlands marrying your sister."
The general was still rattling on asking Harry questions and describing
late public events when Mr Hastings entered the room. Harry introduced
the general as a friend of his and Captain Headlands.
"I am happy on that account to make General Sampson's acquaintance;"
said Mr Hastings, "perhaps indeed we may have met in our younger days."
"Very likely we have," said the general. "Your features and figure are
familiar to me. In fact, I could almost swear that I knew you, though
upon my life I cannot tell where it was."
"Perhaps you may have met me in company with Sir Ralph Castleton; indeed
I am sure of it, as I confess that I recollect you. I say this as you
are his friend, and, that should you have a suspicion who I am you may
be careful not to express it to others." While Mr Hastings was
speaking, the general was scanning his countenance with a look of the
greatest surprise. The former continued, "As Lieutenant Castleton has
begged me to come to Texford, perhaps if you are going there you will
favour us with your company on the road. I should wish to set off
to-morrow, but as I require longer rest and have some matters to settle
in London, I must defer starting till the following day, if that will
suit you."
"It will exactly do, sir," answered the general. "I promised Sir Ralph
to go down on that day, and will join you here in the morning. At what
hour do you propose leaving London?"
"We must not start later than six, and shall then scarcely reach Texford
till some time after nightfall," answered Harry.
"No indeed," observed the general, "I always take two days, for I have
no fancy to travel in the dark, and run the risk of being ordered to
`halt and deliver.'"
The general at a late hour wished his friends good-night, and returned
to his lodgings.
Mr Hastings drove out the next morning alone, and was absent for most
of the day. He also paid a visit accompanied by Harry to Captain
Headland's agent, who, without hesitation shewed the locket and other
articles which had been deposited with him. Mr Hastings at once
recognised them. "Had I entertained any doubts, these would have
convinced me that their owner is my boy," he said turning to Harry.
"And I am convinced from what I know of you, that you will assist him in
obtaining his inheritance."
"That I will most gladly," exclaimed Harry, "though I do not see how I
can help him except with my purse."
"More than you may suppose," answered Mr Hastings significantly.
Harry had during the day called at the Admiralty, to report his return
to England. He heard that the _Thisbe's_ arrival was every day looked
for. He left a letter for Headland, urging him to ask for leave, and to
come directly to Texford. "Mr Hastings would wait for you," he wrote,
"but he seems anxious on your account to see my father without delay,
and as you may not arrive for some weeks he does not wish to defer his
visit."
At the appointed hour the general appeared at the inn, and the three
gentlemen set off on their journey, in a coach and four, with Jack
Headland on the coach box, not omitting to provide themselves with
firearms.