University of Virginia Library

4. CHAPTER IV.

The Abraham went under short canvas, and she was
just three days, running dead before the wind, ere she
came in sight of Waally's islands. Heaving-to to-windward
of the group, the canoes all passed into their respective
harbours, leaving the schooner in the offing, with the hostages
on board, waiting for the fulfilment of the treaty.
The next day, Waally himself re-appeared, bringing with
him Dickinson, Harris, Johnson, Edwards and Bright, the
five seamen of the Rancocus that had so long been captives
in his hands. It went hard with that savage chief to
relinquish these men, but he loved his son even more than
he loved power. As for the men themselves, language
cannot portray their delight. They were not only rejoiced
to be released, but their satisfaction was heightened on finding
into whose hands they had fallen. These men had all
kept themselves free from wives, and returned to their colour,
that word being now more appropriate than colours,
or ensign, unshackled by any embarrassing engagements.
They at once made the Abraham a power in that part of
the world. With twelve able seamen, all strong, athletic
and healthy men, to handle his craft, and with his two

carronades and a long six, the governor felt as if he might
interfere with the political relations of the adjoining states
with every prospect of being heard. Waally was, probably,
of the same opinion, for he made a great effort to
extend the treaty so far as to overturn Ooroony altogether,
and thus secure to their two selves the control of all that
region. Woolston inquired of Waally, in what he should
be benefited by such a policy? when the wily savage told
him, with the gravest face imaginable, that he, Mark,
might retain, in addition to his territories at the Reef,
Rancocus Island! The governor thanked his fellow potentate
for this hint, and now took occasion to assure him
that, in future, each and all of Waally's canoes must keep
away from Rancocus Island altogether; that island belonged
to him, and if any more expeditions visited it, the
call should be returned at Waally's habitations. This answer
brought on an angry discussion, in which Waally,
once or twice, forgot himself a little; and when he took
his leave, it was not in the best humour possible.

Mark now deliberated on the state of things around him.
Jones knew Ooroony well, having been living in his territories
until they were overrun by his powerful enemy, and
the governor sent him to find that chief, using a captured
canoe, of which they had kept two or three alongside of
the schooner for the purpose. Jones, who was a sworn
friend of the unfortunate chief, went as negotiator. Care
was taken to land at the right place, under cover of the
Abraham's guns, and in six hours Mark had the real gratification
of taking Ooroony, good, honest, upright Ooroony,
by the hand, on the quarter-deck of his own vessel. Much
as the chief had suffered and lost, within the last two
years, a gleam of returning happiness shone on him when
he placed his foot on the deck of the schooner. His reception
by the governor was honourable and even touching.
Mark thanked him for his kindness to his wife, to
his sister, to Heaton, and to his friend Bob. In point of
fact, without this kindness, he, Woolston, might then have
been a solitary hermit, without the means of getting access
to any of his fellow-creatures, and doomed to remain
in that condition all his days. The obligation was now
frankly admitted, and Ooroony shed tears of joy when he

thus found that his good deeds were remembered and appreciated.

It has long been a question with moralists, whether or
not, good and evil bring their rewards and punishments in
this state of being. While it might be dangerous to infer
the affirmative of this mooted point, as it would be cutting
off the future and its consequences from those whose real
hopes and fears ought to be mainly concentrated in the life
that is to come, it would seem to be presuming to suppose
that principles like these ever can be nugatory in the control
even of our daily concerns.

If it be true that God “visits the sins of the fathers upon
the children even to the third and fourth generations of
them that hate him,” and that the seed of the righteous
man is never seen begging his bread, there is much reason
to believe that a portion of our transgressions is to meet
with its punishment here on earth. We think nothing can
be more apparent than the fact that, in the light of mere
worldly expediency, an upright and high-principled course
leads to more happiness than one that is the reverse; and
if “honesty is the best policy,” after all the shifts and expedients
of cupidity, so does virtue lead most unerringly
to happiness here, as it opens up the way to happiness
hereafter.

All the men of the Abraham had heard of Ooroony, and
of his benevolent qualities. It was his goodness, indeed,
that had been the cause of his downfall; for had he punished
Waally as he deserved to be, when the power was in his
hands, that turbulent chief, who commenced life as his
lawful tributary, would never have gained a point where
he was so near becoming his master. Every man on board
now pressed around the good old chief, who heard on all
sides of him assurances of respect and attachment, with
pledges of assistance. When this touching scene was over,
Mark held a council on the quarter-deck, in which the
whole matter of the political condition of the group was
discussed, and the wants and dangers of Ooroony laid
bare.

As commonly happens everywhere, civilized nations and
popular governments forming no exceptions to the rule,
the ascendency of evil in this cluster of remote and savage

islands was owing altogether to the activity and audacity
of a few wicked men, rather than to the inclination of the
mass. The people greatly preferred the mild sway of their
lawful chief, to the violence and exactions of the turbulent
warrior who had worked his way into the ascendant; and,
if a portion of the population had, unwittingly, aided the
latter in his designs, under the momentary impulses of a
love of change, they now fully repented of their mistake,
and would gladly see the old condition of things restored.
There was one island, in particular, which might be considered
as the seat of power in the entire group. Ooroony
had been born on it, and it had long been the residence
of his family; but Waally succeeded in driving him off of
it, and of intimidating its people, who, in secret, pined for
the return of their ancient rulers. If this island could be
again put in his possession, it would, itself, give the good
chief such an accession of power, as would place him, at
once, on a level with his competitor, and bring the war
back to a struggle on equal terms. Could this be done
with the assistance of the schooner, the moral effect of
such an alliance would, in all probability, secure Ooroony's
ascendency as long as such an alliance lasted.

It would not have been easy to give a clearer illustration
of the truth that “knowledge is power,” than the case now
before us affords. Here was a small vessel, of less than a
hundred tons in measurement, with a crew of twelve men,
and armed with three guns, that was not only deemed to
be sufficient, but which was in fact amply sufficient to
change a dynasty among a people who counted their hosts
in thousands. The expedients of civilized life gave the
governor this ascendency, and he determined to use it
justly, and in moderation. It was his wish to avoid bloodshed;
and after learning all the facts he could, he set about
his task coolly and with prudence.

The first thing done, was to carry the schooner in, within
reach of shot of Waally's principal fortress, where his
ruling chiefs resided, and which in fact was the hold where
about a hundred of his followers dwelt; fellows that kept
the whole island in fear, and who rendered it subservient
to Waally's wishes. This fortress, fort, or whatever it
should be called, was then summoned, its chief being commanded

to quit, not only the hold, but the island altogether.
The answer was a defiance. As time was given for
the reception of this reply, measures had been taken to
support the summons by a suitable degree of concert and
activity. Ooroony landed in person, and got among his
friends on the island, who, assured of the support of the
schooner, took up arms to a man, and appeared in a force
that, of itself, was sufficient to drive Waally's men into the
sea. Nevertheless, the last made a show of resistance
until the governor fired his six-pounder at them. The shot
passed through the wooden pickets, and, though it hurt no
one, it made such a clatter, that the chief in command sent
out a palm-branch, and submitted. This bloodless conquest
caused a revolution at once, in several of the less important
islands, and in eight-and-forty hours, Ooroony found himself
where he had been when Betts appeared in the Neshamony.
Waally was fain to make the best of matters, and
even he came in, acknowledged his crimes, obtained a
pardon, and paid tribute. The effect of this submission
on the part of Waally, was to establish Ooroony more
strongly than ever in authority, and to give him a chance
of reigning peacefully for the remainder of his days. All
this was done in less than a week after the war had begun
in earnest, by the invasion of the Reef!

The governor was too desirous to relieve the anxiety of
those he had left behind him to accept the invitations that
he, and his party, now received to make merry. He traded
a little with Ooroony's people, obtaining many things that
were useful in exchange for old iron, and other articles of
little or no value. What was more, he ascertained that
sandal-wood was to be found on Rancocus Island in small
quantities, and in this group in abundance. A contract
was made, accordingly, for the cutting and preparing of a
considerable quantity of this wood which was to be ready
for delivery in the course of three months, when it was
understood that the schooner was to return and take it in.
These arrangements completed, the Friend Abraham White
sailed for home.

Instead of entangling himself in the channels to leeward,
Mark made the land well to the northward, entering the
group by a passage that led him quite down to the Reef,

as the original island was now uniformly called, with a
flowing sheet. Of course the schooner was seen an hour
before she arrived, and everybody was out on the Reef to
greet the adventurers. Fears mingled with the other manifestations
of joy, when the result of this great enterprise
came to be known. Mark had a delicious moment when
he folded the sobbing Bridget to his heart, and Friend
Martha was overcome in a way that it was not usual for
her to betray feminine weakness.

Everybody exulted in the success of the colony, and it
was hoped that the future would be as quiet as it was secure.

But recent events began to give the governor trouble, on
other accounts. The accession to his numbers, as well as
the fact that these men were seamen, and had belonged to
the Rancocus, set him thinking on the subject of his duty
to the owners of that vessel. So long as he supposed himself
to be a cast-away, he had made use of their property
without compunction, but circumstances were now changed,
and he felt it to be a duty seriously to reflect on the possibility
of doing something for the benefit of those who had,
undesignedly it is true, contributed so much to his own
comfort. In order to give this important subject a due
consideration, as well as to relieve the minds of those at
the Peak, the Abraham sailed for the cove the morning
after her arrival at the Reef. Bridget went across to pay
Anne a visit, and most of the men were of the party. The
Neshamony had carried over the intelligence of Waally's
repulse, and of the Abraham's having gone to that chief's
island, but the result of this last expedition remained to be
communicated.

The run was made in six hours, and the Abraham was
taken into the cove, and anchored there, just as easily as
one of the smaller craft. There was water enough for
anything that floated, the principal want being that of
room, though there was enough even of room to receive a
dozen vessels of size. The place, indeed, was a snug,
natural basin, rather than a port, but art could not have
made it safer, or even much more commodious. It was
all so small an island could ever require in the way of a
haven, it not being probable that the trade of the place

would reach an amount that the shipping it could hold
would not carry.

The governor now summoned a general council of the
colony. The seven seamen attended, as well as all the
others, one or two at the crater excepted, and the business
in hand was entered on soberly, and, in some respects,
solemnly. In the first place, the constitution and intentions
of the colonists were laid before the seven men, and they
were asked as to their wishes for the future. Four of these
men, including Brown, at once signed the constitution,
and were sworn in as citizens. It was their wish to pass
their days in that delicious climate, and amid the abundance
of those rich and pleasing islands. The other three
engaged with Mark for a time, but expressed a desire to
return to America, after awhile. Wives were wanting;
and this the governor saw, plainly enough, was a difficulty
that must be got over, to keep the settlement contented.
Not that a wife may not make a man's home very miserable,
as well as very happy; but, most people prefer trying
the experiment for themselves, instead of profiting by the
experience of others.

As soon as the question of citizenship was decided, and
all the engagements were duly made, the governor laid his
question of conscience before the general council. For a
long time it had been supposed that the Rancocus could
not be moved. The eruption had left her in a basin, or
hole, where there was just water enough to float her, while
twelve feet was the most that could be found on the side
on which the channel was deepest. Now, thirteen feet aft
was the draught of the ship when she was launched. This
Bob well knew, having been launched in her. But, Brown
had suggested the possibility of lifting the vessel eighteen
inches or two feet, and of thus carrying her over the rock
by which she was imprisoned. Once liberated from that
place, every one knew there would be no difficulty in getting
the ship to sea, since in one of the channels, that
which led to the northward, a vessel might actually carry
out fully five fathoms, or quite thirty feet. This channel
had been accurately sounded by the governor himself, and
of the fact he was well assured. Indeed, he had sounded
most of the true channels around the Reef. By true channels

is meant those passages that led from the open water
quite up to the crater, or which admitted the passage of
vessels, or boats; while the false were culs de sac, through
which there were no real passages.

The possibility, thus admitted, of taking the Rancocus
to sea, a grave question of conscience arose. The property
belonged to certain owners in Philadelphia, and was it not
a duty to take it there? It is true, Friend Abraham White
and his partners had received back their money from the
insurers—this fact Bridget remembered to have heard before
she left home; but those insurers, then, had their
claims. Now, the vessel was still sound and seaworthy.
Her upper works might require caulking, and her rigging
could not be of the soundest; but, on the whole, the Rancocus
was still a very valuable ship, and a voyage might
be made for her yet. The governor thought that could
she get her lower hold filled with sandal-wood, and that
wood be converted into teas at Canton, as much would be
made as would render every one contented with the result
of the close of the voyage, disastrous as had been its commencement.
Then Bridget would be of age shortly, when
she would become entitled to an amount of property that,
properly invested, would contribute largely to the wealth
and power of the colony, as well as to those of its governor.

In musing on all these plans, Mark had not the least
idea of abandoning the scheme for colonizing. That was
dearer to him now than ever; nevertheless, he saw obstacles
to their execution. No one could navigate the ship
but himself; in truth, he was the only proper person to
carry her home, and to deliver her to her owners, whomsoever
those might now be, and he could not conceal from
himself the propriety, as well as the necessity, of his going in
her himself. On the other hand, what might not be the consequences
to the colony, of his absence for twelve months?
A less time than that would not suffice to do all that was
required to be done. Could he take Bridget with him, or
could he bear to leave her behind? Her presence might
be necessary for the disposal of the real estate of which
she was the mistress, while her quitting the colony might
be the signal for breaking it up altogether, under the impression

that the two persons most interested in it would
never return.

Thus did the management of this whole matter become
exceedingly delicate. Heaton and Betts, and in the end
all the rest, were of opinion that the Rancocus ought to be
sent back to America, for the benefit of those to whom she
now legally belonged. Could she get a cargo, or any considerable
amount of sandal-wood, and exchange it for teas
in Canton, the proceeds of these teas might make a very
sufficient return for all the outlays of the voyage, as well
as for that portion of the property which had been used by
the colonists. The use of this property was a very different
thing, now, from what it was when Mark and Betts had
every reason to consider themselves as merely shipwrecked
seamen. Then, it was not only a matter of necessity, but,
through that necessity, one of right; but, now, the most
that could be said about it, was that it might be very convenient.
The principles of the colonists were yet too good
to allow of their deceiving themselves on this subject. They
had, most of them, engaged with the owners to take care
of this property, and it might be questioned, if such a wreck
had ever occurred as to discharge the crew. The rule in
such cases we believe to be, that, as seamen have a lien on
the vessel for their wages, when that lien ceases to be of
value, their obligations to the ship terminate. If the Rancocus
could be carried to America, no one belonging to her
was yet legally exonerated from his duties.

After weighing all these points, it was gravely and
solemnly declared that an effort should first be made to get
the ship out of her present duresse, and that the question
of future proceedings should then be settled in another
council. In the mean time, further and more valuable
presents were to be sent to both Ooroony and Waally, from
the stores of beads, knives, axes, &c., that were in the ship,
with injunctions to them to get as much sandal-wood as was
possible cut, and to have it brought down to the coast.
Betts was to carry the presents, in the Neshamony, accompanied
by Jones, who spoke the language, when he was
to return and aid in the work upon the vessel.

The duty enjoined in these decisions was commenced
without delay. Heaton and Unus were left at the Peak, as

usual, to look after things in that quarter, and to keep the
mill from being idle, while all the rest of the men returned
to the Reef, and set about the work on the ship. The first
step taken was to send down all the spars and rigging that
remained aloft; after which everything was got up out of
the hold, and rolled, or dragged ashore. Of cargo, strictly
speaking, the Rancocus had very little in weight, but she
had a great many water-casks, four or five times as many as
would have been put into her in an ordinary voyage. These
casks had all been filled with fresh water, to answer the
double purpose of a supply for the people, and as ballast
for the ship. When these casks were all got on deck,
and the water was started, it was found that the vessel
floated several inches lighter than before. The sending
ashore of the spars, sails, rigging, lumber, provisions, &c.,
produced a still further effect, and, after carefully comparing
the soundings, and the present draught of the vessel, the
governor found it would be necessary to lift the last only
eight inches, to get her out of her natural dock. This
result greatly encouraged the labourers, who proceeded with
renewed spirit. As it would be altogether useless to overhaul
the rigging, caulk decks, &c., unless the ship could
be got out of her berth, everybody worked with that end
in view at first. In the course of a week, the water-casks
were under her bottom, and it was thought that the vessel
would have about an inch to spare. A gale having blown
in the water, and a high tide coming at the same time, the
governor determined to try the experiment of crossing the
barrier. The order came upon the men suddenly, for no
one thought the attempt would be made, until the ship was
lifted an inch or two higher. But Mark saw what the wind
had been doing for them, and he lost not a moment. The
vessel was moved, brought head to her course, and the
lines were hauled upon. Away went the Rancocus, which
was now moved for the first time since the eruption!

Just as the governor fancied that the ship was going
clear, she struck aft. On examination it was found that
her heel was on a knoll of the rock, and that had she been
a fathom on either side of it, she would have gone clear.
The hold, however, was very slight, and by getting two of
the anchors to the cat-heads, the vessel was canted sufficiently

to admit of her passing. Then came cheers for
success, and the cry of “walk away with her!” That
same day the Rancocus was hauled alongside of the Reef,
made fast, and secured just as she would have been at her
own wharf, in Philadelphia.

Now the caulkers began their part of the job. When
caulked and scraped, she was painted, her rigging was
overhauled and got into its places, the masts and yards
were sent aloft, and all the sails were overhauled. A tier
of casks, filled with fresh water, was put into her lower
hold for ballast, and all the stores necessary for the voyage
were sent on board her. Among other things overhauled
were the provisions. Most of the beef and pork was condemned,
and no small part of the bread; still, enough remained
to take the ship's company to a civilized port. So
reluctant was the governor to come to the decision concerning
the crew, that he even bent sails before a council
was again convened. But there was no longer any good
excuse for delay. Betts had long been back, and brought
the report that the sandal-wood was being hauled to the
coast in great quantities, both factions working with right
good will. In another month the ship might be loaded and
sail for America.

To the astonishment of every one, Bridget appeared in
the council, and announced her determination to remain
behind, while her husband carried the ship to her owners.
She saw and felt the nature of his duty, and could consent
to his performing it to the letter. Mark was quite taken
by surprise by this heroic and conscientious act in his
young wife, and he had a great struggle with himself on
the subject of leaving her behind him. Heaton, however,
was so very prudent, and the present relations with their
neighbours—neighbours four hundred miles distant—were
so amicable, the whole matter was so serious, and the duty
so obvious, that he finally acquiesced, without suffering his
doubts to be seen.

The next thing was to select a crew. The three men
who had declined becoming citizens of the colony, Johnson,
Edwards, and Bright, all able seamen, went as a matter
of course. Betts would have to go in the character of
mate, though Bigelow might have got along in that capacity.

Betts knew nothing of navigation, while Bigelow
might find his way into port on a pinch. On the other
hand, Betts was a prime seaman — a perfect long-cue, in
fact — whereas the most that could be said of Bigelow,
in this respect, was that he was a stout, willing fellow, and
was much better than a raw hand. The governor named
Betts as his first, and Bigelow as his second officer. Brown
remained behind, having charge of the navy in the governor's
absence. He had a private interview with Mark,
however, in which he earnestly requested that the governor
would have the goodness “to pick out for him the sort of
gal that he thought would make a fellow a good and virtuous
wife, and bring her out with him, in whatever way he
might return.” Mark made as fair promises as the circumstances
of the case would allow, and Brown was satisfied.

It was thought prudent to have eight white men on board
the ship, Mark intending to borrow as many more of
Ooroony's people, to help pull and haul. With such a
crew, he thought he might get along very well. Wattles
chose to remain with his friend Brown; but Dickinson and
Harris, though ready and willing to return, wished to sail
in the ship. Like Brown, they wanted wives, but chose to
select them for themselves. On this subject Wattles said
nothing. We may add here, that Unus and Juno were
united before the ship sailed. They took up land on the
Peak, where Unus erected for himself a very neat cabin.
Bridget set the young couple up, giving the furniture, a
pig, some fowls, and other necessaries.

At length the day for sailing arrived. Previously to departing,
Mark had carried the ship through the channel,
and she was anchored in a very good and safe roadstead,
outside of everything. The leave-taking took place on
board her. Bridget wept long in her husband's arms, but
finally got so far the command of herself, as to assume an
air of encouraging firmness among the other women. By
this time, it was every way so obvious Mark's presence
would be indispensable in America, that his absence was
regarded as a necessity beyond control. Still, it was hard
to part for a year, nor was the last embrace entirely free
from anguish. Friend Martha Betts took leave of Friend

Robert with a great appearance of calmness, though she
felt the separation keenly. A quiet, warm-hearted woman,
she had made her husband very happy; and Bob was quite
sensible of her worth. But to him the sea was a home,
and he regarded a voyage round the world much as a
countryman would look upon a trip to market. He saw
his wife always in the vista created by his imagination, but
she was at the end of the voyage.

At the appointed hour, the Rancocus sailed, Brown and
Wattles going down with her in the Neshamony as far as
Betto's group, in order to bring back the latest intelligence
of her proceedings. The governor now got Ooroony to
assemble his priests and chiefs, and to pronounce a taboo
on all intercourse with the whites for one year. At the
end of that time, he promised to return, and to bring with
him presents that should render every one glad to welcome
him back. Even Waally was included in these arrangements;
and when Mark finally sailed, it was with a strong
hope that in virtue of the taboo, of Ooroony's power, and
of his rival's sagacity, he might rely on the colony's meeting
with no molestation during his absence. The reader
will see that the Peak and Reef would be in a very defenceless
condition, were it not for the schooner. By
means of that vessel, under the management of Brown, assisted
by Wattles, Socrates and Unus, it is true, a fleet of
canoes might be beaten off; but any accident to the Abraham
would be very likely to prove fatal to the colony, in the
event of an invasion. Instructions were given to Heaton
to keep the schooner moving about, and particularly to
make a trip as often as once in two months, to Ooroony's
country, in order to look after the state of things there.
The pretence was to be trade — beads, hatchets, and old
iron being taken each time, in exchange for sandal-wood;
but the principal object was to keep an eye on the movements,
and to get an insight into the policy, of the savages.

After taking in a very considerable quantity of sandal-wood,
and procuring eight active assistants from Ooroony,
the Rancocus got under way for Canton. By the Neshamony,
which saw her into the offing, letters were sent back
to the Reef, when the governor squared away for his port.
At the end of fifty days, the ship reached Canton, where a

speedy and excellent sale was made of her cargo. So very
lucrative did Mark make this transaction, that, finding
himself with assets after filling up with teas, he thought
himself justified in changing his course of proceeding. A
small American brig, which was not deemed fit to double
the capes, and to come on a stormy coast, was on sale.
She could run several years in a sea as mild as the Pacific,
and Mark purchased her for a song. He put as many
useful things on board her as he could find, including several
cows, &c. Dry English cows were not difficult to
find, the ships from Europe often bringing out the animals,
and turning them off when useless. Mark was enabled to
purchase six, which, rightly enough, he thought would
prove a great acquisition to the colony. A plentiful supply
of iron was also provided, as was ammunition, arms,
and guns. The whole outlay, including the cost of the
vessel, was less than seven thousand dollars; which sum
Mark knew he should receive in Philadelphia, on account
of the personal property of Bridget, and with which he
had made up his mind to replace the proceeds of the sandal-wood,
thus used, did those interested exact it. As for
the vessel, she sailed like a witch, was coppered and copper-fastened,
but was both old and weak. She had quarters,
having been used once as a privateer, and mounted
ten sixes. Her burthen was two hundred tons, and her
name the Mermaid. The papers were all American, and
in perfect rule.

The governor might not have made this purchase, had it
not been for the circumstance that he met an old acquaintance
in Canton, who had got married in Calcutta to a
pretty and very well-mannered English girl—a step that
lost him his berth, however, on board a Philadelphia ship.
Saunders was two or three years Mark's senior, and of an
excellent disposition and character. When he heard the
history of the colony, he professed a desire to join it, engaging
to pick up a crew of Americans, who were in his
own situation, or had no work on their hands, and to take the
brig to the Reef. This arrangement was made and carried
out; the Mermaid sailing for the crater, the day before the
Rancocus left for Philadelphia, having Bigelow on board
as pilot and first officer; while Woolston shipped an officer

to supply his place. The two vessels met in the China
seas, and passed a week in company, when each steered
her course; the governor quite happy in thinking that he
had made this provision for the good of his people. The
arrival of the Mermaid would be an eventful day in the
colony, on every account; and, the instructions of Saunders
forbidding his quitting the islands until the end of the
year, her presence would be a great additional means of
security.

It is unnecessary for us to dwell on the passage of the
Rancocus. In due time she entered the capes of the
Delaware, surprising all interested with her appearance.
Friend Abraham White was dead, and the firm dissolved.
But the property had all been transferred to the insurers
by the payment of the amount underwritten, and Mark
made his report at the office. The teas were sold to great
advantage, and the whole matter was taken fairly into consideration.
After deducting the sum paid the firm, principal
and interest, the insurance company resolved to give
the ship, and the balance of the proceeds of the sale, to
Captain Woolston, as a reward for his integrity and prudence.
Mark had concealed nothing, but stated what he
had done in reference to the Mermaid, and told his whole
story with great simplicity, and with perfect truth. The
result was, that the young man got, in addition to the ship,
which was legally conveyed to him, some eleven thousand
dollars in hard money. Thus was honesty shown to be the
best policy!

It is scarcely necessary to say that his success made
Mark Woolston a great man, in a small way. Not only
was he received with open arms by all of his own blood;
but Dr. Yardley now relented, and took him by the hand.
A faithful account was rendered of his stewardship; and
Mark received as much ready money, on account of his
wife, as placed somewhat more than twenty thousand dollars
at his disposal. With this money he set to work, without
losing a day, to make arrangements to return to Bridget
and the crater; for he always deemed that his proper abode,
in preference to the Peak. In this feeling, his charming
wife coincided; both probably encouraging a secret interest

in the former, in consequence of the solitary hours
that had been passed there by the young husband, while
his anxious partner was far away.