We ventured to question Harry about the ship that would receive us; and he said she was a French merchant-ship, and the captain a great friend of his, a good Protestant, who was willing to take on board any company he should bring.

‘I hoped,’ said I, ‘it might have been the Good Hope.’

‘Alas for my poor Good Hope!’ said he; ’she went to pieces in a mighty storm, on the hard-hearted coasts of Africa; and such of my brave fellows as were not drowned were seized for slaves by the barbarous people of Algiers.’

‘And you, Harry, what was your lot?’ I cried.

‘The lot of a slave for many a day,’ said he briefly.  ’It is thanks to my good friend Captain Maret, who will soon receive us, that I have ever seen my country again.’

I would gladly have asked more, but I saw he was little inclined to talk; and after he had said, ’The ship we are going to board is called the Marie-Royale,’ he fell again into a silence; but the rest of us continued to keep up some sort of talk, till we got down by Woolwich; and this seemed to help our courage a little,—­I mean Althea’s and mine, especially when Andrew would say a few words, as he began to do, in a way that showed reviving strength.

Now I had never gone by sea anywhere, and all my sailing had been in wherries on the Thames; so I was not free from some childish fear when we came beside the Marie-Royale, and saw her black sides rising high and steep above us; but joy sat on every other face in our little company; and Harry’s voice was gay once more as he shouted an answer to Captain Maret, who came and hailed us from above.  ’Twas a matter of some difficulty to get Andrew safely hoisted on deck; yet they did it without giving too rude a shock to his enfeebled frame.  I confess, when it came to my turn to mount, I shut my eyes for fear, and never opened them till I found Harry’s arm about me, and a firm footing under me; and I heard his voice merrily mocking me for a poor little fool, who was ready to swoon at fancied perils, and was reckless of real ones.  So then I looked abroad again, and seeing myself encircled with all our company, who were smiling at my terrors, while the dark, kindly face of the captain beamed a welcome on me,—­I laughed first, and then wept; and then clasping my hands began to thank and praise God for our good deliverance, as if I were in an ecstasy; but now no one laughed at me, but heads were uncovered, and eyes cast down in thankful prayer also, all around me; the French sailors who had helped us to come aboard showing themselves not less reverent than our handful of English, and indeed appearing to be much moved.  Then Andrew, who stood supported by the arms of Ned and Mary Giles, looked smiling at me, and said, in his feeble voice,—­

’Thou shamest me much, my sister Lucy; I who was deepest in peril ought to have been foremost in praise;’ and Harry replied bluntly,—­

’Till you know something of the dangers these ladies have run, you need not be more grateful than they; but your further thanks must be rendered in your cabin, where I long to have you lodged before we get under weigh.’