Mr. Alboni perused the document.  He was astounded!—­not so much at the contents of that soiled bit of parchment, which was the instrument by which Natalie, or the holder, could come into possession of a handsome fortune; but it was at the honesty of this whole-souled sailor.  Was it possible that this poor fellow, who gained his bread by dint of hard labor, having a fortune within his grasp, which he conscientiously could have called his own, had not disturbed a farthing thereof?—­choosing rather to reap the fruits of his own industry, treasuring this rich legacy, as sacred to the memory of a friend.

Is there indeed such honor to be found in the breast of fallen man?  Aye, ’t is the heart of the noble sailor that beats with a heroism like this!  To him who goeth down to the great waters in ships, such honor is due!

“And you have had this in your possession for more than twenty years,” said Mr. Alboni, “and yet have never helped yourself to a cent of that which was rightly your own?  Pray tell me, how would you have disposed of this wealth at last, had you never heard of an heiress to the estate?”

“D’ ye see, sir, I haven’t travelled this world over so many times, without making a beacon light occasionally.  Now there’s a difference in light-houses, yer honor.  There’s the revolving light, and many other kinds of light, but the brightest of all is that steady light which shines into the darkness of the poor sailor’s soul.  I first made that light, sir, at the Seamen’s Home, in New York, and it was there I made up my mind that I would lend this money to the Lord, for I was convinced that that would be the most profitable investment; and I’ve been thinking of it more and more, for these last few days, if I hadn’t better settle this on the Home, for you know these iron frames will give out after a while; men don’t live to see nine hundred years nowadays, though I’m named after the strongest fellow that ever handled a harpoon.”

Mr. Alboni read the document to his grand-daughter, the effect of which was, that certain sums of specie, deposited in the bank of ——­, by the Honorable Paul Sunderland, could by the bearer of this instrument, be withdrawn at sight.

Sampson’s tongue was still flying with rapidity, as if his auditors had not been void of a number, while Mr. Alboni and Natalie were holding a consultation aside.

“You are right, my child; you will never miss this from the wealth, which I thank God I have it in my power to place in your hands.  Let it be as you say,—­divide this sum between your protectors.”

“I thank you, my dear, generous father,” said Natalie, imprinting a kiss upon the cheek of her relative; “you have made me happy.  I will send this most acceptable gift to my dear mother, not paining her feelings with the thought that I would seek to repay her love for her child with gold, but as an expression of her daughter’s filial affection; and not only will I reward this honest man with the half of this sum, but he shall have the pleasure of presenting with his own hand this offering to my mother.”