my report; for, by this time, I could both talk and walk; and Post raised no objection to their being permitted to go below.  I seized that opportunity to jump down into the sloop’s hold, where Neb brought me some dry clothes; and I was soon in a warm, delightful glow, that contributed in no small degree to my comfort.  So desperate had been my struggles, however, that it took a good night’s rest completely to restore the tone of my nerves and all my strength.  My arrangements were barely completed, when I was summoned to the cabin.

Grace met me with extended arms.  She wept on my bosom for many minutes.  She was dreadfully agitated as it was; though happily she knew nothing of the cause of Chloe’s screams, and of the confusion on deck, until I was known to be safe.  Then Lucy communicated all the facts to her in as considerate a manner as her own kind and gentle nature could dictate.  I was sent for, as just stated, and caressed like any other precious thing that its owner had supposed itself about to lose.  We were still in an agitated state, when Mr. Hardinge appeared at the door of the cabin, with a prayer-book in his hand.  He demanded our attention, all kneeling in both cabins, while the good, simple-minded old man read some of the collects, the Lord’s Prayer, and concluded with the thanksgiving for “a safe return from sea”!  He would have given us the marriage ceremony itself, before he would have gone out of the prayer-book for any united worship whatever.

It was impossible not to smile at this last act of pious simplicity, while it was equally impossible not to be touched with such an evidence of sincere devotion.  The offering had a soothing influence on all our feelings, and most especially on those of the excited females.  As I came out into the main-cabin, after this act of devotion, the excellent divine took me in his arms, kissed me just as he had been used to do when a boy, and blessed me aloud.  I confess I was obliged to rush on deck to conceal my emotion.

In a few minutes I became sufficiently composed to order sail made on our course, when we followed the Orpheus up the river, soon passing her, and taking care to give her a wide berth; a precaution I long regretted not having used at first.  As Mrs. Drewett and her two daughters refused to quit Andrew, we had the whole family added to our party, as it might be, per force.  I confess to having been sufficiently selfish to complain a little, to myself only, however, at always finding these people in my way, during the brief intervals I now enjoyed of being near Lucy.  As there was no help after seeing all the canvass spread, I took a seat in one of the chairs that stood on the main-deck, and began, for the first time, coolly to ponder on all that had just passed.  While thus occupied, Marble drew a chair to my side, gave me a cordial squeeze of the hand, and began to converse.  At this moment, neatly tricked out in dry clothes, stood Neb on the forecastle, with his arms folded,