“And now, my dear, kind boy, tell me every thing.  I am indeed overjoyed to see you back again; I have not had one line from you since you left the Cape, and I really think that the worry and anxiety that I have felt have been the cause of my taking to my bed.  Now you are back I shall be quite well again.  Now tell me all, and I will not interrupt you.”

Alexander sat down on the bed, and entered into a full detail of the results of his expedition to Port Natal; reading over all the memoranda which they had collected, and satisfactorily proving that the descendants of the Europeans then existing could not by any possibility be from those who had been lost in the Grosvenor East Indiaman.

Sir Charles Wilmot listened in silence to all Alexander had to say, and then, joining his hands above the bed-clothes, exclaimed, “Gracious Lord, I thank Thee that this weight has been removed from my mind.”  He then for some minutes prayed in silence, and when he had finished, he requested Alexander to leave him till the evening.

The physician having called shortly after Alexander left his uncle, Alexander requested his opinion as to Sir Charles’s state of health.  The former replied—­“He has but one complaint, my dear sir, which all the remedies in the world are not very likely to remove:  it is the natural decay of nature, arising from old age, I do not consider that he is in any immediate danger of dissolution.  I think it very likely that he may never rise from his bed again; but, at the same time, he may remain bedridden for months.  He sinks very gradually, for he has had naturally a very strong constitution, I believe the anxiety of his mind, arising from your absence, and the blame he laid on himself for having allowed you to undertake your expedition, have worn him more than any thing else; but now that you have returned, I have no doubt, after the first excitement is over, that he will rally.  Still man is born to die, Mr. Wilmot, and your uncle has already lived beyond the three-score years and ten allotted to the average age of man.  Depend upon it, every thing shall be done which can protract a life so dear to you.”

Alexander thanked the physician, and the latter then went up stairs to Sir Charles.  On his return, he informed Alexander that Sir Charles’s pulse was stronger, but something must be allowed for the excitement which he had undergone.

When Alexander saw his uncle in the evening, the latter again thanked him for having undertaken the expedition, and having brought back such satisfactory accounts.

“I am much your debtor, my dear boy,” said he; “and if it is any satisfaction to you (which I am sure it must be from your kind heart) to know that you have smoothed the death-bed of one who loves you, you have your reward.  I feel quite strong now; and if it will not be too much trouble, I should like you to give me a narrative of the whole expedition; not all at once, but a little now and then.  You shall begin now, and mind you enter into every little detail,—­every thing will interest me.”