Their flag blew out distinctly in the gale.
Their anxiety for the ship"s safety were at length set at rest. She weathered the outermost point of the reef, but now they began to fear that she would pa.s.s by and leave them to their fate.
Scarcely had she cleared the reef, however, than the sound of a gun gladdened their ears: their flag was seen, and the ship hauling her wind stood along the sh.o.r.e till she gained a shelter under the lee side of the island.
The gale had by this time considerably abated, and it was hoped that a boat might be sent on sh.o.r.e. They hurried across the island.
Just as the beach was reached a boat was seen leaving the ship. She soon landed with the first officer, who no sooner heard Lieutenant Castleton"s name than he greeted him with a hearty welcome. It had been feared, he said, that he and his boat"s crew had been lost, for that the _Thisbe_ had herself been in great danger, and had with difficulty, after suffering much damage, got back to Calcutta. He added that his ship was the _Montrose_, homeward-bound, and that after touching at Bencoolen, she had been driven by the hurricane out of her course, when the island had been sighted in time to weather it, though no one on board was before aware of its existence.
As the wind might change, the captain was anxious to be away as soon as possible, and the whole party therefore hurried on board.
Fortunately, soon after the _Montrose_ got into her proper course, she fell in with an outward-bound fleet, and by one of the ships Harry sent a despatch to Captain Headland, which he hoped might prevent the _Thisbe_ from sailing in search of him and his companions. In it he also communicated the important information of his discovery of his friend"s old protector Jack Headland, and of his wonderful meeting with Mr Hastings on board the _Culloden_. Mr Hastings also wrote a private letter to Captain Headland, the contents of which he did not allow Harry to see.
"From the high character you give of your friend, I have spoken to him of matters in a way I should not otherwise have ventured to do, and which I do not wish to make known to any one but my son," he observed to Harry. "That he is my son I have not the slightest doubt, and I feel confident that I can convince your father of the fact."
The Montrose continued her homeward voyage. She was fortunately a good sailer, and a bright look-out being kept she escaped the enemy"s cruisers, and arrived safely in the Downs. Here Harry and Mr Hastings with Jack Headland and Jacob, landed and proceeded at once to London.
Harry knowing how anxious Adam and the dame would be to see their son, sent Jacob off immediately by the coach expecting that he would reach Hurlston soon after the ladies at Downside had received a letter he had written from Deal.
The captain and pa.s.sengers of the _Montrose_ had pressed on Harry and Mr Hastings the loan of as much money as they would accept, so that they had no difficulty about their expenses.
It was late in the evening, when after rattling through the ill-lighted streets they drove up to the Golden Cross, then the princ.i.p.al inn in the West end of London.
"I will remain here while you go and announce your arrival to your father, Mr Castleton," said Mr Hastings. "As many years have pa.s.sed since I travelled by land, I am weary with my journey, though I shall be happy to accompany you to-morrow, to renew the acquaintance which existed between us long ago, and for my son"s sake I am anxious to do so. I must beg you however not to mention my name, or if you do you can tell your father that you have reasons to believe it is an a.s.sumed one and that with my real name he is well acquainted."
Harry had gone into the coffee-room while waiting for a coach which he had directed the porter to call for him. He was walking through the centre when a person started up from one of the stalls and grasping his hand exclaimed.
"What, Harry my boy, is it you, sound in limb and present in body instead of being buried fathoms deep beneath the ocean wave? I said so, I was sure of it, I knew we should see you again. I am heartily delighted, my dear boy."
Harry having recognised in the speaker his old friend General Sampson, briefly explained what had happened and said that he was on the point of starting to see his father.
"I will save you the trouble then; he left town this morning for Texford, where he has invited me to join a party of friends--three or four marrying men high born and wealthy; but between ourselves I suspect that their visit will be in vain as far as the object the baronet may have in view is concerned.
"Well, it is fortunate I fell in with you, as I have saved you a long drive and a visit to an empty house. I was just taking a chop before going to see the great stars of the theatrical world John Kemble and Mrs Siddons act Macbeth and his wife; but I will give up my intention for the pleasure of pa.s.sing the evening with you unless you will accompany me."
Harry confessed that even those great performers could not attract him, and begged the general to come to his private room, being a.s.sured that his friend Mr Hastings would be happy to make his acquaintance.
"I left him about to retire to his chamber to rest, but I daresay he will join us during the evening. In the meantime I have a matter of much interest to talk to you about," he added as he led the way upstairs.
"I never believed that you were lost, though your father and all the family went into mourning for you," said the general, as they proceeded.
"Your sister never gave up hopes of seeing you again, nor from what she wrote me, did another young lady who is interested in your welfare. Mr Shallard as in duty bound proved your will, but I understand she would not consent to touch a penny of the fortune you left her. If however you have a fancy for making her take it, all you have to do is to go to sea again and get killed or drowned in reality."
"Thank you for your advice, general," answered Harry laughing. "I trust that I may find a more satisfactory mode of settling the question."
"I hope so, my boy, and I promise you I will lay siege to your father, and it will not be my fault if I do not compel him to surrender at discretion should he refuse to capitulate on honourable terms."
As soon as they were seated, Harry told his old friend of the various occurrences with which the reader is acquainted.
The general was delighted.
"For my part I believe that any man would be glad to claim your friend as his son. But I am doubly pleased at the thought that your father will no longer object to Headlands marrying your sister."
The general was still rattling on asking Harry questions and describing late public events when Mr Hastings entered the room. Harry introduced the general as a friend of his and Captain Headlands.
"I am happy on that account to make General Sampson"s acquaintance;"
said Mr Hastings, "perhaps indeed we may have met in our younger days."
"Very likely we have," said the general. "Your features and figure are familiar to me. In fact, I could almost swear that I knew you, though upon my life I cannot tell where it was."
"Perhaps you may have met me in company with Sir Ralph Castleton; indeed I am sure of it, as I confess that I recollect you. I say this as you are his friend, and, that should you have a suspicion who I am you may be careful not to express it to others." While Mr Hastings was speaking, the general was scanning his countenance with a look of the greatest surprise. The former continued, "As Lieutenant Castleton has begged me to come to Texford, perhaps if you are going there you will favour us with your company on the road. I should wish to set off to-morrow, but as I require longer rest and have some matters to settle in London, I must defer starting till the following day, if that will suit you."
"It will exactly do, sir," answered the general. "I promised Sir Ralph to go down on that day, and will join you here in the morning. At what hour do you propose leaving London?"
"We must not start later than six, and shall then scarcely reach Texford till some time after nightfall," answered Harry.
"No indeed," observed the general, "I always take two days, for I have no fancy to travel in the dark, and run the risk of being ordered to "halt and deliver.""
The general at a late hour wished his friends good-night, and returned to his lodgings.
Mr Hastings drove out the next morning alone, and was absent for most of the day. He also paid a visit accompanied by Harry to Captain Headland"s agent, who, without hesitation shewed the locket and other articles which had been deposited with him. Mr Hastings at once recognised them. "Had I entertained any doubts, these would have convinced me that their owner is my boy," he said turning to Harry.
"And I am convinced from what I know of you, that you will a.s.sist him in obtaining his inheritance."
"That I will most gladly," exclaimed Harry, "though I do not see how I can help him except with my purse."
"More than you may suppose," answered Mr Hastings significantly.
Harry had during the day called at the Admiralty, to report his return to England. He heard that the _Thisbe"s_ arrival was every day looked for. He left a letter for Headland, urging him to ask for leave, and to come directly to Texford. "Mr Hastings would wait for you," he wrote, "but he seems anxious on your account to see my father without delay, and as you may not arrive for some weeks he does not wish to defer his visit."
At the appointed hour the general appeared at the inn, and the three gentlemen set off on their journey, in a coach and four, with Jack Headland on the coach box, not omitting to provide themselves with firearms.
CHAPTER FIFTY TWO.
VISITORS.
Sir Ralph Castleton arrived at Texford in the middle of the next day after he left London. He was surprised to see his servants in their usual liveries, and still more so when Lady Castleton and Julia came out to greet him in coloured costume, instead of the black dresses they had lately worn.
"What means this?" he exclaimed. "You show but little respect to the memory of our boy by so soon discarding your mourning."
"We have no reason to mourn for him," said Lady Castleton, "he is alive and well, and will be here in a day or two at farthest."
She then briefly gave the account Harry had written from Deal. Sir Ralph expressed his satisfaction, though his words sounded cold to the ears of his wife and daughter.
"Let me see the letter," he said, "I can scarcely even now believe what you tell me."
Lady Castleton very unwillingly produced Harry"s letter. A frown gathered on Sir Ralph"s brow as he read it.
"I thought a few months would have cured him of his infatuation; but he still speaks of that girl as if I were of so yielding a character that I should ever consent to his committing so egregious a folly. And I see, Julia, that he alludes to Captain Headland. Clearly understand me that if he returns to England I must prohibit his appearance at Texford. I have every reason to believe that you may become a d.u.c.h.ess if you act wisely; and I cannot allow a penniless adventurer to stand in the way."