CHAPTER XV.

CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XX.

 CONTENTS 

CONTENTS

   CHAPTER I. LOVE ON THE OCEAN CHAPTER II. THE MYSTERIOUS CARGO CHAPTER III. TO THE WATER'S EDGE CHAPTER IV. THE SILENT SEA CHAPTER V. MY REWARD CHAPTER VI. THE SOLE SURVIVOR CHAPTER VII. I FIND A FRIEND CHAPTER VIII. A SMALL PRECAUTION CHAPTER IX. MY CONVALESCENT HOME CHAPTER X. WINE AND WEAKNESS CHAPTER XI. I LIVE AGAIN CHAPTER XII. MY LADY'S BIDDING CHAPTER XIII. THE LONGEST DAY OF MY LIFE   CHAPTER XIV. IN THE GARDEN CHAPTER XV. FIRST BLOOD CHAPTER XVI. A DEADLOCK CHAPTER XVII. THIEVES FALL OUT CHAPTER XVIII. A MAN OF MANY MURDERS CHAPTER XIX. MY GREAT HOUR CHAPTER XX. THE STATEMENT OF FRANCIS RATTRAY  

   

    

       CHAPTER I. LOVE ON THE OCEAN     

       Nothing is so easy as falling in love on a long sea voyage, except falling out of love. Especially was this the case in the days when the wooden clippers did finely to land you in Sydney or in Melbourne under the four full months. We all saw far too much of each other, unless, indeed, we were to see still more. Our superficial attractions mutually exhausted, we lost heart and patience in the disappointing strata which lie between the surface and the bed-rock of most natures. My own experience was confined to the round voyage of the Lady Jermyn, in the year 1853. It was no common experience, as was only too well known at the time. And I may add that I for my part had not the faintest intention of falling in love on board; nay, after all these years, let me confess that I had good cause to hold       

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