Ned Garth | Page 6

to treat our fellow-creatures alike, without expectation of reward,
and to pull a drowning man, whether a lord or an ordinary seaman, out
of the water when we can."
CHAPTER TWO.
The next morning Ned went off to summon the doctor from the
neighbouring town, for their guest still remained in an apparently
dangerous state. Several days passed before he was able to rise. He was
evidently, from his conversation and manners, a man of education; but
he did not speak of himself, except to mention that his name was
Farrance, and that he was on a voyage from the Mediterranean in the
"Champion" brig, when she had been cast away; and he again also
expressed his gratitude to Miss Sarah Pack for the kindness he was
receiving, and to the lieutenant and his companions for preserving his
life. He made minute inquiries as to the occurrence, he only
remembering that he was clinging to a portion of the wreck after she
had struck, when he felt himself washed into the foaming breakers. He
appeared to be interested in Ned, whom he drew into conversation,
inquiring particularly what profession he intended to follow.

"I wish to enter the navy, as my father and uncle did," answered Ned;
"but my uncle says that he has no interest, and that I should have little
chance of promotion. Indeed, his means are so limited that I cannot ask
him to provide the necessary funds, so I conclude I shall have to go into
the merchant service."
"Well, well, you are right in desiring not to be an expense to your uncle.
Every man should endeavour, as far as he can, to depend upon his own
exertions; however, you have still some time to think about the matter,
and you will, I hope, succeed in whatever profession you follow,"
remarked the stranger.
There was another inmate of the house who appeared to interest him
even more than Edward. A little girl of some ten or twelve years of
age--a fair-haired, blue-eyed damsel, with a sweet, gentle expression of
countenance, yet full of life and spirits. Edward had told him that she
was not his sister, although he loved her as much as if she were. The
first evening he came into the sitting-room the lieutenant heard him ask
her name.
"I am called Mary," she answered; "Uncle John gave me my name
when he first found me."
She shortly afterwards left the room. The stranger watched her as she
went out with a look of much surprise.
"You may be curious to know the meaning of her remark," observed
Miss Sarah. "My brother will tell you how she came into our
possession; very thankful I have been to have so sprightly and sweet a
young creature under our roof, though at first I confess I felt somewhat
anxious when he placed her in my charge."
Mr Farrance turned an inquiring glance towards his host.
"I have but a short yarn to spin about the matter," said the lieutenant.
"Some few years ago, after I had quitted the service, an old friend
offered me the command of a ship bound on a voyage round the Cape
of Good Hope and up the Red Sea. I was not sorry to obtain

employment, and was glad to have the opportunity of making a few
pounds, which might assist to keep the pot boiling at home, and help
Sally in her housekeeping. Having touched at the Cape, I was steering
for Aden, when we were overtaken by a heavy gale, which pretty
severely tried my stout ship. We were about to make sail in the
morning, the wind having abated and the sea gone down, when an
object was seen floating a short distance ahead. On getting nearer, we
saw that it was a piece of wreck with a man upon it. Standing on, I
hove the ship to, and having lowered a boat, watched with interest her
approach to the raft. The man was, I made out, a black. He was holding
what looked like a bundle of clothes with one hand, keeping it above
the water, which still nearly washed over him. His bundle contained, I
had no doubt, something of value, or he would not have exerted himself
as he was doing to preserve it from the sea. It was of value, and, to my
mind, the most valuable thing in creation--a young child, as I
discovered when the boat returned with the rescued man, who still held
fast to his treasure. We lifted them both carefully on board. The black
sank exhausted on the deck, making signs to us, however, to take care
of the child. We thought that it was his own, but when we got a look at
its countenance, greatly to our surprise