sheltered seat for Sara, who came bravely to his assistance.

"And how could he know, captain, that you were the friend of his
father?" she said in Welsh, for she had gathered the sense of the
English talk between the two sailors.

"Well! that's true indeed," said the captain, scratching his head; "we
were both in the dark. But there's the bell! You must go, my lad, if
you won't come with us."

"Not to-day," replied Gethin, "but one of these next days I'll be
following that good little woman."

And when, from the edge of the wharf, he watched the little steamer
making her way between the river craft, Sara's red mantle making a
bright spot in the grey of the fog and smoke, his heart went with her
to the old homestead, his old haunts, and his old friends.



[1] "In the deep waters and the waves," a well-known and favourite hymn.

[2] Home sickness.




CHAPTER XXIII

TURNED OUT!