I then made the crew a gift of what we had brought in our boat, and said to Cap-tain Stone, for that was his name: "I hope, sir, that you will now go with me to Rock House, the place where we live, and where you will see Miss Rose, who will be glad to hear some news of home."
"To be sure I will, and thank you much," said he; "and I have no doubt that Mr. West would like to go with us." This Mr. West was on his way, with his wife and two girls, to New South Wales, where he meant to build a house and clear a piece of land.
We all three then left the ship in our boat, and as we came in sight of Shark Isle, Jack, who was on the fort, fired his guns.
When we came to the beach, my wife and the rest were there to meet us. Jane was half wild with joy when she heard that Cap-tain Stone had brought her good news from home.
We led them round our house and through the grounds, and Mr. West took note of all he saw. When we came to talk, I found that he had made up his mind to stay with us. I need not say how glad I was to hear this, for he had brought out with him a large stock of farm tools, of which we had long been in want.
The boys were of course in high glee at all this, but I did not share their joy so much as I could wish. The ship which now lay close to our shore was the
