WOULD HE BE RULING? 185

 Oh, what an amount of heart-burning anger and
 misery would we all escape if we only could do this
 when others appear to be unjust to us!
 When Jack thought over all that had occurred,
 he acknowledged to himself that his father could
 hardly have acted otherwise than he did, when he
 must have felt persuaded that his son had behaved
 -first, cruelly and disobediently, and then, to crown
 all, with persistent obstinacy !
 And when Jack came to see this, his heart seemed
 lightened of half its sorest grief, and he only longed
 to throw himself on his father's breast, and beg for-
 giveness for having ever left his side.
 But there was one reason yet that made him
fear returning, and this reason was -solicitude for
another's fate. He dreaded that he might inadvert-
ently bear witness against Roger Gordon, and so
endanger his friend's life!
 This was the consideration that made him hesi-
tate as to whether it would be right or honourable
to return home when the steamer should end her
present voyage.
 After a great deal of thought on the matter he
determined that he would consult the old sailor Joe
on the subject.
 Of course, it would not be safe to tell him the real
names, lest advantage should be taken of such in-