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 CHAPTER XX.

 A TERRIBLE DREAM.

 I recognized the nameless agony,
 The terror, and the tremor, and the pain
 That oft before had filled and haunted me,
 And now returned with threefold strength again."

 T was only a week from the time that the
 "Egeria" was to be in port at Westcoast,
 "when Jack had had his mind so much re-
 lieved by the old sailor's assurance of the safety of
 his friend Roger Gordon's life. Since then, each day
 seemed to drag out slowly and wearily, so great was
 his impatience to reach his home, his father, and
 Polly. Every evening he rejoiced that another day
 had passed, and as he rose each morning, he counted
 the remaining hours that would yet have to elapse
 before his foot could touch his native land again.
 During this last week at sea, however, he was tor-
 mented by remorse with regard to his father, nor could
 he help dwelling constantly on the sad tale which had
been told him by Mr. Lane. Oh, why had he not