152 THE SHIPWRECK,

“J fear that you may have cause to blush forme. {
must muster all my courage to make the recital of what
may probably deprive me of your esteem and affection,”
said Charles.

His uncle, in a grave and serious manner, replied: “J
should indeed be grieved to hear any thing that could lead
to such a result :” and when he turned his eyes on Mer-
ville, and saw his extreme agitation, and remembered the
hatred his nephew formerly entertained for him, he felt per-
suaded that Charles had some confidential and sad story to
tell him respecting his conduct towards the young mutineer.

At this moment Lieutenant Saint Ague came upon deck.
The surprize of the two exiles was great beyond measure:
they were sure that he had perished in the storm. D’Es-
taing embraced and congratulated him, and after the first
effusions of the moment had subsided, told him how they
had found his trunk, containing some of his books, his flute
and part of his wardrobe.

“Oh my poor books!” cried St Ague ; “it was a heavy
chest,” he continued, “and in the extremities in which we
were placed after you left us, we threw it overboard, with
much other luggage, to ease the ship.”

‘But how did your ship make out to get here ?”

“We were fortunate enough to meet some Brazilian