PAUL ON BOARD THE CORVETTE. 121

The corvette soon came up, and hove-to to
windward ; a boat was lowered and pulled towards
us. I watched her eagerly. A lieutenant was
steering, and among her crew I observed a black
man. I tried to make out his features, but at that
distance it was impossible. The hope rose in my
breast that he might be Paul.

As the schooner still rolled heavily it was no easy
matter for the boat to get alongside without the risk
of being swamped. She at length came up under
our quarter. I looked anxiously over the bulwarks,
and to my joy saw that the black was indeed
Paul. He caught sight of me.

- All right Massa Harry,’ he shouted, ‘we soon
aboard, praise God that you safe.’

‘Silence!’ said the officer, for Paul had forgotten
the discipline of a man-of-war in speaking. At
that moment I thought I recognised the lieutenant’s
countenance ; yes, I was nearly certain it was my
cousin Jack Haultaught, whose yarns, when he was
a midshipman, first made me wish to go to sea.
He and his crew soon sprang on to the low deck
of the schooner, while the boat, with a couple of
hands in her, was veered astern.»

I first greeted Paul warmly. His joy at seeing