CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
OLD ENGLAND REACHED AT LAST--CONCLUSION.
The ship was standing towards us. We had now no doubts of her being alarge English merchantman. She was a new ship, too, apparently.Presently she was hove to. A boat was lowered, and with rapid strokespulled towards us. "Who are you? Where do you come from?" asked someone in the boat as we lowered our sails.
"Our answer would be a long one, friend," said Mr Sedgwick. "We areEnglish people escaping from a burning mountain."
"You will be welcome aboard our ship at all events," was the answer."Here, catch hold of this rope, and we will tow your raft alongside."
A rope was hove to us over the stern of the boat, and without furtherwords we were towed away towards the ship. I eyed her with pleasure. Ihad often thought that if I once got ashore I should never wish to go tosea again. On looking, however, at her fine proportions and trimrigging, I felt that I should be proud to be an officer of such a craft.
Of course we did not move quickly. It was some time before we werealongside. "Come, we must now take you on board," said the officer inthe boat. "The ladies first, I conclude." The Frau, Emily, and Gracewere handed in. "We can take more, though. Here you, young man, andone of you gentlemen." Mr Hooker followed him into the boat.
An accommodation ladder was let down, as the sea was as smooth as in asheltered harbour. The Frau was helped up the side first, and the twogirls followed. Suddenly I heard a loud shriek of astonishment, andpresently whose face should I see but that of my old friend CaptainDavenport appearing at the gangway. In another instant he had hisdaughter Grace in his arms.
"My mother! where is my mother?" exclaimed Grace.
"Here, here, my child!" and Mrs Davenport received her daughter fromher husband's arms. Both held her, gazing anxiously at her face.
"You are restored to us, my child," said Mrs Davenport.
"And Emily, our second daughter!" exclaimed the old captain, takingEmily in his arms. She received almost as loving a welcome as Grace haddone, and I had ample reason to be thankful for my reception.
I must make a long story short. We found that Captain and MrsDavenport, after waiting at Singapore for some months, vainly expectingour return, and after having made every inquiry in their power for themissing _Dugong_, had at length given up the search, under the beliefthat we had been lost in a typhoon. A ship had touched at Singaporewhose captain had died, and Captain Davenport having lost so much of hisproperty in the _Bussorah Merchant_, had been compelled to accept thecharge of taking her home. He had there been immediately appointed tothe command of a new ship--the _Ulysses_. The offer he gladly accepted,as she was, after touching at Singapore, to proceed round the southcoast of Borneo, and thus up through the Sea of Celebes to thePhilippine Islands and Japan. He had faint hopes of finding us, but yetthe opportunity was not to be lost.
Our meeting was indeed wonderful, and we had reason to be thankful thatwe had been saved the sufferings to which we might have been subjected,and that their anxiety was thus happily ended. I need scarcely say thatMrs Davenport and her husband suffered greatly at the supposed loss oftheir daughter, while I fully believe they mourned also greatly for us;indeed, they treated both Emily and I as if we were their own children,and nothing could exceed their kindness and attention. CaptainDavenport offered to return to Singapore for the sake of landing MrHooker and our uncle; but they preferred remaining on board the ship,declaring that they must set to work to replace the treasures they hadlost; and as the ship was to remain for several days at every place shetouched at, they hoped in a limited degree to do so; but I could nothelp being amused sometimes at hearing them mourning the loss of theirspecimens--not, however, so much on their own account as on that of thescientific world in general.
"But surely, uncle," I said one day, "you have saved your note-books,and from them you may give a good deal of information."
"Of course, Walter," he answered. "That is my great consolation. Hadit not been for that, I scarcely think I could have survived theterrible disaster."
We had reason to be thankful that we had fallen in with the _Ulysses_,for we had not been on board a couple of days when it came on to blowhard, and so heavy a sea got up, that I suspect our raft would scarcelyhave held together, or at all events we should probably have been washedoff it. I must reserve the notes we made at the fresh places we visitedfor another occasion.
At length we were once more on our homeward voyage. The first mate ofthe ship having got appointed to the command of a vessel which had losther master, Mr Thudicumb took his place. The boatswain also was takenill, and Dick Tarbox became boatswain in his stead; while the other menentered as seamen on board the _Ulysses_.
We arrived in England after a prosperous voyage. I told CaptainDavenport that I hoped he would allow me to accompany him again to sea,trusting that I might soon obtain a berth as mate on board his ship.
"I should be very glad to have you, Walter," he said; "but I havereceived some information which will make it your duty, I suspect, toremain on shore. When I was last in England, I saw an account in thenewspapers of the death of the surviving children of your father's elderbrother, and now he himself has followed them to the grave. As far,therefore, as I can learn, you are heir-at-law to the title and estatesof Lord Heatherly."
I almost lost my breath as I listened to this information. I couldscarcely indeed believe it.
"I think you must be mistaken, my dear sir," I answered. "I never evenheard my father say that he was likely to succeed to the title."
"Probably not," said Captain Davenport, "as your eldest uncle had twochildren, and Lord Heatherly had a younger brother; but as all four havesince been removed by death, I believe that there is no other heir thanyourself."
This information he gave me at his house at Poplar, where Emily and Iwere residing with him. That very afternoon our uncle, Mr Sedgwick,arrived. He, too, had just heard of the death of my uncle, MrHeathfield, though he was not aware that all his children were alsodead.
"I see that I must bestir myself, Walter, for your and Emily'sinterests," he observed. "Captain Davenport is right, I am sure, insupposing that you are the heir-at-law to Lord Heatherly, besides whichyou have inherited some property which would have been your mother's."
My uncle, though an enthusiastic naturalist, was also a man of action.He proposed immediately setting off to visit Lord Heatherly, and to seewhether he would acknowledge my claims.
"I was once well acquainted with his lordship," he observed, "and Ithink he will attend to my representations. If he does not, we must seehow far the law can help us. I have, however, little doubt that he willbe ready to acknowledge you as his heir."
The next day a postchaise arrived at the door, when my uncle and Istarted in it for Hampshire, in which county Lord Heatherly resided. Aswe neared the house, I observed the sadly dilapidated condition ofnumerous cottages we passed; indeed, the whole property seemed to wearan air of neglect very unusual, I must say, about an English estate. Onarriving at the house, the servant who opened the door said that LordHeatherly was very ill, and could not possibly see strangers.
"But I am not a stranger," said Mr Sedgwick; "and this young gentlemanis a relation of his lordship,--indeed, the nearest he has; and probablyLord Heatherly would be glad to see one who will some day succeed to hisname and estates."
The manner of the servant immediately changed. "Lord Heatherly, sir,is, I am afraid, dying," he answered; "but I will let his lordship knowwho has come, and possibly he may be ready to do as you wish. At thesame time, pray understand, sir, that it will not be my fault if herefuses to see the young gentleman."
"Of course not, my good man," said Mr Sedgwick.
In a short time the servant returned, saying that Lord Heatherly wouldsee us. We found the old lord lying on a stately bed in a handsomeroom, a harsh-featured nurse by his side, while a footman stood at thefoot of the bed ready to receive orders.
"Mr Sed
gwick, I remember you," he said. "Your sister married mycousin.--And so this lad claims to be my heir? Let me look at him. Iremember Walter Heathfield's features well. Yes, I can believe that youare his son. I have made no will. All my estates are entailed, and ifyou can prove that you are next of kin, you will succeed. It mattersnot to me, though I should prefer that they were inherited by one whohas been brought up as a gentleman. I do not wish to dispute yourrights, if you are really my heir. The doctors say I am dying. Theymay be right. I have lived a number of years, and I am pretty welltired of life. You think, young gentleman, that you are about tosucceed to a noble inheritance; but let me tell you that an estate likethis entails many cares and responsibilities. The responsibilities Ihave ignored. Of the cares I have had enough. If you follow in myfootsteps, you will find but little satisfaction in the property. It issomewhat heavily encumbered; and if my brother Jack had succeeded, itwould in a short time have been still more so. There, I have given youa few hints; it will be your own fault if you do not take them.Speaking so much has wearied me. You and Mr Sedgwick are welcome toremain in the house as long as you please. If I am alive to-morrowmorning I shall be happy to see you again. You will find dinnerprepared for you. And now, good afternoon."
My cousin, who was propped up with pillows, made an inclination with hishead, but did not even attempt to hold out his hand. My uncle bowed,and I followed his example as we left the room. We found the servantsarranged in the hall, and with many bows they ushered us into thedrawing-room. Soon afterwards the housekeeper made her appearance, andbegged to learn my commands. I declined, however, giving any, sayingthat we were but guests in the house of Lord Heatherly, and would trustto her to act as she thought fit. I asked Mr Sedgwick whether hewished to remain.
"Yes, Walter," he said; "I think it will be the best thing to do. Ifhis lordship publicly acknowledges you it will be nine-tenths of the lawin your favour; and, indeed, as I cannot learn who else claims to be theheir, I trust that you will have no competitor."
I had never in my life seen a better entertainment than was in a shorttime put before my uncle and me. I felt very shy when sitting down attable with so many attendants, and was very glad when dinner was overand they retired. My uncle and I then drew our chairs towards the fire,and talked over my prospects. Certainly the change seemed very great,when I reflected that not a year ago I was living a solitary being, castaway on an island in the Eastern Seas, and that I was now heir to atitle and a large estate.
During the night I was awaked by hearing the sound of footsteps movingalong the passage, and soon afterwards there was a rap at the door. Ijumped out of bed, and asked who it was. It was the butler, who enteredthe room and lighted the candles.
"His lordship is very much worse, sir," he said; "and if you wish to seehim alive, you should come immediately."
I hurried on my clothes, and, accompanied by Mr Sedgwick, who had alsobeen roused, repaired to Lord Heatherly's room. The doctor was by hisside. He made a sign to us to come forward. The dying man opened hiseyes and fixed them on me. "He is my heir," he said. "In a few minuteshe will be Lord Heatherly, and I shall be dust."
Scarcely had he uttered these words when I saw a fearful alteration takeplace in his countenance. The medical man held his pulse, and presentlyI saw him lean forward and close my cousin's eyes, whose last gaze hadbeen fixed on me.
"He is gone," said the doctor, "and I can be of no further service.Probably the young Lord Heatherly and you, sir," he added, turning toMr Sedgwick, "will give such directions as you may think fit. You, Iconclude, are acquainted with the late Lord Heatherly's wishes."
Strange were the sensations which came over me. I had scarcely realisedtill then my position. I felt, indeed, utterly unfit to think or actfor myself, and was very glad when I once more found myself in my ownroom and in bed.
As may be supposed, I slept but little for the remainder of the night;and the next morning when the servants addressed me as "your lordship,"I almost felt as if they were mocking me; indeed, I was not a littleannoyed by the constant repetition of the expression. At length Ibegged my uncle to come with me to the study, giving directions to theservants that we should be left alone. However, we were sooninterrupted by persons who came to take orders for the funeral, and Ifound myself at once with numberless responsibilities on my shoulders.The first moment of quiet I could find I sat down to write to Emily, andto send messages to our kind friends. Mr Sedgwick undertook to comeback as soon as various necessary arrangements were made, and to bringher to Heatherly Hall. I begged that he would invite Grace to accompanyher, requesting that, after the funeral, Captain and Mrs Davenportwould come also.
I will pass over the account of the funeral, which was attended, I amsorry to say, with very few real mourners, though all the families inthe neighbourhood sent their carriages, and a few gentlemen who had beenmore intimately acquainted with the late lord came themselves.
In a short time another claimant appeared; but as I had beenacknowledged in the presence of sufficient witnesses by the late lord,he soon withdrew his claim, and I was left in undisputed possession ofthe title and property. I remembered Lord Heatherly's remarks withregard to the responsibilities of my position, and I considered wellwhat they were. He acknowledged that he had reaped but poor enjoymentfrom his wealth. "That also may be my case," I said to myself; "but onething I will do, I will pray for guidance from above, and will endeavourto fulfil to the best of my power the responsibilities cast on me." Myuncle had an old friend, a clever and honest lawyer, whose services Iimmediately engaged; and with his aid, and that of the steward of theestate, I set to work to ascertain what incumbrances existed, and whatwas most required to be done on the property. The cottages of the poortenants were in a sadly dilapidated state. My first care was to have anumber built in a style best suited to their wants, with four or morerooms in each, and with various conveniences for their comfort. Theywere well drained, and had an ample supply of good water. For theirspiritual wants I engaged an experienced missionary, who mightconstantly go among them; and while he preached the glad tidings ofsalvation, might ascertain who were sick or suffering, and report to meaccordingly, that I might relieve them.
Among my first guests was Oliver Farwell. He took an eager interest inwhat was going forward, and greatly assisted the missionary in hislabours. I asked Oliver what profession he purposed following, whetherhe wished again to go to sea.
"I should probably have done so," he answered; "but Mr Hooker hasproposed that I should go to college, and my tastes certainly lead me toadopt one of the learned professions. I delight in study, and shouldlike to choose the one by which I might the most benefit myfellow-creatures. Had I my free choice, I should wish to become aminister of the gospel, for I am sure to no more honourable or importantcalling can man devote the energies and talents with which his Maker hasendowed him."
"I am thankful to hear that, Oliver," I answered. "You and I have beenlike brothers so long, that you must allow me to treat you as a youngerbrother, and bear your college expenses. I have, too, I understand, twolivings in my gift, the incumbents of which are at present old men, andI gladly promise to present you to the first which becomes vacant,should you by that time have been ordained."
"I will tell Mr Hooker of your kind intentions," he answered; "andindeed, Lord Heatherly, I am truly grateful to you for them."
It sounded very odd to hear Oliver calling me Lord Heatherly. "Call meWalter, as before, my dear Oliver," I said. "You and I must always beOliver and Walter to each other."
As soon as a number of decent cottages had been put up, I offered themto the tenants at the same rents that they had paid for the ruinousones, which I then had pulled down, as I found they were utterly unfitto be repaired. On their sites, after the ground had been drained, Ierected others; and in the course of two or three years, no one wouldhave recognised the place. Three or four wretched public-houses orbeerhouses had existed in the village. I declined re
newing the leasesof the tenants of these, and got a respectable man to take a new anddecent inn, which I had built for the purpose. That part of the parishhad been noted for poachers, and the number of other disorderlycharacters it contained. These either left the place or took to bettercallings.
One of my earliest undertakings was to have a good school-house erected,with a residence for the master and mistress, in the most centralposition I could fix on. By giving rewards and encouragements to thepupils, in a short time there was not a child on the property who didnot attend school.
I consulted Emily, as also my uncle and Mr Hooker, as to how I couldbest prove my gratitude to Captain and Mrs Davenport. They managed toplace a sum to his credit at his banker's, in a way which prevented himfrom suspecting from whom it came. Shortly afterwards I found, from theway he spoke of the satisfactory addition to his fortune, he had no ideathat I was the donor.
"Our great wish had been to give our dear Grace a finished education,"observed Mrs Davenport. "She is already as well informed as most girlsof her age, but probably a few accomplishments would be advantageous toher. With our increased income we can now afford to send her to afirst-rate school. I have heard of one where the mistress is not onlyan accomplished lady, but a pious woman, who watches over the mostimportant interests of her pupils, and from the account I have heardfrom the young ladies under her charge, I feel sure that Grace cannotfail to benefit by spending two or three years with her."
When Emily found that Grace was to go to school, she begged to accompanyher. I had too many duties to perform to allow me to go to college,which I should otherwise have done, though already rather old, Ifancied, for commencing a university career. I, however, through MrHooker, found a first-rate tutor, and during the time my sister andGrace were at school, I read hard every day with him. I found also hisadvice of great assistance in my efforts to improve the condition of thepeople committed to my charge.
Captain Davenport had not given up the sea entirely; but after makingtwo or three successful voyages, he so improved his means, that he wasable to retire and live on shore, where he obtained a lucrativeemployment.
He had some time before presented me with Merlin, who soon made himselfat home in the house, though he never went far from it, evidentlyconsidering it, as the ship had been, under his especial charge.Whenever he heard me narrating our adventures, he pricked up his ears,as if he understood what was said, and wished to corroborate my account.He lived to extreme old age, amiable and faithful to the last.
Emily, at length, having left school, came to reside with me, andpreside over my establishment. I should have said that it was far lessdifficult to manage than in my cousin's time, as I had dismissed severalof the footmen and grooms, as well as other useless hangers-on, who, Ifelt sure, benefited neither themselves nor me, by living lives ofidleness. As may be supposed, Emily, who had grown into a beautifulyoung woman, had no want of admirers; but, to my surprise, she refusedseveral excellent offers in succession.
"Why should I leave your house, my dear brother?" she answered, when oneday I gently expostulated with her on the subject. "When you have awife of your own, it will be time enough for me to do so; unless shewishes me to remain."
Soon after this, Oliver Farwell, who had generally spent his vacationwith me, was ordained, and the incumbent of the chief living belongingto the property having died, I presented him to it, and he commenced acareer of sympathising care over the flock committed to him, which soonendeared him to them, while he gained the love and respect of people ofall denominations in the parish.
"It is a long time since the Davenports paid us a visit," I said toEmily one day. "Will you write and invite them? I am sure that youwill be glad to have your old friend Grace with you."
I had not seen Grace for a long time, and I somehow or other alwaysthought of her as the little girl who had been Emily's friend, and thedaughter of our kind protector during our adventures in the EasternArchipelago. I could scarcely believe my eyes when an elegant andrefined young lady stepped out of the carriage which brought Captain andMrs Davenport to my house. I had never thought of marrying; indeed, Ihad not been attracted by any of the young ladies in my immediateneighbourhood. When I saw Grace, however, and found her sweet, andamiable, and well-instructed, and refined, and right-minded, possessedindeed of all the qualities which should adorn a woman, new thoughts andfeelings took possession of me, and I became convinced that no lady inthe world was more calculated to add to my happiness than she was.Still, I could not tell how her own feelings might be engaged. PerhapsEmily saw how things were going on, for one day she said to me--
"I do not think you need be afraid, Walter; and if you ask her, I shallbe very much surprised if she refuses you."
Thereon, before many hours had passed away, I spoke to Grace, and foundthat there was every prospect of all my hopes of happiness beingrealised.
"And, Emily," I said to her the next day, "will you confide to me thereason why you have refused so many good offers of marriage? I do notwish to get rid of you, and I am very certain that you would add greatlyto Grace's happiness if you remain here."
"In that case," she answered, "I think it will be my duty, as well aspleasure, to remain your guest."
"That is not a categorical answer," I remarked. "Come, Emily, tell me,is there no one for whom you have more regard than for those unhappygentlemen whom you refused?" I saw a gentle blush rise to her cheek."Well," I said, "I shall ask Oliver Farwell to come and stay here. Hekeeps away far more than there is any necessity for, as he can easilyride across the park to his vicarage, and equally well attend to hisduties as he can when residing there."
"If Mr Farwell keeps away, he has probably good reason for doing so,"answered Emily; "though, of course, you are welcome to ask him to comeover here, if you like to do so. I greatly respect him, and I am surewhatever he does is from a right motive."
The following day I rode over to the vicarage, and pressed Oliver tocome and stay with us, and help to entertain Captain and Mrs Davenport.I saw he hesitated somewhat. Though he congratulated me sincerely onmy prospect of marriage, he uttered an involuntary sigh as he ceasedspeaking. "I hope, my dear Oliver, that you may enjoy the samehappiness yourself," I said. "I am very certain that the usefulness ofa clergyman is greatly increased by the assistance of a suitable wife--one who will sympathise with him in his unavoidable trials anddisappointments, and who will attend to many of the cases of distresswhich he may find it difficult to manage." He looked grave, and then Ithought he gave an inquiring glance up at my face. "Yes, Oliver," Isaid; "and I am sure if you can find a woman possessed of the qualitiesyou desire, and her heart is disengaged, she is not likely to refuse toshare your fortunes."
Before I left, Oliver had promised to come over that day to the hall.Whatever Emily had intended to do, somehow or other before long Oliverfound out that, should he make her an offer, she was not likely torefuse him.
The two marriages took place on the same day, and among those who werepresent were Dick Tarbox, Roger Trew, Potto Jumbo, and our old friendMacco--Merlin wearing a huge favour on this occasion. Macco, indeed,was installed soon afterwards as a butler at the vicarage; while PottoJumbo became under-cook in my establishment, and soon, by hisintelligence and attention, rose to be head-cook. Dick Tarbox and RogerTrew promised, when they gave up the sea, to come and settle down on myestate, and I pointed out the site where I would build two cottages fortheir accommodation.
My friends and I had gone through many trials and dangers together, andI believe we had all learned an important lesson from them,--to putimplicit trust in a merciful God who watches over his creatures, whoallows not a sparrow to fall to the ground unknown to him, who desiresthe happiness of all, and who has made the way plain and simple, havinggiven us the most minute directions by which that happiness may beobtained.
THE END.
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