A Final Reckoning

lson, running at their full speed, were within a few paces of the girls. They had entered a shop to make a purchase, while the ladies strolled on; and although they had

e Malay rushed down upon them; but as her father came up she t

urried off, in the direction from which the man had come, to inquire how many victims had fallen to his deadly crease, and to see whether any friends were among them. On the Malay himself no one spared a moment's attention. A

and praising him for the courage with which he had faced the maddened savage. A minute later, Mr. H

Hudson said to his daughter. "I

you for saving my child's life? It seemed to us that she was lost, and that nothing could save her; w

he added, as he saw the blood st

st, I think not; but I feel rather queer from this

ly from the relaxation of the tension of the s

The lad is nearly fainting. One of you help me get him

as the native spirit is called) and water revived him somewhat. It was some minutes before a surgeon arrived; for five p

as he examined Reuben's wounds. "Very differ

that he couldn't strike. They are only cu

the brow and cheek. If it had been an inch further back, it would have severed the temporal artery. You have had a narrow escape of it. As it is, you will get off with a scar, which

m. The other and slighter wounds were simply drawn together by

must wish to go to Miss Hudson. I will sit her

a vehicle, and you will come to the hotel and get into bed at once. You

is moment a vehicle arrived at the doo

d. "They are both greatly shaken, and no wonder. So I thought it better to see

Wilson; and I am just taking him

ben's lip quivered, and he was incapable of bearing any further excitement. "Do

nd most of the other passengers were at the same hotel, and there was great excitement when the news arrived of the terrible danger the two girls had run. Mrs. Hudson had, from her early life, bee

urned downstairs, and took a seat in the verandah by his fellow passenger. "I owe Frances' life to him, and there is not

that of most men in his condition of life, and I should have taken him for a gentleman, who had got into some scrape and run away, had it not been that he seems to have been regularly apprenticed to his trade. Still, there is something a little mysterious about him. I asked him casually what part o

nown each other in the colony, but had not been intimate until thrown together on board the Paramatta. Seeing that she was an only child, and that her father was considered one of the wealthiest squatters in

ttling down in the old country; but I may tell you that while she has been in Europe she has had several opportunities of so doing, if she would have taken them. She did not think fit to do so, and I have always made up my mind not to influence her in

t she likes you, but as to anything more, it is for you to find out. You will have plen

nce of the blood would not have surprised her. It is a great disappointment, to her, that she should have returned unmarried; and she has already been talking to me about our returning to England, in another couple

to it; and as I am with you, you may be quite sure it will come right in the long run; but we might not have a very pleasant time

young officer of the constabulary said that h

will shift the responsibility, by leaving the matter in Frances' hands-women are much better hands at things of this sort, that require a light touch, than we are. I do not wonder that she and Miss Furley are s

ve been in some tough fights, with bush rangers and

as all must be over before we could get there.

nk of sleep now; and I am sure I sha'n't, if we go on talking any more about it. Let us take a tu

at nine. But early as they were, Reuben was before them; and on Mr. Hudson inquiring

came down to their early breakfast. Both d

s as to their appearance. "I have no doubt a few days at sea will do it; but of course, it is only righ

u used to say, dad, that I was plucky, because I wasn't afraid of wild cattle, and not very afraid of the natives or bush rangers; but

for everyone else bolted at the first alarm. The w

been any use if I had, for he was close to us before we knew what

ve got out of the way. Somehow I seemed to lose all power to move. I had just shut my eyes, and thought it was all over, wh

ances, that it is better for you to try and think nothing more abo

d us has gone on board ship. I asked, dire

cause he didn't want to see you. It sounds rude

agreed. "Did you se

ly a minute or two before you did,

r what you are going

o make up our minds in a hurry. Your mother is in favour of giving him a handsome present; but I don't think,

that. Any other possib

ver with Wilson, and we have agreed that the be

s thing. We owe him our lives, and the least we can do is not to hu

ess in his wounds, he was all right again. He dressed quietly and, as soon as he heard persons moving about in the hotel, made his way down to the shore, and sat down there to

was soon rowing towards the shore. As she approached, Reuben saw the steward and first mat

he told me all about your gallant rescue of the two ladies. I am sorry to see you bandaged

s all over one side of the face, and my arm in a sling; but they are no great depth, and don't hurt to speak of

isn't everyone who would face a Malay runn

two ladies. There was no time to think about danger, one way or the other. The only

ryone else rushing. However, I mustn't stand talking about it now, as I ha

ome back again in an hour's time. None of

or they were anxious to hear the particulars of the report which had circulated

I tell you, Reuben, it were a right down good thin

you say

eneral chorus

looks upon you as my chick, and I tell you I feel proud on you. I felt sure

oa

on deck. He was there met by the captain, who had just come u

be, if you were a son of mine. It was a lucky day for us all, when I shipped you on board the Paramatta; for

of you, and you will have to lie by for a

f cocoa with mine, a large on

Reuben coming to his c

till your wounds have healed up, lad. I will tell t

receive the hearty congratulations of the men; and then, rather to escape from this t

ils were lying loose in their gaskets. The crew were singing merrily, as they worked the capstan. Three of the boats already hung from the davits, and two large boats were bringing off the passengers, and were already within

mate ordered, "and run her up as she is

by this time,

sailors again started, at

er again, for the second portion of her voyage. Mr. Hudson and his friend very soon made their way forward, and the sh

, I hope? It was too bad of you to

a little shaky at first, but the captain gave me a cup of cocoa wh

yet. No, you must come aft with me. My daughter and Miss Furley are most

will excuse me. It is horrid being thanked and made a fuss abou

't be fair to my daughter. If anyone did you a great

Reuben answered reluctantl

When anyone puts others under a vast obligation to him, he must submit to be thank

, more ashamed and uncomfortable even than he did when standing in the dock, as a criminal. Captain Wils

o talk much; but believe me that, he

d. He had often, indeed, watched the young officer and Miss Hudson t

ther that they should see Reuben in the cabin alone, as she felt that it would be a severe ordeal, to the lad, to be publ

there. Frances came forward first.

ank you with all my heart, not only for my own sake, but for that of my fathe

, Miss Hudson," R

left him, as he

d gratification to me, that I have been able to h

hat dreadful moment, and the feeling which darted through my mind, as you rushed pa

hild you have saved from so dreadful a death. Believe me that there is nothing that my h

the young man for saving her daughter's life; and she had been unable to understand the scruples of her husband

idn't do so. Of course, he didn't do it for money at the time, but it is absurd to suppose that a young carpenter like this, working his way out on board a ship, will object to receive a handsome present for such a service as this. Our

my father. Besides, I do not say that we are to do nothing for him. On the contrary, I agree with you that it would be wrong, indeed, if we did not.

f he were a gentleman it would, of course, be different; but he is a young carp

as the feelings of a gentleman; even if he is not one by birth, about which I a

laughed. "You get round your father first, and then you

. Hudson, feeling that the lad would rather get over the sc

gers are all waiting to shake you by the hand, and they would not forgive me i

, where the passengers all shook hands with

," he said, with a smile to M

ur age would be glad of an opportunity for figuring as a hero, but y

re you; and now, I think I will turn in again. Consi

ared again on deck. Shortly after he did so, Captain

do not ask from mere inquisitiveness; but after what has happened, you see, we seem to have got into close relationship with each other; and

ot appear that I should ever be working as a craftsman for my living. Unhappily, at that time my father slipped, one night, into the mill pond and was drowned;

est friends a boy ever had. He pushed me on greatly and, when I was apprenticed to a mill wright, he urged me to continue my education by working of an evening. I stuck to it hard, and with his help lear

our mothe

s,

ing, at your age; when indeed, you ca

I may say that it was a serious matter, but that I was really in no way to blame, whatever people may think. My conscience

your word in the matter. However, I am glad that you have told me as much as you have. Your early rearing, your mother's care, and the education you have had, perfec

ing in the cabin. He was afraid of hurting your feelings, by speaking to you about it; but I know that it would be a great relief and pleasure, to hi

, and so far there has been no hardship worth speaking of. Even putting aside the fact that I should not like to accept an obligation which would, to most people, look like a payment for the service I was

sation, would judge you to be otherwise than a gentleman by birth; while there are several of th

So I think that, with all gratitude for the offer, I would very much rather remain as I am. Accustomed

h to me and the Hudsons, to have you aft, and I am sure you would be well received by all the

ay in that; and I hope that, when I thoroughly understand

men ready to assist him, and push him forward. This is so at home, and is of course still more the case in a strange

enty of time to think i

"that our wonderful run of good luck, with regard to the weat

think

you know, was much feared for its terrible storms by the Portuguese, and it has kept