Justine then explained that they were sick travellers, who had been lodging for a few days at her mother's, for the benefit of the sea-air, and invited my agitated mother to lead her infirm relative to the beach, where they might sit down and be amused with what was passing. This hint was of course taken, and the agitation of the fugitives being naturally mistaken for illness, and the girls being occupied with their own more interesting concerns, no questions were asked, and they mixed themselves with the group without having been perceived by the men behind the sand-hills.

My father had promised Justine five of his gold pieces the moment that he and his wife should set foot in an English boat. He now took an opportunity of reminding her of this.

The three friends kept close to each other as the boats neared the shore. How my father's heart beat when he heard the voices of the sailors singing one of our most inspiring English airs, and recognised the name of their ships upon their glazed hats!

The boats were eight-oared, one commanded by a lieutenant, the other by a midshipman. The crew were armed with cutlasses and pistols.

As soon as the lieutenant leaped ashore, my father slipped into his hand a letter, explaining as briefly as possible, his escape, his adventures, and his marriage, and imploring him to take him and his wife under his immediate protection.

As soon as the officer had read it, my mother, who was leaning on my father's arm, whispered, for God's sake, save us!"

"Save us,

"Is that your wife?" said the young man,

in a low tone, to my father.

Upon being answered in the affirmative, "Be easy, madam," he replied, "you and your husband are safe. I will settle as speedily as possible with these market-people, that you may not be detained a moment longer than is absolutely necessary."

Then desiring them to keep close to him, he explained, in a few words, to his men, and to the midshipman in command of the other boat, what had just been communicated to him, and

they hastened to arrange every thing to the entire satisfaction of the country girls.

No sooner was that completed, than my father slipped into the hand of Justine (which he and my mother warmly pressed) the five gold pieces which he had promised her.

He then took his wife in his arms, and lifting her into the boat, jumped in after her.

Three cheers were given by the crews of the two boats as they pulled from the shore, leaving the astonished girls silent spectators of what had passed.

For the first time since they had known each other, did my dear parents feel the joy of perfect freedom.

I need not dwell on the gratitude they felt, nor upon the kind reception they met with on board the frigate, which, fortunately for my mother, contained the wives of several military officers, destined for Gibraltar. At the latter place my father and mother were re-married, and reached England a few months after, in company with a young midshipman, who was sent home in ill-health.

My parents had been very kind to this young lad, who was dying of a decline, and they determined to accompany him to the Isle of Wight, where his father, a clergyman, resided.

All places were alike to those who had no home; and as their young friend described the Isle of Wight as a very unexpensive and retired place, and the vessel which brought them landed them at Portsmouth, they resolved to settle there.

The officers' wives had most kindly and amply supplied my mother with clothes, and the captain of the frigate in which they were first received, was so good as to place my father on the ship's books, as he acted as a volunteer, so that he received some trifling pay, and, most luckily, a share of prize-money, which was particularly welcome; indeed, without it, they could scarcely, even with their humble views, have got on. They were also extremely fortunate in their selection of the Isle of Wight, and in the friendship they formed with Mr. Moreton, the father of their young midshipman.

The latter, poor lad, lived only a few months after his landing.

A small cottage was taken by my father near to Mr. Moreton's vicarage, and through that gentleman's kindness, he was introduced to several families, whose sons he taught French, mathematics, and navigation. My mother also instructed some young ladies in music, drawing, and Italian, and her speaking constantly when with them pure French, was considered so great an advantage, that she soon had as much occupation as she could possibly desire.

To the motherless daughter of Mr. Moreton, (who was only ten years of age,) my mother was a great acquisition, as she undertook her entire education, absolutely refusing any remuneration.

At the end of two happy years I was born, and, as I have often heard my poor mother say, I added greatly to their already happy state.