Well, dearest, it wasn't the first time I had floundered in the waters [noble Charles! noble Charles! he had long forgiven Julian]; so I was battling on as well as I could, with a stout heart and a steady arm, when--don't be afraid--a _Catamaran_ caught me! If you haven't fainted (bless those pretty eyes of your's, my Emmy!) read on; and you will find that this alarming sort of animal is neither an albatross nor an alligator, but simply--a life-boat with a Triton in the stern.

Yes, God's messenger of life to me and happiness to you, my girl, came in the shape of a kindly, chattering, blue-skinned, human creature, who dragged me out of the surf, landed me safely, and, I need not say, got paid with more than hearty thanks.

So, I scuffled to the custom-house to look after my traps and fellow-passengers, like a dripping merman.
"'Who is that miserable old woman, bothering every body ?' asked I of a very civil searcher, profuse in his salaams.
"'Oh, Sahib, you will know for yourself, presently: she's always hanging about here, to get news of somebody in England, I believe--and to try to find a charitable captain who will take her all the way for nothing: rather too much of a good thing, you know, Sahib.' [We really cannot undertake to scribble broken English: so we will translate any thing that may mysteriously have been chatted by havildars, and coolies; and all manner of strange names.] "'Poor old soul--she looks very wretched: what's her name ?' asked I, carelessly.
"'Oh, I never troubled to inquire, Sahib: I believe she was an old servant left behind as lumber, and she pesters every one, day by day, about some 'bonnie bonnie bairn.'' "In a moment, Emmy, I had seized on dear nurse Mackie! "Very old, very deaf, very infirm--she fancied I was driving her away, as many others might have done; and, with a truly piteous face, pleaded-- "'Gude sir, have mercy on a puir auld soul--and let her ask for her sweet young mistress, only once, sir--only once more.' "'Emily Warren ?' said I.
"Her wrinkled face brightened over as with glory--and she answered-- "'Bless the mouth that spake it, and these ears that hear her name! yes--yes--yes--they call her so; where is she?
how is she?
have you seen her?
is she yet alive ?' "Leading away the affectionate old soul from the crowd that was collecting round us, I left orders about luggage as a traveller should, and then told her all I knew: and I know you pretty well, I think, my Emmy.
"Her joy was like a mad woman's: the dear old Hecate pranced, and danced, and sung, and shouted like nothing but a mother when she finds her long-lost child: not that she's your mother, Emmy dear.
No--no--matters are better than that: all she vouchsafes, though, to tell me is, that you are a lady born and bred, and--for I cannot find the words to inform your pure mind clearer--that 'you are not what he thinks you.'" [Here followeth another twinkling universe of stars; * * * * * * * and thereafter our cavalier condescendeth again to matters of fact.] "Nurse Mackie of course comes back with me next packet; this letter goes by the overland mail more quickly than we can; gladly would I go too, but the old woman, whose life is essential to your rights, would die of fatigue by the way; as it is, I am obliged to coddle her, and feed her, and ptisan her, like a sick baby, bless her dear old heart that loves my darling Emmy! She has a pack of papers with her, which she will not open, till the general is by her side: if she unfortunately dies before we can return, I am to have them, and all will be right.

But the old soul is so afraid of being left behind (as you throw away the orange-peel after you have squeezed it), that she will not tell me a word about them yet; so, I only gather what I can from her cautious garrulity, hints about a Begum and a captain, and the Stuarts, and a Putty-what-d'ye-call-it.

And it is all in document, as well as _viva-voce_ (this means 'gossip,' dear).