No. IV. THE PASSAGE HOME. "And then, that Hope, that fairy Hope For all its dearest, fondest schemes!" MOORE. THE manner in which my friend Thoughtless discovered that his father had returned from America to his native land, has been related in "Fifteen Years in India." Charles was then in a declining state of health from long residence in India; he had a family to support, and only the prospects of a subaltern to cheer him. His joy may therefore be conceived, when he received those letters from his father, which induced him to return home, on the assurance that certain independence awaited his arrival. However, I shall no longer detain the reader from his own words: "With what fond delight I dwelt upon the prospect before me, when circumstances permitted me to quit the field-force, preparatory to my return home! The object 1 had long been aiming at seemed, to my 'mind's eye,' arrayed like a bride; and I, the happy groom, felt my countenance lighted up with hope and joy. In this state I reached the Presidency of Bombay, and engaged a passage for myself and family on board the free trader, Victory, commanded by Captain Braithwaite of Whitby. "The white sail soon trembled, and she cut the waves. We dried the tears that had said 'Farethee-well' to many a familiar face, the waving handkerchiefs on the beach streamed no longer to the eye, and we turned to a more contracted scene for pleasure and amusement. "Our society on board was not large: it consisted of the captain and his two mates, a ladypassenger and her infant, a brother officer of my own, belonging to another corps, and my wife and children. Captain Braithwaite was a stout Englishmen, with a seafaring frankness of manner and an openness of address, that at once gained confidence and esteem. His countenance presented a fine specimen of the ancient Briton; and no one could look upon it without saying, 'there are bravery and generosity.' "Mr. Terry, his first officer, was a rough son of Neptune, with a heart and countenance overflowing with good-nature; but take him one inch out of his profession, and he was a child that had every thing to learn. "The second-mate, Mr. Hawkesley, was a jolly, fine, portly fellow, who could play a game at draughts, and tell a good story with excellent effect. He had nearly lost the use of his right leg and thigh, from having been crushed by a water-cask that broke from its stays in a squall, during the passage out; but this lamentable accident had not subdued his spirit. Full of life, laugh, and music, he hopped from stem to stern, and seemed to regret his loss only when he thought of the shock it would give his mother, to see him limping up to her door. I have seen him wipe his eye when reflection turned to the girl of his heart, and apprehension asked hope- What will she think of me now?" But a flush of satisfaction would cross his manly face, when answered by his wishes - Though I had not a leg to stand on, yet my constant Nan would love the old trunk.' "Our lady-passenger had just arrived in India with her husband, Major H—, who was obliged to join his regiment in the field, and leave her, the exulting but sorrowful mother of an only child. The climate had disagreed with her; and the physicians, to save her life, had recommended her immediate return to Europe. My brother officer was going home on sick certificate. He had the advantage of a good person, with an unmeaning countenance and a vacant head. "We had scarcely cleared the land, when one of the most tremendous squalls arose that I ever witnessed. It was in the dead of night. I was aroused from a sound sleep, by the war of elements and the cries of the crew. The vessel had been taken aback with all her sails set. When I mounted the companion-ladder, they were |